Inked in Mystery
Chapter 2: The haunted studio
That evening, Keffan was still sleeping at Heckle and Jeckle's house. The two magpies managed to convince Gandy that it didn't bother them to keep the kitten and, like that, he could play with their son. At bedtime, Jeckle watches Heckle caring for the little ones and play with them.
« You know, kids. If I told you the story of Bendy, it wasn't to scare you. It's just a legend we tell Toons to remember that you have to be careful with the ink. » the magpie apologizes.
« I wasn't scared, dad! And if Bendy arrives, I'll hit him in the nose! » Aiden exclaims, leaping on his bed, hitting the air with his little fists.
Both parents laugh, amused and moved, while Keffan rolls his eyes with a small smile.
« Of course, sweetheart! » Jeckle smiled as he go in the room, grabbing his boy before bedding him. « But now it's time to sleep. »
Aiden doesn't mind and lets Heckle cover him with his blanket before both parents kiss him at the same time, each on one cheek. While their chick rolls in his blankets smiling, Heckle leaves the room while Jeckle kisses Keffan on the forehead.
« If you ever need anything, don't hesitate to call, Keffan. Especially if it's a nightmare. »
« No problem, Uncle Jeckle. » the kitten smiled, squeezing his stuffed toy.
The two adult magpies smile at the children before closing the door by turning off the lights.
The little ones sleep a little and, around 11:00 pm, Aiden's alarm clock rings. The little magpie turns it off almost immediately to avoid waking his parents and, reassured by hearing no noise in the house, he gets up and gets out of bed.
« Keffy! It's time ! » He whispers, jumping on Keffan.
The Tunman (who was sleeping soundly) jumps down on all fours, ruffled fur and haggard eyes. It's his friend's laughter that brings him back to reality, making him blush with embarrassment and anger.
« Aidy, you're exaggerating! I asked you to wake me up gently! » the kitten grumbles, straightening up on his feet.
« But when you sleep, you're Sleeping Beauty! » the chick chuckle before flying to his bed to recover the notebook hidden under his pillow. « Are you ready ? »
« Can I say no? »
« No ! »
« Well, I'm ready then ... » the half-Toon sighs.
Even though it was a busy city by day, ToonTown could be strangely quiet at night. Of course, we could find some roaming Toons and some neighborhoods were still very active. But in the neighborhood that leads to Kansas City (the place where Bendy was*), it's flat calm! The entrance to the city has been unused for years, overgrown with weeds and some wood boards blocking the tunnel. But for the small sizes of Aiden and Keffan, it isn't those boards that will stop them. The little magpie slips in with a smile and no problem but his kitten friend follows him without much enthusiasm. The dark tunnel worries him too... but Aiden is determined to go to the end.
« Do you know that you're a mad Toon? » the kitten mumbles.
« And you, you know you're too down-to-earth for a Toon? Your human side is really tough! »
Keffan growls at this remark.
Although he knows he is half human, he hated this part of him. As soon as he was old enough to understand (and especially because he asked many questions about his birth), Gandy had told him that he had been found abandoned in the trash near the studios. Keffan knows (by some questions he had asked to his Papa Cat and Coyote) that his real father was a Toon, that simply didn't know of his existence. The one he held responsible was his biological mother! The Human who gave him life before abandoning him like a trash in the garbage! He had always seen himself as a Toon and since he knew the truth, he was angry with his human mother and hated being reminded of his human side.
Aiden turns to him, saddened to see him in this state ... then sighs.
« Sorry, Keffy... I didn't think... it was a joke ... »
« I know, Aidy ... and anyway, you can't help it. » the kitten smiled.
The little magpie then jumps around his friend's neck to comfort him. The two friends huddle together to bring comfort to each other before continuing.
At the end of the tunnel, the two children fall into a deserted street, abandoned by all. They come out and see a building far from the city, obviously old and abandoned. It is even a miracle that it still stands.
« It's here ! » Aiden exclaims, smiling.
