The Broken Loop

Chapter 25: The Loop

I heard the music box stop, I then heard Pop-Goes-the-Weasel start to play, I think I heard the music box open, and I thought I saw the Marionette launch itself at me, only to stop inches away from my face, it wiped the blood away from my eyes, -careful as to not poke my eyes out, as well- next I found myself staring at it, in its eyes, if you can even call them that, they were pitch black voids with small, white pupils, there was something about that animatronic, almost like I personally knew it.

Next thing I knew, I was unconscious.

I violently shake my head. Where did that memory come from?
Did they break another statue? No, I don't think so. . . perhaps I randomly remembered it? Yes, that must have been what just happened.

I step away from the puddle of ink where the Ink Demon disappeared. I growl in annoyance, I could have killed it right then and there.

I feel some kind of tug in the back of my mind, a memory. . . but it isn't mine. . . then who's is it?

Joey's memory.

I wait to see if he mentions the memory I just had, but I was met with silence.

Did Joey not see the memory? I think to myself.

There was no reply.

He's either ignoring me or he's unable to read my thoughts. . .
Its 50/50, but I need to somehow get him out of my head. . . but how?

The reel.

That's it! I know what I have to do!

I start ink-traveling to the Ink Machine.

I can't escape this place if Joey is in my head. . . I have no idea if this will work, or what will happen if it does work, but I'm running out of options, I just hope I won't lose what I gained, even if I hate myself for it, it's better knowing it.

"Whät âré ýøú ðø¡πg?"

I ignore him and appear out of the wall and into the throne room, I'm standing right in front of the throne, I growl at the Ink Demon as he stands up, he's obviously terrified, I'd be lying if I denied that I wasn't satisfied about that.

He cautiously steps towards me, growling, obviously in pain, I take I step towards him, he flinches, I smirk.

Oh, how the tables have turned.

I keep walking, I see him tense up, preparing for an attack.

But I walk right past him, to the familiar throne, where a certain reel is.

"Ðøπ't."

I ignore him and put in the reel, I watch as 'The End' flickers onto the screens, I hear a familiar hiss of pain, I look over to the Ink Demon, stumbling around, he's starting to melt.

Even I feel pain, but I ignore it as I see the all-too-familar blinding light.

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Pov: Joey Drew

I'm in the kitchen, washing dishes, I hear the front door open and close, along with the sound of footsteps.

I wasn't expecting him to do that, but, I admit that was smart. . .

I hear him enter the kitchen. . . Let's continue the tradition. . .

"Henry?" I say as he walks to the counter behind me.
"So soon? I didn't expect you for another hour yet. Now you're just trying to impress me."
"But I know. . . I know. . . You have questions. You always do!"
"The only important question is this:"
"Who are we, Henry?"
"I thought I knew who I was. . . . But. . . The success starved me."
"Nothing but lines on a page."
"In the end, we followed two different roads of our own making."