Chapter Text
Typically, people don’t just wake up on a Thursday morning thinking to themselves that they will be dumping their boyfriend.
But, its what I woke up thinking, and I’m not about to back out now that the anger is here to scare me into submission. It wouldn’t work, I was waiting for him to get mad, throw things, call me names, threaten my life. None of it was felt, my mind already blocking out said man.
If one could consider him a man, he wasn’t childish in a way that was endearing, he was childish in the way you eye bratty kids at the store for cussing out their single mom who is trying her best to give her brat the world.
That’s one of many reasons I’m leaving him, I could write an essay on all the reasons, truly, but I knew he wouldn’t change even with positive encouragement and patience.
I’m sure that isn’t my soul trait anyway.
Oh, Did I mention Monsters have surfaced in the past 5 years? They brought magic, the truth of souls, and a lot more with them. Crazy shit. They were rough around the edges but seemed okay when I’ve been out and around them- not to take credit from them on their amazing way of putting up with humans, but I’m 100% sure they tolerated humans and their racism because their Queen had been very strict on what would happen if there was trouble caused.
I shivered, remembering the press’ interview with the Queen and her promise of capital punishment on any Monster who harmed a human…
It had spooked many humans that were on the more progressive side, though the government approved of the Queens willingness to keep a tight leash on her people.
I wasn’t a fan, but my singular opinion wouldn’t change anything. I didn’t like the idea that they had just been freed from a cave system only to be slapped in the face with over a million rules, restrictions, and racist comments. Their underground was harsh, but I’m sure the cold welcome didn’t help sooth any aggression they had towards the people who locked them there in the first place.
I sigh, looking at the mess my, now, Ex had left. He didn’t take anything, it was all mine anyway. I briefly considered calling the police for destruction of property but scratched the idea when I realized that only would drag this shit storm out longer.
I spent the rest of the day cleaning up my Ex’s mess, again.
That was until my landlord slammed his fist on my door, demanding I open up. with a grimace, I obliged and let him in.
He bitched at me for the mess my Ex had left, telling me he would have my ass for the freshly punched hole in the wall.
He left with a red face and a note that told me I had to get it fixed or pay up in one week.
Of course I couldn’t do that, there was no way in fuck that I could make two thousand dollars in one week. I worked downtown at a grungy hole in the wall diner, and my tips came in small and few amounts.
Ebott had deteriorated into a ghetto city, an odd thought. The huge city of Ebott had turned into a shit hole, but when? No one knows, it was covered up by shitty politics.
The only thing that didn’t go to shit? Was the amount of money Monsters got when they cashed in their gold currency for human money. It was fucking insane. though no one dared try to swindle them, not when they looked milliseconds away from snapping necks.
Funny thing was that despite their standoffish attitude and barely contained violent nature, Monsters were the only ones who tipped properly.
One time a human man asked you to break a fifty for him, 5 ones, 1 five and 2 twenties. His tip after eating $40 worth of food by himself and running you to hell and back? He left you one dollar.
Monsters? Always tipped the percent that was set at the time. even if you weren’t needed once they always tipped decently.
That’s probably why you couldn’t find it in you to harbor hate or distrust for them. Of course, you still knew better than to get to friendly or stay in a dark alley alone with a stranger- human or Monster.
That was until you were at work, and the broadcast was sent out.
The broadcast that overrode ever station and device in Ebott city,
Screens flicked to the Queen of Monsters on her throne, in her castle that had been built in one week after Monsters arrived. Her guard was stationed.
People were freaking out, talking about how it was on their phones too not just the tv.
But I couldn’t take my eyes off the screen.
A robotic voice rung out,
“Hello, human kind of Ebott. NTT broadcast asks for your undivided attention to this announcement.”
The screen went from paused to live, and the Queen started speaking, dull eyes boring into the camera, unblinking.
“Greetings, Humans. It is with great sadness I must announce you are no longer welcome in Ebott city. As of next Friday, I will be capturing the city for my people to live in safely without your harassment and discourse. Not another of my people will dust without punishment.”
There was a brief pause, like she was giving us a second to catch up.
“You have seven days to evacuate before you are held responsible for your kind’s transgressions against us. Military intervention will result in unnecessary casualties.
Good day.”
The screens flickered to black then back to the programs that were previously playing.
I felt sick, lightheaded as people rushed out, paying as quickly as they could and leaving.