« Brr ... no surprise that after seeing it, the studio was told to be haunted... » Keffan trembles.
Both children make sure they aren't followed and that they are alone before running to the studio. Aiden stands on the tip of his paws to open the door ... when his frightened friend catches his hand.
« Are you sure you want to enter in? You've seen it up close, that's enough... »
« No way, I want to see it, even from the inside! » the little magpie indignantly, forcing the kitten to release him before opening the door.
The door creaked horribly because of the hinges not used for years and the two children went in. They ended in a dusty corridor full of cobwebs. Many posters cover the walls, announcing the release of an episode of Bendy. There are at least three different posters in this area: "Little Devil Darlin'", "The Dancing Devil" and "Sheep Song" where a certain Boris the Wolf was also featured. Even ink leaked from the ceiling. They continued forward as they entered into what appeared to be a lobby. An old projector is still functioning besides a desk covered with sketches. Aiden grabs one and looks at it. It's a little black and white devil with a big smile and a bow tie and white gloves. Moreover, this little mascot can be seen everywhere on cardboards and posters, even on some stickers.
« So that's the famous Bendy! » the magpie smiled. « He doesn't look so threatening. »
The chick stores the sketch in his notebook and continues his exploration, followed by Keffan who trembles from head to paws, not to mention the tip of his tail moving nervously. Aiden notices a little Bendy stuffed toy and he promises himself to take it when he comes out... when they arrived in a corridor with a message painted on the wall:
« Dreams come true... »
« Isn't it Disney's catchphrase and slogan? » Keffan asks.
« Maybe... but he probably wasn't the first one who came up with it. » shrugged the magpie as he continued.
They kept going until they saw a room with a huge machine! The room was also surmounted by a sign: "Ink Machine"
« An ink machine? » Aiden wonders when he enters the room. « I have never seen one! »
« It's weird, a machine that big for such a small studio. But even if it was in black and white, Bendy couldn't have needed so much ink. » remarks Keffan.
His friend flew away to observe the machine from above. A big black ink stain spotted the floor under the faucet, showing that the last use had to ask a lot of ink. The kitten observes the room when...
DONG DONG !
The noise make the half-Toon jump on all fours, the fur ruffled and spitting with fear... when he finds out that it's only Aiden pecking on the pipes with his beak, chuckling at his fear. But while he's about to scream...
DONG ! DONG ! DONG !
Three strikes respond to Aiden's pecking, more slowly, as if to play the clock. This time, it's too much for Keffan!
« Aiden, you bird brain! This time you put us in an awful mess! We are in danger in this forsaken studio! »
« In danger? Pff! I walk on the wild side, Keffan. I laugh in the face of danger! Hahaha! » the chick said, proudly, pumping up his chest as he had already seen his father do.
Suddenly, a laugh echoes in the silence of the studio and the ground starts to shake. Aiden is already terrified by the laugh but when he looks down, he sees a big ink puddle under his feet. Distraught, he takes off in a flutter of wings and takes refuge in the arms of Keffan who stays frozen in place, terrorized.
« Please, Aidy... tell me you just wet yourself... » he mumbles.
The two children observe the puddle... when a gloved hand comes out, making them jump. Then a whole body dark and dripping with ink appears sneering:
« Oh ho ho! What do we have here? »
Aiden and Keffan literally gasped as the Mickey Mouse-sized Toon came out of the ink stain. With a hand gesture, he wipes away the black ink that drips on his white face, revealing... his friendly and smiling face! Well... if you aren't in a haunted studio in front of him, you would find him friendly. The little black and white Toon walks towards the little ones and leans towards them with a big smile.
« A little tooned magpie and a little... wait a minute! » he exclaims, frowning when he sees the kitten.
He pushes Keffan, who falls back and lets go of Aiden before bumping into an object that cuts him off and makes him bleed. The little Bendy (since it's really him) grimaces, disgusted.
