Hey everyone! Sooooo yes, I went down the inky hole that leads to the crazy fandom of Bendy fanfiction. I've been a huge fan since I saw some of my favorite gamers play the first chapter so long ago and was intrigued by the idea of the old cartoons having a dark side. The story line has me guessing constantly and I love looking into theories about how this game will end! I love Bendy and the other characters that hide throughout the studio!

Anyways, I came up with this idea right after chapter 4 was released. I actually spent most of my work day with paper at my desk, jotting down quick notes about the story and it expanded from there! I hope to do well with this story and I hope that you enjoy it! Okay, so not everything is going to follow the game story line. Some might follow the story, but not all of it. Beware of spoilers if you're not caught up! Plus, we don't know what holds for chapter 5 so the ending could be different depending on how things go! It might change the ending I have chosen, but we'll see!

Don't forget to leave a review! I want to know how I'm doing on this! This is my first BATIM fic and I'm worried that I'm not doing well. Please let me know! This is a little out of my comfort zone since I'm trying something with a few darker tones. I'm keeping the title the way it is now, but I'm not sure if I'll change it. I hope you enjoy this story and if you have any helpful tips for me, I appreciate hearing them.

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Bendy and the Ink Machine. That belongs to The Meatly! I only own my OC, Jane!

"Gooooood afternoon everyone!" the energetic radio talk show guy greeted cheerfully over the sound waves. "The time is now 3:05 and the sun is shining brightly! That means, yep, you guessed it! Summer is almost here! That means school is letting out soon and some of you are graduating high school and college! Well for all of you graduates out there, here's a song to celebrate those memories!"

As soon as the first few bars of some cliché song came on the radio, the one that was actually played at her own high school graduation, the brunette driving groaned loudly before punching in the button that turned the music system off. "Heard that song about a million times….and I don't need to hear it a million and one more. Stupid song…"

Once it was quiet, she could hear the road roaring beneath her old beat up pick-up truck as she drove down the long highway, shifting around the various cars around her.

A sigh left her lips before her pink tongue swept across them. "I would be graduating if I didn't give up half my life and school time for some complete and total…" She stopped herself as her hands tightened around the steering wheel. "Come on, Jane. Don't think about him. Just focus on going home." Her voice turned somber. "Back to your useless life...where you're just as invisible as you were at school."

Her thoughts drifted back to the days when she would sit around the house, sketchbook in her lap, while her parents would invite friends over to have drinks and socialize, the thing that Jane dreaded. Their friends would occasionally glance into the living room where she'd sit by the window, since it was the best place for natural sunlight. Then they would ask her parents why she wasn't out on the town with her friends at the bar or on a date with a handsome man. Jane would snort to herself and think about the friends that didn't really exist or the boyfriend that would just be fictional.

It wasn't that she didn't have any friends. She had a few acquaintances that she spoke to from time to time, but she didn't really like to go out like they did. Also, dating wasn't really her strong suit. At least in high school.

Then of course, her parents would shake their heads and try to make up some story about why Jane never wanted to go out. But she knew better than that. Jane knew that her parents were always disappointed with how her life turned out. A distant introvert who did nothing but sketch and study. Shouldn't they be proud of someone who did well in school? Who always brought home straight A's and never got in trouble? No, of course not. All they wanted was for their daughter to be 'normal'. What even was that? What was normal? Apparently, it wasn't her.

Once she graduated high school and went off to college, it felt like a slight weight was lifted from her. No more judgmental looks from her parents and no strange glances from her old classmates. Going to a college in another state meant that she could start all over! A new life, new adventures, and prospects!

Right?

Well...for awhile it was true...but then there was...

*RING*

The shrill ring of her cell phone began buzzing from the middle console broke Jane away from her past thoughts. Her eyes flickered down to the small screen and nearly turned it off, to focus on her driving and to avoid anyone that she dreaded to hear from. However, when the name flashed on the screen, Jane quickly turned off at the nearest exit and pulled over at the gas station that sat on top of the exit ramp.

Thankfully, she managed to answer the phone on the last ring. "Hello?"

There was a pause.

"Hey Kid." a male voice softly greeted, making Jane sigh and smile at the sound of his voice.

"Hey, Uncle Henry."

"I saw your message and I wanted to call you back. Sorry about that, I was out at the grocery store and didn't hear my phone ring. Is everything okay?" he asked worriedly, much more concerned than her parents were.

