Chapter 3: Flash from the Past

I died to Undyne five times before I was able to figure out her patterns and how to spare her, while also surviving.

After my encounters with Undyne, I had come across Alphys and Mettaton, who, instead of trying to kill me, surprisingly became quick friends with me.

At the moment, we were sitting in Alphys' lab, watching Mettaton re-enact a scene from the Titanic, where he tried to be both Jack and Rose.

Mettaton put a dramatic hand to his forehead, "I'll never let go Jack, I'll never let go!" Then Mettaton looked down at the 'script' again, and completely forgot the acting, "WHAT?! She says she'll never let go, and yet the next action is letting go of Jack's hand, and letting his body sink to the bottom of the Atlantic! This is— I can't believe what the director— The least Rose could have done— Darling, if you'll excuse me, I need to do a swan dive into the lava outside."

A snort escaped from me, which then turned into giggling, which then turned into full on laughter. I laughed so hard, that I threw my head back and held my sides to keep from splitting in half.

Once my laughter had died down, I looked to Alphys and Mettaton, waiting for whatever else they had in store.

But I was only met with horrified expressions.

Mettaton crossed over to me, moving my hair aside and moving the fabric of sweater that was covering my neck, "Darling, who on earth did this to you?"

I flinched as Mettaton's fingers just barely grazed my throat, where the bruise was now a deep blue and purple, the outer edges of the bruise yellowing. I shrugged, looking anywhere but Mettaton and Alphys.

Alphys came over to me, a white cream dipped onto her fingers, "Here, this should help with the b-bruising."

I hesitantly brought the neck of the sweater down more, tilting my head up so Alphys could apply the cream, trying not to flinch as she went over the bruise with it.

Once Alphys was done applying the cream, I looked to both her and Mettaton, before breaking down into tears. Mettaton and Alphys put their arms around me, trying their best to bring me comfort, but I only cried harder, gasping for breath as I sobbed.

Alphys pulled away, bringing her phone out and dialing a number, "Sans? F-Frisk is— Well, we're trying to comfort her, but she just can't seem to stop crying, and I'm w-worried that she'll begin to hyperventilate and won't stop. D-Do you think you could help?"

One moment Mettaton's hugging me, and the next, Sans' cool, bony fingers were pushing my hair out of my face.

As soon as he moved my hair, his gaze landed on my neck, and he turned to Alphys, "jesus doc, what the hell happened here?"

Alphys had a grim expression on her face, "T-That's what Mettaton and I were trying to f-figure out. But then she just b-burst into tears."

Sans grimaced as he looked at my neck once more, before turning his attention to calming me, "frisk, hey kiddo, look, you're okay. i'm sorry you're hurting so much, and i know you must be having a hard time. but look, you've met a lot of people who are here and ready to support you, even if we haven't known you for long. so c'mon kiddo, calm down for me?"

I took a few shaky breaths, trembling from the effort, but managing to calm down. I gave Sans a weak smile as I looked up at him.

The skeleton grinned, "there ya go. see, that wasn't so hard." Sans picked me up bridal style, allowing me to wrap my arms around his neck as he turned to the other two Monsters, "i'm gonna take the kid home for today. i'll tell ya how she's doin' in a bit, okay?"

I buried my face into Sans' jacket, trying to hide my tears and embarrassment.

The falling sensation in my stomach appeared again, before quickly leaving.

Sans' deep voice rumbled in my ears, "okay kiddo, we're at the house now."

I looked up as Sans set me onto the couch, noticing Papyrus in the kitchen, cooking.

Sans looked me over, noting any bruises or injuries, "do you wanna talk, kiddo?"

I began to shake my head, before stopping. I went to get my makeshift whiteboard out, grabbing the marker as well, when Sans put a bony hand on mine to stop me.

Looking over to Sans, I met his gaze, "kid, i mean actually talk. we both know that your vocal cords work, so out with it bud."

I hesitantly set my board and marker down, clearing my throat. I opened my mouth slightly, before closing it again. I tried again, opening my mouth to speak, but unable to bring myself to. Tears of frustration pricked at the corners of my eyes, and I opened my mouth again, trying to force some sort of sound out.

The skeleton frowned, "kid, what's wrong?"

The tears of frustration trailed down my cheeks, and I picked up my marker, writing furiously, I'm trying to talk, but I can't bring myself to. I haven't actually spoken in years. I learned quickly that speaking meant- I stopped writing, freezing as I realized that I almost told the skeleton about what my father would do.