« Yuck! A Tunman! What is a bastarded creature like you is doing with a real Toon? And in here more than anyplace else !? » he yells, visibly furious.
The two children observe the Toon, confused. Is it really Bendy? Shouldn't the Toon have disappeared by being forgotten by all? How could he be here? The gossip on him is enough to keep him alive?
« Are you ... Bendy? » Aiden asks, intriguing the little devil.
« You know my name ? » he was surprised. « How can you know me, chick? It's been 30 years since everyone forgot me! »
« 30 years !? » the two children gasped.
They were only 6 years old and they already felt like they lived an eternity! And Bendy was locked up alone in this dark place for 30 years?
The little Devil must have noticed that they didn't know all the details, so he smiles (in a way that scares Keffan) when leaning towards them again.
« And yes, the little tips! 30 years ! It's long, huh? But you know what's the worst? All of this is because of these traitors and liars of humans! »
Anger seems to be invading Bendy to the 'human' word and his body seems to be melting. He even grunts, scary both children. He then stands up, staring at the little ones who are horrified to see the ink pouring down his face and his eyes turning bloody red.
« I hate humans... and their bastards too! » he growls before snorting. « On the other hand, there now, I would have nothing against a good sandwich! A "tunman" fish sandwich!* »
In a frightening roar, he rushes after the children who scream in terror. Aiden flies and Keffan jumps to the side, narrowly avoiding the demon who crashes against the wall in a splashing sound, leaving only a big stain where he has bumped. The children began to run away when the little magpie is caught and pulled back, slowing down his friend who looks for him... before finding Bendy hanging from the ceiling, his demon tail holding one of the beams of the building, with Aiden held by a paw.
« How cute ! I haven't noticed it! The little birdy who is friends with a little kitty! »
« I'm not a birdy! I'm a magpie! » grumbles Aiden pecking at his hand with his beak in hope of escaping.
Bendy laughs because of the tickling but refuses to let go of the chick who starts to flap his wings as hard as possible in the hope of freeing himself... when the devil loses his hold with a smile.
« Wow ! » the chick exclaimed, carried away by his own strength.
He lands on the ground and rolls like a ball until he bangs hard on the wall, summoning for the second time of the day the stars around his head. Bendy bursts out laughing and falls to the ground, carried away in the hilarity that he even bangs his fist on the ground. Keffan runs to rescue his friend and glares at the little devil.
« Hey ! Inky thing! » he growls furiously, stopping the demon's laughter.« Why do you pick on the little ones when you can pick on someone of your own size? »
« Oh yeah ? Like ... you? » Bendy said with a terrifying smile.
« Oops ... » Keffan mutters, lowering his ears, anger being replaced by fear.
Aiden just has time to chase the stars away that he sees Bendy jumping on them. The children scream and run away to escape, forcing the devil to run into the wall once again. The little ones are about to flee further away when Bendy's white face pops out of a puddle of ink.
BOO!
The boys scream of horror, terrified while the inkling demon sneers out of the puddle, then run away as fast as possible to the exit. Even Aiden preferred to run on the ground because Bendy could catch him in full flight. But while they are about to open the door, the floor opens under their feet.
Screaming in horror, the two friends fall to the floor below and land on it. Before they have time to recover, Keffan feels something catching his leg and he screams when this thing pulls him back. Aiden, terrified, turns to see Bendy (now dripping with ink) holding his friend by the hind leg with one hand.
« You know what they say, kitten? » the devil grins by raising the little Tunman in front of his face. « What keeps the doctor away, is a "Halfie"* Meal a day! »
Laughing and to the horror of the children, Bendy raises Keffan up and opens a wide mouth full of sharp teeth. The half-Toon meows and struggles to escape and Aiden panics, not knowing what to do,... before screaming at the edge of tears:
« STOOOP ! »
Bendy stops dead and looks down at the little magpie Toon.