Jane bit her lower lip before dragging a hand over her face, tears beginning to prick at her eyes. "Well...not really. I just...I don't know what to do."

"Do you want to talk about it?"

She took a deep breath, trying to keep herself from falling apart right there in the parking lot. "Well...that's the thing..." Through the watery feeling in her eyes, they landed on the miles sign and saw how close she was. "Uh...I actually took a detour on my way...and well..."

Her uncle chuckled slightly. "Soooo what you're saying is, that I need to open up the guest bedroom and have dinner ready soon."

A wry smile appeared on her lips. "Uh...yeah. Is that okay? I know it's last second, but I just...I can't..."

Henry cut her off before she could ramble anymore. "It's fine, Kid. Just come on by the house and I'll be there. Just be careful."

Jane relaxed in her car, cradling the small device against her cheek. "Thanks, I'll see you soon."

About a half hour later, she pulled into the driveway of a small two story brick house with a dark rooftop. This place hadn't changed a bit at all. Still had the small stone birdbath that was never fixed after Jane had crashed her bike into it one summer, knocking the bowl off and shattering a small piece off the edge. She could still remember how she cried and told her uncle how sorry she was, but he just laughed and called the accident an 'improvement'.

She smiled at the memory as she climbed up the stairs to the house, duffel bag in hand. She always loved coming here to visit her uncle during the summer and getting to stay up late watching cartoons with him. Her parents didn't really care for them and said that she needed to grow up, but Jane always had a soft spot for the hilarious black and white cartoons that graced the television screen. Henry would always tell her that she could do whatever she wanted, within reason of course.

Her finger touched the doorbell, causing the ring to echo through the house before her. A few moments passed and then a dark figure appeared in the window.

The door opened, revealing an older gentleman, probably about late thirties or early forties. He was a taller man with a big build, light brown hair with silver streaks that were beginning to appear on his temples due to age, a few wrinkles across the forehead and a few crinkles in the corners of his eyes. A smile broke across his face, creating a few more wrinkles.

"Hey Kid."

So much emotion bubbled inside of Jane as she smiled weakly before practically jumping into his arms, hugging him tightly.

It took a moment for Henry to finally wrap his limbs around her, squeezing tightly as she began to shake. "Hey hey, it's...it's okay..."

The tears from earlier were now rolling down her cheeks as she buried her face into his arm. "I just don't know...what to do..." her meek voice sobbed.

Henry shut the door behind her before leading her further inside. "Come on, let's get you something to drink."

It took a few minutes for Jane to calm herself and for Henry to sit her down with a glass of water. Now they were sitting side by side on the couch, Jane wrapped up in a blanket while the news played quietly on the television before them. Neither of them really watched it anyways, but it was just for some background sound to help the tense moment.

"So...what exactly happened?" Henry asked his niece, sipping down a glass of ice tea. "Your message earlier...is it really true?"

She sniffled before taking a small sip of water, clutching the glass in her shaky fingers. "Yeah um...I...I failed." she whispered before clearing her throat. "I can't believe this is happening to me. I just...I don't know what to do."

"You'll figure something out." he assured her. "You just need to take a step back from all of this and relax."

At least he was trying to give her some advice. If it were her parents, they would just tell her what a failure she was and that it was all her fault. Some parental guidance they were...

"It's kind of hard. Especially when you're about to go home and tell your parents why I didn't invite them to graduation. That's all they were expecting to see in the mail or even receive a happy phone call."

Henry sat forward, placing his elbows on his knees. "What exactly happened? You were doing so well the last I heard."

A bitter and dry laugh left her lips. "Yeah...that was a complete lie." He frowned at her tone before Jane went on. "I've been failing for the past year. I didn't tell anyone because I was embarrassed. Especially after all the stuff my parents said about being proud of me for amounting to something for the first thing in my life." Another dry laugh rumbled through her chest. "As if I wasn't trying already."

"Why didn't you tell me? I would've driven down there and tried to help you study." He shrugged as a playful smile appeared. "Then we could've...I don't know, gone to a toga party or whatever you kids do these days at college."

She smiled then, weakly, but it was a smile. "I bet we would've had a blast and made everyone else jealous."

Jane wouldn't have cared in the least bit to have Uncle Henry there with her. If anyone was a good friend to her, it was Henry. Always there to make her smile and to help pick up the pieces of her broken heart. At least...she wished that he was there for the last part.

Jane sighed heavily as she took another drink. "They weren't that fun at all." Especially the ones she was forced to go to.

