Running

Insomnia

Why can't you just leave me alone?

This was the fourth time Frisk had heard this question in the past couple of hours. They stayed quiet for a moment, turning onto their side. The clock on their bedside brightly shined "2:43" in their face, forcing them to hide under the warm covers sewn by Toriel. Rain was tapping on the windowsill, steady and calm, slowly lulling the child to sleep. A bright flash ripped across the window, followed by the sharp boom of nearby thunder. A sharp pain erupted in the back of their head, and they winced, rubbing the spot and flipping back onto their back. "That's why." Frisk hissed into the air as an apparition began to take form above them.

Chara frowned, materializing themself and sitting at the foot of the bed, back to Frisk. "...Sorry, I don't know how to stop that... It just happens."

"Chara, it's not the pain I'm concerned about..." Frisk sat up, groggily rubbing their eyes. The forecast had been heavy storms all week. For the past three days, it's been the same thing, reducing Frisk to an almost Sans like state. "That pain... it always happens when you get upset."
"Yeah, well I told you I'm sorry, so let's just drop it." Chara grumbled, hugging their knees to their chest.

"You know I won't..."

Chara turned to them with a slight glare. "You're not the only DETERMINED one here, Frisk.."

"Then we're at an impass." Frisk yawned. "'Cause I'm not sleeping until you tell me what's up."

"You have school..."

"Too bad, it's your fault if I fail my math test tomorrow because I had to stay up with your stubborn soul."

Frisk managed a sleepy grin as Chara huffed, seeing that they'd been defeated.

"...I'm scared of the rain."

"Why?" Frisk looked at them concerned. Chara seemed to shift uncomfortably. "Seriously, you want me to explain why I'm scared of stupid water falling from the stupid sky on this stupid world?"

"It'd be stupid of me not to."

Chara growled. "You've been hanging around that comedian too much..." They muttered before turning their head to stare out the window. "Frisk... It's a lot to explain..."

"I'm guessing it has to do with your time on the surface." Frisk watched them with concern. They hated seeing Chara like this. The guard they held up showed the usual passive aggressive behavior, but their eyes... Their eyes were full of fear, of pain. Chara didn't answer, but that was the only answer Frisk needed.

"Can you show me?"

"I forgot a lot of the details..." Chara sighed. "Look, Frisk, it doesn't matter. I'll get over it."

"Chara, I-"

"I'll make you call out for mom if you don't go to sleep." Chara smiled, and Frisk winced, seeing th pain in their eyes.

"....alright, Chara."

The child laid back down, eyes closing. But they did not rest. Tears were flooding down their cheeks, a horrible fear building in the pit of their stomach. Guilt, pain, sorrow. None of which belonged to Frisk.