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

⭐️ My Muse || Chapter Ninety Two

"What kind of guy is he?" I waved my arms around weirdly, trying to explain my thoughts. "This... William Minerva." Hayato grinned, glancing at me. "He's very smart." "Well, no shit." Sonya hissed, clicking her tongue. I shot her a cold glare, turning my attention back to our guides. Jin chuckled, waving away her rude remark. "Our Mr. Minerva is a master strategist. A battle leader. He's already liberated numerous farms and plantations. He saved us about half a year ago," he grinned, winking at the blond boy. "We're so incredibly grateful and honored to be under his command." Nigel caught up to me, whispering "simp," jokingly into my ear. I giggled, elbowing his stomach.

The forest around us grew in size, the small roots we tripped on becoming larger than our bodies. "Here it is," Hayato said, stepping triumphantly on a gnarled twig protruding from the ground. Jin sighed, leading us onwards. "It's this one, y/n." I was confused. We were all just standing at the base of a tree. "Jin, Hayato, What are you-?" I turned to the spot they were just standing. They had disappeared. "Down." Paula whispered, staring at the tree. I stepped onto the root, perplexed. "What do you mean, do-" the curtain of moss and leaves split underneath me, revealing a very well hidden passageway.

That I'd just fallen into.

The last time I fell, it was into Zack's arms. When I open my eyes, he would be here, right? He's not dead. Neither is Ray. I would open my eyes, and they would all be here, smiling at me. Like they'd been waiting forever.

Someone did catch me, gasping lightly by my sudden fall. His voice was deep and familiar, a faded memory starting to settle in my mind. I heard Emma shout from above me, crying something incoherent. Adam grunted loudly, repeating those numbers he'd repeated his entire life. "22194. 22194. 22194." My eyes fluttered open, immediately noticing the clean white tuxedo of the man who caught me. He smelled like home, a faded grin on his pale face. His eyes were ocean blue, glinting opal when our gazes met. "It's been a while, right? y/n?" My chest froze, as I scrambled out his arms, falling to the floor. Jin and Hayato were standing behind him patiently. I shuffled backwards, my voice refusing to speak the words I wanted it to. The man in front of me... was not William Minerva. The man- no, rather, the boy in front of me- he was tall and handsome, commanding presence just by being in the same room. Five black numbers were tattooed on the left side of his neck, just barely peeking out from his white collared shirt. That smile. That face.

"I- It can't be..." I stuttered, watching him kneel in front of me. His eyes were a deep shade of blue, his hands tracing my cheek.

"Is that him?" I heard Gillian mutter from above me. Nigel gulped nervously, all eyes glued to the person before us.

My hands moved on their own, grabbing the slender fingers framing my face. My heart eventually began to swell with feeling, tears running down my cheeks. I jumped into his arms, squeezing the boy tightly. "Y- You were alive?" I cried, sobbing into his shoulder. He hesitantly patted my back, his other hand rubbing my head. "I- I-" "Shut up, idiot!" I bawled, pushing him onto the floor. I was sprawled on top of him, drenching his jacket in tears and sweat.

This was just like that day. The day he left. He was right underneath me, like he is now. "I- I'm never ever l-letting you go, ever, e-ever, again!" He was warm, his heart beating rapidly against mine. This person, this boy, he's alive. He's alive. "N- Norman, n-never leave me, p- please..." The comforting feeling of his snug hug lulled me to sleep. Was this all a dream? It felt like it.

I often thought about a world where Norman was alive.

I used to think that it would be the same world where Ray was too.

I wanted to see him. I wanted him to see Norman, to give him a hug, and to cry and scream and feel all these emotions with me. I missed him. I miss you so much, Ray.