Frankie had been walking through thick snow for what felt like hours. He was cold, wet, and tired. The idea of going back home- No! I don't have a home! He was all alone, and it was for everyone's good… wasn't it?
You can't keep running, Franklin.
I have to! I have to!
Franklin. Stop.
He ignored his thoughts and kept walking. It was beginning to snow heavily. Good. It will cover my tracks. And yet, a small part of him yearned for someone to find him. Something seemed… off about the whole situation. Despite this, his nightmare, his deepest fears still lived within him and so he continued on. He would not be the cause of anyone else's deaths.
Time passed quickly, and he suddenly he shot up out of some sort of trance. He was back in the city again, he'd been lost in his own thoughts, ignoring his surroundings. He hadn't realized. He sighed, taking in a deep breath. Even so early in the morning the city was alive with noise. Traffic was terrible in this weather, and those who were hoping to go somewhere, found they weren't getting anywhere at all. Frankie passed by all the honking cars, his boots sinking into the thick snow. I'll have to find a place to settle down for the night.
He began searching for a good, sheltered alley way. He had examined quite a few alleys when he found a fairly good one. There was an old trash can barrel he could crawl in. This would protect him from the snow, and it might help keep him a bit warm. He had gotten to his knees to crawl into the metal can when he reached up to feel around his neck and realized that his mother's scarf was gone. No!
He scrambled to his feet and looked down the alley way at the lights of the city. He had been walking for hours! He could have dropped it anywhere. He began to panic. He knew he'd had it when he'd left the house, but what if he'd accidently dropped it just outside the house? He couldn't go back now! By the time he got there Sans would be awake! But it's my mother's scarf, what am I supposed to do? It's the only thing I have left. Tears filled his eye sockets.
I'll just search where I walked around in the city. I can't go back outside.
There was a part of him that was afraid Sans would find him. But the larger part was afraid that if he returned to that little house that he'd made his home for only a few nights, he might not want to leave. He shoved his hands in his pockets and began hurrying down the street. It seemed like too much time had passed when he finally gave up. Falling to his knees in the snow, he finally let the tears out that he'd been holding in.
"Hey, kid." Frankie looked up and was startled to find a human man sitting on the steps to the small apartment in front of him. Run! Run! But there was something different about this human. There was kindness in his dark brown eyes. He had darker skin, and gray hair. He was wearing a thick, ugly christmas sweater, and he gave Frankie a gentle smile. "Are you lost?" Frankie shook his head slowly.
"I know where I am." He said.
"Why are you out so late?" He asked gently. Frankie sighed, standing up from the snow, wiping away a few more tears.
"I don't… I don't have anywhere to go." Liar. Liar. He didn't have anywhere to go if he wanted to protect his friends from the nightmare that plagued him.
"Well, what's your name, son?" The human asked.
"Frankie."
"I'm Luis. Don't worry, Frankie. I take in lots of kids that don't have a place to go. I help them find the perfect family."
"Really?"
"You betcha. Come on inside." Luis stood up and opened the door to his warm inviting house. Frankie hesitated. But gave Luis a smile and rushed in. Luis followed after him with a laugh. It's a place to stay… for a bit.
"Come and sit down over here, Frankie." Luis was older than Frankie originally thought. He more shuffled when he walked, and he used a cane to help him around. "Are you hungry, kiddo?" Luis asks. "I've got some crackers and cheese."
"Sure." Frankie said. He tried to hide that Luis calling him 'kiddo' reminded him of Sans.
"So, where do you come from, Frankie?"
"The underground." Frankie replied, kicking off his boots. Luis let out a deep laugh.
"I figured that, son. I mean, where'd you come from after that?"
