Chapter 30: Manslaughter

"Assassination."

Alexandra's Point of View:

I gave Pandora the manila envelope with the document holding the information, and I knew a vicious smile had reached my face. "Here's your target. Any questions?"

Pandora opened the envelope, paling and beginning to lose her composure. "No, no, no I can't! Please, please don't make me kill-"

I grabbed Pandora by the hair and lifted her inches from the ground, and I enjoyed watching her squirm. "You will. And if you don't obey, you know who I'll go after. So Pandora, what will it be? Will you follow your orders as I've commanded, or will you risk his life?"

I purred in pleasure as Pandora accepted defeat with tears in her eyes, "I'll do it. But after this, I will not assassinate anyone that I care for. This is the first and final time that I will do this. If you make me do it once more, you'll suffer." Pandora's eyes were full of resentment, and her voice told me she meant business.

I lost my smile, now bored with Pandora. "Yes yes, fine." I threw Pandora to the ground, smirking as she let out a cry of pain. "Just know you little whore, if you fail me, the consequences will be... just dreadful."

I watched as Pandora retreated to her office in silence, getting the materials she'd need. The wicked smile on my face was now starting to hurt my cheeks, for this was the most I'd smiled in a long, long while.

Watch out, Frisk.

Frisk's Point of View:

I was sitting on the couch in a baggy sweatshirt and shorts, cuddling with Kody as we watched Beautiful Creatures with Gabe and Mel. Everyone else was out at work or shopping, which left us four at home. It had also been over a month since the incident with Alexandra, and while I was uneasy at first, when no move against me was made, I relaxed.

My head was resting on Kody's chest, and I breathed in the smell of his laundry detergent which made me think of clouds. "Kooddyyy?"

Kody looked down and rested his warm cognac eyes on me, "Yeah princess?"

I smiled and whispered, "I love you."

Kody gave me a sweet kiss on the lips, smiling. "Love you too sweetheart."

I heard Gabe's voice, even though his mouth was shut as he watched the movie, Melody curled up in his arms. Awww, Frisk, you never told me how cute you and Kody are together. And you just looovveee each other oh-so-much.

I glared at Gabe across the couch as he looked back innocently. Speaking in each others minds was another ability of ours. Oh shush up and watch the movie.

Gabriel smirked as he focused on the screen, You shush up and watch the movie. You're the one who began talking with your lover over there.

I rolled my eyes and focused on the movie once again, a content smile on my face. But then I got a text from mom, asking if I had gotten groceries yet. "Oh shiizz- Hey, Kooodddyyy? Do you love me?"

Kody wrapped his arms tighter around me, "Yeah, of course!"

I smiled up and gazed innocently at Kody, "Do you really really reaaalllyyy love me?"

Kody looked at me suspiciously, "...Yes? Whhyyyy?"

I beamed, "Great! Then do you think you could do me a huge favor?" Kody sighed and nodded, smiling at my antics. "Do you think you could head to the grocery store and pick up some groceries? I'll give you the money and a list of things we need!"

Kody smirked, "And you can't do this yourself because?"

I pouted, "Because, I have really bad cramps right now, and ibuprofen isn't working. That reminds me, could you pick up some of my feminine products at the store as well?"

Kody looked at me one last time and sighed before getting up. "Fiinnee. But it's only because I love you, and because you're my best friend."

I smiled, "Yaaayyyy! Thank you, I love you!" I gave Kody a big kiss as he leaned down toward me.

Kody threw on a jacket and pulled out his car keys, heading to get his shoes on. "Gabriel, Melody, wanna join me on this mission?"

The other two jumped up and got ready as well, Gabe asking if he could drive. I frowned, "Heeyyy, you guuyyys! Why are you leaving me all alone?"

Gabe smiled and waved, "Sorry Frisk, but this man is going to need all the help he can get if you're sending him to get groceries and- how did you put it?- feminine products."

I glared playfully, "Fine, fine. Just hurry back, I don't think I could take the loneliness!"

