(Henry's point of view)
Something was wrong with Audrey, Henry could tell.
She was hesitant to speak to them, more than she was when she first arrived.
She hardly spoke to Sammy and Norman, and while she spoke more to Henry, it was measured.
It had to have been the day the Keepers took her and her alone. Something happened that day.
The question was, what could have happened to so violently throw her off-kilter?
It had made her distrustful of her friends, so it must have had something to do with her cellmates.
Then Henry remembered that in their earlier times with her, she mentioned that Wilson wanted something with her, so much that he specifically instructed her to seek him out and he ordered the citizens of the studio to hunt her down.
Wilson must have called her to him, Henry deduced. He did something.
Now there was a new question; what did he do?
Did he show her something? Tell her something?
Whatever it was, it made her distrust and doubt her companions.
Then it hit Henry.
Did he...tell her about what Sammy and Norman did before they were jailed?
Getting THAT truth dropped on her would make Audrey distrust them. The thought that you were surrounded by murderous was a...frightening thought, indeed.
But what was Henry supposed to do if that was the case? Tell her Wilson lied to her? That would be a lie itself!
And he couldn't tell her that Sammy and Norman had changed for certain, she might not believe him due to how often the two screamed at each other, threatening death.
And what if he was wrong in assuming what had happened to her? She might be angry at him for assuming how she was feeling and clam up more.
It was obvious Audrey was anxious and upset about something, but Henry didn't know how to go about it, or how to help Audrey.
But it would be evident that something had to change, upon the next day.
It was a relatively normal day, Sammy and Norman were arguing, and it was to the point that to avoid discomfort, you had to cover your ears.
However, what Henry did not expect was for Audrey to start screaming.
"I get it! You hate each other because of the Ink Demon! You utterly despise each other and want each other and everybody around you dead! Can you just shut the hell up for five minutes?!" Audrey shrieked, completely losing it.
Since this came out of nowhere, everyone in the room was in stunned silence for a second.
However, surprising Henry, Sammy was quick to see what was wrong.
"Little sheep, is something wrong-" "Do you even have to ask?! When is anything not wrong in this place?! Everything I know is a lie, the people around me are obsessed with killing, and I'm going to die here in a glass box!" Sammy started, but was cut off by Audrey's ranting.
"I am NOT obsessed with killing, little sheep! I only do it when it is necessary, in the name of my lord!"
"That's the problem! You kill off anyone who dares to so much as breathe in a way that you deem 'sacrilege'! All you care about is the Ink Demon!"
"Well, NEWSFLASH! He's not coming to save you, or anyone! We're all gonna rot in here!"
It was then that Henry decided that he had to do something to help, here and now
"...Audrey, look, something has clearly been bothering you for the past month, and bottling it up has led to you snapping, so can you just talk to us?" Henry asked.
Audrey sat in silence for a moment, pondering his question, before saying
"I know about the horrible things they did. Wilson told me everything."
Ah. So he was right in his deduction.
"And I know he was telling the truth, so- so don't try to tell me otherwise." Audrey said, her voice wavering a bit.
"I wouldn't think of it. It's the truth, and it shouldn't be denied.
That got Audrey's eyes to widen.
"You knew?! And you didn't think that I should have been informed of that?!"
"I mean- that's not exactly something that came up in conversation!" Henry attempted to defend his actions.
However, Audrey was not having that.
"What, were you waiting for organ harvesting and occult sacrifices to casually come up as a subject?! You- you DIPSHIT!"
Henry waited a second to respond, and said.
"Look, I get you're angry-"
"Well no shit Sherlock. What, does every old guy in this place consider it the greatest achievement to guess I'm pissed?"
After a minute or two after hearing Audrey drop that, Henry decided to continue.
"I would probably be too, if I was in your circumstances. But you gotta understand, they weren't in control of themselves."
Audrey's eyebrows rose a bit.
"What do you mean?" She said, though her tone suggested that she had an inkling as to what he was admitting.
"They were being controlled by Joey to be ruthless killers for the Cycle. He manipulated them when they were human, turned them into monsters, imprisoned them down here, and made them into ruthless killers for the Cycle for god knows what reason!" He ranted.
"I've been trying to undo the damage he did to them for years...but it's obvious I failed. I can't even keep them from screaming at each other and freaking you out Audrey. It's a damn shame."
"Both of them were...kind in their own way, as humans, and I miss them. The real them. But it feels like those people are gone."