I wanted to run too, but my boss caught me by the shoulder, staring me down with a glare.
“You aren’t leaving until your shifts over,”
I could feel myself pale at his final tone, nodding as I get to work cleaning up the mess.
The only three patron left were monsters, I don't know if that made it better or not.
I served the bunny Monster who was 20 shots deep into her drunkenness, asking her if she wanted me to call her a ride home.
She waved me off, paid and just laid in the booth. I left her to do whatever it was she was doing.
The next table was a booth in the corner, a Monster, I knew that much by how tall he was and the fact that they hadn’t run, but they still kept themselves hidden.
They said nothing when I asked them if they wanted anything else or if they were ready for their bill. After 30 seconds of feeling awkward about the silence, the monster slipped money on the table, I accepted the cash, giving them a written receipt and handing them back their change. They held up a hand making me pause, they pushed my hand with change back before getting up and leaving. All the while I still had not managed to see their face.
I look down at the money, unsure about the 20 dollar tip.
Why did they tip when Monsters had no reason to play nice anymore?
After checking up on the cat Monster who was face first in his sandwich plate after one-to-many drinks, it was finally time to clean up the back then I could go home and be safe.
I washed up and tidied as quickly as I could, clocking out and not even bothering to ask my boss if I could get paid early to fix the hole in my wall. My savings account I had to make sure I could eventually buy my own house in Ebott would be pointless now.
It wasn’t until I got to the bank did I find out everyone else had the same idea.
There was no cash in the banks, everyone had taken their savings and hightailed it out of Ebott.
Leaving the rest of us behind with nothing.
I sobbed in the shower when I got home, feeling my soul ache painfully. I cried myself to sleep too.
When I woke up the next morning to my landlord demanding the money or else he would evict me… I had to tell him the banks had no money.
He got mad, screamed at me.
I don't recall much of what happened after that,
My hand traced my sore throat as I wheezed and the door slammed, my mind lapsing on anything other than that my landlord just beat me and tried to strangle me into giving him any money I had.
I look at my wallet on the floor, gently I picket it up to see if he left anything.
I let my head fall in a choked sob,
The only thing in my wallet was my ID and my library card. My gift cards were gone, cash was gone, my bank cards were gone.
I let myself scream and cry into my knees on my living room floor,
And for the first time in years since I had gotten clean, I scratched my skin until it started pealing and blood made my nails to slick to peal anymore.
The next day I had to force myself to get up and go to work, I couldn’t find it in myself to do anything else.
I should be panicking and doing everything to leave Ebott with the way the Queens personal construction crew was building a wall around the city.
But I felt nothing as I continued on, sure that if I could get one more twenty today for tips that a bus would take me to the next city.
No one had come into the diner other than the same cat and bunny Monster that made this place their regular bar to hop to when the last cut them off.
Those two were normally to plastered to tip.
I walked home that day with nothing but the lint in my pockets and a now bruised face.
I pause when I saw something fluttering on the ground by my apartment door, reaching down to catch it, I found the paper to be a twenty dollar bill.
My thoughts went back to the Monster who tipped me yesterday… and to the event that caused it to be ripped from my hands.
I glance around, trying to find out if someone near me had dropped it. But the hall was empty, even the noise from neighbors was gone.
Probably because I’m the only one in the building that hasn’t hightailed it out of Ebott yet.
Not that it was a lack of trying, I had begged many bus drivers over the past two days. Tried to hitchhike even.
… I’ll never try to hitchhike again.
I unlock my door and step in, looking around to see if anyone might have broken in.
Sighing, I take a shower and pack a small bag of things that would keep me alive for the next few days if I managed to catch one of the many crowded buses.
When I woke up, the chilly bite of my apartment made my joints ache as I tried to stretch. The heat and ac had been shut off, I soon found that electricity was down too when I tried to turn on the bathroom light.
Fuck.
With a heavier heart than yesterday, I tried to catch a bus.
Three passed me by before one stopped. The fair for a bus was 50 dollars a per person.
I didn’t stop myself from crying and begging the driver, asking if anyone could please spare any change and that I would pay them back as soon as we were out of Ebott.
No one said anything as the bus driver pushed me off the bus and shut the doors.
I had to stop myself from screaming and crying in the middle of the street, but I settled for sobbing as quietly as I could in the bus booth.
I had 20 dollars to my name and that was it, no car, technically not even a home now. I was squatting in freshly abandon apartments.
