-A/N-

Happy new year guys!

Heres the new chapter with a short summary of the mind talking thingy (since it should be written down somewhere for me to remember and for you to poke me when I mess it up):
"Normal text" is used for normal talk inside and outside of the soul space, if Frisk and chara are both in the soul space they speak "normal text" (because same dimension) nobody else can hear them, Frisk speaking in the normal world can be heard by Chara in the soul space (because she can use Frisk's ears), Chara speaking in the soul space can be heard by Frisk but nobody else
"Italic text" is used for mind talking, if Chara speaks in the soul space it sounds as "Italic" in Frisk's mind, same think would apply by reverse order (so Chara hearing Frisk's mind voice in the soul space)

-Review Section (just her to seperate the stuff above from the rest)-

Same Person: Thanks for including my review in your intro! I appreciate that, once again it is a great story.
Me: You are welcome. But I think it goes without saying since you as well invested time to assure me that I'm still on a good way so it should be me who thanks you.
(Like the saying 'that there is no bad press' there are now bad reviews since everything could provide me with a clue to do things better.)

-A/N END-

A brief talk

The soft touch of familiar large hands shaking your limb body was the first thing you noted mind still disoriented after- it wasn't important ignore it.
Mumbling you turned away from the terrible persistent Hands while dragging the blanket over your head.
"Just five more minutes mum..."

Scolding you slightly amused Toriel's soft voice made its way through your heavenly comfy cover letting your flinch in your mind as it reminded you of- it wasn't important ignore it.
"Of course my child", something started to thug at the blanket dragging it against your heroic effort little by little out of your grip, "but since this is the third time this morning I'll take this..."

With a final jolt the the blanket was taken away from you exposing your closed eyes to the annoyingly bright light in the room and taking its warmth with it.

"...with me to the table to make sure that you join us before noon."
Her feet producing soft thuds on the carpet she stopped a last time at the door to inform you, "Oh and forget about simply laying down in your brothers bed I got his blanket as well so rise and shine little one."

I don't have a brother… it wasn't important ignore it.

Grumbling some unintelligible words you sat up blinking heavily as you waited for your eyes to adjust.
The room hadn't really changed since you had last seen it, your bed on the east side with floor lamp and the white plushie, the cupboard and the small shelf filled with (books and board games) a variety of shoes in different sizes on the northern wall of the room, the red carpet with its white zigzag pattern and (another bed missing its blanket on the western wall the red plushie laying besides it) nothing important ignore it.
Making your way to the bathroom to do your morning business you kept your head lowered to avoid the blazing floor lamps so you got only a faint glimpse of your reflection in the mirror hanging at the end of the floor that showed you- nothing important.
Still not fully awake you paused a moment in front of the sink hands forming a small bowl cupping the running water in your palms.
Then you splashed it in your face-

Cold water swallowing you the force of the fall pushing you down into its suffocating embracement the shock paralyzing you until blind horror takes over letting your limbs flail aimlessly around achieving nothing at all while reds dots started clouding your vision and your chest twitched in agony under the overwhelming urge to breath until you couldn't take it anymore and-
Ignore it it isn't important!
Blocking the memory out of your mind you noted absently that you had made it through the floor to the front door although you weren't able to think let alone walking in the past minute- ignore it it isn't important.

"Fr..k?"

Entering the living room you shuffled over to the table and climbed one of Toriel's big chairs before you sat down onto (a large pillow) the blanket Toriel had put on it for you to reach over the edge of the table.

"Fri.k!"

Looking dismissive down onto the toast in front of you you demanded grouchy, "Pie?"

A deep voice answered you its words soft-spoken but nevertheless underlined with a faint trace of authority, "Good morning Chara finally up I see?"
Not waiting for a answer the voice changed to a teasingly apologizing tone, "Sadly we are short of pie but", a big white fuzzy arm emerged from behind the newspaper sitting on another side of the table pointing over to one side of the room, "we've plenty of blankets if you should need one."

Shooting the newspaper and the large horns towering over it a annoyed gaze you dragged your attention to the third person on the table asking still grouchy, "Peanut butter?"

"Frisk!"
The voice of the scary girl and the little monster sitting in front of you made it much more troubling to ignore reality- but it isn't important ignore it.

