Killer's POV the next day

I sit in the shack by myself, fixing things up. I put things back in place and even practice some fighting on the dummies or punching bag. I wait for Nightmare to come. But he never did. That's unlike him. But maybe he's busy, which is understandable. So I wait. I repeat this for the next day, but by the morning of the 3rd day without a sign of Nightmare, I frown. Worry fills me, especially with the attack days before. I take out my phone and call Cross. Hopefully, I'm just overreacting and someone, like Cross, has seen him. Hopefully, he is okay too. Or anyone.

"Come on, come on, come on! Pick up!"I mutter

Someone picks up.

"Hello?"Cross says

"Hey, Cross."I say

"Oh! Killer! Hey! What are you calling for?"Cross asks

"I'm wondering if you've seen Nightmare or if he's ok."I tell him

"What? Want me to send him back to you?"Cross asks teasingly

"So he is with you?"I ask

"I'm sorry but no, he isn't. He hasn't come back since a few days ago. I assumed he was with you."Cross says

It feels like my soul sinks at those words.

"I thought he was with you guys. He left a few days ago saying he was going to speak with Error and the rest of the gang members. If he isn't with you, then...Oh no..."I explain

"Oh no? What's oh no?"Cross asks

"The last time he came to visit, he was in a different form. He said Science was the reason he's in it. And then, the shack was attacked and some bunch of people was coming after Nightmare. They nearly got him but only managed to knock him out before fleeing. He woke up the next morning and left. Maybe those people were nearby and...and....."I tell him

"Oh shoot!"Cross says

"Cross! Cross! I found out what the strange feeling is! It's a message from Nightmare!"Another voice says in the background

"Who's that?"I ask

"Dream."Cross says

"You're with him? Huh? Hmmm, guess it was gonna happen eventually. You did show the signs as if you were breaking rule 7:Never wear your soul on your sleeve. What's he saying about Nightmare?"I ask

"Oh be quiet you. Our boss is breaking that rule after all. We aren't whatever you mean by it. He got this weird feeling yesterday and now thinks he figured it out, like decrypting code. And it's a message from Nightmare. What does it say, Dream?"Cross replies

"What do you mean? Our Nightmare hasn't broken that rule. Not from what I see."I say

"Oh, your oblivion is amazing. But Nightmare would kill me if I explained. Now, Dream, what does it say?"Cross tells me

"Who are you on the phone with?"Dream asks

"A friend."Cross says

"Better not be Cipher!Sans cause I really want to put an arrow in his face right now."Dream says, the anger seeping through his tone

What did he do? Is something wrong? Was Nightmare taken, hurt or worse by Cipher! Sans? Is that stupid recruit a stupid traitor? Well, then he's one who's gonna die!

"It isn't, Dream. Why do you say that?"Cross says

"Because the message says quote: Dream, I love you all. Cipher! Sans has taken me, so I will miss you all. I can't do anything. Find the cuff. Cross will explain...Stay safe..I...67...Science is dead to me. I-But then it gets cut off all of a sudden. Cross, what do you have to explain?"Dream says

67....Protection call. Lockdown. Get everyone the caller loves or cares about together...Jeez, things must be bad if Nightmare's calling it! Cipher you are dead! Science you are dead!

"Well, after you passed out, E!Pap took you from the game. Science basically ran an experiment on Nightmare in the game. He put a cuff on his wrist, forcing him to stay in one form or he'd get electrocuted. The only way he'd get the other form back is that he goes and stays at a shack for at least an hour. The cuff holds his attacks, abilities and basically everything about his other form. We were shocked and gonna skip that dare, kicking Science from the game, but Nightmare went and did it. I'm guessing the cuff came off while he was taken and may give a clue to where he was taken. Also, we should get it instead of those idiots to use."Cross explains

"I saw the cuff! He had it on the entire time he was here, and also kept fidgeting or picking at it. He left wearing it too. I didn't know that happened. Science, man."I say

"Okay, so now we have a way to find it. Science has a tracker on it. If we find it, we may find something to help Nightmare."Cross says

"I'll go grab something!"Dream says

Could this really be happening? Was Nightmare really taken? Oh why did I let him leave alone in that form? Why didn't I go with him? Protect him? Ugh, I'm so stupid!

