Chapter Text
“No! It’s not that! Boris the doll!” Bendy looked up at Boris. “S-ah! Someone has the doll!”
Boris’ mouth made a little ‘o’ before he was on his paws in a flash. The wolf raced down the hall.
“Wait!” Alice called. Boris didn’t have time to wait for her. He had to get to that doll. How did they find it? Who was it? The Cupbros? Those mob guys? Someone else? He rounded the corner and nearly slipped on the carpet. He bolted on toward the room. He saw the door to their room sitting ajar. Boris didn’t slow down. He rammed into the door, shoving it open. Their room was entirely trashed. Papers, clothes, cans, everything, all the things they had left in the world were thrown about. The mattresses were flipped and the closet torn open. No one was there. Boris quickly checked a couple of places someone could be hiding. Nothing. The room was empty of life. Boris had to bite back a growl. He started digging through the things scattered about. Maybe it was just buried and squishing Bendy like his book did in the woods. As the moments went on with no sign of the doll, Boris felt panic start to take over and choke him.
Why? His heart twisted, and a weight landed in his stomach. Why was this happening? Why couldn’t they get through a day without having to run for their lives? Why did Bendy have to hurt every single day! Couldn’t they get a break? Just one?
Boris swallowed a sob. He had to be strong. Bendy needed him. He couldn’t get overwhelmed now. He had to find that doll so they could fix the machine and cure Bendy.
Alice rushed in. “Bor-Oh my!” Alice gasped.
She was panting and bare foot. Boris made eye contact with her, and Boris guessed that was enough for Alice to understand that they were too late. She made her way into the room carefully, so she wouldn’t step on anything.
“Is it here?” she asked. Her eyes swam with concern and confusion.
Boris shook his head. Alice narrowed her eyes and bit her lip.
“Where’s Bendy?” Boris asked.
“He told me to help you.” She glanced at him. Boris huffed. Of course he did. The last thing Bendy wanted was to look weak in front of a girl. Boris turned to go back and check on Bendy. “W-wait! I think I can help.” Alice put a hand on his arm. She sounded unsure, but when Boris glanced back at her there was determination in her eyes. “But I want answers after this. The whole story. Okay?” Boris paused. Was that a smart choice? What if she called the cops or was a spy or something? She might be working with the Cup brothers. Alice pulled her hand back and looked around the room. “What does it look like?”
“I-it looks like Bendy,” Boris muttered. It didn’t matter, he guessed. If they didn’t have the doll, they couldn’t mix the ink machine. They had to get it. Alice raised a brow, but didn’t say anything.
She took a step away from Boris and nodded. She lifted her arms in front of her, palms up, and took a deep breath. “Alright, Alice. A simple summons. You can do this,” she said. Boris tilted his head to the side and dropped one of his ears in confusion. Alice said something in a different language and shut her eyes. Boris couldn’t understand it. The room suddenly felt warmer. Boris felt the anxiety in his chest loosen. The scent of meadow flowers, fresh spring water, and ozone tickled his snout. There was something familiar about the scent and feeling. He couldn’t put his finger on it. He knew that it was at least some kinda magic. After a moment Alice repeated the phrase. Boris barely breathed as he waited for something more to happen. Alice’s brows knit together. She frowned and with a heavy breath dropped her arms.
She opened her eyes to look at Boris apologetically. “I’m sorry. I can’t find it. I-I don’t know what I did wrong. There was nothing for me to-Ah, well, I’m sorry.” She looked frustrated.
“It’s okay Alice. Thanks for trying,” Boris responded automatically. It wasn’t okay. He had to get that doll. Who knew what it was doing to his big brother. He had questions too. Was Alice a witch or something? How did she have magic? Was it her talent like Bendy, or something like Mama Odie?
Bendy.
He turned again to go get Bendy when a new smell crossed his nose. Among all the sweet and fresh scents that Alice had created, there was a stench of burning wood mixed with rotting eggs. Sulfur. Boris pricked his ears. He followed the scent to the door and out into the hall. This wasn’t Bendy or him, or any of the people that had been to their room. Boris’ heart raced as he realized he had a lead to follow.
“Boris?” Alice had followed him into the hall.
