I run to his house and see a front window broken, some shards of glass on the ground. I see a figure leave through a shattered back window when looking through this window. They come around to the front and shriek when they see me there.

"Why did my plan fail so badly? I wanted to take the kid, not kill him! Gaaaaah!"They yell, then teleport away

What?! How am I supposed to take that?

I climb inside through the window, determined to find Goth and find him. The house is empty, not even a sound made. I go to Goth's room, seeing a hole torn through the door. I see Goth's scarf on the floor and feathers leading down the hall. I gently nudge the door open, holding my breath as I prepare to see the worst on the other side.

Please don't be.....

I see Goth's clothes laying on the floor, his slippers turned on their sides and a hole slashed through the chest area of his shirt. I feel my soul stop beating. I kneel down, carefully touching the clothes to check for dust. There isn't any blood or dust on these clothes, which gives me some comfort and relief.

So that weirdo didn't kill him....But what did they do to him if not that? If his clothes are here, where is he? And in what condition?

My mind tries to think of what could be done to him, but there are too many possibilities. I shake away the images that came to mind.

I should get him some clothes for when I find him....Safe and sound, hopefully.

I get up, grabbing his scarf from the hallway and starting to check his drawers for another set of clothes in better condition. I hear some creaking from my right and glance over, seeing the gift I made for him sitting on the corner of his desk. The branch of the statue still shines in the light from the window with the words I carved into it, strong under the weight of the creatures I carved onto it. I go back to checking his drawers, then catch onto the mistake in my sight. I only carved one bird onto the branch. I glance back over, seeing what appears to be an exact clone of the kakapo I carved out sitting perfectly still on the branch beside it. Except of course for the blinks and heaving chest. As well as the different colors of their feathers than normal kakapos. Faint white and reds replace the green of their feathers. I could see this one visibly shaken up.

"Gothy...?"I say

The kakapo looks at me, recognizing the nickname. Then giving a nod, climbs off of the branch to the front of the desk. I set the clothes I gathered aside, stepping forward.

He's....alive! He's a bird but he's okay! I'm so relieved!

As soon as he sees that my hands are free, he leaps off the desk at me. I get knocked down to the floor as he cuddles into my arms, nuzzling his head under my chin.

"Gothy....I'm so sorry....Dream got upset that he didn't get his way or your help....He sent that weirdo after you....I can't believe him. He says he want to help but he has done everything to make things miserable. Abducting Radier and Gradient, now sending a nut case after you....I'm just glad that you're okay....I..."I sigh, wrapping my arms around him

He glances up at me and smacks me with his wing.

"Ow! What was that for? I said I am so-!"I begin

He smacks me again.

"So-!"

Smack again with a chirp and shake of the head. Now I caught onto it. He doesn't want me to apologize.

"How can I not feel...regretful? Guilty? Look at you! If I-!"I begin

He covers my mouth with a wing, shaking his head. I hear the front door open and heavy footsteps from down the hall.

"Palette?I got your messages! Are you okay?"Asgore asks

Goth climbs off of me but I put his scarf on him. I get up, walking down the hall with Gothy close behind. I see Asgore holding a trident of pure electricity as if it were a lightning bolt.

"The intruder is already gone...But they got to Gothy..."I say

Goth peeks out from behind me and I could see the shock on Asgore's face. I bow my head.

I should've never let THEM get so close to Goth...Or my family...I should've done more....

I feel a nudge into my side and see Goth glaring up at me disapprovingly.

"Is your family okay?"Asgore asks

"Some friends are helping them at my home...."I say

"But how did they know where to find them?"He asks

"Dream located my home on my birthday and met them....Ink on the other hand never came around to meet them. Even if he did, he wouldn't remember. I'm told that he got them pointed out to him as he stalked the school..."I say

The door creaks open and Raven stands in the doorway. I glance at him and shake my head.

"Palette! Is your family okay?"He says, coming in

I step away, crossing my arms before he could touch me.

