#they must’ve seen how we act when enraptured with curiosity

[beastwars-transformers]

MY BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTER NAMED THE FIGHTING MACHINE

[kawaiibobatea-blog]

Chapter 16: Encampment

It was physically painful to see where her friends had ended up. The surrounding wall stood menacing, almost glaring down at her upon her arrival. Humans pulled and tugged at a long, jagged wire. It took her quite a few moments to process what she was seeing. The wire latching between the two pieces of engraved metal was sharp ready to pierce any poor fool who dared get too close. They were placing barbed wire around the fence as it was built. A temporary makeshift gate stood at the forefront of this hell with two humans standing at attention.

She had heard tales of the slums when she was a child. While spacious, they were dirty, had no electricity or running water. The houses were falling apart, and some had already crumbled. When it rained, the soil would soak up the rain. However, since there was no place to distribute it, the soil would become muddy and create mud slides. The foundations of the homes would erode beneath Mother Nature’s fury. Within time, everything would be gone. While nothing lasted forever, just the thought of her friends having what little they were able to have ripped from them, she felt like vomiting.

Her friends’ lives, their desires, and their families were the driving fuel that kept the tears at bay. She couldn’t think of her own sadness or her own pain. Even while Frisk was being… frisked at the entrance to ensure that no contraband was being smuggled into the slums she thought of her friends. Of her parents. Of Sans. Determination gripped onto her soul making her ignore the guard’s hands ran up the inside of her thighs and over her butt. This never would’ve happened if she had’ve just paid attention. If she had been better. Realizing her own shortcomings, she deserved this. She deserved the vulgar comments about her body and the lewd touching. There was no question that if she resisted, she would be turned away. These handsy “men” were her ticket into the slums. Frisk distanced herself from the touching, frantic to place herself anywhere but in that moment. Her grit paid off, elation hugging onto her as the makeshift gate was slid away to allow her inside.

Upon her entrance, Frisk was halted with an outstretched hand. Another human, this one packing an assault rifle stared at her. His fingers wiggled silently commanding the acquisition of an item. This human was most likely the one sifting through those with documentation and permission to enter from those who did not. If this was the treatment she got when she did have the entrance documents, she feared to think of what would happen for those who weren’t approved.

“Papers.”

Frisk nodded and opened the folder, trying to find the very paper he needed among all the others present.

“Hold on a—”

“Papers.”

Frisk’s eye twitched. Being interrupted was one of the actions she hated the most. Through the years in politics, she had been forced to subdue her hatred in lieu of angering the other.

“I’m sea—”

“Papers.”

Was that the only word he knew?

“Unless you have the entrance document, you’re—”

“But I—”

“You’ll have to leave—”

That’s it!

“I’m telling you I do have the document!” Frisk yelled, startling the man. “If you’d shut up for a fucking minute, you’d have heard that.”

Frisk slammed the whole folder into the armed guard’s chest. Just as his hand went to grab it, she let go listening to the tornado of papers fall to the ground. In hindsight, it probably was a bad idea. Frightened and angry humans were the worst types as they shot first and asked questions later. Whatever this group did to be given the “honor” of watching over the monsters in the slums, they couldn’t be friendly. Her determination and short fuse had been known to get her trouble in the office more times than not. If Frisk was banned from the slums, she wouldn’t be able to find her parents and see what was really going on. Ready to turn and attempt damage control, her eyes laid on a group of monsters. Ahead of them was,

“Sans!”

The cold of the snow was nothing compared to the cold stare she received when she got face-to-face with the group. She was truly met with the definition of “if looks could kill”. She parted her lips to speak but noticed a small girl in Grillby’s arms instantly catching her attention. In all the years of knowing the flame monster, she had never seen him show interest in another person let alone having a family. The small orange cat in his arms was too large to be his, even if he had’ve been with a cat woman. The little girl’s eyes were wide with either intrigue or terror. What could a small child have seen to contort her eyes in such a way? Seeking shelter within the confines of Grillby’s arms, the little girl still managed to keep an eye on Frisk.

“FRISK, IT’S GOOD TO SEE YOU.” Papyrus said with his usual bright smile. How odd, that he still retained all this innocence and peace even in this dire of a situation. No other monster could calm a room or a group like he could. “YOU LOOK VERY COLD.”

“Do I?” Frisk smiled shyly and rubbed her shoulders. It wasn’t the cold of the snow or Winter that was getting her, it was the glower from her once best friend just at the corner of her vision.

