It was only after shutting the Ruin doors closed did I realize I forgot my backpack. All I had with me was a simple toy knife.

Not to mention that it was absolutely freezing.

Snow fell down in little drifts of snowflakes, and although there wasn't much, it still felt overwhelming. All around me was ankle-deep snow, and I was just in some simple tennis shoes. Even though I was wearing a sweatshirt, it still didn't feel like enough. I could feel my teeth chattering from the obvious temperature drop.

After everything I had just went through, I did not have the mentality to go through anything else. But I had to. Just thinking about it made me want to fall right in the snow and go to sleep, just to save my troubles for later times, when I wasn't feeling as aggravated.

Chara just urged me on, casting wary glances around us. "Remember, you can't trust anyone."

"Yeah yeah…" After a couple steps, I finally made it onto a slightly-blue path. It was still wet, slushy, and icy, but it was better than trudging through thick, fresh snow. Huffing, I started forwards. All around me were tall trees, though none of them seemed to have leaves, which gave off a mysterious and dead feeling. A dead forest. It reeked of danger and ominous promises.

Ahead, I found a branch. Or at least, what used to be a branch. Once before, it might have been a tough and heavy stick, but now, it was broken into four separate and smaller sticks. I wondered why it was broken, and why into four pieces exactly. Curious, I bent down and picked one up. It was extremely thick, practically impossible to break. Chara nodded in approval. I wondered how effective it would be against enemies.

Then I started to wonder what broke it. Just thinking about it was enough to urge me to keep going. But it wasn't but a couple steps more before I heard a huge crack sound from behind me. Startled, I quickly turned around. There was no one, but along the already-broken branch was a new crack that hadn't been there only moments before.

I could feel my skin chilling at the thought. (An unintended pun, at that.) I cast a look at Chara, and she nodded, confirming my suspicions. Someone was definitely there. But where, I didn't know.

Trees continued to pass along to the side, tall and daunting. But at the same time, thin and frail. I was slightly afraid that one would suddenly fall down and squash me into spaghetti. Trying not to think too hard on negative thoughts, I resumed to striding down the path as quickly as possible.

Between a couple of tree trunks, I saw a shadow moving.

Startled, I stopped to see more clearly, but by then, it was already gone. Thoroughly haunted, I strode on feeling nervous and tingly. I kept my eyes onto the trees. I knew I should've felt anxiety, but instead, my body was fizzing with excitement. Like it just couldn't wait to see a stranger stalking us to suddenly leap out and kill us.

"Monster?" I asked for clarification.

"Monster." Chara agreed. She seemed more amused than scared, really. Though once she noticed my expression, her smile dwindled down some. I couldn't tell if it was from reassurance or if she was actually dissatisfied with something.

And then not too far ahead, I saw a bridge. They were just a few wide, wooden planks overhanging a deep hole that practically screamed DANGER! Turn around! A sort of gate hung over the bridge, its bars shooting downwards to create a kind of trapped feeling. Like a jail. I was not eager to cross this thing.

Yet at the same time, I was fully aware of approaching footsteps coming from behind. They were muffled from the snow, but still fully audible. It was like they weren't even trying to be quiet. Maybe they knew their strength and speed. They knew that even if I ran away, they would be able to catch up to me. I had no escape!

Panicking, I turned to Chara for help, trying not to look behind me to see the approaching stranger. Chara only smirked slightly. "What happened to that 'being friends with everyone' charade?" She teased.

I felt like spitting. "Things have changed! I know better!" Quite certainly, for a fact. "But can't you help me now?"

Chara twirled her hair, and the footsteps behind me grew much louder. "You can't run. You can't hide. Then that only leaves you to fight."

"Fight?" I wasn't exactly sure, but it certainly seemed to be the only option. "Well, if you put it that way…"

"Human." I almost jumped out of my skin at the sudden gruff voice behind me. "Don't you know how to greet a new pal? Turn around and-"

I suddenly jumped around, toy knife in hand, pointed at the stranger threateningly. "Back off! Or I'll…" I paused as I took in the situation. It certainly wasn't what I had been expecting. I had been getting ready to meet a huge dinosaur with chainsaws head-on or something, but this…

It was just a shady dude standing there with a hand outstretched. He looked like some kind of back-alley drug dealer. The left hand was gloved. Not to mention he was short, not intimidating at all. Even his clothing choice was simple; a big blue jacket (with the hoodie over his head) and some black shorts with stripes on the sides. Although I quickly found myself questioning his footwear choice in this icy weather. Slippers, really? Obviously, this guy couldn't be taken too seriously.

"Careful." Chara warned. "More dangerous than he lets on."

