The dark alley way closed in around him. At first, he thought he was alone, but paranoia ripped at his soul. Something was wrong. Someone was coming. They stood above him, laughing maniacally, appearing as though they were shadows stepping out from the walls. "Get away!" He screamed, his fists engulfed in yellow. "GET AWAY FROM ME!" And still they came closer, laughing, swearing.
Hello, freak… What have you to say for yourself… His dream taunted him. With bats raised high, the masked humans converged on him, throwing rocks, beating him.
Kill him. Destroy him…
"STOP! STOPPP!" He screamed, he pleaded, yet there was no break from the agony, "please…. You're…."
"Frankie! FRANKIE!"
He shot out of sleep, still thrashing about wildly, screaming. Someone was holding onto his shoulders. "LET GO OF ME! GET OF ME!"
"Frankie…!" He yanked himself free, his fists blazing yellow.
"DON'T TOUCH ME!" He sat there in his bed, trying to remember where he was, trying to stop shaking, stop crying. "I can't… I…" He was in the hospital… that was right. And… Dad…. He looked over to his left where Sans was standing, worried. "Dad…" His yellow magic slowly disappearing.
"I'm here, kiddo. I'm right here." But he didn't move to touch Frankie. The little skeleton burst into sobs, hugging his knees tightly, trying to reassure himself that everything was going to be fine. His dad was here, he was never going to see those bad people again. No one was going to hurt him. Not while he was with Sans… and still he couldn't stop shaking… he couldn't stop thinking that…
"Dad…" He let go of his knees, and through his tears reached out to hold Sans. The older skeleton let out a sigh of relief and pulled Frankie into his arms.
"It's alright, Frankie… shh… it's alright…"
"No… No it's not." He cries harder, gripping his dad's shirt tightly. "They're coming for me. I know they are. They want to kill me!"
"No, Frankie. No. I won't let them touch you." Frankie's breathing slowed to normal as he held on tightly to his father.
"Do you want some water?" Sans said, pulling away gently. "I'll get you so-"
"NO!" Frankie held on to him tighter, "No! You can't leave me, you can't leave me alone… Please, Dad, I'm… I'm scared…" Sans' eyes widen.
"Okay, kiddo, I promise. I'm not going anywhere."
The next morning Papyrus came to visit. Frankie wanted to see everyone, so that's who Sans had called- everyone. Of course, everyone was horrified to hear that Frankie was in the hospital, they all scheduled times to visit. Papyrus chose early morning. It was before his cooking classes, which worked out perfectly. Toriel, Asgore, and Frisk would be coming in the afternoon after school, and Alphys and Undyne would be coming around Lunch time.
After Frankie finished his breakfast he lay on his bed, trying to tap a rhythm on the railing, humming along. Poor kiddo must be bored out of his mind.
"Do you want me to find something for you to do, Frankie? I could go look for some-"
"No!" Frankie cried. Sans was taken aback.
"What? Why n-?"
"Y-you, can't l-leave." The little boy actually looked terrified. "You c-can't leave me…" Tears had begun to fill Frankie's eyes. Oh no…
"It's okay, Frankie!" Sans stood, pulling his son into his arms. "I'm not going to leave, okay?" So, Sans called a nurse and asked for someone for Frankie to do. When she returned with crayons and paper Frankie began drawing as best he could with the terribly large cast on his arm. Sans didn't have much else to do, so he watched as his son's (oh how that word still made him smile), creativity spilled out onto the page. It didn't take Sans long to figure out what Frankie was drawing. Little yellow lines turned into a square which turned into a house with little black windows, and front steps. Green scribbles became grass. Black was used to draw heads and arms and legs, and soon Frankie was holding up a family portrait proudly for his dad to see.
"Look!" He said. "I drew our family."
"Wow!" Sans took the drawing and fought a terrible battle to not shed tears.
"See!" Frankie pointed with his left arm. "There's Me, you, Justice, Papyrus, Toriel, Frisk, Alphys, Undyne, Asgore, and Riley."
"Frankie, this is a great drawing. I think you got the colors just right and…" Above Papyrus Frankie had written in red: NYEH HEH HEH! Sans grinned. "I love Papyrus' speech bubble-" Just as he said these words the tall skeleton joined them in the room. He seemed almost in a panic.
"FRANKIE! WHEN SANS CALLED I WAS SO WORRIED! HOW ARE YOU FEELING?"
"I'm alright now, Papyrus." Frankie replied. "Actually," He looked over at Sans with a grin. "I'm glad you came. I was beginning to feel a little bonely." Sans laughed out loud. This kid is my son. He thought proudly.
