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Chapter 6: 131045

{Chapter 6} Book 1: The wall
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After breakfast, Emma, Aviana and Norman were standing in a triangle form in a the testing room with the lights off. ''Listen, you two. we have to act like nothing happened. sure, we may have broken the rules by going to the gate last night but that doesn't mean we saw anything.'' Norman said, looking at the two girls.

''But we left little bunny there.'' Emma reminded the albino. ''That's right. and we have to assume that Mom found it. but that doesn't tell her anything about who left it behind.'' Norman told the two.

''Mom was laughing at breakfast...'' Aviana muttered.

''She doesn't show it on her face at all...'' Emma continued.

''And that's what we have to do, too. otherwise she'll notice that something is wrong.'' Norman said before offering a small smile to the girls. ''We can't let that happen, so smile.'' The girls' eyes widened before Aviana closed her eyes tightly and forced the most realistic smile that she could muster up, Emma doing the same. 

''The delicious food... The white clothes that show when we're dirty... our regulated lives...'' Aviana listed off, Clutching her shirt in her fist. ''All of it is to keep up our quality of life as merchandise... the only thing left to do is to wait while we're shipped out randomly.'' Emma continued.

''But the demon confirmed it wasn't random.'' Norman began. The ginger and the Blue haired girls looked up at him in confusion. ''He said 'Another 6-year-old, they've all been average lately''' Aviana tilted her head whilst Emma asked ''What's it mean?''

''Based on what the Demon said, our ages determine the grades of meat. And if I remember correctly, all the siblings that were shipped out before were all between the ages of six and twelve and if 6-years-old is ranked as normal, then the highest quality must be-'' Aviana's eyes widened. ''12-years-old...''

''But what about our scores?'' Emma asked. ''Meat won't start tasting better because of how well it did on some test, will it?''

''True. The results weren't announced unless we received full marks. Which means...'' This time, it was Emma's turn to widen her eyes as she gasped. ''The shipping order!'' She exclaimed. Aviana's eyes also widened hearing this. ''Yeah, when we turn six, we're harvested from the lowest test scores up. and once we reach the age of twelve it seems we get shipped off no matter what.'' Norman informed the two. ''So... We were exempt from it because we got perfect scores on our test?'' Emma guessed. Norman nodded. ''But I still don't get it... why do our scores dictate the order?'' Norman muttered.

''And what you you think being between six and twelve is what matters? Could it be the size of our bodies? Can't be, otherwise weight would be a factor...'' Aviana said, thinking. Norman looked to the floor for a second before his eyes widened. ''It's our brains.'' He muttered. The two looked at Norman with terrified faces. ''So that means...'' Emma mumbled. Norman nodded before continuing. ''The brain must taste the best and the more developed it is... The better. It's said that the brain is ninety percent by the time that we turn six and another theory says that they are one hundred percent developed by the age of twelve. That means the demons are after human brains.'' Norman continued. Aviana, know coming out of her shocked state only slightly, asked ''They eat...Brains?''

''Seems so...''Norman said Calmly. Aviana was thinking of how he could be so calm in a moment like this. ''And they'll spend a lot for them. Which makes us valuable merchandise. Remember the order?'' Norman said. Aviana's head lifted up as she looked up from the ground. ''Conny was shipped most recently, before her was Hao and Ceddy before him.'' She said. Norman nodded. ''Following the cycle they've used so far, the next shipment should be at least 2 months from now. Which means us three need to think of a plan for everyone to escape from here before then.''

🍽~~~~🍽

The three 11-year-olds were walking through the forest, crossing a log to get over a stream of water before Norman grabbed a stick and all three of them knelt on the ground. ''We'll start by making a rudimentary map of the site'' Norman started to poke at the ground with the stick, moving it to draw a representation of the house and it's surroundings. ''The house is in the middle, lined up with the gate and the forest encircles the rest of the property.'' He explained. ''So which exit do we choose for our escape? The gate... or the forest?'' He asked.''I'd say... The forest, The gates always closed except for when they're and when it's open...'' Emma said. ''Those demons are there.'' Aviana continued.

''So when do we try to escape? during the day at playtime when we're able to get out of the house freely? Or at night during shipping-'' Aviana cut him off by yelling. ''We can't wait until shipping! That plan means someone we love dies!''

''You're right'' Norman said whilst Emma nodded, looking determined. ''I'm also worried that the younger ones won't be able to stay awake during the night. It's decided. We'll escape during the day through the forest. If that's possible...'' Norman muttered. ''That depends on what things are like beyond the forest.'' Emma replied.

The three of them stood up and began to run through the forest, jumping over the fence they had seen the day prior and going further until they reached a gray wall. As the two girls looked at the wall, Norman began climbing a tree. The noises made the two girls look towards him and gasp. ''What are you doing?'' Emma asked. Norman yelled a little as his foot slipped and he fell.

 Aviana looked away for a second before running up to him and crouching next to him, Emma slightly in front of her. ''Are you ok?'' The two asked. Norman sat up before smiling sheepishly and saying ''I guess I must be tired from thinking too much?'' Emma smiled and stood up.

''I guess it's up to me, then.'' She stated before she started climbing the tree. ''So... Is something there?'' Aviana looked up to Emma and asked. ''Nothing. The wall looks about two or three meters thick. The top of it is pretty high up.'' Emma said as Norman and Aviana approached the wall.

''But there are no guards.'' Norman said, putting his ear against the wall. ''It's quiet. Aviana, What do you think?'' Aviana put her hand up to the wall. ''It was built sturdy... And I don't see any rough edges or seams... and the surface is smooth. There's no way someone could climb this.'' Aviana said as Emma jumped down from the tree. ''Then... Should we just give up?'' Norman asked. ''That's what it's meant to make us think.'' Emma said,

''But if it was either one of us, climbing this wouldn't be a problem with a rope!'' Aviana said, smiling. ''I don't sense any demons.'' Norman said. ''Only Mom's watching us. So there's no need to be scared. The two girls hummed and nodded before hearing the bell ring.

🍽~~~~🍽

The three were panting, having ran all the way back to the house from the wall. Gilda was counting all the children when she said ''There's two missing...'' just as Mark ran up to Isabella, crying.