Then, my phone rings while still on the call with Cross. I check it and smile.

"Cross! Cross! I gotta go!"I say

"Why?"He asks

"Nightmare is calling me!"I exclaim, filled with hope and joy

Nightmare could be okay! My Nightmare!

"Oh! I got a strong feeling! Someone is feeling love for my brother!"Dream shouts in the background

"Ooo, interesting. Killer, the ru-"Cross begins to say, reminding me of the rule

I hang up and accept the other call. I could feel my face burn a bit.

I'm not breaking that rule, am I? I simply care for, but not love, Nightmare, right? And especially not the way Cross implied, right? He's my boss and friend. He sees me as just some kind of family-like friend in his gang, right? Right. Nothing more. But that kiss......Foucs, Killer!

"K-Killer?"Nightmare says over the phone

"Hey, Nightmare!"I say, but could hear in my own voice the kind of joy I had to him

"Oh thank the stars. You're ok, right, Killer?"He asks

"No, I'm fine."I say

"G-Good. I'm sorry I haven't come to see you, nor do I think I ever will at this rate."He says, his voice shaking

"Are you okay?"I ask worriedly

"N-Never better, heh..."He says, though I can tell he's lying

"Nightmare, please, be honest."I tell him

"You saw through that, huh?"He says

"Yep."I respond

"So, would you believe me if I said that I'm just busy elsewhere?"He asks

"Then it'd be your words against you. Dream and Cross told me your message over the phone. Cipher is dead when I find him."I reply

He sighs.

"But that would break 67."He reminds me

"No, because don't you care about yourself?"I respond

He is silent.

"Nightmare!"I snap

"I just want to keep my 'family' safe....."He says

"So do I, that's why I'm following 67 to get you."I say

"Killer..."He says

"That idiot didn't hurt you, did he?" I ask

"Nope, I'm fine. He's only taking me and trapping me right now. Heard him say he's waiting for his new boss to come and take things from there. This is the first chance I've gotten to use my phone."He tells me

"Then why'd you call me of all people? There's not much I can do to help. Meanwhile, Error could figure things out with his peekhole thingies or the other gang members have their abilities.."I tell him

"Have I ever told you how special you are?"He asks

"N-No..."I say, not sure where this is gonna go

"Not even a hundred or thousand gang members or friends could match how special you are to me. You may not think so, but you are. I called you to make sure you're okay, I care for you. If you don't believe me, just listen. You are intelligent. You are loyal, observant, venturous,and extraordinary. You are you, outstanding and unique."He tells me

(Anyone see a message? ;3)

I feel my face warm up. He's never told me this.

"T-Thank you, Nightmare."I say

"No problem."He says

How Nightmare is really doing below.

"Is there a way I could get back to you?"I ask

"I'm unable to find any ways to tell you how or give where I am away. Nothing stands out. Besides, I think I have to go...."Nightmare says

"What? Nightmare, don't hang up. I'm afraid of what may happen when you do."I tell him

"I'm sorry, Killer. I can't give any of you guys away. I will be fine....Huh? Oh no, stay back! Not again!"He says, then cries out

I hear laughter, then violent sounds. The phone is dropped. I worry quickly.

"Nightmare? Nightmare! Nightmare, answer me!"I shout

There is silence. 

The violent noises stop. 

I hear something, or someone get thrown. 

Then I hear something, or someone, land beside where the phone is dropped. 

The silence continues, killing me.

I hear someone cough and cough, sounding weak and in pain. Then I hear crying.

