Severed Ties
Papyrus had just woken up, still baffled about what had happened the previous day. It was obvious that something complicated had occurred but, seeing how devastated Serifa was, he just couldn't ask. He knew it would be better to just leave her alone with Sans for now. But he was still worried. And what about that other Serifa he had seen? She was crying too, but she was aggressive towards him for some reason. Who or what could she be?
He sighed and walked to the kitchen to make breakfast. There, he came across a rare sight. Sans was already up, drinking coffee and looking down. It was way too early for him, especially on a non-work day.
-Good morning... Papyrus greeted Sans.
-Hey... Sans sighed.
-Are you alright, brother?
-Apart from the lack of sleep and the terrible headache... I guess you can say I'm ok.
-What about Serifa?
Sans sighed.
-Poor soul... She was crying all night and only managed to fall asleep about an hour ago.
-And I'm taking that she's the reason you're sleepless too?
-Bingo.
-Can I ask what happened now? I may not be her boyfriend, but I'm still worried about her...
Sans took a sip of his coffee.
-It's too long a story with a lot of details to explain... Highlight is, when Serifa was brought back, a clone of hers was brought in this world too. I'm calling her Clorifa to tell them apart. So, since Clorifa was her clone, she wanted to be with me as well. And, to do that, guess what she did: she kidnapped and tormented the real Serifa and took her place! When the real Serifa, the one in my room right now, escaped, she came here, revealed the truth to me, and, well…you saw how it all ended up.
-So, I assume that this ''Clorifa'' was the one I saw crying and running away before I came home?
-Yup.
-How did she even take Serifa's place?
-You remember the night when Serifa went out with Frisk and the girls? That's when Clorifa abducted her, right after they left her at our door… Our freaking door! It happened next to out house and…!
-And we didn't know a thing… Papyrus sighed.
-Yes…and the ''Serifa'' we were talking to since then and until yesterday was the fake one.
-So, that second Serifa-
-Her name is Clorifa. Don't call her Serifa. She's a vicious clone and nothing more!
-...Sorry.
-They are not the same, that's why I'm insisting on this. She did horrible things to Serifa because of her jealousy, she lied to us, and, I believe you said she cursed at you, too? Like, for no reason?
-She did...I was really confused, you know.
-Well, she didn't take my rejection very nicely.
-And...how was she tormenting Serifa if she was with us the whole time?
-Trust me, you don't want to know the details... All you need to understand is that Serifa is really hurt, both physically and mentally. Took me a while to patch up what I could from her wounds yesterday. The psychological trauma and horror she went though, however... I don't know if I'll ever be able to fix that.
-Of course you will! You're the one she loves, the one she trusts the most... Don't give up on her! And don't underestimate her! She's strong too!
Sans sighed, looking down.
-I could not tell the difference between the girl I love and an impostor! If I had realised it sooner, I could have saved her! Yet I sat here and had Clorifa spoon-feed me lies while Serifa suffered! You can't understand how this feels, how disgusted I am with myself!
-You couldn't have known...
-The signs were right in front of my eyes… Clorifa was more selfish and more aggressive than Serifa. I could see the difference and I still didn't suspect a thing! I'm really disappointed at myself! And, worse thing is, I disappointed Serifa too...
-I'm sure she understands, Sans. What you're describing is way too far-fetched, no one would suspect something like that can even happen!
Sans sighed, taking another sip of coffee.
-What matters now is, we need to help her get back on her feet. And, with the way I betrayed her... I don't know if I can do it alone.
-I'll help, Sans! Serifa is my little sister, remember?
-Heh... Sans managed to chuckle just a little.
-I also have some great news! Papyrus tried to cheer Sans up. After I talked to the police yesterday, they released Toriel and Asgore! They are still suspects and are under house arrest, but at least they're out of bars! Oh, and, since they are a couple again, they allowed them to stay together!
-Finally, some good news... What about Grillby?
-For him, they'll need Serifa's testimony, since she was with him when the fire started at Muffet's.
-That was Clorifa. Serifa knows nothing about this whole situation.
-Which reminds me... I'm supposed to bring Serifa to the police today, since she lives with us... I'm assuming this is out of the question.
-Obviously.
-I'll go there and tell them personally, since they might not believe me if I'm on the phone. What should I say, exactly?
-That's a good question... To be honest, I'm too tired to think right now...
-You need to sleep, Sans.
-Heh, never expected to hear that from you! Sans smiled.
Papyrus smiled back.
