Closed

The bell rang for lunch and the upstairs classes left their rooms to grab their lunches from their lockers or racing to the cafeteria to get in line and grab their lunches. Alice grabbed her lunch from her locket and just as she was ready to head to the cafeteria, she stopped to see Lauren pulling out her lunch box and a notebook. Once she closed her locker she turned to see Alice right in front of her.

“Uh hi.” Alice nervously said giving a small wave. Lauren didn’t respond back and just stepped back and walked away from the angel. “W-wait!” Alice called out. The angel sighed seeing she failed again for interacting with Lauren.

Alice slowly made her way to the cafeteria and slammed her head down at the table. Danni, who was eating a tuna sandwich looked at her angelic friend. “Guess talking to Lauren didn’t go as planed?” She asked.

“No.” Alice sighed. “Wait how did you know?” She asked. Alice didn’t tell her or any of her friends about trying to talk to Lauren.

Danni chuckled. “You’ve been in school for four days now, and during those four days you’ve been trying to talk to Lauren.” Danni explained. “I’ve seen how you look at her.” 

Alice smiled giving a light blush. She then decided to eat some lunch to take her mind off it. Alice smiled seeing Linda and Henry gave her a roast beef sandwich, a bag of chips, an apple, two cookies, and a juice box.

As Alice was setting up her lunch she glanced at Bryan who was reading a book as he was eating his sandwich. Danni gave her friend a slight kick in the shins. “Ow!” Bryan hissed. “What was that for?” He asked. Danni glared and pointed at Lauren and Alice. Bryan understood what Danni was trying to tell him, and nodded that he will help with whatever plan she had.

While Alice was enjoying her lunch, she was surprised that Bryan was pushing her chair towards Lauren’s table. Alice was freaking out that she was being headed, or forced towards the girl she desperately tried to talk to. Danni held on to Alice’s lunch and placed it on the table surprising Lauren.

Lauren’s eyes widen as she saw Bryan bringing Alice over to her. Bryan smiled at his angelic friend before heading back to the table with Danni. Alice glared at her friends, who waved to her with a smile. “Now we watch and wait.” Danni snickered. 

Alice sighed and faced Lauren. The two girls were quiet with one another, especially Alice who didn’t know what to say just sat their nervously thinking of what to say. “Huh hi.” Alice nervously said as it was the only thing coming to mind.

Lauren didn’t reply and just went back to doodling in her notebook. Alice frowned and just continued eating her lunch. Danni and Bryan sighed in frustration seeing it will take till the end of lunch to make these girls talk. 

It didn’t take too long though. As Alice ate she was thinking of what to talk about with Lauren, and got an idea seeing Lauren’s drawings. “So you like drawing?” Alice asked. Lauren looked up and nodded, before drawing. Alice smiled seeing they were getting somewhere. “My dad, Henry used to be an animator.” She replied.

“Really?” Lauren asked. Alice blinked hearing Lauren’s soft spoken voice. The young girl covered her mouth and went back to drawing. “S-sorry I’m told I sound q-qu-quiet and can’t speak any l-louder.” She stuttered. “S-so I b-barely talk.”

Alice sighed looking down feeling bad for the girl. “Well I don’t think your quiet.” She said. Lauren looked up. “You sound clear as day.”

Lauren gave a small smile. “T-thanks.” She replied. Lauren started to feel comfortable around the angel and held her hand out. “I’m Lauren.”

Alice smiled and held her hand out. “Alice!” She replied beaming. 

Danni and Bryan fist bumped each other seeing the two girls starting to make some friendship progress together. However, there was one group of friends who didn’t seem happy that the new girl was being friends with the former loner; The Lockets. 

“There is no way I’m letting loner art girl be friends with new girl!” The leader of the Locket’s glared.

Kelly, who was drinking replied. “Well I think its sweet, Clara.” She replied.

The leader of the Lockets, Clara glared at her dimwitted friend. “Oh shut it Kelly, who’s side are you on, anyways?” She snapped.

Kelly whimpered and sighed. “Y-yours.”

Clara nodded. “That’s what I thought.” She said before pulling away from her friend. Kelly gave a small glare towards her leader before finishing her drink. Clara then turned to face the other blonde haired girl who was taking notes on the entire thing. “Karen do you have any notes about the new girl?”

Karen looked up from her notes, and adjusted her glasses. “Well sadly I couldn’t get into her files, as thanks to what you did last year I’m not allowed.” She reminded her leader. “Good news I was able to follow up with what Kelly spotted and all we know she has a cat for a brother.” 

Clara turned to Kelly, who didn’t give eye contact towards her dimwitted friend and glared at her. “That’s it? No one would believe us if we admitted that to the entire school! The entire student body will think were CRAZY and send us to the nut house!” She shouted.

“Hey its not my fault I got caught!” Kelly snapped back. “I told you I should of used your car to stalk them!” 

“Hey!” Clara snapped back. “No one is allowed to drive my car! You can ride, but no drive!” The girls started to biker ignoring their plan at stake as the student body watched the cat squabble going on. This argument gave Danni a laugh as she ate her chips and drank her can of lemonade.

“Now this is a dinner theater.” Danni commented. 

As the Locket squabble was going Lauren was showing Alice her drawings. Her notebook was scattered with cute drawings of animals and a page at what appeared to be a cartoon style similar to what the Bendy cartoons looked like.

“Wow! I love your cartoon drawings!” Alice beamed. “Its almost like what my dad used to draw for this studio.”

Lauren giggled. “My dream is to be an animator and work at a studio myself too.” She replied.

Alice smiled. “That is amazing!” She cheered, her halo blinking like a light when she said that. Lauren smiled seeing how the angel enjoyed her drawing and her dreams. “I wish you luck on your dreams! Just keep on dreaming and you’ll get there!” Alice covered her mouth and looked down. Now she was starting to sound like Joey,

“Wh-what’s wrong?” Lauren asked.

“S-sorry just what I said.” Alice apologized. “A...friend.” She lied. “A friend I knew who betrayed me said that to me.”

Lauren frowned and got up from her seat and put an arm around Alice. “Sorry about that.” 

Alice gave a small smile, but a small blush appeared on her face. “Its not your fault.” She replied. “Its mine.” Alice thought. Lauren wanted to ask why was it her fault for this friend to betray her, but as she glanced at the bickering mean girls ahead she stayed quiet and hugged her new friend.

“I know its hard to feel betrayed, but sometimes you have to move on from it. It hurts, a lot because you put their trust in them and your scared of loosing that trust once again.” Lauren explained.

Alice nodded. “I lost a lot of trust back at my old home.” She mumbled. 

“Yikes.” Lauren hissed feeling that sting too. “I’m really sorry that this happened to you. Is that why you transferred here?” She asked.

“For the most part yeah. I’d rather not explain.” Alice replied.

Lauren smiled. “Whatever makes you comfortable Alice.” Lauren let go of the hug and sat back down eating her lunch. Alice smiled feeling better from Lauren’s comfort, and continued to eat her lunch as well. As the angel ate she felt her heart beating for some reason. Was it because of Lauren? Or was it because someone understood her pain?

Even after lunch, these feelings haven’t gone away for the little angel sent from above.

As Alice was walking to class she started to feel her heart beating faster. Not beating fast after running, but more of a fast heartbeat like...she was falling in love. That’s what Allison told her when she would talk about her relationship with Gent worker, Thomas Conner. Alice started to realize that she may have a loving feeling towards Lauren.

“Alice are you okay?” Alice soon snapped out of it when she saw it was Danni speaking to her. Alice turned to Danni and saw she looked nervous towards her best friend.

“Oh y-yeah I’m fine.” Alice lied. “Just relieved you know.” 

Danni sighed. “Look sorry for pushing you into talking to Lauren, but you two needed to introduce one another, and Bryan and I had to make a move.” She explained.

“Danni, its fine. That push was all I needed.” Alice reassured her friend.

“It is?”

Alice nodded. “We just had a great conversation, and I’m just relieved everything I wanted to tell her came out, and I didn’t scare her!” She explained. This was the truth!

Danni sighed in relief. “Thank goodness.” Alice smiled as she and her friend walked to class, and enjoyed the rest of the day. Though as Alice paid attention in class she couldn’t shake the feeling of Lauren off her head. Alice sighed and she would talk about this with Henry or Linda after school. 