And with one last love you from everyone, they left.

It had been a while since Kody and them had left, and I was getting anxious. Yes, grocery shopping could take a while, but the list was pretty short compared to most days. So I just couldn't help the feeling that something bad was going to happen soon.

My uneasy feeling and fears were confirmed when Gabe's panic-stricken voice resonated within my head. Frisk, Frisk! Are you there?! Please, please respond!

I ran to my room, throwing on some jeans and a t-shirt as I responded. Gabe, what's happening? What's wrong?

I threw on my shoes and grabbed my cell phone, dialing mom immediately. When I got her voicemail, I left a message stating that something was wrong and to get back to me as soon as possible.

Gabe's voice was frantic and I could hear the tears in his voice, Frisk, just get here, right now! Please Frisk, I don't know what to do, what do I do?!

I took a breath as I tried to calm the panic rising in me, and my voice was a bit harsh as I responded to Gabe. Gabriel, what store are you at?

Um, I don't know! The one near Muffet's?! Please, hurry!

I focused on the Hometown Foods near Muffet's, picturing the entrance, and as soon as the warm tingling sensation had engulfed me, I was there. I ran inside the store, looking around for Gabriel. The first thing I saw were the people. There were both injured monsters and humans, hiding in the aisles in fear. Then I saw the blood. Usually I'm not good with blood, but this time, I felt unusually calm.

I immediately dropped to my knees and began to tend to the nearest person, who was a girl who was only about 14. "Hey there, I'm Frisk, and I'm going to help you. Okay?" The girl nodded and let her hand drop from her shoulder, revealing a gunshot wound. I checked the back of her shoulder: the bullet went through. "Okay, I'm going to use a bit of healing magic, so don't be scared, okay?" The girl whimpered and nodded, tears making their way down her cheeks. As the white light of my healing magic began to mend her wound, I talked to try and distract her from the pain. "What's your name?"

The girl's voice cracked as she spoke, "I'm Selena." I looked at her, taking in her appearance. She had dyed her hair blue but it was fading and her original brown hair was showing. She had glasses that showed off her hazel eyes that were sparkling with tears, and I knew I'd never forget her pained face.

I smiled, "Selena? That's a pretty name, I like that. Well Selena, are your parents here?"

Selena shook her head, trying to keep in the tears. "No, no, my mom she's- my mom's d-dead, that awful person shot her."

I finished up with her wound, "I'm really sorry about your mom, I know how it feels to lose someone you love very much. Now, go hide behind the front counter, find the button on the underside and push it, just to be safe. If you need me, I'll be helping everyone else. To get my attention, just call my name: Frisk."

Selena nodded and wiped her tears away, "Thank you. Now go, other people need help."

I nodded and as I looked around, my blood turned to ice. So many people were hurt. Who would do this? I ran to help the other victims, shoving my worries about Gabe and them aside for a moment. I helped an expecting mother who already had two other kids of her own, I helped a man with four of his children, I helped teens who had been joking around when the incident happened. I made my way from the front of the store, to the back. Helping whoever needed help and told them to get to a safe place.

It wasn't until I had gotten to the back corner of the store that I felt tears well up into my eyes, and fell to my knees, letting loose a bloodcurdling scream.

I don't remember what exactly came next, but it came in flashes.

I remember seeing blood. A lot of blood. There was crying, screaming. I was trying to heal someone, someone I loved a lot. And then the paramedics came, and ushered us away. Now I was sitting in a hospital waiting room, silent. I looked around the waiting room, no one else was here right now. I caught my reflection in a window, my hair was a mess and my clothes were stained with blood. I looked at the empty seats next to me, my mind not registering much. The kids. Where were the kids?

"Frisk Saunders?" A woman called my name.

I jumped onto my feet and rushed to the woman, my mind and heart now racing. "Yes. Did the surgery go well, is-"

The woman put a hand on my shoulder, "He's fine. Would you like to go see him?"

I nodded vigorously, "Please."

The woman gave me a small smile, "Okay, follow me then."

