My Muse || READER X RAY || The Promised Neverland

📷 My Muse || Chaper Twelve

How many days have passed?

How long have I been sitting here?

My stomach grumbled an "I don't know" in response. How long has it been since I've eaten? I wondered what they were serving today, what everyone was talking about and how they were.

I should go find out, right?

The door clicked open, Ray walking inside. His dull eyes lit up when our gazes met. "Good morning, y/n." I turned away, forcing my attention to the clouds. The Ray I used to know would admire them with me. He wanted so desperately to touch them.

I guess we were all reaching for things we could never have.

"Aw, y/n." He took a seat next to me, nudging my shoulder. I held my knees to my chest. "Don't be like that." I was confused. Don't be like what? He grinned unnervingly, as if reading my mind. "C'mon. Let's take a picture together." He forced himself by my side, holding his stupid camera in my face. "Say cheese!" His cheek on mine felt cold as the white flash of light faded away. "I hope I look alright." He joked, shaking the film. I ignored him.

That one looks like a spoon, I laughed to myself, still watching the clouds.

"y/n, I love you so much." He said. I nearly scoffed out loud. How could he say that while he looks at me like a toy? He slid his cold hand onto mine, trying to intertwine our fingers.

"I never thanked you for all that you've done for me." His usual voice sounded like he was in lala land, completely devoid of all feeling. The voice he spoke in now was soft and earnest. "Thank you, y/n." I gave in and unstiffened my hands, allowing him to squeeze them tightly. "Please eat when you have the chance." He said quietly, getting up. I felt a soft nudging on my side and heard the crinkle of a bag.

"I'll make it better." The door clicked open. "I'll see you later, y/n."

I don't know what to do. I sighed deeply, leaning my head into the window. What does he mean? Why is he doing this? What plans does he have? All my questions made my head churn, a soft bonk coming from my repeated head banging on the window.

I heard a soft creaking from the door. "Shit!" I thought, limping myself up against the wall. Dead. Pretend to be dead.

"y/n, it's just me." Norman closed the door behind him softly, as not to let anyone know he was here. Mama had moved me to an unused room, far opposite of where everyone else slept. She had said something like "you deserve this, sweetheart". Only Ray and Norman ever entered the room, one of the boys not particularly allowed to be here.

"Connie is leaving today." He said gravely, making himself comfortable. "Will you be coming to see her off?"

I nodded, trying to avoid eye contact.

"y/n, why won't you speak to me?"

I bit my lip, tears welling up in my eyes. I hadn't spoken to a soul for at least a month. The last words I said were a lie. "I love you, Ray." That person is not someone I love.

"I really, really miss you."

"I miss the way you laugh. I miss the way you smile. When I come to see you, you never greet me. What's so interesting about the sky, y/n?" He waited for a response. "I see..."

The clicking of his shoes seemed to echo in the quiet room. I wanted to speak. I heard the soft click of the doorknob.

"N-Norman..." I started, confused on how to use my voice. My throat was dry and brittle, some weird tone underneath my usually chirp.

"I miss everyone... I miss you too."

A relieved sigh left his mouth. "Thank god..."