Moving the corners of its snout into a smile the small goat monster seemed quite to enjoy the sight of you struggling against tiredness as it reached out to grab the desired item… reached out with its hand… its white furred hand… with its small sharp looking nails..-

Toriel reaching over the edge of the footbridge her hand extending down to you her sharp nails scratching over your fingers cutting your skin in the futile attempt to save you the horrified look in her eyes when her fist closed around thin air your chest cramping as empty lungs tried to produce a warning shout about the knight suddenly towering over her with raised spear ready to strike-

Hearing Toriel's motherly rigorous voice from the kitchen enabled you once again to force the memories out of your mind.
"Asriel don't give your sister anything until she asks nicely!"

"I know that you can hear me!"

Turning his head in a quick movement lettings his floppy ears swing from side to side he shouted back, "Okay mom!", while moving the jar into your reach and putting it down.
"I wont give it to her!"

"Thanks Azzy," mumbling your answer a bit less grouchily you plastered the small toast with a amount of peanut butter that would've easily sufficed for two to three slices.
Already lifting the food you added, "You're now officially my favorite brother."
Shoving half of the toast into your mouth was a bit of a challenge but you mastered it with long trained precise movements drowning all of your taste buds in the sweet chocolate flavour of its topping.

"Chara! Don't scoff like that!"

Seeing Toriel standing in the kitchen door arms akimbo and staring reproachful at you let your mind stop in anxious shock as it recapitulated the last few minutes realizing every single of your badly behaved actions sending your thoughts into a panicked spiral of signals commanding your hands to drop the toast immediately and your mouth to apologize your bad behaviour to Toriel pleading for her forgiveness promising not to do it again... but… but...
But your hands didn't move.
You didn't apologize.
Because this wasn't you and this was not real.

Truth hit you like a fast punch to the belly forcing the suppressed memories back into your mind shattering the fragile dream world your consciousness had created from a memory of the scary girl to escape the horror of drowning like a thin sheet of ice.

"Come on crybaby wake up!"
Shaking their limb body laying on the black ground of the empty void containing their red heart she had now switched to insults and threats since calling their name hadn't done anything at all.
"Wake up or I'll eat all the chocolate and blame you for it… and shout the f-word loud enough for mum to hear me… and-"

Suddenly their hands started to twitch before moving down and letting go of an invisible object while their lips parted to stammer unintelligible words sounding like they tried desperately to apologize to someone about something.
Then after not even one or two sentences they fell silent again and their whole body tensed telling her that they were finally back from whatever dark corner of their mind they had fled to.

"Hey crybaby finally done with posing as snow white?"
Calling them names hadn't provoked a reaction before but she expected them at least to react on the 'snow white' part since they seemed to favour bad puns.

But they just curled up into a ball pressing their eyes shut.

Poking them she tried again to get a reaction from them, "Come on *poke* raise and shine *poke* don't keep me waiting. *poke* *poke* *poke*"

They did not respond at all.

Becoming slightly worried on this she hesitated for a moment weighting her options then tried the nice way again, "Frisk? What's the hold up? Don't you remember the knight? We can't stay here."

They flinched as she brought up past events but pressed only their arms more tightly onto their chest trying to block her out with this simple gesture.

Trying other formulations and reasons it was soon obvious to her that they wouldn't listen to her at all. So she had no other choice then to try something which had been proven working in getting them to react by someone else in the past although she hated herself for using this kind of tactics on them.
"Okay," she bend down to their head, "Okay."
Banishing every other emotion from her voice she told them causally, "Okay I get it. It is your choice to be a bad child not getting up when you're told to and ignoring me like a little brat that is your choice I can't change that..."

Their face twitched as they seemed to conceive her low spoken accuses as physical hits prompting their little body to curl up even more in the futile attempt to escape from her words.

Bringing her voice down to a whisper she threatened them with what seemed to her to be on of their greatest fears, "But I might tell Toriel about that..."

A fearful whimper escaped their mouth their hands clutching into fists on this to them horrible thought.

Feeling the urge to puke as self-hatred turned her stomach inside out she twisted the knife even more, "What do you think would she say when she hears about that would she be surprised… or would she simply explain that she had already expected that?"
Bending slowly backwards with suddenly hoarse voice she let her last words fade away tricking them into thinking that she was already leaving, "I think I'll go now and find out..."

"PLEASE DON'T!"
Jolting up into a siting position their hand shot forward grabbing her arm eyes opened unseeing in blind panic.

Surprised by this sudden reaction she stopped dead in her tracks staring back into their fearful widened pupils.

Seeing her stare they quickly dragged their hand back while breaking into fast pleading in a fear shaken voice, "Please don't tell her. I'll be good I promise. I'll listen to you. I'll-", short sobs started to shake them, " I'll do what you say. But please," more sobs distorting their words, "don't tell her. please..."

