Our Last Hope

Chapter 13

"Papyrus takes most days making puzzles, cooking, and scolding Sans for not picking up a sock. Yes, that was the biggest problem in the Underground for those two brothers. I heard that sock has been there three years now!"

"Now, of course, that is just a joke. If only that had been the biggest problem for the two of them, but, life doesn't work like such."

====

Sans lead me into the town of Snowdin. Beautiful as it might be, my eyes were glued to the glowing pine tree in the center of all the movement. I found myself clinging to Sans and his coat. It's been five days since I had gotten accompanied by the skeleton brothers and I had refused, politely, their offer to show me around till now. I had felt guilty about my refusals but my fear and anxiety towards what might be out there made it feel justified.

As we arrived closer to the tree I could see all the separate bulbs of light that lay on the branches. Green, orange, yellow, and red. All shapes, all sizes, each with unique and indescribable care put into them. The top of the tree had a single, burning star. Sans told me how each gift and ornament under or on the tree was made by monsters in the town. Although very similar to Christmas, this was centered around the community rather than individual families. It started when a "Gyftrot" was decorated by a bunch of teenagers in form of torment.

Now as tradition, people decorate the tree and gift everyone in apology for that monster.

I take a breath of chill air before glancing towards Sans to see him with a soft look in his 'eyes'. I smile before looking back at the sight before me.

"Sans, did you get Papyrus a gift this year?" asked a bear, wiping the snow from its blue furred knees, after putting a gift under the tree. "No, not yet, I've been busy", Sans replied with a lazy smile. "Yes, of course you're busy- wait! You busy? With what? Who is this?" I felt an urge to shrink from the sight of this new acquaintance but pushed on a brave front and spoke,"My name is Luna, what's your name?"

"My name is Beary, according to Sans!" 'Beary' gave a wholehearted laugh and proceeded to write my name on a list. "Well, Luna, I hope you can participate in our gifting this year. Everyone is welcomed, just, remember to bring a gift! At least-" he motioned me closer,"don't be following his example, he almost always gets a gift at the last moment"! With a quick smile, he turned away and continued working.

I heard a mumbling and turned towards Sans to see him with a serious facade. "Don't be telling them nonsense, Bear! You know I haven't called you that since I first came to Snowdin and I always get a gift for Papyrus". Once more the berry blue bear gave a laugh and continued with his own business.

===

We soon entered a place, called "Grillby's", that welcomed us with orange light and a warming atmosphere. So many greeted and acknowledged the skeleton beside me as if he was everyone's best friend. I found myself shyly nodding and smiling before looking towards the ground. Sans wore pink furred shoes, they almost looked like slippers.

As we reached the bar, a flaming man? Monster? Arrived behind the counter. With a sharp look, black and white attire, he spoke in hushed tones and sparks. "This is Luna. Luna, this is Grillby. Grillby, Luna. Speaking of him, wouldn't you agree he is-", Sans was stopped with a sudden slam in front of us, making me flinch and look up to see Grillby pointing his burning finger at a sign by the mirror saying,'No puns allowed in this vicinity till all tabs are paid for'.

Sans put a hand on his neck, with a lazy smile, and shrugged before pushing off the previous statement with a,"I'll have my usual". 'Grillby' glared through his glasses momentarily before turning to me with a nod and handed me a large menu. Ironically enough, this menu only had two items listed in the center of the page, burger and fries.

I ask for fries and Grillby moves into, what I assume to be, the kitchen. It's hard to really know if it is a kitchen or not, as the door opened to flames galore- or, in short terms, the entrance to hell itself.

The day was spent as it had been spent for a while now. We conversate, relax, and do whatever is on today's menu. I start to feel like I had only just arrived.

Why am I not happy? I still haven't opened up to either of them, I don't feel I'll ever have the strength too. Nobody has enjoyed the way I was. Nobody liked me for being myself. I'm lying on the couch, staring at the numbing stillness of the ceiling. I felt hopeless and helpless here. Even with the generosity being shown, I have nothing to give them. So, I'm questioning.

"Why are they letting me stay here? A complete stranger to the two of them. I don't understand" I whisper to myself emotionally before leaning to my side to sleep.