“I got him!” Boris raced down the hall after the smell. “Get Bendy!” He called behind him. “I’ll meet you at the front.” He didn’t wait to see if she listened to him. He raced throw the maze of halls. The scent darted from shadowy corner to shadowy corner. The person’s smell was behind vases and curtains. This guy was hiding. Boris had to stop at a few corners to make sure which way the smell went. He lost it three times and had to wander and backtrack until he had it again. Every moment he had to pause or take a step back, his anxiety would claw at him like a starving, caged beast with food in sight, but out of reach.
The sulfur smell led to a small staircase that he figured was for employees. It lacked the nice décor the rest of the hotel and casino had. It was simple, uncarpeted wood stairs. Boris went down two stairs at a time. He was panting hard. His tongue lolled out of his mouth as he gasped for oxygen. He nearly fell, but caught himself on the rail. He reached the bottom and looked around the hall. It was empty, basic, not meant for visitors, but the workers. He continued to follow the scent.
Occasionally a corridor veered off, and Boris would have to pause and check which way the smell went. His lungs burned, and his legs ached, but the image of Bendy in pain pushed him onward. How big was the stupid place? It was becoming a maze. A left here, a right there, another left. Did this crook know he was being tailed or was he just lost? There was a moment that Boris got confused because the scent went two ways. It took him a few minutes to realize that the thief had gone in a circle. He was so focused on the scent that he hadn’t noticed the screams and shouts ahead of him. He came through an "employees only" door and slammed into a woman in a glittery gown so hard that he fell back and landed on his tail.
“Ah!” he grunted. “Sorry, miss! I didn’t see you,” Boris apologized from the ground with gritted teeth. He rubbed the base of his tail and squeezed his eyes shut for a second to hold back tears. That had hurt!
“Ah! Oh!” The woman sounded half hysterical. Boris opened his eyes and took in his surroundings. He had entered one of the open gambling halls. There were crowds of nicely dressed people pressed against the walls. There was sounds of crashing wood, poker chips, cursing, and gun fire. “Here!” Boris looked up to the woman. She was a touch round and in a classy sequin dress with a feather headband. She wasn’t looking at Boris though, she was shouting to the center of the room. “He’s over here!” She waved an arm to get whoever’s attention she was shouting for.
“Uh?” Boris pushed himself up and looked toward where she was shouting. There was Dot hopping from playing table to playing table as bullets ripped them to shreds. Poker clips and cards were flying as Dot trapezed her way through the chaos of bullets. When there was a pause, the three men shooting would lunge to grab her, only for the girl to vanish or hop out of the way. One man was unconscious on the floor with a giant hammer laying next to him and a large lump on his head. On a second glance of the room, Boris realized that people weren’t standing against the walls. They were scrambling for exits.
“The guy you want is here! Stop shooting!” The woman shrieked. Boris looked at the lady in shock. He didn’t have time to think about her obvious dismissal of his life for hers as two of the goons turned to her screams and locked eyes on him. Boris’ ears dropped, and his tail tucked between his legs. His eyes widened to dinner plates. This wasn’t good. The men’s smiles reminded Boris of the time when he and Bendy were in the warehouse in Warnerburg. They were just as unpleasant.
“Heya, Boris! What’s up pup?” Dot appeared next to him, a little breathless, and with a big grin on her face. He wasn’t given the chance to answer her, though.
“Well, well, well. If it isn’t the wolf brother. We’ve been lookin’ for ya, kiddo,” Tom’s deep voice said. The man had lost his hat and coat. His dark hair was a mess that was swept out of his sweaty face. “You’re coming with us.” Tom aimed his gun and cocked it. “Or else.”
“Don’t shoot! You have him now! Don’t shoot!” The woman that ratted him out shrieked with alarm. “For heavens sake! You’ll hit us too!”
“Pipe it down!” Tom growled at her. She squeaked and sunk into herself. She tried to edge around Boris and into the corridor he had come barreling down, only for the goon next to Tom to turn a gun on her. She froze.
Dot snorted. Boris felt his heart climb into his throat. “We can take them,” Dot whispered.
“What!” Boris gasped at her.
“Just duck when I say.” Dot winked.
“Shut your trap!” Goon three ordered her.
“So are ya coming quietly, sonny, or is this gonna get rough?” Tom asked. Boris glanced at Dot. She smiled and shrugged.