Damn! That was to far.
Still staring at them the surprise of their fast reaction was quickly replaced by the overwhelming question what she should do now to calm the miserable crying child in front of her that was still stammering unintelligible words.
"Frisk? Calm down."
Extending a hand she tired to grab their shoulder to assure them but they flinched under her touch and tried to press even more words out of their mouth.
"I won't tell her."

They didn't seemed to listen anymore.

"Frisk. Listen. I won't tell her."

No reaction just more pleas.

Not seeing another way she grabbed both of their shoulders compensating their flinching with a firmer grip bringing her eyes directly in front of their tear-stained face.
"So you crybaby now stop wailing and LISTEN!"
Shouting at them was surly not the nice way but it worked often enough and she could always apologize to them later.

Seeing her red eyes directly in front of them and hearing her shout they finally shut up but their mouth kept twitching as would they start their stammering every second again.

Loosening her grip a bit she did her best to imitate Toriel's soft soothing voice whose silent words had done wonders in the past calming her or other kids in even much worse states of mind.
"Frisk? Listen to me. I won't tell her okay? It was just… a joke. A really bad joke. You are a good child. Toriel would be proud of you. You've nothing to be afraid of. So calm down everything will be alright. Just breath and relax."

There were still tears running down their face but her words seemed to have reached them as they appeared to be a bit calmer now.
Voice still wobbly and a bit thin by the many pleas and sobbing they asked hesitantly, "Promise? You won't tell her?"

Signing quickly a cross over her chest she replied, "Cross my heart. As I said just a bad joke."

Hearing that their voice broke a bit, "That was a really mean joke."

Seeing the again increasing flow of tears and how their mouth twitched even more signaling a new break down she quickly pulled them into a hug like Toriel would've done.
"I know I know and I'm truly sorry but I had to do it okay? But I won't do it again my word on that."
Yeah Chara think before you do something like that! By golly she is probably just old enough for primary school and I sent her crying to the ground good job on that!
Placing the 'blaming-myself' for now aside while patting the back of the smaller child she added with a bit of blazing anger, But I hope to have some weedkiller with me when I see this evil daisy again.

They tensed on her hug but then hugged back grabbing onto her like a drowning man to a lifebelt.
Soaking her yellow stripped green sweater with their tears they asked hesitantly, "Why?"

Making herself free from them pushing them not to far away she pointed over the slowly pulsating red heart floating in the dark void.
"Because you jumped right out of your soul and didn't respond to me at all."

Looking quizzical at her their gaze shifted to the heart and followed then the small trace of red sparks that were formed into a small string by an invisible force connecting them with the heart.
"My soul? I thought this is a heart?"

"Yeah it looks like a heart but it is indeed your soul but in this case not this mystical thing they teach you in this bible classes."
Changing her voice to a more dramatic tone she recited the teachings Toriel had given to her a long time ago.
"This", she pointed to the heart, "is the energy that keeps your body going fuels your emotions with the power needed to do extraordinary things like a mother lifting a car to save her child and does pretty much everything else this egg heads of scientists can't explain to you. You know the very spark of life itself."
"And this", she poked their forehead with her index finger, "is you the cumulative sum of your memories and experiences just plain old you."
"Together the two of you work in synergy you using the energy of the soul to live and the soul using your emotions to refuel itself like a friendly parasite keeping you alive", making a dramatic pause she made sure that she had their attention before she continued, "but problems arise when the two of you get separated the 'you' you goes to the place wherever ghosts go to since you lost contact with your soul that works like a anchor chaining you to your body and your soul breaks apart due the fact that its stabilizing part 'you' has been removed."
Making another pause she waited for questions or other points they might bring up but they kept quiet.
So she continued, "You know like the orange soul you've seen? The boy died and left. So the energy of his soul fell into chaos and ruptured itself into fragments."

"How do you know all that?"

Their shy question interrupting her next thought before it could be voiced sent the remaining ones into a fully new direction digging up way more of the past then she had intended to so it needed one or two seconds before she answered short-spoken, "Mum told me."

Her tone must've given away how unwillingly she was to talk about this as they suddenly flinched and backed a bit away.

Pausing for a moment she waited until she had regained her composure then grabbed their hand pulling them with her back up, "However we've to bring you back into you soul so come on-"

"NO!"
Pulling their hand out of her grip they stepped back eyes widened in new fear but this time they seemed not to be afraid of her.

