I'm not one of you <Frans>

CHAPTER 8: Weekly Report

J u n e 6th:
1 day before the tragedy.

9:00 a.m.

Holding the file of papers in my hand, I shuffled through them once more to make sure everything was in order. I read the dates of all the papers and research I had conducted throughout this past week and I was standing in front of Dr. Hudson's closed door. He was in there, typing on his computer. I could hear it through the think walls of the old laboratory.

The glass was blurred, all he would be able to see was a shadow if he were to look in the direction of the door. As if he would be expecting anyone in his office today... which he wasn't. Because I was just bursting in.

He doesn't even know I'm at WORK! For all he knows, I've been sick! I've been home! Not researching and conducting experiments! Hell, I even went to the ONE place he told me not to go to!

This is a bad idea. Shaking my head my curious side kicked in with my rational side. It's not a bad idea! What's the worse that could happen?? He tells me to stop researching this particular subject?

I shook off the thought. I was going to present my information with factual evidence! And I'm doing so, I will be granted the permission to go up onto the mountain to conduct more experiments to further explain and research my hypotheses and theories. It all went so perfectly in my head.

"What are you doing, creep?" Chara said, walking by, obviously going to her lab station in the back of the laboratory. "Why do you have all those files?" She asked, looking up at me with narrowed eyes. She already had an idea of what I was doing.

"I'm presenting the research to Dr. Hudson." I said, rather proudly. "I'm doing so, I will ask for permission to go to the underground, where I will further go into depth with my research and theories." I said, turning harshly before I could see her expression. "Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going inside his office now." I said, not looking back. Chara never said anything back.

Opening the door slowly, Dr. Hudson looked up from his computer and smiled. His reading glasses were on for his old age to see the small fonts of the laptop. "Ah! Frisk!" He said, smiling. "I'm glad you're feeling better!" He said, moving away from his computer and putting his reading glasses down onto his desk for the moment of our conversation. "How are you?"

"I'm doing well, Dr. Hudson." I said, smiling sweetly. "I had a small cold. Nothing major." I lied. "You know labs and their germs. I didn't want to risk anything." I explained, defending me lie.

"Yes." He said. "It's good you took some time off." He laughed. His eyes then were attracted to the yellow folder I was holding in my hands, and his finger reached up to point at it. "What is that you have there?" He said, beckoning me over to him to show him the mysterious folder.

"It's my weekly report, sir." I said. "It's about this new underground dust." I explained. He looked up slightly, his eyebrows furrowing before opening the folder and going through the papers inside. With every new paper, he's lick his finger ever so slightly to grab the corners better and take them out for further examination. "I'm very intrigued about this subject, and I hope that you continue to allow me to research on it." I said, excitedly.

"You sure went into depth about these theories." He said, reading my analyses and nodding his head. "Is only this all of the factual information you were able to scrap up to support these different hypotheses?" He asked, inquiring about my data and where I had come to these conclusions.

"Yes sir." I said. "Although in my defense—!" I tried to defend myself in such a situation. Maybe he didn't know that I had such little data to support myself with! I could get more!

"It's impressive." He said, stunning me. "To gather all of these different conclusions from heat signatures, dust, and radio waves." He said. "Extraordinary." He was in awe at the amount of work I was able to complete given the circumstances. I had impressed him! "So, the conclusion is final with LOVE as the make up of the dust." He said, answering his own questions. "Do you know why as to that is yet? Any theories?" He asked, offering me a seat. I had him. "And how did you know about this barrier theory? The facts don't quite add up."

Taking the seat and scooting closer, I began speaking. "Well, actually, I'm not sure about that part, the dust, I mean." I said. "I actually went to the mountain, despite your wishes." I said. He looked up. "However, I couldn't pass through the cave. There was ... something there!" I said. "There was something presenting me from going in there! An invisible wall, or something! It's an unknown energy source and substance. 7 different substances make of this 'barrier'." I said. "I'm thinking as the heat signatures arise, it's some sort of an energy source, powering the underground and the 'barrier'. That could explain the polished marble! A Civilization that purposely blocked itself out of society!" I exclaimed.

"I see.." He said. "And this... LOVE." He went on, "Are you sure it's the chemical composition? That's rather strange. That would mean the dust found in there is a great emotional bundle. As if experiencing great pain or great relief." He said, rubbing the scruff on his chin.

"Now, Dr. Hudson." I said. "Chara has not had any dangerous side effects from the cavern." I said. "For almost 3 weeks, counting the time she was in there." He knew where I was going with this, but still allowed me to talk. "It would be a great asset if you were to let me explore the underground as let me take samples and notes to further explain my research." I said. "Just look at what I was able to accomplish with such a little source!"

There was a moment of silence for him to think about his answer. He looked at my research papers and back up to me. Sighing, he leaned back into his chair. "I suppose I don't see the harm." He said, smiling as my face lit up in delight.

Yes! Yes! This is just what I needed! I can explore the unknown! I can see the undiscovered!

"Oh thank you Dr. Hudson!!" I exclaimed, jumping out of my seat in excitement. "I will NOT let you down!" I grinned, taking my folder of research and I asked him eagerly. "When can I start?! Oh please say soon!" I jumped, looking at him in the eyes.

"You may start tomorrow." He said. "Go home. Take some rest. Pack your bags. You don't know how long you might be staying underground." He said, acting like a father. "If you don't return in two weeks like Chara did, I will call a search and rescue team." He said, picking up his glasses as I grinned largely again. "It's a pleasure to work with you, Frisk." He grinned.

"Oh it's a pleasure as well!" I said, bounding out of the door.

I closed the door behind me, only to look up and see Chara in front of me, glaring at me with pure rage. "You shouldn't be the one going there." She said. "You're going to screw everything up." She spat at me.

"Chara!" I said. "Were you eavesdropping?!" I exclaimed. "I can't believe you! Out of everything I honestly thought you would be happy for me!" I said, angrily.

"You won't go tomorrow anyways." She said. "You didn't last time, you won't this time." She spat, her red eyes stared into mine deceivingly. "You don't have what it takes." Her eyes held their stance. "You're too weak. You're too much of a coward."

"Honestly, Chara." I said. "You'd think you'd at least respect my decision." I said. "You're not even giving me a valid point NOT to go inside of the cavern." I said. "If you don't want me to go into the cave, give me valid evidence. Other than that, stay out of my head!" I said, walking away.