"I… Well… we kind of moved around most everywhere." Frankie shrugged, "But… my parents… they're… gone now…"
"I see." Luis said. "Have you been on the streets ever since?" Luis came back into the living room holding a platter of sliced cheddar cheese and a large stack of crackers. Frankie hesitated. Luis may have been a human, but Frankie had seen plenty of humans over the past few months and Luis's expression was not like the others. He wasn't like the terrible teenager that kicked Frankie and threw rocks. He wasn't like the cop who watched it with enjoyment, and he wasn't like Miss Kindon who didn't care. Luis cared, and he had the same kindness in his eyes that Frankie saw in Frisk's eyes. So, he decided to tell the truth.
"Well, there was this guy. He took me in, you know. But… I had this dream."
"You had a dream?" Luis frowned.
"It was bad." Frankie sighed, looking away from the old man who was sitting across from him. "I just… I had to leave because it was my fault my parents are gone, and I don't want-"
"Who told you it was your fault?" Luis asked.
"Someone in my dream. He said it was my fault my parents are… gone, and that if I stayed with Sans then Sans and my new friends would die to."
"Franklin, that's a load of nonsense." Luis said firmly.
"But I know what I saw-"
"And I know that it was just a dream, a nightmare. Nightmares are Nightmares, son. They're just… jumbled up thoughts in your head. You probably have a little fear inside you, you know. Nightmares just come from things you've experienced and thoughts in your head. It was just a dream, son."
"Sans says he has bad dreams too." Frankie murmured.
"Did you like living with this… err… what did you say his name was, Sam?"
"No." Frankie shook his head with a little laugh. "Sans."
"Sans. What an intriguing name… Well, did you like living with Sans?"
"Yes!" Frankie nodded. "But I've made a terrible mistake, haven't I? By leaving, I mean?" Frankie's eyes filled with tears.
"Pfft. Look, son. I once had a dream where I figured I ought to buy a bouquet of daisies for my Elli. Daisies are nice and all, you know?" Frankie nodded. "But, see, it was Valentine's day. And my Eleanor, she's an elegant woman. As I was walking home with the bouquet of daisies that my dream told me to get I realized… I don't have to listen to my dream! Dreams are just dreams! I'm going to go back and march into that store and say 'I don't want these daisy! My Elli deserves two dozen red roses!' And you know what I did?"
"What?" Frankie asked.
"I dropped those daisies, son, and I forgot about that gosh darn dream and walked back to that store. And that very minute I ordered my sweet Eleanor two dozen roses. It's just a nightmare, Frankie, it shouldn't define you." Luis was right. And Frankie suddenly yearned to return to his home, to his home with Sans.
"Do you remember where Sans' house is, kiddo?" Luis asked. Frankie nodded again.
"Well, it's a little late. How about we take a little nap and when we wake up we head out back to your home?"
"Would you really help me find him?"
"Sure. After all, just like I've always been saying, every kid deserves a family. And it sounds like you found a family with Sans." Frankie paused, mulling this over. "Welp, kiddo, I'm gonna get you some extra blankets and you can crash here on this comfy couch. How does pancakes sound for breakfast in the morning?"
"Well-"
"I bet you probably wanna get back to Sans pretty quick. He's probably pretty worried."
"Yeah!" Frankie nodded.
"Alright, after we get some shut eye I'll pull out the cereal. We can't possibly leave the house without breakfast."
"Thanks, Luis." Frankie said as he pulled off his coat and climbed under the covers that the old man had brought out.
"You know, Franklin, most people around here call me Grandpops. You can call me that too."
"Alright."
"Goodnight, kiddo. See you in the morning."
"Goodnight." Frankie said, as he settled down on the sofa. For the first time in a long time he smiled before he fell asleep, his thoughts on returning home.
"Sans. I understand you are worried- but please- come home. We can continue the search tomorrow, alright? It is late. Call me back as soon as you get this message."
That was one of 4 messages that Toriel had left Sans that night, all 4 of which said essentially the same thing, all 4 of which he ignored. No. There was something wrong. Frankie could be dead. He could turn a corner, and there could be a pile of dust with that little beat up backpack of his sitting in it. He turned a corner. He was met with nothing.
