The doors to enter the Ruins were always eerily to look at, but now they had felt ominous. They mocked the skeleton with his own damnation for the actions he knew he was being forced into taking. His feet felt like weights as he trudged through the snow and right up to the doors. Sans wished he could prolong this. Maybe, wait for the next reset before he finally went through with his plan? Time, however just wasn't on his side. It never was. Although he had the magic to freeze time for a short period until he tired himself out. It just wouldn't bend to his will. Not like it did for the human; the anomaly.

Not like time did for Chara.

Stars, he never hated a human; or anyone, as much as he did that teenage girl. The first human to fall into the Underground and with her arrival had brought years of hope for all monster-kind. All of them were so foolish. What they had all thought was an angle that would one day free them from their prison was just a demon in disguised. An anomaly that controlled the timeline like their personal plaything and only brought death and pain wherever they went. One time though, one time it hadn't felt like that. Chara was only a child when she had fallen Underground. She had lived with the royal family until her teenage years and seemed to have a fondness in her soul enough for monsters. Until, she died. Until, Asriel took her soul and crossed the barrier which only caused his own death by the humans on the surface. Then all hope left the Underground for years that followed. Every monster knew the story from childhood and some had been around to see it happen. That's where the story should have ended, but only Sans was aware fully of how that was not the case at all. What came next was just so much worse. A living nightmare that he couldn't escape from.

Chara came back from death.

She killed everyone without a shred of mercy.

Then.

The anomaly would reset back to the time of their resurrection and start all over again.

It was maddening.

A cycle of repetition that just wouldn't end.

Determination truly was a powerful and dangerous thing.

Sans sighed as he gazed upon the doors in front of him. His bones shook with the dismay of what would soon follow. The skeleton held the title of Judge of the Underground. A title he tried to uphold in the last few timelines in the Judgement Hall. Only to fail. Only to be cut down with only one swing of their blade. Now, he knew he had to put a stop to their never ending genocide. Once he had tried to offer her friendship in hopes she would just stop. To show the human that she didn't need to keep killing. Stars, Chara made him regret that decision quickly enough. He still had nightmares of how that was the only time she saved killing him for last. One timeline he tried to warn everyone about her arrival but that only ended in disaster. Every action he took just ended with her killing everyone anyway. Sans tried to be apathetic for a long while, but even that couldn't last. There just wasn't an option not to care anymore. Sans laid his skull against the door, taking deep breaths to settle down his soul. He didn't want to do this. He really didn't. Regardless of how he felt there just wasn't any choice in the matter. Papyrus would be so disappointed in him if he knew what Sans was about to do. Could he really prolong this any longer? To just act like he doesn't care what the anomaly would no doubt do again and again?

No.

Sans just couldn't sit back and watch his brother die again and again.

Couldn't sit back and watch all his friends die over and over.

He didn't have time to waste.

Chara wouldn't give him the time to do so.

She would take her time in the first corridors of the Ruins with the flower. He had learned that awhile ago. That damn weed was the only monster she would save last to kill. Why she did so, he didn't fully understand; nor care. That Flower had caused its fair share of harm to everyone involved on its own. All it gave him was just a bit of extra time. Time that Sans was wasting away now. Who knew how long she'd wait before her murder spree started again. Each second wasted was another moment the human could gain more LOVE and become stronger. So with his soul twisted in knots, tears that he had to hold back, he knocked on the door and waited.

"knock-knock." Sans could barely muster up the old familiar words. His voice sounded broken despite his attempts to mask his turmoil.

He knew she would respond.

Even if he so wished right now that she wouldn't.

She always did around this time.

Before she would leave and find the human in the corridors.

Before she would be brutally murdered without a shred of mercy.

If only Toriel could see how malicious her own adopted child had become.

Then maybe, the human would never have gotten out of the Ruins in the first place.

Chara didn't care that the old lady had raised her.

Never once did the human hesitate.

Sans had to try and keep that same resolve to go through with this that the anomaly would have.