“I’ll co-come quietly,” Boris said. He lifted his hands to show he didn’t have anything in them and took a step forward.
“Smart choice kid.” Tom smirked. “Now, where’s your brother.”
“I don’t know,” Boris said.
“He in the building?” Tom inquired.
Boris shrugged. “Where are you taking me? What do you want with us?” Dot stayed next to him. The guy next to Tom took aim with a bloodthirsty look in his eyes, but Boris stepped in front of her without really thinking about what he was doing. Tom knocked the mook’s gun down with a scowl.
“The boss wants a word with cha’. Something about his competitors in tha west. He also wants in on what you two are doin’ here in Toon Town,” Tom said. “Wants a scoop in this ‘ink illness’ stuff.”
Boris blinked. He…didn’t know if he believed that. “Then, why did you bring guns?” Tom raised his brows with a look of surprise.
“Have you heard the rumors about you two? Any man with half a mind would stay armed with you around,” Tom said, then narrowed his eyes. “I didn’t believe them until you sicced your little pet on us.” Tom indicated Dot. She grinned up at him sweetly.
“Aww, you charmer.” Dot waved a hand and looked pleased with herself. Tom grimaced. The men circled around the two and lead them to the far exit on the other side of the room.
“Why we lettin’ her live Tom? Billy is out ‘cause a her. We should be puttin’ her down,” the second goon growled. He still looked angry.
Tom waved him off. “We can’t have a good partnership with blood runnin’ now can we?”
“But Billy!”
“Enough Sternson!” Tom hissed. Boris frowned. Didn’t stop them from shooting earlier. The three men escorted them through the room. To Boris’ dismay he couldn’t catch the sulfur smell, it was buried under the smell of wood and gunpowder. He didn’t have time for this. He needed to get the guy that had the doll. How could he slip away? Tom wasn’t taking his eyes off Boris. The wolf glanced at Dot with a questioning look. She lifted her chin in a ‘go ahead’ fashion before winking at Sternson, who grimaced with rage. They went out into a hall and turned to walk down the carpeted and decorated length. Boris was so turned around that he had no idea which part of the casino they were headed toward.
Dot cleared her throat. Boris glanced down to her. She gave him a meaningful look.
What? Was he supposed to be a distraction? How?!
“Uh.” Boris turned back to Tom and cleared his throat. “So, what rumors have you heard? I’m pretty sure I can clear up any wild stories.” It was the only thing he could think of.
“Is it true that you trashed the trade warehouse?” Goon three asked. “Lotta fellas ended up in the slammer and the hospital!” Tom scowled at him.
“Yeah, we did. We also took a car to escape.” Boris shrugged. It had all been in a mad panic though…
“Are you guys really hit men?” Tom asked.
“Nope!” Boris shook his head.
“So, that murder on you guys?”
“I don’t know what happened. I wasn’t there. Bendy said it was an accident, but he also said he wasn’t sure,” Boris said. Tom hummed. They turned and entered another gambling room. This one was empty, card tables and slot machines sat about the room, but the mess of abandoned cards, chips and knocked over chairs indicated that the people ran in a hurry.
“So, are ya thieves or something?” Sternson asked.
“Or something,” Boris said quickly. The only things they had ever taken was food or pick-pocketed wallets from jerks. That cash then got them food or clothes. It had all changed when Bendy and Boris were able to get actual work. Of course, they had taken the doll…but Boris didn’t think that had been theft…or had it? He didn’t have time to think about that.
“Uh. I expected something bigger than that,” Goon two said.
“Well, we have been running from the cops and hitmen out to get us,” Boris said. That’s what the Cupbros were, right? Hitmen? It was weird to think of Mugman that way after spending an afternoon with him.
“Hitmen?” Tom said with surprise.
“Yeah, we think it has something to do with ink illness,” Boris said.
“What is the in-”
“Duck!” Dot shrieked. Boris dropped and felt something swing over his head. Sternson was knocked to the other side of the room. He landed on a table with a painful thud and slid off it and out of view. “Outta the ball park!” Dot lifted a hand like she was gazing into the distance. She had a comically large baseball sitting on her shoulder.