After school, Alice said goodbye to Danni and Bryan as she was on her way to pick up Bendy and his friends from school, that was about to end in about half an hour. As Alice was on her way to the elementary school she spotted Danni ready to walk home herself. Alice smiled and decided to invite Danni to join her in her walk to pick up Bendy.

“Hey angel.” A voice said. Alice sighed and turned to see it was the Locket’s leader Clara speaking to her. Taking a deep breath she went over to the other girl.

“Yeah that’s me?” Alice questioned wondering why these girls want to talk to her. “What do you girls want?” 

Clara and her friends looked at each other before laughing. Alice was confused and nervously laughed herself wondering what was so funny. “Oh were just...interested in you.” Clara answered.

Alice was confused and yet impressed. “You are?” She asked. Clara nodded. Alice wasn’t sure to believe what the mean girl was telling her. After what Danni told her about these girls and Linda warning about bullies she didn’t want to bring her hopes up that these girls were going to be anything but nice to her.

“Were interested in how monochrome you look.” Clara commented giving a giggle. Alice gulped feeling an insulted at that. 

Alice took a deep a breath not trying let those words get to her. “Well thanks...I guess?” Alice questioned. Clara and her friends just kept on laughing. Alice gulped wondering how long she could keep her cool before breaking down.

“That wasn’t a complement.” Karen replied. “You just don’t look human.” She pointed out. Alice’s eyes widen as the girls laughed at her again. Alice frowned, but wasn’t going to cry. She was going to hold it in, not let these girls get to her. She was a brave angel! She was a strong angel! She was...a week angel.

“So where did you come from?” Kelly asked. Alice tried to answer, but Kelly covered her mouth. “No don’t tell me! You came from some wacky wonderland!” She laughed. Clara and Karen didn’t think it was all that funny, but Kelly was in the right place. 

Clara shoved Kelly aside and glared at the angel. “Listen here angel. I don’t know who you are, or where you came from! Just letting you know I’m in charge of the school! You may be making friends left and right, but once I find more about you. You’ll be squished like a bug!” Clara threatened. 

Alice gulped, now she was truly scared now. This wasn’t like Joey threats, this was more of Susie threats. The angel remembered how the sweet, kind voice actress became as mean as Clara towards Allison, and no matter what the angel did nothing could of changed Susie’s behavior. Alice nodded not responding to the bullies.

“Oh by the way, you aren’t the prettiest girl around here.” Clara insulted. She chuckled and gave the angel a shove making her fall to the ground. “See ya looser!” Clara yelled. The girls laughed as they walked off insulting the angel behind her back. Alice got up and brushed herself as she watched her tormentors walk away.

Once they were gone, Alice felt tears coming out of her eyes and quickly wiped them away. She wasn’t going to cry, not right now. She then took a deep breath and made her way towards Bendy’s elementary school.

Bendy and his friends were still waiting in front of the school and were worried that Alice forgot and that they would need to call Henry or Linda to pick them up. “Where is Alice?” Bendy complained. 

As his friends waited, Marie spotted a familiar angel walking towards them. “There she is!” Marie shouted. Bendy and his friends smiled and looked to see Alice walking towards them. However, Bendy saw something was wrong with the angel. She looked sad.

“I wonder what’s wrong with Alice?” Cody asked his twin sister. Connie shrugged not sure either.

Alice was taking a deep breath, trying to stay calm and not cry in front of Bendy and his friends. “Just don’t tell them Alice. Just don’t tell them.” Alice said to herself. With that she wiped the rest of the tears from her face and put on a fake smile. “Hey guys sorry I was late!” 

“That’s alright Alice. We didn’t wait too long.” Connie replied. Alice sighed and decided now was time to head off to take the kids home and head home herself.

As the group walked home, Bendy felt something was wrong with Alice. Even if Alice or Boris looked okay on the outside, Bendy could feel how their truly feeling. Bendy knew Alice wasn’t herself and was keeping something sad and serious.

Even after dropping off the kids at their respective homes, even when doing homework, and even during dinner. What Bendy sensed was an angel holding in her emotions, trying to keep it in as long as she can. It wasn’t just Bendy who noticed something wrong was the angel, Henry and Linda also saw something was up with Alice.

“Everything okay Alice?” Henry asked.