"No." Papyrus whispered. "NO! SANS! YOU'VE…! NO! THIS IS A NIGHTMARE! YOU'VE INJURED HIM BEYOND REPAIR!" Sans was laughing too hard to reply.
"No, really. I'm alright, Papyrus." Frankie smiled. "I've never been better."
"OH! GOOD!" Papyrus reached out and hugged Frankie tightly. Ooh. Ouch. Sans thought.
"Ow.. ow! Okay!" Frankie gasped.
"Careful, Paps." Sans frowned. "Frankie has a few cracked bones."
"OH DEAR!" Papyrus gasped. He quickly released Frankie from his grasp, "DON'T WORRY. I BROUGHT YOU A PRESENT TO CHEER YOU UP!" Papyrus pulled from his scarf a few pieces of rolled up paper.
"What's that?" Frankie asked.
"I WROTE YOU A STORY!"
"What?" Sans was a little skeptical, but he was sure whatever Papyrus wrote would be enough to cheer Frankie up.
"CAN I READ IT TO YOU?!" Papyrus looked extremely excited.
"Sure!" Frankie nodded happily. Papyrus cleared his throat.
"AHEM! ONCE UPON A TIME THERE WAS A TALL SKELETON WHO WAS VERY GREAT AND HE LOVED TO MAKE THE BEST OF ALL PASTAS."
"That's you." Sans said with a nod.
"SANS! DON'T SPOIL THE STORY."
"Oops… sorry."
"SEE, I DREW A LITTLE PICTURE OF THE VERY HANDSOME SKELETON RIGHT HERE." Papyrus held out the picture for Frankie to see. The little skeleton grinned.
"That's so cool, Papyrus."
"I KNOW. NOW! BACK TO THE STORY. THE SKELETON HAD A BROTHER WHO WAS SHORT, AND LAZY, BUT STILL ALRIGHT."
"Gee, thanks." Sans chuckled.
"SANS! WOULD YOU JUST-"
"Okay, I'm done. Sorry." Sans sighed.
"THE GREAT SKELETON'S BROTHER FOUND A LITTLE SKELE-CHILD ONE DAY, AND THE SKELE-CHILD BECAME GOOD FRIENDS WITH THE GREAT SKELETON." Papyrus held out another illustration for Frankie to see. Whatever the picture was of (Sans guess it was probably Papyrus, Frankie, and himself), it made Frankie smile.
"THE SKELE-CHILD ALSO LOVED SPAGHETTI. THIS MADE THE GREAT SKELETON SO HAPPY! (SEE, LOOK, FRANKIE! THE GREAT SKELETON IS VERY HAPPY.)"
"Yes! I love the drawings, Papyrus, they're very good."
"THE SKELE-CHILD GAVE THE GREAT SKELETON TWO VERY SMALL, VERY GOOD FRIENDS: SPAGHETTI AND MEATBALLS." Papyrus held up another picture.
"Aww! It's the kittens!" Frankie said.
"THE GREAT SKELETON LOVED THE SKELE-CHILD! HE NEVER WANTED HIM TO GET HURT, SO HE WAS VERY GLAD WHEN HE FOUND OUT HE WAS OKAY. (I ADDED THAT LAST PART JUST NOW)." Papyrus said. He held out another picture.
"AND THEY ALL LIVED HAPPILY EVER AFTER. THE END!"
"Papyrus, that's the bestest present ever!" Frankie gasped. "I love it. Is it for me to keep?"
"YES! I WROTE IT JUST FOR YOU!" Papyrus handed Frankie his full manuscript and the little skele-child pulled Papyrus into a much lighter hug.
"Thank you!" Then Frankie remembered his cast. "Hey, Papyrus. Do you wanna sign my cast?"
"OF COURSE, I DO!" Papyrus cried.
"Do you have the pens, Dad?" Dad. Sans smiled.
"'Course. Here yah go." He handed the small pack of sharpies to Frankie.
"WAIT?! WHAT?!" Papyrus looked completely puzzled. "DID YOU JUST CALL SANS 'DAD'?"
"Yeah!" Frankie said. "Papyrus, it's great news! Sans is going to adopt me! He's gonna be my dad forever now! Isn't it great?"
"WHAT?! WHAT?!" Papyrus looked over at Sans who shrugged, but couldn't help smiling.
"It's true, Paps. Toriel picked up the adoption forms for me this morning. I'm working on them now. Guess you're gonna be an uncle."
"AN UNCLE? AN UNCLE! AN UNCLEEEEE!" Papyrus was nearly jumping up and down. "DO YOU KNOW WHAT THIS MEANS, FRANKIE?"
