Our Last Hope

Chapter 7

   "The clothes, damaged and burned, were all I had on as I left Toriel and the ruins. It was a split and sudden decision to leave; leaving me with no plan of what I would do in the next environment."

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   I forced all my conflicted thoughts in the back of my mind. In front of me was the last door of the ruins, the exit. I took and a deep breath, not knowing what to expect behind this threshold then I pushed the doors wide open.

   I stayed with Toriel another four days up to this point. She was in a hysteric state, talking about destroying the way out, so I'd stay forever. She raved and ranted about how everyone else has been killed because of her letting them go. Now I was blinded by the brightness that had reached me, so much white reflected in vision, making me hold my hands in front of my eyes. It takes me a moment before I can look once more at the sight.

   Snow, snow, piles of it. I had entered a winter wonderland, I felt, maybe, I had even reached Narnia! I put on a light smile even as my skin remained exposed to the chilling air. I hadn't minded the cold, oddly enough it made the previous events fall into the back of my head. This cold was comforting and familiar to the winter weather.

   I walked out into the new environment, noticing the pine, needle, and spruce trees lining my snowy path. I had a clear route made engraved into the snow. I followed a straight path, easy enough.

   There was even life out here, just hidden and silenced. I tried my best not to think about the goal, I only thought of the path before me. Soon I had made it to a bridge with a barrier put up, for... whatever reason. I could walk straight through the gaps as it was too wide to keep anyone out. I found this relatively ironic and continued on.

   I stopped as I seen the darkness below the bridge. I had stopped in the middle of this short bridge. Something was happening, the thoughts, feelings, all at once and all so suddenly. I couldn't move, could barely think straight. Why now, why was I feeling this way, I couldn't think, why, why, why. I kept looking into the darkness, beckoned, urged towards it. I leaned into it, into the edge of the living.

   A crack of a stick was heard behind me snapped me out of this trance. The sounds of crackling snow started coming my way. I could already feel my heart bursting from my chest. I hated being so afraid. But, right now, I couldn't think. I couldn't think. Why, why couldn't I think straight- move, move, turn around, look around, something, anything! Before I realized what had occurred, I found myself frozen near a bridge's edge. So many emotions at once, I couldn't shake my way through it without feeling overwhelmed.

   In an eager movement I scratched my arm and snapped out of this and ran off the bridge. Daytime quickly founds its way to nighttime and I started to have trouble physically. I had pushed it away till now, but now I'm at my breaking point. I assumed I'd reach a town by this time, I only had to go straight after all. Did I really mess such a simple thing up?

   My body had been shaking uncontrollably in the cold. It only got worse as it enveloped me. Even so, I need to keep moving. This is the least I could do for Toriel after saving me the first time. It might be the only thing keeping me alive. I could almost hear the never-ending thoughts screaming in both my ears, You always do this. You'll be your own downfall and you can't stop it. You're the enemy, why continue moving forward? You were supposed to die, you act as if you have a reason. I shook my head, acting as if that might make the voices shatter into the distance. Yet, they only got louder.

   Soon I find myself curled underneath a tree as the wind blows snow in every direction. As I lie there I fall into the feeling of warmth. The thought of death, so soon into life, felt worthy of me. My lungs felt like they were freezing, even as my body grew hotter overtime.

  I gave in and closed my eyes, losing the tension throughout my body that I held for so long.

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   I regained consciousness at the sounds of crackling fire. My body was covered in warmth, true, real, warmth. I felt so relaxed, my breath only came out in soothing, soft breaths. No panic, no sounds but the crackle of wood burning in a heated fire and winds blowing outside. I was alive, I didn't question it. I wanted the relaxation, the calm atmosphere. I wanted only to indulge in the blessing of feeling at peace.   I squint my eyes and slowly took a look around the darkened room.

   The first scene was the fireplace a foot, or two, away.  I had been lying on a couch placed against a wall. Piles of blankets have been wrapped around my figure. All different types of blankets, furry, thin, large, and small. I slowly made my way into sitting position, something had instantly caught my eye. A figure sat by an archway, to a kitchen. I felt so drained and comfy that I hadn't felt startled at the discovery. I smiled softly as I feel myself drift into the couch once more.

   I squint, trying to get a better look without having to get out of the blankets but it only brings me more restlessness. I feel, almost, depressed at the fact I had almost fully awoken, already feeling the anxiety and thoughts flood my head.

   Turns out that the figure was a skeleton.

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