Nightmare watches the kids play. He managed to steal some things for them to do. so hopefully that will help him out, buy him a little bit of time.  He closes his eyes tiredly. this was way too much work.

...

shit. 

he shakes himself awake. he examines the room once more. error and killer are missing.

 FUCK

he stands up quickly, "cross where did error and killer go?!" Cross looks up from what he was doing, "I think error was trying to stop killer from going upstairs so they're probably there..." he says startled 

Nightmare sighs, "i haven't kid proofed- Thank you cross. please watch dust and horror for me." he rushes up the stairs.

He looks at all of the doors and sighs, "what room could they be hiding in. Killer must have been attracted to his room in someway. it radiate his aura" he huffs and walks to killers door which is plain but has multiple stab and scratch marks. killer just has a knife  habit. He doesn't question it. 

He pushes open the door and what do you know? killer is going through all of his own stuff. Their stuff is gonna be so out of place when this is done. he grabs Killer with a tentacle, "Killer. what did I say about going upstairs?"

Killer whimpers and looks down nervously, "I just wanted to know what was up here..." Nightmare sighs and pulls him close, "I know how you feel but you can't come up here yet... Its not safe. all of you could end up hurt really badly... and I wouldn't have many ways to help you...  please, just don't come up here... for me" Killer looks up at him in thought, "..." he looks down, "okay..." Nightmare sighs, "okay... your not in trouble... go downstairs and play. I need to find Error." 

"ok..." he puts killer down and watches him go down the stairs. He turns back into the hall examining the doors. he notices his room is slightly open.

NO

he rushes to the door and throws it open. Error jumps from the sudden noise. He turns around quickly, "i'm SOrRy!" he puts his arms in front of his face defensively. Nightmare sighs and pulls him over. "i will Never hit you" He watches Error slowly lowers his arms and look at him. "...I wAs TrYinG to StOP KilLer but I heArd someonE"

someone?

Shit. Is someone spying on them? Are they caught? not now.

"I understand Error... Lets go back downstairs and have fun, okay?"

"yEah... but..."

"..?"

"I FOund SOMething ThaT conFUsed me..." he takes out a photo from his jacket, "i jUSt wanted tO ask WhaT it Was?" Nightmare looks down at it. "..." 

It was an old photo. He can't remember how old. Him and Dream were kids. Dream had borrowed this strange camera like device from a villager. He could take one photo. 

Of course his dumb brother wanted a photo with him. 

and of course he kept it...

It was him and dream. Dreams arm wrapped around his shoulder tightly in excitement. His face a nervous expression. almost how it always was back then. He should have cut himself out but he just never did.

"where did you find it?"

"I-i FounD it UndEr ThE bEd..." 

of course. probably lost it after a break down. never tore it apart or hid it. forgot about it. 

"...Its my brother..." he says. please don't ask about the entire thing... Error looks down at it in confusion, "but it has both oF YOur NamEs on it... But... YoU doN'T LooK liKe thAt..."

He sighs tiredly, "Its a story no one needs to hear... including you..." he takes the photo from him gently and puts it down on his desk.

DESTROY IT

THAT ISN'T YOU ANYMORE

He whimpers and grips onto his shoulder. "arE you okAy?" error rushes to his side in worry. Error looks like hes going to have a panic attack, "yes I'm ok... just... The mean people hurt me a little... that's all..."

Error whimpers softly, "We need To GeT HeLP theN!" Nightmare whimpers, "no. we stay here. i will be ok. lets go downstairs ok?" he smiles gripping onto his shoulder, "i-i..." 

"Please don't argue..."

"ok..."