No matter how much it hurt him inside.

"Who's there?" Her voice sounded chipper and Sans felt his soul plummet at her tone.

His friend had no idea what was about to happen.

She trusted him even if now that trust would be her downfall.

After all the easier it is to kill someone when they trusted that you never would harm them in the first place.

Toriel was one of the last monsters he wanted to hurt. She was a kind old lady and the old queen of the Underground. She had enjoyed his awful jokes and told several of her own. Sans was fond of their friendship. One of the few things that gave his life any meaning in this fucked up world.

Stars.

He really didn't want to do this.

"dishes.." he replied; the same old familiar start to a joke that started their friendship in the first place. His left eye light flashed blue, unbeknownst to his future victim. He could feel the tingle of his magic behind the door as he called forth several bones to form behind her.

A dirty trick.

It would be quick.

This is more of a mercy than Chara would give.

Sans wouldn't prolong her death.

Maybe, she would even find his joke hilarious if only she could see the irony in it.

Stars.

Please.

Forgive him.

Sans knew he could have just done what he needed to do with any other monster. That the guilt of killing someone he rarely knew would be easier than this. However, he needed LOVE. He couldn't even be sure if weaker monsters would even give him the strength he would need to fight the human. Regardless, he knew that killing Toriel would strengthen him a great deal. She was a boss monster after all. Sans always viewed himself as a logical skeleton. Practicality was a necessary at times. Especially now. It didn't make him hate himself any less. But, maybe. If he could just get enough LOVE from this one kill then he could convince the human to quit their sick games. Maybe, this would be all he needed?

Fuck.

He hoped so.

If not.

Then he didn't know what would become of him.

Best not to think about it.

Don't fucking think about it!

"Dishes who?" Toriel responded and Sans was glad she didn't pay attention to her surroundings right now. He didn't want to make this worse than it had to be.

Sans just hoped he wouldn't miss.

The skeleton knew how he was going about this was cowardly. He was about to literally stab her in the back. That if she was going to die, she should be able to defend herself. Yet, he couldn't risk it with his pathetic HP only being that of meager one. All she would need is one hit that if he didn't avoid he'd be dust. Then no one would be around to stop the human until the next reset. They would all be murdered again! They would all suffer again! Sans just couldn't let that happen. He needed to stop her! Even if he was still being a coward now. All he needed to do was make Chara quit! Then everything would be okay.

This was the only way.

"dishes the end..." Sans gave the punchline to his morbid joke. Letting out a dry chuckle that she didn't follow suit with. Her confusion was palpable even without seeing her face.

Sans couldn't focus on that though.

Couldn't focus on how Toriel was about to be impaled in a dirty sneak attack.

No.

He had to only focus on his hatred for the human.

That was what mattered.

He'd be strong enough.

He'd finally kill Chara.

Make her see that there was no point in coming back.

Make her suffer for all the sins of countless timelines.

Intent was the most important factor in doing what he was about to do. Without it, his attack would fail. Without it, Chara would end up killing Toriel in a crueler way than Sans was about to do. Toriel would just be so distraught at the betrayal of her once adopted child. A fate that his friend had suffered way to many times to count. So he allowed his mind to only think on the anomaly. Ignoring the pain in his soul. Letting every vile thought and agonizing memory of so many timelines consume his inner being.

With a flick of his wrist against the door the bones shot forward.

With just a simple action he heard the gasps of pain behind the door.

As tears that he held back finally feel down from his eye sockets a surge of power he had never felt before went straight into his soul.

Consuming him in its toxic embrace.

With just one action.

Sans LOVE increased.

Yet, he knew then.

He would need more.

