Soulless

Meeting

''Are you sure you're going to be okay, Kris?'' Toriel inquired worriedly. ''I mean, I know you're practically an adult now, but...I don't really like the idea of you wandering outside alone, especially after what happened to Father Alvin's car.'' 

''I also don't fully understand why you insist on doing this project with your partner outside. Why not just bring them over here? Any friend of yours is always welcome here. You know that, don't you?'' As Toriel looked at Kris innocently, they just cringed slightly and looked away. Toriel didn't seem to notice.

*sigh* ''Alright. Just promise to be home before it's very late, okay?' And call me if anything happens. And make sure that you have your jacket on properly, it can get very cold this time of the year. And don't wander too far. And...''

Kris completely ignored pretty much everything Toriel was saying at this point. As she went on with her endless safety lecture, Kris just nodded their head as goodbye, and walked out the door, closing it behind them.

It was still light outside, but the sun was going to set in about an hour. Not that Kris cared particularly, and as they made their way toward the library, Kris kept thinking about what Susie told them at school, about not wanting to meet Toriel. It didn't make a whole lot of sense; even when Susie made Kris's life hell-on-Earth, Kris never told Toriel, or anyone for that matter. So Susie had no intention of being scared of Toriel (Which, now that Kris thought about it, Susie probably had no intention of being scared of anyone, rather on the contrary). But... why the hesitation, then?

As Kris contemplated Susie's inexplicable behavior,  they slowly made their way toward the library, where they would meet said person. On their way, Kris didn't really pay much attention to anything or anyone around them, however they stopped when they reached a certain house. It wasn't the house itself that caught Kris's attention...

It was the scratched up car that was parked in the driveway.

Remembering the conversation their classmates had, Kris observed the car; the scratches covered the entirety of the car, being most dense at the windows. The hood, doors and the back were wrecked badly too, and one of the wheels was popped, with a giant tear through the middle portion. Overall, it probably wasn't going to be use-able in quite some time.

As Kris studied the car with slight intrigue, they started to have a weird feeling in their stomach the more they looked. It wasn't fear, just...

...

Kris decided to step away and continue going to the library.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As they approached the library (or Librarby), Kris could make out a large, purple shape in the distance, standing in front of the building. The shape looked inpatient.

''Jeez, took you long enough.'' welcomed Susie, ''I thought I was going to plant roots here. Next time, try not to take the scenic route, eh?'' Susie teased Kris who just snickered, as Susie didn't realize she wasn't far from the truth. ''Anyway, we should go inside. I'm going to go insane if I stand in this spot another second.'' Following Susie's command, the pair entered the library.

Inside, there wasn't really any other person at this hour, aside from some teens chatting at a table, and some old lady. Berdly was standing at the reception desk, looking like he would rather be anywhere else. That was until he saw Kris, at which point he gave them his trademark shifty look- followed by a look of pure horror at the sight of Susie.

''H-huh? What..what the hell are YOU doing here?'' pointed Berdly at Susie accusingly. ''Aren't you prohibited from going in here after that encyclopedia fiasco?'' Kris looked at Susie questioningly, and Susie just gritted her teeth and looked away. ''It..it's a long story.'' then, looking at Berdly, she continued; ''One that we DEFINITELY aren't going to go over again.'' "But..'' Berdly wanted to say something. but Susie cut him off-''It would be embarrassing. And besides..."Susie walked up to the counter. "You're going to make an exception for a FRIEND of yours, like Kris, right?" Berdly just cowered behind the desk. ''R-right. Whatever. Just do what you need to do and go.'' Susie leaned on the counter, smiling. ''Thanks. you're such a good FRIEND.'' Berdly whimpered and cowered even more at the word 'friend'.