"How did you know that there was family trouble?"Asgore asks

"Oh! Hi, Grandpa!"He says

"Cause he's the one that helped Ink while stalking the school. Said so himself."I say

Goth shrieks at Raven, shaking his head.

"What's the bird doing here?"He asks

Goth hops up a few times so I pick him up. He rubs his head against my cheek.

"Dream....sent someone after Goth once they got my family..."I say

"What? How could y-?"He begins

"Watch your tone, Raven. You aren't so innocent either. Palette had nothing to do with this. They're just being cruel and trying to isolate him again, taking away his support to rely on them again. It's a very cruel, manipulative form of abuse that mortals try. Do not victim shame or blame him, it's not like he or anyone would ask for this."Asgore says, crossing his arms

"R-Right, sorry....I wasn't thinking."He says

"Wonder where I've heard that before..."I mumble, glancing away

Goth looks up at me and coos softly. I smile as he nudges the jeweled necklace into my sight again.

"Right...Thanks, Gothy."I say

Mr. Geno and Shino enter. Mr. Geno looks concerned on why the windows are broken, the presence of Asgore and why I'm in their home with a kakapo. Shino on the other hand is excited, eagerly hugging her grandfather and welcoming his surprise visit. She quickly notices how he isn't happy and glances over to me. She walks over with a smile fading away. She has Radier's bag on her back which is much bigger than her. She falls backwards from the weight once she finally is standing still.

"Did you find Radier? Is he okay?"She asks, resting on the bag

I nod and that makes her smile for a moment.

"What happened to him? Can I see him?"She asks, hopping to her feet

It is as if she got refilled with hyper energy that allows her to carry the bag.

"Sure thing..."I say

She notices that I'm off as well. She turns to look at Raven.

"What did you do now?"She asks sharply

"Nothing!"Raven says

"Raven."Geno says

"Okay.....I kind of.....unintentionally......helped his parents while on an empty stomach..."Raven says

"What's that supposed to mean?"Geno asks

"Shino, you and the boys can go. Raven, stay behind so we can straighten this out."Asgore says

I nod.

"And Palette, don't worry about the windows. We'll fix it. None of this is on you."He says

"O-Okay..."I say

I walk Shino to my house, Goth curling up in my arms. I lead her inside just as the sun goes down, shutting the door behind us. I lock the door and smile.

"Welcome home. We got a slumber party going to make sure nobody comes back for trouble."Blueprint says with a blanket on himself

Bluescreen sits with some blankets or pillows for himself as well as Gradient to make some sort of fort around them. It seems to be calming Gradient, making him feel secure beside his friend. He waves to us and Bluescreen waves as well, smiling happily. Shino looks around curiously.

"Radier? Where are you? Are you ok?"She asks

"Cleaning my goop! Fixing it!"Radier says from behind the bathroom door, then grunts in pain

She drops his bag and knocks the door open.

"I heard that! Let me help you!"She says

"Shino!"He exclaims

"I'm here to help and you can't stop me! Never scare me like that again!"She says

"Funny, that's what my brother told Gradient when he tried to make the fort."Blueprint says

"She's not wrong, Radier! She called me with worry when you went missing from school! It'd be best to listen!"I say

"O-Okay..."He sighs

I go to put Goth down but he clings onto me. I sit down and he coos again, curling up in my lap.

"Gothy...?"I say

He lifts his head and looks up at me with a cheerful twinkle in his eye.

"Ooo! New bird buddy!"Pakeekee says, flying down

He lands beside me, glancing at Goth.

"Wait...That's Goth..."He says

I nod and Goth coos.

"He says that he is going to stay here tonight to make sure that you're okay, Palette. He can tell that you're upset."He chirps

I look at Goth, who nods. I smile, shifting him out of my lap. I go over, setting the alarm.

"Thanks...."I say

I'm just so glad that he's okay....Today has been a long day...

TBC