Sans shook away the memories that chose this non-opportune time to hit him at full force. It really had been to long since he had taken a short cut to enter the Ruins. His friends dust was still scattered on the floor. His first kill. The first time he had ever experienced how gaining LOVE could make him feel so much stronger. How his own HoPe increased at an act that should sicken every part of him. It didn't. Not anymore. Not when he still had an anomaly to deal with. Nothing else mattered except stopping the human. He repeated the same sin countless times now. The pain of it had subsided into nothing. Though, it had been a long while since he thought about that first timeline where everything changed. Where he was no longer powerless to control his own fate. When he finally started to gain determination.

Glancing around, he just stood there for a few minutes. Waiting. Seeing if this new human would be coming down the stairs anytime soon. Wouldn't she be surprised to see him here and not in the forest waiting for her?

Maybe, Frisk would try and hide here?

Chara timelines ago once thought that he wouldn't waste his time to come looking for her. She had stayed in the Ruins and tried to avoid entering the forest where he usually killed her. Sans only gave her peace of mind for several hours that time. Let her think that she might be safe if she didn't continue forward. Stars, she even slept in Toriel's bed as if nothing would come for her in the night. Chara hadn't been all that pleased to find out that wasn't the case. That she could never escape from him, no matter where she hid. No matter where she went, Sans always found her. Never strayed to far from where he could keep an eye socket on her. Each time had been so satisfying when he saw the rage and lessening of her own hope that she could get out of her own personal hell that she brought upon herself. Sometimes, he'd allow her to even get as far as the capital. As far as the barrier, before he would decide to show himself. It wouldn't be all to surprising to him if this human thought that hiding here might work for them as well.

It wouldn't.

Frisk had decided her own fate by coming back.

She wouldn't get his mercy.

Not this time.

An anomaly was better off dead as far as Sans was concerned.

This human would learn the same lesson he had to teach Chara.

"OH, WHAT FUN SANS! A GAME OF HIDE AND SEEK WITH THE NEW HUMAN! I HOPE THEY FIND A BETTER HIDING SPOT THAN THE OTHER ONE DID." His brother's skull floated in front of the stairs leading up to the house that Sans old friend used to live. He could sense his brother's excitement which only fueled his own as well. "I'VE REALLY MISSED THIS GAME! COME ON. DON'T BE A LAZYBONES! WE HAVE A HUMAN TO FIND... AND TO KILL!"

Sans chuckled at his brother's enthusiasm.

Papyrus always was so cool!

"right you are paps. with ya helpin' me. the human doesn't stand a chance." Sans grinned as he hummed an old tune from his baby bones days. Making his way to the stairs, his brother's skull floating ahead of him happily. A warm feeling filled his soul at the realization that he could still make Papyrus happy after everything that has happened. It really had been awhile since they played this type of game with a human.

Ready or not, Frisk.

Here I come.

Frisk decided to spend her time in the abandoned house as she tried to figure out what her next move would be. She still couldn't believe it when she had awoken on the bed of yellow flowers again; like nothing ever happened. It seemed she had truly gone back in time. How that was even possible still escaped her, but she wasn't going to complain. Whatever that red orb was she had seen in the darkness after her death; she appreciated its power. What it had given her.

A second chance.

One that she was determined not to let go to waste.

However, no matter how determined she tried to feel she couldn't shake the nervousness that was creeping slowly in. That voice had warned her if Frisk came back then the skeleton would just kill her again. A shiver went down her spine that not even the warmth of this pleasant house could shake away.

What would happen if she died again?

Would she just be able to come back last time?

Or.

Would she stay dead?

Frisk sighed as she took a seat on the chair by the desk. Unanswered questions were plaguing her mind. She just didn't know what to do about her situation. It was so hard to focus when confusion weighed on her resolve. All she knew was that she had to find a way to escape. Find a way back to the surface before the Skeleton found her again. Would Sans even remember that he killed her once already? Could she try and talk him out of it if he didn't? Would that even work? That voice seemed to be certain that Frisk wouldn't survive another encounter with him. Would she even see him again? She had met him in the forest. Did Sans live near where he had murdered her? If so, she might have a chance to wait it out for a while in this house until he went home and she could sneak by him unscathed. The skeleton had seemed taken back when he first spoken to her. If he thought she was still dead or if time really had gone back and he didn't remember even meeting her in the first place, then that could work in her favor. Sans would have no reason to delay his time in the forest if that was the case. Perhaps, she only ran into him by chance as he was passing by. It was a possibility and one that she had to grasp to keep her sanity in check.

