19 YOU REMEMBER HIM, DON'T YOU?

The skeleton was gone and disappeared as someone jogged past him.

Had he ever even been there? Or am I just being paranoid? Frisk had stopped to stare in the place the skeleton had stood. Of course he'd been there. He can just magic himself in and out of places fast. Just- why is he following me? At least he hasn't attacked me though… yet.

"Ey, Frisk, you okay?" Enyo's hand clapped Frisk on the shoulder, and she jumped back in surprise.

"Huh?!"

"You okay?"

"Uhm- yeah. I'm just- uh…" she sighed and hung her head. "Just got… spooked is all."

"What?"

"I'm okay, never mind… thanks."

Antor shifted his eyes. "… I don't mean to be rude but…" he came closer so he could whisper: "What are you doing out here?" he looked darkly serious. "It's not very… safe."

Enyo stood close beside him and Frisk. "Yeah, so? She can't stay all cooped up in the inn."

"I'm just worried… I wouldn't do anything to hurt you, but if anyone's looking for you…" he trailed off. "I'm sorry, I don't mean to make anyone scared, but I'm just- worried."

Enyo growled, "She can come out whenever she feels like it. She don't need to be scared and go off and hide."

"Maybe I should though…" Frisk muttered.

Enyo looked at her sharply, with analyzing eyes. "I don't want you to be scared, Frisk."

"I know, but…" she looked back where she had seen the skeleton. "Its just… I hope everyone else will be safe..."

"What do you mean?"

"Someone's following me."

"Someone?"

"He keeps showing up and disappearing. I don't know what he wants. He showed up before in the woods, and then in the inn…"

Enyo squinted in thought.

Kaz stared. "Uhm… who? What'd he look like?"

Frisk started to say, but the words wouldn't come.

I know what he looks like, don't I?

I can say it.

Or will it matter?

… should I say it?

Wait.

Everyone is so still.

I can't have been thinking so long.

… what the heck? Its atleast been a minute.

I still can't-

Oh no.

I can't move.

Someone sighed behind her, and from the corner of her eye, a skeletal hand clapped her on the shoulder. "Kiddo," the blue jacket meandered around, a head or so taller than her. "There's something you gotta know about me." His gaze swung over the others, all still watching Frisk, some looking right through the skeleton. They hadn't noticed him. Hadn't moved.

With that same grin from before, he swung his gaze down to Frisks. "I don't exist. And I won't hesitate to make sure I stay that way. Got it? Blink if you read me."

Frisk blinked.

"Good," he nodded, "Now since I'm here," he held a claw over her heart, and it was like she was being pulled forward. The skeleton and Frisk looked down at the deep red glow between his claws. He was silent, but a puzzled look crossed his face. "Interestin'. No black spots…" He let go of the light, and it slammed back into Frisk's chest. She felt dizzy.

The skeleton looked her in the eye, his traveling up and down. "Quite a scar that."

I keep forgetting… through a dark haze, she saw the brief moments she was conscious in that dark world with that other skeleton.

"I know that look. You remember him, don't you?" the skeletons voice had gone low. "Normally he doesn't let that happen." He leaned back. "Don't listen to none of those ghosts 'cause they'll just get you into trouble. Which means you'll have ta' deal with me." His left eye flashed blue at her as he turned away, and waved a claw over his shoulder. "Stay out of the shadows. See ya, kid."

A whirling of blue steam and the skeleton was gone.

The release made Frisk jerk and stumble.

Enyo caught her. "Hey, you okay?"

Frisk was quiet, moved away, and staggered down to sit on the tarp.

Cautiously, Enyo grabbed the coat and slung it over Frisks' shaking shoulders. She sat down next to her. "I just don't know what in the world I'm doing here…"

"Hangin out with us?" Enyo suggested.

Frisk grinned, but she drew her knees up close and buried her face in her arms.