“YES, I WOULD INVITE YOU INTO THE HOUSE TO GET WARM AS I AM A VERY GOOD HOST.”

They have a house? Good…

“BUT… WE DON’T HAVE ENOUGH ROOM AND WE HAVE NO HEAT.”

A ton of bricks fell onto her soul, weighing it down so much Frisk felt its crushing imminent. They had no skin or warm blood to keep them warm as it was. Yes, their internal magic acted as a buffer from the harshest of the elements at the surface, but prolonged exposure… they would end up cold just like everyone else. With no heat to escape to, other than Grillby and a makeshift fire, they would freeze to death—winters were the most unforgiving season in Ebott.

“I-I see…” Frisk trailed off. Just the thought of her friends cold in the harsh storm that had rocked the trees last rose bile in her throat. Trying to find something else to focus on, she turned to the little kitten. “What’s your name sweetie?”

“…Annabelle.”

“Annabelle, that’s a beautiful name.” Frisk smiled. “How did you meet Grillby here?”

“… My daddy let me stay with Mr. Grillby last night, so I would be warm.”

“Oh, where’s your Daddy?”

Frisk instantly felt wrong when the fur around Annabelle’s eyes became wet with tears. She looked up at Grillby who rubbed her back. Clearly, she had missed out on something. Frisk’s eyes widened. Papyrus had said that they had no room, her father had given her to Grillby to stay warm. As if to confirm her suspicion, when she looked at Grillby, he gave a curt nod. Lately, Frisk had become very familiar with the sensation of swallowing bile to avoid vomiting.

“Don’t worry Annabelle, Grillby—”

“Grillby Ignis?”

Grillby turned, raising a brow. Frisk hadn’t known that Grillby even had a last name. She turned with the rest to see a fat human with a large jacket that was practically screaming in pain from trying to contain all the man. The pants in a similar fashion. Briefly she contemplated if the human had any awareness of clothes sizes. The cigar between his teeth only added to the pompous air his smile contained. The smoke blew into Grillby’s face, fogging up his glasses. If it wasn’t for Annabelle being in his arms, she could easily see the flame elemental punching the human through his face. In this… prison, there would only be consequences if he did give into that. He must’ve thought the same as Frisk noticed his grip tightening onto Annabelle, holding onto the small girl for dear life.

“Who are you?” Grillby asked.

“Not that you have the right to ask, but, my name is Jacob Rice.” The fat human stated as if Grillby should’ve known just from seeing him. “I’ll be your escort back to the bar.”

“To my bar?” Grillby murmured. The laws had clearly stated that they had no rights to buildings in Ebott or properties. What was this human getting at? “Why?”

“As much as my associates and I hate to admit it. We have acquired a taste for your food. You have one of two options Ignis, you can follow me and go to your bar to cook for my associates and I or you can stay here and freeze. The choice is yours.”

“Wait, what’s the meaning of this?” Frisk said. “I should’ve been informed of this.”

“Keep out of this Dreemurr, this is above your head.”

Above her head? She was the one who made all laws and decisions for the monsters. Maybe, she should just revoke that title. After all, she was the one—somehow—that had doomed the monsters to living and… and freezing to death in this prison. Annabelle’s father’s death was on her head. Since her mother hadn’t come to claim her, Frisk could only assume that her mother was dead as well either by meeting the same fate as her father or by a different means.

“On one condition,” Grillby said.

The human laughed and leaned over, lighting another cigar on Grillby’s body. “You’re not really in any position to be bargaining.” He said. “I came here to be polite, but truth be told Ignis, you’re either going to come with me voluntarily or by force. By because of my curiosity, I must know. What is this “condition” you have?”

“The girl comes with me.” Grillby said, holding onto Annabelle who had gripped onto his vest clearly terrified at the prospect of the flame monster leaving her alone.

The human chuckled again and shook his head. His roaring laughter making even Frisk cringe. Smoke billowed from his mouth with every chortle leaving his slimy mouth. He held onto his stomach and leaned his head back. Enraptured by the straining of the buttons on Rice’s jacket, she was counting how many times it took for his laughter to cause the button to pop. Rice’s crazed laughter calmed, and he wiped tears from his eyes, shaking his head. “Oh man, it’s been a long time since I laughed that much.” He said still wracked with the aftermath of his laughing fit. “You’ve got guts Ignis.” His eyes turned to the small girl clutching at Grillby’s chest. “Well, since I’m such a… kind man, I’ll indulge your request Ignis. Gotta say, I’ve never seen a monster play Daddy before.”

