Lunch ended faster than it took to get there, which was all fair. Frisk took time to teach George how to sign, carefully. Step by step, making sure to teach him everything he wanted to know and tried communicating with him at a pace of a word every couple seconds. He was improving at his alphabet, so there was that. In the very least, he could finger spell things. He tried his best and that's more than Frisk could have asked for from someone they'd only know for a few years. It wouldn't be long before Frisk could actually hold a conversation with someone they liked.

Third period came sooner than liked. Frisk and George headed to their meet-up spot for the trip. There were already about twenty students huddled around, speaking in groups or looking at phones. An older man with a clipboard was going around taking a headcount. Tall, a medium beard that was brown but starting to gray up. Same with his hair. His small rectangular glasses had to be pushed up every so often to keep from falling off his face. Frisk made eye contact and he nodded, looking back at his clipboard and scribbling some things down. It was only a few more minutes before the teacher cleared his throat.

"Attention students! Today we'll be taking a trip to Mount Ebott for a geological survey. Now, I'm going to be passing out worksheets when we get there and some bags. You'll be grouped up in pairs or in groups of three. I'll expect everyone to complete their own sheets, so be on your best behaviors. The mountain is also prone to rockslides, so please be careful. The waivers you signed at the beginning of the week are applicable here. Now, file on the bus outside and find your seats. Don't push, please."

Students stopped listening about half way through, but Frisk was excited. Nobody was allowed on the mountain if they weren't accompanied by someone who was working on the mining that was going to start soon. There were whispers on the way there. About the trip. About this being something more. Rumors were always spread about this teach having connections to some government agents or something ridiculous like that. Mostly based on the fact he never looked anyone in the eye, but always looked like he was looking at something else slightly behind them. It was unnerving, sure, but he was smart, and that's what Frisk liked the most.

The bus was crowded as Frisk made their way towards the back. And the back was already full, so they decided on a nice mid-seat with a window. The grey of the sky broke a bit into streaks of sun, a glimmer of bright breaking through the monotonous tones of the world. Frisk fiddled with their fingers, just waiting for the bus to start moving as the rest of the students on the bus. It was clear that the teacher was rushing kids on.

George took a seat next to Frisk, the two continuing the lesson from lunch. Other students that passed by gave looks that could make skunks get sick. Frisk paid them no mind, however. The looks couldn't bother her anymore. It was everything she'd been accustomed to since she was young. Being the only mute kid was hard. There weren't really deaf kids either, so George was the only one she had to talk with sign.

The bus trip took little less than an hour, mostly it taking long enough to get through all the checkpoints. All the paperwork had to be processed and, at one point, two stoic-faced guards joined the bus, sitting at the front. It was probably mostly for intimidation factor and hype as well, seeing as the chatter on the bus increased two fold once the soldiers came on. Kids poked and prodded, but they sat still, just ahead, as if they weren't even here to start with.

The bus soon came to a halt, the door swinging open as the students all began rustling for their bags. The professor at the front of the bus stood, clearing his throat to get everyone's attention.

"Now students. remember. We are here for only a few hours. Be sure to complete this worksheet before you get back to the bus. These two fine gentlemen will be overseeing this trip as to make sure none of you get in any danger or trouble while you're here. This is protected land, mind you, so no littering and no leaving the designated areas. Now, go have fun!"

A herd of students flushed off the bus, each getting into their own groups and rushing off to one area or another to search the mountainside for any hints or clues to support all the rumors of this place. Frisk left with their bag over their shoulder, taking in the view.

Nevertheless, it was breathtaking.

From this height, the clouds seemed to fade with a sun breaking through. The green of the rolling land below seemed to give way to the sea line so brilliantly blue. The rustle of the town didn't translate up muted and nullified by the overbearing size of the mountain. A large mute on the chaos that was everyday life. Frisk took a moment to breathe, really let it set in. The world was so small. People so little. Yet, somehow the hate and rage of the world seemed to envelop everything. Even with such a beautiful view, the thought was disheartening.

"Frisk! C'mon let's go find some rocks!"

With a well meaning sigh, Frisk turned to George, moving the bag to more firmly over her shoulder as the pair began walking further up the mountain's paths.

"So, do you think we'll find that mysterious hole all those myths have talked about?"

Shrug.

"I hope so. That'd be so cool…though if they haven't found it by now I guess it probably doesn't exist. Ah well." A defeated sigh later, the pair continued their trudge. Every so often they'd stop to look at an interesting rock, put it in their bag, and mark down on their sheets. It didn't take long for all the students to finish, plus or minus a few, so they all began to wander, smaller groups growing larger. Frisk and George found their own little cave and began to practice signing again, Frisk telling jokes and laughing when George recreated them poorly. He tried, but it was still a little funny to watch.

"Guys! Everyone c'mon!"

"Dude are you serious?"

"Hey don't push!"

A rush of students ran past the pair, running up the hill in a hurry. Words became jumbled and faint as peoples passed by. A mass formed towards one of the plateaus. Frisk got up and immediately began to run and join the others. Mumbles couldn't have been made out, but still, Frisk continued on. George's calls to wait up faded towards the back. Maybe if they found out what this was, people would like them more. People would appreciate them more…

The crowd stopped eventually, Frisk ending up having to move through people with polite pushes and shoves. What was there…was not what they expected.

A hole. A huge hole. The likes of which hadn't been seen. The bottom was endless void. Straight down it seemed.

"Hey Frisk."

An eerily and angrily familiar voice. Jennifer Harley.

"What? Ready to jump in that hole?"

Jennifer Harley was the kind of head bitch of the class. Beautiful, smart, able to hold her own in most sports. She was one of the most admired students in the entire school. She was kind to most everyone. But, Frisk was an exception, as their disability made it hard for them to tell Jennifer how they really felt. It didn't matter though. Ever since Jennifer learned about Frisk's disability, it had been the talking point of the school, which didn't exactly fly by her. She tried to make it seem like Frisk was doing it only for attention. That they weren't really mute, but didn't feel like talking. Since she didn't know sign, it was only a matter of time before Frisk just gave up and began ignoring her.

Well, up until now, that is.

"C'mon. It doesn't seem that far down. Not like anyone can hear you scream if it is."

"Lay off Jess. This isn't funny."

"Well, if they don't like it, say something then."

Frisk was mute, hands frozen to fists. Words weren't an option now, it seemed. Slowly the crowd started cheering.

Jump

Jump

Jump

Jump

Frisk turned around, making eye contact with Jessica before falling backwards into the dark unknown.