Brown eyes glanced down at the open book that was left open on the desk of what she assumed was the master bedroom. Another question crossed her mind. Who had lived her previously? Was this house truly abandoned? The first time she had wandered through this home she was to nervous to stick around longer than was necessary. Worried that if someone lived here that they wouldn't be too fond of some stranger entering their home without permission. Yet, it seemed like nothing had been touched in this house for a while now. Frisk took her time to read what was written on the pages. Curiosity over taking her sense to respect who ever lived here's privacy. The handwriting was a neat cursive and her eyes widened at the context of what was written down. Her breath hitching in her throat.

It seemed like knock-knock jokes.

But. That's not what had started her.

No.

The jokes contained a particular theme to them.

A skeleton theme.

The implication sent her mind on over drive. Alerting her even more to the silence that filled this house. An inkling of dread creeping on her heart. She had only met one skeleton since she fell down here. One skeleton that killed her without a second thought. It could just be a coincidence that this book would have hand written skeleton jokes. That maybe this place was filled with them for all she knew. However, a part of her just couldn't shake the feeling that wasn't the case. Whoever lived her might have known Sans. Might have had been his friend given the innocent nature of the book. Or worse. This could be his house that she was in. Frisk really hoped that wasn't the case.

This house had seemed like a safe haven to her. But, now. All she wanted to do was get out of here as fast as she could. When she stood up however a noise from outside the room made her freeze. Almost stopping her heart in fear as a cold sweat came upon her. It sounded like footsteps. Someone was in the house besides her. Frisk stayed as still as she could, glancing at the open door to the room. Wishing now more than anything that she had closed when she had a chance. What took her out of her frozen state was the sound of someone speaking. A deep voice she had heard once before that made her almost delirious as the memories of her death hit her like a train wreck.

Sans.

It was Sans.

Fuck.

He was in the house.

Hide. She needed to hide.

As quietly as she could muster, she moved closer to the bed. He voice sounded a bit of a distance away and she was assuming that he was by the stairs that led to the massive basement. Carefully, she lowered herself on the ground and slid under the bed to hide herself. Hoping to anyone who might be listening that the skeleton wouldn't find her. When she didn't hear anymore footsteps she tried to only focus on what Sans was saying. It sounded like he was having a conversation with someone, but if someone was with him; she couldn't hear their response.

"no bro, you can't go on ahead. i don't want you alone with the human, ya know that."

Did he just say bro?

Sans had a brother?

Did that mean she now had two skeletons to deal with?

It was only a fleeting thought as the next part of his words reached her.

Damn it.

He was looking for her.

How'd he even know that she was here in the first place?

Fuck.

Sans remembered her.

Remembered killing her.

Somehow the skeleton knew that she would come back to life.

That time would reset.

How?

How was that even possible!

Did he know about the glowing red orb that brought her back?

What answers did Sans have that she was barely making sense of herself?

Frisk still couldn't hear anyone reply to him and she was getting even more confuse when she could only place the sound of just one set of footsteps in the hallway. It was obvious he was agitated by whoever spoke to him had replied. She could hear him rummaging rather violently around she assumed was near the living room for several moments. Having a hushed argument with where only his voice could be heard. She didn't know what to do. She couldn't possibly handle two monsters that wanted to harm her. One was bad enough, but two! There was no way she'd even stand a chance.