From the corner of her eyes, Frisk saw Grillby’s shoulders relax from the exhale of a breath he had been holding. Two of the armor-clad humans came to them and Rice snapped his fingers. Frisk had never seen this human before, but he clearly had power. He went to Grillby and cuffed his wrists that were still supporting Annabelle. Much to her horror, Annabelle’s tiny wrists were cuffed as well. What the hell could a little child do? The humans—if she could even call them that—ushered Grillby and Annabelle towards the entrance of the prison and out. The gate closed and the nagging of never seeing her friend again gnawed at her brain. Of course, she knew it was ridiculous. Rice would bring Grillby and Annabelle back after he had served the purpose of serving the humans for the day. She frowned at the thought. All she had to do was stay positive. Keep positive.

“BROTHER! I’M GOING TO GO AND CHECK ON EVERYONE INSIDE.”

“Everyone inside?” Frisk echoed, her brows furrowing.

“OH! YES! LAST NIGHT SANS OFFERED MANY MONSTERS INTO OUR HOME TO SHELTER THEM FROM THE COLD. HE IS A VERY CARING MONSTER! BUT YOU KNOW THAT OF COURSE!” Papyrus left with a wave and went back to the house.

The tension and fear of being left alone with Sans’ snow cold glare became reality once Papyrus left. Even though Sans was about five inches taller than her, she might as well have been two inches tall; right now, that’s how tall she felt. His gaze pierced into her soul, like he was trying to murder her with just his glare. Frisk parted her lips, unable to find any words to come out. What was she supposed to say? How could she make this right? How could she make his smile one of humor or happiness? Frisk swallowed the lump in her throat and willed her feet to take her a step closer.

“get away from me.”

Sans had never flashed his gold iris at her, she had never thought that he would flaunt his magic at her. The intent to harm her prominent buckling her legs in place. Fear preventing her from taking a step closer. With his gaze and his anger, he would no doubt kill her without a moment’s hesitation. Bits of her would be scattered across the slums and her soul would be shattered leaving nothing but her blood staining the snow. Even still, she couldn’t let it end this way. Let him hate her, but she couldn’t let it go without telling the truth. He could hate her for all eternity; they could hate each other until the day both of them perished, but some things had to be set straight.

“Sans, I—”

“G e t a w a y.” Sans warned. “I   w I l l  k I l l   y o u, H u m a n.”

“Sans, you have to listen to me!”

A weight gripped her soul and the ground disappeared beneath her. Within a second, she was thrown a good distance from him and slammed against a wall. She slid down, trying to shake the stars in her gaze when her head knocked against the deteriorating brick. Oblivion tugged at the corner of her vision with her head lolling around. Her mouth was dry, and her body felt heavy. Using the remaining willpower, she looked up and saw Sans standing over her, staring down at her his glowing iris illuminating the space around them. If this was how things ended, she would at least be in the presence of her once best friend. Her last thoughts would be of the time they spent together. The time they had looked into each other’s eyes so deeply she felt time stop, the times he would help her with her math homework when she had problems. All the good memories flashed through her brain like a slideshow.

“was this your plan all along?” His voice was low, rumbling deep within his sternum. It was a voice she had never heard before. Suddenly, she was thankful she had used the restroom before she came to the slums. “to gain our trust and then betray it?” Was he really accusing her of this? With everything that had happened, she could see why he’d be upset, but… but to accuse her of plotting against monsters since the beginning?

“No! Of course not! I—”

“so, the plan was made up as you went along? betray all your friends and your parents?”

“No! Sans, I would never!”

“then why did you sign that paper?!” Sans yelled making Frisk flinch.

“I didn’t!” Frisk tried to defend, but Sans’ expression indicated that he wasn’t buying any of it. “I swear!”

“did you want to put us in here, so you could watch us all die slowly? finally forcing the monsters to extinction…”

Sans…

“Please believe me!”

“why?!” Sans yelled. “what have you done to make me believe you?! what proof do you have that you didn’t plan this?”

I… I…

“I… don’t have any.” Frisk whispered and looked up at him. “But why would I do this? To Papyrus? Grillby? Undyne? Alphys? Mom? Dad?! Why?! What would I have to gain?!”

“nothing… that’s why it’s so sickening.”