“Boris! Use this! Point it away from you.” Dot dropped a box in Boris’ gloved hands. The box had a crank on it that was slowly turning. A metallic song was playing from it. “A jack-in-the-box?” Boris looked over to see Dot going after Tom with the ridiculously large baseball bat.
“Don’t question, just do!” she said. “And you! Stop moving!” Boris looked to goon three and pointed the box toward him. The guy was taking aim at Dot and just before he pulled the trigger, the box went off. A cream pie was launched out of the box and slammed the guy in the face. Boris blinked in surprise. The pie tin fell to reveal a brick hidden in the pie. Goon three toppled over with little stars circling his head.
Boris shook his head. “Wha-”
“Gotta love the classics,” Dot said. She was having a tough time with Tom. For a big guy, he was pretty agile. Tables split from Dot’s hits, but Tom weaved through them.
“I don’t wanna fire on girl, but you’re making this hard!” Tom said.
“Good! Nothing fun comes easy.” Dot grinned. Tom tried to aim, but every time he got close Dot took another swing, and he had to dodge away. Boris watched the dangerous game of cat and mouse with amazement. He didn’t know if he could step in to help Dot without getting hit himself. Should he just slip away and leave this to her? But what if Tom shot her! Boris looked around for something to use. The moment he took his eyes off the pair, an arm wrapped around his neck and lifted him off his paws. Boris gasped. Tom had him in a one arm choke hold. Fear had Boris lock up.
“Hold it! Or I shoot the kid!” Tom hissed turning the gun on Boris. Dot froze with the bat half raised.
“You wouldn’t dare,” Dot said.
Tom chuckled. “You’d be surprised. I’ve done some crazy things before. There’s a reason I’m known as the Wild Tom in the Genovese.” The barrel of the gun jabbed into Boris’ jaw. He was shaking, his feet dangled uselessly in the air. His hands gripped at the large steal-like forearm that was choking him. What were they going to do? Was Tom really going to kill him? He wouldn’t! Boris felt tears prick at his eyes. He couldn’t die now. Not here. Not like this.
“Now, put down the bat,” Tom ordered. Dot scowled.
“You cheater,” she growled and dropped the bat with a clatter.
Tom laughed. “Hasn’t anyone ever told you life isn’t fair, little lady? Now, hold still.” Tom lowered the gun to point it at Dot. Boris gasped in horror. If he didn’t do something Dot would be-! Boris thrashed. Tom grunted, but hardly moved. Boris twisted his head and sunk his fangs into the man’s arm. Tom cried out in pain. There was a loud thump! Tom stopped screaming and fell over, completely limp. Boris scrambled away, spitting as he went. He scrubbed at his tongue and spat, trying to get rid of the copper taste. Trying not to think about what that taste was.
A gentle hand touched his shoulder. Boris flinched. “Are you okay!” Boris looked up to see Alice. She dropped the stone bust she had been holding to the floor. “He didn’t hurt you, did he?” she asked, her eyes full of concern.
Boris shook his head. “I’m okay.”
“Ya sure?” Dot asked with her brows knit in concern.
“Yeah,” Boris answered quietly.
“Alright, I’ll tied up these schmucks then,” Dot said. She reached behind her back and pulled out wrapping paper and ribbons. “I’ll make them into presents for the police!” She grinned and headed over to Tom. She pushed the gun away with her foot.
“Did you find the doll?” Alice asked.
Boris shook his head. “These guys nabbed me while I was chasing the lead. I need to find the trail again. I think I’m close.” Boris glared at the unconscious thug before looking back at Alice with worry in his eyes. “Where’s Bendy?”
“Left him on a bench in the front lobby. We heard the ruckus in here, and I decided to come check on it.” Alice smiled. “That other friend of yours and security took care of the other fellas already.”
“Is he okay?” Boris asked.
“Yeah. Yakko was his name, correct? He was joking with Jen and the others before he spotted us. I left Bendy with him. Bendy is still acting like he’s in pain, though,” Alice said. Boris nodded and started for the door the thugs had led him through. “Wait! I’ll come with you,” Alice said. “Bendy was really worried. I bet he’d feel better if you weren’t alone.”
“What’s going on?” Dot asked. She was sticking a big bow on top of the third goon after wrapping him in wrapping paper with little teddy bears and clouds all over.
“Sorry! Don’t have time to explain. Bendy’s in the lounge with Yakko!” Boris said as he rushed to the door.