-Alright then! I, THE GREAT PAPYRUS, will be on my way!
''Are you ever going to stop crying?''
-Leave me alone!
''You can mope all you want, but that won't do anything for you.''
-As if anything will, at this point. I lost for good...
''Yes, with that attitude, you did.''
-Oh please, what would you have done in my case?
''Rip Serifa's heart out the moment I captured her. That's what went wrong. You thought you had her trapped, but she escaped. I even told you that there's always a chance of her messing things up for you, which iended up happening!''
-I...I couldn't do that. I couldn't take her life! It would be too cruel!
''What you did is even worse. Just admit the truth, you either wanted her to suffer because you were jealous, or were too weak to kill her and your inactivity ended up tormenting her more!''
-W-What the hell do you want anyway? Clorifa shouted angrily. You keep talking to me and making me do all these weird things that hurt me ''for my own good''! Come clear, what are your intentions? Who are you?
''You wouldn't know me. As for my intentions, they are in accordance with your benefits.''
-Yeah, that tells me nothing. At least show me your face.
''...Very well.''
A dark, slender figure appeared in front of Clorifa. She looked into the man's blank eyes.
-There you go.
-You're right. I don't know you.
-Of course not. Now, about Sans-
-I've lost him for good. He hates me... Clorifa looked down.
-Nothing is lost yet. Not when you're the strongest. You have powers now, remember? You can still kill Serifa any time you wish.
-But she's a human and I'm a monster. Human souls are more powerful. That's what Sans said.
-I can help you overcome that.
-Why do you even care who Sans ends up with?
-Look, you can question me and force me leave you alone, or you can listen to me and let me help you. Make your decision now and stick with it!
-You never explain anything!
-WHICH IS IT GONNA BE, SERIFA? Or, should I call you...Clorifa?
Clorifa teared up even more.
-Alright, alright, I'll obey...just...tell me what to do.
-Good girl... For starters...let's make you more determined.
Papyrus returned home, with a disappointed look on his face. He saw Sans sitting on the sofa, drinking more coffee.
-You're back early.
-You won't believe what happened!
-I can believe anything, at this point.
-I went in and told them I couldn't bring Serifa because something personal happened to her, and they replied that it was alright, because she had already given her testimony yesterday afternoon, a few hours after I left!
-Oh, no… This can't be good...
-AND, she told them that Grillby was behind the attack at Muffet's! She even claimed he asked her to help him! Of course, they're keeping him behind bars for good now...
-Clorifa, you hellspawn! Why would she take revenge on us by hurting Grillby?
-I don't know, Sans. But that was really evil of her.
-Great, just freaking great!
Papyrus changed the subject, trying to calm Sans down.
-What about Serifa? Is she feeling better?
-I think she's worse, actually. I heard crying from my room but, when I went in, she was pretending to be asleep. I even spoke to her, but she kept the act up. She clearly didn't want to talk to me.
-Maybe I could give it a try?
-Go ahead, Paps.
Papyrus went close to Sans's room. He could hear sobbing from the inside. He knocked on the door. The sobbing suddenly stopped. Papyrus entered.
-Coming in...
Serifa was lying on the bed with her eyes closed, wrapped up in a blanket. Papyrus sat beside her.
-I know you're not sleeping...
Serifa didn't move an inch.
-You know, it's not healthy for you to stay in bed all day… It's not gonna help your body OR your soul…
No response.
-Have you even eaten anything?
Serifa didn't reply.
-Do you want THE GREAT PAPYRUS to prepare something extra delicious for you?
His usual bombastic tone didn't trigger a reaction either, so Papyrus stopped using it immediately.
-Have you had anything to drink at least…?
Nothing.
-At least drink some water, please… You need some sort of hydration…
Silence again. Papyrus decided to back off for now.
-Look, I'm not gonna push you too much... But I really, really want to help you with whatever you're going through. I wanna be here for you... I'm... I'm your brother, remember? We're family too...!
Papyrus realised he was ready to cry. He had walked in believing that Serifa would open up to him. But she didn't, and he wasn't used to people giving him the cold shoulder. For a second, he cast away his decision to back off and let his emotions take over.
-Please, Serifa... Talk to me... Or, at least, to Sans... I don't want you to go through all this by yourself...it isn't fair!
Serifa was still not responding. Papyrus immediately composed himself again, realising that one desperate person was more than enough.
-Fine... If you want me to leave, I will... But, if you change your mind, don't hesitate to talk to me...or to Sans...