"No…?" Frankie frowned.
"IT MEANS… IT MEANS YOU'VE JUST GOTTEN THE GREATEST UNCLE OF ALL TIME TO BE YOUR UNCLE!"
"You've never been an uncle before, Papyrus." Sans sighed.
"NO, BUT I ALWAYS KNEW I'D BE GREAT AT IT! PREPARE YOURSELF FOR THE BESTEST, FUNNEST, COOLEST OF ALL UNCLES!"
"I already have!" Frankie cried. "I knew all along you'd be the best!"
"NYEHHHHHH! A GENUINE COMPLIMENT! ERG!" Papyrus stood stalk still for a complete two minutes before moving again. "NYEHHH! AND I KNEW ALL ALONG YOU'D MAKE A GREAT NEPHEW! BUT WAIT! NO! SANS! YOU CAN'T ADOPT FRANKIE!"
"What?" Sans frowned. "Why not?!" He looked over at his son, to see bewilderment, fear? I'm not changing my mind, kiddo.
"YOU WON'T EVER BE ALONE AGAIN….BUT… BUT… I WILL … BE ALONE."
"No, Papyrus, don't do this."
"NYOOHOO! SANS, YOU'RE LEAVING ME ALOONNNEE!"
"Papyrus, please stop crying." Sans groaned.
"FRANKIE, SANS CAN'T BE YOUR DAD! HE'LL NEVER SEE ME AGAIN!"
"Papyrus, that's not true!" Frankie gasped. "It just means I'm going to be part of the family now!"
"The only thing that's going to change," Sans said, "Is Frankie will be calling me dad. It just means a lot, that's all."
"You can come visit our house as often as you want!" Frankie nodded, "You could come every day if you want."
"Might as well move in." Sans chuckled.
"WHAT?! REALLY?! SANS, YOU MEAN IT?!"
"Uh… wait… what?"
"Uncle Paps?! Move in with us?!" Frankie looked overjoyed. "We could have spaghetti for dinner EVERY NIGHT!"
"That's not exactly what I meant-"
"YOU'RE THE BEST BROTHER IN THE WHOLE WORLD, SANS- BESIDES ME, OF COURSE! YOU WON'T REGRET IT! I PROMISE I WON'T BURN THE KITCHEN DOWN! I PROMISE!"
"Well… Okay, I guess…" Sans frowned, still not sure what was going on.
"YES!" Frankie cried.
"OH, SANS! THIS IS GREAT NEWS!" Papyrus threw his arms around his brother happily. "I SHALL GO HOME AND START PACKING IMMEDIATELY!"
"Okay, well…" But Papyrus had already dashed out of the room, screeching about how this was a cause for celebration, or some such other nonsense. Isn't this hilarious, Sans? The more you try and avoid attachment the more you get. Frankie, Papyrus, Riley… they'll all be ripped away from you. All your friends- old and new…. Shut up. Not a chance. You think you're safe… you think you and your friends will live happily ever after- maybe this time is finally the last time. Maybe there won't be another reset? Shut up! Tsk! Tsk! Tsk! Poor Sans… Any moment now it could happen and all you do is grow closer and closer-
"Dad?"
"Huh? Yeah, kiddo?" Sans looked up quickly.
"Are you alright?" Sans' son offered him a little smile.
"'Course I'm alright. I was just thinking…. With Papyrus moving in… it seems to me we're gonna have to get a bigger house…"
Dammit, Riley, what are you doing?! She was standing in front of the hospital, holding tightly to a neatly wrapped gift. Alphys and Undyne had told her about what had happened to Frankie, how the little boy had been attacked by Red X, and how Sans was at the hospital with him now. She had, in her stupidity, decided that it might be nice to visit them, and bring Frankie a present. Now, standing in front of the large double doors, she was completely regretting her decision. I can't see them! I can't see… Sans…. What was wrong with her?!
Sans… he was… funny, and kind, and he looked at her like she was an actual person…. But this was ridiculous. There was no way. None. It would never happen. It's just a stupid grade-school-like crush. Get over yourself. She took a deep breath, and stepped into the hospital. The woman at the front desk smiled at her.
"Hi, how can I help you today?"
"Yeah, I… I'm here to s-see my friends- Sans and Franklin. I think they're on the second floor, but I'm not sure which room…"
"I'll look that up for you." The woman nodded, typing away at her computer. "Alright, Frankie- he's in room 25 on the second floor. Go on up. Visiting hours end at six."
"Th-thank you." Riley smiled, though she knew the woman couldn't see it through her scarf. She took the stairs up to the second floor. It only took her a few moments to locate room 25. She hesitated before knocking quickly.