Sans' frown deepened, before he sighed and got up, "okay kid, i'll leave you be for now. but i want to talk to ya some tonight, okay?" After getting a nod from me, the skeleton placed his usual carefree grin on his face, "okay. now, if you'll excuse me, i'm gonna go 'help' my brother with dinner."

I wiped my tears and got up from the couch, joining Sans and Papyrus in the kitchen. I tapped Papyrus on the arm, getting his attention and showing him my makeshift whiteboard, Can I help with dinner?

Papyrus beamed as soon as he read what I had written, "Of course Human Frisk! Here Human, you can melt the butter and cream in this pan, while I cook the pasta!"

I did as I was told, melting the butter and cream that he had put into the pan, making sure it was completely melted. I went over to the recipe instead of bothering Papyrus, whisking in Parmesan and seasoning with salt and pepper.

As soon as the sauce was done, Papyrus added the cooked pasta and stirred everything together, beaming, "And that, Little Human Chef, is how you make Fettuccine Alfredo!"

I smiled, getting some plates from the cupboard Papyrus had gestured to, while Papyrus himself got the silverware.

As I reached up to get the plates, I froze, my breathing picking up as everything happened in slow motion.

.

I was getting the plates for dinner, working quick since my father was to be home at any minute. As I reached up to get the plates, a hand grabbed me by my hair, pulling me back and throwing me to the ground. I recoiled from the figure towering over me, scrambling to get away.

"What have I always told you, Frisk? Have dinner ready and served by the time I get here!" My father sent a kick into my stomach, continuing on, "I work long, hard days to keep you fed and happy, and this is the thanks I get?" Another kick was sent towards my ribs, "All I ask of you is to clean the house, cook my food, and be a quiet and respectable daughter."

I cowered on the floor, waiting for yet another kick, sighing in relief when no kick came my way.

Instead, my father grabbed me by my hair again, pulling me to my feet, "Now, get dinner served, and get me when you're ready to sit and have a quiet dinner with your family."

.

"Human?"

"kid?"

I jolted back to reality, dropping the plates that I had grabbed, hearing the sound of shattering glass on the kitchen tiles.

Dropping to my knees, I quickly began picking up the shards of broken plates, trembling, "I— I'm so— I'm sorry, sir."

Papyrus' long arms reached down, picking me up gently and setting me on my feet, "Human, it's okay, everyone has accidents!"

Blue magic engulfed the broken shards, carrying them over to the trash. Sans came over, moving my hair out of my eyes, "kid, you're okay. you're not with... whoever you were with on the surface. okay?"

I looked up at the pair, nodding slowly. Looking away, I began to make my way back over to the couch, sitting in the middle and bringing my knees to my chest. I lay my head on my knees, staring off to the side, my gaze landing on the floor.

Sans and Papyrus joined me on the couch, each skeleton on either side of me.

Papyrus made eye contact with me, smiling and getting me to lift my head, "Human, did you realize that you had spoken?"

I slowly shook my head, smiling a little bit.

Sans chimed in, "yeah, you did. looks like you just have to do it without thinking, instead of tryin' so hard."

I shrugged, my gaze landing on the floor again.

Papyrus spoke to me, almost a bit shyly, "Could you do it again, Human? It's a lot nicer to hear you speak than read your writing. N-Not that your writing isn't nice, because it is very nice!"

I had a smile on my lips, "Um... that's oka— okay, Papyrus. My writing isn't very nice."

Sans playfully punched my arm, "there ya go kiddo, you're doin' great."

Shrugging again, I only said, "Sure."

Papyrus gave me a big hug, squeezing the life out of me, "You are doing great, Human! Accept it!"

I gave Papyrus a small smile, "Okay."

Sans got up, "okay kiddo, me and paps are gonna leave you be for the night. it seems like you've had a pretty rough day." Sans gave me a look though, meaning that he still wanted to have that talk with me.

I gave Sans and Papyrus each a small smile, "Okay. Goodnight Papyrus, goodnight Sans."

I curled up on the couch, pulling the blanket up to my chin, but wide awake.

I didn't want to sleep.

Soon though, Sans was down to speak with me. Which would keep me awake.

"heya kid," Sans sat down next to me on the couch, sighing, "time to talk."

