Chapter 4: Don't Stay Out After Dark!

Bright, happy music filled Allison's apartment. Her radio sang song after song of chipper trumpets and saxophones, filling the rooms with music that made her feet move all on their own. Her cat, Cheese, stared up at Allison from his cushion bed in the corner, blinking as she hummed and spun around the tiny room. Her voice carried out the window as it dipped and rose with the highs and lows. Ella Fitzgerald really was fantastic, even if she were a bit new age. She'd taken Sammy's recommendation on this one, and ever since, she couldn't help but dance at Ella's sweet love songs and toe-tapping beats.

Allison opened up her tiny open, pulling out a batch of (only slightly) burnt chocolate cookies. She wanted to bring some for Tom tomorrow. He'd seemed really shaken up about something, but she was sure he was just nervous. He'd done it! He'd actually done it, finally, the rascal had finally asked her out on a real date! It was awkward, and she'd certainly been on better first dates, but it was Tom, and his fidgeting was cute and his sheepish voice was something too, and she'd take what she could get.

She took off her oven mitts, taking a moment to pull in the mail that she had left on the counter after returning home. A few more letters, cursed bills, and a package, unmarked, wrapped in parchment, that she left on the counter. She'd get to it later, she was in too good a mood right now to linger on anything other than her happiness. It was probably just another package from her father, back home, sending her pictures or snacks or anything, really.

Her family lived out of state, quite a bit out of state actually. She'd traveled on her own to try to get her shot at an acting career, and it was more than a little terrifying. It wasn't the city that scared her. She was used to the city; she'd grown up in one with her father and two younger brothers. They'd all been working since the day they could walk, from selling newspapers on sidewalk corners to button factories and construction jobs. No, it was scary to leave them all on their own without her. It was hard, when she decided that she wanted to move to California. It was harder to work up the courage to tell her family, but the hardest was how eagerly they encouraged her. She couldn't get a word in about money, wondering how they would get by without her, anything. They wouldn't have it, and even now, they sent her little packages now and again. A little reminder that they were still there, and that they were getting by.

She sent quite a bit of her earnings to them as well. It felt like the right thing to do. Sometimes they sent it back, a stubborn refusal and sturdy statement of their well-being. Other times, they didn't. She knew those must have been the hard weeks. Maybe what Allison was really scared of was letting them down. Of taking this chance, and not getting anywhere with it. But she had to keep hope.

One day it wouldn't be like this. One day she'd work for a company better than Joey Drew Studios. She'd be a household name, acting in every corner of the world, from stages to cartoons, to real films. It would happen. She just had to work a little harder.

Tom would understand that. She hoped. Their date today, could she really call it that? The word brought a smile to her face. Their date today was interesting, to say the least. And his final words seemed so odd. She was hoping he would say something else, a heartfelt confession perhaps? No, it was too soon for that. But he sounded so desperate. She couldn't even get another word in, she couldn't tell him that Joey had actually just offered her a minor raise. So she just remained silent, and that seemed good enough for him, in that moment.

Leave the studio? She supposed she wanted to. Thought about it. But a raise, right now? She couldn't pass that up. Besides, he wasn't one to talk, he certainly didn't act like he was going to leave any time soon. Words and hypotheticals are one thing, but just quitting, out of the blue? That was dangerous in today's world. No sane person quit a job without having a good reason.

Allison once again looked at the letter on the counter from Archgate Films.

She couldn't wait too much longer, or they'd decline their offer. If that's what it really was. Maybe it was a polite refusal to her application. Maybe they had sent her a letter, paid for the postage, just to tell her she hadn't made it.

Yeah. She's sure they did that for every person who they declined to work with them. Thousands and thousands of handwritten and stamped rejection letters.

Who was she kidding?

Sighing, Allison turned her radio down and sat down at her desk. No more hiding. It was now or never. She ripped open the top of the envelope and, taking one last breath, pulled out the letter inside.