It was then that Norman shrieked out in an attempt to communicate as he usually did.
However, something was different this time.
He actually used himself as a projector, but instead of projecting an image or a video, it was words.
Words made out of golden ink that read "NOT TRUE"
Obviously, this shocked the group.
"Norman! How are you doing that?!" Audrey asked.
"DON'T KNOW. JUST NEEDED TO SAY SOMETHING AND THIS HAPPENED."
"The golden ink...he's somehow controlling it." Henry mused to himself.
"Have you seen it before?" Audrey asked.
"Usually, though not like this. It could only be seen with a special tool, not just projected by Norman."
"Well, at least now we have an easier way to communicate with Norman."
"AUDREY. I'M SORRY. I WON'T DENY THE FACT THAT I DID HORRIBLE THINGS. THAT I HURT PEOPLE."
Audrey was silent for a minute before asking
"Why did you do those things in the first place?"
Norman's response flashed on the wall before.
"I'M NOT SURE. EVERYTHING DURING THAT TIME IS KINDA...FUZZY. MUDDIED. LIKE I COULDN'T THINK. ALL I COULD FEEL WAS THE OVERWHELMING NEED TO CONSUME."
"BUT THERE'S ONE THING I'M CERTAIN ABOUT. I'M NOT THE SAME PERSON I WAS BACK THEN. AND I WON'T HURT YOU AUDREY. I SWEAR IT."
"How can you be sure?" Audrey asked, uncertainty and fear tinging her tone.
She was scared of him. She had good reason to be.
Norman paused for a moment, as if carefully considering his response.
"I'M NOT TOO SURE ABOUT THAT EITHER. BUT I THINK A LARGE PART OF IT'S DUE TO HENRY."
Henry's eyes widened a bit. That wasn't an answer he was expecting.
"YOU'VE BEEN WORKING YOUR ASS OFF TRYING TO BRING ME, SAMMY, HELL EVEN SUSIE, BACK FROM THE DARK."
A thick, staticky sound came from Norman's wires. Based on Norman's later statement, Henry supposed it was a laugh.
"IT'S FUNNY. I USED TO REVEL IN THE DARK. AND IT TOOK EVERYTHING FROM ME..."
The light in Norman's projector shifted onto Henry, before shifting onto the wall next to him.
"WHY'D YOU TRY SO DAMN HARD TO SAVE US HENRY? WE'VE ALL KILLED YOU MORE TIMES THAN I CAN REMEMBER? WHY DO YOU GIVE A DAMN ABOUT US?"
Well, that's a heavy question.
Because I know who you all used to be? Because I left you all to your doom because I couldn't handle it? Because I mindlessly went through the Cycle over and over again knowing full well what was gonna happen and never bothered to try and change anything meaningful out of cowardice-
Henry took a breath before giving his answer.
"I know what Joey did to all of you."
Well, not exactly, but years in this jail cell have given me time to think and theorize.
"He changed you. Turned you all into monsters. Ruined your minds. How could I hold these actions against you when I know you weren't yourselves?"
"It wouldn't be fair to all of you. All..ok, SOME of you were my friends before all of this happened. You deserve a chance to get out of this hole that Joey threw you all into. And I'll be here to give you the ladder."
There was more that he didn't say, but he figured he had said enough.
Norman's projector clicked for a second, before flashing a new message on the wall.
"NICE TO SEE YOU'RE STILL THE SAME OLD BLEEDING HEART I KNEW A LONG TIME AGO."
Henry let out a chuckle at that.
"And nice to see you're still the same old bitter smartass I was friends with."
"Ok."
Both Henry and Norman looked at Audrey when she said that.
She was sitting cross-legged, a serious look on her first.
"I've decided to trust the two of you to not try to kill me."
Henry was surprised but happy.
"I'm glad you trust us again Audrey."
"AND I SWEAR WE WON'T LET ANYONE HARM YOU."
"And I swear that I'll do everything in my power to get all of us out of here." Audrey said, a smile of relief on her face
It was a nice moment between the three of them.
One that would quickly be spoiled.
"I do not want your pity."
The three of them looked at Sammy, the person who spoke.
"Sammy-" Audrey began, but was quickly cut off.
"I do not need you blasphemers to 'save' me. My lord will save me once I prove myself worthy."
"SAMMY, THAT DEMON DOESN'T GIVE A DAMN ABOUT ANYTHING BUT ITSELF."
"Hush your mouth you filthy heretic!"
Sammy screeched at Norman before composing himself.