Still shaken by the memories their innocent question had surfaced she simply reached again for their hand ignoring their sudden protest, "Don't be silly we've to get you back before it is to late."

Doing another step they made sure to keep out of her reach.
"No!"

"Oh come on real-"
Already lifting her foot to follow them she noted the small string connecting them with their soul.
It was still laying on the ground without any trace of stress but had noticeable thinned with every step they had taken being now so small that some of the sparks were able to escape its force dying down like little shooting stars in the darkness of the void.
Realizing what would happen when they would retreat further away from the heart she stopped.
"Why not?"

Looking like they were ready to run when she would just lift her little toe they asked with small voice, "You said the soul is the thing that connects me with my body so going back into my soul will send me back to it right?"

Not knowing what they were on to she answered, "Yes?"

"But I don't want to go back."
Their voice died down to a whisper
"There was water so much water all around me."
Tears started once again to run down their cheeks.
"It was everywhere filling my noose like little worms and I… I couldn't breath and..."
Now outright sobbing they embraced themself.
"There was no light… and no ground… and I couldn't get back up and… and..."

Summoned by their words anxiety crawled over her back sending cold shivers down her spine while bringing up the memories from the fall of the footbridge and other similar ones changing her words into small whispers.
"And the water held onto you slowing you down making sure that you couldn't escape while you were unable to do anything because you can't swim."
Her voice broke.
"I know believe me I know."

Hearing her voice their attention shifted back to her, "You're not laughing? Most people laugh when they find out or try to 'help you learn it'," heavy shivers shook the little body on the last words reminding her of her own encounters with 'helpful' people trying to teach by 'swim or drown'.

Overplaying her own uneasiness with confident carelessness she stepped forward putting her arm around them, "Nah. We are on the same boat with that."

Not flinching this time they simply leaned onto her taking willingly the mentally backup she was providing against their shared fear of drowning not realizing that she was slowly leading them back to the soul still waiting in the center of the void.
"So you understand why I can't… why I don't want to go back?"

Wiping their tears with one of her sleeves away she answered calmly, "Yes I do."
"But", stopping she grabbed one of their hands while continuing in the same calmly authoritative voice she had copied from Toriel conveying them that in this case her word was law, "you've to go back or you'll die permanently."
Using the short time of shock such a death threat brought usually with it she moved their hand without any resistance towards the heart while urging them further, "No going back no second chances as as I said I've no clue how this actually works but I'm pretty much sure that it uses energy from the soul to work so no Frisk in the soul no retry so just go on and-"

"But what if there is water when I'm waking up!?"
A fearful sob echoed through the void while their muscles tensed stopping the hand before it could touch the slowly pulsating heart.
"I don't want to drown."

Sighing she turned her head looking straight into their eyes, "Okay two things."
"First you know that I can feel everything you're feeling right?"

Holding her gaze they nodded.

"So you can believe me when I tell you that I can't feel even the smallest drop of water right now correct?"
That is true but just because I don't feel anything from your body since you genius jumped out of your freaking soul!

A quicker nod.

"Second see that soul? It is still pulsating so your heart should still be beating right? That would mean wherever your body is it shouldn't been under water since it would've drowned minutes ago correct?"
Again no direct lie I mean I guessed that and it were questions no guarantees!

Shyly smiling they nodded again their muscles palpable relaxing under her fingers.
"Okay", they took a deep breath, "if you say so then I'll trust you."

Great now I'll feel guilty thank you for that crybaby!
Keeping her friendly smile towards them she comforted herself with the thought that she was just doing it for them so that they could live (or at least won't be left stranded her like she was although it was rather unlikely since she lost her soul under rather exotic conditions) but it wasn't as easy as it could be since Frisk was in a long time the first person she was speaking to and had become to be somewhat like a friend to her.
Not trusting her voice she just nodded and let go of their hand.

But to her surprise they grabbed hers now smiling brightly not giving her time to react before thrusting her hand alongside theirs down onto the slowly pulsating red soul.

Then everything was consumed by a dazzling flash of light and energy conveying her somehow the pictures of red crayons and strawberries.

The whole 'fuse again with your soul' thing wasn't as dramatic as you had expected it to be after the wordy explanation from the scary girl.
It felt more like the sudden acceleration of a car when your body was pressed into the seat and every cell of it was suddenly eager to tell you that something was poking them.
Sorting the signals in your mind you waited anxiously for the moment when one of your nerves would cry out that it was wet but it seemed that your body was except from the high dampness of Waterfall and your soaked clothes more or less dry.
Waiting a bit longer to be absolutely sure the rest of your body started to report some bruises from the two falls onto the solid planks of the footbridge and a nagging ache in one of your legs.