His eyebrows rose up, his forehead stretching up, making the wrinkles stretch out. "You went to parties? What happened to..." he cleared his throat before making his voice feminine. "I will never go to those lame parties that only-"

Jane giggled at her uncle's impression and gently smacked his arm. "I don't sound like that. Not even close."

"Well...I tried at least." Henry teased, bumping her leg that was hidden away under the blanket.

The brunette female sighed, taking another sip. "Anyways, one thing led to another...and well...I found myself getting behind in my studies."

Henry frowned, a crease crossing his brow. "Jane, is there something you're not telling me?" he asked, watching his niece turn away, avoiding eye contact. "Look, I know I might not be your mom or your girlfriends, but I am still here for you."

She gave him a weak smile. "I know you are. I just...was with someone and-"

"Did he hurt you?" he cut her off, concern crossing his face.

Jane shook her head quickly. "No no...not physically. Thank goodness." Then she paused. "He just...was...a little controlling. So studying was more like a second part in my life. But I broke things off with him and I went my own way."

Deep down, she wished that it was that easy.

His hand found hers and squeezed. "Well I'm glad that you finally kicked him to the curb. You were smart enough to leave him and I'm proud of you. Degree or not, you're still one of the smartest people I know."

She leaned over to hug her uncle. "Thanks. Just don't know what Mom and Dad are going to say when I tell them that reason..." she mumbled into his shoulder. "Doubt they'll care at all..."

"Well despite what they think..." he said softly, brushing the hair away from her face. "I'll still be here if you need someone."

She nodded, before hugging him again. Jane could always depend on her uncle Henry.

When he pulled away, he sighed. "What do you say to some take out? I can order Chinese and we can watch a few movies. Might help take your mind off of things."

Jane smiled a little bigger. "Does that mean I can pick?"

Her uncle laughed before rubbing her head. "Of course. As long as you give me your egg roll."

Shaking her head, she knew she'd lose that argument. "Fine. You can have it. But don't hog all the lo mein."

Henry's laughter died as he went into the other room to call in dinner.

Jane sighed in content as she rested against the couch. Henry was the best uncle ever! A nice comfy house, the usual take out to eat, decent television to watch, and of course a cozy little house that didn't have any drama. She could practically live here if Henry allowed her. Heck, she'd ask him if she could move in tonight. However, it probably wasn't the right timing. Jane still had to go home and face her parents. But...if things don't work out there and they kick her out, she could always come back to live with Henry. Yeah...that would be a silver lining for her.

Her uncle returned a few moments later. "Hey, turns out that they can't make any deliveries tonight. Looks like I'm going to have to go and pick it up myself tonight. Are you okay here by yourself?"

Jane nodded and giggled. "I'll be fine, Uncle Henry. I'm twenty-six. I'm a big girl now and I doubt any monsters are going to attack me."

He sighed, shaking his head as he put on a pair of shoes. "Those monsters could never catch you. Even if you had to have me scare them off whenever you'd stay over."

"Hey! I was six and there was a closet monster!" she shouted back, remembering how she used to hide under the covers when she slept in order to avoid the 'monsters' that tried to eat her.

Henry laughed as he opened the door to leave. "Well let's hope those monsters don't decide to come in and eat you. I'll be back in a little bit."

When the sound of the door closing echoed back to her, Jane slowly got up from the couch and decided to unpack her things. Since she was staying in the guest room, she figured that she could relax in her old room for a bit.

It had been a few years since she had stayed at Henry's. Anytime when her parents would decide to go out of town or they didn't really want to put up with their daughter's introverted ways, they sent her to stay with Henry. Not that Jane minded at all. In fact, it was the one thing that Jane enjoyed just as much as her art work.

Henry understood her in more ways than her parents ever did. Actually, he was the one who got her into sketching in the first place. When she was little, Jane would just sit at the back of the classroom or on a bench at the playground and just stare at the things around her. She didn't really speak and she refused to go and play with the others. It was a very worrying time for her parents. They didn't know what to do about their own daughter and the teachers were just as puzzled.

Then one day, when Henry came by for a visit, he had a present for Jane. A large sketchbook with a few colored pencils. At first, Jane stared at the pad of paper with curiosity, but still never touched it. But then when Henry grabbed a pencil, he showed her a quick sketch of a cartoon character; one that she had seen grace the television several times as a child. Then...a small smile broke across Jane's face and she took the pencil from Henry and the rest was history.

