As soon as Sammy vanished, a new set of footsteps could be heard coming closer down the mystery hall. Loud heavy and wet. 'It's the demon!' In a horrified panic you try to grab the closest object you can to defend yourself- a trash bin- and hold it over your head ready to throw, ignoring the items that drop out. At that moment the mysterious creature comes out of the hall. You take aim but, just as you're about to pelt them in the head, they speak up looking in the direction Sammy went.
". . .Where the hell did he go?"
'. . .Stein?' So, while you want desperately for that really to be who you think the voice is, you realize you've been gaping there open mouthed and speak up too.
"Stein?" The trash bin falls out of your shell-shocked hand while your eyes take that moment to really take the man in when he whips around with a flinch, spooked by your sudden voice or the thump of the object hitting the floor. He seems to collect himself much better than you because he quickly strides up to kneel in front of you, hands hovering but he doesn't touch.
"Doll? Are you alright? ...Is that really you?"
You give quick thankful nods and can't stop a few sudden waterworks from flowing- because 'It's Henry! And it's going to be OK!'- He chooses that moment to stop hovering and gently pulls you in to a warm hug. Your pal came back for you, he wasn't just going to leave you after going missing or to search this place alone. A sad guilty part of you had abandon the thought of help from the outside coming for you (or they would be far too late). Maybe that's what Sammy did? Left you some where safe someone could find you, or led Henry to you. You were going to believe the best of it, and held on to you mentor for dear life.
He pulled back when you calmed down. Eyes flickering here and there taking in every detail of your state.
"What happened to you?"
"What happened to you?"
You both ask at once and turn away to hide the blush dusting your cheeks. When he doesn't continue first you try again by answering, ". . .Tripped down a staircase." with a bit of mystery and zero elaboration. Surprisingly, he responds back with just the same amount of vague explanation, "Fell down a floor level or two, into a flooded room. . ." You're absolutely positive there's MORE to that story but aren't going to push it if he won't.
Then Henry takes that time to go into Nurse mode right before your eyes, assessing your bandaged torso and bruised skin showing. His eyes narrow and his skin seems to pale when he pieces together the ink stains are actually hand prints and if he wanted to ask about them, he doesn't. Selfishly, you're really glad Henry has his war experience right now so that he can be a pillar to lean on for the both of you now. You hiss when he pushes on your chest but let him continue. "They're definitely cracked, but not broken." He says to your questioning glare. "You think you can stand up?" You think about that for a sec.
"Well, haven't tried yet." So carefully with Henry to lean on literally now. He keeps a firm hold on your forearms while you test out a few movements on the way to standing on your feet. For one moment you have to stop for a sec to catch your breath. It feels like a drill is going ham on your bones, like your insides are made of glass and not only digging into other parts of your guts. But once you're on your feet you notice the fire axe in Henrys belt loop and quickly take it. "I'm going to borrow this for a bit," and try leaning on it as a cane. if he has any counters opposing that he doesn't speak up about it.
When you're finally standing upright, Henry suddenly splits up to begin searching the room. He points to something behind you. "We need to get power to this gate somehow," you must have completely missed it because one of the walls is in fact made of the same material similar to a garage door, the light panel operating it hidden just enough behind the barrel from where you were sitting. "Could be a couple switches nearby, then we can see about opening it."
"There no way to go back the way you came?"
He cringes softly at the thought of that but shakes his head. 'Damn.'
Oh well, better get searching.