Then there was a sound that knocked the breath out of her lungs. A sound of something scratching on the floor as if being dragged. Its sound foreboding with the warning of her demise should he find her. It was coming closer. Becoming even louder. Frisk wanted to bolt but knew that'd be unwise. If she just stayed still then he might leave. The first chance the cost was clear she would make a run for it. Go down the stairs and out into the forest that hid behind the doors. Then she could hide properly. It would be freezing but at least she would have a higher chance to flee. Find shelter as far away from the murderous skeleton as possible. She saw his shadow in the doorway and was cruelly reminded that she had left the damn door wide open. Like an invitation for him to know exactly where she was.

"good job, papyrus. you always were better at this game than i ever was. i knew you'd win. you always do. heh."

Frisk felt like her trepidation was palpable to the skeleton that entered the bedroom; alone. No one was with him. Had he been talking to himself? He must have been. Fuck, the skeleton must be crazier than she thought. Even if murdering her last time had already commented that fact in her mind; this only made things worse. Her heart was racing a mile a second as she covered her mouth to silence her heavy breaths. Her gaze landed on his dirty grey slippers as he stopped in the middle of the room. That damn purple bone that she learned real quickly to fear last time she had encountered him was tapping on the ground near. She couldn't see where his gaze was settling from her hiding spot under the bed and honestly she didn't want to.

Did Sans know where she was?

Why'd she have to choose the most obvious hiding spot in the damn house?!

Of course he would find her!

How could he not?

Still he just stood there as if taunting her that he knew she was there watching him. Hoping that he would just leave. Waiting for the moment she made one tiny sound from the fear that was taking over her mind. Frisk didn't even know why he wanted to kill her in the first place! Why he would hunt her down like this? It was bad enough that he already remembered killing her once. What was his goal with murdering her in cold blood again if he found her? Sans stayed silent for a few more moments and then she heard his sigh, which was way too loud for her panicked alert mind.

"heh, ya know kid. there's only three options you got here." Sans spoke calmly. Tapping his weapon into the floor again and again. Making Frisk even more on edge than before.

He knew she was in this room.

He knew.

What should she do?

Run?

Could she even get past him if she tried to escape?

She doubted it.

Not with him standing right there.

Staying hidden seemed like the best course of action she could take. Maybe, he just assumed she was there? Maybe if she stayed quiet then he would leave and that would give her the opportunity to run.

Sans just continued speaking as Frisk was trying to mull over her options. What he said next sent a shiver down her spine and she had to suppress a terrified whimper.

"option one, you could come out now and well i'll make things quick for ya. i won't hurt you nearly as bad if you behave. you'll still die, but hey you've already pasta-way once already, so it's not like it'll be anything different for ya. heh."

Did he seriously just make a pun?

At a time like this?

Was her misery really that entertaining to him?

Of course it was.

He wouldn't be doing this if he didn't get some sick satisfaction out of it.

"paps, don't give me that look. it was a good one and ya know it." Sans muttered more to himself and Frisk was reminded again of how insane this skeleton must be to be talking to someone who wasn't even there.

"anyways as i was sayin'. option two is well you could stay hidden and make me find ya. which I will find ya. but, you won't like what happens if you make me go through all that effort. i won't be as merciful with you as i was when we met."

Merciful is that what he thought stabbing her with those bones of his was? Watching her die in the freezing cold.

Then again she remembered how that voice told her something similar.

Which meant.

How much pain would he inflict on her if she didn't come out like he wanted her to?

How much torture was he willing to put her through that he and that voice would find the last time he killed her as a mercy?

Was Sans really as cruel as she was being lead to believe?

It was a horrifying revelation for her that was most likely the case.

Sans waited several moments to see if Frisk would come out of her hiding spot. When she didn't he gave an amused chuckle which sounded more unhinged than she had heard previously from him.

"then there's always the last option. you could try to run or even fight. maybe, you'll get past me or get the jump on me and win. who knows? that one probably sounds tempting for ya, huh?"

Silence was his only response and after a beat he more of spoke to himself than to Frisk by how soft his tone went that it was a strain for her to hear him. Still she didn't miss the sound of absolute bitterness in his voice. So much hatred. She would even go as far to say he was trying to hold back unbridled rage by speaking so quietly.

