Chapter 3
Next thing she knew, it was 4:30 AM, yet she was eating a bowl of mac n cheese and some brownies Toriel had made.
"Self care is e-eating mac n cheese and brownies at 4:30 in the morning," She told herself, scooping another spoonful into her mouth and quietly chewing, a habit she had made living with Paul, yet had never dropped.
She wished Chara or someone else was up. She didn't like to be alone with her thoughts.
The more she remembered, the more she wished she didn't.
Why can't the good memories be easier to remember and the bad memories harder?
That is, if I had any good memories to remember…
Alice decided that it was a better idea to focus on the mac n cheese. She made it a specific way, so that it was way cheesier.
Of course, this way was to put more cheese in it. It was the way she recalled her mother making it. The best way, in her humble opinion.
She just wished someone else was awake to share.
Chara was awake a minute ago. They don't need to sleep. Alice left her mac n cheese and slowly made her way upstairs. To her surprise, Frisk was awake.
"Frisk?" Her adopted sibling lifted their head and got slowly out of bed, their long hair brushing the bed as they stood up. Upon seeing their sister, Frisk smiled and went to hug her, which led to Alice jumping back a little. Frisk frowned, and then nodded, signing No touch mode?
"Yeah," Alice whispered, sighing. She didn't quite understand it, but some days she just hated being touched. Luckly for her, her adopted family seemed to understand. "I made mac n cheese. You want some?" At the sound of mac n cheese, Frisk perked up, nodding as they grabbed their bright red glasses off the table. Putting them on and blinking their eyes at the clearness, they followed Alice downstairs. Alice spooned out half the mac n cheese and put it in a bowl for Frisk.
This is good. Frisk commented.
"Thank you." Alice smiled.
The two sat in silence, eating their food.
So, why are you up? Frisk asked.
"I could ask the same of you," Alice pointed out.
Couldn't sleep.
"Makes sense. Same here."
Intrusive thoughts?
Alice sighed. Frisk could read her like a book.
"Yeah."
Just like… Frisk paused for a sec and took a breath. "Don't let it get to you."
Alice nodded, the surprise of Frisk talking no longer affecting her.
Have you tried your new coping mechanism?
"Yeah. I mean, sneaking off to the river helps. Makes me feel more in control."
I getcha. Frisk sighed. I know what its like to lose a parent. I lost my mommy twice.
Alice nodded.
That's right, Frisk lost their biological mother twice. Once when they ran away, once when Paul killed her.
"And I mean, it's a bit different. Mommy didn't hurt me like Paul hurt you."
"Yeah." Alice nodded once more. "But your mother did hurt you."
Frisk frowned.
She did. But honestly? She was incredibly misinformed. She wouldn't have if she knew.
"Doesn't change that she did it."
...True. Frisk frowned, then started tapping the table.
"Sorry."
"Don't apologize," Frisk said, moving their hand to fidget with their nightshirt. It's ok. I forgive you. Alice sighed and sat back.
The two sat in silence, eating mac n cheese, until there was no more. Alice silently got up and grabbed the bowls to wash them as Frisk went back upstairs.
"Goodnight, Alice," Frisk said as they went up.
"Goodnight, Frisk." Alice turned back to the dishes.
Here she was again, left alone with her thoughts.
She didn't blame Frisk in the slightest. It was- she checked the clock- only 5 am, after all.
Maybe I should try heading out to the river tonight. It might get my mind off of that.
Carefully turning off the alarm- she had already known that Sans and Toriel turned off the regular beeps it made upstairs in their room, as it woke Mila up- and grabbing her swimwear she kept in a bag in the closet, she turned it back on and left within the next minute.
The river wasn't too far from the house. Only a couple minute's walk.
She power walked, hearing the leaves crunch under her feet. It seemed that fall was coming early this year.
The leaves were the only other sound with the exception of Alice's nervous breathing, and the light clicking of a switch she kept in her pocket, for times like this when she was nervous.
Going out in the early morning, when no one was around, and swimming was an exercise for her. To help get over her fears.
It was a tactic she had been trying since she was 13. Chara, of course, had been the one to suggest it, and the two had gone out many a time. This was the river where Chara had taught her how to swim.
Alice went alone now, but she was slowly healing. Slowly the wounds Paul had left were closing.
Swimming, and water in general had been a fear of her's. Since the day Paul tried to drown her, she had been afraid of water.
She knew all too well the damage it could do.
There was a small bathroom near the river, one that she used to change into her swimsuit. Once she emerged, she followed the river to a small pond. Putting her bag down next to the edge, she took a breath and jumped, letting herself be submerged.
*A/N Hello everyone!
It's review time!
First off though, thank you everyone for your support!
SilverWolve77 asks: Why so far in time that the prequel?
I wanted to showcase how far the characters have developed from age 11/12 to age 17/18.
Why is Chara still short?
Because of Chara having technically died, they can no longer grow.
How are you? Not as an author, but as a person.
I've been very...eh. Not doing too well. Im coping in a healthy way though, and since school has started again, I have way less free time, which helps a bit.
RainbowFartz asks: How does goat kid feel about being the only boy?
Azzy doesn't mind.
How did he feel when he found out Sans and Toriel were married?
He was upset at first, but got over it. He's glad they're happy, but he's sad for Asgore.
just another writer asks: Are there going to be new characters? And if so, how many?
Yes, there will be new characters. As of now I can think of 5, but there will likely be more.
That's all for this chapter! Have an amazing day/afternoon/night/whenever, and I will see you all in the next chapter!
~Skater