The streets were near baren, the only people walking about were Monsters and the occasional human.
My boss wasn’t going to leave, he said that Monsters were bluffing and just wanted to control what apples were in their barrel. There were others who didn’t leave, thinking it was bullshit and the government could put a end to this quickly.
Of course, that wasn’t true. I knew in my soul that help wasn’t coming by the 5th day, the day the wall was officially finished, and guards were stationed that the 4 entrances to Ebott.
I went to work anyway, because the only hope I had left was the possibility of tips. I only needed 30 more dollars to leave Ebott.
I wasn’t against begging for tips, and I even started to try and coax one out of the two regular Monsters.
It wasn’t until the 6th day did I see that tall monster again, they wandered in and sat in the same booth.
I grimaced at the reminder that if I still had that 20, I would have only needed 10 to leave.
I smooth it out into a weak smile as I approached their table, “Welcome to Brady’s brunch and brews, what can I get you today?”
“Why are you still here?” I near flinch at the harsh hiss that came from the Monster.
“I’m sorry?” I knew what he was talking about.
“You’re gonna get yerself killed, you gotta leave.” He hissed again, keeping his voice down. At least, I think they were a he, they sounded masculine. And typically, Monsters presented how they chose to be addressed.
I had to fight my eyes to stop the burning as I answered him quietly, “I don’t have enough money, I would take some out of my bank account but banks are closed and have no money left. no one will let you hitchhike without a favor, and most public transport is full or no longer running.” I don’t move to wipe the singular tear that escapes, hoping he wasn’t looking at you from under that hood of his “I really can’t, I’ve been trying since day one.”
Now that I’ve admitted it out loud, I realize that I had to accept just how trapped I truly am.
I fight myself to stay till as the Monster snarled in a way I’ve never heard before, leading me to think that maybe he was a dog monster. But the canine unit was part of the Queens special unit of guard, he couldn’t be one and be scolding you for not leaving.
He shoved a hundred-dollar bill into my hands, “You better get the fuck out of here tonight,”
I nod in agreement, but before I could say anything else he was standing, holding me off the floor by my collar and demanding I get the fuck out of his sight…
I rushed out the door, no complaints from my boss as I did, his fear of the agitated Monster showing clearly on his face as I rushed past him.
It wasn’t until I was sitting at a bus stop again did I realize he got me out of work early. He caused a scene on purpose so I could leave.
Mentally, I thank the monster as a bus finally stops and lets me on.
He even gave me back my 50 in change for the 100.
It wasn’t until we got to the gate did, I see the guards that were blocking the way.
It wasn’t until everyone was getting off the bus did I realize they were checking people.
Deciding who could and couldn’t leave.
There were three fully armored guards were separating us into two lines,
I felt sick, I felt like this wasn’t real and it would all be over soon.
It wasn’t until the guards were in front of me did, I realize they wanted ID, I made haste to pass them my wallet.
I was actively fighting the urge to vomit as the three guards laughed, pulling out the only 70 dollars I had to my name.
I blocked out their exact words as they mocked me, making jokes to each other of my pitiful attempt at escape.
How they joked about if I was in the underground I would be dead in seconds.
My soul hurt and screamed out for help. To please let me out.
Eventually the guards quieted, tossing my wallet back at me but keeping the cash in hand.
The shoved me into the other line.
I paled when I realized that the people left in the other line were either going to leave without us or we were going to leave without them.
It wasn’t until the guards started shoving the original line to the bus did I realize that I had lost.
My last chance was right there, separated by an iron gate and I had lost it.
I couldn’t help myself as I fell to my knees, begging them to please let me get on the bus too, that I would do anything the asked of me if they would please let me leave.
The three laughed at me, one of them snatching me up by the arm to make me stand, laughing in my face with the others over how amusing I am.
It wasn’t until a throat was cleared did the three stop, looking to a hulking dinosaur Monster.
Lieutenant of the royal guard, Alphys.
“Get your grimy hands off the humans!” she barked and the guard dropped me like a was molten lava seeping into his skin. “You aren’t supposed to play with the ones who don’t meet the marks,” She waves a hand, and the gate opens,
…The bus leaves, and not one of the people on it look back.
Just like that, the gate is closed again and I realize there is nothing I can do.
Was I doomed from the start? What marks did I need to meet to leave?
Did that Monster who forced me to try know I didn’t make it and that they would kill us for trying?
Was I going to die here because I trusted him?