I took in the warning, but couldn't help staring at the outstretched hand. What was he doing? I suddenly remembered him saying something, right before I had turned around to threaten him. Something about greeting new pals, and then turning around to…

"...Shake my hand." He finally said. I couldn't see, but for some reason, I knew he was grinning under the hoodie.

Was it dangerous? I stared at his hand for a couple of moments, analyzing dangerous points. Maybe he would choke my wrist. Maybe there were spikes in the palm of his hand. Or maybe he would electrocute me to death with a electrifier. Or maybe I was going nuts?

Trying to keep my sanity, I cast a confused glance in Chara's direction. After an obvious pause of uncertainty, she reluctantly nodded her head to signify it was safe. Not sure whether to feel relieved or more afraid, I turned back to the stranger and started to move my arm. I didn't want to rudely leave him there hanging. Just thinking about the nice ghost in the Ruins made me all the more determined to act like him.

I grasped the stranger's hand, felt something squishy, and a fart sounded out in the air. Surprised, I almost immediately let go of the hand. It was long, pitiful, and kinda squeaky. Was someone farting? It didn't sound real though. It took me a moment to realize it was coming from the handshake itself.

After a moment, it died away. Somehow finding the situation hilarious, I laughed. To see a stranger, to think they were dangerous, just to have them prank you with a whoopee cushion? I finally let go of the handshake, but I was still giggling, earning a disapproving look from Chara. Maybe I was crazy.

"Heheh…" The stranger laughed as well, his entire posture slackening with relief. I could tell that the scary tone he used earlier was gone, only to be replaced with a slightly more friendlier tone of voice. But still gruff. "the old whoopee cushion in the hand trick. It's always funny." And then, he raised his arm. For a moment, I thought he would finally strike, but instead, he just brought the hand down upon his head to bring down the hoodie.

I froze. (Pun, maybe?) Somehow, I had expected to see a human's face. But that didn't make any sense, since I had already confirmed with Chara that this being was a monster.

So why did it surprise me so much when I saw a skeleton's face hiding beneath that hoodie?

And why was my heart racing so fast at just the mere sight of him?

I figured it was because I was scared. The skull was bone-white. Those big eye sockets weren't exactly comforting. Little pinpricks of light danced in them, and I figured they were his pupils. The skeleton's smile was stretched out into a permanent grin, a display of wide friendly teeth. I tried not to peer inside his nose hole. That was creepy thinking.

"Anyways, you're a human, right?"

I immediately stiffened, realizing that the skeleton was still a threat. A monster. I couldn't trust him. He could attack me at any moment. Once he realized I was a human and not a monster like all the others, he would surely-

"That's hilarious. I'm sans. Sans the skeleton."

I found myself blinking at his promptness, and at his unwillingness to start up a battle. What was he doing? Well… at least he had the nerve to introduce himself. No one else I've met so far had done so. Except for Chara. And Flowey. I decided not to think further than that.

"...so I've noticed." I eventually answered.

"Surprised?" He asked, no tone of friendliness gone, though he now seemed a bit unsettled. Chara seemed to be gaping next to me, but I was more focused on answering his question.

"...yes." I eventually admitted. Not just because he was a skeleton. But also because he found a humor in pranking people with whoopee cushions. Monsters were weird.

"well, I'm quite a sight for sore eyes."

I found myself laughing lightly at his comment. "Agreed."

"Im actually supposed to be on the watch for humans right now. But… y'know…" He diverted his eyes slightly. "i don't really care about capturing anybody."

Well that was a relief.

"Now my brother, papyrus… he's a human-hunting fanatic."

Scratch that. I'm so screwed.

"Hey actually, i think that's him over there."

Crap. I spun myself around, and saw a tall figure in the far distance. Was that his brother? Another skeleton, I assumed. Papyrus, huh? Definitely a strange name. And definitely dangerous.

Then a thought occurred to me. Was this just a well-planned trap? Had this skeleton been stalling me, just to gain time for the other one to catch up? The other one was quickly approaching, though he didn't seem to have noticed us yet. I started to spectate on how to get away. First, I would have to cross this dangerous-looking bridge.

"I have an idea." Sans gestured toward the bridge. "Go through this gate thingy."

I glared at him for stealing my idea. Chara gave me a look that suggested I would be stupid to accept his suggestion, and I signed the same expression back at the skeleton. Instead of seeming unsettled, his grin just grew wider.

"Yeah, go right through. My bro made the bars too wide to stop anyone."

That obviously hadn't been what I meant, but I didn't argue. His brother must've been pretty stupid to make such a useless gate trap. But I had to hurry before he made it here first. Swiftly crossing the bridge and trying not to look down, the skeleton followed behind me. After finally crossing, at which I breathed a sigh of relief, I was met with a clearing. There wasn't much time left.