I followed the woman to room 213, and rushed inside, pulling a chair up to Kody's bed. I held his hand with one hand, and messed with his hair with the other. My eyes filled up with tears as I took in his appearance, seeing and memorizing every detail of his face. I took my hand from his hair, pulling out my phone.

I had 15 missed calls. 6 of them were from mom, and the rest were from Sans. I dialed Toriel's phone number first, and she picked up right away.

"Frisk? Oh my lord, where are you?! Are you okay?! Gabriel and Melody came home in tears, but they couldn't calm down enough to tell us what happened, so we feared the worst." Toriel's voice was full of worry and I could tell she was in tears.

I looked at Kody as he slept, and smiled a little bit, my voice came out exhausted. "I'm fine. Listen, there was a really bad accident with Kody. He had to be taken to the hospital, and he's fine now but... mom, it was really bad. Do you want to bring Gabe and Melody with you to visit? I'm sure they're worried sick about him."

Toriel was distressed by the news of something happening to Kody, "Oh my, that's terrible! Yes, I'll grab our things right now, we'll be there soon."

I smiled as Toriel said goodbye for now and put my phone in my pocket. I jumped when my hand was lightly squeezed, "Hey princess."

I looked into Kody's cognac eyes, my tears falling. My voice came out a bit croaky from screaming, "Hi..." I whacked Kody on the shoulder, watching as he winced. "That's for scaring the hell out of me!...What happened?"

I handed Kody some water, waiting for an explanation. "Some psycho came into the store and just opened fire on everyone. I didn't see who the attacker was, they had their face covered, but I could tell that it was a woman. First she went after Papyrus, who had dropped by the grocery store as well. And I had to tackle her to the ground, but she ended up throwing me off with... magic, I think. But then... Frisk, she went after Melody."

My heart constricted painfully in my chest, "What? What- what do you mean she went after Mel- she went after Melody?"

Kody's Point of View: Just before the attack

"Kooddyyy, can we get some ice cream?" Melody looked up at me with wide eyes.

"Sure, as long as you share with everyone though." I went back to searching for the products that Frisk wanted me to get for her, also searching for acetaminophen for Frisk's cramps. Gabe came up and helped me look, not at all embarrassed like a normal teenager would be. "Hey Gabe, do you think she'd prefer tampons or pads?"

Gabe shrugged, searching the shelves with me. His gaze focused, but confused. "Tampons seem like they'd be uncomfortable, so maybe pads? But there are different kinds? I don't understand?"

I chuckled, "Me neither buddy. Let's just get some for light and heavy flows, see if that satisfies her." Gabe grabbed a box of each from the shelf, throwing them into the cart. "Thanks for the help. Is there anything you wanna get?"

Gabe hesitated, "Well, there were these earbuds and some CDs, but do you have enough money?"

I smiled and nodded, "Kid, go ahead and knock yourself out, get what you want. Besides, you shouldn't need to worry about money right now, it'll all be fine."

Gabe smiled, and gave me a quick hug. "Thanks Kody!"

My heart warmed, it was nice being in Frisk's world with her family. And it made me happy to have finally found someone as amazing as her to love. Not to mention, the kids were just as amazing. And after being with each other for some months, I think me and Frisk might be ready to move in together. Being with Frisk really made me the happiest I've been in a while, and I loved her immensely.

I was yanked back from my thoughts when I heard a hair-raising scream come from a certain little girl who I loved dearly. I whipped around to find Papyrus running towards me, Melody in his arms.

I grabbed Melody, cradling her in my arms. "Paps, what happe-" I dropped Melody and shoved her down, grabbing Papyrus and shoving him down as well, saving them both from a hail of bullets. I grabbed them both immediately and ran a few aisles away. I inhaled sharply, realizing exactly what was going on. "So that's what happened. Papyrus, do you know who the shooter is?"

Papyrus shook his head, orange tears pricking his eyes. "No! I only saw that they were aiming the weapon at Melody, and I grabbed her and ran!"