Alice looked up and swallowed her food. “Y-yeah! Just a long day of school!” Alice lied continuing to eat. Henry and Linda looked at each other and knew there was something wrong with Alice.

~~~~~~

So here are the toons identities:

Bendy-Pansexual

Alice- Bisexual

It was the following day, and after a good night sleep Alice started to feel better. She and Bendy grabbed their lunches and quickly dashed out the door for school. “Bye Boris!” Alice and Bendy yelled giving their wolf friend a hug before leaving the house and meeting up with their friends from school. Once they were gone, the wolf toon went inside the house and looked out the window waiting for Alice and Bendy to come back from school.

Which won’t be for another eight hours.

Henry and Linda looked at their wolf toon son looking out the window like a child waiting on their parents or a pet dog waiting for their owner to come home. Henry frowned feeling sorry for the poor wolf. Linda came in with two cups of coffee and looked to see Boris still looking at the window.

“Poor thing.” Linda whispered.

“Yeah.” Henry replied with a sigh. They felt guilty no school would take in the poor wolf, but would take in an angel and a demon in. Now Henry somewhat understood why Boris couldn’t get in, as for one he looks more animal like, and animals weren’t allowed in school, and arguing with a principle would just make things harder for Alice and Bendy to get in, so he stayed quiet and understood.

When Boris was first told, he didn’t mind at first, but just after two hours of Alice and Bendy being in school the sweet wolf toon started to get bored and would keep his eye on the window wondering when they will be home.

This left Henry and Linda to wonder how to help cheer up Boris and give him something too do. “You got any ideas, Henry?” Linda asked.

Henry sighed. “Nothing in mind. What about you?” He asked.

Linda sighed and shook her head. Henry sighed again as they kept an eye on Boris, drinking their coffee, and thinking of what to do. “Maybe I can bring him to work with me?” Linda suggested.

Henry faced his wife. “Are you sure your boss will allow him?” He asked. “I mean you work in a cafe, and food plus Boris equals chaos!”

Linda laughed. “Don’t worry Henry. I’ll make sure Boris eats nothing on my watch till lunch.” She promised. Henry was about to speak again, but Linda cut him off, and, even if he doesn’t give Boris a job, Mr. McNamara loves dogs, so Boris can spend time outdoors.” She explained. Henry gave a smile, at least if Boris doesn’t have a job at least he has something too do while Alice and Bendy are at school.

“Alright.” Henry sighed. Linda smiled and gave Henry a kiss on the cheek and went to tell Boris the news. Henry saw the wolves ears pick up when Linda told him he’d be going into work with her today. Boris gave his mother a big hug before giving her a big kiss on the cheek and thanking her as he went up to his room to get ready.

“I’d say he’s happy.” Linda chuckled walking back to her husband.

Henry laughed as well. “Yep.” He replied.

After breakfast, Linda got ready for work wearing her pale blue and white uniform that came with a dark blue bow tie. She tied her hair in a bun with a hair tie and walked downstairs seeing Boris happily ready to go. She ruffled Boris’s head and they both walked towards Linda’s car.

As they drove, Boris sunshine smile started to fade into a nervous frown. Linda took notice of this and put her hand in Boris’s. The wolf looked up at his mother who smiled at him. “Your going to be alright Boris. I promise.” She reassured.

Boris sighed. “I’m nervous if everyone would be scared of me.” He whispered.

Linda heard what he said and shook her head. “No one should be scared of you!” Boris turned to his mother figure and his smile became a bit wider. “If someone does have to say something, they should say it to me! Because no one calls any of my children names.”

“Thanks ma.” Boris replied.

“Always Boris.” Linda replied back. Boris took a deep breath to ease his nervousness on their way to the cafe. To cheer him up, Linda played some music from the radio, and it started to calm the wolf’s nerves.

The drive wasn’t too long and soon they got to the cafe. “Well here we are.” Linda announced. Boris got out of the car and soon sniffed the air smelling an aroma of delicious foods from pancakes to sandwiches.

“Everything smells so good here!” Boris beamed. His mouth drooling as the smell of food overwhelmed him. Soon Boris’s ears picked up when a man around 10 years younger then Linda came outside. He’d paused when he saw Boris right in front of him.

The wolf gave a small whimper and waved at the man. The man smiled and ruffled Boris’s head making the wolf smile. “Linda you weren’t kidding!” The man laughed.

Linda chuckled. “Boris this is Martin, Martin this is Boris.”

“H-hello.” Boris whispered waving.

Martin smiled and waved back. “Hello!” He beamed. Boris got to feel comfortable and sighed knowing things will be alright. Linda and Boris followed Martin inside the place and Boris smiled seeing the interior of the place. It had many white tables and booths, paintings were all over the wall, and the smell of food was stronger inside then outside.

“Wow! Everything smells so good!” Boris beamed.

“Thank you Boris.” Martin replied. “If you want to try anything let me know.” Boris nodded promising to order something for lunch later today.

Throughout the day, Boris just relaxed outside of the cafe listening to the music that played. He looked out the window to see Linda taking orders to people being seated. Boris smiled and got to color using the activity book. Boris giggled as he finished his activity book and went to look through it.

As he was drawing he saw a young man come by with a painting kit and easel. The man looked exactly like Martin, only younger probably around 18 or 20. The young man looked at Boris for a second, before flinching back.

The young man and Boris both jumped seeing the other. The young man walked closer to the wolf and poked his nose. “Wow either your alive or that’s a pretty cool Boris costume!” The man beamed.

Boris shook his head. “Not a costume! I’m 100% alive!” Boris beamed.

The man chuckled. “That’s so cool! How did you become real?” He asked. Boris got nervous and stepped away from the man. Boris never want to bring up how Joey brought him, Bendy and Alice to life. Its just a sour memory now. The man took notice of Boris’s expression and felt bad. “Sorry if its personal. Shouldn’t have brought it up.”

“Its alright. I-I’m just not comfortable talking about it.” Boris replied forgiving the young man.

The man smiled back. “Well I’m Donnie, Martin’s son.” Donnie held his hand out for the wolf.

Boris smiled. “Boris the wolf!” Boris replied.

“I know.”

“You do?” Boris replied, surprised someone knows about him.

Donnie nodded. “Of course, my dad used to watch the cartoons when he was a kid and I watch them too at my art school!” He explained.

Boris smiled hearing many young people started watching their cartoons. “That’s amazing. No one has seen the cartoons in years, glad they're being brought up again!”

“I know! Lots of people my age enjoy them! They're hilarious!” Donnie agreed. Boris smiled as he and Donnie talked. As they talked Donnie grabbed his paints and started to paint on the canvas. Boris looked at Donnie and saw he was painting a sunset over a lake. Boris’s eyes sparkled as he saw live like the painting looked.

“That looks beautiful.” Boris commented.

Donnie smiled. “Thank you. Did you see the other paintings inside?” He asked. Boris nodded. “That was all my paintings.”

“Really?! Your good!” Boris beamed.

“Thanks again Boris.” Donnie replied. Boris smiled and kept watching Donnie finish his painting.

After two paintings, Boris and Donnie started to get hungry and went to order lunch from inside the cafe. Linda smiled seeing Donnie again especially seeing him with Boris. “Hello Donnie. I see you met Boris.” Linda beamed.

“Yep! He’s been keeping an eye on my paintings.” Donnie explained.

Linda smiled. “Well I know what you want Donnie, but Boris what do you seem interested in today?” She asked. Boris looked at the menu and wasn’t sure what to order. Everything looked so good it was hard not to order three things off the menu.

“Let him have what I’m having. I’ll pay for it.” Donnie suggested. He put his hand on Boris’s arm making the wolf smile. Linda smiled back and nodded at the two going to place their orders. Soon enough their orders came, which was a grilled cheese with bacon and some chips. Boris licked his lips seeing the delicious sandwich right in front of him.

Donnie paid for the sandwiches and the two sat outside enjoying their lunch. As they ate the two talked more about how Donnie got into painting as well as his father put all of them in the cafe. “So you were 14 when you found out painting was your passion?” Boris asked, surprised Donnie was that young.

Donnie nodded as he finished his sandwich, Boris was done with his earlier. “Well I’ve been into all kinds of art, its just painting called out to me when I went to an art museum and just figured I should do it.”

Boris smiled, but gave a sigh. “Think I might get into painting?” He asked.

Donnie smiled. “Anyone can paint. It takes practice to make something amazing I made, but as long as you pick up a brush and know what you want to make you can paint something amazing!” Donnie explained. Boris smiled and knew what to ask Linda later after work.

The rest of the day, was Boris chatting with his new friend Donnie and even painting something himself, which he was proud of. Donnie smiled and gave his new friend a thumbs up, making the wolf beam in happiness.

After Linda’s shift was over, Boris waved goodbye to Donnie and they left the cafe. “So Boris do you want anything? You were such a good boy today.” Linda suggested.

