To Halt A Genocide

Sans doesn't want us to be separated.

Not even for a minute.

I can't say I don't like the extra attention, I do. It's just, I can't help but wonder what's bothering him lately. He probably just needs more sleep, if I'm completely honest. I keep waking him up in the early hours of the morning, thinking his body will get used to it, but his fatigue is really starting to show. The dark circles beneath his eye sockets are becoming more prominent, and he is acting more jumpy and nervous, which I've heard can be a side effect of such lack of sleep.

This is why, even though I hate it when he falls asleep during work, I'm letting him this time. At least there doesn't seem to be any customers. I guess nobody is in the mood for a hot dog today.

My brother has dragged me to work with him the last several days. This hot dog stand is incredibly boring, especially with Sans asleep, but he is persistent with me keeping him company. It's part of his whole "we shouldn't be separated" notion.

At least I can see my sentry post from here. But since the human has already passed through here, there isn't much point in manning my station. I can't believe Sans made me miss it! He practically dragged me home, saying he needed my help with a crossword puzzle all of a sudden, all the while, a human came through here! My lifelong dream ruined! You're lucky I love you, Sans. Maybe that's why he's spending so much extra time with me now, to make up for letting me down.

It's okay, brother, I forgive you.

I rub his back. I hope it's gentle enough to not wake him up.

It's not.

"Hmm? Yeah, bro?"

Sans leans his head up from his arms on the table, and looks up at me.

"Oh, sorry. Sleeping on the job again. I know you hate that." He rubs his eye sockets.

"IT'S OKAY, SANS. I KNOW YOU'RE TIRED. AND THERE SEEMS TO BE NO ONE IN NEED OF A HOT DOG HERE, EITHER, SO NO HARM DONE." Thinking of how scarce the town seems to be right now, I am reminded of his friend he likes to chat with through the big door, and how she has been missing as well. "DID YOUR FRIEND ANSWER YOUR KNOCK AT THE DOOR THIS MORNING?"

"No, still no answer." He looks disappointed, but then seems to remember something, and perks his head up at me. "S-she just probably isn't feeling well, is all," he shrugs at me.

He thinks I don't know.

Monsters are dying.

I don't know why; maybe they're sick, maybe there's some disease going around. But whatever the reason, monsters are dying.

I know Sans wants to protect me from whatever is going on, but pretending there isn't a problem isn't the best way to protect me from anything.

"SANS, DO YOU THINK THE MONSTERS IN THE RUINS HAVE BEEN... DISAPPEARING LIKE THE MONSTERS HERE?"

He sighs and hangs his head lower. "Maybe, bro. I don't know."

"I MEAN, DO YOU THINK YOUR FRIEND... W-"

"Let's talk about something else." He sternly interrupted me, like he does every time I try to ask about it.

"N-NO, SANS... I'D REALLY LIKE TO TALK ABOUT THIS."

He jerks his head up at me. I surprised him with my resistance. I try to keep my expression firm, but it probably looks more uneasy. I don't like upsetting him, and this topic upsets him.

"I'M SORRY, BUT... I NEED TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON, WHAT'S HAPPENING TO EVERYONE."

Concern is written on his face as he stares back at me. I think he's trying to think of something to say.

Just tell me the truth, Sans!

He sighs. "Fine. You want to know where everyone went? They're on vacation." He stands up; is he trying to walk away? I grab his arm and pull him back down beside me.

"SANS!"

"Okay, fine, fine. I guess you know by now, that they're not coming back. Paps... a lot of monsters are... well, they're dying."

"YES, I KNOW THAT, SANS."

"Oh... So I guess what you're asking me is how, then?"

"YES."

He looks around nervously. My poor brother, I know I've put him in a hard position.

"It's the human, Pap. That human is, well, killing off monsters. They're just... k-killing them... without reason..." He grabbed my hand. I really don't think he even realized it. "I mean, self-defense, sure... Monsters attack them against their will, it's okay to defend yourself, but... it's like they're hunting them down... like they won't stop, until..." His grip tightens. He leans forward into his other hand, he starts... Is he sobbing?

Oh, no no no no.