Papyrus got up and left the room. The moment the door closed behind him, Serifa burst into tears. Both Sans and Papyrus could hear her.
-No luck, huh?
-Not at all...she doesn't wanna talk to me either... Papyrus replied in a sad tone. What are we gonna do? She's not taking care of herself, and her physical health will soon suffer from this as well!
-We could ask Frisk to help... Girls do understand each other better... Except, Frisk is really mad at me right now.
-And you're gonna let it stop you from helping the girl you love?
-I'm willing to call, it's Frisk who's really stubborn. I doubt she'll even pick it up.
-Call from my phone. Serifa is her friend. She'll want to help.
Papyrus passed his phone to Sans. Sans called Frisk immediately.
-Hey, Paps.
-Hey, it's me, Sans. I called from my brother's phone because I didn't think you'd pick up if I called from mine-
-AND YOU WERE RIGHT.
-Wait, Frisk! Hello? Gosh, she just hang up on me!
Papyrus sighed. Sans called again, but got no response.
-Why is she being so FREAKING CHILDISH? Sans shouted, angrily.
-I'll leave her a message and hope she sees it... Papyrus replied, taking his phone back. If she doesn't read it, I'll go to her house.
About an hour had passed. Papyrus was cooking and Sans was sitting on the sofa, listening to the news. Surprisingly, there had been no arsons on that day. The bell rang. Sans walked to the door and opened it, with Papyrus following behind him. Frisk had arrived.
-I SWEAR, if this text was just a cheap way of bringing me here-
-Oh, I've had WAY too many coffees to deal with you! Sans shouted firmly. If you wanna leave, go ahead!
Sans angrily walked to the sofa and lay on it.
-Frisk, Serifa isn't well... Papyrus looked into her eyes with his usual honesty. If you really are her friend, set aside your differences with Sans and help her... because neither of us can.
Frisk looked back at Papyrus.
-So...it's true, huh? I kinda wish it wasn't, to be honest. Where is she?
-In Sans's room, pretending to be asleep.
-What exactly happened to her? You only told me she's in pain and needs me...
-She'll tell you all of that...if she talks to you, that is.
-Alright, I'll go.
-And, if you can… please make sure she eats something...or, at least, drinks some water… Her body is already exhausted…
-Alright, bring me a bottle.
Bottle in hand, Frisk approached Sans's room, hearing Serifa's sobs. She barged in without knocking. Serifa instantly closed her eyes, pretending to sleep.
-Come on, no one believes you're sleeping, so drop the act already.
Serifa stayed still.
-What are you, like, 10? I heard you crying right before coming in, you're not fooling me.
Serifa was still unresponsive. Frisk opened the bottle and threw some of the water across her face.
-You're not hiding from ME. The boys are soft and sensitive, but I'm not.
Serifa opened her eyes. They were red from the tears.
-Alright, you caught me! she sobbed. Happy?
-No, to be happy, I'll require your smile! Frisk sat next to Serifa. Tell me, what the hell happened that broke you so much?
Frisk heard Serifa out, listening between her words and cries. Serifa had a really hard time talking about it, but she managed to tell Frisk everything. How horribly she had been abused, how painful it was. Frisk, who had been holding Serifa through all their conversation, couldn't believe in her ears.
-This is all so awful... How did she do this to you? Has she no heart?
-I don't know, Frisk... Serifa cried. But it hurt, it hurt so much! You know, all these years that I was with my father, everything was okay because I knew no better. But, now that I've lived normally, even for just a tiny bit... It was so, so much harder to go through that again!
-That sick jerk... I'm so, SO glad your other clone killed him!
-Don't say that... He was sick, he needed help… And, now that I had been missing for so long, he had gotten worse... If only I had informed a doctor after I left... But no, I was in such a rush to leave that-
-WHOAH, are you seriously blaming yourself for that?
-All I'm saying is, I could have helped him and chose not to. And now, I paid the price... I got what I deserved...
-No, Serifa, you didn't deserve this. It's not your fault that your father was a psycho! Quit it!
-If only I had helped him back then... Maybe he would have been healed by now, and then we could have become a normal family again...
-That's a lot of ifs, Serifa. Right now, you have to focus on yourself, on overcoming all this crap! Thinking about possible choices and outcomes isn't a solution! And, seriously, stop blaming yourself for the dysfunction of others, even if those others are your father!