Boris nodded knowing what he want. “Think you can get me a painting set. I want to try out painting just like Donnie.” Linda smiled and nodded as they made their way to the paint store. Once they made it, Linda walked inside and told Boris to wait as she went in. Boris waited in the car excited to get his new paint set and to start doing some paintings of his own.

After 10 minutes, Linda came out with some paint, an easel, paint brushes, and a few canvases. Boris had his hands and face on the window smiling seeing all the supplies for his first painting.

Linda and Boris got home, and the wolf was happy to see Bendy and Alice home working on homework while having some blueberry muffins for a snack. “Hey Bendy! Hey Alice!” Boris yelled.

“Hey Boris!” The two toons said together.

Henry came by after washing dishes and smiled seeing the wolf toon and his wife come back from the cafe. “Hey Boris how was the cafe?” He asked.

“It was great!” Boris cheered. “Everyone was so nice and I made a new friend!”

Henry chuckled. “That’s great!” Boris nodded and rushed into the bedroom taking five muffins with him. This left, Bendy, Alice and Henry confused. Linda giggled sitting down at the table eating a blueberry muffin for herself.

After the toons finished homework and dinner, Linda told Henry everything that happened today. Henry was shocked to know many of the co-workers enjoyed Boris’s company especially the son of the manager. “That was the first time Donnie smiled and had a friend in like forever.” Linda repeated what her boss, Martin told her.

Henry gave a soft chuckle. He too remembered Donnie as a little boy and even gave him a drawing on his birthday a few years ago. “Boris was created to be kind and helpful, even though he and Bendy but heads in some cartoons Boris does care for people.” Henry explained. Linda smiled and leaned on her husband’s shoulder and smiled.

“Henry, Linda.” Bendy started. Henry and Linda looked down at the demon who looked surprised.  “You may wanna come up to our room and see this.” Henry and Linda looked at one another in sync with Linda smiling a second later, and ran up to the toons room. When they got there they saw Boris paining another picture with two others drying, leaning on the wall.

One of the paintings showed a lighthouse by the sea during a horizon, and the second one was some pretty purple, blue and white flowers in a garden with birds and squirrels around it. The third painting Boris was working on, was a colored recreation of the drawing Henry made of the toons that he gave to Joey years ago.

“Boris.” Henry started. The wolf stopped and turned to face his family. “What’s all this?”

“Oh I discovered my true calling, Henry.” Boris started. “You see at the craft store today, I found these painting kits and asked Linda to buy it for me. So after coming up with some ideas, I did my first set of paintings.” Boris explained.

Henry and Linda got a closer look at the paintings and were in awe at them, mostly Henry was ate awe. “Boris,” Henry started. “This is amazing.”

Boris chuckled and rubbed the back of his head. “Aww shucks. Thanks Henry.” He replied, blushing.

“It really is amazing Boris!” Bendy beamed. “You have the art skills of Henry!” Boris smiled wider feeling the love from his family.

“Its not as good as Henry’s.” Boris replied.

Henry chuckled and put his arm around the wolf. “Nope, Bendy is right. You are good as me.” He repeated.

“I am?”

Henry nodded. “You are. This is my art style.” He explained. Boris smiled and put his arm around his father figure. Henry gave a small smile to the recreation of the drawing he once sent Joey years ago, he never showed it to the toons before, so how did Boris know about it. “Boris I have a question.” The wolf turned to him and nodded. “H-how did you know about this drawing of you, Bendy and Alice. T-that was my old drawing I gave Joey when we opened the studio.”

Boris rubbed the back of his head. He barely remembered when he saw it, but where he saw it was clear in his mind. “Well when I was created, I saw the drawing in Joey’s office. I-I wanted to ask him, but never did since Bendy told me he would get mad over small questions.” He explained. “Then one day when I wanted to ask, the painting was gone.”

Henry nodded taking all of this in. He knew Joey was sensing Boris asking about the photo, and had to cover it up before the wolf asks more questions, but never an answer.

“B-but.” Boris stuttered. “I hope you don’t mind I recreated it, and in color too!”

Henry looked once more at the painting and smiled. The entire background was painted in many shades of greens and blues, but Bendy and his friends still stayed the same black and white color. It did make the painting pop out though.

“I love it Boris!” Henry commented. Boris smiled and gave Henry a huge bear hug. Henry gave a slight chuckle as he hugged the wolf back. Linda, Alice and Bendy smiled and hugged Boris as well.

Linda went over to her husband’s ear and whispered, “You’re welcome.” to him. Henry smiled at his wife, before letting go from Boris’s hug and hugging his wife.

“What got you the idea for Boris to craft?” He asked as he dipped his wife.

Linda squeaked, and chuckled. “I figured we were on our way home from the cafe, Boris saw all the cute paintings and decided he want to paint too.” She explained. “Was surprised he’s as good as art as you were.”

Henry chuckled and lifted his wife back up and kissed her slowly on the lips. Linda smiled and kissed her husband back. God she missed having long kisses with Henry like this, they haven’t did this since they were young.

Though the Stein’s didn’t realize they were making out in front of their toon kids. Boris chuckled, Alice awed seeing her parents being adorable, Bendy felt sick to his stomach. “Yo! Henry! Linda! KIDS ARE IN THE ROOM YOU KNOW!” Bendy shouted. Henry and Linda stopped kissing and turned to their toon kids. While two of the toons didn’t mind the devil darlin did. “Seriously! You had to get all romance in front of us!” Bendy shouted. Bendy still ranted about the whole kissing thing as he left the room to brush his teeth or clean his eyes out what he just saw.

It was the end of the school day, and Bendy came out of the school building feeling upset over what happened near the end of school. No it wasn’t a fight, and Bendy didn’t get detention over a harmless prank. It was something way worse!

Bendy groaned in disgust as he and his friends were outside the school waiting for Alice to walk them home. “I don’t get why we need to do homework!” Bendy complained. “We know everything in class and we did paperwork in class too!”

Connie chuckled. “That’s a big mystery to why we get homework, but my theory is teachers are worried we forget the next day or we need an extra boost, so teachers give homework to help us.” Connie explained.

Marie chuckled. “My theory to why we have homework is we have so many hours of a school day so teachers just give us the papers we don’t have time to work on in class to take home and finish.” She explained.

Michael shrugged. “I just think teachers want us to be adults and give us paperwork like what my dad gets.” He explained.

Bendy started to smile as his disgust for homework started to fade. He enjoyed listening to why homework exist even though to him it sounds like a torture.

“Hey guys!” The kids turned to see Alice running over smiling. “Hope I’m not too late.”

“Your not.” Marie replied. “We just got out like three minutes ago.” Alice sighed and took the group of kids and Bendy home. During the walk home, Bendy stopped at times and looked behind his back thinking there was someone following them. However, when no one was there he kept up with the group.

The last time, Bendy heard a twig snap and turned ready to transform into his ink demon or even beast Bendy form to warn the stalker to leave them alone. Connie and Alice ran by and held Bendy back so he wouldn’t transform. “Bendy what’s wrong?” Alice yelled.

“Someone is following us!” Bendy yelled. Alice, Connie and the rest of the kids looked and saw no one there. Alice glared and walked up to where the noise was and saw nothing there except a broken stick. The angel shrugged and walked back to the group.

“There’s nothing here, probably a cat or a squirrel was just running by.” Alice explained. Bendy sighed as he started to feel calm. He felt Connie rub his shoulder making the demon smile.

“If it makes you feel better, I can help you with homework?” Connie asked.

Bendy gave a small smile and nodded. “I’d like that.” He whispered. The group continued on their walk back home.

However, Bendy was right all along with someone following them. It was one of the members of the mean girl group of Alice’s school, The Lockets. It was the girl with black hair, who was named Kelly. Kelly wanted to keep her eyes on Alice, Bendy and the kids but with her almost getting caught she had to fall back and report to the leader of the Lockets.

At the Stein household, Boris and Henry sat on the couch nervously as they waited for Alice and Bendy to come home. Linda got home and carried two boxes of pizza to the table. She figured to celebrate Alice and Bendy’s first day of school she’d pick up pizza for dinner. However, while she wasn’t worried for the toons Henry and Boris were.

“Would you two relax. The school didn’t call us at all today. I’m sure their fine.” Linda reassured them.

“But would they be fine coming home?” Boris asked, his ears drooping down. Linda rubbed Boris’s head to comfort him. Boris gave a small smile towards his mother. Henry however, was still nervous.

“They’ll be fine. Don’t worry.” Linda comforted. Boris smiled, but picked his ears up when he saw Alice and Bendy outside the house. In a flash, Boris dashed out the house and tackled his two friends in a tight bear hug.

“H-hey buddy.” Bendy wheezed out. “I...see you...missed us.” He gasped out. Boris hugged his friends tighter almost turning them blue, literally. “Boris...we...can’t...Breathe!” Boris let them go and Alice and Bendy gasped for air as they finally gained back their black and white colors.

Connie chuckled at the moment and went over to hug Boris. “Hi Boris.” She replied. Boris hugged his friend, lightly then the big bear hug he gave to Bendy and Alice. Henry and Linda came outside and smiled seeing the toons were home safe.