"Come in." A deep voice replied. She took a deep breath and stepped into the room. Frankie was sitting up in his hospital bed, his little table was out in front of him, and it was covered in puzzle pieces. The poor kid had little bandages here and there, and a big blue cast on his arm. Seemed as though lots of people had signed his cast already. Sans was sitting next to Frankie on a big chair. He was working through a large stack of paperwork. Riley remembered Alphys had said something about Sans adopting Frankie. She wondered if what he was working on were the adoption papers.
"Hi…" She smiled, waving.
"Hey! Riley!" Frankie gasped.
"Oh!" Sans looked up quickly. "Hey… What are you… I mean…"
"Alphys and Undyne told me about you being here, I thought I'd stop by and say hello." She shrugged.
"Cool!" Frankie grinned. "You wanna sign my cast?"
"Sure!" Riley nodded. "I… uh… brought you a little something too." She held up the little gift she'd brought.
"Awesome!" Frankie took the gift from her hands with a big grin. Sans sighed.
"What do you say, kiddo?"
"Thanks so much, Riley!" Riley gave Sans a smile, though she knew he couldn't see it. She hated this stupid scarf. She hated what it hid. He smiled back at her, and she felt her cheeks heat up. No. Look away. Quickly! Stop staring for goodness sake-
"Wow!" Frankie pulled from the torn up wrapping paper a beautiful picture book- all about trains. "Dad, look! It tells you all about different kinds of trains in here!"
"That's pretty neat, kiddo." Sans grinned.
"Thank you!" Frankie gasped. "I love it! I'm gonna read it right now!" He pushed the little table covered in puzzle pieces away from his bed and opened up the book in his lap. Then he frowned, "But, do you wanna sign my cast first?"
"Of course!" Riley nodded.
"Dad, do you have the pens?" Frankie asked.
"Oh. Right." Sans nodded quickly, he pulls out a handful of sharpies from his pocket, holding them out to Riley with a smile. Riley, what the hell is wrong with you. Take a pen, now. She reaches out and takes a green sharpie. "Nice choice." He nods, "Matches your eyes." Did he… does he… ? My eyes?
"You can sign right here." Frankie tapped the top of his cast.
"O-okay." Her eyes scanned over all the other signatures on his cast. First there's his doctor's signature- that's nice. Then FRISK- big letters on his hand. Toriel, and Asgore are both very neat and tidy. Undyne's handwriting is big and messy. Alphys' small and scribbled. Papyus, in big bold letters. And by Frankie's elbow: "DAD". Aw! It was really cute how easily he slipped into calling Sans 'dad', and how easily Sans had accepted it. Riley leaned over and signed her name with a smiley face. "Get well soon!"
"Thanks, Riley!" Frankie examined her message with a smile. "And thanks again for the book it's awesome… umm… Will you read me this first part…? About…" He looked down at the book, "Steam trains?"
"Oh.. uh…" She looked over at Sans, who was grinning. "Well… Sure!" She sat down next to Frankie, taking the book from his hands and began to read, softly at first but slowly gaining confidence. She couldn't help but feel Sans watching them as she read. She silently wished he'd stop because it was making her nervous, and her cheeks were burning.
Sans sat in the corner of the hospital room, watching with a smile as Riley read Frankie the book about trains she had gotten him. The little skeleton was drifting off to sleep, holding onto Sir Barkley. My son. Sans grinned. Frankie was his son now, and it was his job to protect him. Well, you're doing a great job so far, Sans! The voice laughed inside his head. Sans didn't respond to it. It's your fault, you know? Frankie almost died because you weren't there to protect him. Sans didn't respond. And yet, somehow, he still looks up to you? It's almost sad. He called you his "hero". He called you "Dad". Man- I can't wait to enjoy your sorrow and agony when it resets. Shut up. Oh! Finally talking, huh? …
Do you think it won't reset, Sans? Is that it? Is that why you're allowing yourself to get attached? It won't reset. The voice laughs maniacally. Are you that STUPID? Remember what happened last time you said that?! I believe that was the time when we were up here for almost 6 months, remember? And you said it wouldn't happen? Remember? Then, a week later, what happened? What happened, Sans? I woke up in Snowdin… That's right, Sans! Good! Do you want to feel that way again? Is that it? Do you like the pain? … I deserve to be happy. You deserve nothing. You gave up. People who give up deserve nothing. I'm done giving up. I want to live again. I'm not going to- Will you give up again? When it resets? No. What's so different this time? The last 4 resets, absolutely nothing happened like this. You didn't get attached. What happened? Frankie. The voice sighs.
