Back into the Pit
Chapter 25: Always Beautiful
Audrey heard a faint giggle as she came to. Her eyes adjusted to the new light, taking in the sight of a long table filled with empty plates, cups, a few lit candles, and a singular cake.
There were lost ones sitting on either side of the long table, tied up with sacks on their heads. A wonderful sight to wake up to.
“Ah, awake at last.” A distorted voice chimed.
Audrey looked up to the owner of the voice, a very twisted version of Alice.
“I was almost afraid you would miss my party!” she said rather cheerily.
“What?” the young animator was still trying to wrap her head around what was happening to her, the effects of the sleep drink still weighing on her mind.
“What’s going on?” she stared down the twisted angel at the end of the banquette quizzically. The angel feigned surprise before retorting.
“Ohh. Seems you’re just a little overwhelmed.”
Understatement of the year, Audrey thought bitterly. She just wanted a damn nap.
Was that too much to ask?
“It’s alright honey, I understand.” Alice said pretending to care.
Audrey couldn’t help but furrow her brows at the pet name. This version of Alice was nothing like the sweeter one who greeted her upon her arrival in this wretched studio.
“I mean, it’s not every day one gets to bask in the glory of…an angel!” she spoke that last compliment to herself, mostly. Her halo that was partially lodged into her head bobbed and bounced awkwardly as she praised herself.
“An angel?” Audrey couldn’t contain the sour notes that intertwined the sarcastic question.
“Alice Angel, to be exact.” Alice corrected as she stood from her throne like seat.
“That’s who I am. Sent from above. Impending perfection.” She gestured around theatrically, she was quite the actor, honestly.
Audrey would have admitted that out loud if she wasn’t being held against her will now.
“What do you want.”
The angel let out a heinous laugh, “Ah, right to the chase. I like that.” She strode down the side of the table, tapping each of her “guests” chairs as she made her way over to the animator.
“The truth is, honey, you’re one of a kind. And to put it bluntly…” Alice approached Audrey getting way too close for comfort. It appeared none of these people know what personal space is. What a shame, Audrey very much valued it.
“What I want…is your face removed, your skin peeled away like paper, and your insides torn out and tossed on to my table!” she practically climbed onto Audrey’s chair, the artist couldn’t help but scooting as far as the chair would allow. Her back forcefully arched against the uncomfortable arm rest.
Not an ideal position, and no good for her already sore back.
The angel paid no mind and continued her insane ramblings, “Custom parts ready for my delicious harvest!” Alice started to move away, tucking herself behind Audrey’s seat.
“And with your generous sacrifice…” Audrey had to whip her head around when the distorted Alice snuck to the other side of her.
“I’ll be beautiful.” The thought was enough to send the angel into a momentary blissful daydream. Audrey pursed her lips, leaning away again.
“But for now, let’s have fun! Plenty of time for a bloodbath later.”
Well, that didn’t sound very welcoming.
The angel allowed the young artist to leave her seat to solve a puzzle. If she guessed correctly, she got to live, if she was wrong, she would be toasted alive. Fun.
After receiving some vague hints from the other prisoners of the angel, Audrey climbed a latter leading to a balcony.
She set the pictures of cartoony animals in the way she thought to be the most reasonable based off the hints.
She pulled the lever, praying to God she wasn’t wrong about this.
Once the animator returned to her electrocution chair. The angel perked up and placed her hand on the lever, very enthusiastically.
“Hold on tight honey, here it comes! 3…2..1!” she pulled the lever at full force and Audrey shut her eyes.
Pain did not come.
She was safe!
Alice screamed at her defeat. When Audrey opened her eyes again, the angel was nowhere in sight. The only beings in the room being herself and the now electrocuted lost ones.
She felt a pang of guilt.
For now, Audrey would have to push it down and find a way out.
Audrey left the “party room” to find a weapon. Luckily her gent pipe was sitting on the table outside, waiting for her, apparently.
She picked it up, more than relieved to have something to defend herself with again. As soon as she did however, the lost ones she thought to be dead rounded the corner. They wasted no time in attacking her. Audrey struck them down with ease, thanks to their partial blindness.
Her pipe seemed to do more damage, Audrey assumed it had something to do with the signal tower she spotted at the corner of the room.
Lights ablaze, it stood menacingly over the young animator.
Audrey found a way to shut it off. After she flipped the switch, it shut off seconds later. This would allow her to use her dashing ability without any further trouble.
The towers not only capped off the Ink Demon and Demoness’ abilities, but her own it seemed.
Audrey made quick work to dash towards the balcony above her, grabbing the ledge and hoisting herself up.
The next hall was filled with cutouts and posters of Alice Angel. Audrey missed the Alice who was nice to her. Sighing, she made her way into the next room.
Audrey barely had any time to breathe properly when suddenly, the brick wall before her shattered and she was greeted with the sight of twisted Alice with a tommy gun.
How fun.
Audrey ducked out of view and range as the Angel shouted at her,” No one humiliates an angel! No one! Now, hold still, honey! This is gonna hurt!” her laugh rang out across the entire room.