Gabe came running through the aisle, grabbing Mel and Papyrus by the arms. "Kody, we need to go, we need to hide. Now! The shooter will be coming this way soon, and we need to leave so no one gets hurt."

I grabbed Gabe by the shoulders, making him look me in the eyes. "Gabe, breathe, just breathe. You're hyperventilating, and you need to breathe. We'll leave, we just need to do it quietly. Okay?"

Gabe took a moment to calm himself, and nodded. We crept our way to the front doors, Papyrus and Melody in front of Gabe and I. As soon as we had gotten to the doors, shots rang out again. Melody screamed and ran not outside, but behind the front counter. I watched as the shooter approached the front desk, loading their gun, and took that moment to tackle them. I heard the shooter scream out in frustration, and could tell immediately it was a female. When I tried to take off her mask, however, she fired the gun and I could feel the bullets tear into my body.

The girl threw me off and went to kick me, but something made her stop and gasp. I could see her eyes, and they were the same brown eyes as one of my dear friends. But Pandora wouldn't do something like this. With blurred vision, I watched as the girl dropped her gun and put a hand to where her mouth would be, starting to hyperventilate. She stood for a moment more, before grabbing her gun and running out of the store, tearing down the street.

I could hear Melody screaming, and I could hear Gabe's panicked voice as he tried to talk to me. They couldn't see me like this, it was too traumatizing.

I struggled to get up, but did it. I looked at Melody and Gabe, and forced a smile. "You guys, it's fine, I'm fine. The bullets just barely grazed me. I'm gonna head to the restroom quick, I think. I'll be right back." I knew I probably shouldn't move, but I didn't want them to see me.

I collapsed in a back corner of the store, away from sight. I don't know how long I was there for, but I was starting to loose consciousness. It wasn't until I heard the bloodcurdling scream that I was wide awake. I looked over and saw my Frisk, on her knees and screaming as she cried.

My voice cracked, and I fought off the darkness around the edges of my vision. "Frisk, princess..."

Frisk quickly crawled forward, her entire body shaking. She tried to keep off the hyperventilating, trying to summon up her magic. Her voice was barely a whisper, as if she were trying not only to comfort me, but herself. "You'll be fine, you'll be fine, you'll be fine. Everything's all right, it's all right. You'll be better in no time, just a moment and you'll be healed and whole again."

The darkness around the edges of my vision were about to consume me, and I took a hand and wiped some of Frisk's tears away. "Hey... Princess... it'll be fine. Trust me."

Frisk's Point of View:

Kody had just finished telling me what had happened, and I was chilled to the bone. "...I swear, if I ever run into whoever that shooter was... they're dead. Because not only did they hurt you, but they went after Melody and Papyrus." I thought about what would've happened if that woman had gotten Melody. My voice was quiet as I held on to Kody's hand. "...I can't lose her, I can't lose Melody. I felt like I would barely survive when I thought you were dead, what'll happen if it's Melody next time?"

Kody used a hand to tilt my chin up and make me look at him, "Frisk, nothing will happen to her. We'll increase security, get her more bodyguards, we'll do whatever it takes to keep her safe. I promise you, I'm not going to sit back and just let anything happen to her."

I was exhausted, but managed to smile and give him a small nod.

Kody smiled and lay back, resting. "There's that beautiful smile. Hey, any word on when those three will be here?"

I checked my phone, "Nope. Though they'll probably come bursting in right about-"

Melody came tearing into the room and practically leaped into Kody's arms, her eyes puffy from crying. "Kody! I'm so sorry, this is all my fault, I didn't mean to make anyone angry, are you okay, are you hurt, will you ever forgive me?!"

I smiled a little, "Yep, they're here."

Kody smoothed Melody's hair down, and began to comfort her. "Melody, none of this was your fault at all. I'm okay, I'm not even really hurt at all. And I don't need to forgive you, because you didn't do anything."

Melody wiped her tears, her voice small. "Are you sure you won't die or anything?"