“Believe me!” Frisk begged, shouting as if her volume would get through to him. Her eyes widened, and she flinched when Sans’ hand raised. A few bricks were lifted from the ground, sweat dotted his ivory dome. It was below zero degrees out here, why would he be sweating? Her blue eyes glazed with tears and stared into the dark sockets of her once best friend. She closed her eyes and felt the tears fall down her face. If she was going to die here, she didn’t want this… expression of his to be the last thing she’d ever see. She wanted the memories of her Sans in her head. The air parted as the bricks flew at her face and Frisk felt her doom imminent. She cried out and flinched each time a crash resounded next to her head. One was so close that a pain erupted from her skull from where her hair had been tugged. No more sounds came from around her and she dared to peek one eye open. Sans’ dark sockets stared into her soul and her body was shaking from pure terror.

“consider this your first and final warning, frisk dreemurr.” Sans warned. “mark my words, human, if you attempt to lie to me again, the next hit won’t miss.”

Frisk’s lower lip trembled. He had just threatened to kill her. To murder her. Tears stained her cheeks as his words seeped into her body. She wanted to sob, to scream out her heart wrenching cries but was unable to make any sounds. Terror shook her body and she wished that he had just killed her. Just crushed her head against the wall. That way, she wouldn’t have to live with the burnt bridges between them or the looming threat of her potential death. Sans turned around and walked away. She was only able to move when he had turned the corner, as if a spell had been broken. She stood up and looked at the bits of brick that was almost her crushed skull. She left the corner where she had almost died and headed back towards the gate. Frisk wanted to go around and find her parents, but, she wasn’t ready to tell her questioning parents what had just transpired.

Frisk had no more than passed the entrance to head back outside when screams came from behind her. It was a high voice, a motherly voice. For a few seconds, she was thinking it was her mother. The monster she did see was a curvy dog monster running towards her.

“Miss Dreemurr! Miss… Please help me!” She begged.

“W-What?”

“My son Sammy is sick!” She exclaimed, heading closer to her.

“Get back!” One of the humans screamed.

“Please, there’s no hospital here. Will you help him? He needs medicine… I-I don’t know what to do!” The dog monster did not heed the warnings of the humans and kept on coming. Flashes of Rebekah’s death paled her face. The threats were to be heeded.

“Ma’am, sto—” Frisk held out her arms, but quickly covered her ears with the fired shots. The dog monster fell to the ground on her knees with wide eyes and two holes in her skull. Frisk covered her mouth and stared as the monster fell forward but turned to dust before her body hit the ground. Frisk’s mouth gaped open small whimpers escaping and gasps that quickly turned more frantic. Her throat closed, and she found it hard to breathe. Tears gathered up in her eyes. Monsters gathered down in main pathway. The pile of dust blending in with the snow, but they had no illusions on what had happened. They all heard the gunshots. Her knees shook, and she looked at the humans.

“What have you done?!” She screamed, grabbing onto one and shaking them.

“Back off Dreemurr.” One said. The one that Frisk had a hold on pushing her away, Frisk grunting at the blunt pain in her chest.

“We told the creatures to not move passed the yellow pole.”

Frisk looked back at the confused and terrified monsters. One gun wielding human came to another and whispered something in his ear. The fact that Frisk was unable to hear the conversation worried her even more. What was going to happen to all the monsters? Would they even survive?

“Miss Dreemurr, we’re going to have to ask you to leave.”

At the moment, Frisk had no objections. She was pulled rather forcefully by one of the humans who had touched her before she entered. The gate closed behind her with a loud and final screech while Frisk was thrown into the snow. Frisk got on her hands and knees and lurched, ejecting all contents of her stomach into the white blanket of snow. Tears mixed with her vomit the more she expelled. She could taste the bile in her throat and feel it in her nose. The dog monster’s confused and terrified face etched into her vision. An embarrassingly large puddle of vomit had pooled in front of Frisk. While her tears didn’t stop, the vomit did. That face would be the source of her nightmares for what she was sure would be the rest of her life. Sans’ death threat, the inability to find her parents, and the dog monster’s murder were too much. She said her child was sick… all she was trying to do was to find some medicine for her child.

