All That We've Lost

VI

"H....Human?"

I opened my eyes. Sans was nowhere to be seen, leaving me silently standing on the step, still hugging Papyrus. I let go of him, a slight heat of embarrassment filling my cheeks as I did. "Sorry about that..." I nervously scratched my neck. I looked at Papyrus as he straightened his back, his smile widening to its normal length as he held out an ungloved hand. "ALLOW-" I tried not to flinch at the volume, but still did, and I saw his eyes widen slightly as he "swallowed?". "Allow me to introduce myself properly. I'm the Great Papyrus!" I smiled at his permanent joy and slid my hand into his. "I'm Y/n." he seemed confused. "But I thought-" I shook my head. "Nope. I'm just Y/n." he smiled and put his hands on his hips. "well, Just Y/n, then allow me to invite you to have a sleepover! do you accept?" I stopped for a moment. I could say I had places to go...and I needed to get home to Kara. but...something about his face...I couldn't say no. "Sure, Papyrus. I'd love to."

not long after, Papyrus had gone out to get food and more blankets for what he was now calling "The best sleepover ever!" I just sat on the couch in the silence, looking at a photo of Kara and I when I was only 13, and she was 8. I knew I needed to get home, but... if she knew I was safe, I could at least give her some hope. and give myself time to figure out a plan. I clicked on her contact, and turned on the speaker as the ringing filled the air.

*Ring.....Ring.....Ring....*

I swallowed.

*Ring....Ring....Ring....*

why wasn't she answering?

*Ring....Rin-*

she picked up. I felt my throat tightening.

"Y.....Y/n?"

I found my voice through the tears that were coming.

"Kara? Are you there?"

I could hear the grief fill her voice.

"Y-Y/n, you're alive!" I sniffed.

"Y-Yeah, K...I'm alive."

i could hear her crying softly through the phone.

"Kara...I'm so sorry...I know you've probably been so scared the last couple of days..." I felt tears running down my face. "M-Mom's been in a panic looking for you...b-but I tried to make it easier, in case...in case you...." I sniffed. "what do you mean?" I listened. "I-I didn't know if...s-so I told mom you...your real mom's sister came, and you left with her." I felt a pain in my heart. Kara had lied...in case I had died? "Kara, you didn't have to lie..." I sighed softly. "I'm trying to come home. I'm making my way through this place, and it's taking a while, but-" "Are there monsters?" I was expecting that a lot sooner. I wanted to tell her the truth. but...I had to keep her safe. "No. there aren't, Kara. I fell into an underground lake. I just got lucky my stuff didn't get ruined.". "oh..." I was quick to try and reignite her spark. "but there's definitely proof that they were down here. I found these ruins with these strange symbols. I'm still pretty close to that lake. I just might not have found them yet." "Really??" I heard the excitement. "Really. I promise you, if I find a monster, I'll call you and tell you everything." I smiled. "I'm going to come home. but these passages run long. it might take a while. You make sure you and Loretta stay strong, okay?" I heard her sniff. "O-Okay....I-I love you, Y/n." I wiped my tears. "I love you too, K. Stay strong, kiddo." the call ended, and I sighed. I felt awful that she had lied to Loretta....but I understood why. I sat my phone down in my lap and held my face with my hands.

"Damn. so if there's no monsters, what does that make me?"

I jumped slightly as I looked up at Sans. he didn't seem angry. slightly confused, but then again, I couldn't see anger on his face. "a skeleton, I'm pretty sure." I sniffed. "Sans, if i had told her, she would have tried to jump down here too." Sans sat down next to me on the couch. "I figured. you have to say what you have to to keep your family safe." I nodded. "Don't listen to that stupid flower, kid. you clearly care about her a lot. to the point you'd both lie to keep the other safe." I swallowed. "I get it. us big siblings have to protect them." I nodded in agreement. I had to ask Sans a serious question. if I was going to go home, I needed a place to stay until my injuries had healed entirely, even if they didn't hurt. "Sans? is it okay if I stay here for a little while?" he nodded. "I don't see why not."

Eventually, Papyrus returned with armfuls of spaghetti supplies, different movies, and supplies to make a fort. Papyrus and Sans were working on the fort while I cooked. I decided to step in after I saw Papyrus try to put Glitter (non-edible) in the noodles. I heard the door open as someone stepped in. I had cooked for Kara and I many times before when Loretta was running late, so this was no difficult feat. I hummed quietly to myself as I plated the food, and balanced them on my arms and head. Papyrus and Sans were talking to someone that I hadn't seen, but when I stepped into the living room, I froze. Sans stood with his back to me, Papyrus stood in front of the couch, and a fish monster in armor stood before Sans, her back to the door. "Undyne wait!" Papyrus exclaimed I looked at the fish monster as she looked at me, her yellow eye narrowing. I slid the plates onto the table beside Sans, my eyes never leaving hers. "Undyne, That's The Great and Terrible Y/n I was telling you about! but she actually goes by Just Y/n, but that's not important!" Papyrus smiled as he walked closer to me. but "Undyne" was clearly pissed. a bright blue spear formed in her hand as her teeth bared in a clenched smile. "So, You're the human the guard failed to catch." I was confused. "was there a guard? I didn't see anyone other than Papyrus." her eye widened slightly and she swore under her breath. something about dogs. "Regardless!" she kept her spear pointed at me. 

"You're coming with me. Dead or alive."