"K-Killer....."Nightmare faintly says to me on the phone in a whimper

The pain in his voice was strong, as well as a sense of defeat. Things I've never heard from Nightmare.

"Nightmare!"I cheer, just glad that he's ok.

"They h-heard you....Leave the shack....NOW! I d-don't want you to get hurt."He says

"Nightmare, what did they do? Who's they? Cipher?"I ask

"N-No...It w-wasn't Cipher...They were brought back to make me break....I'll be okay, but I gotta hang up before he comes and finds out as well."He says

"Nightmare, who are they?"I ask

"B-B-Bulli....."He begins, but trails off

"Nightmare?"I call

Silence. I hear a bang noise with a thud.

Click.

The call ends.

 He hung up. 

Scenarios whizz in my head worriedly. I start collecting my knives and stuff. I leave the shack as he told me and hide in a tree. I watch the shack, waiting to see if anyone would come. Then, I see a group of 6 figures try to break into the shack. I do not recognize them. Then I hear one trailing behind the rest speak.

"Nightmare is dead and soon, so will that witness over the phone."It says

Nightmare? Dead? NO!

Anger boils in me, so I decide to make a move. I through a few knives at the group. I threw a total of 5. Each hit one of their heads, leaving one standing. The one who spoke. They began to shake in fear. I teleport in front of them.

"That so, huh? Well, nobody kills my Nightmare and gets away with it."I snap at them

"Please don't kill me!"They cry

"Oh I won't, because you're gonna go back and tell whoever sent you what I just told you. Nightmare better not be dead or you all will be."I say

"Yes sir!"They say, running off

A few moments pass and Cross comes into view. But he wasn't alone. Dream was with him. He runs over and looks in shock. 

"Did you kill them?"He asks

"Guilty as charged. I mean, is that even a question anymore with my name?"I say, nodding and spinning a knife in hand

"What are you doing here, Killer?"He asks

"Looking for Nightmare, and those idiots who took him. Cross told me everything on the phone."I say

"Wait...How is this possible?"He says, his eye-lights shrinking at the bodies

"Few knives do the good ol' trick."I say

Cross reaches us and Dream clenches onto him.

"That's not what I mean...I know these people."Dream says

"What?"I ask, looking at them 

"These...Are Nightmare's bullies. Some of them at least.But Nightmare killed them during the Incident, so someone must've revived them and are working with them."Dream explains

"Oh! That puts even more pleasure into it! Those jerks deserved it!"I say

"What did you hear from Nightmare? You say he called you."Cross says, waving the cuff in a hand

I explain how the call went, leaving out the compliments since that is not important to the situation in my opinion. They look at me in shock but then Dream senses something nearby and runs off quickly with Cross following.

That's when I got the call.

My phone rings and I check. It has no caller ID but something in me said that I should answer it. So, I answer.

"Hello? Who is this?"I ask

"Hey, Killer!"Cipher's voice says

"What do you want?"I ask

"I got your boss.~ Wanna see him before he goes to my new boss?"Cipher says

I'm silent, processing this. Thinking.

"Yes or no, buddy!"He says

"Where is he?"I ask

"Ah, so that's a yes? Come alone, it should be hmm....40 steps south of that shack. He should be waking up soon.~ I'll give you 22 minutes."Cipher says, then hangs up

That's the opposite direction of where Dream ran with Cross. I move as quick as I can, counting my steps. Sure enough, after 40 steps, there was some orb that became a cube. In it, laid Nightmare. I run over and pound on the side. It was like some kind of barrier.

"Nightmare!"I yell

He turns away from me, holding a clearly wounded arm.

I keep pounding.

"It's me, Killer!"I shout

His head goes up and he looks right at me. I smile at him. He gets up and comes to the barrier. He seems to be talking or trying to talk. I can't hear him though. I just see his wounds. There are many and they are bad. He has a patch over one of his eyes. I guess he noticed my gaze because he started trying cover them up and stops talking.