I let go of his hand, wrap my arms around him, and pull him into my lap.

"BROTHER... SANS..." I wipe the tear that falls down his cheekbone. "LET'S JUST GO HOME. WE'LL BOTH FEEL BETTER THERE. YOUR SHIFT IS OVER SOON ENOUGH, AND I DON'T THINK ANYONE WILL COME, ANYWAY." He tries to smile at me, brings his arms up around me, and teleports us into our living room. I hate the weird feeling, but he probably thinks walking through town isn't the best idea. Can't say I disagree.

...

Sans lets go and plops to the floor. He walks over to the couch and plops down there, too.

I go in the kitchen. Sans doesn't question it. Good. He probably thinks I'm just starting to prepare dinner, which I do need to do... but I really need a minute to be alone and process what he has just told me.

All these monsters are dying... because of the human? So, they're just, killing everyone, what, just for fun? No. That can't be it! They must be scared! Or... really strong, and it's all just an accident! There's no way someone could be that cruel. They can't be that bad. There has to be good in them somewhere.

There has to be good in them somewhere.

Maybe, they just need someone to show them that they still have good inside of them. Maybe they need someone, not to attack them, but to... spare them. To show them that it doesn't have to be kill or be killed. That mercy and love is an option. That friendship can overcome the bad in everyone.

Maybe, they just need to find the missing piece to their puzzle...

And... who better to help solve a puzzle... than... The Great...-

"Papyrus?"

Sans stands in the doorway. I am leaning over the counter, head in my hands, looking as distraught as I feel. Shoot, I didn't want Sans to know this bothered me so much.

He walks toward me with his arms outstretched. "Papyrus..." He pulls me into a hug. He seems at a loss for words. It's okay, brother, your hugs are always enough.

Hugs are always the answer...

...

(Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep.)

My alarm clock awakes me. I shut it off before it wakes Sans. Oh, who am I kidding, it won't wake Sans.

My eyes adjust to the darkness around me, and I look at my brother, sleeping beside me. He had another nightmare last night. He has been having them every night, recently... and I told him to go ahead and get in my bed when he started getting drowsy last night. One of us always ends up in the other's bed anyway, might as well be mine.

He awoke me by clinging tightly onto my arm, and moving around so much he was sweating. I could see the terror on his still sleeping face. I slid his tightly gripped hand down until it was in my own hand, stroked his face as I brought it close to mine, and called his name.

"SANS... SANS... WAKE UP... IT'S NOT REAL... IT'S OKAY... WAKE UP, SANS..."

His movements stopped, and he opened his eye sockets to look at me. His breathing remained heavy. Then, just as always, he wrapped his arm around me, gripped my hand, and whispered "I love you, Pap."

"I LOVE YOU TOO, SANS."

It never takes him long to get back to sleep.

He looks pretty peaceful, now. I'm glad. I think I can slip out of his arm's hold and get up.

Okay. I'm pretty hungry. I'll go downstairs and see what breakfast food I can whip up.

As I reach the bottom of the stairs, some movement outside of the window catches my gaze. I involuntary freeze.

It's the human.

I crouch in front of the window to get a better look, hopefully without being seen.

They're walking through town. I haven't seen them up this way before.

Now's my... chance?

I stand up. Why are my legs shaking? I reach for the doorknob. Why are my hands shaking?

I should leave Sans a note.

Nah, I won't be gone long. I'll be back long before he wakes up.

I step outside.

I don't see the human anymore. But they have to still be here, right?

Maybe they're watching me...

I can't breathe easily.

I'm... just going on a walk... just like any other normal day...

I make my way toward our garage, which is set up like a guest house. It's nice! The human will love it here! It's got a small, cozy bed, for a small, cozy human! There's a bowl to conveniently set out food in, and there is even a toy! I can bring them more toys if they get bored. I'll have to be sure to remember to mention that.

Okay, enough messing around. The human is out here somewhere. Maybe I'll just... walk around... and they'll come out to meet me.

I walk toward the edge of town, away from the house. I saw the human go this way.

I hear footsteps behind me. The shaking in my bones instantly returns.

I take a deep breath, steadying myself, and turn around.

"HALT, HUMAN!"