“MY MAILMAN!” Dot squealed with excitement.
“Keep him safe, okay? We be back as soon as possible,” Boris said, pushing the door open.
Dot salute. “Aye, aye, captain!” Her eyes turned into hearts. “You go on! I’ll finish with these presents. You can trust me with your brother.”
Boris and Alice headed for the hall. It was quiet now that the people were all gone, and the goons were taken care of.
“Is she Bendy’s girlfriend?” Alice asked suddenly. “She’s a child. I don’t think-”
Boris sputtered in surprise. He imagined Bendy having a real date with Dot and couldn’t hold back the laughter. Bendy would be horrified. Alice watched him for a moment before giving him a questioning smile.
“It’s a one-sided crush, and that’s if Dot’s serious,” Boris said after getting his breath back.
“You don’t think she is?” Alice asked.
Boris thought back to Warnerburg. “It’s hard to say with her.”
“And he’s okay with it?” Alice looked at Boris with curious eyes.
Boris furrowed his eyes. “What do you mean?” Was she interested in Bendy? From what Bendy had described as their first meeting, Boris wouldn’t think so.
“Well, he didn’t seem to enjoy the attention. Why doesn’t he just make her stop?” Alice shrugged.
Boris snorted. “He’s told her off a dozen times. It doesn’t faze her.”
Alice pursed her lips. “And that’s all he’s done to stop her?”
Boris raised a brow and his smile dropped a little. “Whadda ya mean?”
Alice furrowed her brows with a thoughtful frown. “Well, I mean…I mean...I guess...I don’t know. If there’s something or someone my boss doesn’t like he uses…force? Intimidation?” Alice looked away, her face flushing. “Ahhhh, never mind.”
Boris’ ears dropped. He blinked and shook his head. “Your…boss?” he asked slowly. “What does that have to do with Bendy?”
Alice shook her head, looking at the ground in embarrassment. “It’s nothing. I just stuck my foot in my mouth. Sorry.”
Boris blinked in befuddlement. What was up with her? Her boss and Bendy? Using force? “You’ve lost me,” the wolf confessed.
Alice sighed and dropped her shoulders. “Sorry.” She lifted her hands in a stopping motion. “Okay, I’ll explain. So,” she cringed as her eyes found Boris’, “My boss is a demon…”
Boris let that sink in for a moment. They had reached the door that the thugs had taken him through. He stopped in front of it. The sulfur scent was here. He sniffed about before he found the trail he had been following. It went further down the hall.
So, Alice was comparing Bendy to this other demon? Boris had never seen another demon. Wait, hadn’t Bendy told him that he had bumped into a demon here? So that was Alice’s boss? It had unnerved his brother. It was weird. Bendy usually wasn’t intimidated by a single guy. Was this other demon that scary?
Boris glanced at Alice. She had wrapped an arm around herself and grabbed her other elbow. She looked uncomfortable as she stared holes at the carpet. This other guy used force and intimidation. So, Alice was scared of him? And he was a demon…and Bendy was a demon. Ah. Boris got it. Now the things Bendy had said about this woman made more sense. She seemed so nice, Boris hadn’t been able to see how she could be the same person Bendy complained about.
Boris needed to say something. “Look B-”
“I’m sor-,” Alice said at the same time. They cut off their words and looked at each other.
“You have something to say?” Boris asked.
“No! No!” She shook her head. “You first.”
“No, you. It’s okay.” Boris smiled at her reassuringly.
Alice bit her bottom lip. “It’s just.” Alice frowned sadly and sighed. “I’m sorry. I really messed up. I didn’t mean that. I don’t think your brother would do something like that to that girl. Though he does act a bit…” Her brows creased with concern and she dropped her eyes back down. They turned at corner. This part of the casino looked almost familiar.
“Energetic?” Boris offered. Alice glanced back over to him. “It’s alright. Dot’s been the forceful one. Bendy just does what he has to. It’s the only way he can shake her off. Sometimes literally,” Boris muttered. “He’d never hurt her. My brother is a good person.” Boris said with absolute certainty. Then the memory of Bendy tossing Dot over the railing back in Warnerburg came to mind. Well...they were closer friends now. That wouldn't happen again...right? “Sure, he can be a bit rough around the edges sometimes, but Bendy is the best. I don’t know what your boss is like, but Bendy would never hurt someone unless they really deserved it.”
