Chapter Text
Chapter 1: The Fall
His footsteps were ear shattering in the silent corridors. Ink was flooding from each plank on these wooden walls.
Thump Thump Thump
The elderly man's heart raced in his ears. A pounding headache breached his senses.
Thump Thump Thump
He could smell the ink, feel its current flowing down the short halls after him. He was so close- just a little further.
Thump Thump Thump
A roar pierced his ears, nudging him to run faster. His calves burned with each bout of relief as he lifted his feet off of the ground before throwing them back down.
Thump Thump Thump
He gasped for both breath and at the sight of the exit. So close-
Thump-
Henry screamed as the floor gave way underneath him. No. No, no, no, no…! He was so close- He could practically taste the fresh air and safety beyond the rickety hinges.
Thu-Thump Thu-thump Thu-thump
Oxygen rushed out of his lungs as his back hit a pond of ink. The bitter substance rushed into his mouth as he desperately tried to gasp for air.
It was over. There's no way out now. That was the only exit.
Henry pulled himself out of the ink with the help of a support beam.
No, he had to move forward. He could get back somehow, find a plank or jump across the hole. It wasn't too big, maybe six or seven feet. He could jump nearly thirteen in his old age.
Just keep going forward.
Henry snorted as he remembered an old movie quote about a fish telling another to keep moving. What was it called again? Nevermind, doesn't matter.
Thump Thump Thump
His heart was near silent in his ears now. He was safe. For now.