Kody smiled, "Absolutely positive, I promise; I won't die or anything." Then, not only did Toriel and Gabe come in, but the rest of the household had decided to join them. Kody looked surprised that anyone other than Gabe and Melody showed up, "Uh, hey guys."

Papyrus ran to Kody's bedside, and I moved aside so he could join Melody in giving Kody a hug. "Human Kody, you're okay! Oh thank goodness, I was so scared that you were too severely injured!"

Kody chuckled, "Don't worry Papyrus, it's gonna take more than a couple bullets to kill me."

I rolled my eyes, "It was more like 15 bullets. And you were barely hanging in when I found you; you're just lucky that you have a girlfriend as amazing as me."

Kody chuckled and gave me a smile. "Yeah, I sure am lucky."

I could feel my cheeks heat up and I knew that I was turning a bit red. "Oh, whatever." I gave Kody a quick kiss before I said, "I'm gonna go get some food from the cafeteria, who's tagging along?"

Gabe, Melody, Toriel and Sans said they'd tag along, everyone else wanted to hear about what had happened at the store.

Sans lagged behind with me while the other three made their way to the elevator. "frisk, tell kody thank you for me." I gave Sans a questioning look. "he saved Paps' life, so i'd like someone to say thank you for me. you're his... girlfriend, so you could do it."

I shook my head, "Nope. No way, nuh-uh. You can say thank you, I'm not doing your work."

Sans frowned, "frisk, please?"

I persisted, "You're just gonna have to get over whatever rivalry you guys have, and thank him yourself. Now, if you'll excuse me, I must go grab a blueberry muffin... if they have any. Ta-ta~" I hopped into the elevator with the others and left Sans behind.

We had just gotten off the elevator after getting some food when we saw the nurses and doctors running towards Kody's room.

I dropped whatever I had had in my hands and ran.

Everyone was being ushered out of the room, and my eyes filled with tears. "What happened?!"

No one answered, and instead looked at me with scared and sympathetic looks. I pushed past everyone and tried to enter the room, but Undyne held me back. "Frisk, you can't go in there. The doctors have to work, and you shouldn't see what's happening."

I grabbed Undyne's arm and twisted it quickly and roughly, making her let go of me. I whirled around to see her surprised look, "What happened?! Just tell me what happened!"

Mettaton put an arm on my shoulder, "Frisk, sweetie, maybe you should sit down."

I shook my head, a lump forming in my throat. "Just tell me what happened, I can take it, I can take anything."

Mettaton shook his head, "Frisk, you're not invincible, you need to sit down."

I threw Mettaton's hand off of me, snapping, "Like hell I need to sit down! You know; you and Alphys found out about it, so you know damn well that I can take this!" I regretted it instantly as Mettaton flinched, remembering what I had told them about my past. I more quietly and pleadingly said, "Please, what happened?"

But before Mettaton could respond, the nurses and the doctor filed out of the room, closing the door behind them. The doctor came up to me, her voice quiet. "Frisk, may I speak with you privately?"

I could feel my face take on a pained expression as I closed my eyes momentarily. "...You can tell me. You can tell all of us here, we're all family... He's dead. Isn't he?" I opened my eyes, my vision blurred as my amber eyes glittered with tears.

The doctor put an arm around my shoulder, trying to offer comfort as she spoke. "There was a complication with the wounds that Kody suffered from, and he crashed." I bit back a sob, nodding for her to go on. "We did everything we could, but unfortunately, Kody passed away. He is dead. I am very sorry for your loss."

I took a shaky breath as the doctor took her arm from my shoulder, and turned to Melody, who was crying. Melody's voice wobbled, "He's dead? Kody's dead?" I nodded and tightly wrapped my arms around Mel when she ran into me for a hug. I bit my lip as the hallway echoed with her wails, "He promised. He promised he wouldn't die!"

I held on tighter, remaining calm with unshed tears, my voice surprisingly collected and gentle. "I know Melody, I know. But it'll all be alright, we'll be fine." I rubbed her back, and hummed a small tune to try and calm her.

