Chapter 8.

                                    

                                          
Darkness. What a familiar scene, and yet, something felt different. 
Standing in the all too familiar void again, quiet, wet, and lonely. It's just as I remembered it the last time that I was sent hurling over the edge. I let out a sigh, letting out inky bubbles that were brewing in my lungs, then beginning my trudge through the ink to find the light once again. My senses were nonexistent. I couldn't feel, couldn't hear, smell, or barely see a thing.
Until I saw a silhouette in the darkness, almost illuminated by a heavenly glow. Then, my heart sank.
"...Bendy? My lord?" 
In all of his inky glory, standing tall in his old body. Flustered and in denial, I took a step forward, then another. He only opened his arms as an invitation, making me quicken my pace without a single thought, like a beautiful unspoken command to his prophet. I fell to my knees in front of my savior, letting out a choked out sob. 
"Oh, my lord, I've failed you, I've failed everyone," I whined, inky tears falling from my face. His unstable form looked down at me solemnly. "I've made so many mistakes, and I've caused so much pain. I've lost Norman, and- and I've-" I stuttered as guilt overtook me. The lord only let his hands onto me, raising my head to face him.
"Sammy..." He spoke soullessly. I only choked on my sin further, sobbing.
"I've no business being in your presence. I'm a terrible prophet, I couldn't stop all of this, I couldn't protect you, and now..." I sucked in air through my gritted grimace. Bendy didn't so much as flinch as he raised me to my feet, still holding my face in his forgiving hands. 
"Sammy..." 

"To show you such informality, such disrespect in the past... It sickens me to even think about my clouded judgement. I ignored all of the signs of your suffering, all due to my desire... I should have known that you're my guidance, my superior, and never a lover..." Gently, he pushed my mask to the side, looking at the face of the fallen prophet. A hand raised and wiped away the ever-flowing tears. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm-" A sudden hush. 
"Oh, Sammy..." He purred out, making my heart pound out of my chest. Slowly, he pulled my face closer and closer, leaning into me. I gulped for air, feeling my palms dripping. Is this really okay? My nonexistent eyes closed almost automatically, his warm grasp feeling so very real. 
"Sammy... Sammy..."
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"Sammy! Wake up, sleepyhead!"
I was awoken from my trancelike slumber by the little devil sitting on my chest, staring down at me. Bendy grinned as my eyes opened, hopping off of me and planting his feet on the ground. 
"Took ya long enough! I can't believe that you wear that mask to sleep!" He chirped, bouncing in place impatiently as I sat up lethargically. Groaning a bit, I rubbed my face under my mask. "Boris says it's our turn to go out for resources, get a move on!" Our?
"I didn't think we went in groups of two." I muttered, confused and still a tired mess. Bendy gave a big, smug grin. 
"Well, Boris says you're too incompetent and accident prone to go by yourself anymore, and you gotta show me the ropes anyways!" The little imp jested, making me shoot up and out of bed, offended. He sprinted out of our room with a mischievous and hysterical giggle with me in pursuit. He dove under the table and squealed as I ducked down underneath, still keeping his devilish grin plastered on his face. 
"OI! You two quit the roughhousing! Y'all got work to do!" Boris jabbed, grabbing me by my suspenders and yanking me out from underneath the table, then followed by Bendy being snatched up by his vest. He jumped down from Boris's grasp, scooting to stand next to me. "Right, so we're gonna need at least nine more soup cans, a wrench, cuz some stuff needs fixin' here. It's not a serious run today, so it shouldn't take y'all very long. Don't forget yer weapons, and make sure to look out for each other. We can NOT afford to lose another person out there." I winced, my heart hurting. "Y'all ready?"
"Ready as ever, buddy!" Bendy exclaimed with confidence, grabbing my hand. I felt my face heat up as he gave it a reassuring squeeze. Boris nodded, walking our pair to the door. He grabbed the empty bag and slipped it over my shoulder, then flipping the lever open, revealing the dark nightmare realm before us. Bendy didn't seem concerned, and pulled me with him into the darkness, the door shutting behind us. He looked up at me, noticing my uncertainty. "We're gonna do great, alright? Just watch, I'll protect you."
Minutes became an hour as we trudged around the studio, digging around in darkness and slowly checking off our list of items. Although, it didn't seem like that much time had passed, because I wasn't alone this time. Bendy made sure to keep the mood from being too bleak by telling me jokes, goofing off, and making me laugh. It's been quite a while since I've felt so at peace, and it was a lovely change of pace. I suppose it's not so terrible now that he's with me. 
"...And... That's the ninth!" 
"Huh? Oh!" The clank of the last can dropping into the bag caught me by surprise. Bendy shot finger guns at me, winking. 
"See? Told ya we had it... In the bag?" He jested, making me roll my eyes. I smiled, and I hated it. 
"You aren't going to get away with those terrible jokes with anyone else, you know."
"And that's why I like ya so much!" He nudged me as I felt my heart skip a beat. "And see? We make an UNSTOPPABLE team! Has anyone else ever finished these tasks that fast, Sammy?" I chuckled a bit at his confidence.
"Not at all, I'm sure they'll be pleasantly surprised to see us back so soon. Maybe we'll even get Gary to say something for once." I joked, smirking a bit as the two of us began the journey back to the safehouse. However, only a few seconds after my statement, I heard something. 
Like footsteps, LOUD footsteps. 
Getting closer, and fast. 
And suddenly, I felt an arm around my neck, yanking me backwards and onto the ground. I let out a yelp, only for my attacker to hold me in place by slamming a foot onto my chest, allowing me to get a proper look at him. He was a lost one with a tired, furious eye, a worn old bandage wrapped around his head covering where his left eye should have been. He had a broad, muscular figure, and with balled fists, he simply stared down at me, fuming.
Bendy, hearing my cry, whipped around and ran back to me trying to get the lost one's attention.
"Hey! What's your problem? You trying to lose that other eye, cyclops?" He shouted, unsheathing his machete and pointing it at him threateningly. The lost one said nothing, only staring. "I suggest you get off my friend and be on your way before I show you what I can do with this thing, capiche?" 
The lost one only looked down at me, then back at Bendy, seemingly considering his options. He was unarmed, so he was at a disadvantage even with double the little demon's height on his side. He shut his eye, slowly stepping off of my chest, allowing me to scramble to my feet as he left us behind, disappearing into the darkness. As intimidating as he was, he seemed... forlorn. "Tch, what's his problem?"
"...He seems lost. I hope he's okay." I muttered, Bendy sheathing his weapon once again, scowling. "Let's go. I think we've had enough adventure for today." He nodded, grabbing my hand and walking me back, making it all the way this time without any interruptions. Once we got back to the door, Bendy knocked with a cheerful rhythm. 
"Hey, Boris! Guess who's the best at this? Let us back in, we've got a STORY to share!" He called out to Boris, grinning. The wolf's footsteps trudged to the door, opening it. 
"Wow, really? So soon? Good hustle, y'all! Get in here!" He exclaimed, stepping out of the way. Bendy skipped in, instantly sitting at the table and preparing to brag. Before I could follow, however, I heard a familiar, sickening voice in the back of my mind. 
"Tonight, prophet. Show yourself, I have a quest for you."