Heh, composed. And he used to be a composer.
Damn it Henry, now's not the time for puns!
Henry inhaled before attempting to reason with Sammy.
"Sammy, you saw that room we found the Ink Demon in when we tried to escape. You know what Wilson does to people. He's got reason to never show his face here again."
"Silence, you putrid pale excuse of a human! You have not devoted yourself like I have! I understand things that you never could!"
The room was silent for a moment before Audrey asked Sammy a question.
"Why are you so devoted to him? How are you so sure that he'll come save you?"
Sammy put his hand on his chin as if in thought, before letting out a laugh.
"Oh, dear little sheep. To be so consequentially naive. And you have the nerve to pity me?"
"Very well then, I will so graciously educate you on my devotion to Lord Bendy!" Sammy vehemently declared, taking a bow.
"I am the Ink Demon's prophet, his most loyal follower, the messenger for his divine rule. My purpose, my destiny, the very reason for my existence is to carry out his unholy will."
Audrey was noticeably uncomfortable with Sammy's speech, but he continued on.
"Every breath I take, every tear I cry, all of it is according to his plans for me!"
Henry crossed his arms.
No.
"He is our god! Our glorious purpose is in accordance with his will!"
This isn't you.
"I am his most loyal prophet, I will live and die in his name!
"Stop it!"
Audrey, Sammy, and Norman all stared at him, not expecting that sudden snap.
But Henry just couldn't take it anymore.
Henry hadn't known Sammy for long before he left the studio, but Sammy certainly left an impression on the man.
To put it bluntly, he was an ass. Blunt, snappish, and aloof. If you weren't Jack, then it was more than likely that he had been snarky about your performance or the latest deadline at least once.
He had talent, and the man knew it. Talent that Joey wouldn't dare get rid of.
...and yet, that self-assuredness was something Henry was jealous of.
Sammy knew his self-worth, and wouldn't allow anyone to say otherwise, something at the time Henry was incapable of.
When Joey was trying to spin his bullshit, Sammy actually called him out on it.
He had a confidence that took Henry years to work up to, one that Henry would later need to leave the studio.
To see him like this, dependent on the Ink Demon's every word, a polar opposite of the man he once was.
It was disheartening.
"Henry? Was there a point to that scream or are you just going to stand there staring into space?" Audrey asked.
Henry then realized it had been about 5 minutes since he yelled at Sammy.
Well that's embarrassing.
"Ah right- Sammy you shouldn't hinge your existence on the Ink Demon. It's not your reason for existing." Henry stated.
"Yes, he is! How many times must I say this before it gets through to your thick-minded skulls?! He is our salvation, our freedom! And I am his messenger, his servant! Carrying out his commands is my purpose!" Sammy screeched.
"No it's not! You don't have a purpose! You're just you! The Ink Demon can't and won't save you from this hell. Why can't you see that?"
"Why are you so fiercely determined to derail me of my divine calling?! Why are you so desperate to 'save' me?!"
"Because if it wasn't for you, I would have become a monster like everyone else!"
That stunned Sammy into silence.
That made everyone silent.
"Excuse me?" Sammy said quietly, clearly confused.
"...you were the one who got me to leave the studio. You were the one who pushed me to leave, to get away from Joey and this place. If it wasn't for you, then I'd have been stuck working here, until Joey turned me into a monster like he did everyone else." Henry admitted.
"Sammy, seeing you like this, dependent on that Demon, it..it hurts. You used to be so confident, I envied you. Where did that man go?"
"I.." Sammy stuttered, looking down, refusing to meet Henry's eyes.
Was Henry finally getting through to him?
"Sammy-" Henry began, but was quickly cut off.
"Under ord-d-der of Wilson, the cells will be locked down until furth-th-her notice." The Keepers shrill, staticky voice rang out, before large shutters shut down over their cells, blocking the glass wall.
"AHHH! What's going on?!" Audrey yelled.
"It's alright Audrey. All this means is that Wilson wants us to shut up." Henry assured her, before realizing the horrible timing.
No! Not now! I've gotten through to him, Wilson can't shut me down!
"Sammy! Think about what I've said. You have worth outside of the Ink Demon! Stop letting it define you and just let yourself be!" Henry yelled, putting his hand on the glass, hoping desperately that Sammy would listen.
"The subjects will not a-tt-ttempt communica-t-tion for the ne-x-xt period." The Keepers screeched over the speaker, reminding Henry that he was not to speak.