The lieutenant of the guard barked out at us this time, “ALRIGHT!” I flinch at the volume “Every one of you, get going” she points back to city, and I pale,
They were going to make us wait for doomsday? They wouldn’t just kill us?
I tried to hope that maybe this was another chance that I could find another bus and try again.
But as I was walking away like ordered, I realized that the sun was setting and tomorrow the was the promised day the Queen would send out her special tracking unit, the canine unit, to find humans.
I felt ill, unsure of what would happen to me or anyone else that failed to escape.
I hunkered down in my cold apartment, taking one last shower, not able to complain that there was no hot water.
I dressed in layers, finding my bag filled with a few sets of clothes and some snacks so I could keep it on me at all times. I pried off the vent in my bathroom and stashed a taped shut box in it before putting the vent back.
If I lived, and was free again, that was my box of stuff that was sacred to my soul. One I would be back for one day if I lived.
It wasn’t until the siren woke me up in the morning did I realize that I had to hide.
I tried to find anywhere in the apartment complex that was unusual but would work well at hiding me.
I refused to hide in the apartments, I knew better than that. So I started looking around the main office, washing room, elevator, and the septic room.
I decide the septic room might be the best, if the canine unit could track human by smell I was sure that the smell of nothing but human waste might throw them off my trail.
Searching the room, I find that the only option was to hide in the corner behind the large water heater that was now ice cold or in the closet that held the breaker and some supplies.
I squished myself into the space behind the water heater, knowing well enough that I should avoid anywhere open and obvious.
The Monsters were hunting us for sport, so thus began the waiting in this cruel game of hide and seek.
I lost count of time after three hours had passed, but I knew better than to move. I would stay here for one whole day just to be sure, only moving to stretch when I knew it was safe.
Which was nearly never,
It wasn’t until I heard the floor above me creak did I know to keep my mouth shut, stay still as a corpse, and fight my beating heart to slow. only breathing in and out silently, trying to hold my breaths so they were few and far between.
I already lost once; I couldn’t afford to do it again.
I couldn’t afford the slightest disturbance, I had to stay here and be still until they were gone.
I had to fight through this.
It wasn’t until then did I start thinking about what would happen if I was caught, what would happen if I wasn’t.
I felt sick, I was cold, and my body hurt from sitting in the same place for so long.
It was silent for a while until I heard footsteps on the creaky wooden stairs,
They were here.
I closed my eyes, knowing better than to stare at them. Not wanting the gut feeling of someone staring at them to give me away.
It wasn’t until I heard a chuckle much closer than I like did I open my eyes.
I could see the dog Monster out the corner of my eye, they were staring right at me,
“Shame too,” I fought to stay still as she spoke “I wouldn’t have known you were there if I hadn’t looked twice.”
My soul hurt, it hurt so bad when she said that.
Again, I almost got away again.
But it was ripped from me just before I could be free.
“If you come peacefully, I promise you there will be a mercy granted.” She sounded like she had sympathy for me, but I really couldn’t tell if this was an act or not.
But I had been caught, and I had nothing else to lose. Even if she was lying, at least I wouldn’t be tugged and dragged around.
I nod and start to climb out from my hiding spot, holding my hands out where they could see them.
As Dogaressa, I learned her name was as she personally walked me to where I was supposed to be taken, promised… I was lead peacefully out to where other guards were corralling humans. I flinched at the screaming protest and the way the Monsters forced them to cooperate.
I find that Dogaressa had been truthful with her promise, as she leads me to a soft white room with a handful of other humans.
This was where the ones who went peacefully or surrendered themselves went, I soon learned.
We were allowed a warm shower, though we were all put in the same room together, and monitored the whole time. I kept my eyes to myself, doing my best to relax when I knew I couldn’t.
When we redressed, we were all taken to another room.
I caught the sight of other humans outside the castle walls in cuffs and chains as we were walked to the next room…
We were told to line up and we were given numbers to hold.
For a second, I thought we might be getting mug shots taken, until three Monsters were escorted into the room.
I near gasped out loud like someone else had when I found myself face to face with the Queen and her lead guards.
“Ah, how lovely, I knew we would have peaceful souls left” the Queen huffed at a soft laugh, one that sounded almost motherly if you didn’t acknowledge that she was talking about people she had taken as prisoners. The Queen turned to us again after her short joke to the two monsters beside her, “I thank you for your cooperation, your kind are rare in this world.” She said, a small smile that was almost genuine gracing her.
