Yeah, its a short chapter, fight me. Next chapter is gonna get interesting, but this one was kind of a speed bump. I'm just glad I could crank anything out at all.

4th June

Papyrus said his first word! "Sans"

The child in question is strutting around as though ten feet tall. He is smiling for the first time since I saw him. I'm proud of both of them.

13 October.

My pardons for forgetting. It's been a hectic few months as Home moved towards completion. And now it's done. A market, streets, a palace. It's a touch rough around the edges, but the final lamps in the streets were lit last night. Food is still rationed, but they were able to scrape together enough for a city wide party, the king and queen walking among their people in the crowded streets. The children rest against me as I write, both worn from the long day and loud celebrations. Strange to think in a few months it will have been a full year since we were trapped down here.

One down, eternity to go.

Ahahaha!

Hah...

I want to go home...

I want the sun to warm my bones again.

I want to feel the rain again, to hear the drumming of a storm on my roof as I drift off to the rhythm of the drops.

I want to wish upon the stars at night, like I never used to do because I had everything I ever wanted.

I want her back.

I just want her back...

I'm drowning here. Drowning under the weight of the stone above us.

Please...

15th October.

Enrolled Sans in school. I have sent the teacher a note detailing his delicate condition. Hopefully they can exclude him from anything too rough and tumble.

Papyrus wept the entire day, calling for Sans repeatedly. I'd never seen anyone happier then when Sans came home and Papyrus came tottering towards him. The two are inseparable. I hope tomorrow he will have come to terms with the fact Sans must leave for school sometimes.

16th October.

Sadly, no.

He's taken to hauling the scarf he was wrapped in around like a toy as he wanders the house in desperate search of his brother. Holding him close seems to stem the crying, but he still wilts sadly in my arms. In time, you'll learn, child. Sometimes people you love can't...can't always be there for you.

20th October

Well...

That was...something...

The king, bless his heart, stumbled and spilled boiling tea on his arm today, searing deep beyond the aid of home healing magic.

This morning, the queen herself knocked on my door, injured husband in tow. She'd heard I was a doctor, and a good one. If a year ago you'd told me I would be treating the King himself, I would have laughed in your face.

And yet here I am. I've applied a healing poultice and instructed them in its care. It's a bad scald. Should take a few days to heal, even with the magic infused in the poultice.

I see no reason why it shouldn't heal well, he's a sensible man.

I saw the neighbours gossiping among themselves as the king left, and couldn't help but feel a twinge of pride.

26th October.

My hands are shaking so much I can barely write. I can't believe this!

The king and queen were so impressed at how my poultice healed him without even a scar that they both unanimously agreed.

I am the new Royal doctor!

I will now receive a salary, instead of relying on other monsters purchasing my remedies, which can lead to lean weeks if everyone in the area is doing well.

They offered me quarters in the palace, but I respectfully declined. I would rather stay here. I don't wish to let my title go to my head. Living here and working among the other monsters grounds me, reminds me who I am. They understood.

My soul is still trembling from the excitement. Sans seems pleased, from what I can tell. He's having one of his morose days. And Papyrus is too young to understand, he's just smiling because I'm smiling.

I feel as though my life is beginning to find its footing somewhat. It still...

It still hurts.

I miss her every day.

But it's easier to find distractions.

29th October

I have learned an important lesson. The time to worry most with children is not when they're screaming.

It's when they go quiet.

I was halfway through updating the accounts when I realized I hadn't heard a peep from Papyrus in a long time. It turned out he'd been entertaining himself in Sans absence by breaking into the fortunately non toxic ingredients and painting the walls with echo flower paste.

I'm...actually kind of impressed. He managed to get some on the ceiling, of all places.

This child, I swear...

I'll have to get him some paints, if he's going to make messes like that, boiling down echo flowers is time consuming.

3rd November

Sans got into a fight at school today. It seems some kids are picking on him for his low HP. By sheer fortune he was able to dodge the other children's attacks, but the funny thing is, when the teachers arrived at the ruckus all the children who had initiated the attack were huddled at the other end of the playground, scraped, bruised and terrified.

And they won't say why.

Sans won't tell me either, but there is a gleam of triumph in the child's eyes. What is this boy...?