Alice blinked and flushed. “Yeah,” she agreed after a moment. “Yeah, I know…or I think so, at least. I didn’t mean to…well.”
“It’s okay.” Boris smiled at her. “I get it. Your boss is scary and Bendy…” Boris shrugged. “Well, he’s had to deal with it before.” Alice seemed to deflate at that.
“But he hasn’t done anything,” Alice said. She pouted. “I should apologize.”
Boris chuckled. “You already did, remember?”
“But-”
“Don’t worry about it. You already said sorry.” Boris recognized the door to the dance room. The sulfur smell went right to the center. Whoever it was, wasn’t hiding in corners anymore. “Knowing my bro, he’s forgiven you and put it all behind him.”
“Really?” Alice raised a brow.
Boris grinned. “Yeah, like I said, Bendy is the best.” But a huge flirt too. Boris mentally rolled his eyes. The wolf pushed the door open and peered inside. The room was now empty and dim. There wasn’t a sign of life anywhere. Boris and Alice waited at the doorway. They shared a look before quietly entering the large room.
“Do you see anything?” Alice whispered.
“I don’t-” There was a small sound, something rattled as it bumped into something else. Boris perked his ear and fell quiet. Alice noticed him tense and froze. It was coming from the stage. Boris clenched his teeth in determination and silently approached the stage. The closed curtain didn’t shift at all.
“This way.”
Boris turned to see Alice opening a door on the side of the stage. She gave him an encouraging look. The two crept up the couple of steps and into the dark back stage. They gingerly walked around props, chairs, tables, and boxes.
“Where is he?” Alice asked.
Boris sniffed. The stench of sulfur was stronger. It almost made him gag. Boris pointed. “Back there,” he whispered. Alice nodded and stepped in front of Boris.
“Okay, stay close.” Alice’s voice took on a level of command he hadn’t heard before. Boris gulped and nodded. Alice made her way down a narrow hall that was lined with costumes and props and cleaning equipment. There was a rattle of wood on wood. Someone hit a box. Boris almost jumped out of his fur. Alice lifted a hand and pointed down the dark hall. The hall opened up to a storeroom full of boxes and more theater equipment. She took a deep breath. “Okay. We know you’re here! Come out and you won’t get hurt!” Boris looked at Alice in surprise. Why did she give away their element of surprise!
There was movement from the corner of Boris’ eye. He turned to see a small, hunched over figure by the back wall. “Don’t move!” Alice said. The figure’s head turned toward them and hissed. The white of his eyes glowed an unsettling yellow as he fixed a glare at them. Boris narrowed his eyes to see it better over Alice’s shoulder. Alice tensed and muttered something under her breath that Boris didn’t catch.
The figure lifted a hand and put it on the wall. There was a flare of red so bright that Boris had to squint to see. In the light he could make out the other person clearly. He was small, with a long tail that had a spike at the end like Bendy’s. He had a round, bald head with two sharp horns, pointed ears, and a large nose that bent downward. He hunched over his gloved hand...which clutched the doll. No wonder Bendy was having a hard time breathing.
“Hey! Give that back!” Boris shouted at him. The being glanced at Boris and smirked. His eyes seemed to glow brighter in malice as he lifted the doll and shook it at Boris tauntingly. He laughed at Boris, causing the wolf to growl.
“Return the doll, imp, or face my power!” Alice commanded. The imp’s yellow eyes went back to Alice. His toothy grin fell into a scowl, and his fist tightened around the doll, squeezing it. Boris’ heart twisted.
“S-stop it!” Boris cried out. The red on the wall swirled and slid to the floor.
Alice lifted her hand. “This is your last warning!”
The imp blew a raspberry at her. The red light made him look menacing as it grew brighter and swirled faster at his feet. The center of it suddenly turned dark. A black void opened like a mouth.
Alice said something quickly in a language Boris couldn’t understand. Her hand lit up in gold light. At the same time, the imp lunged for the growing darkness in the middle of the red swirl. Some instinct in Boris told him that if the creature got to it, he would lose the doll forever. Boris couldn’t let that happen! He had to save his brother! He ducked under Alice’s arm and dove to stop the imp.