“See, I told you.” Linda replied.

Henry chuckled nervously rubbing the back of his head. “I-I know.” He lied.

Linda knew he was lying, but rolled her eyes and gave a chuckle. “Well come on inside, I ordered some pizza to celebrate!” The toons and Connie were excited and came inside for some pizza. Once inside, the kids grabbed their pizzas and ate as they worked on homework.

Bendy stared at the piece of paper as Connie helped him understand the math question. “And you get?” Connie asked.

“Negative Four?” Bendy guessed.

Connie nodded. “Correct!” She replied.

Bendy sighed and put -4 on the paper. “This isn’t too hard. Its easy!”

“See. I told you!” Connie replied as she took a bite of her pizza. “Now you just need to do three more and your done!” Bendy nodded and continued to solve the last three problems of his math homework.

“I’m done!” Alice beamed. Bendy and Connie turned to Alice who was already done with her homework already and put everything in her bag before finishing up her slice of pizza.

Henry chuckled. “So how was school?” He asked.

“I loved school! It was amazing! I had playtime, lunch, my teacher is nice, and my class loves me!” Bendy beamed. “Though, I don’t like homework though. Don’t know why we have to do it though even though I’m starting to understand it.” He explained.

Henry laughed after he ate his pizza. ”Sounds like how me and J-” He cut off when the toons looked at him as he was about to mention Joey. “I mean,” Henry cleared his throat. “My friend and I used to be in school.” The toons looked at each other, and Bendy went to finish his work while Boris and Alice ate their pizza quietly. Henry sighed knowing he dodged a bullet right there.

“Mr. Stein?” Connie asked. Henry looked at the young girl. “Is something wrong?”

“Everything is fine.” Henry reassured. He didn’t want to tell the young girl the horrors his former friend Joey Drew did when he went to see him many months ago. Linda walked over and sat with her husband giving him a quick kiss on the cheek to make him feel better. Henry chuckled and thanked his wife.

“Alice how was your day at school?” Linda asked.

“I love it!” Alice sang. “One of my new friends is someone I ran into at the park one day and she is so cool!” She beamed. “She introduced me to her friends and we got along fine. My teachers are amazing and I enjoy school!”

“Well I’m glad you enjoyed your day!” Henry replied. “Did anything else happen?” He asked.

Alice opened her mouth, but quickly closed it to think about if she should mention Lauren, the Lockets, and the possibly of being stalked earlier today. She did some thinking and decided to mention one of the things. “Well there was this girl, and she looked pretty lonely.”

This caught Bendy’s attention wanting to hear more of this mysterious girl. “Oooh how mysterious was she?” He asked.

Alice rolled her eyes and continued. “And well she just looked sad. I-I wanted to talk to her, but don’t know what to say. What if I say hi and she’s scared of me?” Bendy was about to open his mouth to comment, but Alice shoved a slice of pizza in his mouth before he could comment.  “Anyways I just feel like she needs a friend.” She finished rubbing her arm.

Linda smiled and sat next to her angel daughter. “Well for starters talking to her and saying ‘hi, how are you?’is a good start.” Linda explained. “And for conversations just ask what does she like to do or you know have lunch with her.” Alice smiled hearing her mom’s advice to get her to talk to Lauren. “But is there a reason why she’s alone?”

Alice went quiet and lied. “I-I don’t know. I asked my friend, Danni but she doesn’t know either.” Alice hoped Linda would believe her story and not ask anymore questions. Even though Linda saw right though Alice’s lie and saw there was more to Lauren that Alice wasn’t telling her, she didn’t want to ask Alice anymore, for now at least.

“Alright, well I wish you luck Alice.” Linda said. Alice smiled and gave a sigh of relief.

After the discussion of school, Connie went home and the toons spent the rest of the night watching TV before heading to bed for another day of school. As Alice was getting ready for bed, she heard a knock on the door. “Come in!” She called out. Her door opened to see it was Boris coming in to check on her.

“Just checking up on you.” Boris said though he looked nervous about asking her something. “Um I hope you don’t mind, but was there something you wanted to tell us about what happened to you in school?” He asked.

Alice looked down not wanting to tell anyone, even Boris. But, since Boris looked like he knew something she walked over to her door and closed it before locking it. “If I tell you, you promise not to tell Henry, Linda or even Bendy.” She begged. Boris nodded making Alice sigh. Alice told Boris about the group of mean girls at her school and how they might of been the reason with Lauren being lonely as well as the possibility she and Bendy were stalked earlier.

“You got stalked?!” Boris asked surprised. Alice shushed the wolf so Henry wouldn’t hear. “Sorry.” Boris whispered.

“Its fine, but yes. Well I don’t know if it was them or just a squirrel or a cat, but it was freaky.” Alice explained.

“Sounds like it.” Boris replied. Alice nodded slowly. “Do you plan on telling Henry or Linda anytime soon?” He asked.

“No!” Alice snapped. “I promised Henry I won’t cause any trouble. Plus the mean girls haven’t bothered me so its fine. There’s no need to tell Henry or Linda.” She explained.

“But Henry could help?”

“Boris please don’t tell Henry or Linda. Please.” Alice begged.

Boris didn’t like keeping secrets and sighed. “Alright, I just hope it won’t get bad.” He said. Alice smiled and hugged the wolf.

“Thank you Boris! Thank you!” Alice beamed. Boris chuckled nervously and hugged Alice back. Even though he wanted to tell, he had to keep his promise, but he knew he would have to break it if things go bad.

Soon the affection hug was cut when they heard a loud knock from the door. “ALICE! BORIS! UNLOCK THE DOOR! I SLEEP HERE TOO!” Bendy shouted. Alice and Boris quickly let go and unlocked the door to see Bendy pissed off at the two of them.

“S-sorry Bendy I was having a conversation with Boris and forgot the door was locked.” Alice apologized letting Bendy in. Bendy walked in and sat on his bed wondering what the wolf and angel were talking about.

“What were you talking about anyways?” Bendy asked. Alice didn’t want to tell Bendy what she told Boris, and just lied it was about Lauren before yawning and heading to bed. Bendy was convinced and grabbed his pillow throwing it Alice.

“HEY!” Alice yelled.

“Sorry, but you won’t tell me and it was payback for locking me out of the room.” Bendy laughed. Alice however, didn’t think it was a laughing matter and threw the pillow back at the demon. Due to his small size, Bendy fell making the angel and the wolf toon laugh.

Bendy glared and threw the pillow back causing Alice to block it with her pillow then threw her pillow at Bendy. Bendy caught it and threw it at Boris, in hopes he could be pulled into the fight too and was successful. Soon enough the three toons were throwing pillows at one another till they heard a knock. Quickly they grabbed their fallen pillows, putting them back on their bed and shut off their lights and pretend to be asleep.

It has been one year since Sammy and Susie adopted Charlie and brought them into their loving home. Charlie remembered that day well. How they were alone, cold, feeling like no one would help a person like them. The only place to seek shelter was the studio, even though Charlie came when everyone except for Wally left the loneliness was still there even with Wally’s help. When Susie and Sammy came in and adopted them, they never felt so much love before.

Even when Charlie told them they could shape shift into a cat, or even the times where their legs couldn’t work Susie and Sammy still gave them all the love any kid could ask for. Now that a year has passed the young child wanted to thank their family for taking wonderful care of them.

However, there was one tiny little problem. Charlie didn’t know what to do for their family!

The young child groan as they slammed their head on Buddy’s art desk. “I’m out of ideas and the anniversary is tomorrow!” They whined. Buddy lifted his arm and chuckled at his little buddy.

“Charlie its 10 am in the morning, you have plenty of time tomorrow night to find a gift for your parents.” Buddy explained.

Charlie lifted their head up and faced their friend. “I know that, its just there’s so many ideas that I can’t pick or do since I’m a kid, and what if all things fail!” They yelled.

Buddy turned to their friend and put his hands on their shoulders. “Charlie, breathe.” Charlie nodded and did what their friend told them to do. They breathed in and out a few times before feeling calm.

“Okay. I’m calm.” They reassured.

Buddy smiled and let go of Charlie. “Don’t worry. You don’t have to do anything to big and fancy. It has to come from the heart.” Buddy explained. Charlie looked at his chest where the heart is. Then Charlie looked at the list they made and started to double think of a new idea.

Charlie decided to move over to the break room as it was the room where many ideas come and go. Henry and Buddy got ideas for cartoons and Sammy had ideas for his songs in this room too. If it worked for them it would work for Charlie. Though no ideas were coming through except for staring at a blank piece of paper.

Soon someone familiar came in with a flower vase filled with a rainbow assortment of flowers. Charlie looked to see it was another voice actor and good friend of their mother, Allison Pendle. “Hey Charlie, what are you doing here?” She asked sitting down next to the young kid.

“Hi Miss. Allison. I’m just thinking of an idea of what to gift for my parents.” Charlie explained. Then their gaze was towards the colorful flowers Allison brought in. “Wow where did you get those beautiful flowers?”

