Born to Die

[1] 32145

(Flashback)

"Guys? What's this?" Emma asked, wrapping her tiny hands around the pristine steel bars. "The gate. It leads to the outside," Norman stated eyeing the tunnel blocked by the bars. "Outside? We've never been outside!" "Ya, never go near the gate or the fence because it can be dangerous, that's what mom always says." "She says that but it isn't true." Ray interjected, "It's not?". "Hey Ray! What would you do outside?" "I dont know, you Emma?" "I'd ride a giraffe!" "*huff* good luck". The three looks towards the woods as a twig breaks, "What if it's Mom!" Emma squeaked "It's not Mom. It's too quiet." "We know you're there, come out!" Norman called.

After a moment y/n emerged from behind a tree, "Oh! Y/n! What would you do outside?" she thought for a moment "I... I want to see the stars... just once at least,". "But you can see the stars from the house, why would you need to be outside for that?" Norman asked "I mean the constellations. We can only see 2 of them here." she smiled wistfully "I want to be able to look at the sky and see all those sparkling dots drawing pictures in the sky!". "That sounds amazing!" Emma cheered. "You know..." Norman reached out, grabbing one of the bars gently "I wonder what this gate is really keeping us protected from...".

(Flashback end)

"Good morning everyone!" Emma cheered, standing up "You have to get up or you'll miss breakfast!". "ᵀᵒᵒ ᵉᵃʳˡʸ..." I grumbled softly, pulling my blanket over my head and burying my face in my pillow. Small hands pressed lightly on my back, shaking me gently "y/n~" Phil pleaded "Please get up, I can't find my shoes and I miss you!". I sighed and sat up, looking down at Phil "I missed you too bud, come on let's find your shoes.". I immediately looked behind his headboard and bingo, a pair of light brown boots were squished between the wall and the bed. I grabbed them and sat Phil down on his bed, slipping the boots onto his small feet and lasing them up quickly. "Thank you! 🎶" he sang, jumping up and grabbing my hand "Now let's get to breakfast ok!" "Alright, fine, I'm coming!".

"Hey, y/n" Ray called *YAWN* "Hey Ray!" I called back, Phil let go of my hand and ran off to play with the other kids. "Y/n," Mom walked over and cupped my face gently "Did you stay up stargazing again?" "Ya... sorry..." "It's fine dear," she smiled warmly "I just want you to get enough sleep that's all. Do you think you're awake enough to help the others with breakfast?" "Of course!". I walked into the kitchen and grabbed a stack of cups "Hi y/n," Norman greeted, grabbing a stack of plates "When did you go to sleep... how did you sleep... Did you sleep?" I frowned "Snarky twat, I slept... for a couple of hours." he grinned "I might be a twat but at least I'm not asleep on my feet," "Go jump in the lake," I shot back and he laughed.

"Hey Emma!" he called as we walked back into the dining room, she stopped suddenly "Hey guys!" she cheered, putting down Conny who was quickly followed by Don "How are you so awake this early?" I asked, yawning and putting down the cups "Maybe if you didn't go to sleep at 2 in the morning every night you wouldn't have that problem?" she offered, she didn't mean to be mean or snarky but I probably would have decked anyone else in the face if they bugged me about my sleeping habits one. More. Time. Emma ran off, chasing Thoma and Lannion down the hallway. "How old are you, 5?" Ray teased "I'll 11 same as you 3! And one of the eldest here!" Mom chuckled, trying to hide it but failing miserably. "You too mom!?" "Oh Emma, I'm sorry, how about you get the little one's sat down at the table so we can start breakfast," Emma hugged her tight "In a minute! I wanna redo my entrance because Ray teased me!" "Why change it? It showed just what I love about you," Emma looked up at her pouting "That I'm 5 years old at heart?" "No, it showed how much you love your family.".

My eyes narrowed "Ya... family" I muttered, barely audible "What was that?" Ray asked, glancing at me "Nothing. Let's just get the little ones sat down.". I picked up Phil and sat him down at the table, rounding up some of the other kids before Mom rang her bell, making everyone run to the tables. "Good morning my darling children." she said affectionately "Now let us take a moment to appreciate that all 39 of you are able to live happy lives under this roof. We are thankful." "Thank you for our breakfast," we said in unison. "So did you dream about anything last night?" Emma asked me cheerily, I looked down at Conny at the end of the table, chatting with Don and pretending to feed Little Bunny. The nightmare from last night came flooding back to me.