"yeah i would imagine it would be. that's what she always tried to do."

Frisk had no idea of who he was referring to and a part of her hoped to never find out if this person caused him so much ire that she was terrified that she going to be the source that he took his aggression out on. Was that why he was so intent on hunting her down? Did this person that made him so sound so enraged the reason why he had killed her when he met her? Did Sans murder them like he was planning to do to her again? Even if she had more questions a slight moment of clarity hit her. Frisk remembered that voice in the darkness. The one that had warned her to not come back. Was that voice the girl that Sans was referring to now? When she first heard that voice she thought it sounded like a girl and now it seemed like her assumption had been correct. What history did these two have? Whatever it was. It wasn't a good one by the tone of the skeletons voice.

Sans waited for a full minute before he decided to speak again. His ire that was there seconds before turned into cold amusement as he continued.

"i'll give ya a bit of advice. that option won't really work out for you very well. heh. but if you're still tempted to go for it, by all means; try it. might make things more interesting." Frisk couldn't see the movement as Sans gave a simple shrug at his words. "either way it's no skin off my bones," Sans gave a small chuckle at his own joke. "it's best to decide soon, you can't be indecisive this time around. i'm sure you're just dying in anticipation. so uh. make your choice or i'll make it for ya."

The threat was there. Frisk knew what Sans wanted her to do. Knew that it would probably be easier on her if she just came out now. Even if she stayed hidden it would only be a matter of time before he found her. Before he forced her to come out from under the bed. Her eyes glanced at the bone that he continued to tap on the ground. The longer she took the more agitation seemed to roll off of him as the bone cracked the wooden floor underneath by the force he using. She knew she had failed to avoid him this timeline and it worried her that she might not get another chance again if he killed her. Frisk didn't want to die. Last time had been so painful and she didn't want to know how much worse he could make her suffering if she pushed his patience to far. Despite all of this, she couldn't bring herself to come out like he wanted. Couldn't bring herself to bend to his threats and intimidation. Survival instincts kept her frozen in her spot as her determination wanted to keep her breathing. The skeleton was unhinged. There just wasn't any guarantee that if she did like he demanded of her that he wouldn't hurt her more just for the sake of it. At least hiding gave her some time. A small chance and a flicker of hope that was a dying ember; just like Sans patience.

"i should have guessed you'd want to do things the hard way; being the determined soul that you are." Sans said way to calmly. Making Frisk instantly regret her decision to stay idle.

"doesn't matter really. the result will be the same. but-"

A beat.

" y." The deep timber in his tone made her shiver uncontrollably.

The small room started to illuminate a purple glow. Frisk didn't know what was happening. All she knew was it couldn't be good. Against her better judgement she moved slightly; as silently as she could to try and get a better look at whatever the skeleton was doing. When she was able to peek out a little more and her gaze went upwards her heart plummeted in her chest. She had to fight back every ounce of instinct that wanted her to push herself back as far as she could away from what she saw. Too afraid that if she did then he'd hear her. Sans was looking straight ahead. A wide grin on his countenance that looked maniacal. That wasn't what scared her. That wasn't what made her blood freeze in her veins. No. It was what was floating next to him in all its intimidating presence. Frisk had never seen anything like it and she wished she never had. The floating skull of what looked like a beast was hovering next to the skeleton. A humming sound could be heard coming from it. Sparks of purple coming off the giant skull. Its eyes matched Sans own. Frisk was absolutely petrified, glued to her spot on the floor as trepidation made all her determination she felt dissipate in thin air. There was a shift of movement next to the skull and it took all her will power to avert her gaze back to the deranged skeleton that called forth such a beast. His left hand holding the purple bone was held in the air pointing with his weapon at the big dresser in the room. Like a owner of a dog a silent command was issued to the giant skull and its large maw opened up. The humming sound gaining in velocity as purple light swirled in its mouth. Getting bigger by the second. Next thing Frisk knew there was a blinding light and the smell of sulfur filled the room as a purple beam shot forth from the beast open jaws. She let out a squeak in terror that was muffled by the sound of the blast.