Allison chuckled. “Oh before I worked at the studio, I used to work at this flower shop not too far from town.” She explained. “Since I left I visit the shop every often to pick up flowers to bring to the studio. It brings some life to the studio.”

Seeing the flowers, Charlie had an idea. “The break room is a room full of ideas.” They whispered.

Allison was confused over what Charlie just said. “What?”

Charlie chuckled. “Sorry, but you just gave me an idea on what I should gift to my parents! Thanks Miss. Allison!” The kid left the break room and left the studio heading towards the flower shop to get flowers for their parents.

“No problem.” Allison questioned. Still, she gave a smile to the young child.

Later, lunch time rolled around and Susie and Sammy were sitting down, but were concerned to see Charlie wasn’t around. “Sammy do you know where Charlie is?” Susie asked. Sammy shrugged not knowing himself.

The two didn’t have to worry much longer, as Charlie came in with a bouquet of blue, white and yellow flowers in a vase tied with a pink ribbon and a card. Charlie put the flowers in front of their parents and smiled at them.

Susie was at awe with the flowers. “Charlie what’s the occasion?” She asked.

“Read the card.” Susie and Sammy took out the card, opened it and read it. There eyes widen as they read what Charlie wrote on the card.

Mom and Dad,

I know your busy with work, which I understand but I still hope you remember what today is. Today is the day you two took me in as your child and raised me with lots and lots of love. During this entire year with you I made many friends at the studio and my school, went on many adventures and just had so much kindness, love and friendship.

Even though there were ups and downs, you still showed you cared and loved me. I was scared at first living with you guys. I thought I’d be with you guys for short time and you’d give me up for being a burden. I couldn’t walk, I shaped shift into a cat, and while you guys still loved and cared for me I still had the fear you would leave me one day.

Now that a year has passed, and none of that happened I felt so relieved and happy you never gave up on me. For the past week I’ve been trying to find the best gift to give you, and after a while and a bit of inspiration this bouquet of flowers is to show our family together.

I Love You!

-Charlie Lawrence

Susie and Sammy were ready to cry as they read the letter. Their child put all their heart into making this gift for them as an anniversary present. Susie couldn’t hold back as she lifted up her child into her arms and hugged them tight and giving them kisses everywhere. Charlie laughed seeing how much affection their mother was giving them. Even the rest of the studio thought it was cute and sweet.

Sammy joined in one the love for their child and ruffled Charlie’s hair. “Thank you Charlie. I’m glad to have a sweet young kid like you.” He said. Charlie smiled and hugged their father tight. “You know for this special day how about we go out for dinner and get some ice cream.” Sammy suggested.

Today was supposed to be a good day, but the radio brought up a major emergency. A major storm was coming that was cause flooding and some damage. To make sure his workers were safe, and alive Joey didn’t allow no one to go home till the storm lights up. No one didn’t like it, but once they heard the last clap of thunder and the power went out it was best if everyone stayed at the studio for the night.

Joey and Henry grabbed sleeping bags, as some of the workers called their families of what’s going on and they’ll be home in the morning. While, everyone was comfortable the only one who looked nervous was Charlie.

Dot turned to Charlie and walked over to the child. “Hey Charlie, what’s wrong?” She asked.

“I’m scared.” Charlie whispered.

“Don’t worry Charlie. Its just a storm it will pass.” Dot reassured.

“That’s not it.” Charlie said a bit louder. Dot almost took a step back. “Its my cat, Shadow and her kittens. Their all alone at the house without me!” They cried. “I-I’m scared something will happen to them. I need them here so their safe!”

Dot shushed the child and hugged Charlie tight. “Its alright. Charlie. I’ll help you get home and bring your cats here.” She reassured. Charlie smiled and hugged Dot tight back. Charlie quickly went to grab their frog rain coat as Dot went over to Wally and Buddy. “I need your guy’s help.” Wally and Buddy looked at each other and back at Dot. She went close to them and whispered about Charlie’s problem.

Once she told the boys about the plan they quickly got their coats ready to help their little friend. Dot smiled and went to get her coat as well. Once the four were ready they sneaked out of the studio and ran out the door.

Outside the sky was dark with clouds and thunder and lightning were lighting up the sky. They didn’t have much time the four had to hurry to the Lawrence’s find Shadow and her kittens before it started raining.

It was already 5 minutes and Susie and Sammy realized Charlie was missing. They looked around the studio for their child, but saw no signs of them anywhere. Susie was ready to cry wondering where Charlie had gone.

“Relax Susie. They’ll be fine. Charlie should be around here somewhere.” Sammy reassured. Susie sniffled and hugged Sammy tight hoping he was right. “Come on let’s keep looking.” Susie nodded and looked around the studio once more.

As they searched two of the band members walked on over to Sammy. “Did you two find Charlie yet?” Sammy asked.

“Well yes, but no.” One band member revealed.

Sammy raised an eyebrow wondering what they mean. “What do you mean, yes but no?” He asked.

The other band member chuckled nervously knowing Sammy wasn’t going to like what he was going to hear about Charlie. “Well they were here, but they left the studio with Wally, Buddy and Dot.” He revealed.

Sammy’s eyes widen as he felt his blood boil. His child was out there in the storm with the three workers he despised, not in a fiery passion, but despised. “They what!” Sammy yelled. Sammy’s yell was heard far away Susie ran by to ask why Sammy was yelling.

Sammy told Susie everything, and while she was concerned about Charlie being out there in the storm, she was glad they were not alone. “At least their okay.” Susie sighed.

“What?” Sammy asked surprised over Susie’s answer. Susie turned to face her husband. “Its better their with a group then alone out there in the storm. I know they’ll be fine.” Sammy sighed seeing there was no reason to argue with his wife. Susie was right Charlie was safe being in a group rather going out in the rain by themselves, it was just the people they were with concerned him.

Though if Sammy was here, he would be glad to see Charlie made it home safely as they grabbed the cats and scooped them into their arms. “Okay let’s go!” Charlie shouted. The group left the house and locked the door back up again and were dashing back to the studio. It just started to rain buckets and the wind blew the hoods off making them wet from the rain.

Shadow and her kittens cried, but Charlie held them closer to make sure they didn’t get wet. The four stopped when they saw the road they just took turned into one giant puddle. “Don’t worry I know a shortcut from here. It will take longer, but we’ll make it back.” Buddy revealed. Buddy took the lead and the group followed him to get back to the studio.

Just as they made it halfway, Charlie stopped and held on to the wall to catch their breath. Their legs were shaking and was ready to pass out. Dot forgot that Charlie’s legs weren’t the best and all this running made Charlie reach their limit. The three knew they couldn’t just stop here they needed to hurry, but thankfully Wally had an idea.

“Dot, Buddy you hold Shadow and her kits. I’ll give Charlie a piggyback ride back.” Wally announced.

“What! Wally you know I’m allergic to cats!” Buddy yelled.

“Buddy listen Charlie and their cats are at stake, including us we need all the strength and help we could get.” Wally said putting his hands on Buddy’s shoulders. Dot looked at Buddy and nodded, they had no other options.

Dot and Buddy took hold of the cats, even though the later started to sniffle. Wally let Charlie grab hold of his back and gave him a piggy back ride back to the studio. As they ran Buddy started sneezing due to him holding Shadow, but kept his focus on bringing Charlie back to the studio.

The shortcut brought them back and they quickly dashed inside. The workers turned to see Dot, Buddy, Wally and Charlie wet, tired, and for Buddy sick. Sammy and Susie ran up in front and Wally handed the tired child back to Susie.

“Are they alright?” Susie asked as she carried her child in her arms.

Wally sighed. “Their legs started to go out, so I had to carry them the rest of the way here.” He explained.

Charlie looked up at their parents. “Please don’t be mad, I was trying to rescue Shadow and her babies.” They explained. “I didn’t want to leave them behind until morning. I had to rescue them.” They explained.

Sammy and Susie’s eyes widen as they looked at each other. During all this preparation to settle down at the studio they forgot about Charlie’s cats. “Oh sweetie. Were so sorry we forgot.” Susie apologized.

Charlie gave a small smile. “Its alright mom. I should be sorry that I left in such a hurry.”

Sammy gave a smile and ruffled Charlie’s hair. “Its alright at least you were safe and didn’t go alone.” He mentioned. Charlie smiled and rested in their mother’s arms. Sammy walked over to the three workers who kept Charlie safe and gave them a smile. “Thank you for keeping Charlie safe.”

It was a glorious spring day and Buddy was making his way to work at Joey Drew Studios. The cool breeze, and the mix of sun and clouds in the sky made this a wonderful day for Daniel “Buddy” Lewek. Buddy turned a corner till he felt a pat on his back. He turned to see his two best friends Jacob and Dot right behind them.