"What are you waiting for?"
Being gradual used to the sudden interruptions of the scary girl you didn't even flinch as the question echoed in your mind.

She is still there… But she is sounding much louder now so perhaps it worked?
A bit unsure how the theory you had made up on the spot as the scary girl was urging you to go back would work out you took some deep breaths while formulating a very specific insistently though.
Then a sudden idea crossed your mind curling your lips up into a smirk as you remembered something before you quickly modified the thought and pushed it over to the corner of your mind where you felt the presence of the scary girl.

"BOO!"
Being still a bit disorientated by the dazzling flash of energy their return into the soul had produced their voice suddenly sounding in her head caught her flat-footed and entirely of guard prompting her to flinch back while squeaking like a three year old baby seeing a fat rat.

Needing some seconds to calm down again she felt how Frisk's body was shaken by arduous suppressed laughter as they sent her already the next thought-spoken sentence.

"Tee-hee-hee You were right this is funny."

Still baffled she asked irritated, "Okay I had it coming but how are you doing that?"
"And why didn't you do that before?"

The laughter stopped and their mood changed into… a bit of guilt?
"It was just... a experiment as you said that the soul is like a anchor right?"
"And that you need it to be connected to a body?"

"Yes."
Hearing the cautiously tone in their voice she got a bit leery.
"But what has that do to with you speaking now in your mind?"

"Well I thought that… since you're a ghost without a body and all that… and you know so much about everything… and since you're mostly nice to me… it would be a good idea when we could talk without everyone hearing me... and..."

Guessing something she lowered her gaze.
"But you didn't… FRISK!"

Flinching on her shout they continued quickly, "Please don't be mad I'm sure it will work fine I mean I'm already talking to you so it should be okay right? Please don't be mad..."

Looking somehow shocked at the small string composed of red sparks connecting now her with their soul she gritted her teeth, "NO THIS IS NOT OKAY!"
"THIS IS FUCKING STUPID YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW ME AND YOU'RE BASICALLY GIVING ME YOUR SOUL YOUR GODDAMN FREAKING SOUL!?"
Old memories that she had locked away a long time ago awakened from their slumber summoned by the knowledge that she once again was entangled with someones very being showing her another image of two heart-shaped souls one of them upside-down shining in a bright white innocent light and the other one… her own flickering in a crimson shade while small chunks of it were propelled into the darkness.
No...
More images started to dance before her mind's eye how the steady connection between the souls started to waver and flicker like a candle flame that was suddenly threatened by heavy wind.
No…
How more and more splinters of her soul vanished into the darkness until the heart-shaped form of energy ruptured with uncontrollable force sending the last fragments shrapnel-like into every direction.
No!
One of them puncturing the other soul sending a shock wave of cracks over its pure white surface filing her ears with the sound of breaking crystal before everything was consumed by silvery light.
NO!
Not even noticing how they ducked under her harsh words she continued shouting at them while tears were strolling down her face, "WHAT THE HECK IS WRONG WITH YOU!?"
"ARE YOU THAT DESPERATE TO DIE!?"

Flinching under her words they tried to answer but they were to afraid to formulate a coherent sentence, "No Iitt was justt… I'mm soory plleease… I didnn't meaant to… I wass jjust tryiingn to..."

Hearing their wobbly voice through their ears did nothing else then to give her a new angle of attack as she started a new quarrel twisting their own words against them.
"IT WAS JUST WHAT CRYBABY STUPIDITY? IGNORANCE? DULLNESS?"
"OH YOU ARE SORRY? THAT SURELY MEANS SOMETHING LIKE I SCREWED UP BADLY BUT IT IS OKAY BECAUSE 'I'M SORRY' RIGHT!?"
"IF YOU DIDN'T MEANT TO THEN WHY DID YOU DO IT IN THE DAMN FIRST PLACE HUH?"
"TRYING TO DO WHAT SPEAKING NORMALLY WITHOUT SLAUGHTERING EVERY SECOND WORD? LIKE A BIG GIRL AND NOT THE CRYBABY YOU ARE? HECK I BET YOUR PARENTS WHERE GODDAMN GRATEFUL WHEN YOU VANIshed..."
Her voice dying away her mind realized shocked what just had crossed her lips letting the anger about their actions and the pain from the past vanishing in an instant.

