The skeleton and the monster

Chapter 2(Edited)

 

As Toriel and I enter her home, I can't help but notice how warm and inviting it feels. The cozy glow of a few lamps illuminates the stone walls, and the smell of something faintly sweet lingers in the air. It's peaceful, but my mind is racing.

"Please, make yourself comfortable. I'll fetch some food for you," Toriel says kindly, before disappearing into what I assume is the kitchen.

As Toriel leaves me to head into the kitchen, I try to calm down, but the panic creeps in fast. How did I even end up here?

I was hiking with Mitsuki. We'd split up, like we usually do when she finds something interesting to explore. We agreed to meet at the top of the trail. But I saw something—an ethereal glow coming from a crack in the ground. It was strange, almost hypnotic. Before I knew it, I was moving toward it, getting too close. The ground gave way, and I fell.

I'm down here... and Mitsuki is up there, searching for me. The realization hits me hard. I pull out my phone in a panic. Maybe I can call her? Maybe the signal works down here somehow? But as soon as I see the shattered screen, my heart sinks. It's completely destroyed from the fall. I press the buttons frantically, but nothing happens. It's dead.

My breathing quickens. How will she find me? What if I never make it back?

Just then, Toriel returns, noticing the look on my face. "What's wrong, my child?" she asks softly, concern in her voice.

"I—I was hiking with my friend Mitsuki," I explain, struggling to keep my voice steady. "We split up, and I found this strange light... then I fell down here. My phone's broken. I can't contact her, and she must be so worried."

Toriel listens closely before offering a kind smile. "Ah, I understand. That must be troubling for you. But you need not worry so much. Even if your phone were working, it wouldn't function properly down here in the Underground."

I blink, still feeling the panic tightening in my chest.

"But," she continues, "there's someone who might be able to help. Our Royal Scientist, W.D. Gaster, has vast knowledge of technology and strange phenomena. If anyone can understand how devices like yours work, it would be him. He may even be able to repair it."

Hope flickers inside me at the mention of someone who could fix my phone. Maybe Gaster could help me get in contact with Mitsuki, let her know I'm okay.

Toriel pats my hand gently. "For now, though, try to relax. Your friend will be alright. I've prepared some food for you."

She steps away, returning shortly with a bowl of food. But as I look down at the dish in front of me, my nerves spike again. The soup looks... strange. It's a deep, dark purple, swirling in an almost unnatural way.

Toriel catches my hesitation and laughs softly. "I know it may look odd, but it's good for you, I promise. Go ahead, take a bite."

I try to smile, but I'm still uneasy. I lift the spoon, the ominous-looking soup swirling before me, as my thoughts drift back to Mitsuki and the hope that maybe this Gaster could get me one step closer to finding my way back.





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We walk through the winding paths of the Underground, my thoughts keep drifting back to that bowl of strange soup. I glance over at Toriel, her warm smile never fading, and I can't help but wonder how something that looked so... ominous could taste so good. "I have to admit," I say, trying to break the silence, "that soup you made was... surprising."