The Traveler | The Promised Neverland

Goodbye

I was wearing the standard suit everyone wore when they were shipped out, with a black fedora.  My cherry-red hair that was recently cut curled around my face and my white eyes stood out against my colorful attire, with small eyebags darkening my pale skin.  

My suitcase had the three pictures I had taken of the trio, Don, and Gilda.  I wanted something that connected me to Grace Feild at Lambda so I would remember why I was doing all this.  

I had already made sure Sister Krone's pen and key mold, along with the things I left behind, were hidden under a false bottom in Norman's dresser.  

"I'm back, Mama," I announced as I walked downstairs after finishing my look.  She smiled warmly at me.

"Yes, everyone's waiting for you this way," She replied, walking me to the dining hall where everyone had gathered.  The younger ones chatted amongst themselves while all of the older ones minus Ray stood in the back.  The little ones started saying their goodbyes, some even tearing up.  I didn't know why though because I never had much presence.    

Phil walked up to me, tears in his eyes.  I smiled.  He was one of the few younger ones that I got along with, because he was someone who respected my boundaries and still communicated and played with me from time to time.  He had been my go-to kid to carry when I was doing weight exercises.  I also taught him a few things, increasing his already high scores even more.  I knew Phil was going to have to go through a lot of mental trials when he was left behind after the escape, so I wanted to make him as smart as I could so he wouldn't have to stress about scores.  

"I'm going to miss you!" Phil said, full-on sobbing now.  I brought him into a hug.  I tried to avoid contact with the younger ones outside of tag, so this shocked a few people who knew that. 

"Protect Emma, Ray, and Norman for me, will you?  And stay strong," I added.  He nodded.  

"Is this really goodbye?" Phil asked, small hiccups coming from his mouth.  I smiled and shook my head, and set my head on his small shoulder.  

"Maybe for now, but we'll definitely see each other again one day.  Promise?" I offered my pinky to Phil.  He twisted his pinky around mine.

"Definitely!" Phil agreed, nodding his head with determination.

"Norman, where's Ray?" Mama asked, noticing the raven's absence. 

"He said he didn't want to see Sparrow off,"  Norman explained, his usual soft voice rough from crying.  Mama nodded her head understanding.

I walked up to the older kids in the back and started hugging them all from right to left.  The first one was Don.

"Take care of the younger ones, okay?" I requested on his shoulder, knowing how good Don is with kids.  He nodded and blinked tears out of his eyes.  The next was Gilda.

"Take care of Emma, Gilda. You're one of her best friends, so I know you can do it," I encouraged softly during the hug.

I went up to Norman, and when I hugged him he buried his face in my shoulder and took in my scent with a deep inhale.  I lowered my voice to a whisper and tilted my mouth to his ear. "I installed a false bottom in your desk drawer.  There you'll find items from both me and Sister." I murmured.  He stiffened, then relaxed again, humming to let me know he would check it out.  "Thanks for everything," I added on at the end, getting up.  He looked down and started crying again.  I smiled sadly at him then moved on to Emma.

I started to walk over to Emma, but she beat me to the punch, using her crutches to boost her forward.  "Sparrow!" She yelled, "I'll distract Mama, so please run!" she pleaded in a whisper, bringing the tracking device disabler to my ear.