Sitting on the ground they had just flinched and whimpered on her words while covering their head and belly probably following reflexes that had been created by too long breaks in schools with to many bullies.
But hearing her last words they just stopped.
No more whimpering.
No more flinching.
Just sitting there motionless while a multitude of emotions rushed in quick succession through their soul letting the string connecting her with the heart vibrate in shame guilt loneliness and a painfully strong desire for something so basic so natural that she couldn't quite grasp it although it touched something in her where the same desire resonated with their own not as strong but still existent.

"Frisk?"
Voice suddenly hoarse she tried to apologize her careless rant.
"I'm sorry I didn't meant it like that… I..."
Remembering what she just said about 'I'm sorry' and 'I didn't meant to' she searched desperately for words trying to explain her sudden outburst to them.

"Thhe quuick browwn ffox..."

What?
Irritated by this simple sentence stammered from trembling lips she moved a bit closer to the red soul.

"The quick brown focx jumpps..."

"Frisk? What are you doing?"

Ignoring her they tried it a third time.
"The quk-"
Just to fail on the second word as a short ache surged through their throat twisting the syllables in their mouth.
Taking a quick breath they continued ignoring their throat now slightly throbbing on every letter passing through it as they spoke slowly emphasizing every word extra careful.
"The quick brown fox jumps over thhe lozzy-"
Interrupted by heavy coughs they bend forward body uncontrollably twitching.

Being still a part of them now even closer to their very being she could just watch as they tried again and again to speak this simple little sentence while their throat and neck protested more and more with each try.
Not used to this kind of behaviour she simply just stood there inside their mind not knowing what to do as pain dug its sharp talons into their nerves setting their throat aflame as they continued trying without listening to her apologies at all.
What is this? Are they having some kind of attack?
Feeling slight traces of panic clouding her thoughts she retreated from the soul.
They are not listening to me.
Ouch!, another try sent a new wave of pain through her mind.
I could always block the pain until they are done… like I did when they bathed...
This thought was very tempting but, NO! I did that to them the least what I can do is to be a big girl and share their pain.
Flinching on another try she fell to her knees simply not used to this sudden spikes of pain overshadowing the now permanent background ache of their throat.
But instead of giving in and simply endure it she tried her best to embrace the pain to hinder its signals to reach Frisk's mind enabling them to continue as long as they would need to.

"The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog."
Laying on your side throat nearly numb from endless tries but still aching this simple sentence finally leaving your lips without the simplest trace of a spelling error filled you with boundless relief.
"See? I can speak normally..."

It was only a weak thought as your mind was worn down by the self-torture it had just endured but it seemed to have reached the mean girl as she answered you a moment later conveying you the feeling of a encouraging smile.
"Yeah I noted… Good job!"

Hearing her short answer mind voice sounding as hoarse as yours had seconds ago filled you with concern.
"Are you okay? You don't sound so good..."

"Don't worry about me... I'm just a ghost remember...? But you should check yourself this little exercise didn't seemed to be so good for your body… at least it didn't felt so good on this end..."

Noting the small pauses between her sentences each one sounded in a slightly stressed voice that she tried desperately to cover with careless ease concerned you even more.
"Are you sure?"

"Yes believe me Frisk… It is okay… Please check yourself now… okay?", again a short encouraging smile.

No mean words...
No 'crybaby'...
She said please!
Now you were really concerned about her.
Sitting back up you flinched a bit as multiple spots on your left upper leg flared up in short sharp pain on the movement but you ignored it for now it was more important to know about the state of the girl.
"Okay what should I check?"

"Um... perhaps your upper body where you hit the footbridge?"
She seemed a bit nervous about your question but that was okay because her voice sounded already better as your words distracted her from whatever had bothered her.

Following her advice you ran your hands over both arms and under your sweater checking every reachable spot of your skin noting some bruises and a thin red line running in a circle around your right wrist.

"Can you push your ribs a bit please?"

"Like that?"
Placing your finger over one of your ribs you pressed it a bit.

"Yes exactly like that."
Waiting for you to check the rest too she stated afterwards, "Okay only some minor bruises and scratches nothing to worry about what is about your legs?"

Running your hands now over said limbs you asked causally, "You know a lot about this how did you learn that?"

"Mum told me she knows nearly all important stuff someone needs to know."

Her answer was short-spoken but she seemed to be still over friendly so you gathered your bravery and asked further, "Do you mean Toriel?"

