When Lightning Strikes

Chapter Ten

 You were bundled up in layers upon layers of blankets in the passenger seat of Alphys's truck. Night had fallen not that long ago but you were already losing the battle of staying awake, your red lashes fluttered against your cheeks, hiding your golden eyes as you yawned.

Out from the corner of your eye, you could see Alphys look at you every once in a while, concern written all over her face. Her claws twitched and tapped the steering wheel, minor tells to her anxiety. You were sure that if she wasn't driving, she would be tapping her claws together like some shy anime girl. You wondered how long she would last until she started asking questions.

Your eyes fluttered close for just a second, but when you opened them, Alphys was parked in front of a corner store, the glow of the yellowed lights made the pangolin monsters scars seem deeper than they were.

"Y'don't use yer magic." her voice was soft, raspy. Gentle.

"Nope. Can't. Not without consequences anyways."

Alphys's scales rattled against each other, her face twisted into a scowl. She snapped her jaws once, twice, before settling with a deep sigh.

"What happened to ya?"

You shifted uncomfortably, this wasn't exactly something you wanted to talk about. "Alphys..." You started, unsure of what you were going to say, "You have to understand, the last time I saw you, in person, was over ten years ago. I'm sure you remember the kind of place we were in, and once I- I got out, I did some re-really stupid stuff okay? I got back to the surface but," You frowned, "I met some people. Mages. A group of rogue mages who still felt like monsters didn't deserve a place on the surface. But i-i didn't- I didn't know. I didn't know."

Alphys was very still.

"And one day, I went to a party, passed out, and woke up the next morning naked, binding runes written all over me, alone in the woods, in the middle this circle, and unable to use magic." You brought the blankets closer to you. "I thought they were my friends. I didn't know.

"Oh stars."