Heckle and Jeckle's son trembles with fear but, retaining the little courage (or madness) that remains in him, he begs:
« Don't eat him, please! Keffan is my best friend! He may be a half-Toon but he has nothing to do with humans! He has a Toon dad who loves him so much! You're a Toon too, Bendy! You cannot kill a child of Toons and break a family! »
« A Toon family with a Tunman? Ha! » the master of the studio sneers, halfway between amusement and anger. « You think of me that foolish? The Tunmans are nothing but filth like Humans! All liars! »
« NO! I'm telling you the truth, I swear to you ! Look, it's on my birthday this last March! »
Aiden takes out a photo from under his feathers, from his hammerspace, and hands it to Bendy.
Still holding Keffan with one hand, the demon takes the picture with the other and observes it carefully. The little magpie is surprised to see him calm down to the point where he almost seems to cry by the sight of the picture where we see Aiden with his two parents and Keffan who smiles, hugged by his dad and SourPuss.
Bendy starts to breathe quickly, as if holding back his tears ... then he throws the Tunman grunting. Aiden immediately helps him back on his feet and the two boys watch the demon before them. He growls, breathes hard and seems to fight tears of black ink that still flow on his cheeks ... before he stands up, shouting to the children.
« What are you still doing here? Get out of here before I get mad for good! » enrages Bendy .
« But ... we ... we don't know the way out... » Aiden stammers, keeping his eyes on the devil.
The master of the studio groans as he walks towards the back of the room and opens a door. Behind, a staircase that leads upstairs.
« Here ! » he grumbles. « This staircase leads to the upper studio, near Henry's desk, not too far from the exit! Now leave! »
Aiden and Keffan look at each other, not knowing if they should trust him ... but Bendy is not patient.
« ARE YOU DEAF OR WHAT? » he shouted as he started dripping again. « I SAID LEAVE! GET OUT OF HERE! GET OUT ! »
Keffan jumps and catches Aiden before running to the stairs. The little magpie runs but without much conviction. Something in Bendy's behavior intrigues him. The Devil screams with rage and pain as he breaks the furniture, obviously furious. Arrived at the top of the stairs, Keffan rushes towards the exit, avoiding the gaping hole, and lets go of the chick to open the door.
The two children run away, returning to ToonTown as quickly as possible, allowing themselves to breathe once they have returned to known territory.
« Oh for cartoons sakes! » gasps Keffan, passing a hand through his hair. « I think we really saw worse than Judge Doom and his Dip! »
« How do you know? » Aiden shrugged. « We weren't even born. And you're more afraid of a Toon full of ink than a barrel full of solvents? »
« Oh hey! You were as scared as me, big dumb! » the Tunman gets annoyed. « And this nut case is a real monster! »
The kitten begins to tremble with horror and nervously rubs his arms. Aiden sees that he is paralyzed.
« Brr... we're going back home hurry now! By the way for the nightmares... I think that there will be plenty tonight. »
The little half-Toon goes back shaking but Aiden turns to look towards the tunnel. He was scared, it's true ... but something told him that the dripping Toon wasn't as cruel and terrifying as he seemed to be. There was something else. But there, fear is still too much in his head. So he goes home without paying attention to the cries that resonate in the tunnel.
This is chapter 2 of our fiction :D
Aiden and Keffan met Bendy and he was ... how to say? ... terrifying for kids! But Aiden finds his behavior strange, weird ... and you?
What do you think? Is Bendy really mad? Or does he hide something? What mystery still hides this dark studio? Discover it in the next chapter :) and don't forget to leave a little comment :D it is always nice to see that what we do pleases other people.
Before I forget! Here are the notifications noted *
5* When we write the fiction, we have no idea where this studio really is (no details in the game) but we thought that Kansas City could be a place where this studio seems to be the little one who wanted to break into the big and he is isolated from others and therefore more feared by others.
6* Bendy plays on the resemblance between 'tuna' and 'tunman'
7* Another word game between 'halfie' (another name of Tunmans) and 'healthy'
See you soon :D