Feeling suddenly the whole attention of the girl resting on you your hand stopped and you ducked again bracing for another rant.
"Please don't be mad I didn't wanted to look It happened without me doing anything I just want to know how-"

"Frisk calm down it is okay. I'm not mad."
Interrupting your fast excuses conveying you the feeling of her hand resting assuring on your shoulder she continued, "I know that you didn't intended to it was just the shock of the water."

Again no 'crybaby' but you made nevertheless extra sure that she was okay with your behaviour.
"You're not mad?"

"No. But you said you wanted to know something?"

"Yes… How did you… How it comes that…"
Not knowing how you could ask implicitly you blurted out, "Why are you speaking from Toriel as your mother did she adopt you?"

Seemingly curious why you would ask just this she answered hesitantly, "Sort of... You know… one day I accidentally called her 'mum' and it felt just right… and she didn't object… so we kept it like that."

That was not exactly the answer you had hopped for but it sounded nevertheless good for the idea that was stuck in the back of your mind since Toriel had called you 'my child'.
"Oh okay."
Checking your right and left lower leg extra careful you kept silent as different thoughts circled inside of your head concerning the paper the answer from the girl and how Toriel would react to your intent while avoiding touching your left upper-leg.

"Frisk?"
Sounding suddenly extremely uncertain the girl asked hesitantly, "You know that I'm sorry about earlier right? I shouldn't have said that about your parents that was really mean from me. I'm truly sorry about that okay?"
Not waiting for a answer she continued hasty, "It was just that you remembered me about someone else who trusted me with their soul he too had just the purest intentions but", a strong wave composed of loss and self hatred flooded into your mind hitting you like physical pain, "but I failed them and they... died."
Her voice breaking on the last word she fell silent waiting anxious for your answer.

Feeling the chaos of emotions coming from the girl testifying that she indeed meant what she said you answered though-voice much more silent then usual, "Don't bother it is okay."
Pulling your hands back from your legs you continued silently, "The other children in school said sometimes much meaner things then you did."

Hearing your quiet voice it seemed that some of your words had enraged the girl.
"But that doesn't make it right!"
Feeling how your body flinched on her shout she added quickly, "But if you say it is okay then I'll drop it."

Thankful that she didn't urged you further about this you tried to change topic quickly by asking, "Do you think we can call Toriel to pick us up?"
Producing the small device from your pocket not waiting for a answer you pushed the 'one' button without hesitation.
One…
Two.…
Three…
Four…
...
...
One…
Two…

"Frisk?"

Three...

"Frisk? It won't work."
Although full of compassion the words from the scary girl felt like a punch to the belly as it confirmed that you were indeed alone without help without Toriel and worse without the slightest hint how you could get back to her.

Hand slightly shaking you continued pressing the button for just a bit longer hopping for the death screen to lit up.
But nothing happened except for your eyes watering again as you lowered your arm giving up on calling Toriel for help.
I hope Toriel won't be mad that I broke the phone, your gaze fell onto your sleeve, and coughed a blood on my sweater.
Putting the water damaged phone away you held onto this thoughts using this single bit of your usual routine to shield yourself against reality.
"Okay what now?"

Sensing your fragile state of mind the girl tried her best to sound as self-confident and assuring as possible.
"Now we will simply stand up and get going until we find Toriel or at least a phone to call her!"

Being at least a bit encouraged by this words you bend forward putting one hand onto the ground to push yourself up to your feet-
Wincing you fell back on your rear letting out a short whimper as multiple spots on your left upper legs flared up in pain.

"Ouch! I thought you checked you legs!?"

The complaint of the girl still echoing in your mind you hurried to assure her, "It is nothing just a bit uptight."

But as the next question of the girl confirmed you were still a terrible liar, "Oh you're sure? Because I think this might be maybe maybe not perhaps they same leg that started hurting when you fell onto the footbridge isn't it? You know that one with the blood stained trousers leg?"

"No?"

The sound of a annoyed sigh echoed in your mind.
"Frisk. Let us cut this short why are you lying?"

"It… it hurts. I don't want to touch it."
Looking away after your slightly ashamed confession you waited for the girl to laugh at your childish behaviour.

"Okay how about a short look?"

She didn't laugh...
A short look? I don't want to look!
But it hurts when I move and she knows stuff about making people well again… so perhaps she can help if she sees it?

Sensing how hesitantly you were she added, "Just a short look no touching."

She needed quite some time to convince them but finally they extended a hand to lift the waistband for her to look.

"Rats!"

"Where?"