Dear Miss Allison Pendle,

We are most happy to inform you that Archgate Films is very interested in hiring you as a full-time actress. Your resume has proved that your qualifications are more than satisfactory for a position with us here at Archgate, and your experience voicing Alice Angel at Joey Drew Studios displays your talent for the voice-acting industry. We'd be happy to offer double your salary at Joey Drew Studios, with regular benefits. Of course, we can further discuss such things later. We would be happy to offer you an in-person interview at your earliest convenience to meet and discuss further opportunities with you at Archgate Films. Please let us know if you are still interested in the position.

Sincerely,

Hughy Frizeton

Head of Archgate Films Acting and Voice-Acting Department

There is was. Simple, concise, and neat. Nothing more than a single paragraph and some further contact information. Welcome to Archgate. You've been accepted. Congrats!

Double her current salary. She had no more excuses now. Too many things were pointing her in this direction. With a wide smile on her face, Allison contemplated calling Joey up right now, giving him a right piece of her mind, and quitting on the spot. Tell him off, tell him exactly what she thought of his shrewd business practices and more than unsettling park attractions.

So why didn't she feel as happy as she thought she would?

Instead of calling Joey, she reached for the other package on the table, deciding to open it as well. She couldn't wait to tell her father and brothers, they'd be so excited! That might help her get more excited. She'd continued to tell them how happy she was at Joey Drew Studios, promising them tickets if they could make the journey, but now that she had another position lined up, she had no qualms with telling them just how horrible the studio really was. She ripped open the packaging, and paused.

This wasn't from her family. This was an audio log. There was no note, no nothing. Just a blank audio log.

Allison tilted her head, then pushed the play button.

"Allison,"

Tom?

"Allison, if you're listening to this, then...then I guess it really happened. I tried to work up the courage to tell you this at the park, but I was scared. I was scared that maybe I was overreacting, that maybe my imagination was getting the better of me. But if you're getting this tape, if you're listening to this, that means that I wasn't overreacting, and this is real. Somethin' really bad is happening at Joey Drew Studios."

At her feet, Cheese rubbed back and forth, begging for extra treats even though Allison had already fed him. She made no move to pet him. She was frozen.

"My men have been going missing. I mean, they quit, but they don't turn anything in themselves. Some of these men I know, I trust, and they send letters, but it's not right. Something's wrong. I think...I think maybe Joey's doin' something to them. I don't know what's going on, and I don't really have any evidence to prove this, but I just have this really bad feeling. Listen Allison, he wants me to give him the name of somebody to fire. Somebody to-to 'go missing' again. I can't let that happen Allison. I'm giving him my name. If I'm wrong, then I'll finally be out of that blasted studio. But if you're listening to this, I'm not wrong. And no matter what Joey says, I didn't just quit. I wouldn't...I wouldn't do that to you. No matter what he says, I wouldn't just leave without telling you so Miss Allison. This might sound crazy. But I'm scared. So if Joey says I've quit, if-if you get letters from me, that's not me. It's not."

Allison was already grabbing her keys and coat.

"The reason I'm telling you all of this is because, because you can't stay in that studio Allison! He's plannin' something real bad! I can't let anything happen to you. I just wanted you to know that you were my best friend in that damn studio. That whatever happens to me now, it's...it's alright. I've made my bed, and I'll lie in it. So please, Miss Allison, please..."

Allison was already out the door, storming her way to her car, and driving to the studio, her chocolate cookies growing cold on the counter top long after she was gone, and the recordings final notes playing out for only Cheese to hear.

"Don't look for me, Allison. Just leave the studio. And try to forget about me."

