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Clacking footsteps filled her ears, the crawlspace around her was dark and honestly smelt of ink. Like everything else around here. Audrey covered her mouth to muffle her breathing, her heart pounding in her ears.
Her heart dropped to the floor when he saw hooved feet waltz past her hiding spot, only to release a breath of relief moments later. The demon was gone.
She nervously poked her head out of the hidey hole and glanced around. Empty. The images the lost one requested were crinkled tight in her fist. Last one. Then she just had to make it back…Alive.
She cautiously crawled out of the temporary sanctuary and inched towards the desk brandishing the painting for all to see. With movement as though the desk burned, she snatched the image and booked it back to the crawlspace.
She made it back with good timing too, the room began to dim just as she slid inside.
Audrey stayed in one place, attempting to make no sound as to not alert the Ink Demon of where she was hidden.
Raspy breathing mixed with inky gurgles breached her ears, making the hairs on the back of her neck rise in fear. The now converted to ink being trembled, struggling not to hit the sides or top of the vent.
….This hunt was lasting unusually long…
She held her breath just a little longer.
…
A little longer. She can do it.
…
Audrey started getting Light headed, her lungs already burning. It's been minute after minute, why hasn't he left yet?
" Auudreyy… " Said person froze. Did..Did it just say her name?
Tapping sounds echoed throughout the room. The Ink Demon… Where was it? She slowly, and ever so carefully, peeked out of the vent.
To her surprise, nothing was there. The room was still monotone, though.
" Auudreeyyy…. " Its voice was teasing and sounding slightly strangled, like it was trying not to laugh.
Clutching the papers in her right hand, she froze as realized where the voice was coming from. It wasn't in the room…
Sweat beaded on her forehead as she slowly turned to look behind her.
" Therre youuu arre."
Screaming, she launched herself out of the vent, the Ink Demon close behind. It was practically cackling at her. The terror of this realm was… was…
Audrey shook her head. This thing has been trying to kill her for hours now. No way in hell was this thing only playing with her.
A swift movement of air behind her and a loud crash encouraged her to run faster, adrenaline guiding her way. That was close. Too close.
Audrey had no clue where she was now. Rooms and walls were a blur in her frazzled mind. No focusing would form in her head, pure panic forced her to keep going. She heard the Ink Demon behind her, not running as fast as she knew it could.
Her now ink black hair was definitely a mess by now. she should really find a hairbrush. Wait- she shouldn't be thinking of this right now. Later problem, Audrey.
Her calves burned, her lungs following suit. Her eyes widened as she saw a locker just around the corner. Perfect!
Sliding around the corner and hiding by the locker, the Ink Demon passed right by her before skidding to a stop moments after she quietly shut the locker door behind her.
Audrey heard the cracks of its hooves as it searched for her, clattering crates and barrels being sent flying across the room. Guess she shouldn't use those anymore.
…
She shuddered at the thought of what might have happened if she chose one of the crates instead.
She forced her breathing to slow, covering her mouth for precaution.
" AuDreyy.. " Her own name sent shivers down her spine. She hated this. The Ink Demon stalked past her door, its heavy steps the only sound in the monotone room.
" I knooow youu'rre herree.. Coome Ouutt. " Thoughts raced through Audrey's head.
Did it know where she was? If so, why didn't it just grab her? Why was it so intent on finding her this time? The demon could have gotten her all this time… But it didn't. Why? She knew he was fast enough to catch her easily. Why did he entertain the chase?
Rage filled her chest as her eye twitched. Was this all a game to it? Because it was strong, did it bully weaker beings for fun?
" Coome ouuut, Auudreeyy… "
Its voice sounded more and more irritated each time it called out. She peeked out of the locker's peep holes.
It seemed to be half stomping around while searching for her. The locker was one of the only things left upright in the room. There was a crate left.
…
Scratch that – The demon kicked the crate in fury.
" AUUDREEYY. " She flinched at the volume. Ow. " Thiiss. is noot. Hiidee and seekk "
She couldn't breathe deep enough. Her lungs felt as if they were infinite pools of empty space, yet she couldn't fill them even half way.
Audrey peeked out of the peep holes again, looking for the demon. Nothing. The monotone coloring had dissipated.
Creeping out of the locker, Audrey double checked the area. Gone. She breathed a sigh of relief and relaxed her grip on the papers.
Making her way back towards the easel room, her senses were on high alert. Her steps were mouse-like, quiet and barely heard. The papers in her hand crinkled occasionally.
After at least fifteen minutes, she made it back to the room. She smoothed out the pictures and placed them on the easels.
She moved back to the door and knocked.
"Hello? I found your pictures."
Silence. She knocked again.
"Um.. hello?"
She pushed the door, finding it unlocked. She let out a strangled gasp at the sight she saw.
The lost one was mutilated, ink splattered around the area it sat propped up against the wall.
Its head was missing, ink leaking from the wound. Above the body, there was a message written in dripping ink.
You're Welcome
She shuddered at the implications. Did..Did the demon do this? Was the ink written with from the lost one?
Taking a deep breath to calm herself, she narrowed her eyes and looked through the room.
No way was she going to thank him for killing someone. The lost one just wanted its pictures back, they weren't going to hurt her.
She found a note.
….
Okay, so maybe the lost one would have hurt her, but it doesn't mean they deserved to die! She could have talked it out with them.
She sighed. It doesn't matter now. What does matter is that she's safe for now.