The hospital. It would be the answer. The child’s name didn’t matter. If she could get the kid in the hospital, then his mother’s death wouldn’t be in vain. While she had been kicked out, it didn’t matter. Not everything that could be done to help had to be from the inside. If she was banned from coming back whether by the humans or from Sans’ death promise, she could help from the outside. Cold snow gripped onto her hands when Frisk clenched her fists. Her life was in shambles. Her friends and family were gone. She was public enemy number one among monsters. It didn’t matter… No. Determination is what kept her going regardless of what would happen to her. Swirling with new found anger for the ones behind this and the drive to set everything right, she willed her shaking and tired legs to stand up.

I will fight for you until my dying breath.

The grand hospital once stood as a beacon for monsters and humans. While it could save humans now, the dog monster’s dying breath remained in her mind. All she wanted was for her child to be taken to the hospital. She walked in, ignoring her own sickness and nausea. Perhaps it wasn’t a good idea to have some lunch at Jason’s before going to see her friends. However, he had insisted, and she couldn’t say no to him.

“Miss Frisk, what can I do for you?” The receptionist said, looking from the crossword that she had been doing.

Sans…

“I… I need to speak to Dr. Stiles please.”

“I think he’s in surgery right now.” The receptionist said. “Hold on, let me pull up his schedule.” Frisk watched with bated breath while her eyes read whatever sort of schedule was showing on the computer screen. Whatever divine being was above them, she prayed that she’d be able to talk to him soon. “Yes ma’am, he’s still in surgery. If you want to take a seat, I’ll let you know when he’s done.”

“Thank you…” Frisk said, somewhat deflated.

Every second found like years. The condition of the young dog monster was unknown to her, but if it had his mother running towards some humans despite what they had been previously told, then it had to be bad. Every second that passed meant was a second more that her child was going without treatment. Her determination tried to falter… If the boy didn’t survive, she’d feel more like a failure than she already felt like. Damon Stiles was one of her closest friends. They had gone to school together, although he was a couple grades higher than she was, they were still close. If anyone could help the little child, it would be him.

“Yes? Oh, alright. I’ll let her know.” A click sounded letting Frisk know that the conversation the woman was having was over. “Miss Frisk, Dr. Stiles is on his way.”

“Thank you.”

Frisk didn’t have to wait long as Damon was rather punctual. She looked and saw the dusty blond-haired man come to her side. She stood up and looked at her friend and instantly began to cry again. Without asking, Damon hugged Frisk tight and rubbed her back. He was almost like a brother to her and knew what to say and when to say it. A rare trait, but Damon also knew when to not say anything.

“It’s terrible… I went to the monster encampment in the slums and… oh my god Damon, it’s terrible.” She cried, holding onto the man. “It’s worse than I thought it would be. A monster was shot… her child is sick, and she wanted me to get help and and and she was trying to come and tell me, and she was shot Damon. Just… Just shot!” Frisk exclaimed through her heaving sobs.

“Frisk…”

“Damon please… You’re the best doctor Ebott has on humans and monsters. Please, just… I don’t know what else to do. I wouldn’t get you involved if I didn’t have to. I don’t know what he needs, and I don’t know how to diagnose the kid.”

Frisk watched with bated breath as the wheels turned in Damon’s head. He was a brilliant doctor; young, caring, gentle. The epitome of a true doctor. Even still, given his position and the fact that he was a human, there was still a chance that he would refuse. If he did, then little Sammy might not make it. Every second that Damon pondered the risks and the rewards, the little boy was closer and closer to becoming dust.

“You’re right.” Damon said with a sigh, putting his hands on his hips and giving a decisive nod. “Of course, you’re right. It’s times like this… that we need to band together where we can.” He reached into his pocket and handed Frisk a small set of keys. “Go get into my car. I’ll grab my bag and be out there in about five minutes. It’ll be quicker to drive.”

Frisk made no complaints and as soon as the metal from the keys touched her hand, she turned and bolted towards the parking garage. The concrete jungle that stored all the cars was relatively empty for this time of day. Granted, it was still packed to the brim, but she was able to see individual cars. She clicked the lock button and looked around running towards the car whose lights flickered in response. Running to the car, she hit the unlock button repeatedly, so it was prepared for her entry when she got to the car. She had no more sat down and put the keys in Damon’s car and strapped herself in before Damon got in the car.

“Which way is the encampment at?”

“We’re not going there right now.” Frisk said as they tore out of the parking garage once he had cleared the cars around him.

“Isn’t that where the kid’s at?” Damon asked glancing at her from the corner of his eyes.