He'll be gone, you know? Next reset. He won't be your son anymore. He will-
"S-Sans? Are you okay?" A new voice spoke. Riley. He must've been spacing off.
"Uh… yeah. I'm fine. Just thinkin'." Frankie was fast asleep. Riley stood up and walked over to the bench that Sans was sitting on, sitting next to him. She seemed a bit more… jittery than usual.
"You doin' okay?" He asks her, raising a nonexistent eyebrow.
"Y-Yup! I'm fine!" She replies, kind of frantically. Maybe she's scared about Red X… I mean, I wouldn't blame her… Sans glances over at Frankie sorrowfully, and then looks back at Riley, making direct eye contact. She glances away quickly,
"S-so… uhm… the weather's nice, huh?!" The weather? Sans glances out the window. The sky was a light gray, little droplets of water fell at a sporadic rate, sometimes falling heavily, other times, it calms down to a light sprinkle onto the streets below.
"Riley. It's raining." Her eyes widen, and then she puts her face in her hands. She must be really worked up about this whole Red X thing… He puts a hand on her shoulder,
"Hey… It's gonna be alright, okay? I don't think Red X will wanna mess with us anytime soon…" He chuckles, she glances up at him, and then to the skeletal hand on her shoulder.
"H-Heh… y-yeah…" She seems kinda uncomfortable… Sans drops his hand from her shoulder.
"So I was wondering if you wanted to get some coffee or somethin' again sometime? If you're okay bein' in public and all, that is." He offers her a kind smile. Something was clearly wrong, he might as well offer her something nice.
"Y-yeah! Th-That sounds like a l-lot of fun!" Sans chuckles,
"Cool beans" Eh. It was a bad one, but puns always seemed to cheer Riley up. She laughs, snorting, and then really quickly slaps a hand over her scarf where her mouth was. Sans laughs. She's such a dork.
Riley was assured she'd see Sans again. She couldn't tell if she was looking forward to it or if she was terrified of it. When she was finally able to escape the stifling awkwardness of the hospital room she quickly made her way out of the building. God. What is wrong with you, Riley?! She leaned against the brick wall just outside the doors, taking in a deep breath, trying to lower her fast heartbeat. She groaned inwardly. Aughhh…. I really, really… like him.
REVIEWS FOR CHAPTER NINETEEN:
Anonymous: You gosh darn brilliant writer you gosh darn HIT ME RIGHT IN THE FEELS AGAIN! THE SINGING! WHY...;-; But seriously I'm super impressed with this story and the writing and the feels. ;-; Another thing: I really super like sad stories so uh this is one of my most favorites ever SINGING WHY MIST YOU TAKE MY SUNSHINE AWAY THAT WAS BRILLIANT AHAHAHAHAHAH (I am so sorry for my crazed review)
Awww! Thanks. I am sorry for the pain we have inflicted upon you. :)
Guest: will gaster be in this
I dunno. Mayhaps. *shrugs*
Calmed OCs:
Yeah we're fine now, mostly. Except Chaos blew up a lot of my other OCs in rage of having to wait for this chapter...
I kept checking every 5 hours for a new chapter...Even at night. I set my alarm clock to wake me up every 5 hours so I could check.
Also, Spyro wants to talk to you.
Spyro: Um...G-Great chapter...I'm really glad that Frankie is Ok...Sorry about the whole...threatening to give you a bad time thing...Heh...
Chaos: Yeah, Uh...Sorry 'bout that. I don't think that anyone would approve if I destroyed you...Heh Heh...I really like the story by the way.
Yeah these guys might be showing up every chapter now in a review.
Thanks! That's okay with us. It's been fun meeting your OCs!
I guest as much:
Great update, as usual. I'm happy to see Frankie is gonna get better! It's also a good thing they had that conversation, if they hadn't it might have created a crack in their relationship. I also checked out the blog, I like the updates so far! Wait a second, what if the title is not only a metaphor on the mental state of Sans and Frankie at the start of the story, but ALSO a recurring event! Based on that line of reasoning, does that mean that this will happen again?
*nervous laugh* Uhhh... heheh...
kiwibird88: Smol Skeleton is my sunshine :3
Nah, he my sunshine. 3
TheSoCoolWriter:
Mmmmmm the cuteness
It is too strong
Plus, FRANKIE'S OKAY!
*You quietly mumble to yourself that those Red X members should go die in a hole.
*Knowing that it is very much a possibility...
*Fills you with DETERMINATION!
Yas!
Thanks, all, so much for the awesome reviews! :)
-mariahills-capsicle