Sans hadn't been to the city much. He hadn't left his neighborhood in months. The last time he was here, it was to get registered as a citizen. There were human riots that day. In fact, one right outside the building he was in at the time. Windows were broken, insults were screamed and there were even some reported monster beatings. One monster died. Sans tried to shake those thoughts from his mind. The last thing he needed to be thinking about was humans.
Since it was late, the only businesses that were really open were nightclubs and bars. Of course, having an arsenal of drunken idiots roaming the street didn't bode well for Sans. As he passed a group of humans, who he assumed were very intoxicated, he was met with insults and jeers. He shrugged. Well. He shrugged until they threw a bottle at him. Sans had never seen humans run so fast.
He turned around with a glare, his sleep deprived eyes piercing their very souls. That glare alone, didn't do much. In fact, they laughed a bit at it. But with his anger growing, Sans wouldn't stand for that. Sans knows the consequences of beating the hell out of humans. Doesn't look great on a monster's record. He didn't care.
The humans ran. Sans smirked, turning around to scratch the massive skull that had materialized behind him on the snout. Good boy. Sans rarely used his attack, probably because he had no use for it on the surface, but he found, with this experience, that his blasters were perfect for scaring away drunken idiots.
Sans continued. Glancing down every alleyway, looking down every street. Oh, how he craved sleep. How he craved giving up. He pushed away those cravings by clutching the small red scarf that he kept held tightly in his left hand. Papyrus, Undyne and the others had stopped searching around 6AM, they went to go get breakfast to keep their strength up, promising to continue the search later. It was at least 9AM now. Sans was in the middle of the city now, a clock tower stood there and confirmed this. 9:23AM.
The humans were waking up now, making their daily commute to work. Sans hadn't even sat down in at least 10 hours. He found himself a small park bench, letting out a sigh as his aching bones rested. Just 20 minutes. Just a 20 minute break before he got back to searching. He didn't know what he was searching for more: Frankie, or confirmation that Frankie had died.
Sure, his assumption was completely his own, but seeing his scarf there brought out Sans' worst fears. If he couldn't find Frankie, and if he had died… He might be able to sleep at night if he knew. If he knew that there was nothing he could have done. If he knew that Frankie was dead, he could give up this search. Move on. Wait for the reset.
But as of now, Sans' life was a living Hell. Every second he waited on that couch, his anxiety and fear grew greater. It obviously showed through, because he was soon approached by… a human? They were bundled up, a long green scarf and a matching green hat covered their face. The person sat down next to him, hesitating before speaking,
"Are you okay? Y-you look kind of upset…" Their voice was a woman's, although it was muffled by the scarf. She seemed kind of afraid, to be talking to a skeleton. But Sans didn't blame her.
"Yeah. I'm fine." Sans replied. It had been awhile since he'd met a nice human, there was nothing malicious in her voice. Only kindness and curiosity. She seemed to be having trouble speaking. Perhaps she had anxiety. Sans wondered how much courage it had taken to even approach him. He decided to speak instead,
"The name's Sans. Sans the skeleton." He holds out a hand. No, no whoopie cushion in the hand trick. He didn't feel like it. She takes his hand, shaking it gently.
"R-Riley. Riley the human." Sans chuckles. She, at least, had a sense of humor. What was he doing? He shouldn't be making small talk right now,
"Have uh… Have you seen a little skeleton? Carrying around a little backpack? About…" He raises a hand off the ground to the approximate height of Frankie, "...Yay high?"
Much to his disappointment, Riley shakes her head. He nods.
"A-Are you looking for them?"
"Yeah. He uh… he's missing…" Sans was reluctant to tell this random woman his life story, but she was nice. He wasn't just going to get up and leave.
"D-Do you need h-help looking?" Her personality reminded Sans of Alphys. She seemed like a total nerd. He chuckles at the thought, he absolutely had to get the two to meet.