I looked up Sans who had a pained expression on his features, like everyone else. "Sans, did you get to say what you wanted to?" Sans gave a slight nod of his head, "Good... You need to call Pandora, tell her to meet us at the house. We'll explain what happened there."

By the time Pandora had arrived, Melody had ended up crying herself to sleep in my arms. Everyone else was gathered in the living room, chatting about things to try and distract themselves.

When Pandora entered, everyone went silent. Pandora gave us worried looks, "Hey you guys, what's going on?"

I gently deposited Melody on the couch, standing up and crossing over to Pandora. "Hey Pandora, we need to tell you something. You're going to have to sit down." I led Pandora to the couch, and noticed that her eyes were already filled with tears. She knew. Or she knew something we didn't. "Pandora, we don't know how to say this, but..." I took a painful breath. "Kody's dead."

Pandora lowered her head and tightly closed her eyes, her voice shaking, "How?"

My eyes were analyzing her, trying to figure her out. She knew; she knew before I even told her. That's why she's not sobbing right now, that's why she's not hyperventilating, even though she should because Kody was her close friend. Though, I hadn't sobbed or screamed yet. "He was shot multiple times, he suffered traumatic injuries and had to have surgery. And though he came through after the surgery, even though he had been sitting up and talking, there was... a complication."

Pandora stood up from the couch, holding a hand out for me to take. "Frisk, can we talk in private? Please?"

I nodded and got up, leading her outside to the porch out back. "So Pandora, what do you need to tell me?" I had a feeling.

Pandora took a shaky breath, "It was me. I was the shooter." Pandora's voice was overwhelmed with emotion, and her voice broke. "I'm the one responsible for Kody's death."

I could feel anger and hate well up inside of me. "Why."

Pandora began to pace, talking quickly. "It was an accident, I swear. I didn't even know I had shot him until I saw his face. Frisk, I am so, so, so sorry. Is there any way, any way at all that-"

"No, I meant why were you going after Melody!" I clenched my fists at my side, feeling my magic swell inside of me.

Pandora's face filled with surprise, before it filled with fear. "Frisk, just hear me out. I had to, I had to go after Melody-"

My hands were consumed with my rose pink aura, the magic flickering like flames from a fire. "Why?! She's just an 11-year old girl! She's defenseless, helpless, harmless, and you go after her?!" I thought of throwing either my fists or magic at her, but I decided against it. I shook my hands out and my magic left, leaving me feeling drained. My voice was quiet, "You killed Kody. You almost killed Melody. You almost killed Papyrus. You hurt a lot of people today... Alexandra threw a temper tantrum, huh? She assigned you a mission, and your mission was to kill Melody, right?" Pandora nodded vigorously, tears staining her cheeks. "Come on, let's head inside and tell everyone about what happened."

Pandora looked at me like I was crazy, "Tell them that I tried to kill the two most innocent beings in this family?! NO."

I slammed my hand down onto the porch railing, "Damn it Pandora, just listen! Not only are you going to tell them the truth, but I'm going to tell them everything. Everything about me and my past, everything about how Alexandra is my mother and that I'm working for her because she pays good money that we need and because if I don't work for her, she'll kill Melody, my own sister, her own daughter. I'm revealing everything tonight, I'm exposing myself and being vulnerable! You only have one thing to confess, I have millions! I'm not the sweet pacifist child who would never purposely hurt someone, I'm an abomination, and I'm going to tell them that tonight." Pandora was silent, staring at me with incredulous eyes.

"Come on. Let's get this over with."

WHOOP, ANOTHER CHAPTER!

Hey guys, how ya doing? Okay, I'm gonna be seriously sappy and all of that right now: I really really really appreciate and love you guys sooooo much, like, you don't know how much I love and appreciate you guys. I also wanna say: If you want to post a lot of reviews, that's okay! I won't get annoyed or irritated if you post a lot of reviews, I promise.

Okay, sappy stuff over. Let's get to work on the next chapter!

Until Next Time~