It was well passed closing time when Allison arrived at the park. Way later than she had ever been in the park as a matter of fact. Late enough that driving along the highway to get to the park, it was rare to pass by another car. Their headlights illuminated the dark road for a brief moment, and then disappeared in her rear view mirror. If there were other cars, she sped around them. The parking lot was empty of all but a few cars and hers, so she parked clear up near the front. As if to prove a point, she even parked in Joey's "assigned" spot, making extra sure that her bumper pressed up against his fake-gold plated name tag, denting it ever so slightly. She stepped out of her car, closing the door roughly behind her. She marched up to the gate and then paused.

Great. She made it here, but now what? What were her plans once she got here? Of course she didn't have any. The stars twinkled tauntingly overhead, a full moon illuminating the barren land just enough for her to see and elongate the shadows of telephone poles and lamp posts.

Allison sighed, gripping the iron bars of the gate and leaning her head against them. "...now what?" she whispered. "Just what did you think you could do once you got here, Allison?"

Burst in to save Tom from some unknown fate? Beat the hell out of Joey Drew for whatever he had done until he talked?

Just another example of Allison rushing in before thinking things through. Not unusual.

The problem was, she didn't doubt Tom for a second. A part of her knew that she should be questioning his claims and his wild accusations from the audio log that just appeared at her door. But she didn't. She knew he was telling the truth. Their date made sense. As much as Allison wished that his attitude was nothing more than nervousness, she could hide behind her own ruse no longer. Tom had taken her there because he thought he might die. That something might happen to him.

He didn't want to have any regrets. He didn't want her to be a regret.

Allison bit her bottom lip, pounding her fist against the gate. It rattled in response. She was not going to cry. She refused, but her eyes were betraying her.

"Dammit Tom," she whispered. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Hm? Is someone there?"

Allison froze, looking out through the gate. Who was that? A figure stepped forward, wearing normal clothes, but a very odd mask. It looked like a cardboard Bendy mask that vendors sold to kids. With a few minor alterations to fit the adult who was wearing it, such as the mouth being removed. It was a little unsettling. The rest of the clothes were a pair of white overalls and a black T-shirt.

She thought about hiding, or taking a step back, but she didn't.

"Allison? What are you doing here? Don't you know the park is off-limits after dark?"

The voice was...a little familiar, but she couldn't quite place it. There was something in the tone, the way that the voice rose and fell, like it was always on the verge of breaking out into a fit of giggles, that gave her pause. The mask also muffled the voice quite a bit.

"I could say the same to you," she said hesitantly. "Who are you?"

That earned her a giggle. "Nobody important," he said. "Just a loyal follower. Are you looking to come inside?"

"Yes," Allison said, gripping onto the bars again. "I need to get to the studio. Can you let me in?"

"Hmmmm...that's against the rules though," he said, stepping closer to the bars. "What do you have to offer me in return?"

Allison scoffed and rolled her eyes, reaching for her purse. This was ridiculous. She should be scolding him for being out after dark, reminding him how dangerous it was for anyone to be walking around unsupervised, ask him how he even got in here in the first place, but instead he was acting like a smug gatekeeper. He knew she was here for a reason. She grumbled unladylike things under her breath, but the man just chuckled.

"Save your money, Allison. I don't want anything like that."

She paused, and raised an eyebrow at the man, daring him to ask for something "else."

"No no no, nothing like that either!" he said, raising his hands defensively. "Let's just say I want...a favor. Later, though, not now."

"How can I promise you a favor if I don't even know what to call you?" Allison replied. "I don't plan on sticking around her for very long either."

"Call me the Follower," he answered back. She could see his wide smile through the hole in the mask. "All I ask is for a favor."

"I could just climb the gate," she shot back. "I really don't need you at all, and this is ridiculous. You're not even supposed to be here!"

"You're looking for Tom, aren't you?"

She froze, her mouth falling open slightly. He took another step toward her, grabbing the bars, his hands inches from hers. Even with the gate between them, he still appeared to be peering down at her.

"I can take you to where Tom is," he said. "But I still need your word. And you can't go back on it now. You're an honorable woman, Allison. I know you'll keep your word, so that's what I want. Your word that I get one favor from you, should I call upon you again."

