I shuffle to the edge of the chair and breathe. This is the most peaceful I've felt for as long as I can remember. I'm about to step off when the trapdoor creaks open.

"Look, I know you don't want to talk, but I just wanted to say that-" Sans's voice freezes. "Y-Yael? Oh my- no... no- look at me," he takes a slow step towards me. "That's it, just focus on me..."

His voice is shaking and he looks terrified. He walks slowly towards me. My feet twitch and I lean closer to the edge.

"No-!" He gasps. "J-just look at me, only on me. Now t-take the belt off of your neck," something about his voice makes me obey slowly.

The belt dangles, swaying slowly, in front of me. He raises his hand, using that blue magic which moves me from the space in my chest. I'm thrown off of the chair and into his arms. I stare ahead of me like a deer in the headlights as he weeps into my shoulder.

"Y-you scared me." He chokes between sobs. "You scared me to death."

He holds me even tighter and I just stand there, hugging him as he whimpers on my shoulder. I take a few minutes to process what just happened. He takes me by the arm and leads me out of the room. I wander aimlessly with him as he takes me into his dorm. The others look up. He wipes his face and stutters out what happened. Undyne leaves with Papyrus and Alphys and Mettaton rushes off with Frisk in the direction of the kitchen. Sans tucks me into his bed and puts a hand on my forehead.

"Don't do that again, EVER." His voice is dark and terrifying.

I stare up back at him and he strokes my hair.

"Get some sleep."

I doze off for the first time in weeks and no dreams carry me away.

"Rya?" A voice asks. "Dryad? Yael?"

I open my eyes to find everyone leaning over me, gazing down at my pale face.

"Oh good," Mettaton sighs. "Here, please eat."

He brings a bowl of soup closer to my face. I'm about to refuse but the warm steam and thick scent of the meal forces me to oblige. I take it from him and sip it slowly. It burns my mouth but I barely notice.

"You scared us all, you know," Undyne says after a while. "But that doesn't matter. Just as long as you're alive."

I blush faintly and jump, nearly spilling my soup, as an unwelcome voice speaks.

"Yes, the welfare of our students is one of our top priorities," Miss Kubara smiles.

Does she ever stop smiling?

"You will be assigned with a safeguarding teacher, Miss Uraganogukam is up for it but we still await your confirmation. We ask your friends not to leave you alone at any given time. You won't have any classes on your own."

I nod and blink tiredly. Miss Kubara talks for a bit longer, then leaves me with the others.

"That woman's not right in the head," Frisk speaks after an awkward minute of silence.

"SHE IS DEFINITELY RATHER STRANGE," Papyrus agrees.