To Kill A Killer

Chapter Two: Something New

When Nightmare had shown up to recruit him, Killer had been almost glad – he had been getting bored in his own universe, what with Chara finally being gone and everyone else becoming predictable, even that stupid flower. And the octopus had a pretty sweet place, he had to admit, eyeing the dark décor and vaulted ceilings appreciatively. It was a little gothic for his tastes, but it was certainly impressive.

Right, then left, up past the painting of an apple tree... stars, this place was a maze. He could have sworn he had passed this corner at least three times now. Maybe he should ask someone for help.

Heh, maybe he could find that weird Dust guy and ask him.

He smirked as he remembered the look of shock and betrayal on the other skeleton's face when Killer had nearly stabbed him. Too bad Nightmare had been there to stop Killer from going through with it. Dust seemed even more crazy than he was, hugging someone he had just met. It would probably be a mercy if Killer had dusted him.

Dust had been wearing two jackets, which was also weird. Wasn't he overheated? And what kind of sick sentimentality was that tattered red scarf around his neck? If you're gonna kill your brother, don't wear his scarf like you're grieving for him, Killer thought contemptuously, rounding what looked like the exact same corner a fourth time.

Was he walking in circles, or did every damn corridor and doorway look the same? He wished he could just shortcut to his new room, but he had never been there before, so he had to suffer through all this stars-damned walking.

He spotted someone slipping out from behind a tapestry – of course this place has secret entrances – and called out, "Hey, buddy! Can you give me a hand here?"

The other skeleton started and whipped around to face him. It was the monochrome-coloured one who seemed more like a soldier than a Sans. What was his name again? Ex? Chris? Cross? Yeah, Cross, that was it. The main thing Killer remembered about him was his giant knife, which Killer had only seen once but already coveted.

"Killer," Cross greeted warily, his mismatched eyelights darting over Killer's face.

Killer grinned and sauntered over to Cross's side, slinging an arm around his shoulders. "You know your way around this damn labyrinth, right? Mind showing me where my room is?"

Cross shifted uncomfortably on his feet. "I'm kind of in the middle of something. Didn't Nightmare tell you where to find it?"

Killer grabbed the collar of Cross's top and pulled the other skeleton around to face him, his grin widening threateningly. "Listen, pal," he said. "I dunno how you're used to things working, but I'd advise you to help me out. You don't want dust stains on that black-and-white outfit, do you? It'd be such a shame to ruin the whole Oreo cosplay you've got going on."

To Killer's surprise, Cross gazed steadily back, his voice calm. "I don't know how you're used to things working, but you're the newbie here. You want to boss me around, you'll have to earn it." He removed Killer's grip from his collar one phalange at a time, then stepped back and pointed down the hallway. "Go forwards, then right. Your room is the first door on the left, the one with the target on it." He turned to leave, taking a few steps before he glanced over his shoulder and added, "If you want to intimidate any of us, you should step up your game. Everyone else just seems kind of pathetic once you've been threatened by the boss."

Killer stared after Cross as he vanish into the darkness of yet another corridor, his expression stuck somewhere between irritation and incredulity. What the hell just happened? He wasn't used to his threats being brushed off so easily. He couldn't decide whether to be annoyed or impressed.