She hesitated. This all seemed a bit too wrong. This strange man, in the middle of the park, in the middle of the night. What was he even doing here? It didn't make any sense. Nobody in their right mind would stick around after dark, especially knowing what lurked between rides and cotton candy stands. And yet here he was, dressed as if he were one of them, trying his best to be a black and white cutout.

But he knew what happened to Tom. That was already more than she knew, but she had a feeling he wouldn't tell her anything for free. On top of that, he said he could take her to where Tom was.

That meant Tom might still be alive. She had no idea what Tom had meant when he said his workers were going missing, or what he thought Joey might be doing to them, but if he was alive, then there was hope. Considering the walking, talking cartoons that roamed the cobblestone streets, she couldn't rule anything out. She realized, with a bit of fear, that she had no idea what Joey was really capable of. She really hardly knew anything at all about what happened behind the scenes. If this strange man, this...Follower, knew things she didn't she couldn't just deny how useful that would be. Maybe this was more than coincidence that he find her at the gate. She wasn't really a woman to believe too heavily in fate, but she also couldn't deny that connections could be made even in the most unlikely situations.

"Fine," Allison said, reaching her hand through the bars. "Deal. Take me to Tom, and I'll grant you a favor."

The man stepped away from the bars. "Give me just a moment then." He disappeared back into the trees for a second, and a few minutes later, the gates creaked open, just enough for her to squeeze through. Once she stepped through the bars, they slammed shut again behind her, making her jump slightly. The Follower returned a second later and stuck his hands in his pockets. "Right this way Allison."

It bothered Allison that this man clearly knew who she was, and yet she had no idea. She knew she should know who it was, which was somehow even more frustrating, and made her feel more than a little stupid, but she just couldn't place it. Every time she'd try to get a better look at him behind the mask or from a different angle, he'd move in a way so that shadows covered him or so that he was out of direct eye sight. It was infuriating, and finally, Allison just decided to give up. It wasn't really why she was here anyway.

"How do you know about what happened to Tom?" Allison asked. "What did happen to Tom?"

"I know everything that goes on in this park. Especially if it happens once the park closes," he said. "And Tom crossed someone he shouldn't have, and paid the price. He wasn't willing to sacrifice his own men, soooo now here we are."

"I don't understand," Allison said.

"I'm aware," he answered back. "Just a bit longer, and you'll understand more."

The Follower led Allison through the park, and she couldn't help but wonder at the park once all the lights were out. Darkness stretched along the ground like long tendrils, and the shadows of rides looked like monsters, twisted up abominations reaching out to grab at wondering passerbys. Fallen leaves and the occasional plastic bag drifted along, swirling in patterns before disappearing around corners. And it was so quiet. She heard the creak of Bertrum's carousel as the carts turned at the slightest breeze. She heard the doors to stands and building moan at the hinges. She could hear her own footsteps loudly echo. It was unsettling.

"Shouldn't we be worried about...you know," Allison said. "Bendy?"

He chuckled. "There's no reason to worry as long as you're with me. He won't harm an innocent follower."

Allison swallowed. She was starting to think maybe it wasn't a good idea to trust this strange man, who spoke of Bendy as if he were more than a monster. Bendy and all of the cartoons were nothing more than crude attempts at playing God, ink monsters that shouldn't exist. Yet this man spoke of them almost as if they were people, or something even more than that. An innocent follower? What could he mean by that?

Allison swore she saw movement in the bushes up ahead, right behind the roller coaster, but the Follower didn't hesitate. Was that whistling she heard in the distance?

Calm down Allison, she told herself. Nothing is coming to get you. And even if you bump into Bendy, you know what to do. All you have to do is smile.