"Did they do that to you?"I ask

He looks at me, then nods.

"Well, 5 of them are dead so that means 5 less problems for you. Now, let's get you out of there."I say, taking a knife back out

I aim it at the barrier and prepare to swing it.He waves his arms, signaling me to stop. I lower the knife.

"Huh?"I say confusedly

He lowers the scarf that I notice on him to show a collar around his neck, flashing red. A monitor like the cuff that is now gone from his wrist. Cross has it.

"That freaking idiot! He did that to you too?"I ask him

He nods and tries to speak, but I still can't hear him.

"I cannot hear you."I tell him

He gets this thinking expression on. He points to my knife, then taps the barrier. Then he points to the collar monitor and gives a thumbs down. I get the message. Bad will happen if he is freed. Doesn't make me feel any better. I'd feel better when he is free, safe, unharmed and I'm able to protect him. I put my hand against the barrier. He alligns his with mine and looks at me. He puts his other hand on the barrier and tries to speak. 

I lean forward, gently pressing my head against the barrier. Now, I could softly hear him.

"Killer...I'm gonna miss you. I dunno where I'm going or if I'm even coming back. If I don't come back, protect Dream and the others, though I doubt Cross isn't doing that already. I trust that you'll keep yourself out of trouble. Please...I don't want you to get hurt."He says

I look at him.

I guess things are better between them.

"Okay....But I will try to get you back. I won't stop until I do. I can't lose you. Those jerks will pay. I will get you back, and I won't let you get taken again. Or hurt. I will protect you. Cause...."I tell him

"Because I'm your  Nightmare?"He asks with a teasing smile though he still seems scared

I feel my face warm.

"Y-Ya...My Nightmare."I say

He smiles. Then his eye-light shrinks.

"No! Wait! Killer! Look out!"He tries to yell, but only sounds as a whisper through the barrier

"Huh?"I say, then get knocked to the ground

"Stay away from my brother!"Dream yells

"Gah! Get off me!"I snap

"No! I saw that knife! Big risk!"Dream says, pinning my arms behind my back

"Cross has a freakin' giant knife compared to mine! Are you serious? You know what? CROSS!"I shout

"What?"Crossresponds

"Dream is overreacting!"I shout

"Am not!"Dream says

"Coming!"Cross says

I hear a pounding noise and look. So does Dream. Nightmare had started pounding on the barrier to get our attention. He stops, crossing his arms and narrowing his eye at Dream.

"What's with that look?"Dream asks

Nightmare points at me and then splits his two hands apart. Signaling GET OFF HIM!

Dream reluctantly does. I feel my wrists, which hurt. Nightmare signals him to come to the barrier. Dream does so. Then, Nightmare taps his own skull. I get up. Dream nods.

"What are you saying? Why do you defend him?"Dream asks

"He isn't saying anything."I say

"In his emotions he is."He says

"Oh."I say

Nightmare lifts one finger.

"Oh yeah, he is."Dream says

I don't want to interrupt this strange chat, so I stay quiet.

He raises two fingers.

"Ohhh, so that's why you kept leaving! I see. Wait, you panicked over that?"Dream says

He nods.

Then he nervously raises a third finger.

"What do you mean?"Dream asks

I go to look for Cross. 

"Oh sure."He says

I find Cross and return to find Nightmare's face very bright and him muttering something I could not hear. He now has a sign with an arrow. He held it, pointing it in our direction. Dream looks right at me.

"What did you say to him? Why are you looking at me?"I ask

Dream doesn't respond. I step behind Cross in case he was gonna tackle me again. Dream looks at Nightmare, then at me, and chuckles. Nightmare nervously bows his head, looking away from me. Strange. Did I do something bad? Did Dream tell him something.

"What's so funny?"I ask

"Nothing."He says, stopping

There was a dinging sound and Nightmare jumps back in the cube. He looks at us and waves, fear written all over his face. The cube disappears.