“Yes, but…” Frisk trailed off and covered her eyes like it was unbearable to look at the world. In its current state, it wasn’t far off from the truth. “You need papers to get in. Full blown, legal, signed and stamped papers.”

“That’s—”

“Disgusting. I know.”

Silence.

Damon sighed and stopped at the sign at the exit leading from the hospital onto Ebott’s roads. “So, you got a plan?” He asked.

“Mayor Tills.”

“Mayor Tills?” Damon gave a small chuckle, but it was in disbelief and not humor. “You’re kidding right? From what I understand, his name and stamp was present on the order that put the monsters in this mess.”

“So was mine.” Frisk said and saw Damon’s look of surprise. “Do you think I’d do that?”

“No of course—”

“Exactly.” Frisk finally turned to look at him. Exhaling a huge sigh, she shook her head. “Look… I don’t know what happened, but, both of our signatures and stamps were on that paper… Yet, I know that neither of us would sign that.”

Damon turned on his blinker.

“To Mayor Tills then.”

Frisk normally took the time to appreciate the architecture whenever she entered City Hall, but with Damon close behind, she burst through the glass doors and headed for the stairs at the back. Hopefully, Mayor Tills was still in. She hadn’t thought to call ahead of time as she was so frazzled. If he wasn’t, then she’d have to track him down and who knows what could’ve happened to Sammy in the time. He had to be here. He just had to be. She passed Jessica Alans and Steven Vans’ offices and took the stairs two at a time. Halfway up, she slipped and fell, scrapping her knees against the stairs’ hard surface. With only a grunt more from agitation than the actual pain, she steadied herself and headed up the stairs. Nothing was going to stop her from seeing this through. Not some doors, not some stairs… not Sans’ threat.

consider this your first and final warning, frisk dreemurr.

mark my words, human, if you attempt to lie to me again, the next hit won’t miss.

She shook her head, ignoring the questioning look that Damon had given her. She wasn’t in the mood to talk about it right now, or ever honestly. Talking about it would make it real and she just wanted to push it far back as she could in her head. Acknowledging it as real would mean that Sans had truly changed. That was something that she never wanted to admit or be faced with. Through the years, and even after their falling out, Sans had more or less stayed the same. Yet, the Sans that she had been met with before was nothing like the Sans that she had known. The look of utter disbelief and… and… betrayal in his eyes was clear; he really thought she did it. He believed that she would have done this just to harm them. All these injustices had to be set right and hopefully the man behind the door would be able to do such.

When Frisk entered Mayor Tills’ office, she was on the brink of hyperventilating. Her lungs screamed and prayed for the oxygen she had deprived them of. Mayor Tills, who had been standing up when she entered, more than likely on his way out, now sat back down in his chair staring at her all the while. Frisk was bent over, hands on her knees. The pounding of running footsteps echoed down the hall, heading towards this office. Damon had entered just as Frisk stood up, satisfied to continue with the amount of oxygen she had regained.

“Damn Frisk, I’m not sure I’ve ever seen you run like that.”

“Mayor… Mayor Tills…" Frisk began.

“Miss Dreemurr… Mr. Stiles… Is everything alright?”

Standing up to her full height, trying to regain some of the dignity that she had thrown out the window when she barged into his office doubling over from exhaustion and lack of oxygen. Even though she wanted to look stern and resolute, the crippling anxiety of the word “no” in this dire of a situation closed her throat leaving her with her mouth opening and closing like she was a goldfish.

“Miss Dreemurr?”

“M-Mayor Tills… I need your help.” Frisk began once more, snapping out of it. “Damon and I need to get into the monster encampment at the slums.”

Mayor Tills leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes. From the way his face scrunched up, and his lips had upturned he was hoping that wasn’t what she was going to ask.

“There’s a little boy��� he’s sick.” Frisk continued. “Please…”

“Miss Dreemurr. I’m sorry, but I can’t.”

All color left from Frisk’s face. This didn’t go how it was supposed to. This wasn’t the plan. All her hopes had been riding on him, and to find that all this time had been a waste, now what was she supposed to do? How was she supposed to help? There was no back up plan.

“Why?” Damon asked, speaking up when he was aware of Frisk’s shattered hope.

“My hands are tied, Mr. Stiles.” Mayor Tills explained, leaning forward to place his elbows on the desk. “I’ve already gotten enough hell from… other sources for my recent actions.”

“Regarding the exodus?”

“No. Regarding something I assisted Frisk here on earlier.”

