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Audrey looks into the cell labeled "418." A man sat inside, facing away from the glass. He was playing the banjo in a quite pitiful way. Almost as if he had forgotten how to play. It was clear by the well-placed plucks and sorrowful sound that he knew exactly what he was doing. The music slowed to a stop as the man placed his banjo on the floor.
“It's been quite a long while since someone has come to talk to me.” The man speaks. His voice low and raspy, yet still soft and peaceful. He sounded as if he had not spoken for a long time. The cells were separated from each other, and it seems there would be no way for them to communicate, so it makes sense. “Why are you here little sheep? Come to make fun of the false prophet?”
Audrey was taken aback by the accusing comment. “No, I'm sorry. I was just listening to you play. What do you mean by false prophet?" Audrey questions. The man behind the glass sighs, picking up a mask of the cartoon demons face before putting it on. He turned around to face her, although with the mask, she couldn't see his face at all.
"I, like many others, worship the ink demon. The ink demon is dead they say? I don't believe it. Wilson might be strong but he cannot kill the unkillable. My Lord will return and he will set us free. He will set me free," he walks towards the glass. "They call me a false prophet because the demon is gone. Demon worshippers are shunned and killed without my protection. Unlike what they want you to believe, my Lord is quite the merciful being. I know him like no other, he still talks to me as if Wilson had never showed up. He's what keeps me sane in my prison."
Audrey had heard many opinions about the ink demon while down here, but this is the first time she's actually talked to a worshipper of the ink demon. He seemed just as crazy as the notes written by other worshippers seemed. "How long have you been down here um…?"
"Sammy. My name is Sammy Lawrence." it was almost uncanny how calm he was. "And there is no 'when' in a place like this, only 'where.' Telling time is not possible when time does not pass."
"Alright Sammy, I'm Audrey." she smiles awkwardly. It was strange how non-violent Sammy seemed to be. His words were strong and yet never held any anger to them, almost as if he had long ago accepted his fate. Still, his words did not make sense. "How do you know the ink demon's not trying to manipulate you? You've been down here for so long without any help. The only thing that's keeping you connected to your worshipping is that he's talking to you. He doesn't seem like a very faithful god if you ask me."
The ink man sighed, "I do not expect you to understand little one. I am a prophet, it is my job to spread the message of our lord. What is left of my faith is up to me. Worshippers still make their way into here for my guidence. A few act as messengers. They all remain in the music department or in the harbor, where it is safe."
Audrey furrows her brows, now more confused than before. "How are these safe?" It didn't make sense. If they were killed for simply being worshippers, why wouldn't people go attack exactly where they are. "If there's no one there to protect them, who's to say they aren't all being taken down."
"My dear sheep, enough." Sammy shakes his head. "It is safe because it is my domain. It is safe because they're important safety spots from the Keepers. People go to hide there. Even your little angel friend and her sidekick go down to the harbor. As for the music department, it and it's people are being cared for by my good friend. Now, enough questioning my faith. For you would not question one who follows a faith that does not exist here. Here there is no god, only power. And if you treat the power with the love and respect he deserves, you will keep your head. The ink demon knows no boundaries. He goes where he wants, attacking him brings certain death. Not even Malice and Susie will try their hand at attacking. He will rise to power again. He will banish Wilson and the keepers to the ink for what they did. You cannot escape his magnificence! He will set those who believe free! He will end Wilsons rain of terror upon the people of the ink machine! Wilson does not know what we've been through but Bendy does. Bendy knows. He knows better than anyone. He's faced the worst of the punishments. And us worshippers are here to protect him just as he's protected us from that monster."
"Monster? Are you talking about Wilson?" Audrey asks to clarify, a bit startled by his sudden change to a violent tone.
Suddenly, he rips his mask off, showing holes in his face where his eyes and mouth should be. Audrey had thought he was a lost one, but now, she's not so sure.
"Wilson?! No! The one who betrayed us all! The one who put us here in the first place! The cause of this all! Joey! Joey Drew! It was Joey! Don't you understand!? Joey did this! Joey ruined me! Joey ruined my life! I was perfect before I met him! Look where trusting Joey got me! Look where it got you! That monster killed me! He killed my pride! He killed my happiness! He killed my friends! He killed me! All that remains is my stupid fucking soul! I'm stuck here for eternity and it's all that fucking monsters fault! When I get my hands on Joey, I swear to God I'll-!"
Sammy stops and stares at her through the glass, not saying a word. Suddenly a dark presence filled the room. The ink demon. Even if she tried to run it was too late. Yet the demon didn't even notice her. He walked right by her and placed a large hand on Sammy's window.
Bendy leans his head against the glass, Sammy mimicking him as he does. "Sammy," The demon speaks, his voice softer than how he's spoken to her, "calm down. I'm here now. There is nothing to worry about my dear, Joey cannot hurt you any longer. Forget about that horrid beast and remember who's here for you now."
"Yes, of course my Lord... I could never forget how kindly you've treated me. I forever owe you my gratitude…"
"Shh, Sammy. Didn't I tell you not to call me that."
Sammy places his hand in the same spot as Bendy's, "you did. I apologize. I just forget sometimes. They still come to me for guidence Bendy. I will forever lead them into happiness, even if I know we can never leave this place the same as before."
"Shh, don't worry about it. There's nothing to apologize for, my dear." Bendy backs away from the glass, sitting down on the floor. "Now why don't you play me a song while I still have time?"
Audrey didn't need to see his facial features to know Sammy was mentally smiling. He backs away, and turns his chair around to face the window. "I love you, Bendy." He says softly, as he begins playing the banjo again.