"Quick," He told me. "Behind that conveniently-shaped lamp." Looking around, I quickly found a deformed purple-blue one ahead, sitting not too far away to the left. It was the only nearby thing I could hide behind. There was nothing else I could use for cover. Before I could even consider if the skeleton was trustworthy, I dashed to the lamp.

I had practically dived for cover, just as the 'Papyrus' guy walked into the clearing. For some reason, I noticed that the lamp was in the exact same shape as me. Height, shape, everything. It was pretty creepy. Chara was floating not too far away, and staring at the whole situation with a sense of distrust.

"'sup, bro?" That was Sans.

"YOU KNOW WHAT'S 'SUP', BROTHER!" And… that was a new voice. Extremely proud, and with a hint of annoyingness. I winced at the loudness for a moment before readjusting my ears to the change in tone. "IT'S BEEN EIGHT DAYS AND YOU STILL HAVEN'T RECALIBRATED YOUR PUZZLES! WHAT ARE YOU EVEN DOING?"

What puzzles? Feeling curious, I peeked out from behind the lamp. The two skeletons were facing each other. The new one, Papyrus, was much taller, and much more different-looking. His clothes were strange, a red scarf, gloves, and boots. Almost like a costume for a halloween party, except for the fact I couldn't tell what he was dressing up as. If the two weren't both skeletons, I would've had a hard time figuring out they were brothers.

"Staring at this lamp." I froze at Sans' words. "It's really cool. Do you wanna look?"

I could feel fury clawing up inside of me. He had tricked me! He had only staged me behind the lamp, so that he could keep me there before leading his brother to me. My anger was immediately replaced with fear, once I realized that Papyrus would surely come over to investigate. And once he noticed me, it would all be over…

"NO! I DON'T HAVE TIME FOR THAT!" Almost immediately, my fear was gone, to be replaced with relief. Sans' attempts were foiled. Though, if he really wanted his brother to find me, why didn't he just tell him?

"Can't trust him." Chara reminded me. "He's playing you for a fool."

"Right." I whispered back.

"...BATHE IN A SHOWER OF KISSES EVERY MORNING!" Papyrus crowed. I wasn't sure what to make of that. I had been so busy being relieved, I hadn't even heard his whole speech.

"Hmm…" Sans said thoughtfully, and I could tell he was scheming something. "Maybe this lamp will help you."

I could feel my fear rising again, but it was immediately countered by a comment from Papyrus. "SANS! YOU ARE NOT HELPING!" The skeleton started to stomp the ground, almost teeming with frustration. I felt like I could relate. "YOU LAZY BONES! ALL YOU DO IS SIT AND BOONDOGGLE! YOU GET LAZIER AND LAZIER EVERY DAY!"

Before I could wonder about Papyrus' made-up words, Sans was already talking, a devious grin on his face. "Hey, take it easy. I've got a ton of work done today." His grin grew wider. "A skele-ton."

Oh my- was that a pun? In the next moment, I found myself bursting into uncontrollable giggles. This guy could do jokes! But almost immediately, I stopped myself. Reason one, because Chara was giving me the scariest glare I've ever seen. And secondly… had the other one heard me?

Apparently not. He was too busy being angry to hear me. "SANS!" He vented, annoyed.

"Come on." Sans spoke playfully, "You're smiling." I looked to the taller skeleton once again to see that he was, indeed, smiling a little bit.

Though I wasn't sure how I could tell anyways, since all their smiles were made of teeth. And since they were, technically, always smiling.

Curious to see how Chara was faring, I turned to see her expression. She seemed to be feeling very annoyed, a disapproving gaze pointed toward the smaller skeleton. Like Papyrus. Those two seemed pretty similar in personality.

"I AM AND I HATE IT!" Papyrus sighed. "WHY DOES SOMEONE AS GREAT AS ME HAVE TO DO SO MUCH JUST TO GET SOME RECOGNITION?..."

Sans shrugged. "Wow, sounds like you're really working yourself..." Sans sent a wink my way. "Down to the bone."

...that one was terrible. Yet, I could still barely suppress the rising bubble of laughter that arose in my chest. My chest felt fluttery. In the end, I just shook my head in amusement, barely holding back a snort. I didn't want to attract Papyrus' attention on accident.

"UGH! I WILL ATTEND TO MY PUZZLES! AS FOR YOUR WORK? PUT A LITTLE MORE..." I could feel mischief brewing. "BACKBONE INTO IT!"

That was the last straw. I almost doubled over from the stream of terrible puns, feeling a little light-headed from all the laughs. It was too much, and way too good. They were too good at puns. I wasn't.