Time was up.

"Brother!"Dream yells, running to where the cube used to be and looking around in tears

"Where'd he go?"Cross asks

"I dunno exactly. Cipher said something about taking him to the boss that hired him. Not even Nightmare knows. And when he doesn't know, that tells ya something bad. I just hope he will be okay until we find him."I reply

"So, how'd you react to his form?"Cross asks

"I actually thought he was an intruder and attacked him! Luckily he noticed I was breaking one of the training rules! And he....looked cute...Don't jump to conclusions! We're just friends and he's still my boss! Our boss!"I say

"It seems like you left something out about him. What else did he tell you on the phone?"He asks

"Emm...He just told me for the first time why I'm special to him."I say

"And that is?"He asks

I look at Dream, who is looking at me with narrowed eyes. I whisper to Cross what he said.

"Woah...Wait...Awww! How sweet! He was very clever."Cross says

"Huh?"

"There's a hidden message."Cross says

"What do you mean? One that can help us find him?"I ask

"Not sure about the finding part, but I'm sure it'd help. Come on, we'll figure something out at the hideout."Cross says

"There's a hideout?"I ask

He nods. He wraps an arm around me, holds Dream's hand and leads us away from the scene. Dream kept glaring me down, glaring daggers even. If looks could kill, I'd probably be dust. We go into this hideout and Cross tells Dream to go update the others on the situation. Then he takes me to a room labeled to be his and shared with a few of the others. He gets out this blank sign and marker. He writes Intelligent at the top, then loyal below it. He writes every trait Nightmare used in this pattern. He finishes and smiles.

"Just as I thought."He says

"What?"I ask

"Look!"He says

"I am looking and all I see is a bunch of words."I say

"Look at it as if it were an acronym."He tells me

"I.L.O.V.E.Y.O.U.?"I say

"Now make that into words you know."He says

I think on it and realize that he's implying the message: I love you. My face warms.

"I think you're looking too deep into some compliments. Besides, these words don't bring us any closer to finding him."I say

"Wait, you really want to find him?"Cross asks

"Yes. In what way did I not make that clear? I will find him. I will get him back. Protect him. I will not stop until he is back, here and safe."I say

"Someone's protective.~"He says

"Oh, like you're not! Nightmare told me what he's seen between you and Dream!"I say with a shake of my head

Meanwhile, Nightmare's POV

The monitor gets taken off my neck. I get thrown roughly into a tank. It looked like one of Ink's vials rown for a giant him. Cipher leaves the room, looking for his pay. This leaves some skeleton in the room with me. He smiles and flips a switch. I feel as if a thousand volts of electricity get shot at me but I force myself to stay quiet in my pain, knowing if I made a sound I may get punished. I then get released. I fall out and look around. Everything looked bigger. I look at myself to find that I shrank. The skeleton picks me up and carries me off. I do not struggle or fight, not wanting to get hurt. I get put into these small normal clothes and placed alone in a room. The skeleton had gone to find "Sire". They even shut the door. I quickly take out my phone that I had hidden in my sleeve. I dial Dream's number and call. 

No answer. 

I try two more times and fail to reach him. It didn't even let me leave a voicemail. I know why though. Cross. And Dream doesn't clean out his voicemail often. I try to call Killer.

"Hey, this is Killer. I'm probably doing my name and can't answer right now, but leave a voicemail and I may get back to you! Coming, Boss!"His message says

Beep!

"Hey, Killer. It's Nightmare. I was gonna call to talk but I guess I can't. Some skeleton with red and green eye-lights just ran a test on me and left me to find their boss or whatever. I'll be honest, I'm scared. But I'm sure things will be fine and maybe it'll keep you guys safe. Hehe.....I guess I gotta go..Bye."I say, then hang up

I call Cross but couldn't reach him either. I call Error, Dust, E!Pap, Palette, anyone I could, but nobody could be reached. I sigh. But then I called Dream again and got an answer.