She heard footsteps behind them now. Clicking sounds, like shoes, not the usual slapping noises of Bendy's heavy, inky footsteps. They were concise, methodical, and clearly walking with a goal in mind. She just kept right behind the Follower, resisting the urge to turn around and look behind her. The Follower led her back down another path, but she was a bit confused. He didn't seem to be leading her toward the studio, where she expected he might take her. He didn't really seem to be leading her toward any particular location at all, and Allison was starting to worry.

"Is the park always this terrifying after dark?" she murmured aloud.

"Hmm. I suppose you could consider it scary. I rather enjoy the...serenity of it. Doesn't it seem almost sacred, the way the world is draped in quiet? A world of smiles and laughter, a happy offering to an inky lord, and then a barren limbo for him to enjoy in between bouts of cheer," he said with a hum. "I find it rather beautiful!"

Allison stopped. "You're...you're talking like a mad man." She gulped and took a step back. "Thank you for your help this far. I mean, getting me, this far. I, um...I think I'll be fine on my own from now on though," she said, squaring her shoulders and lifting her chin.

The Follower stopped, turning to look at her over his shoulder. "Ohhh? And we were almost there. Are you sure you want to leave so soon? There's so much I've yet to show you, Miss Pendle. So many songs we've yet to sing."

She was starting to recognize that voice. Allison's eyes widened. "Wait...are you...Sam-"

"Who's there?" a voice called out, and both the Follower and Allison froze. There was no mistaking that light, airy tone. It made Allison feel just the smallest sliver of hope.

Alice peeked out from around the corner of a building. Her brows were furrowed with worry. "Oh dear...what's going on? Is everything all right? No one is supposed to be here after dark you know."

Allison smiled at her, breathing a sigh of relief, but also a pang of sadness knowing that she couldn't directly respond to Alice. Allison looked over to the Follower for help. She wasn't allowed to say anything for risk of "confusing" Alice, something that she debated doing just to spite Joey. But then again, considering everything else that had gone on, maybe Joey should be listened to now and then when he gives warnings. Allison would never forget being in the studio with Sammy and having Bendy nearly attack her in confusion. She didn't want the same thing to happen to sweet Alice.

"False angel," the Follower spat, and Allison looked over at him in shock. "Traitor! You who so adamantly refuses to acknowledge my lord! Who even goes so far as to disrespect him and this holy ground!"

Alice's sweet pout turned sour and she grinned widely, poking the rest of her head out from around the corner. Allison covered her mouth with her hands and her eyes widened in shock. Her Alice, her beautiful Alice Angel, was twisted into some horrid abomination. Half of her face was melted away, revealed too many teeth and muscle, but it was all ink, all black and white. One of her eyes was missing too. Her hands looked like talons. Her smile was a sneer, and her light voice turned low and venomous.

"That's no way to talk to a lady, you pathetic waste of space," she hissed. "You should be nicer to your angel!"

"You're not my angel," he growled back at her.

Allison took a few steps backward, her eyes locked onto Alice's horrendous figure. What had happened? How could something so horrible fall upon something so beloved to her? Was she in an accident? Did the same thing that attacked the Boris attack Alice? Allison felt her lips move and open to speak, but she covered them with her hands again. She couldn't speak, no matter how much she wanted to ask these questions, wanted to ask her if she were alright.

Alice turned from the Follower to Allison, raising an eyebrow. "Who is she? Why did you bring her here?"

The Follower giggled. "Oh, she's no one for you to worry about. She stumbled into this holy lair, an offering to my lord! She's a sacrifice!" At these words, the Follower reached out, latching onto Allison's arms and yanking her back towards him. She yelped and struggled, trying to pry her hands away, but his grip was rough and he tugged her to the ground, wrapping rope around her hands before she even realized what was happening. She tried to kick back at him, but he was quick, grabbing her leg and forcing her to the ground face-first. She tasted dirt and spat, coughing.

"Get off of me!" Allison shouted. "Let me go! Stop it! You told me you would take me to Tom!"

