PRIDE YOUR IGNORANCE ( THE PROMISED NEVERLAND )

EIGHT: GENETIC

The smoke hurt. [First Name] jerked awake at the burning of her lungs, quickly sitting up and swinging her legs over the bed. She had no time to grab anything but her medicine, shoving the bottles in her bra, waistband and pockets. She pulled on her shoes and quickly ran out of the room, running into Ray, who was clenching the folder she gave him in his arms. Staring down at him, she smiled, pulling him into a hug. 

"Don't worry. I won't try to stop you." She whispered, pulling back, cupping his cheeks with her hands. "Bye, little brother." 

His eyes widened in shock, staring up at her. "You're... You— that's why—" Smiling, she nodded, kissing his forehead before walking around him towards Mama's room. She needed to get the babies, after all. He whipped around, clenching his fists.

"Why... Why didn't you tell me?! How do you know? Why aren't you coming with us?!" He gritted out, coughing at the smoke. Turning around, [First Name] sighed, staring at him. 

"I'll explain when— if— I see you again, okay? Of course, I'm not coming. I've never had the intent to, and even if I did, I'd have no choice. Go, Ray. Run. I love you." She yelled over the roaring of the fire slowly creeping up on them, turning around and jogging away to get the babies out. Ray stared back at her before clenching his jaw, turning around and sprinting out of the house to the wall.

Kicking the door open to Mama's room, [First Name] coughed harshly, quickly gathering the babies in the large crib they interacted in and pulling it out. Trying her best not to fall as she walked backwards out of the door, she managed to get the crib out onto the lawn, panting, before running back inside. 

Jogging up to her mother, she stared at the ear in Mama's hand. "Mama! Come on!" She panted, bent over, her hands on her knees. Mama stared at her before nodding, quickly dashing outside, [First Name] right behind her. Dropping to her knees on the lawn, she felt her lungs burn. I inhaled too much smoke. I was in there for too long—

"Everything is burning. We've been made a fool out of." Mama sighed, staring at the ear in her hands before shaking her head. "Heh... Haha... Ha. They're still alive. We'll be able to catch them." Grinning, she looked down at [First Name], who was staring up at her. "We'll be able to live—"

"Mama?" Mama's eyes widened, whipping around. Phil was stood there, holding onto her dress. [First Name] stared at him, stressed. So they left the toddlers here?  

"Phil?" Mama crouched down, hugging him. "Where are the others?" Phil turned around, pointing at the group of toddlers running up to them. 

"Mama!" They crowded her legs, hugging her. 

"Where's Emma and everyone? They're not with you?" Mama asked, receiving a cry. Standing up, she smiled reassuringly, rubbing Phil's head. "Me and [First Name] will go get them, okay?" 

"No, don't leave!" They cried, making Mama chuckle nervously. 

"It's alright, it won't take any time at all, okay?" She smiled, standing up. [First Name] sighed, standing up as well, before turning, staring down at the children. 

"Stay put. We'll be back in just a little bit." She glared down at them, making them shiver. She's so intimidating!

Turning, she ran after Mama, sprinting through the forest to the wall. 

"This is 73584, from plant three. I have 69094 with me. There's been an escape-- sound the alarm!" Mama breathed into the radio, throwing it down onto the ground as she ran. Reaching the wall, Mama pulled herself up with a rope before helping [First Name] up, running to the bridge as soon as she stood up. 

[First Name] followed closely behind, running as best as she could. She had never been much of a runner due to Peter, especially now that she was coughing up the smoke in her lungs. Spotting Emma and the others up ahead, they ran faster, making it just as Emma was about to slide down.