Tomorrow is another day.
That was what his parents had always taught him. No matter how horrible things were, tomorrow was another day. And very well, things could be better.
Then again, anything was better than what he'd seen.
All of...T-the costumes...The monster...No...
Michael held his bear tighter now. Spring Freddy they'd called it. Certainly good now that he hadn't chosen Spring Bonnie..
Of course, for the first time he wondered if his stuffed bear could really protect him from the monsters in this world...No...But still, holding it did help him feel better..
Although his short legs were getting tired, he did not make any motion of stopping. He couldn't stop. They would definitely catch him, then..
Unaware of his own surroundings, Michael's foot caught on a root that was sticking above the ground.
With a yelp, the child fell. Not upon the ground, but into a hole. A deep hole that never seemed to end.
He was currently on his back, looking up towards the sky with tears forming in his eyes at the light above. Was he caught? Was this his grave?...N-No...But nonetheless, he'd fallen.
Sitting up, Michael looked about. Golden flowers were surrounding him. His mind seeming to believe that they were the sole reason his fall didn't hurt. The Spring Freddy plush sat beside them, as though it were watching over him the entirety he was unconscious.
No time was wasted in pulling his bear closer, the tears falling from his eyes as the child continued to think about his situation.
He was trapped in this place. The only person who would possibly know and could get help would more than likely just leave him to die.
He'd never get to tell anyone what he saw.
He'd never see his parents or his older brother again...
With his face now puffy and red from the tears, he buried it deep into the fabric of the bear.
Although with his sobbing, the boy hadn't noticed the approach of anyone. It wasn't until arms wrapped gently around his small form that it even registered he wasn't alone in this place.
He yelped in surprise, attempting to jerk away. The only person who knew he was down here-
"Shhh...It is alright, my child."
A woman's voice met his ears, quickly easing his fears of it being the bad guy holding him. Instantly he went from latching onto the bear to whoever it was holding him, "Help...Help me..." he whimpered.
There was a grown-up here. He'd tell them everything, then they could fix it.
His hair was being stroked comfortingly, "There is no need to fear, I will protect you."
At those words, his body relaxed completely, though his tears still flowed. But whoever this lady was didn't seem to care.
And quite frankly at this point, Michael didn't care either. His eyes were tightly shut as he attempted to describe what he had bore witness to.
The adult that held him attempted to listen to what he was saying. But his words were mostly jumbled up and often interrupted by him crying harder until the woman could calm him down enough so he could continue.
"N-Now the mo-monster's cha-sing m-me..." he hiccuped at last. Wiping his tear-stained face on their dress.
The lady tensed upon hearing about the child's predicament. For a moment, Michael felt afraid again. His eyes cracked open slowly to see who it was holding him...
...Another monster.
He screamed, trying once again to escape from their hold, sobbing and begging them not to hurt him.
She gasped in surprise at his actions, but did her best to try and comfort him. It didn't seem to work at first, but she stayed patient with them until it registered in his mind that this monster was not like the other one.
He sniffled, not moving but to tighten hold on his favorite bear. This monster wasn't like the other one. She wouldn't make him red like the others. She wouldn't hurt him. He felt bad that he acted out like that now..
The lady smiled, "It is alright, my child." Her hold shifted to a more comfortable position, and it seemed that she was ready to pick him up, "May I please take you with me to my home, so that I may check over your injuries?"
Michael's eyes widened as he looked at her, yes, she could definitely protect him from the other monster-But he was told never to go with strangers. His parents were absolutely right as to why. The last one hurt all of his friends. Killed them.
On the other hand, his mom told him once if there was a bad guy chasing him to find an adult to help. More tears formed in his eyes at the memories of his family.
Of course, there was no real choice left of what do do. He nodded, and the lady smiled softly, "Wonderful!" In an instant, she moved into a standing position. Not letting go of the child in her arms.
But the monster lady's eyes widened when she seemed to realize something important, "Oh-I am sorry. My name is Toriel, I am the caretaker of the Ruins."
"M-My name's Michael Brooks..."