I tightened my grip on the blanket, digging my nails into my thumbs, "Okay."

Sans moved my hair from my neck, revealing the bruise that had started to heal with the items I had eaten that day, "when did this happen?"

I went to shrug, but stopped myself, taking a small breath, "The day I came here."

Sans furrowed what would have been his eyebrows, "so within the last 24 hours... kid, who did this to you? and why?"

I dug my nails harder into my thumbs, afraid that my father would somehow hear, "I— I'm not allowed—"

Sans put a gentle hand on my leg, "kid, they can't hurt you here. it's okay to talk about it."

Tears pricked at my eyes, irritation beginning as I realized how much I had cried today, "We just met today, I barely know y—" Sans gave me a look, urging me to continue on, "... My... father, did it."

Sans tensed up, and I saw his hands tighten into fists, but other than that he showed no other signs of anger, "kid, that's... that's not okay. how many times has he done something like this."

I shrugged, unable to keep count of every incident.

Sans reworded his question, "okay, dumb question. how about... how long has he been doin' things like this."

I bit my lip, trying to think, "Um... twelve years?"

A deep inhale of breath came from the skeleton, his arms wrapping gently around me as he pulled me into his lap, hugging me, "that's... twelve years too long." Sans was silent for a moment, before breaking the silence with his deep voice, "your father's the reason why you don't want to go back to the surface. god kid, i— i'm just so sorry that you had to live with that."

My lips upturned into a wobbly smile, "Thank you, Sans. I appreciate it."

Sans sighed, "kid, i know you probably don't want to talk about everything, but just know that i'm here anytime to talk."

I nodded, before climbing off of Sans' lap and sitting at the other end of the couch, "Thank you, but I think I'm ready to head to bed now."

Sans gave me a grin, "of course, can't have ya stay up and resist... ar-rest!"

I put a hand to my forehead, resting my head on it and hiding my smile, "That was terrible! No more puns."

Sans' grin widened, "geez kid, you don't like my puns? well, that just hurts me down to the bone, 'cause i'm a bonefied pun master."

I rolled my eyes, "Numbskull. Get to bed!"

Sans chuckled, "geez kid, no need to use such harsh words, i'm goin'!"

Watching Sans go up the stairs and into his room, I lay down on the couch, mimicking the deep, even breaths of sleep as closely as I could. After two hours, the clock ticking to 2:00 AM, I slipped off of the couch. I pulled my shoes on, and silently went out the front door, cringing as even the slightest of sounds was made by the opening and closing of the door.

I walked quickly and quietly, ignoring the bite of the frigid winter air, and making my way to the restaurant I had left earlier.

Pushing the door open, the heat of the establishment burst out at me, warming me instantly.

The ringing of the bell drew the attention of the flame monster behind the bar, and he turned to look at who had entered at this time of night.

Looking around, I could see why he was curious as to who was here, since the restaurant was deserted.

The flame monster's flames rose a little higher at seeing me, but then dropped substantially.

I made my way to the bar counter, hopping onto a seat. After a moment of silence, I spoke quietly, "You know something about me; something that not even I know."

Grillby went back to polishing his glass, his voice soft enough that the crackle of his flames almost drowned it out, "You can speak." After a period of silence, he spoke again, just as soft as before, "Well, little one, why do you assume that I know something that you do not?"

I bit my lip, getting a sense of trust from Grillby, like the sense of trust I got from Sans. I cleared my throat, digging my nails into my thumbs, "I'm going to sound crazy, but don't laugh." I took a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves, "I... I have these sorts of dreams. They're unlike anything that I've ever experienced before, and they just— they seem too real and too detailed to be just that; dreams."

Grillby looked at me; studied me with little to no expression on his face.

I dug my nails into the skin around my wrists, "And I know what resets are. I realized what was happening each time I died to someone. I'd come back. And everything would reset from my last save point... For some reason, I can't shake the feeling that you know what they are too."

Looking up with scared yet hopeful eyes, I met Grillby's drained and troubled gaze.

After several moments of silence, he spoke again, setting the glass he had in his hands on the bar counter, "Your dreams... what are they like?"

Biting my lip, I explained in a quiet voice, "I remember being older, and having a little sister; Melody, I think. And everything just... It was just like what I've done since falling into the Underground, except for that little girl and... a few other details. I remember somehow getting to the Surface again, and things were good. Until they went wrong..." I looked up at the flame monster, my eyes shimmering, "They can't be dreams, but I don't understand how they could be a reality. Everything was just so vivid; I've never even been in the Underground before tonight, and I know so much about it without even having been here long."

