This is just great, really... just great. What am I supposed to do? I pondered as I take quick deep breaths while hiding behind my work counter.
I have no idea how long they're going to be here. If I stay put long enough maybe they'll think the store is closed and leave. I try to stop shaking as I think about them possibly finding and seeing me.
I can't help it that I'm afraid. I hate it, but it's a fear I've had for most of my life, and I can't just pretend it doesn't exist now. I know deep down that monsters aren't all bad, but... ever since I found out they were real when they came to the surface, my fear seems like it's gotten even worse. I barely even go out anymore, except for work.
I know this store isn't monster prohibited like a few of the stores around here... Well, legally they aren't supposed to be due to antidiscrimination laws, but sometimes the employees at some particular stores will harass monsters until they leave. I don't like it, and I don't want this store to be that way... but I'm just scared of them.
I wish they would come here while somebody else was working... I don't want to cower behind this counter, but I really can't even will myself to move. What if they do actually want to hurt me?
Wait, I hear footsteps that sound like they're getting farther away. Maybe they're leaving. I can head to the back room when they do. I need to calm down, and I don't think I'll be much help to customers in this state.
I get on my hands and knees, and crawl over to the end of the counter. Then, I peek my head out slightly from behind it. I dart my eyes back and forth and don't notice anyone, so I begin to crawl out from behind the counter.
This was apparently a mistake, because no, they hadn't left, they were just in another aisle... And now there were two skeleton creatures right in my line of sight glancing down at me. Oh, hell.
"HUMAN, WHAT ARE YOU DOING DOWN ON THE FLOOR LIKE THAT!?" The taller of the skeletons yelled to me. He was dressed rather odd, and had a boisterous demeanor about him. The other one wasn't really saying anything, just standing lazily with his hands tucked into the pockets of his jacket. He was grinning at me, but something seemed not so friendly about it.
"U-uuum, well... I.." Was all I manage to mutter before I pass out, my world going blurry.
I begin to slowly flutter open my eyes, and squint at the sunlight streaming throught the window. I quickly remember what happened before I passed out and quickly jolt up into a sitting position, looking around frantically.
After a moment I notice that I'm in my own room... Wait, what, how? I was in the store a moment ago... right? But, it looks like the suns gone down just a little bit... So it's probably been a while. Who brought me back home?
As if to answer my question I hear the door knob turn and the door is pushed open slowly, as if whoever is there is making sure I'm awake before entering, and what do I see when the door opens? The fucking shorter skeleton I was hiding from at the store... Before they saw me and I passed out, and I'm afraid that's about to happen again.
I can't bring myself to move, so I resign to just letting myself stare wide eyed at the skeleton. I try to make myself say something but I can't. After a few moments of mutual staring between us the skeleton spoke much too casually for this predicament.
"Hey kiddo, I see you're awake now. The names Sans. Nice to meet ya'" Sans says to me with a lazy grin on his face.
I slowly work up the courage to speak. "H-hello. My names Shilo... nice to meet you too. U-umm can I ask you something?" I say shakily, failing in my attempt to sound composed.
"Yeah, sure." Sans says lazily.
"How do you know where I live. I-I never gave you my address." I speak
in a frightened tone.
Sans shrugs "We saw your cell phone on the counter. We called your dad and explained the situation to him. He told me and my brother Papyrus where to bring you, so we brought you home." Sans says casually.
Great, just great. Well, this is really awkward. And I'm ashamed to say I feel like I'm going to pass out again, but I can't just tell the guys who brought me back to my home out of kindness to leave... I've gotta try and be polite.
"Oh, well... thank you." I manage to say somewhat quietly.
"Yeah. Don't sweat it, but listen I want to ask ya' why'd you pass out in the first place, sick or something?... or is it something else? Because I've gotta real good guess." Sans says in a not so friendly manner. Yeah, I'm pretty sure he knows why I passed out... I try and find the courage to speak in my mix of fear and embarrassment.
