Father Like Son

Chapter Twelve

Nightmare went back to their base and saw Chris with the others. Chris changed into a sweater one that was blue but it had a white stripe on it.

"What does dusting someone mean?"

"Umm..." Dust said contemplating if he should tell him or not.

"Feather duster!" Killer said abruptly.

After he said that he started to dust off Dust with it. Dust just shoved him away and glared at Chris with suspicion.

"Why do you wanna know about that kid?"

"Well...I was thinking about my birth father. One time I saw his backroom and I saw a lot of irregular dust and bloodstains everywhere."

"...Listen closely. When monsters die they their corpses turn into dust. That's why I have dust all over me."

"Oh. So he probably killed more than just people didn't he?"

"Sorry kid."

"No, it's fine." He said lowly.

Horror noticed that Nightmare was back so went up to him and greeted him fondly.

"Sup, boss what happened?"

"Heh, Nothing much really they just asked stupid questions I didn't have the time for."

"That must've been fun."

"Yeah."

Chris came up to Nightmare nervously shortly after his conversation with Dust.

"Hey, Nightmare?"

"Hmm,"

"Can I go to the nearby town? I won't be far from here."

"Why would you like to go there?"

"Just to clear my mind for a bit that's all."

"...Fine just make it back by sundown and call me if anything is wrong. Try not to get hurt." Nightmare said with some concern in his voice.

Chris remembers his phone that Nightmare gave him not too long ago. The thought of being able to contact people made him smile a bit.

"Ok, see you later."

Nightmare just sighed and teleported to his room to get some space. Chris went to the castle doors and opened one of them and closed it too. He pulled his hood up and walked out into the forest trying to find his way into the small town he was once in. He saw it before so it wasn't hard for him to refind it. If he knew this sooner he might've escaped by now but he decided to stay for a multitude of reasons. He went through the bushes and made it to the town. The dusted wind blew beside him causing a few leaves to blow off of the trees into his trail. He huffed as he started walking into the town. He had his eyes on the ground knowing what some people like to do to people like him. Those memories sent shivers down his spine. He didn't notice the missing posters that were only in certain places. He hoped that no one was looking for him. The only reason he was here was mostly for the doll. He made it to the orphanage and was mostly terrified of what they were going to say. He pulled down his hood and went inside.

"Hello- CHRIS AFTON THERE YOU ARE!" The woman shouted causing Chris to flinch at the sudden loudness.

"I'm sorry but you're sorely mistaken."

"Don't give me that! Where were you!?!"

"No. Where. I'm also not Chris Afton." Chris growled lying straight to her face.

"Oh, really? Then who are you then?"

"Look lady, I'm just here for a friend." He lied again.

Before she could respond he just booked it and ran to his old room. The woman then got up and started to chase after him. Chris saw her right behind him so he sparked her leg so she could trip and fall onto her knees.

"That's what you get for messing with a prince." He said under his breath.

He turned to the next left and went into his old room and locked the door just in case that woman gets the others after him. He had his backpack with him so all he needed to do now was find the box and the plush. He remembers when he was hiding from the skeletons on their first encounter with him so he checked under his bed and found the box and the bear. He put the things into his bag as he heard a shout for help from the woman so he had only one choice to make. He opened the window and closed it shut behind him. He remembers a fire that leads to the back area of the place so he went on the other side of the building and went down the fire escape. When he was at least away from the orphanage and pulled his hood back up and started walking to the forest entrance. He wasn't paying attention and ran into someone causing them both to tumble back and fall.

"Ow..." A female voice said.

"Agh, I'm so sorry about that!" Chris stammered quickly picking himself up from the ground. "H-here I'll help you up."

The woman grabbed onto Chris's hand and he pulled her back onto her feet.

"Thanks for that..."

"N-no problem! Again I'm just really sorry about that. I wasn't really paying attention and-"

"Hey, it's ok bud really I'm fine."

"Heh...if you say so."

He rubbed his arm as he started to walk past her before he was stopped by a pull on his left arm.

"Hey this might be asking too much but can I have your name?"

"Huh? Why would you want my name for?"

"I just want to get to know you more and maybe be your friend even you know." She said.

Chris stood there in shock. Usually, no one wanted to be his friend because of how he is. This was new for him. He didn't want to push her away since she seemed nice so he just took a deep breath before responding to this nice girl.

"O-oh...my name is Christopher you can just call me Chris if you like. What's yours?"

She let go of his arm as excitement filled her mind.

"My name is Deliah actually. It's nice to meet you, Chris." Deliah said with a smile on her face.

"It's nice to meet you too Deliah."

There was an awkward silence between the two before Deliah came up with an idea.

"Hey, wanna hang out sometime? Maybe tomorrow?"

"Yeah umm...sure. Do you want my number or something?"

She nodded and Chris took out the phone that Nightmare gave to him and gave it to her. She puts her into his phone and gives it back to him.

"Here you go."

"Thanks." He responded softly.

Deliah was about to tell him something before she's gotten a buzz from her own phone.

"Oh, I have to go. See ya, Chris."

"Heh, See you later then Deliah," He said back to her.

She turned the other way and answered the phone to whoever called her. Chris had enough time to go back into the forest and find his way back to the castle before sundown. He couldn't help but feel like he's heard her name before. He knew that his Nightmare's brother Dream had an apprentice but he never explained who they were so he wasn't sure. He made his way to the clearing and found the castle. All he needed to do now was go back in. So he did. He went to the castle doors and went through them and closed the doors carefully shut. He noticed that no one was there. He was a bit relieved when he didn't see them. He didn't really like the idea if them wondering what he has or asking where he was so he just speed to his room. Once he made it to his room he closed the door behind him and went to the other side of his bed and sat down on the floor and decided to reflect on some memories.