"Ohhh, but I am!" he said. "My lord knows where all of his dear subjects are, and I'm sure he'll be more than willing to take you to Tom, once he's done with you."

"That voice," Alice trembled. "I know...that voice..."

Allison's eyes widened. Crap.

The Follower laughed. "Ohhh I'm sure you do. You see, I'm going to take her to my lord to fix the wrong that is you, false angel. We're going to make a perfect angel out of this one, right here! Miss Allison Pendle! Then, finally, my lord may make me one with the rest of you, cure me of this awful, mortal body, and give me an inky body all my own!"

Alice screeched and lunged at the Follower, knocking him back to the ground. The breath was knocked out of him, and his grip lessened on Allison for just a moment.

Just a moment was all she needed. Allison pulled herself to her feet and took off, sprinting away from the shrieks of the two of them, locked in a fight. She stole a glance over her shoulder, saw the Follower kick Alice off of him and grab for a wooden plank lying on the ground. She stood back up, reaching out for him with claws, screaming something about being perfect, about being beautiful, but soon Allison was gone, running too far and too fast to hear or care what they were arguing about any longer.

She never should have agreed to go with that strange man, but she was desperate to find Tom and thought that she could trust him. Apparently, more things were twisted in this park than just the winding roller coaster tracks.

After running quite a ways away from the two of them, Allison stumbled upon the entrance to the studio. This wasn't exactly where she had planned to run to, but for once she was grateful that her feet just seemed to know where to go. The only problem now was that she had no way inside. The studio was framed behind another, smaller gate, and while Allison thought she might be able to climb it, she could do nothing with her hands bound behind her back. She sat down on a park bench, cursing loudly.

This sucked.

It only took a moment of sitting for the situation to hit Allison. She went from growling in frustration, trying to pry free her hands from her bonds, to sulking and leaning forward on the bench, biting her lip again.

Just what the hell was going on here? What had Joey done? Why was Alice, her darling little angel, deformed in such a twisted way? Who was the Follower, and why did he seem to hate the angel so much? Who was his lord? What had he meant by making Allison a sacrifice, and would he try to find her again?

She was in over her head. She never should have tried to go in alone. In her anger and panic, she'd rushed into this situation without thinking, without coming up with a plan, and now, she was just as trapped as Tom might be. She was trapped in a park, alone, without even having told anyone that this was where she'd be going. She didn't go to the police, she didn't try to call Joey to demand answers from the safety of her home, she didn't do anything. She just rushed in. She didn't even have her pepper spray.

Allison shook her head, sniffing slightly. "No, Allison, you are not going to cry like a baby. You just have to think. Just...just think for a moment, and try to figure out a way out of this mess. The first order of business is getting out of these ropes," she said aloud, wincing when she realized just how tight they really were. They were started to dig into her skin a little, and they itched like crazy. Not to mention they were behind her back, so she couldn't even see what kind of knot it was. She looked around for something sharp, anything, really, that might be used to cut it, but this was a public amusement park where families and children frequented. Of course there weren't any sharp objects just lying around. Joey may be careless, but he's not stupid. He knew lawsuits were a thing to worry about.

Allison sighed, moving her knees up from the ground to the seat in front of her. She really wished Tom were here. He'd know what to do. But no. She was on her own. She was going to save Tom. She just had to figure out how to save herself first.

More footsteps, the same uniform clacking as before, sounded to her right, and Allison leaped to her feet in a panic, scrambling out of the chair to face the noise. "W-who's there?!" she shouted. "I'm warning you, stay back!"

The footsteps paused. Hesitant. Lingering. And then moved closer to her. Allison scowled at the figure who peered cautiously at her from the shadows. Moonlight illuminated his form. Two floppy ears and a long snout. Big, blinking, cartoon eyes. She wasn't sure how he was here, when he was supposed to be dead, but Sammy did say Joey had a way of making more of them.

"Listen here you freak," she shouted to Boris. "Don't you dare come any closer to me!"