She sketched everything that she saw until the book was filled. From then on, she would buy sketchbooks all the time with her allowance. To Jane, it was her true calling...her passion. But to others...it was a peculiar behavior. Even if her family was happy to see their daughter do something, it was still odd. Even her classmates thought the same thing whenever they would see her hiding under a tree with the sketchbook balanced on her lap as she drew birds up in the treetops.

Jane didn't like the comments others would make about her being strange. She was just doing what she loved. What was wrong with that? Nothing! But...why did they always think of her as a strange creature instead of a human being? She tried to ignore the whispers and nasty words, but they always came back to find her whenever she was weak. But...despite all of the hurtful things people said...there was always one person she could go to. And that was Henry.

At least...for awhile it was just Henry...

Jane bit her lower lip as she climbed the stairs, shaking herself away from those bitter thoughts. "Stop thinking about him, Jane." she whispered to herself. "He's officially out of your life now."

Easier said than done.

It didn't take Jane too long to unpack all of her necessities. She only brought a few things into the house since most of her dorm was still in the car. If she got the okay from Henry, then she would get to move everything into the guest room. But...she still had to figure what she was going to do next. The last thing that she wanted to do was go home to face her family. Not now.

She took a look around the room and smiled. All of her things from her childhood were spread across the room, even the pictures that she left at here whenever she would draw something for Henry. Drawings of the animals that sat on the lawn when she would sit on the porch, silly cartoon drawings, and of course a few...not so perfect...pictures of Henry. It made Jane happy and relieved that Henry didn't throw anything away. He was proud of his niece and planned on making the room a gallery when she was little.

Running a hand through her hair, Jane took one last look around her room before she left to go back downstairs. "One thing down...and a bunch of other things to figure out still..." she grumbled as she made her way to the kitchen. "Gotta figure out how to break the news."

As she searched the fridge, she began to think of a script of how things would go. "Hey Mom and Dad, guess what? I failed out of my degree! What's that? I'm being kicked out and I'm a disgrace to family? Fantastic!" Her eyes perused the contents and landed on a can of soda. At least Henry kept decent drinks in the fridge. Most people in this situation would enjoy a glass of wine or some tea, but Jane didn't find either of them appealing.

Kicking the door the door to the fridge shut, she dragged herself into a chair at the small dining table near the corner where there were several pieces of mail piled up. As she sat there, sipping from the cold can, her eyes scanned over the pieces of mail that sat there in a messy pile. The usual things were there; bills for electric services, a few junkie ads for scams, and several coupons for local stores.

Just when her eyes were about to turn away, a small yellowish envelope stood out. The top had been torn open and the contents were peeking out. Normally, Jane respected someone's privacy, but she couldn't help the curiosity creeping through her veins. She had to know what this was. Why did it stand out among the rest?

Carefully, she pulled the envelope out from under all of the mail and held it up. The envelope was made out of old parchment paper and felt weathered in her fingers. Like the envelope had been hidden away for a long time and then was probably discovered several years later to be used. When she flipped it over to see who it was from, her heart nearly jumped up into her throat.

In the left hand corner, she spied the familiar logo of a cartoon character that she grew up watching. A small inky black devil with a wide grin on his face. Next to it was the well known name that she had remembered for most of her childhood. 'Joey Drew Studios'.

And in the middle of the envelope was Henry's name and address.

Jane almost didn't believe her eyes. Did Henry know Joey Drew? Or was this just some prank? It had to be a prank! How would the famous cartoonist of so many well known cartoons know her uncle? Henry wasn't really the most well established person. He acted more like a hermit. Why would Joey send him a letter?

Now that her curiosity was peaked, she couldn't help but take the paper out and opened the letter.

Dear Henry,

It seems like a lifetime since we worked on cartoons together. Thirty years really slips away, doesn't it? If you're back in town, come visit the old workshop. There's something I need to show you.

Your Best Pal, Joey Drew.

And that's the end of chapter 1! Hope it sounded like a good start. Joey Drew Studios will be coming soon to this! Could be two chapters or who knows, maybe I'll include it in the next one. It all depends! Don't worry, Bendy will be here soon! ^_^

I hope you guys enjoyed the first chapter to this new story! I hope I do this right. Let me know what you think about the start! Do you have any suggestions? Let me know! Leave a review or PM me! I always try to reply! Anyways, there is so much more to this story and I can't wait to share it all! Thanks everyone!