Toriel stared at the helpless child, baffled to finally see another human. It had been years since she had last seen one. Here she was though, ruffling its hair on its head, playfully elbowing it when it was mischievous, and tucking it into bed every night. She had missed her other children, the ones that left right away, wanting to explore the ruins. All those kids made a mistake though, now all of them had their soul taken from their body.

Toriel shuddered at the thought. This was the last child they needed to escape the underground. Poor Frisk would be in danger, even in front of her own shadow would she be frightened. The human would be okay though. As long as Frisk did not leave this house, she would be safe…

. . .

Frisk brushed the dust and dirt off her striped shirt. She was breathing heavily and her heart beat like a jackhammer. Today was the day she would ask to leave the ruins. She would miss her loving mother, the cinnamon-butterscotch pie, and the silly snail facts her mother read. Frisk thought for a moment. She had called Toriel her mother when her real mother was on the surface. Her dear mother.

"Frisk, I need you to come here for a minute," Toriel called from the kitchen. Frisk was prepared to tell her 'mother' she was ready to head home. Frisk thought she was trained enough for the world ahead. She was getting private lessons from Temmie. That monster cat was her best and only friend. That could also be a reason to show Toriel she needs to go.

"Coming!" Frisk called back while hiding her diary in the sock drawer. She tumbled out of her room, feeling clumsy and suddenly a bit sick. Fighting through it, Frisk descended down the stairs to see Toriel holding two books in her hands.

"Just in time Sweetheart, do you want snails and rice or macaroni and snails?"

"Honestly, I don't need a meal at the moment," Frisk managed to say. She realized she was sweating and noticed Toriel's puzzled look.

"Are you feeling alright?"

"Yes of course," Frisk had a sudden burst of courage. "I- uh. Mother- I wish to explore."

"Explore? Why of course! Go ahead and frolic in the yard and play with Temmie. When was-" Toriel said blind to Frisk's thoughts. The human interrupted.

"Not in the yard, I mean… I think it's time I go home. I mean home, like the one on the surface." Toriel stood for a moment. She looked devastated and tears formed in her eyes.

"You wish to leave?" Toriel stopped talking for a minute. The silence scraped at Frisk's heart. "So be it. You are just like the others." Toriel stopped crying and for the first time ever, she seemed to be mad. "I- I thought you r-really liked it here… oh this is all my fault."

Frisk sprung over to her mother. For a while, as she hugged her mother, she decided she wanted to stay. But as reality rushed back over her, Frisk longed to see humans once more, and possibly creatures from her dreams. Nightmares really, but seeing these monsters that you only hear about in history books and fairy tales would also be amazing.

"No, I understand. You need to see the world and see the sunlight once and forever more. You need to see your family. Your dreams must come true and they will not while you live down here with an old goat mother," Toriel smiled faintly, "I wish you luck and safety." Frisk's mother stood up and strolled towards the front door. She slowly opened it and waved to the human with a small smirk across her face. Frisk waved and with that Toriel's smile faded. She closed the door on her way out and left poor Frisk standing there with a feeling of dread hanging over her.

Frisk was still determined to go out and face the monsters and crazy world that her mother had hid from her for a year. She walked over to the door after traveling down the long and seemingly endless hallway. Frisk thought for a moment as she jerked her hand away from the cold door knob. She took a deep breath and pulled herself together. Frisk rested her hand on the knob and pushed the creaky and old door open. A cold breeze rushed into the hall. Frisk stood there for a minute or two before stepping onto the cold snow and ice outside of her home.