"I wouldn't want to burden you. Thanks for the offer."
"oh n-no! It's no trouble! W-Work doesn't start for me for another-" She glances up at the clock, "Few hours. I have an a-afternoon shift at work today. I-I usually get up early to go to the library."
Riley seemed really eager to help. How could he say no? It might be nice to have someone to talk to as he walks the soon-to-be-busy streets.
"You sure? Wouldn't you rather be at the library?" She shakes her head.
"My N-New Years resolution w-was to be more open to people i-in need and… well, y-you looked like you were in need…" Jeez, did it really show that much? He hated feeling helpless, but he nodded,
"Alright. Thanks. I was just taking a break." She gazes into his eyes, her soft green ones staring directly into his dark ones. She immediately looks away, she was obviously still a little uncomfortable. Alright, ice has frozen over again. Now's your turn to break the ice.
"Wanna hear a joke?" He asks, raising a non existent eyebrow. She looked confused, but then smiled. Or he assumed she smiled, there was still a scarf around her mouth.
"S-sure!"
"Why didn't the ghost go to the dance?"
"Dunno… why didn't he?"
"'Cause he had NO BODY to go with"
She's laughing. No she's snorting. Sans can't help but chuckle, too. Her laugh was ridiculous, she almost seemed a little embarrassed because of it. Sans is glad that he managed to lighten the mood a little, though. He glanced up at the clock. 5 more minutes, and he would resume the search. But God, did he need this distraction. Riley manages to stop laughing, subconsciously pulling her scarf back up.
"T-that was a good one, Sans!" He furrowed his eyebrows. Something was up with that scarf. Although it was January, it wasn't that cold outside. He frowned. Riley noticed his frowning,
"I-Is something w-wrong?" He shook his head, he wasn't going to bring it up. He'd only just met this woman, and he didn't want to intrude on any personal business. Ring. Ring. His phone rings. He looks down at the caller ID. Toriel. He hesitates. Ring.
"A-Are you going to answer?" No. He didn't want to. But he found himself clicking the green button anyways. He raises the phone to his skull,
"Tori?"
"Sans! Thank the heavens! We were all so worried!"
"Heh. I'm fine."
"Did you find Franklin?"
Frankie. Sans stiffens.
"N-no. I haven't."
"I am sure he will turn up, Sans. Please. Come home? Everyone is worried."
Sans shakes his head, fully aware that Toriel couldn't see it, but he doesn't care.
"No. I'm sorry, Toriel, but it's my fault he's gone. And I need to find him."
"Very well, Sans. But… but please. Do not blame yourself."
"Bye, Tori."
"Goodbye, Sans…"
click.
Sans puts the phone back in his pocket. A worried glance from Riley. Or at least, He assumes it's a worried glance. It's kind of hard to read someone's emotions with only their eyes. She hesitates before speaking,
"A-are you sure… that you're okay?" Of course he wasn't okay. Seems that Riley could sense that. No point in lying, right? He sighs.
"No. I'm not okay." Wow, it felt great to say that. Why did he feel so comfortable around this person he'd not even met 10 minutes ago? The clock chimes. 9:45AM. He shuffles to his feet,
"I have to uh… continue searching. You still want to come with?" Riley nods, probably giving Sans a patient smile.
"Of c-course! A-and on the way, you can tell me a-about everything…" Sans is reluctant to do so, at first. But as they make their way along the street, he finds himself telling her everything. Well, not everything, of course. Just everything about Frankie. He'd never told anyone about the resets or his nightmares, and he likely never would.
Riley was the second nicest human he had ever met, Frisk of course, being the first. She was so understanding and nodded whenever he didn't want to tell her something, never pestering him to tell her anything he didn't want to share. They slowly walked along the beaten apartment buildings, talking back and forth. Sans found himself having a good time for the first time in the past few hours.
"So you really love this kid, huh?" Her stammering had gotten a lot better. Love. Strong word. But hell, would Sans really have been walking around for this long if he didn't love the kid?