Fearful of the consequences, Henry did what he could, and stopped talking. He picked up his notebook, sat against the wall, and started drawing, hoping desperately that Sammy would listen to his words.
(Sammy's point of view)
To say the man known as Sammy Lawrence had a lot on his mind was an understatement.
He was devoted to his lord completely and utterly, of course he was.
Henry Stein was an enemy of Lord Bendy, so that made Stein his enemy as well...
...so why did a part of Sammy want to listen to Stein's words?
He knew that Stein had knowledge of the nature of the studio, knowledge that only his lord had access to.
Only the worthy were allowed to harvest the tree of knowledge, and Lord Bendy had made it clear that Stein was not worthy.
Stein was a usurper, sent to destroy his lord.
He cared only for the destruction of his lord, and would use any means to do so, including attempting to corrupt Lord Bendy's prophet.
Indeed, it was a vile thing, to pretend to care for Sammy solely to slay Lord Bendy. A vile action for a vile man.
Well, the joke was on him. Sammy was completely willing to die for his lord before he was to betray him!
Lord Bendy wouldn't even care if he was slain regardless.
Sammy slapped himself. How could he dare think such a thing?! Of course Lord Bendy would care if he passed! He was his most loyal prophet!
Granted, Lord Bendy had slain him more than once, but that was only because he wasn't worthy of life.
Yes, that had to be the answer! He had become unworthy once, and he would not become it again, so he had to ignore Stein's blasphemous ramblings!
...still, Sammy couldn't deny that he felt a sort of...fondness, seeing Stein try so vehemently to declare him worthy all on his own.
It had been a long time since anyone had said anything like that to Sammy, and even if it was an illusion in an attempt to sway him to darkness, it felt...warm.
He supposed it was no surprise that Stein's faux kindness took its toll on him, he was only human after all.
Well, human once ago, is more like it, he thought bitterly, staring at his revolting hand.
He knew that he had to resist Stein's siren song, for his lord, that was plain as day.
...so why was he finding it so difficult?
Why did he yearn so badly for more of that kindness?
Why did he want so desperately to please his lord, but at the same time, be able to stand as his own?
Sammy rubbed his fingers on his temples.
This internal debate was getting him nowhere.
So he decided to do what he always did whenever he experienced inner anguish.
He picked up a pen, and began to write a song.
When the shutters lifted, giving the cue that they were allowed to speak, Sammy peaked at his fellow prisoners, and saw that they were unconscious.
He picked up his banjo, and began to pluck and tune it.
When he had found the melody he was looking for, and checked again that the others were sleeping, he began to sing.
"I guess I have to face, that in, this awful place, I shouldn't show a trace.. of doubt..." Sammy began, singing about his faith and his want, his desperate need to believe in his lord.
"But pulled...against the grain, I feel...a little pain, that I...would rather do, without..." Sammy continued, confessing his anguish over his confusion and repeated rejection from his lord, and Henry's kindness that he despised but very much wanted.
"I'd rather be...free...free...free..." Sammy sang.
Above all else, he wanted to escape. From this body, from this cell, from this studio, from the murky depths of his mind.
(Norman's point of view)
Norman leaned against the glass box he was stuck in, listening to Sammy sing.
"Free..."
He always did have a lovely voice.
Norman understood why Henry wanted to save Sammy, hell, he wanted Sammy back too.
Yeah, Sammy was a jackass, but he missed the jackass.
"Free..."
Why couldn't you have stayed crazy weird instead of actually crazy, Sammy?
Norman wasn't really too sure Sammy could be saved.
He was so devoted to that damn demon, to the point where he would stab himself if that thing called for it.
He made it so damn hard just to have a conversation with him.
Well that's nothing new.
Just more religious about it.
"Free..."
Then again, Norman came back from the inky depths, so why couldn't Sammy?
Norman didn't have anything specifically pulling him into the ink like Sammy or even Susie did. There was no angel or demon supposedly 'calling' to him.
And even then, the ink still had its influence within him. He could feel it within his mind, calling to him, crying out it to him.
Telling him to maim, to kill.
It took so long for Norman to crawl his way out from the depths of what was left of his mind, and he still felt like he was minutes away from falling back in.
Could Sammy really be pulled out of his depths?...did he really want to be?
"From here..."
Sammy stopped strumming his banjo. Norman took that as a sign the song was over.
Well, we're still stuck here. We have to try to escape, both this jail, and this ink. That's all we can do, really.
All we can hope for.