“Boris!” Alice cried in surprise and alarm. The wolf crashed into the imp. There was a flash of bright golden light. It blinded Boris as he tumbled on the floor. He flailed around, trying to get his bearings. He blinked his eyes rapidly to clear the spots from his vision. He didn’t feel the imp anywhere around him. He was sure he'd had the guy. Where did he go?
Slowly Boris’ sight came back. The imp was no where to be seen. Panic froze the blood in Boris’ veins. “Wh-where’d he go?” The wolf scrambled to stand and look around. The red swirl was gone, and so was the gold. There was only a couple of burn marks on the wall and floor. The smell of charred wood and paint had Boris wrinkle his snout. Alice was on her knees panting. He quickly went over to her and knelt beside her.
“Alice? Are you okay?” Boris asked, worried.
“Ye-yeah. That just to-took a lot out of me,” Alice panted and sat back. “Did I do it? Is it gone?”
“I don’t see him anywhere. What did you do?” Boris asked. A little of his terror slipped into his voice.
“Ha! It worked!” She looked confused. “How did it work? It shouldn’t have…” Alice blinked.
“Alice, what did you do?” Boris repeated the question. Did the magic mess with her head? Did it do something to her like with Mama Odie’s eyes? Boris really hoped not. He’d feel terrible if something bad happened to this nice woman because of him.
“I, ah, I banished it. Wh-where’s the doll?” Alice asked and looked around. She brushed her hair from her face.
Boris got up and looked all along the back wall. “I don’t see it!” he exclaimed.
“It has to be around here somewhere,” Alice said. She pushed herself up with a groan.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Boris glanced at her.
“Just tired. I feel like I ran a marathon.” She smiled reassuringly. She brushed some sweat from her brow and helped Boris look around the cluttered space. Boris kept an eye on her as he looked. She stumbled a couple of times, but seemed okay.
Boris pushed aside boxes, costumes, stage sets, and lights with growing apprehension. The door to the dance floor slammed open so loudly that Boris yelped.
“Hellllo?” Dot called out. It echoed around the room. “Is anyone heeeere?”
“Boris?” Bendy called out.
“We’re back here!” Boris shouted toward the stage. He heard footsteps coming toward them. Dot was suddenly on his head.
“Hey ya! What cha lookin’ for?” she asked in greeting. Boris looked up and opened his mouth to answer, but was interrupted by Yakko.
“Isn’t it obvious sis? He finally found his calling in the show biz.” Yakko smirked.
Dot gasped. “Really! Congrats Boris! You’ll remember us when you’re famous, right? What am I saying? Of course you will! How could you forget someone as cute as me?” Dot jumped off the top of his head and landed on the edges of the open box Boris had been looking behind. Before Boris could explain what he was hunting for Bendy showed up.
“Boris!” Bendy said as he rushed up to the pup.
“Bendy!” Boris took a few hurried steps to meet him. They grabbed each other’s forearms.
“Are you okay?” They both asked at the same time, looking each other over. Bendy spurted a laugh. Boris chuckled too. The little demon seemed tired and a little bruised. He moved carefully, but otherwise he looked okay.
“I’m fine,” Bendy assured. Boris nodded.
“Me too.” Boris looked back at the Warners and the mess he and Alice had been making. His ears dropped. “But I haven’t foun-”
“OOOOH! Look at this hottie!” Dot exclaimed. Boris turned to see Dot holding up the doll. Where had it been? Then he sighed in relief. They had it back. Boris glanced back at Bendy to see his big brother’s face pale.
“Dot! Hand that over now,” Bendy ordered. Dot blinked in confusion at Bendy’s serious tone. She looked at him and back at the doll. Boris smelled trouble and could practically see the gears turning in Dot’s head so he wasn’t surprised when the girl grinned mischievously.
“I don’t know you liked dolls, Bendy-boo. What will you give me for it?” Dot asked. Hugging the doll to herself.
Bendy growled. “Dot.” His voice was full of warning.
“Maybe I’ll just keep it,” Dot teased.
“Please be gentle,” Boris requested. “That doll is connected to Bendy.” He didn’t want Bendy to get hurt more than he already was. “What you do to it, you will do to him.”
Dot’s, Yakko’s, and Alice’s eyes all widened in surprise.