Frisk’s legs gave out and she collapsed to her knees. The freshly skinned knees protested at the sudden change in posture, but Frisk ignored it. She stared at his desk, all emotion devoid from her face. Tears filled her eyes. placed her hands on the ground and her forehead pressed onto the carpet. This begging, this desperate plea was the last thing that she could think of. If this didn’t work, she had failed. Sans was right, she was nothing more than a human. Just like all the others. It was stupid to think that she was any different.

“Please…” She whispered, her voice cracking. “He’s just a child. Don’t let him die.”

She didn’t dare look up to see the expression on his face. The current position was clear; he held all the cards. Mayor Tills wanted to help, she knew that. But Frisk was asking him to do something that could get him in serious trouble considering how he was being monitored for the stunt he had pulled earlier to get Sans and the rest of her friends released from jail. Whoever had found out and reported Tills had been in the building that night. If Frisk hazarded a guess, she could assume that it was the same person who had been in the security office with her. If it was true, and she wasn’t barking up the wrong tree—

“You’re right, Miss Dreemurr… You have your papers.” Mayor Tills smiled at her when they met eye contact. “Now get up… begging isn’t like you.”

Frisk looked up and watched Mayor Tills furiously type on his computer with a speed that had not been previously known to her. Scrambling awkwardly, Frisk managed to stand up with Damon’s help to prevent her weak legs from giving out again. With all her adrenaline ebbing out of her body, the pain crept up on her from her knees, a growing headache, the burn from her throat when she had vomited; everything.

“Here you are.” Tills said, handing Frisk the papers with a smile that she was unable to decipher. “Good luck.”

“Thank you, Sir. Thank you so much.” Frisk nodded at Damon and smiled, heading back towards his car.

Frisk and Damon had exited the car and stood in front of the large, now almost completed fence and gate. The encampment was just as cold and hostile looking as it had been when she was there previously. With how shaken she had been, Frisk had hoped that her mind had conjured the encampment to be less menacing than she had seen it. Of course, she was wrong. They were holding her friends and her parents captive. Sick children weren’t allowed to leave. There was no peace here. No hope. It was up to everyone on the outside to help, and those that desired to help were either too afraid to or had too little say in matters. Good people were a minority these days, especially with the Exodus.

“This… This is terrible.” Damon muttered under his breath.

Humans had been responsible for many things through the years. Pain, war, murder, etc., but to think that they could still be this… this barbaric after so many years of growing and surviving, and with how much civilization had been built… it was a wake-up call. She had liked to think that everyone, even though they all argued at one time or another, still had some decency and common understanding of morale to know this was wrong. Unfortunately, Frisk had to be surprised again.

“C’mon. Let’s get inside.”

The entry, for whatever reason, went more smoothly this time. With how bundled up the guards were, it could very well be that the guards that were there this morning were not the same ones that she was face-to-face with now. Then again, Damon was standing at a whopping 6’ 4”, so maybe they just decided to not cross the man. Either way, she was thankful. All they needed to do was hand the papers to them and they were granted entry. Like a normal entry request was supposed to go; without being touched or felt up.

Inside was just as terrifying and dismal as she remembered. A small imprint from where Sammy’s mother had collapsed remained in the snow. Every time her eyes trailed to it as they passed, her stomach flipped. If she had’ve had something to eat before she went and retrieved Damon and the papers, she was sure she would’ve vomited again, right there. The look of horror and sadness on the mother’s face was engrained into her mind. Tonight when she slept, she knew she’d see the look in her nightmares.

Frisk turned to Damon, about to speak when she saw him looking around at the many shivering monsters. Some were pulling from trees while others were taking great care in taking what looked like small berries. This was what their friends and some fellow co-workers of many different businesses had been reduced to. All by their kind. If… no, when they figured out how to get out of all this, she wouldn’t be surprised or blame them, if monsters harbored hatred for the humans.

“It’s this way…” She said, pulling on his sleeve to drag him away from the horrific sight. Halfway to the house, she remembered that Sammy was being kept in Sans and Papyrus’ house. Surely, Sans wouldn’t do anything that would harm Frisk right in front of everyone; especially Papyrus. Right? Even if something did happen to her, as long as Sammy was alright and taken care of, then it would be okay. But, when they entered the home Sans was nowhere to be found.

The flames inside crackled and one bird monster was tending to the fire that they were all huddled around, trying to stay warm and comfortable. It was still cold inside, but since Frisk noticed this was one of the more put together homes, it was able to shield them from a majority of the harsh elements they no doubt encountered.