"Hello?"A tiny voice says

It wasn't Dream.

"Hi? Who is this?"I ask

"Shino. Is this Nightmare calling?"The voice says

"Yep. Hey Shino. Why do you have my brother's phone?"I ask

"He dropped it. You wanna speak to him?"Shino says

"Yes please. I can't reach anyone else. You are the first one to answer."I say

"Ok. HEY DREAM! YOU DROPPED YOUR PHONE AND YOUR BROTHER IS CALLING! WHERE ARE YOU?"Shino says, followed by yelling

I hear running footsteps over the phone and Shino yelling. But then I hear someone coming to the room I'm in.

"Shino. I have to go. Can you do me a favor?"I whisper

"Yes, of course! What is it?"Shino asks

"Stay safe and make sure nobody does anything stupid."I say

"Ok."Shino says

"Hey, kid, who ya on the phone with? Isn't that Dream's phone?"Cross' voice says

"Yes, it is Dream's phone. Good thing I answered because Nightmare is on the phone. He says I'm the first to actually answer, so shame on you all. I can tell that he's scared too. You really have to check your messages more often."Shino says

"Nightmare?!"Killer's voice exclaims

"K-Killer? Wait...No....I really have to go, bye."I say

"He has to go now, though. Timing people, timing."Shino says

"Oh, he did call."Cross is heard saying

I could hear someone facepalm.

I hang up.

I tuck the phone away in my sleeve again. The door opens. In walks a skeleton I can only recognize as E!Gaster. He looks at me and I shake a fist at him.

"So iT wAs A suCeSs. GoOd. NoW tHe fReAk iS nOt A tHrEat."He says

I show him a certain finger, and it wasn't a thumb or index finger.

"HeLlO, NigHtmAre."He says

I turn my back to him.

He snaps and claps twice. I hear footsteps. Then, I feel a hand on my shoulder.

"Hello, useless freak."A familiar voice says

I feel a chill go down my spine. I turn and see three of my bullies, back from the dead. They smile and E!Gaster leaves. Soon as he shut the door, they beat me. Kick, punch, jab,insult, anything they could do, they did. I just sat there and took it, knowing fighting would be useless. They leave and I could hardly move. This process repeats for days. The bullies came and left as they pleased, filling my mind with all these thoughts. Bad thoughts. Thoughts that have been in the back of my skull but grow now. Like a bad seed that wasn't growing finally starting to grow. Every time they left, I'd use the little bits of strength to try to call someone, anyone.

But nobody would answer. A few times I got Shino on the phone instead but I'd either pass out from the wounds or have to hang up. Once, I got a hold of Dream. I tried to talk to him but he just hung up on me. That.....That hurt. I only managed to leave voicemails for most of them. Killer though....Killer picked up when I tried to call him. Just hearing him made me feel like it was all gonna be ok. But we never had enough time to talk long. Yet there's always one thing he'd make sure to tell me.

"I love you, Nightmare. I, if nobody else does, will come and find you. I'll kill those jerks and make sure you don't get hurt again. You'll be safe soon."He'll say

"Heh, Killer...Just the fact that you're answering and talking to me makes me makes me feel safer."I told him the last time I called him

Then I hang up on him, just in time for the bullies to return and do their thing.

But one day, after I got hung up on by Dream again, E!Gaster came in again. He comes over and picks me up. He leans in, trying to do something to me. I shove myself from him, not trusting him.

"Put me down!"I yell

"No. LeT mE heAl yOu."He says, then uses healing magic on me

I frown.

"Isn'T tHaT bEtTer?"He asks with a smile

"It would've been better if you never let it happen! Never turned a blind eye! Or, better yet, never took me or brought them back!"I say, shoving his face away

"Aww, c0me oN, s0n. I-"He begins

"I'm not your son! Any that you do have must've made the right decision to leave a jerk like you if you're so desperate to kidnap someone and do this!"I snap

He frown as I shove his face to a side again.

