ErrorInk:To Be Enemies Or Not To Be Enemies

Chapter 63:Taking a Friend's Advice

A month later, Geno's POV

I sit at a table, eating a pancake. I shake my head, lost in thoughts. Grillby insisted on giving me some days off to celebrate the holidays, even though it is mid-January to humans. But I can't say no to my boss and friend. Cross says he tripped on a stick while running for his after-work job, so he is recovering from that. I have the hologram up as I eat. Reaper is now showing up in each view of the house. Did he really die? Is he still there? How? What's he doing? What did I see? Where has he been if he's just showing up here ever since he entered the diner? So many questions...But I don't want to see him. Part of me is scared. Still unwilling to find the truth out. Part of me finds being in the unknown better than in the known. Cross believes he pretended to die and came back as some silly game or trick. Chara isn't happy with him at all, he's a trickster but Chara isn't a fan of those tricks. Though, Chara is getting stronger again and is strangely content nowadays, proud of himself for some reason. I don't want to even talk to Reaper. Because then, if he faked it all, I won't be hurt. It will just be a silly thought. I shake my head. I need to focus on the task at hand. I scroll through the hologram repeatedly. I will protect them. Ensure all is well. Keep the promise. I will....

"Ya know you don't have to do this, right?"Cross asks, limping over

"Do what?"I ask

"Assign yourself as their guardian. Nobody assigned you to be their guardian. You're dealing with a lot right now. Nightmares, emotions and the same threats the rest of them are. I get the promise is yours to keep, but that's only to protect the three kids. A lot easier than watching for 10, 20ish people and yourself. They can handle themselves. You should put yourself first."He says

"What? But I'm fine. I can handle it."I say

"You've been watching that for weeks. You've had nightmares and hardly ate. You are not okay. You've been stressed and down this entire time. You need a break. A real one. You are overworking yourself."He says

"And how do you suppose I do that?"I ask

"This is."He says, taking my hologram

He deletes all the views of the places that Raven, Goth and Raven would go or is at. He hands it back to me.

"You worry about yourself and the promise. And you go elsewhere. If all you are gonna do here is worry about them more than yourself and make yourself miserable, you need to go. You deserve to feel as secure and happy as they are."He says

"Where do I even go?"I ask

"Go to a fresh start."He says

"Getting a fresh start? You're funny."I tell him

"I'm serious. Take this. It can be real. I got it from Science."He says, handing me a vial

"I'm not abandoning them all."I say, though tuck it away

"Well, if you change your mind, just take a sip."He says

I nod.

"I think I'll for a walk."I say getting up

"Ok..."He says

I leave the house that we're renting and stroll down the street. I find a payphone post and get some G out. I slip it in and dial Goth's phone number. Not all the questions in my head are for Reaper. Goth actually picked up.

"H-Hello?"He says

"Hello Goth."I say

"Geno! So good to hear from you! Where are you? Are you ok?"Goth asks

"I'm alright. I'm somewhere. Now, I have learned from certain sources that you have been having nightmares. Is that true? Why? For how long?"I say

"Yes....I'm scared. I don't want anyone to get hurt by...them. I also have seen how upset you were. I just want you to be safe and happy as well, I know about the promise. For a while now...."He says