Papyrus seemed to be laughing with me as he started to stroll away in a dutiful way. "NYEHEHEHEHEHEH!" He went away. After a moment, I decided he was gone. Just as I was about to show myself from my hiding place, Papyrus made one last appearance. I froze just in time. "HEH!" Was all he said. Then he left again.

I waited longer this time, seeing if he would come back. Seeing my reluctance, Sans gestured to me. "Okay, you can come out now."

Making sure it wasn't a trap, I slowly revealed myself from my spot from behind the lamp. Papyrus made no third appearance, thankfully. I sighed in relief as Chara floated disapprovingly next to me.

"Well that was something." She remarked dryly.

"Yeah." I agreed.

"Kid, ya say something?" I snapped my head up to meet Sans' amused face.

"Uh, no!" I didn't need to let him know I was talking to ghost people now. He would think I was crazy.

...and just when did I care about what monsters thought of me? Right, I never did. I was just going to do what I pleased, thank you very much.

"Right. Well, you oughta get going. He might come back. And if he does…" He winked. "You'll have to sit through more of my hilarious jokes." At the sound of that, Chara quickly tried to motion me away. Maybe she didn't like puns.

I frowned at Sans, trying to suppress a smile. I didn't mind so much. "Why are you helping me?" I asked. "Or at least, trying but failing to?"

"..." He didn't answer to that.

I decided on a different question. "Why is your name Sans?" It sounded familiar, now that I thought about it. But my stupid amnesia brain couldn't remember. Ugh.

Sans raised an eyebrow bone. That didn't make sense. And I was pretty sure it wasn't physically possible… "What's the holdup? Look, there's nothin' to be afraid of."

"But what about the monsters?" I protested.

"Right. It's just a dark cavern filled with skeletons and horrible monsters." He teased.

"You're not horrible." I frowned. Only after saying it did I realize I meant it.

"He's only horrible at puns." Chara grumbled next to me.

"Never said I was." Sans grinned in response to my comment.

I stared at him, feeling uncertain. This monster was friendly and nice, not mean and murderous like all the other monsters I had met so far. Maybe he was different. Maybe I could trust him. The hope of being able to trust someone was worming its way up my brain, telling me that things were finally going to look up.

"Can't trust." Chara repeated in my ear.

Sans was staring back at me, and a tension of awkwardness was in the air. "...are you just gonna stare at me, or…?"

"Uh, right!" I waved my arms around, trying to break the tension. "Uh, I mean, no! Well, I mean… I'm just gonna go now!" I turned myself around before marching away in Papyrus' direction. Chara seemed to approve, and tried to speed things up by pushing me.

"Actually, hey…" Sans words stopped me, right before I left the clearing. "hate to bother ya, but I'm gonna be straight-forward with you."

"Well." I raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"

"Don't trust him!" Chara screeched.

"I was thinking… my brother'd really like to see a human. He's never seen a human before. So, y'know, it'd really help me out if…"

I contemplated this. After spending all that time trying to avoid him, I was just suddenly going to show myself? And risk getting myself killed? No, I didn't think so. Chara nodded at my decision, seeming pleased.

"Don't worry." Sans reassured me, trying to convince me to accept the offer. "He's not dangerous. Even when he tries to be."

I blinked at him, wondering if he was trustworthy. But was the problem really about how trustworthy he was? I could handle things, and I could protect myself. There wasn't much to worry about. After a moment, I came to a conclusion."Sure." I was going to have to meet him eventually, so what did it matter when I did? "'Snow problem."

Sans chuckled, and I realized what I had just done. "Thanks a million." He grinned. "I'll be up ahead." And just like that, he walked away… in the other direction. Well, it was his own fault if he ended up in the wrong place.

Chara looked like she was fuming. "What was that?!"

"What was what?"

"That terrible pun!" She screeched. "He's such a bad influence! And not to mention the way you were talking with him!" She narrowed her eyes at me suspiciously. "Don't tell me you remember now…"

I froze, giving her a steely glare. "Remember what?"

Chara stopped for a moment before she went back to waving her arms in exasperation. "After telling you so many times that monsters couldn't be trusted, you still made a deal with him? That monster's a snitch! He's unpredictable! Can't you tell?"

Oh. "What? You made a deal with a murderous flower."

Chara was now shooting me ice daggers. With her eyes. "That's different."

"Don't see how." I shrugged, moving forwards. "And anyways, it wasn't really a deal. Meeting Papyrus was bound to happen anyway. I was just speeding up the inevitable."

Chara seemed to be in thought. "...speeding up the inevitable." She grinned. "I see what you mean."

"See? No harm done." I suddenly stopped. "Wait, what do you see, exactly?"

"What you see." She answered simply, smiling deviously.

I blinked at her, unsure. "Which is?..."

Chara avoided the question with another comment. 16 left.

Welp, that went relatively well.