Chapter 2

The Unannounced Guest

The small, white, monster child cried as his sweater was caught up against a tree branch. He wondered why his journey had taken him here of all places. He had always been told the ruins were forbidden. But to see them up close was a treat on its own. He would have never agreed to go alone, and the other kids who insisted he be there was what really led him on. He could still hear the voices of Aaron and Bun-bun and all the others, pestering and ridiculing him.

"I wonder… if it's this way." The small monster's voice trembled without wanting to. "To the end of the ruins." That was what the dare was amongst the other kids. Their jeering resounded in the poor boy's skull like some pesky and persistent bee.

The monster child hesitated immensely in the darkness, there appeared to be an archway close by but that was the extent of his sight. No longer could he see where he even was stepping. But there was a blotch of light out in the distance before him. Both his hands were eager to grab at anything to guide his way as he moved quietly through some rubble. Finally he reached the decrepit archway, securing his position in the tenebrous atmosphere.

The small child wanted to cry out and go home, he wanted to admit that he wasn't brave, even though he had made it this far. It was true that the circumstances that arose for him to be there were vain in some way. But what could have been done? He was the son of the king after all. There were some high expectations already clinging to the child's backside- ruthlessly, and this was his only chance to prove to the others that he wasn't a coward as they all claimed. After some time he sneezed at the dusty pillar, creating a loud echo which made him jump at his own reverberating echo.

He shook his head and made a whimpering sound. He sat down next to the pillar and averted his eyes from what little light there was using his warm sweater. He took the opportunity to look back at even more darkness from where he came from. If he were to return, what would his father think of him? Let alone all of the bullies that were probably waiting for him.

Quiet sobs filled the empty chamber, the little one wiped away his tears, staining his green and yellow striped sweater. In this moment he had never felt quite so alone in his short life. His eyes closed, he was resolute in giving up after he stopped crying. It was this precise moment he wished his mother could take him back home. Others will laugh, he thought as his arms shook.

There was a scream.

The monster child rapidly looked towards where he thought the sound had come from, perhaps he imagined this horrifying cry. Every molecule in his body pulled him back, back the way he came. Fleeing was the one and only answer. It would seem his legs moved on their own back into the darkness but he remembered something. It was his father's voice. Something along the lines of, Always be kind to every monster you meet. You never know, maybe they just need a friend.

If someone was in trouble, then surely he must go to help. He turned around again, looking for that meager light. He would think to himself, it would be the right- no, it was his duty to help those in need, as his father always told him. "It sounds like… it came from… over here…" His voice was shrill and rather shaken. Maybe if he spoke out like someone might hear him and he wouldn't have to be so afraid.

Even as perturbed as he was, the little boy took a few steps forward, closer to the light. His furry hands rubbed against themselves anxiously. He tried to speak but only a peep came out. His heart thumped hard against his chest, a sensation he had never felt.

"H-he-hello?" He tried to speak but stuttered the question instead. He could feel a rhythmic beating on his temples, which he thought was his brain screaming to him when there came no answer. Closer and closer he got to the light, he saw that it shined down onto a patch of mud and dirt. He stopped when he could see that something lay on top. "Oh!"

When he saw it at last, his fears dissipated. It was a strange-looking monster laying sprawled on the dirt. Its head was face flat on the mud. Cautiously he stepped around it, giving him a chance to inspect the motionless body. The only light in the forlorn chamber shined on them both, he looked up. He could not see where the light emanated because it appeared to be very high up. "You've fallen down haven't you?" Where else would they have come from? He pondered by crouching and attempting to turn the body over, or perhaps raise it- he may have been a little out of his depth.

Trying to converse with it proved unsuccessful, however pulling it upwards to rest on part of his lap made the thing gasp. The boy shook, spooked by this reaction. "Are you okay?" He tried to console the creature.

But it did not respond. Perhaps it did not understand when he spoke. That would be odd though, all monsters spoke the same language. The creature moved of its own volition intensely a little ways away from the boy. Their gaze met but it was short lived. The creature inspected itself, revealing its clothing had been torn, presumably by their fall.

"It's okay…" The sweatered child ventured to comfort the exasperated child. "M-my name is Asriel. Do you know where your mom and dad are?" The boy found courage in his words and it surprised himself. This prodding made the creature react, it looked at the boy through unkempt, brown hair. Asriel got himself up, he felt a new wind push him forwards, one completely unlike the one that brought him to this place primarily. Could this be a responsibility? A word his father used many times with him. He offered a hand to the one still sitting, "Here, get up."

The creature grunted and slapped Asriel's hand away, it started biting its fingers fervently only to make a face before having tears swell up in their eyes. The more Asriel got closer, the better he understood their voice sounded more and more feminine. She looked away from him and covered her eyes with her arm. Even so, Asriel could still hear her beginning to sob, it was restrained and obviously hidden. The boy pouted, and softly sat right next to her. From this angle he was able to see her whole side was exposed. He gently took off his green sweater and lightly pushed it her way. "Put this on."

Surprisingly she took it but was reluctant to wear it, she only grasped it with an averted gaze. This gave him the confidence to ask, "What's your name?" There was no response, not even a reaction. There was silence in the tenebrous chamber, aside from the muffled sobs which seemed to die down after a minute.

Asriel looked around, not that there was much to look at. He felt something around his fingers, and felt for it, until completely ripping it away. He presented a single flower, clutching it close to her head. She saw this and also took it with the same hand that was clutching the sweater.

With a smile the boy offered, "Are ya' hungry? I know this yummy place in Snowdin we can go to… if you'd like." He looked over to a paused girl. She eventually gave in and nodded softly. Before he could get up the girl grabbed at his collar with a surprising strength. She managed to pull him down for a whisper, and she let him go.

"Chara huh?" Asriel looked satisfied, "That's a nice name."