𝘢 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘦 - 𝘯𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘵𝘱𝘯

𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘝

𝐉𝐀𝐈𝐋𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊 𝐀𝐑𝐂

𝐅𝐈𝐕𝐄
___________

The sky stretched out above, its vibrant blue dotted with fluffy clouds in constant motion. Today was laundry day, and the older children dedicated their time to the task. As you stood by the washboard, you diligently scrubbed the white clothing with your right hand, determined to eliminate any traces of dirt and odor.

In the distance, Emma's voice carried through the air, calling out to you. "Y/n, you can hang the clothes up now!" She and Gilda stood together, holding baskets filled with freshly washed clothes, ready to be hung up.

You looked up at Anna, who's already staring at you. "I'll finish up, you can go."

As you slowly rose to your feet, a slight tremor ran through your knees, causing a momentary wobble. You instinctively shook your hands, watching with fascination as droplets of water glistened in the sunlight before gracefully falling to the ground.

Your gaze then shifted towards Norman and Ray, who were engaged in a hushed conversation, their voices barely audible causing you to raise a brow.

Shaking off the thoughts swirling in your mind, you turned your attention towards the task at hand. Making your way towards the side of the house, you deftly picked up a basket filled with freshly clean clothes. With a gentle toss to your left, you effortlessly
caught a clean, slightly damp shirt. The fabric felt cool and refreshing in your hands as you carefully hung it on the clothing line, ensuring it was perfectly aligned.

Just as you're lost in your thoughts, a familiar voice catches your attention."Hey," Norman greets you as you turn to face him. Standing back up, you continue hanging up clothes without saying anything.

"Need help?" he asks, reaching for a damp blouse as he joins you in hanging up the clothes on the rack, giving you no chance to respond.

As you pin up the damp pants, a palpable sense of heaviness lingers and casts a somber shadow across your heart. Avoiding eye contact, you focus on the task at hand.

"Are you..." His voice trails off as a concerned gaze falls upon you. "okay?"

You take a deep breath and steady yourself before responding. "I'm fine." you murmur softly.

The silence hangs heavy between you, creating an uneasy feeling within you. You instinctively grab the basket and move ahead to the other rack, creating some distance between the two of you.

As you continue pinning clothes on the line, he watches you through the swaying fabric, his eyes penetrating and heavy with thought.

A flicker of insight brightens his gaze, widening his eyes with the burden of a realization. Like puzzle pieces clicking into place, understanding falls into line as he realizes the truth behind the treachery.

There isn't only one traitor.

-

As you make your way down the staircase, the old floorboards serenade you with a soft symphony of creaks. The library welcomes you with open arms, its shelves lined with countless books that hold the stories of your past. With no one else in sight, you wander through the aisles, your eyes dancing across the titles of books you've devoured over the years.

And then, amidst the sea of stories, your gaze lands on a familiar book, triggering a flood of memories.

It's a day filled with snow, the kind that blankets the world in a pristine white. The snowfall is so heavy that venturing outside is out of the question, leaving us with the freedom to indulge in our favorite activities indoors.

You and Norman gather both together, creating a cozy space with blankets and pillows. You watch as Norman carefully arranges the pillows, his attention to detail evident in every placement. The room is filled with anticipation as Mom brings in a stack of new books for us to explore. The choices are endless, and you can't wait to dive into the magical worlds hidden within the pages.

Lying down on the blankets, you ask "Which one should we read first?" The excitement is palpable as you await Norman's response.

He joins you on the blankets, close to you for warmth. His nose red from the chill in the air. He's bundled up, wearing a scarf that wraps around his neck, providing both warmth and a touch of whimsy. With a muffled voice, he points to a book titled "The Enchanted Garden."

You grab the book and make your way to the table, settling in with anticipation. Your fingers glide across the worn-out cover, feeling the history etched into its surface. As you open the book, ready to dive into its pages once again, the doors to the library swing open.

Norman and Ray enter, making their way towards you. But something feels off, an unspoken tension in the air. They stand at the edge of the table, their presence casting a shadow over your reading moment. Your eyes meet Ray's, and immediately you sense that something is wrong.

A strange battle of emotions unfolds between you and Norman. His gaze pierces into yours, a glare you've never seen from him before. It's a moment that leaves you unsettled, questioning what could be going on.

"What?" You ask, finally.

"We know you're a traitor, Y/n."