Lullaby: Ray x OC (The Promised Neverland)

Momma Makes Her Move

Hearing a knock on her door, Isabella turned and opened it to find Ray standing there. The raven haired boy glanced up at her. "Are you ready? Time to switch stuff out."

Isabella smiled at him.

As they walked, Ray thought over the plan he told Penny, Emma, Norman, Gilda, and Don. "Let's review. Norman, Penny, and Emma will inspect above the wall. Don and Gilda, stand outside where you can see the second floor window to the south. Stay alert. I'll signal to you if I'm not able to distract Mom. And that's when you two tell the others to cancel the inspection."

Outside, Gilda held Carol in her arms tenderly, gazing at the second floor window worriedly. "I hope that things go smoothly..."

While they walked the stairs, Isabella finally spoke. "I got rid of her."

Ray's eyes widened, and he turned to look at Isabella.

She closed her eyes for a moment and then smiled at her son. "I removed Krona from the equation."

Ray's eyes widened. He gritted his teeth and ran to Sister Krona's room and thrust the door open, staring into faint darkness. The bed was unmade, and Sister Krona was nowhere to be found. He didn't move as he felt his mother put her hands on his shoulders. He didn't cringe as she spoke to him. "Know why she's gone? Because I didn't need her." She unlocked her hands from his shoulders and he shakily turned to her. She stared down at him. "And you're next."

"W-wha..." Ray stuttered.

"Our deal is officially over as of right now." Isabella announced, clasping her hands together.

"What?!" Ray managed to say through his shock. "You-you're joking! C'mon! How can you say you don't need me?! I was helpful to you, right?! You were using me! So you could stay in the shadows! And control them indirectly!"

Isabella smiled at him. "Precisely."

"I was doing a good job!" Ray continued, his eyes wide. "To you, I'm..."

"Yes." Isabella nodded. "You were quite the useful dog. That's why I kept you by my side." She leaned forward and whispered in his ear. "Despite that you're a liar and a traitor,"

Ray just stared at her in shock.

Isabella stood up and smiled again. Ray narrowed his eyes. "I can still be of use to you, though!!!" he yelled. He clasped his hand over his heart. "It's a non issue!" He hacked and started coughing. When he was done, he glared at her.

"Yes. It's true there's no fault with you. I know that it's unfair. It affects me as well. Initially, I had planned to keep you around 'till the very end of all this."

"THAT DOESN'T..."

"But unfortunately, the situation has changed." Isabella reached into her pocket and pulled out her silver tracker. "I'll be controlling them on my own from now on." She glanced at his angry expression. "I'm sorry, Ray. I hope you'll forgive me for what I'm about to do."

Ray gasped. He ran up and caught her in a waist hug, but she easily pushed him. He yelped as he collided with the hard floor, and Isabella closed the door. locking it with a click.

Ray sat up, horrified. "Mom?!"

"Just stay in there for a while." Isabella responded from the other side of the door.

Ray gritted his teeth and stood up and started banging on the door.

Isabella smirked, holding the key in her hands. "I'll be sure to let you out when I come back." She glanced at the tracker. "Now, then, based on the speed of the three signals, it must be Penny, Emma, and Norman. So, they're running through the forest heading for the fence. I assumed to expect it. By the way, I'm not the least bit worried about the poison. I know that you'll protect me. For their sake, especially hers, you won't get me killed. Isn't that right? That's why when you tried to suppress me, I know you'll use a different method." She closed the tracker and smiled, walking off. "Goodbye, Ray. Thank you for all you've done for me."