A Broken Dream

Heat.

The choking, unbearable heat.

It was always the same. The family were sat down on the couch, huddled together, watching an old movie like every Saturday.

The father - with his messy long, deep brown hair and kind green eyes, would playfully poke his daughter in her side, she would give a little squeak and squirm away, and he would chuckle as his wife - with her brilliant and proud lilac eyes would boop the daughter's nose as the little girl climbed over legs and snuggled away from her father.

The father would laugh heartily and wrap them in his strong arms, he would hug them closer and the family would share a jubilant laugh, as a warm red glow filled the room.

The daughter would stare wide eyed at their SOULS, she would put a hand to her own chest and scrunch her face as she concentrated on summoning her own SOUL forth, she would give up and her expression would drop crestfallen.

The mother would tilt the little girls chin up and look into those teary lilac eyes, a gentle smile on her lips. "Don't rush it, little minnow. One day you'll do it and your SOUL will be more dazzling than anyone else's." The daughter would nod glumly, but would giggle joyfully as her father lay a hand on her messy brown hair.

"Listen to your Mami, little minnow." He would turn his head to face his wife and lean his forehead to her own. "She's got a mind as brilliant and as dazzling as her smile." The mother would grimace and playfully slap his cheek for the strange compliment.

"And your Papo knows how to sound like a giant dork." The mother would reply bluntly.

Then the front window and door would then explode in flames, the heat would engulf them, but the mother would summon a great shinning red shield to her arm, and the flames would pass over them harmlessly.

The daughter would let out a scream and fear would grip her, the second blast would send them all flying backwards. The daughter would roll under a ornate table; the mother and father would stand quickly; a glowing red sword appearing in his left hand. A third blast would be blocked and consumed by the red shield, the couple would share an approving look, before their faces became determined and the bad man would appear in the flames.

The bad man would look at the daughter under the table, he would raise his hand and the evil magic flames would fly towards her hiding place. The heat exploded, but the flames stayed away, the daughter would open her eyes and see the mother's legs shake, before the mother collapsed, the flames searing her flesh.

The father would scream, his green eyes turning into black pools, the black tears streaming down his face. He would charge the bad man, who would fight back with a sword of fire.

The daughter would crawl out to help the mother, she would pat the flames out, her hands would burn and blister, but the mother would not move despite the flames going out.

The father and bad man would begin to burn, as the flames spread around them, the daughter would cry and cough, the bad man would turn to her and lunge, he would be hurt by the father; the bad man's arm would fly away in a spray of red petals.

But the bad man would reach out to the daughter, his remaining hand engulfed by the flames, he would grab the daughter by her shoulder and she would scream as the flames began to eat her flesh.

The father would kick the bad man away from the daughter, he would try to reach for her, but the flames would consume him again, and he would fall in front of her, blackened and charred and unmoving.

The bad man would collapse to the ground, his face melting and his terrible voice a pained scream. The daughter would crawl back, she would grip her head in her hands and scream, she would scream until her throat was hoarse and dried from the smoke.

Then the pain would explode throughout her whole body, she would be wracked by pain, she would feel the beating in her chest like a hammer to her ribs, she would scream as red coloured her vision and the world around her would shatter.

Frisk bolted upright in her bed, clutching her chest as the red glow that filled her room subsided, gasping for air and terrified eyes darting around her room to assure herself it was just a dream; she was still alive. She drew her knees unto her chest and wept, she was still alive... and she was still alone.

When the tears ran dry, she fell back onto her pillow and just gazed up at the dark ceiling, she reached under her pillow and checked the time on her phone - 2:19am. She didn't think it would get a reply, but she sent a text to the one person she thought could help her. 'You awake?'

A few seconds of staring blankly at her ceiling, a knock on her dorm door pulled her from her thoughts. She sat up cautiously, uncertain if she should check to see who it was or just ignore it, a second knock answered her question as she found herself shifting from beneath her covers.

She slowly opened her bedroom door and crossed the dark dorm room to the front door, she peeked through the peephole and smile broke out across her face as she saw a rather groggy looking Chara dancing impatiently from one foot to the other.

Frisk undid the lock and opened the door, she grinned at the dishevelled way Chara's hair framed her face. "I am now." Chara said with a smirk as she was welcomed into the room. "Can't sleep?" Her question was answered when Frisk threw herself into Chara's chest and just broke down crying.

Chara just wrapped her arms around Frisk and just held the crying girl tightly, she stroked Frisk's hair to soothe the girl and spoke softly. "Shh. I'm here. I'm not going anywhere." She had to fight to keep the tremor from her voice; Frisk needed her to be strong right now, even if seeing the girl like this was breaking her heart.

Frisk felt Chara pick her up and carry her towards the bedroom. "Sorry, Frisky. But I'm completely fucked. So..."

"Char-AHH!" The taller girl dropped Frisk unceremoniously onto her bed, before she kicked off her slippers and climbed over the pouting shorter girl. Frisk rolled over and watched Chara get comfy under the covers, the red eyed girl propped herself up on her elbow and smirked at the pouting Frisk. "That was mean." Frisk sulked.

Chara just chuckled. "If you need me to push away the bad dreams, then you'll get me, but...I'm not sleeping of that f-ing couch again. So...here we are. Now go to sleep." She flopped down onto the pillow and pulled Frisk close, so the scared girl could cuddle into her chest.

Frisk felt a warmth spread throughout her body as she breathed in comforting Chara's scent, she felt her arms wrap around Chara's body, she felt joy and sadness, fear and hope, comfort and lonilness mix within her and she felt more confused than ever. Chara held the terrified girl close and fought off sleep until she heard the gentle snoring of her friend, she smiled and let her own tears finally fall free.

As relief washed over her exhausted body, she was so happy that Frisk hadn't hurt herself this time, she swore she would never let that happen again. And by the Rune - she would uphold that promise.

Eventually exhaustion took her and as the last of her tears flowed down her face, she leaned her head forward and rested her chin atop Frisk's messy hair, the scent comforting her and lulling her into a peaceful sleep.

Didn't I warn you guys. I said it was going to be short.

The next arc is about to begin and with it - a new key character, two new developments, and a whole bunch of conflicting emotions - oh and family drama; because Christmas dinner with the Dreemurrs is just a pleasure when all dear Chara can think about is Frisk.

I can assure more will be revealed about Frisk's past and the murder of her parents, and maybe he will finally reveal himself in the next arc.

Until next time! Bu-bye!