I slowly do a bow in thanks, unsure if I should speak directly to her as a prisoner, watching the others beside me do the same.
She laughs louder, a bit more genuine than the first one “and polite too, how delightful!”
I felt empty as the Queen turned back to the other two Monsters in the room,
“Take your pick”
The other two seemed just as confused as us for a second, before the captain spoke up, his voice making me flinch in its brashness. “PARDON, YOUR HIGHNESS?”
The Queen shook her head at him, “You two are the head of my guard and keep my empire running smoothly, it is by far not as grand a reward you both are deserving, but I decided to let you two have first pick of what human you want to be yours” she laughed, like it was silly of him to ask.
But my stomach flipped, as I put the pieces together,
We were going to be slaves instead of prisoners.
“I SEE, THANK YOU YOUR HIGHNESS, WE ARE HONORED” His voice said otherwise, it was like he was just as shocked as us and went to a default dialog.
I notice that his eyes kept flicking back to me, squinting ever so slightly, if that were possible, he is a skeleton, so I might just be imagining things.
I decide to keep my head straight and eyes back to the floor, unsure if it would be best to be picked or if it would be better to be one of the humans left over.
“NUMBER 7” he finally said, smoothing down his uniform.
Internally I felt the life draining from my soul, I let my eyes flicker up to his slight grimace.
The facial expression surprised me, a grimace? Why would he have picked me if he didn't like me?
“Go on, dear” The queen said waving to me softly, I knew better than to hesitate or disagree now, so I softly step forward and shuffle to stand beside captain of the royal guard...
I watched Alphys eye me and the captain before asking the remaining line up if any of them liked anime, before picking the only human brave enough to raise their hand. How curious... Anime was the lieutenant of the royal guards thing?
We were then dismissed, and I found myself following right behind the Capitan as he walked away.
Soon he paused and I almost walked into him with how abrupt it was, he turned on me and I found myself too nervous to investigate the strange lights in his eyes any longer than a few quick glances.
“YOUR NAME?” I blink letting myself glance up at his face, before answering him quietly.
“AGE?” I answer again, this time not risking to look up at him.
“HM,” he seemed almost bored “WHAT IS IN YOUR BAG?”
I breath, knowing that would be more than a one-word answer.
“um, food and clothes I had packed for when I got caught.” I go to take off the bag before he raises a hand, stopping me immediately.
“KEEP IT, I CAN TELL YOU ARE NOT LYING. NOW, YOU ARE COMING HOME WITH ME.” I nod, “YOU WILL MEET MY BROTHER, AND LISTEN TO WHAT HE TELLS YOU TO DO UNLESS IT CONTRIDICTS WHAT I SAY. IF WE ARE TELLING YOU DIFFERENT THINGS PLEASE INFORM ONE OF US SO I MAY SORT OUT ANY CONFUSION.”
I nod in agreement and feel as if I should blush at the Captain saying please to me, his slave. What an odd thought.
“I WILL SET UP SOMETHING MORE OFFICAL WHEN WE GET HOME, FOR NOW I MUST LET MY BROTHER KNOW YOU WILL BE THERE. I AM FAR TO BUSY RIGHT NOW TO ENTERTAIN THIS,” he eyes you for a second… “I SHALL LEAVE YOU HERE TO WAIT FOR MY BROTHER TO PICK YOU UP, ON ONE CONDITION” I nod in agreement “YOU NEED TO STAY RIGHT HERE, DO NOT MOVE. IF ANYONE ASKS, YOU ARE MY SLAVE AND YOU ARE WAITING ON PAPYRUS.” I nod again before flinching as he barks out “USE YOUR WORDS!”
“Yes, sir, I will wait here until Papyrus picks me up.” he seemed satisfied,
“VERY WELL, YOU WILL WEAR THIS, LEST I NEED TO REMOVE THE LIMBS OF MY SUBORDINATES FOR TOUCHING MY PROPERTY.” I let him wrap his scarf around my neck, “DO NOT TAKE THAT OFF UNTIL I ASK FOR IT BACK, UNDERSTOOD?”
“Yes, sir,”
And just like that he was walking away down the hallway, like he knew I wouldn’t try to escape.
It was a bitter thought, but I knew all the same that I wasn’t going to try either.
I sat down with my back against the wall, waiting for his brother, Papyrus, to come get me.