"Aww, sOmEoNe iS cRaNkY!"He says after some moments of silence

Then he leans in and kisses my cheek.

"What the fuck?!"I snap, trying to move

"LaNguAgE, sOn!"He says, nuzzling my head

"I'm not your son! I'm nowhere close to being in your family! Stop being affectionate! You sicko!"I yell

"Oh, tHeN wHo wOuLd yOu rAthEr bEinG aFfeCtIoNaTe tO yOu?"He asks

I picture my brother, wearing his newly-fixed cape, doing what he's doing right now. I picture myself smiling and being happy. Because he's family. He's my brother. I would rather him any day over this idiotic jerk.

"My actual family."I say, kicking him and punching him

He puts me down and leaves, but told me something before shutting the door.

"If yOu nEeD aNyThinG, jUst cAlL."He says

I have a feeling he's planning something. I don't do anything. I just sit in my room and try to plan. I need to get out of here. I try to call my friends and Dream again, but nobody would pick up. I am left alone for weeks and I try each day to call and check on them, but fail. It gets to a point where I gave up on calling Dream as well as a handful of others. But never Killer. I grew to care less about wether I'm hearing him or a voicemail message, hearing him made me feel better.

But then, E!Gaster returns. He hands me a cup with some liquid.

"I won't drink your poison."I say, shoving it back to him

He proceeds to force me to drink it. I cough and try to force it out of me. But then pain grew in me and I look around. He, as well as everything else, didn't look as big. I am back to my normal size.

"What do you want? And don't pull the son crap again."I say, shaking my head

"I jUst wAnt yOu tO knOw tHat I kNow HoW yOu FeEl."He says

"Oh really? I never knew that kidnappings and bullies run in your family."I say with sarcasm

"YoU hAvE feLt aBanDoNed, hUrt aNd UpSeT. ForGoTtEn EvEn. I kNoW thAt fEeLiNg. I'vE goTTen bEaTen bY mY oWn sOn anD AbaNdOneD bY tHe oThEr. FOrGoTtEn fRom ThE sTARt. UpsEt bY tHem. tHey diSoWn mE. SO I gEt hOw yOu fEel. AnD I'm hErE fOr yOu."He says, hugging me from behind

"Your attempt at sympathy or empathy isn't working. And I can see why your sons did that. Your actions aren't helping you."I say

"YoU hAvE beEn aBaNdOnEd bY yOuR bRotHeR, yEs? WhEn yOu ArE iN tRoUbLe, hE wOulDn'T hElp, RiGht? GeTtIng hUrt oR bUlLiEd, hE'D jUst wAlk aWaY oR tUrn a BlInD eYe rIghT?"He says

"It isn't like that anymore. He is different now. You don't know the situation as well as you think. He changed. And unlike the past, he is trying to find me, he told me so. He won't let the past repeat."I say

"ThEn wHy wOn't aNyOne aNsWer yOu? WhY wOn'T hE aNsWeR yOu? I kNow yOu'Ve cAlLed. And iF ThEy aRe tRyinG so hArd, How cOmE yOu ArE sTill hErE? IT'S bEeN neArly ovEr a MontH. HiStoRy hAs a tEndEncY t0 repEat iTself. Nob0dy really cHanges."He says

"What is your goal here?"I ask

"To heLp you sEe tHat i aM thE bEst fAmiLy yOu aRe gOnnA GeT. You ArE aLoNe AnD sO aM I. But wE dOn'T hAvE tO bE. JoIn mE aNd yOu wIlL bE sHoWn jUst hOw mUcH wOrTh yoU hAve. You Are nOt lEsS tHaN DreAm, buT mOre. ShOw yOu wHat rEaL faM lOvE iS."He says, making a heart appear on his shoulder

"I don't wanna be more. I'm his equal. His brother. Nothing you say will cha-AAGH!"I say, then cry out in pain when I feel something stab my arm

I see what happened so long ago. All those times of being bullied and Dream just walk away, his back to me. That cape waving goodbye to me so many times to me as I got pummeled to the ground and call out for his help. Then it shows me stuck in this room, getting beaten up by the bullies. I called once they leave and the view shifts to show Dream taking out his phone and not having any reaction. He simply hands it to Shino, who answers instead, or puts it on the floor to be left unanswered. Then it shows from the times he hung up on me, soon as he did, he smiles and continues talking with others as if nothing happened.