-I feel awful, Frisk, AWFUL! Sans, my own boyfriend, he just believed Clorifa was me! And, with my logic, I understand that it was normal to fall for her trap! But still, in the back of my mind, stupid thoughts of envy and betrayal are making me sick! I feel so alone! I hate it all! I hate myself, I hate Sans who brought me back just so that I could suffer, I-
Frisk hugged her, stopping her. She was crying uncontrollably.
-You don't mean all that, do you?
-No... No, I don't...
-I know you're a logical girl, dear... Sans couldn't have known...If you want to be angry at someone, be angry at me. After all, I didn't notice the trap, either.
-But you barely know me! Sans is my boyfriend, we have gone through so much together...even if I don't remember most of it...
Frisk sighed.
-She's better than me, Frisk! She remembers everything! My memories are just a few pieces of the past, scattered all over my head... But she knows it all, she lived it all!
-And, even so, you're still better! You'd never act so selfishly, with such envy! She's evil, Serifa! And you're the most innocent person I know!
-I'm not... I'm just stupid... I hurt you, I hurt Sans, I even hurt Papyrus, who only wanted to help me... she cried.
-Open up to them, Serifa! They really want to help you! We all do! You said that you are alone, but you're not! You have so many of us more than willing to help you! I promise you, we can get through this together!
-I don't want that! Don't you see? The more I talk to anyone, the sadder I make them! Sans didn't slept for a single moment tonight and it's all my fault! He feels guilty because of me, because of how sad he sees me! I don't know how he managed not to cry in front of me! And Papyrus, he almost broke down too without even seeing me cry! And you, I'm making you sad right now because you see me being this way! I'm only bringing everyone down-
Frisk put her finger on Serifa's lips, sushing her.
-This is not the right way to think. If friends and family don't help you at your worst, then when are they gonna stand by your side? We aren't here just to have fun with you, you know! We're here to help each other, to share your burden so you won't have to carry it all by yourself! You'd do the same for any of us, wouldn't you?
-I would, of course I would...
-Then calm down. Relax and let us be here for you. And, seriously, don't stay in this god-forsaken room all the time! It'll only depress you even more!
Serifa hugged Frisk. Frisk held her as she cried her heart out on her chest.
-Thank you, Frisk... Thank you...
Sans was still lying on the sofa when Frisk left his room. The bottle in her hand was now empty.
-Hey, Sans...
The TV was turned on, and a news program was running.
-Look... How I acted the other day... It was really immature of me... And, considering all you've done for me since we met, I shouldn't have treated you like that. I'm a real piece of crap.
Frisk looked down, blushing a little. The words could barely come out of her mouth.
-I... I really appreciate everything, Sans. Y-You take care of me, you study with me, you help me in any way you can... And I... Look, all I'm trying to say is...
Frisk gulped, blushing even more
-...I-I-I'm sorry...
Frisk instantly face-palmed, feeling as if she were the lamest person in the world. She wasn't used to apologising, after all.
-Sans, say something! she anxiously yelled.
Papyrus came over from the kitchen.
-Are you talking to Sans? Because I don't think he can hear you... He's finally managed to fall asleep.
-WHAT?
-Cut him some slack, he hasn't slept at all tonight. Did you talk to Serifa?
-Yes...she's sleeping now too, as a matter of fact. She promised me that she'll come out to talk to you two when she wakes up.
-So, that means she's better?
-Well, considering what she went through, she's handling it the best she can... I believe in her. With our help, she'll be able to bounce back eventually. I even persuaded her to drink the water you gave me!
Frisk smiled, showing off the empty bottle in her hand.
-I'm really glad to hear that, Frisk! Thank you for coming, really! We weren't sure what to do...
-Don't mention it. Serifa is my friend, I'd never leave her. I'm glad you told me about it.
-By the way... Sans might not have heard what you just said...but THE GREAT PAPYRUS did! I am SO telling him when he wakes up! Papyrus smirked.
-NOOO! Please don't, that was so embarrassing! Frisk blushed again. Forget what you heard!
-Are you kidding me? These were the sweetest words I've heard you speak ever since you entered adolescence! No way am I forgetting!
-Stop, just please stop, this is super uncomfortable, I'm cringing at myself right now!
-Not happening! Papyrus surprised Frisk with a hug. You're not as edgy as you want us to believe, Frisk. We all know that.
-T-Thanks? Frisk hugged him back.
-Hey, do yo wanna cook together for the two sleepy heads, like we did when you were little?
-That was so long ago...
-That's why, it'll be fun! Come on!
Frisk followed Papyrus into the kitchen to help him prepare dinner. She hadn't cooked with him in ages. Filled with nostalgia, she started cutting some onions.