No matter how loud the voices screamed at her that she was alright, she knew, deep down in her soul that something was wrong.

Based on the darkness surrounding her, she judged that she was dreaming. But something was off. Darkness was coming from a figure crouched in the only patch of light. The creature surged toward her, and without warning, engulfed her in darkness.

The darkness was swallowing her, flooding into her throat and chocking her. her chest heaved with every breath she took, but it seemed like there was no air in the blackness.

"Help," she tried to scream the word, hoping that anyone could hear her. But nobody came.

She was going to die here. All alone. She screamed, but knew it was in vain.

She closed her eyes, welcoming death with open arms.

When she opened her eyes, she knew immediately that she was in trouble. She was in a strange room, lying on a very uncomfortable couch. A loose spring was digging into her spine. Her head was resting on something, or someone. But she couldn't turn her head that way. The TV was on, blaring a strange cooking show with a box-like robot.

She was in a house, that much she could tell.

The couch shifted under her, and she glanced around without lifting her head. There was a tall skeleton sitting up beside her. He was staring at the screen as if his life depended on it.

She quickly shut her eyes when she saw that his head was turning her way. She felt a prod on her chest.

"Excuse me, but are you awake yet?" her eyes flashed open and she sat up quickly, her eyes flaring up in panic and fear.

"Woah, easy kid," a calm, deep voice said above her. She looked behind her and saw another smaller skeleton. He had a weary grin on his face. That's what her head must've been laying on.

"It's alright, young skeleton," the tall skeleton said. "You need not fear us. We're your own kin, after all,"

"Yeah, kid, you're fine. No need to worry," the small skeleton patted her on the head comfortingly.

She shrank back and crawled away from the skeleton, backing away but only to be picked up under the arms by the tall skeleton.

She squeaked in protest. "It's alright, young skeleton! I promise I won't drop you,"

Her eyes were flaming now. She was terrified. Who was this skeleton? Where was she? How'd she get here?

"Bro," the small skeleton said, getting up from his place on the couch. "Slow down, you're scaring her,"

She immediately liked this skeleton. He was much more quiet and at ease. His voice soothed her for some reason.

"Here, give her to me, Paps," he said, holding out his hands.

The tall skeleton was holding her in a very uncomfortable position. He looked defeated for a moment, but saw her flaming eyes and smiled at her. He handed her over to the smaller skeleton.

"Hey there," he said gently, cradling her like a baby. "Name's Sans. This is my brother Papyrus. We found you in the alleyway of the inn. Do you remember?"

She shook her head. She couldn't remember anything except...that warning.

Her dream had to have been a warning. But from what? Why was she here? How'd she get here? This Sans character said that they found her in the... alleyway? Why would she be there?  And why in Asgore's name would they take her home with them?

"What's your name, kid?"  Sans peered down at her with a big smile.  She was about to say that she didn't know, but a name popped into her head, and without thinking, she said it out loud.

"Time,"  What kind of a name is that?  she thought in distress.

Sans looked at her oddly for a moment, then brightened.  "Hey, that's a pretty cool name,"

The tall skeleton, Papyrus, was jumping up and down.  "She can talk normally now, Sans!"

Normally? What did he mean by that?

Sans must've seen Time's confused look and set her down on the couch gently,  putting an arm around her tiny shoulders.

"Uh, when you were asleep,"  he said, avoiding Time's eyes.  "uh, you said some pretty weird stuff.

Oh god, I did?  she thought, panicking.  What did I say? Did I say anything when I had that nightmare?

"How long was I asleep for?" Time croaked, barely audible. Papyrus sat next to her with a thump.

"I guess this is the tenth day you've been asleep for."  the tall skeleton said, as if nothing was wrong about that.

Time's delicate soul stopped beating.  "What?"

Then she was overcome by her nightmare, the blackness surrounding her again. The murky dark water flew into her mouth, and she gasped for breath, letting in more black water at the same time.

"Help,"

The creature was in the water with her, all around her, laughing at her hopeless struggles.

Time got a good look at the figures face before it was whisked away.

The face was white, with black eyes. A jagged crack ran down its face to its deformed right eye. Another crack ran from the bottom of its right eye to bump into its gaping black smile. Both eyes were flaming purple.

"Help," Time gasped, rewarding herself with more dark water

The creature was a skeleton.

She had just enough time to register that thought before she blacked out, darkness swallowing her up, leaving nothing behind.