Audrey had to sneak around Alice to open the door below the angel’s view in order to escape. Eventually, she was greeted with the opportunity to banish th wretched and sadistic angel altogether. Audrey thought for a moment that she might actually have a chance.
When she reached to banish the angel, she was shocked to have Alice catch her left hand before it could make contact with her face.
“How dare you touch me!” the angel growled. Alice then dragged her to hang over the edge of the balcony and aimed her gun at her. At that moment, Audrey lost her footing, she took the opportunity to drag the angel with her.
They both fell to the floor with a harsh thud. The animator came to her senses to see Alice once again standing over her and holding her at gunpoint.
“Final curtain baby! Let’s blow them away!” she said menacingly as she cocked the gun.
Before she could pull the trigger and end Audrey’s life, a sword pierced through her chest. Both Audrey and Alice looked at the tip with shock.
The tip of the blade disappeared as quickly as it appeared.
Alice gasped as she fell to her knees, revealing the other Alice behind her. The good Alice caught the other in her arms, looking over her with a hint of pity and regret.
Audrey looked on in disbelief as the scene before her unfolded. The twisted Alice took a moment to take in her counterpart. In shock and slight amazement, she reached out to touch her perfect reflection.
“My face. You have my face.” She said weakly, her hand falling back to her side as her life slipped from her tired eyes.
“It’s our face.” The angelic counterpart said, in an attempt to ease her twisted reflection before she died.
It seemed to work, as the other teared up.
“Ahh…I’m…Beautiful.” A realization hit her like a train as she slipped further and further into darkness.
“Always were.” And with that, the twisted angel let out a long exhale. Her soul was finally at peace.
Alice placed her counterpart to the floor.
A pause.
“Why does this feel so familiar?” Alice asked mostly to herself. Both ladies rose to their feet. Audrey being the first to express her gratitude.
“Are you alright, Audrey?” Alice barely made out before she was promptly interrupted.
“Alice! I cannot begin to tell you how good it is to see you! Finally a familiar and friendly face.” Audrey sputtered out.
The young animator turned her attention towards the companion Alice had brought with her.
“And this…must be your wolf.” She said, the wolf nodded, affirming her guess.
“Audrey, meet Tom. He’s my protector. My friend.” Alice introduced the two formally.
The animator sighed, “Well, you both made it here just in time. Now I understand why you don’t like being called Alice.” She spoke, glancing at the dead angel that laid bellow them.
Alice looked at the counter part before turning to face her friend again.
“The machine creates many of the same forms, at least on the outside.” Alice sighed.
“On the inside, we’re all pretty different.” She concluded. Audrey put a finer to her chin thoughtfully.
“From now on, I’m gonna call you something other than Alice. It just doesn't suit you.” Audrey smiled warmly.
“Oh? What did you have in mind?” Alice asked curiously.
Audrey thought about it for a second. Something that was easy to remember, but too different.
“How about…Allison?” she suggested looking to the angel for her input. The angel seemed pleased with the idea.
“It’s not bad. Ok! I’ll try it out.” She smiled, returning the warmness.
“But, only if you tell me…What in heaven’s name you’re doing in Wilson’s retreat?” Allison said rather exasperated.
Audrey suddenly remembered what she was even doing.
“Wilson! I almost forgot!” she said slapping her palm to her forehead in an exaggerated manner.
“I have to get back right away!” she excused herself and pushed passed Allison and Tom.
Allison, not dine with the conversation, grabbed hold of Audrey’s right arm.
“Are you crazy? Wilson is our enemy!” she said determined.
“Do you even know him? Have you ever talked with him?” Audrey partially regretted the semi aggressive tone she had. It wasn’t very polite to accuse the person who saved her life.
Allison looked down, “I’ve seen what he’s done. To the people of this place. That’s enough for me.” She looked at Audrey sternly, strong in her beliefs.
Audrey sighed, using a less aggressive tone this time, “Look, it sounds like he has a plan to stop the ink demon. For good! And, I think he can help us all.” Audrey explained as clearly as she could.
“I just need to go back and hear him out.” She looked up, hoping Allison would be open to the opportunity.
“Well, if it’s true. You’ll both need as much help as you can get.” Allison spoke with purpose.
“The Ink Demon won’t go down without a fight! Tom and I will gather some of our friends. Anyone who’s left.” Tom approached the two ladies as Allison finished.
“But wait, what about the Demoness? Won’t she be a problem after the Ink Demon is dealt with?” Allison quickly asked.
Audrey debated on telling her, would she even believe her?
“Well you see…the Ink Demoness is on our side. She was helping me the whole time since you left.” Audrey smiled awkwardly.
Allison had a look of disbelief and seemed as if she was about to ask even more questions.
She shook her head, “Never mind, we’ll sort that out later. Good luck, Audrey.” Allison gave her a small thumbs up.
“You too, Allison.”
Audrey turned and marched down the hallway. She needed to find Twist, she hadn’t seen the little demon in a while.
Hopefully, she got Big Steve’s meal.
Audrey smiled at the silly thought.
Chapter 24 / Chapter 26
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