Tension Rising

"Another death has been linked to the serial killer the public has dubbed as 'Ranunculus.' Early this morning the police got a call about someone screaming in the street. When the police arrived on the scene, they found the body of a middle aged man by the name of Randell Orkins. He had no bodily injuries, but the autopsy showed Buttercup petals stuffed down his throat along with traces of some kind of fabric."

"You're seriously watching that?" Sans leans over the couch beside me, "You hate the news."

I shrug, biting my right thumbnail, "There's been a lot of murders lately, all of them died from flower poisoning."

I look up at him, "Don't you think that's weird?"

He frowns, "It certainly is.. Worrying. It's only humans that have been dying by flower."

I nod, looking back at the TV as the reporter continues about the case, "We received a video shot from a cellphone from a nearby building of the attack."

A shaky video begins playing, the victim is shouting, shoving someone in a dark hoodie. The hooded figure shoves Randell back and then they kick him, knocking him down. The figure lunges, sitting on the man's chest. The video zooms in a little, but the assailant still can't be identified. The figure pulls a handful of something from their pocket then forces Randell's mouth open before forcefully shoving what I know is flower petals down his throat.

Randell fights against the assailant, kicking his legs and trying to hit and shove the killer. He bites the killer and the killer yells, pulling their hand from his mouth. They then quickly clamp both hands over Randell's mouth, and they stay like that while he yells, kicks, and punches at them. They sit on him until he stops moving, then they slowly get up and just walk back the way they came. The video follows the killer until the killer turns a corner.

The video disappears and the reporter continues talking. Sans taps my shoulder, "Shouldn't you be getting ready for school, Frisk?"

I sigh and nod, getting up. I run upstairs to my room and quickly change out of my pajamas. Wearing shorts, sneakers and my favorite blue and pink striped sweater, I grab my backpack from the floor and head back downstairs. I run out the house and Sans calls after me, "Remember, there's a curfew in effect! Don't stay out too late or you'll end up in jail again!"

I wave and run down the street to the buss stop. I can see a few humans from my class, Monster Kid, Asriel, and one of the Whimsuns at the stop as the bus pulls up. I yell out and Asriel turns to me. He waves and smiles. Thankfully, the bus driver sees me and waits for me. I follow Asriel on and then sit with him near the back. The bus is full of human and monster children alike, it's loud and I can hear some of the humans bullying the monsters.

Asriel turns to me once we're seated, "So, did you hear about that guy on the news?"

"Killed by Ranunculus," I nod, "Man, I hate the news."

Asriel sighs, "It's kind of scary, how these humans have been killed by poisonous flowers. You know, those flowers grow in my Dad's garden? The police haven't left us alone since they found out."

I frown, "Do they suspect you guys of being the killer?"

"They suspect me, Mom, and Dad. At the very least of giving the flowers to the killer." Asriel leans his head against the window, "We have nothing to do with it, though. Whoever the killer is stole the flowers from us. As far as I know, Dad's garden is the only place they grow around here. Doesn't help that that video this morning could have been of anyone, human or monster."

I pat his shoulder, "I know you guys have nothing to do with it."

He smiles at me, "Thanks, Frisk."

"Can I sit with you?"

I turn at the sound of the soft voice and I see a small, sickly looking girl with short dark hair. She has pale skin, flushed cheeks and dark eyes. She's wearing black pants, sneakers, and Asriel's green sweater. There's bruises on her face and neck, and a thin cut horizontally across her left cheek.

"Chara," Asriel says cheerily beside me, "Of course you can."

I blink, I don't know this girl. I've never seen her before. I move closer to Asriel to give the girl room. She sits down and coughs into her sleeve, "Thanks.."

I look at Asriel, whispering, "Who is she?"

"Rude," Chara groans softly, "I can hear you, you know."

I look back at her and smile apologetically, "Sorry. It seems he knows you, so.."

"He does," she says pointedly.

"We're neighbors," Asriel replies, "We actually hang out a lot, she, uh.. Her home situation isn't the best.."

Chara looks like she's trying to glare at him, "Do you have to tell him my life story?"

"Sorry." Asriel smiles, "Let me introduce you."

"Frisk, this is Chara, like I said, my neighbor." Asriel leans forward, "And Chara, this is my friend Frisk."

"If this Frisk is your friend, how come we've never met?" Chara tries to glare again.

Asriel shrugs, "I dunno. You don't normally ride the bus, and you don't have many classes with us. Circumstances, I guess. You're not even in the same lunch period we are."

"I am now," she pulls a paper from her backpack, I didn't see her put on the floor, and unfolds it. She hands it to Asriel, "I've been moved to match your schedule. You can thank your Dad for that."

Asriel smiles wider, "Oh, great! We can all hang out together then!"

I smile at Chara, "It's really nice to meet you."

She looks me up and down, "Sure."

Her soft tone of indifference sort of unsettles me. I shrug and look around. I notice Chara's clenching and unclenching her fists constantly. I tilt my head, "Are you all right?"

She closes her eyes, "I get muscle aches."

I try to keep the conversation going, "Are you sick or something?"

The bus stops at the school and she stands. She bends down, grabbing her backpack and glares at me. I stare back at her and her eyes narrow as she whispers, "Hurt Asriel and you'll answer to me."

She throws her backpack over her shoulder, turns away and walks off down the isle briskly. I blink and shake my head, standing, "I don't think your friend likes me very much."

Asriel walks behind me, "She's cold like that to pretty much everyone, don't hold it against her, though. I think it's because of the situation she lives in. She doesn't like talking about herself much, either."

I get off the bus and frown, crossing my arms, "I see.."

Asriel pats my shoulder, "Anyway, let's get some breakfast. It's pancake day."

I chuckle softly and follow after the hungry goat monster.