"Nowhere it's just a phrase. Hold still I need to see that clearly!"
Hushing Frisk who had slightly panicked on her sudden curse she made a quick survey to determine the state of their leg.
Don't panic. I'm sure it is not as bad as it looks.
Multiple glass shards most of them to small to do real damage… not as much blood as expected although their skin was pierced by nearly all of the shards… the water must've washed it away… they should probably go out easily… when I can convince this crybaby to touch them.

They surely didn't liked staring onto the bloody mess on their leg but kept looking as she had demanded asking quietly, "Is it very bad?"

"Nah. Nothing more than a bad bee sting. Just pluck them of your leg shake out your trousers and you should be fine."
At least until it gets infected since we can't sterilize or bandage it.

"You said no touching."
They sounded a bit betrayed as they stated the obvious.

Snorting she replied bluntly, "Of course I won't touch them dummy I'm a ghost I can't touch things but you have to or else no walking and no going back to Toriel."
Although spoken a bit harsh her words were carefully chosen as she tried her best to keep them mentally on track, Easy there! Don't drive them to far again. You just want them to be to occupied to become desperate over this slight straits but remember don't overexert them or they will shatter like glas!

Flinching on this prospect they kept silent for a moment probably gathering their bravery before they hesitantly reached for the first shard.
Grabbing it they hesitated again before jerking it out of their skin.
As expected it came out fairly easily nevertheless it hurt like hell.

Ouch! Great more pain.
Wincing in sync with them she guided them more or less through the rest of the process.
"Good job Frisk just like that pluck one at a time."
"First the small ones."
"Be careful with the big one we don't want to cut further."
"Don't forget to clean your pocket too."
Until they were finally done.

"Okay I think that was the last one now what?"
Placing the last shard aside to the other ones they backed a bit away from the small pile of broken glass.

"Um…," doing a quick recap of the past events she declared, "Now we keep going until we find Toriel or someone else who can help us."
Hopefully without running across the knight.

Seemingly still willed to follow her suggestions Frisk stood back up keeping their gaze on their leg while straining it carefully.
There was still a dull pain flaring up on the movement but it was within reason so they raised their gaze again to take a look at their surroundings.

There was water.
A lot of water with some small islands composed of overgrown garbage that was washed down here over the ages.
Gulping on that sight she suggested, "Turn around I guess?"

They turned around.
"There is more water..."
A wave of panic emitted from the heart over the small string directly into her own mind.
"We are on a island!"
Shivering they backed away from the edge of the small island keeping as much distance between themself and the water as possible.

Observing the scene through their eyes she were intimidated as well by the sheer amount of water lurking around waiting for them to do a false step to fall and to drown.
Okay that might be a problem…
Fear crawled up her back showing her past memories filled with water and useless flailing limbs paralyzing every other thought not concerning a haunting death through the cold embracement of the lake around them.

"I don't want to be on a island."

Hearing Frisk's weak mind voice shaken by the same fear that had wrapped itself around her own mind enabled her to pull herself back together at least for now .
Okay. Okay. Don't panic.
Breath.
Think! I'm the older one (at least I'm longer death than them) so I should show some responsibility and find a way out of this mess!
Well said. Well said.
Distracting herself from the situation she took a second look at the surroundings.
Let's see…
This is a small island…
We landed here after we fell down from the footbridge…
The footbridge.
That could work!
"Hey Frisk can you do me a favor?"

Mind voice still shaken by slight panic they asked back, "What do you want?"

"Could you check on what we are standing?"

"We are standing on a island."
The shivering of their body increased while their breath quickened to the verge of hyperventilating.
"With so much water around it..."

Bracing against the tide of emotions flowing over the connection between her and the soul right into her mind she tried to get their attention back, "Hey crybaby *snap* *snap* I'm still talking to you!"
"Yes this is a island but what is it made of? GET DOWN AND TAKE A LOOK!"

Prompted by her harsh shouting they quickly bend down and run a hand over the green surface of the island checking its fabric.
"Wood?"

Being a bit relieved after the storm of fear was replaced by the irritation upon the wooden ground she explained, "Exactly these are the missing pieces from the footbridge above."

"Well?"

Changing her tone she made clear that it should be pretty obvious why this was important, "What does wood do when you throw it into water?"

A small glimmer of hope flared up in the soul as they realized something, "It swims?"

"One hundred points to the crybaby."
Going back to a more serious tone she demanded their full attention, "So listen this is the plan..."

-A/N-

Fun fact: initial plan for this chapter was entirely different, flashback and waking up was intended but the rest just happened.

-A/N END-