Brown eyes shut closed at the lights intensity as the room shook from the sheer power that skull demonstrated. A burning smell hit her sense first as she slowly opened her eyes. White spots blinding her vision momentarily. When she finally could see again, the beast's mouth was closed again. Her gaze traveled to where the dresser was and- there was nothing there. Only a black scorch mark was left. In one blast of that purple light it completely disintegrated the dresser like it was nothing. Laughter filled the room as Sans let his arm fall to his side. The bone tapped once against the floor lightly as he did so. Frisk could barely pay attention to him as her heart pounded in her chest. She could barely even hear the sound of his laughter over the sound of her own heartbeat.

How could she even stand a chance against something like that?

Even if she ran away now, one blast from that thing would burn the flesh away from her body instantly.

How could she even hope to survive when Sans had that beast of a skull at his disposal?

It took her far too long to realize that the laughter had faded.

It took her far too long to realize that Sans was speaking to her again. She didn't catch the first part of what he had said, but it didn't matter. She got the gist of it when he finished.

"i know you're still alive, kid. ready to come out now?"

Frisk resolve to hide was hanging on by a thread. One that Sans snapped in an instant when the he tilted his head towards where her hiding spot was. The surge of purple power forming in the mouth of the skull; this time directed towards the bed.

"Wait!" Frisk called out desperately; in a hope it would stop his attack. It did much to her relief, but it didn't stop the dread that his victorious smirk gave her. Sans had won and they both knew it. "I'll come out..." she resigned to herself to her fate. Maybe, placating him in the process.

Sans stayed silent as he watched Frisk slide out from under the bed. Watched as she stood up on shaky legs that didn't want to support her weight right now. Observed as her gaze stayed on the floor and away from the floating skull in the room. Her body fidgeting with the urge to run from him. To escape; even if they both knew she couldn't. When she finally did meet his gaze after the silence that followed; his grin widened. With a tap of his purple bone on the ground, the skull vanished into thin air. Frisk would say she was thankful that she wasn't about to blasted into nothing but a scorch mark left; like the dresser was, however now she didn't have the feign feeling of safety her poor hiding spot gave her. Now, she was out in the open; trapped in a room with the skeleton who wanted to harm her. To rend her flesh; to see her writhe in agony; until she died. Unsure if she would even get another chance again.

"there you are. heh. now we can get to the real fun." Sans took a leisurely step forward; causing Frisk to panic as she tried to take a step back, only for her legs to hit the edge of the bed. Brown eyes were wide as she held up her hands to try and uselessly stop him from moving forward. Another surprise hit her when he did just that. His skull tilted to the side; his hood masking most of his face in shadows.

"Stop. Wait. Please. Can't we just talk about this?" She spoke nervously; eyes darting to the door and back to the skeleton.

Should she run?

Could she even distract him long enough to escape?

Frisk knew she had to at least try.

Her life was depending on it.

Sans seemed to regard her question until his eye lights glanced to the side next to him; as if someone was speaking to him that only he could hear. Which was only confirmed when he ignored her to reply to whatever voice he heard.

"yeah i know, bro. ya don't have to remind me."

There the skeleton was again; acting like he was talking to his brother.

What name did she heard him say before?

Frisk got an idea.

An idea that filled her with determination.

"Look, I think we got off on the wrong foot. We could just chat. Maybe, even Papyrus could join us?" Frisk was hopeful that mentioning the brother he claimed to be speaking might help her.

Sans head snapped so quickly to her that the hope she had washed way instantly. If looks could kill; she'd be dead where she stood. Might even well be in the next few seconds. His eye sockets were narrowed at her; left eye light flaming purple. In a blink he was right in front of her. Frisk let out a surprised squeak as she jumped back only to be stopped by his grip around her throat. With no effort at all he lifted her off the ground. She grasped at his bony wrist as she tried desperately to release the pressure off her throat. Her struggles were useless against his strength. He could snap her neck with just a flick of his wrist if he wanted to. How the fuck was a skeleton so strong anyways?!

