Chapter 2. The Flower

It wasn't as dark as it had seemed. Perhaps the darkness came from the inability to see the bottom. Paolo was lying on a bed of thick and springy flowers. The flowers must have broken her fall.

"Oww." Paolo whimpered in pain. "That really hurt." Despite the pain, she got up. Somehow she had been able to hold on to her glasses and even her notebook.

"The fallen child ached all over, but needed to persevere. So she got up, and began walking through the cave-like hallway." A doorway to another room appeared, so Paolo went right through.

In the next room was another field of flowers. In the center of that field was an undeniably large flower. Paolo sat down and looked at it.

Suddenly, it turned itself around. Paolo jumped back as she looked at the smiling face on the flower. She gripped her notebook as if it were a weapon.

"Howdy! My name is Flowey. What's yours?" The flower seemed harmless, so Paolo quickly calmed down.

"My name is Paolo. Paolo Ruiz! I have to say, I was a bit surprised to see a talking flower!" Paolo tried to be kind to the flower, but kindness was not her specialty.

"That's ok, Paolo! I'm a monster. Monsters look really strange to humans."

"A... monster...? Wasn't there a war?"

"Of course, silly! But us monsters don't hold a grudge!"

Paolo sighed with relief. "Alright, that makes sense! Can you help me?"

"Of course I can!" Flowey waved a leaf. A purple glowing heart appeared in front of Paolo. "See that heart? That's your soul. Your soul is the very culmination of your being!"

Paolo reached out and touched it. It gave off a soft warmth.

"Down here in the underground, we spread LOVE through little white 'friendliness pellets'. You can have some of mine, if you want!" Flowey smiled encouragingly. About five white pellets appeared in a straight line in front of Paolo.

"Thanks, Flowey! That's really nice of you!" Paolo waved her hand through every single pellet.

"Owwww. Flowey?" Paolo was stricken with an awful pain in her hand and in her chest.

"Wow, Paolo! You're really dumb! Down here in the underground, it's KILL OR BE KILLED!" A circle of pellets formed around Paolo.

"Aaaaaaahh! Someone help me!" The pellets slowly closed in. I mean, really slowly. Flowey was obviously enjoying the moment.

"Well, Paolo. Looks like the end of the line for you!" Flowey smiled contentedly.

"It can't be over!" Paolo exclaimed. "I won't let it be!"

Flowey tilted his head. He was amused. "Hehehehe! You just don't get it, do you?"

"No! YOU don't get it!" Paolo slid under all the pellets and bolted to the next room