Honesty: The Next Fallen Child

Bravery Part 2

The Ruins were like a maze of puzzles and corridors. Luckily, there were hints for each of the puzzles, so they weren't too difficult, but Ben was constantly looking over his shoulder to make sure that goat wasn't following him. At one point he swore he saw a white ghost with headphones, but it was gone seconds later . 'I must be hallucinating' it wouldn't surprise him. He hadn't slept well the night before and it must be getting close to night on the surface. 'Maybe I could close my eyes for a second'...

"My Child! Where are you?" The goat from earlier's voice echoed down the passage, jolting Ben awake. 'Crap! How long did I sleep?' Ben rubbed his eyes and stood up. A light next to a table glowed faintly. Without a second thought, he brushed his hand against it and felt his determination to get home increase and his fear and worry decrease. He felt ready to take on any challenge.

"My chi- I mean Child, what are you doing in the Ruins?" The goat rested a hand on Ben's shoulder, making him jump.

"I-I fell. I was following this light though the forest and-" the goat squeezed his shoulder.

"So you're a human child? It's been awhile since a human has fallen down. Almost two years" the goat got a faraway look in her eyes and a shimmer of tears.

"Um," Ben shrugged off the goats hand. "I need to get home, my mom needs me to do the gardening and my sisters need me"

The goat looked crestfallen, but still like she knew what that would feel like, to have a child missing.

"Of course, I'll take you to the end of the Ruins so you can get home." The goat reached out her hand and Ben took it with a nod, soon they were flying past the puzzles and mazes. After a second, the goat began talking again. "There is more to the underground than just here. You have to get quite a ways to make it to the barrier. Not to mention the monsters who want to kill you, for instance Asgore, our...king." She spat out run last word like it was burning her mouth. "Not to mention those who work for him, the 'sentries' "  she rolled her eyes and continued though the puzzles.

"I hate to be rude, but what's your name miss?" Ben asked as they passed a small group of spiders putting up a bake sale sign.

"Dear me! I never told you my name? Oh, dear child, I am Toriel, Caretaker of the Ruins."

"Hi Toriel, I'm Ben" Ben went to lift his hand in a handshake, but realized that they were already holding hands. 'Well this is awkward'

They finished the trip relatively quickly, Ben seeing yet another glowing star near a broken down house labeled 'Home'. A fairly young tree that seemed to be dying was planted near the center of the path, making Ben slightly confused.

"Torriel, why is there a tree in the middle of the path? And why is it dying?"

Torriel stopped and coughed. "That's... I'm sorry I can't. Let's go inside, ok?"

"I'll be right in, just need to check on something." With a scared look Torriel went inside, leaving the door slightly cracked so she could watch if there was trouble.

Ben walked over to the star, touching lightly. He felt a strong feeling to press forward, as well as a high feeling of recklessness. Ben turned confidently into the house and saw Torriel round a corner into what looked like a dining room.

'The exit is probably downstairs' Ben reasoned, taking the flight of stairs down to a long, dark hallway in the basement. Still feeling reckless, Ben charged forward, soon hitting a door with the same symbol on it as Toriel's dress. Not hesitating, Ben pushed the door open and once again saw the demonic flower.