"kid." Sans was seething. His bones rattling with a rage she didn't understand.

Frisk knew the skeleton was violent. Her first encounter with him had taught her that. Regardless, this seemed like something more. His hatred for her was nothing she'd ever seen before. Yet, it also felt he was barely holding himself back. As if he wasn't ready to kill her in a rage induced blindness. She gasped for breaths that just wouldn't come. Her vision starting to fade with a lack of oxygen. The sudden jolt forward was enough to regain her attention as she felt his the forehead of his skull touch her own. His eye lights were pulsing frantically.

"i'll only say this once. so listen good." His grip tightened even more so and she felt the sharp tips of his phalanges dig into her flesh. Leaving small incisions.

" s." His eye lights went completely black and that was even more terrifying.

Frisk did her best to nod and she was quickly thrown to the floor like a rag doll. Knocking the air even more out of her lungs. Before she could even process what happened the bottom of Sans foot crashed down on her stomach. Making her cough out the little bit of air she had just gotten back. Sans leaned forward; pressing more weight against her chest. The purple bone was being used to trace her shoulder lightly. His smirk was back on full force and the eye lights slowly returned as he watched her struggle to regain her broken composer.

"sure, kid. ya want to chat. let's shoot the breeze. i'll go first. why did you even come down here in the first place?"

That was a loaded a question. It's not like she meant to fall into this hell that was the Underground. It's not like she planned to run into a skeleton that had only caused her pain. All she wanted was to escape from her old life. To escape from the orphanage that failed to keep her safe all these years. Away from the heartache and the countless abuse she suffered since childhood. What she never expected was for her to end up in this place when she climbed the mountain. All she wanted was to start a new life and now it was going to be ripped away from her. Again. All because of Sans. Frisk didn't answer and the skeleton seemed to shrug away his question.

"not like it really matters why you came here anyways. you won't be leaving. not alive anyways."

"Why do you want me dead." Frisk couldn't help but ask. She still didn't understand what his motives behind his actions were.

"you're a human. you're just like her or will be. given the chance. i can't uh. let that happen. not again." Sans gave a solemn nod at that, but his tone held a bitterness that only made Frisk fill a small sense of sympathy for him. Despite his actions; he seemed broken. If he met a human before then they must have done something awful to turn him into this. To make him so hateful that he would attack a human on sight.

Maybe.

She could make him see that she wasn't like whoever it was that he saw when he looked at her.

"Sans." Her voice was soft and she hoped it got through to him with the message she was trying to convey.

Sans glanced down at her. The purple bone freezing in its movements. It seemed like he didn't expect her to use his name. Like he had forgotten that he even told her it in the first place.

"You have to believe me. Whoever you're talking about, it's not like that. I'm not-"

He scoffed, cutting off her words before she could even speak them. It seemed he already knew what she was going to say and didn't care enough to hear it.

"don't. it's not gonna work. you might not be her. not truly." He tapped the bone against her chest, directly over Frisk's heart. As if any second he'd plunge it straight through. "but you're still the same. i can see that. it was obvious after last time."

Frisk had no idea what he was referring to. It seemed like he was hinting at something she just couldn't grasp. A hidden meaning behind his words and she needed answers.

"What do you mean by that? I don't even know what you're talking about."

Sans only chuckled at her and she felt the bone start to dig into her skin. Going in deeper as he leaned forward. She let out a whimper and tried to push herself back into the floor, but that didn't stop him. All he did was grin wide. His eye lights showing his sadistic amusement.

"tell ya what, kid. if you're mad enough to come back again. i'll show ya exactly what i mean. how you're no different from chara."

With that said; a burst of agonizing pain shot through Frisk body and by the look that Sans was giving her; he was only just getting started. All she could hope for was that she'd be in that darkness soon enough.