“So, that’s what happened?” Alice whispered. “Then, if we hadn’t…”
Dot giggled. “Oh, my.” She kissed the top of the dolls head. “It’s my mini mailman!”
“Who knew he could come in an even smaller package,” Yakko said in amazement.
Bendy made a choking sound in the back of his throat. His face was twisted into a scowl. “Shut it! Don’t you dare call me small!” he snapped at Yakko. “And you,” he pointed a finger at Dot. “Stop calling me a mailman! And don’t do that!”
Dot giggled again. “What? This?” She peppered the doll in kisses.
“Argh!” Bendy went to grab the doll. Dot hopped up the boxes, laughing.
“I will love it and hug it and cuddle it and never let it go!” Dot cackled in glee. Bendy was right behind her as she ran down the hall toward the stage. “Catch me if you can!”
“Get back here!” Bendy shook a fist at her. Yakko laughed. Boris smiled. Thank heavens everything turned out okay.
Alice came up beside Boris. He looked over at her. “Hey, thanks for helping.”
Alice looked over at him then smiled. “Glad I could help stitch up the situation.”
Boris snorted.
“There’s just one thing that’s bothering me,” Alice said.
“What’s that, gorgeous?” Yakko asked. The three started to make their way back to the stage, following the chaos of Dot and Bendy.
“Why would an imp be after that doll?” She looked at Boris questioningly.
Boris felt his ears drop a bit. “I…don’t know. Where did he even come from?”
Alice hesitated for a moment. She glanced to the closed curtain. Dot ducked under it, with Bendy close behind. “Imps are usually lesser creatures from hell.” She gave Boris another look.
“Hell?” Yakko questioned turning his head to the side.
“But, how did he even know we had it? Why would he be after it? Or us? We haven’t run into…” Boris trailed off. Were these ‘friends’ of the Voodoo Queen’s, out for revenge or something? His mind went back to the moment he had tackled the imp. It didn’t feel like the voodoo shop. The only thing familiar was that light. That bright light. Full of warmth and peace and energy. He looked back at Alice with confusion. “Alice what did you do to it?”
“I banished it back to where it came from.” Alice shrugged. “It seemed like the right thing to do.”
“Yeah, but how? What was that light?” Boris asked. A memory tickled the back of Boris’ mind. Alice ducked her head and looked away.
“What do you mean?” Alice asked evasively. Before the wolf could ask more, they pushed through the curtains. Bendy was chasing Dot around the dance floor.
“This is a fun dance!” Dot laughed.
“Knock it off!” Bendy demanded. Dot hugged the doll and Bendy stumbled to a stop, choking and gasping. Dot’s eyes widened, and she instantly loosened her grip. She approached Bendy with worry on her face.
“Sorry!” Dot squeaked. Bendy took the chance to snatch it away from her.
He took a couple of breathes, before turning a steely look on her. “This isn’t a toy. It’s important and apparently dangerous too.” Dot nodded looking a little chastised.
“C’mon bud. My sister didn’t mean any harm,” Yakko called out to him from the front of the stage.
Bendy scoffed. “You Warners should each have a warning sign hanging around your neck. You are all a hazard to health.”
“Why do you think ‘warn’ is in our names pal?” Yakko chuckled. Bendy rolled his eyes, but he was smirking. He stuck the doll in his vest to hide it.
Boris turned back to Alice. She was watching Bendy and the Warners with a gentle smile on her lips and a happy light in her eyes. He wasn’t imagining things. He had seen that magic before. Why was she acting nervous when he asked about it? Could it be that Alice was the angel that gave him the map? Why would an angel be working at this casino? Where was her wings? Didn’t angels only wear white and such? Could she help him understand the map better? He had so many questions.
Boris “Alice are you-”
“ALICE!” The doors banged open with a crash. They were thrown aside so forcefully that their hinges gave out, and they fell over. A grey man marched in with a cane in hand and a top hat. A thin man with a bag over his head and goggles over his eyes was next to him. A woman with crazy long hair and a lizard…hood? -was on his other side. The man with the hat was scowling, showing his razor-sharp teeth. His monocle flashed. “WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU’RE DOING IN MY CASINO!”
Alice spurted. “M-M-Mr. Black Hat, sir!”