“Morning Buddy.” Dot said with a smile. Buddy smiled seeing his two friends walking alongside him to work. As they walked Dot leaned in towards Jacob. “So you told Buddy about today right?”

Jacob snickered, before giving a laugh. “I forgot, but it would be best to surprise him.”

“Surprise me with what?” Buddy asked.

“Well every so often, Joey likes to plan these special fun days for the workers.” Dot explained.

Buddy raised an eyebrow. “I didn’t know Joey had a fun side?” He asked.

Jacob laughed. “Me either when I started working here.” He added. “But these can be a bit much for you Buddy.”

Buddy scoffed. “I think if I can handle Joey’s shenanigans, Sammy’s constant nagging, I think I’m able to handle it.” He beamed. Jacob snickered before roaring with laughter. Buddy raised an eyebrow wondering how bad this fun day is.

The three made it to the studio, and before Dot could open the door she turned to her friend. “Are you sure you're ready to see this, Buddy?” Dot asked.

“Dot I’ll be fine. What is it that you two are keeping me from knowing?” Buddy asked, frustrated that Jacob and Dot have been leaving him in the dark. Dot looked nervous turning to Jacob, who was smiling and gave a nod. Dot sighed and opened the door, and Buddy’s expression dropped even Buddy dropped his lunch.

Everyone at the studio was moving things around as well as getting guns. Buddy slowly walked in seeing how chaotic everyone was. Dot and Jacob walked towards their friend as Dot put a hand on Buddy’s shoulder. “See,” Dot started turning to Jacob. “This is why you need to tell Buddy ahead of time.” Jacob gave a chuckle in response.

Henry and Wally stopped and smiled seeing the trio. “You three are here.” Henry said. “Come on, there’s no time to waste!” Henry grabbed a hold of Buddy’s hand and took him to the artist hall. Dot and Jacob followed too.

The trio were taken to a dark room, where Wally turned on the light. Buddy was blinded and saw familiar faces in the room, Grant, Thomas, and Ms. Lambert were there ready to battle. “Mr. Stein, what’s going on?” Buddy asked.

“Today. Is the fight of our lives.” Henry said.

“What?” Buddy asked horrified at what Henry just said.

Henry chuckled patting Buddy in the back. “Don’t worry, no one is going to die.” He reassured Buddy. Buddy sighed knowing this fight won’t shed blood. “However, this year Joey will be going down!”

“What’s going on?” Buddy asked, wondering what Henry and the rest of the studio was playing.

Henry turned to his team. “Did anyone tell him?” He asked. The workers shook their heads, making Henry sigh having to explain to the studio gopher. “So every three months Joey holds this battle royale to see which department is the best.” Henry explains.

Buddy was still confused, but got what Henry explained. Joey was Joey and this is how Joey is. “So what is this royale challenge going to be?” Jacob asked.

“The most epic thing I did on Joey’s 18th birthday.” Henry started. “A paintball war.” He said, deepening his voice. Buddy gulped hearing Henry’s serious tone. He rarely heard Henry get serious, and it was usually when he was angry.

Wally was excited for this, even though a paintball war would make a mess, which Wally had to clean up later. The janitor was rather happy about getting into a messy fight. “Why are you excited?” Jacob asked.

“Because I can shoot Sammy for all the trouble he caused me!” Wally responded.

“You mean for the trouble you caused him?” Dot corrected.

Wally chuckled. “Tomato, Potato.” He replied.

After the conversation everyone prepared, grabbing their guns and loading them with paintballs. Buddy was nervously putting paintballs into his gun, but Wally and Jacob were grabbing extras and putting them into their pockets. “Why do you need all those extras?” Buddy asked.

“We’re preparing ourselves for the Target.” Jacob explained.

“The Target?” Buddy asked.

Wally turned to the studio gopher realizing Buddy hasn’t been around long enough. “Oh your new, right.” Wally cleared his throat as he told the story about the Target. “A few years ago, Joey and Henry had their annual water gun fight when a heat wave broke out soon enough a mysterious player came in and we call them the Target. They’re a sniper who targets us and always wins.” He explained. Buddy gulped, afraid at who the Target was, knowing he could be the Target’s next victim.

Jacob laughed and gave Buddy a hard slap on the back, where he could of almost fell. “Don’t worry about it, we’ll protect you Buddy.” Jacob promised. Buddy smiled glad he was protected by his friends. As Buddy was finishing up the trio heard a scream. Buddy, Jacob and Wally dashed and saw Grant and Shawn got hit by none other then Sammy, Jack and Susie.

The Music Department trio high fives each other and were ready to take on the rest of the members till Henry and Wally came to take the music department down. However, they were ambushed by Bendy, Boris and Alice which surprised Wally.

“Bendy? I thought you Alice, and Boris were on our side?” Wally asked.

“Yeah, but Sammy bribed us with donuts so sorry.” Bendy replied shooting Wally in the chest. Jacob glared and tried to shoot at the toons, but because the toons had cartoon abilities they were able to shoot Jacob in seconds.

Buddy gulped as the toons pointed their guns at him. Just before they could shoot the four heard a whistle and soon a hail of paintballs hit the toons. Buddy looked around pointing his gun ready to shoot, but he lowered his gun seeing who it was.

There Buddy saw the Target. The Target wore a black cloak, and a blue eye mask as they pointed their gun. The Target eyed Buddy, but they lowered their gun before disappearing into the shadows. Buddy gulped and ran hoping to hide away from the music department.

Buddy walked around the dark studio taking the stairs instead of the elevator, as he knows someone would wait for him or anyone there. As he walked he heard the paintball shots as well as the screams of his co-workers. Buddy gulped and kept walking having his gun ready to shoot.

Sometimes he heard something, but ended up wasting a paintball over just a sound. Buddy yelped as he saw the Target right in front of him. He shivered as the Target held their gun and was ready to shoot Buddy. Buddy closed his eyes and braced himself ready to be shot by a bunch of paintballs. Buddy heard the gun shoot paintballs, but Buddy opened his eyes not feeling the projectiles hit him. He turned and saw Susie, Sammy and Jack got hit and passed out.

Buddy realized that the Target wasn’t going after him, but after the music department who tried to take down Buddy. “T-thank you.” Buddy thanked the Target, but they were gone. Buddy turned his head wondering where the Target had gone.

Minutes passed. Then hours. It felt like forever since the game started and Buddy had been hiding and walking around not getting hit. “Don’t move.” Buddy froze hearing a familiar voice. Buddy turned and saw Joey with his paintball gun pointed at him.

Buddy turned ready to shoot, but he was scared taking down his boss. However, Joey shoot Buddy in the hand making Buddy drop his paintball gun. Buddy was about to grab it, but heard the gun clock.

“One more move, and your paint splattered, Buddy.” Joey warned. Buddy stood in place shaking as Joey had his gun pointed at him. The gopher and artist of the studio was trapped, he sighed and surrendered to his boss. Joey shot Buddy, paint splattered his body as he collapsed on the floor.

Joey was about to shoot Buddy once more, but the Target reappeared going in between Joey and Buddy. Joey chuckled. “So your this Target I keep hearing ab-” Joey got cut off when he got shot with a paintball gun on the head. The Target shoot a few more paintballs, before Joey ran and passed out just a couple steps away.

The Target put their paintball gun down and went over to Buddy to shake him awake. Buddy opened his eyes and saw the Target right in front of him. Buddy jumped back shocked to see the Target right in front of his face. The Target shushed him to not make any noise before walking away slowly.

Buddy was left confused wondering why the Target spared him. Two hours later, the game ended and everyone was covered in paint. Buddy helped Wally clean up the art room to give Wally a head start with him cleaning the studio the rest of the night.

“Hey Dot!” Dot stopped working and turned to see Buddy at the entrance to the writer’s room. “Going to join us at the bar tonight?” He asked.

Dot smiled. “Sure am, but are you going to show up covered in paint?” She chuckled.

Buddy chuckled and back and shook his head. “No. Going to get home shower and will make my way there.” He explained. Soon Buddy spotted something on Dot’s desk. It was a blue handkerchief right next to her typewriter. Then it hit Buddy he looked at his friend Dot who giggled and gave a wink before focusing at her work.

Boris found the key and looked at it as he made his way towards the locked door where Milla was held captive. With a heavy sigh he put the key in the lock and turned it. Once he heard a loud creak the door opened. Through the door was a dark hallway, and a cry echoed through. Boris gulped and took a step to the dark hallway. 

Just after taking a few steps the door slammed closed by itself making the wolf jump and whimper. The crying stopped as a low voice spoke out. “Hello. Who’s there?” Boris blinked realizing this was Milla who was speaking. If he could speak again he would have called back to Milla. “P-please. I’m here, help me.” She cried.

Boris ran towards the cry, but stopped seeing Milla’s silhouette in the shadows. She was covered in ink as she cried. Boris whimpered, he was too late to help the poor girl. He slowly walked up to Mila and put his paw on her back. What happened next is what Boris didn’t expect. 

He saw Milla’s hand grab his and pull him close to her. “Ha!” Milla shouted. Boris’s eyes widened and realized this was not Milla. Milla was a lie. Boris gasped seeing the familiar, horrifying face of Alice Angel.