"I-I don't know." is all I'm able to say. Damn it... why is this all I can say? I look pathetic.
"Ha, so that's it. You were scared, huh? If it makes ya' feel better all we were trying to do was shop, but whatever, guess it wouldn't matter what we do, you'd still be afraid. That's all I needed to know, bye." Sans says simply as he turns to leave before I can say anything else.
Damn it. I feel like such a jerk. All he was trying to do was help me, and I made myself look like a fearful racist against monsters... Yet, I'm still afraid even now... Ugh.
I get up abruptly to leave the room out of frustration, assuming Sans and his brother have left, but stop suddenly in the hall as I hear a conversation going on in the other room.
"Hey, thank you guys for bringing my daughter back safely I really appreciate it. I'm sorry for any inconvenience she caused you, and I want to give you something to take home. Hold on." I hear some shuffling, from what sounds like the kitchen, and suddenly my dad speaks again.
"It's a tortilla casserole. I may not be the best cook, but I try my best for my daughter. You can take it home and heat it in the oven for a few minutes, and it should be good." My dad says enthusiastically. After a moment I hear who I think is Papyrus speak.
"HOW KIND OF YOU! WE WOULD LOVE TO ACCEPT YOUR GENEROUS OFFER... BUT, YOU SEE WHERE WE LIVE WE DO NOT HAVE AN OVEN. THEREFORE WE CANNOT HEAT THE CASSEROLE BACK UP AND CANNOT ACCEPT THE OFFER! I APOLOGIZE!"
Suddenly I hear words that I dread...
"You live in a place that doesn't even have an oven? Sounds like a run down apartment, or house. You know, we do have two extra rooms here that aren't being use d. You seem like good guys so if you want you could stay here until you find a better place."
Why?... no, dad knows about my fear. He can't offer that...
"Thanks for your offer, but I don't think your daughter really takes too kindly to us. So I think we have to decline."
Uggh... I feel bad.
Before I can think about it anymore I hear my dad start to speak again. "No, that's not true. Trust me she's just a bit shy so it's hard for her to warm up to anyone. She probably passed out because she wasn't feeling well earlier, but went to work anyway. Really, shed probably become great friends with you two once she got to talking to you for a while. She's a sweet girl." my dad says. Talking about me enthusiastically.
Silence stays in the air for a few seconds before I hear Sans speak. '"Alright, if it's really fine with you then we'll stay for a while. Thanks. We've gotta go pack up our stuff which shouldn't take too long, so we'll be out for a bit."
I take a deep breath as I hear Sans and Papyrus head out the door, and immediately after I hear it close I run into the living room and turn to my dad.
"Dad, what the hell?! You remember my phobia right? Because I never got over it, and you just invited the source of it to stay at our house... You know this is too much for me to handle!" I say glaring at my dad, feeling insignificant.
My dad looks at me a bit before smiling slightly. "Shilo hun, I know. That's why I invited them to stay here."
That doesnt make sense what is he on about?
"What do you mean?" I say suspicion in my voice. He's up to something.
" You're 18 years old. I want you to be able to live your life as an adult without fear. Now that we know monsters are real. They will roam society as humans do. I don't want you to be afraid of them, so much that you shut yourself in the house. I want you to explore the world and to be happy. So please, just try?" My dad says with obvious worry and love in his voice... When he puts it like that I understand. I know he wants the best for me, and he did this out of love. I feel bad that I got mad at him... I'm still scared, but I'll try and act normal in front of Sans and Papyrus.
"Hey, umm, I guess that makes sense. I'll try. I say with a forced smile, because I'm still shook up.
My dad smiles at me happily. "Good, that's all I want. I really hope this can help you, and that you'll learn to get along with monsters."
"Like I said, I'll try." I force another smile.
"I'm gonna go up to my room for a bit." I say.
"Okay, just be down in a few hours for dinner."
I nod and walk through the hall to my room. I enter and immediately flop down on my bed. Ohh, what a day... I have a feeling things will be hectic from here on out.