“FRISK!” Papyrus exclaimed, his smile still wide despite the dire situation. “OH, AND TALL DOCTOR HUMAN. HELLO!”

“Papyrus, this is my friend Damon Stiles. He’s here to look at Sammy.”

“OH! THE SICK BOY. YES, OF COURSE! THAT IS VERY KIND OF HIM!”

Frisk motioned to the bed where the little boy was laying. Damon made his way, moving around the monsters of various types to reach the unconscious boy.

“Papyrus… Where’s Sans?”

“HE SAID HE HAD SOMETHING TO TAKE CARE OF, BUT HE LEFT ME IN CHARGE OF THE HOUSE! I’M THE GREAT PAPYRUS AFTER ALL.”

Frisk smiled, “That’s right. Don’t forget it.”

“WHY WOULD I FORGET FRISK? I HAVE A VERY GOOD MEMORY.” Papyrus explained and clasped his gloved hands together. “OH, COULD I GET YOU SOMETHING TO DRINK? I HAVE… SNOW. BUT ONCE IT MELTS, IT’S WATER. OR WHAT ABOUT SOMETHING TO EAT? I HAVE… SMALL RED BERRIES.”

“No thanks Paps… I already ate.” Frisk smiled. “Thank you though.”

“OF COURSE! I AM MASTER HOST PAPYRUS TOO. NYEH HEH HEH!”

Frisk couldn’t help but smile. Papyrus’ emotions were contagious. Even though things were absolutely horrific, he still managed a smile and to put everyone at ease around him. If he wasn’t there, chances were that everyone would be a lot more frenzied and terrified. It probably also helped that their home had been opened to many monsters and their families. Speaking of… Frisk looked in Damon’s direction. He had opened his box and was checking Sammy’s vital signs. He bundled the kid up and fumbled around and pulled out an orange rectangle. He bent it in half and put it on Sammy’s head. She had seen those compresses before. Hot or cold, they contained a small pouch on the inside, which when broken, would release the desired element into the rest of the compress.

“He’s got a really high fever.” Damon said and sighed. “202 degrees.”

For a human, that would be dead. Shriveled up and burned alive like the fires of Hell. However, for monsters, especially ones like Sammy had a higher body temperature to begin with. 202 was on the equivalent of 105 or 106 for humans.

“Hopefully with the compress,” Damon took out more of the rectangles and distributed them among the waiting monsters. “and the blankets, it’ll bring it down. I… I can’t diagnose him fully. I don’t have all my equipment.”

“M-Mommy…?” Sammy’s eyes opened, and he stared up at the ceiling. “Mommy?! Where are you?” Frisk saw Sammy blink his eyes repeatedly. A white film glazed over the surface of the boy’s eyes. He was blind. Whether it was from an accident or from his sickness, Frisk was unsure. She moved to the little boy’s side and grabbed his paw.

“It’s okay, Sammy… Mommy’s here.” Frisk said, watching a relieved look wash over the boy’s face. She felt a burning sensation in her nose and her eyes.

“Mommy…” He smiled, and Frisk pet his head and between the little boy’s floppy dog ears. He closed his eyes and relaxed further into the bed. “You’re the best…”

Frisk almost choked on her sobs but remained to keep her breathing level. The boy was already blind and delusional in his sickness. He didn’t seem to realize that Frisk had no fur on her hand or that her voice wasn’t like his mother’s. She didn’t want to worry him even more. If she told him, she wasn’t sure what it would do to him or how he would respond.

“Just get some rest, Sammy.”

“Mommy… thank you for taking care of me.”

“Of course, you—”

“All the time. Just forever…” Sammy said. “You’re the best Mommy ever.”

Frisk continued to pet the little boy’s head. “Now get some sleep.”

“I love you, Mommy.” Sammy said and tried to grip onto her hand, but he was too weak. She closed her eyes and knelt up to kiss his forehead, trying to bring the little boy the motherly comfort that he craved. She closed her eyes and spoke,

“I love you too, Sammy.”

Frisk’s tears finally fell when the boy’s paw became limp in her grip. Her tears fell harder when she felt the hand disappear, leaving her with a dusty white residue on her fingers. She opened her eyes and leaned back on her heels as Sammy’s face disappeared leaving only a pile of dust behind and the warm compress, tears continuing to stream down her face.