Boris has heard about this Alice walking about in this abandoned studio. Her face was twisted, her venomous voice of pure evil and hatred, her needs of Boris and Butcher Gang monsters to help her become beautiful again.

Boris whimpered and struggled out of the angel’s grasp, backing his way to the closed door. “Aww what’s wrong Boris? Aren’t you glad to see your friend?” She asked. “Alice Angel!” Alice’s voice changed to the cartoon voice, but it didn’t fool Boris. Boris struggled to get the door open, but it was no use the wolf was trapped in the angel’s web.

Alice cackled as she walked closer to Boris. “Now stay there little wolf, just come with me and you’ll be fine.” She said.

Boris looked around and found a room where he can hide in. Not a second after, Boris dashed away from the angel and hid from her. Alice laughed seeing the wolf wanted to make things harder for her. “So you want to play that game, huh?” She asked. Alice didn’t mind chasing after Boris, that’s how some Boris’s in her grasp got caught. “You can run, but you can’t hide Boris.” Alice gave a laugh as she went through the room to look for Boris.

Meanwhile, the wolf was hiding in a Little Miracle Station hoping Alice wouldn’t spot him. The angel was humming her signature song as she searched for the wolf. Boris held his whimpers, not knowing if the Little Miracle Stations could keep Alice away like the Ink Demon does. Boris then felt a shiver, as Alice’s singing right near the miracle station.

“Boris.” Alice sang. “Where are you?” Alice walked around the room and saw no signs of Boris. She had her eyes gazed on the miracle station, but thought nothing of it and kept walking looking for the little friendly wolf. 

Boris took a deep breath and waited for the angel to pass before he could make his escape. Once he sensed she was gone he left the miracle station as fast as he could trying to find a way out. Boris went back to the door and saw it was locked from the inside, he needed to find another way out.

After sometime looking Boris found another elevator to help him escape.  He tried to open it, but to no use, he needed to find the items to escape. If Boris could talk he would have cursed under his breath. 

Not only he had to escape an enraged angel, but now he couldn’t escape till he gathered items. Boris had to play this carefully if he was going to make it out alive. Boris picked up the items one by one, and stayed hidden from Alice. 

Boris found the last item and quickly ran before Alice could get to him. “Gotcha!” Alice shouted. Boris turned to see Alice tailing right behind him. Boris gulped and quickly dashed before Alice could catch him. She was faster than the wolf, which worried the wolf. He didn’t look back and kept on running seeing the elevator right up ahead. With enough stamina he picked up the pace and made it to the elevator before Alice caught him.

Today was a big day for Charlie. Their entire class was putting on a play of fairy tales for their friends and family. Each of the classes had a fairy tale to put on, and Charlie’s class was doing Jack and the Beanstalk. The best part about it is everyone has a part in the play, whether it be acting, painting sets, or both.

Though, while Charlie was excited they were a bit nervous. They never did acting in their life before, not even after being adopted by an actress, Susie Campbell who voices Alice Angel in the Bendy cartoons. Charlie never asked their mom acting tips or anything about acting. Luckily, no one except for Charlie’s friends know their parents work for Joey Drew Studios.

Charlie sighed. “I’m so nervous, this is my first play ever!” They complained to their friend, Patty.

Patty laughed patting her friend in the back. “Don’t worry Charlie. You're going to be fine. No matter what role we get.” 

Charlie chuckled, Patty always gave them pep talks when they felt nervous. Soon the two friends looked up to see their teacher with a paper in his hand. “Alright class, I got the roles for the play.” He announced. He went through the list of characters in the play as well as who they’ll be played by in the class. Charlie sat in their seat nervously as the class was being called one by one on who they would play. Even Patty got a role in the play, playing the harp. “And Jack is going to be played by none other than...Charlie Lawrence.”

Charlie almost fell out of their seat hearing their name called. They straightened themselves up still in shock from hearing their name called. “I’m the main lead? W-why?” Charlie asked. “I’m just asking.” They added.

“Well the class decided you’d make the best Jack,” The teacher explained. 

Charlie almost wanted to cry, their classmates made them the role of Jack. Before Charlie could shed any tears they wiped them away and smiled at their class. “Thanks everyone.” They said.

Patty smiled. “No problem Charlie. You're going to do great!” 

“We’re counting on you!” Another classmate shouted. Charlie smiled as the class cheered them on to do well in their first play ever. 

On their way from school to Joey Drew Studios Charlie was reading the script in hand. They were nervous, but if their parents can remember lines from storybooks they could memorize lines from a play. 

Sammy Lawrence was finishing the music for the next Bendy episode when he heard the door open and saw it was Charlie looking at a paper. “Hey Charlie how was school?” He asked.

“It was good. Guess what?”

Sammy chuckled. “What?”

“My school is doing a play of Jack and the Beanstalk and I got the role of Jack!” Charlie exclaimed.

Sammy smiled and hugged their kid tight. “Congratulations Charlie! I’m so proud of you!” Sammy beamed as he spun around with their kid in happiness. Soon Sammy stopped realizing that Charlie is the star and had to wonder one thing. “Wait your mother doesn’t know about this yet.” He gulped.

Charlie shook their head,“No, but I want to tell her. She might have some advice for me.” They explained.

Sammy chuckled. “Your mom is the best at this acting stuff, but she’s not here right now.”

“Where is she?” Charlie asked.

“With Allison going dress shopping for Allison’s date with Thomas tonight.” Sammy explained knowing the whereabouts of Charlie’s mom. Charlie smiled and for the rest of the day Charlie read their script and said their lines. 

When Susie and Allison came back from shopping, Sammy was cleaning his office and Charlie was asleep. “Hey Sammy.” Susie sang as she gave her husband a hug. Sammy chuckled and hugged his wife back. “How was Charlie’s day at school?” 

“You would not believe it Susie, but our little angel got their first role in a play.” Sammy whispered. Susie smiled wide and was ready to squeal, but had to hold on to it not to wake Charlie. She leaned over to her child and shook them gently as it was time to get dinner and head home.

“Charlie. Wake up. We have to go.” Susie whispered.

Charlie slowly opened their eyes and looked to see their mother smiling at them. Charlie smiled back and hugged their mom. “Mom guess what?” They asked, still tired as they just woke up.

Susie smiled. “Your father told me you're going to be in a play.” 

Charlie nodded. “But did he tell you I got the lead role?” They added.

Susie covered her mouth in shock. She gave a squeal and hugged Charlie tight. “Oh congratulations my angel!” She beamed. Charlie smiled, hugging their mother back. “So what’s the play?” She asked. Charlie handed their mother the script and Susie smiled seeing it was Jack and the Beanstalk. Charlie even mentioned they got the role of Jack, which gave Susie lots more reasons to be happy for their kid.

They left the studio and Susie celebrated, by taking Sammy and Charlie out to a huge dinner as well as getting some ice cream. When they got home, Charlie was in bed in their pajamas as they read their script a bit more. Charlie heard a knock on the door, and shouted, “Come in!”

Susie opened her child’s door and smiled. “How’s my little actor doing?”  She asked.

“Good. Just reading my script.” Charlie replied. Susie came in and sat on her child’s bed. 

“How are you reading?” Susie asked.

Charlie sighed. “Mom, do you think you can give me acting advice?” They asked.

Susie smiled putting a hand to her heart. “Of course.” She said. “Okay first off with the script, don’t read it like a book, read your lines and say it.” She explained. Charlie nodded. “Also to add, highlight your parts, so you're Jack and you outline Jack’s lines to read.”

Charlie nodded. “Thanks mom.” Susie smiled as she reviewed the script with her child giving them advice and how they should make their character sound. Charlie enjoyed hearing the tips on how to act from their mother. It gave Charlie the confidence they needed for the show in a few months.

During these few months Susie helped Charlie with more acting tips as well as make the costumes for them and the rest of the cast of the play. The hardest part of this practice was doing the lines without the script as Charlie stuttered their parts.

“I need my script again.” They sighed. Susie smiled and handed Charlie their script. Charlie skimmed through it before handing the script back to their mom and tried again.

Few months had passed and the play was about to start. Susie and Sammy got some seats alongside Wally, Jack, Buddy, Dot and Allison along with them. Sammy turned to his wife and said, “Susie, did you have to invite most of the studio?” He asked.

Susie chuckled. “I didn’t invite everyone just those closest to Charlie.” She replied. Sammy rolled his eyes and waited for the play to start. 

Charlie was reviewing all their lines before the show started, and was nervous. Patty came out dressed in her harp costume and saw her friend looking nervous. “Charlie are you alright?” Patty asked.

Charlie turned to their friend. “I am, just a little stage fright.” They whimpered. Patty gave a sympathetic smile and put her hand on Charlie’s shoulder. 

“You're going to do great. Your mom did so much for us these past few months and you did so well in rehearsals.” Patty explained. “You’ll be fine.”

Charlie smiled and hugged her friend. Patty was surprised with the hug and returned the hug. “Thanks Patty.”