"Yeah. I really do." He smiles. But then, that smile fades into a frown. Frankie…
"Hey- It's okay. I'm sure we'll find him. There's two of us, right?" Sans is just about to respond when a door swings open to the apartment behind him.
"now then, do you remember where this Sans guy lives?"
"I… I think so!"
Frankie.
Sans spins around, his heart racing. It's him. It's really Frankie. The small skeleton is standing next to an older man, smiling widely. Everything around Sans freezes.
"Frankie." Sans breathes out. As soon as his eyes lock with the smaller skeleton, Frankie lets out a small cry and runs to him. Sans kneels down, wrapping the kid in a tight embrace. Sans finds tears coming to his eyes, and he doesn't do anything to keep them there. Relief washes over him. Washes over his soul. Frankie is crying too, mumbling sorry in between sobs.
They stay there, for a long time. Holding each other, smiling widely and crying. Finally, Sans stands up, his hand around Frankie's. He looks over at the older man, wiping tears off his cheekbones,
"Thank you. Thank you so much, sir. I… I don't think I could ever repay-" The man cuts him off, his kind smile says it all.
"No need. You must be Sans, Frankie told me a lotta 'bout you." Sans smiles, happiness and relief in his tired eyes.
"I could never thank you enough, Sir."
"Name's Luis. And there's really no need. I'm happy to help."
Sans no longer felt like the entire human race was out to get monsters. No. There are always a select few that are kind. A select few that he'd like to call friends. He glances over at Riley, who is probably giving him a broad smile. He looks back over at Luis, who's also smiling kindly. He feels warm. He feels welcome.
"Now then, I'd assume that you'd like to get back home, Sans. Don't let me keep you here." Luis chuckles, he actually looks a little… wistful. Frankie tugs on Sans' sleeve.
"He's really nice… we should visit him sometime." Sans nods in agreement. As the old man turns around, he calls after him.
"Hey uh- Luis. I really appreciate what you did for Frankie. For me. If it's no hassle, We'd like to visit you sometime. Give ya a little company?" Luis' eyes light up,
"I'd love to have you! Visit any time!" Luis opens his apartment door, looking back at Frankie,
"See ya, Frankie."
"See ya, Grandpops!"
The old man seems really happy. Sans is glad. Sans turns to Riley, who'd been waiting there patiently for that entire interaction. He smiles widely at her.
"Thank you. For helping." She probably smiles.
"I'm glad I could! I'm happy you found him!" Sans wasn't about to let this friendship end here with her. She was too kind to just let go and never see again.
"We should exchange numbers. We could hang some time. We have movie nights every Tuesday."
"u-uh sure! Lemme grab my phone!" She fumbles around in her purse, pulling out a phone with a ridiculous case. Looked like some sort of anime thing. Yep. Alphys and her will be best friends.
Sans hands her his phone, and they exchange numbers. She put her contact name as 'Riley the human'. He'd put his in as 'Sans the skeleton'. They laugh. Sans was practically falling asleep on his feet, suddenly he remembers the scarf.
"Oh! Here, kiddo. You must've dropped this." Sans holds out the scarf to Frankie. Frankie's eyes light up as he grabs the scarf, wrapping it around his neck.
"Thank you!"
Sans chuckles. It was time for them to go home.
REVIEWS FOR CHAPTER FIVE:
Guest: Man, hard seeing sans so worked up - I thought nothing ever got under that guy's skin c;
Nice fanfic though, I'm really enjoying it - can't wait for more updates!
What can we say? He loves the kid. I'm so glad you're liking it!
StarBee24: OH NO! FRANKIE! Some is gonna have a bad time if they mess with him. Can't wait for next chapter! :D
Yes. Someone's definitely going to have a bad time! :) Thanks for reviewing!
Thanks so much for reviewing! :) See you on the next chapter.
-mariahills-capsicle