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A/N: Sorry this took so long. You know how I am :/But even though you hate me for the cliffhanger, I have a new chapter right here for you, ready to be read! I can't promise you that the next one will be here quickly either though. I know your expectations for me are low, I'm just not used to having deadlines. Also, sometimes I forget that these characters aren't really human, so if I sometimes say 'he blinked', or 'I shut my mouth', just imagine that it's how a skeleton would do it.

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We both whipped our heads around; and I saw a skeleton about Papyrus' height, dressed in red and black and holding a leash in his hands like a whip. He was standing in the doorway, looking furious and triumphant. He glared down at us, focusing his eyes on Red.

"Thought you could run away? Hiding in this pathetic AU?" The new skeleton growled, taking a step towards Red.

"B-Boss!" Red whimpered, backing away and holding tightly onto my hand. "I'm s-sorry!"

"Oh you will be when I'm done with you." He barked, reaching out and grabbing Red by his collar, jerking him forward.

"Stop! Let him go!" I yelled, using a Gaster Blaster to pull the two apart.

'Boss' snapped his head towards me, fire flaring in his eyes. "I'll dust you for that."

I took a step back, certain that this wasn't a fight I could win. So I snapped my fingers and a portal appeared; to where I wasn't sure. I grabbed Red's hand and pulled him through as quick as I could, worry bubbling up in me that 'Boss' was right behind us.

We fell, stumbling onto something soft. I squeezed my eyes shut, listening intently for the sound of the new skeleton. But all I heard was Red's whimpers and both of our quiet, terrified breathing. He was still holding my hand in a death grip, hugging my arm and his head buried in my chest. I put my free arm around him, resting my head on his and sighing.

I darted my eyes around the room, seeing we'd landed in a small wooden shed, shovels and tools resting on the sides. I didn't recognize it, but there was a sense of security here. Warm sunlight poured through the cracks in the wood, with an earthy scent wafting around the place.

"I think we're safe." I say quietly.

It was several moments before he responded.

"H-he'll be back..." He said, his voice a little hoarse. He pulled back, his face streaked with tears.

I swallowed, the intense need to protect him increasing. "I know. But all that matters right now is that we're okay. Come on."

I kept my fingers laced with his as I pushed open the door, more light filling the room and momentarily blinding me. There was snow everywhere, with houses and shops dotting the landscape. A house that looked like the one I lived in was next to the shed, except it was a different color. The entire place was empty, but nothing looked destroyed. The only sound was someone humming, and I looked around to see where it was coming from. I saw another skeleton, similar to us but taller and wearing different clothes. He had a giant paintbrush on his back, and he was holding something.

I glanced at Red. "Should we approach him or just leave?"

Red looked back at me uncertainly, his eyes fixed on the newcomer. "...w-we have to be c-careful, but maybe he knows wh-where we are..."

I nodded, taking a deep breath and calling, "Hey, you!"

The other skeleton turned, looking confused. He squinted at us, as if he was deciding whether we were really there. Then he smiled, the thing in his hand disappearing as he came up to us. "Hello there!"

"Hi." I say, giving a little wave with my free hand. He returned it, still smiling. "Could you tell us where we are?"

He cinched his mouth to give a thoughtful expression. "This should be an empty AU. I just created it, but I was going to fill it. How did you two get here?"

"We were escaping someone. He can't find us, can he?" I ask, almost certain of the answer.

"Oh, he can, if he knows where to look. But I'm sure you'll be fine as long as you don't draw attention to yourself." He says.

"Okay, thanks." I say, sighing. "What's your name?"

"Everyone calls me Ink!" He says. "I'm the creator of all the new AUs! Watch out for Error, since he destroys them, though. You'll be able to recognize him by his glitches and his bad attitude."

I snickered. "Thanks, Ink. We'll be sure to look out for him."

He nodded, then created a portal, waving goodbye as he jumped in.

I squeezed Red's hand, looking over at him. "Are you alright? I don't know what we should do next, and I don't know if we should stay here."

Red looked thoughtful, his expression still clouded with fear. "I'm okay...but I don't think we're safe if we stay in one place for too long."

"Maybe just for the night, then." I say, running a hand over my skull again and shifting my eyes over the empty scene. "It would be nice to stay longer and feel safe, but I know we can't."

Red nodded sadly, pulling his hand from mine. He hid his hands in his sleeves, sighing. "I w-wish he'd stop ch-chasing us..."

"Maybe there's some way to change his mind." I say, trying to think of something. "Magic or persuasion..."

He clenched his jaw and shook his head. "N-no. B-Boss is the k-kind of monster t-too cunning to f-fall for anything or h-have his mind ch-changed."

I sat down in the grass, Red following suit. "I suppose if he shows up we can just go to the next AU, as long as we watch for this 'Error' guy."

Red picked at the grass, calming enough for his stutter to disappear almost completely. "If he d-destroyed my AU, we wouldn't have to worry anymore."

"Only if 'Boss' was in the AU when it was destroyed." I reply dejectedly.

"I could lure h-him there..." Red said, his voice trailing off as I looked at him sharply.

"Hell no." I say firmly. "I don't want to risk you being killed along with him."

He blushed a little, seeming unsure of how to take this small show of affection. "W-well, what do you suggest?"

"There has to be a better solution. Maybe we could ask Error if he could destroy him. If he has power to do that to AUs, he might be able to do it to individual monsters." I say, watching him pluck blades of grass, specks of dirt hitting our legs. "But it would be a huge risk if he can, as he might destroy us."

Red let out a bitter laugh. "Go see Error, or wait for Boss to find us. L-Let me think."

I couldn't help but smile at his sarcasm. "Alright, then. Let's go find Error in the morning, and until then, we should explore the AU. We might find food or something useful."

He stood up again, pulling back his sleeves then bringing me to my feet as well. "Let's look for weapons first. Our magic won't be much use against B-Boss."

I felt another surge of anger towards Boss. I hated him so much. I wasn't entirely sure why he was so bent on hurting his own brother, but the reason wasn't as important as focusing on protecting Red. He couldn't ever go back to his AU if Boss was there, and as I looked down at my fingers laced with Red's, a warmth stole over me.

I need to protect him. No matter what it costs.

The voices from earlier were absent, but it was as if they were nodding in agreement at this.

"Come on." I say finally, pulling him gently in the direction of the first house.

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A/N: Me??? Posting another chapter??? -cue the shock and awe-

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