After more silence, I took bit my lip even harder, looking down to my shoes.

I began to speak again, recalling the 'dreams' that I had experienced, "I came into the restaurant. I said, 'Hey Grillby, sorry I didn't come sooner. Alphys had some things she wanted help with.' You said I showed up, so there was no need to apologize. You put a strawberry milkshake with extra whipped cream in front of me, at this very spot. I asked for some alcohol instead. I was dying. I needed to consume the strongest thing that would give me a buzz at the least. You were the first to find out that I was dying, and wouldn't be back." I took a shaky breath, my eyes still full of tears, "Grillby, I may not remember everything, but I do remember something; if there's anything to even remember, that is. ... Grillby, I've never touched a drop of alcohol in my life, and I've never met Alphys until today.

Grillby leaned against the bar counter, seeming to be exhausted as he spoke softly, "Frisk, I don't know what you want me to say."

I blinked the tears away, "Just... tell me if they're real; if this has all happened before." I was quiet for a moment, before continuing, "There's a part of me that wants to just dismiss it all and forget about it, but then it feels like another part of me is just screaming at me to keep digging; to remember."

Grillby ran a hand through his flames, before standing up straight, his voice having a little more volume, "A growing girl like you should be in bed, asleep and resting."

I frowned, speaking in a normal tone, my voice shaking as I did so, "Grillby, if you don't tell me the truth, I will find someone else to tell me."

Grillby let out an exhausted sigh, "Frisk, no one here will remember anything. No one can enlighten you. I'm sorry child, I wish I could be of more help."

Crossing my arms, I looked at the flame monster, deadly serious, "'No one here will remember anything'. You remember." I closed my eyes for a moment, the images I had seen in those flashbacks vivid and heart-wrenching. My voice shook as I spoke again, "It was all real. Everything that happened... was real."

The silence in the restaurant was deadly.

"heya kid, quick question."

I turned to Sans, who had come into the kitchen as I ate the pancakes Papyrus had made before attending to his sentry duty.

Sans sat down next to me, turning his body to face me, "last night... you left. why?"

I looked Sans in the eyes, surprising him with how red and puffy my eyes were, and how tired I seemed. I bit my lip, talking quietly, "I trust you. And I trust Grillby. I thought you were asleep, so I went to him about something that's... complicated to explain."

I bit my lip harder, digging my nails into my skin as well, trying to stay awake. When I went to sleep, both the nightmares and flashbacks came. Everything seemed to flash before my eyes, as if I were actually there.

It was appalling.

Sans seemed concerned, placing a hand on my back as if to keep me upright, "kid, you can talk to me about anythin', but it looks like you need some sleep."

I sprang out of my chair, away from Sans, eyes wide, "No! No sleep."

Sans frowned, getting up from the kitchen table, "kid, you need to sleep. if you stay up too long, it can seriously affect your health. c'mon kid, you just said you trusted me, right?" After slowly nodding, Sans continued, "well then how about ya trust me on this?"

As Sans held out his hand for me to take, I remained still, until that little voice in my mind told me that he was right.

I took Sans' hand, following him as he dragged me upstairs, to Papyrus' room.

When I opened my mouth to protest on taking over Papyrus' bed, Sans shushed me, "kid, he'd be more than happy to let you rest in his room. hell, he'd permanently take the couch instead, just so you could sleep in a bed."

Sans watched as I climbed into bed, before heading over to leave, "i'm trustin' that you'll listen and get some rest, kid. i'll be back later; i have jobs to tend to."

As soon as Sans left, I turned onto my side, forcing myself to sleep, like him and that little voice had told me to.

.

.

.

.

.

I woke up in a cold, dark mass of nothingness.

I whirled around, looking for anything, knowing that someone would be here.

I've been here before.

A quiet, warm voice came to my ears.

"Hiya, partner. What brings you here?"

I turned to face my reflection. Er— not my reflection, but rather, another human, around my age. They looked almost exactly like me, save for the tawny brown hair and garnet eyes.

Clearing my throat, I approached the figure, "I'm guessing you?" After getting a slight nod of the head, I asked another question, "Who are you?"

I got a small smile, the human holding out their hand for me to shake.

"Chara."