Both One and I stepped into the vehicle waiting for us outside. Papyrus was out on a business trip while Sans stayed back to watch over us. The vehicle whirrs and starts down the long driveway. I held my hands in my lap and just stared out the window. The last event had been a traumatizing experience for me. Although Sans had told me he would keep a closer watch, I couldn't help but feel that I couldn't trust those words enough.

A newly developed art, like me, cannot be taken eyes off of. There will always be people who will strive to smuggle arts and use them to their desires. Think about it. An art has no power in a society such as this. I had come into this world, but I never wanted this life. I never asked for this. So why.....

I felt a tap on my shoulder and jolt out. Swishing my head around, One had retracted his hand as if I burned him.

"Are you alright?"

I couldn't look at his eyes. Not anywhere right now. I just stared back at the window and softly said, "Yeah, everything's alright."

*****     ***** 

After driving for about thirty minutes, we arrived in a completely different building. It wasn't as dazzling or as beautiful as the other buildings we were put into. One also looked puzzled as to where we were. 

The driver stops and we come to a halt behind the building. Sans steps out and opens the door for the both of us.

Looking around the place looks a but dull. 

"Sans, where are we? Where are the rest of the arts?"

He shuts the door closed and straightens his tie. 

"Unfortunately, the last event spooked some of the arts and masters so a lot of them had withdrawn from any further events."

Well, I can't exactly blame them. We walk towards a large metal door with two, very large, guard dogs stood by. As we approached, they slowly morph into a more human form. Sans flips out a card and the guards steps aside. Walking past the doors, we enter the building. I was surprised to see how beautiful it was on the inside compared to the outside. 

I guess the security has somewhat gotten better. The halls had red carpeted floors, portraits of many people hanging on the wall with golden, ornate frames, and the ceilings were lined with candles. When we reached the living room, I could see Ally and Adeline with their partners, and a few other arts. 

Everyone had heard us coming and turned their heads to us. Most of them had turned their eyes away and fidgeted with their hands. Adeline seemed to beam a little when she saw One. She strides gracefully across the carpet and rushes to One.

"Are you ok? I heard you were caught up in the chaos and I was really worried for you."

He just mumbles a "I'm fine" response and proceeds to follow me to one of the chairs. Ally didn't try to look at me. She was holding onto her arm wrapped in a bandage and looked down towards the floor. One had taken a seat next to me.

"Hey Ally? Are you alright? Did you get hurt?"

I wanted to reach out to comfort her, but she she shys away from me. 

"Ally..."

She finally makes eye contact and her eyes was full of anger and a hint of sadness.

"This happened because one of the masters wanted you. He wanted you badly enough that it caused my to get this cut on my arm."

Her eyes had hardened and she looked like she was almost going to break in tears. 

"An art who is not beautiful has no use in this world....."

Her hand suddenly reaches for mine and she holds them while shaking.

"I don't want to die.... not yet. I'm already disqualified, because of this ugly scar."

All time felt had slowed down and stopped. My heart began to race. Her words had repeated in my mind. 

An art who is not beautiful has no use in this world

It scared me, because those words were true. She began to shake my shoulders and tears had begun to leak from her eyes. 

"He's going to kill me! I'm not ready to die! I don't want to be sold off again!"

Her body shakes with each sob and her hands were wet from wiping her tears. 

"Why did this have to happen to me so soon. I just wanted a home, a family, and some friends. Is that too much to ask?"

Looking around the room, everyone had been looking either at the floor or the empty walls or hallways. No one could do anything to help her. I hug Ally and shush her as I felt wet tears down my back. Looking over to Sans, he was leaning on a wall with his arms crossed. He seemed to be thinking, before going down the hallway.

*****     *****

I finally catch up with him on his way to his room and put my feet between the door to his room.

"Sans wait. There's something I need to ask you."

The door opens and he leans against the doorframe. 

"It's going to be late soon."

"Sans, I think Ally is going to be killed. Can't you do something to help her?"

He shakes his head and sighs. "I would be violating the contract if I did that. You just need to focus on yourself right now."

I shake my head.

"I can't do that right now. Because of me, she could be killed. Please just help her!"

He steps back in his room and I followed. He takes a wine bottle and poured himself a glass of red burgundy. 

"What do you want? I'll get anything or do anything if you can just help Ally just this once."

"Let me ask you something Two. I know you consider her as your friend, but make no mistake, she may be just like all the other arts. You'll never know if she turns her back on you."

"She wouldn't do something like that. She's been supportive of me and-"

"No. Sometimes you don't see things the way others do and you're completely oblivious to it. "

He takes a sip of the blood, red wine and his eyes had begun to glow a faint yellow in his dark room. The window to his room was opened to reveal a pale blue, black night sky. The small gust of wind had softly closed the door behind me. He sets the drink aside and leans back in his chair. 

He's really not going to help me is he? His chair squeaks and I look up.

"Tell you what, I'll think about it for now and you tell me tomorrow whether you want to save her or not."

*****     *****

Walking back down the hallway I began to head back to my room, but forgot to tell Ally about the good news. Just before I entered the living room, I overheard Ally and stopped in my tracks.

So maybe after she tells her master, I'll be able to qualify again and maybe she'll be of more use to me. I'm so glad I have a friend like her. 

After quietly standing for a while, I turn back and head to my room. They truly are no different. There's not a single art who doesn't want to reach the top and will strive to do anything to get it.