𝘢 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘦 - 𝘯𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘵𝘱𝘯

𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘝𝘐𝘐𝘐

𝐉𝐀𝐈𝐋𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊 𝐀𝐑𝐂

𝐄𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓
___________

"You and Norman, of all people, got into a fight?" Mom asks, as she casually starts putting away some items.

Ray, with a hint of skepticism in his eyes, responds,"It was over something we didn't agree about."

Curiosity piqued, Mom continues, "And you decided to get involved in their disagreement?" She asks, referring to you now.

You let out a heavy sigh, "Not exactly. I tried braking them apart, only to get hit."

As Mom closes the box, she shifts her focus back to you and Ray, asking, "Now, what is it that you two came in here to tell me?"

"Norman is working on trying to kill you." Ray says. Mom gasps, her eyes narrowing in a mix of shock. But then, a mischievous smile slowly spreads across her face. She closes her eyes for a moment. "Of course he would go that far to escape with everyone." Finally, she opens her eyes and asks, "And?"

Ray, playing along, adds more details, "He's collecting items— a hammer, detergent, herbicide. Anything he thinks he can use to get it done."

Curious, Mom probes further, "Including that rope from before?"

"Yep," Ray responds, waving his arms in the air as he speaks, "I tried to stop him, told him it was a stupid idea."

Little does Mom know that you and Ray are just pulling her leg with this false information.

"And he gave you that bruise?" Mom chuckles, closing the cabinet. "Death by poison? That could be troublesome."

You speak up, "Let's not send them away because of this. Let them live peacefully in this house until they're old enough. Just like we agreed."

Ray takes charge, presenting a plan, "Now, then. Here's the plan. We just replace the chemicals."

Mom, intrigued, turns her body towards Ray and asks, "Do you know where he hid them?"

Ray confidently responds, "Yeah."

"Then let's deal with this tomorrow. Is that all?" Mom says, walking away.

Ray, sensing something on Mom's mind, asks, "Yeah. Why? Is there something else bothering you?"

Mom pauses, then turns back to Ray, "Not really. Oh, I'll give you an early heads up. I received word from HQ during yesterdays check in. They said that the next shipment is set."

You and Ray gasp, tension building as you await her next words.

"There won't be one in December." Mom reveals.

Ray smirks, leaning back in his chair, "Januarys next, then. It'll happen on my 12th birthday. So the next shipment is finally me, huh?"

Mom nods, turning back around as she leaves the two of you. You watch the door, even as she walks away, feeling uneasy. Your fist clenches the hem of your skirt as you turn your gaze back to Ray. His smile was gone, his expression has transformed into a piercing glare.

"I know exactly what you're planning," he says, his voice filled with frustration. "And I'm telling you now, you better not go through with it."

You stand up from the bed, facing away from Ray as you begin to walk away. "I have to. You know that."

Ray stands up, his glare intensifying. "I don't want you sacrificing yourself for me! I don't deserve it."

You take a step back, meeting his gaze head-on. "It's not about what you think you deserve. It's about doing what's right and protecting the ones i care about."