"Do y0u sEe a difFerEnce?"E!Gaster asks

"No....This can't be real...No!"I cry, feeling tears run from my eyes

"I'm aFrAid sO anD iF hE's dOinG tHis, wh0 elSe tHat isn'T anSwering c0ulD bE dOing thE sAme? Oh rIghT, iT'S tImE fOr lUnCh."E!Gaster asks

The sight changes to show everyone sitting at a table, having lunch. They talk with smiles and laughs, not seeming to have a care in the world.

"They are just doing 67 like I told them to...."I say, though struggle to believe that

"Sure, tHat mAy bE iT, bUt aRe y0u sUre tHey nEeDeD tO bE tOlD thaT? TheY sEeM to bE cElEbRaTinG."E!Gaster says

They begin to clink their drinks together like doing a toast. He was right. They did seem to be celebrating.

"ArE yOu sUre They aRe eVen lOoKinG fOr yOu? Are yOu sUre tHey'Re eVen saYiNg lEt's fInd NighTmAre? Or Are tHey sAyinG-"He begins

"Good riddance!"Dream in this sight shouts

"No....No! This isn't real! Nononono! No! He told me! He promised me!"I shout

"SeEms LiKe hE isN't cHanGing. I'M aFrAId iT iS reAl. PeOplE fInd iT so eAsY tO lIe to ThoSe wHo tRuSt tHem. ThEy fInd pRomISEs eAsy tO bReaK. BuT I sWeAr tO yOu ThAt I wON't Do tHaT tO yOu. YoU cAn jOin mE anD gEt tReAtEd lIkE rEal faMiLy sHouLd."He says

"No! I trust them! I love them! I'd never turn on them!"I say, though could feel myself changing

"CoMe on, ThEy aRe usInG yOu. TheY kNow ThaT sO ThaT's How ThEY dO iT sO eAsy. Do yOuRsElF a FavoR aNd bE hOnEst."He says, nuzzling my head

"Brother!"I yell

No answer of course. I feel all the pain and emotions and thoughts come crashing together. My trust for him slipped away. I begin to morph, though I really don't want to.

"That's iT. YoU kNow I'm rIghT. WheRe iS hE t0 hElP yOu nOw? HisToRy rEaLLy doEs RePeAt. WhErE iS hE? ArEn'T yOu gLaD I pUt a vIrUs iN yOU?"He says

Then, my small trust in him rotted away

"What?"I snap

"Ummm, NoThinG!"He says, then leaves

I shake and tremble, trying to turn back, but it could not be done. I try to call them but nobody would pick up. I lose my trust in everyone. Almost. I get dizzy and pass out on the ground.

Real Dream

I feel a bad feeling happen. Like a light just went out somewhere. I sense it and realize it. I gasp. This is not good.

"What's wrong?"Cross asks

"I just lost connection with Nightmare. I can't sense anything from him. Not even his trust. I lost it, we all did."I say

"I told you to answer his calls!"Shino snaps from the kid table

"Well, Shino and 2 others still have his trust, but that can't be good."I say

"It really isn't."Shino says, shaking her head

"What are we gonna tell Killer?"Cross asks

"Tell me what?"Killer says, appearing at the table

Cross and I fall quiet.

"Dream lost connection from Nightmare. He can't sense anything good from him. He lost trust with nearly everyone."Shino says

Killer breaks into a rage.

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TBC