𝒷𝓁𝑜𝑜𝒹 𝓁𝑜𝓁𝓁𝒾𝓅𝑜𝓅𝓈 ~ 𝓇𝒶𝓎 𝓍 𝓇𝑒𝒶𝒹𝑒𝓇

The library

—♡︎—
"Checkmate."
—♡︎—

1st person POV.

After the brutal truth that awaited us at the gate, we knew we couldn't stay out for very long. We knew essentially nothing about the demons or about the time it takes mama to talk to them. We calmed down as best as we could , I could tell Emma's green eyes were still puffy but there was really no way to fix that. We walk in through the front door, trying to be as silent as possible.
"Welcome back. How'd it go?"
I jump back and turn around to see Ray. Seeing him puts me slightly more at ease.
Just as fast as I let my muscles loose, they tensed up again.
How way I going to tell him we're being sold of as food for demons?
Norman shakes his head lightly,
"We didn't make it.." he says in a hushed tone.
Emma and Norman walk passed the dark haired boy as I purposely fall behind a bit.
Ray puts a hand of my shoulder comfortingly. He's always been good at reading me. I have to tell him, I know I have to, but now isn t the right time. I look up at him and give him a smile. I tilt my head in the direction of the stairs. He hesitantly let's go of me and I make my way to the second floor, the uneasy feeling growing stronger and stronger as I get further away from him.

~~~

It was now 1:07 am. I had been waking up from nightmares all night. The image of Conny seemed to be burned in my mind. I was now staring at the clock on the wall. Emma had also been waking up all night. I would get up to comfort her and let her lay on my lap till she fell asleep. She has been asleep for a good thirty minutes now.
I get up from my bed and carefully walk towards the door. If there's one place I could go to calm myself, it's the library.

As quietly as possible, I open the door to the library. I shut it and turn around, I jump as I see Ray reading a book on the floor. I let out a relieved sigh as I make my way towards him.
He looks up from his book and taps the place next to him with his hand.
I sit down and lean on the bookshelf behind us. I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding in and stare into space. Ray realized this and put his book down. He gets up and walks over to a storage closet. The black haired boy takes out a chess board along with the pieces, he then looks back at me.
"How does a game of chess sound?" He asks.
"Perfect "i respond while laughing to myself.
I get up and follow him to a table to start setting up the pieces.
I get a sudden sense of deja vu. Ever since we were little we would sneak away to go to the library. That's how Ray and I had become friends in the first place. I had seen him hanging around with Norman but I never felt the need to talk to them, however, after meeting him in the library for the first time, I kept going back in hopes he would be there again. We would play chess and read for hours on end.
Im very proud to say that most of our chess matches have been won my me. Although, he has beaten me several times, I would never admit that .
We sit down and start the game, I just hope I can focus on the game instead of Connys corps.

Rays POV

We start the game and she moved her pawn forward. I move my knight and wait for her to make her next move. I wonder if she knows it's obvious somethings wrong. Well, to me at least.
"Why did you start with the pawn "I ask her, she almost always starts with the knight unless she has a plan in mind.
"No particular reason" she says before moving her rook two squares.
I look up at her, she seems to be thinking about anything but the game . It hurts to see someone I care about so much get destroyed like this. But she had to know.
We continue our game, her pieces are all over the place and I could probably check her right now. Her face is full of worry and her eyes have glossed over with tears a couple of times now. I think to myself before finally asking her.
"Is anything wrong?"
She looks up at me with her (e/c) eyes. I've always loved her eyes. Usually her eyes are sparkling, whether that be because of the sun or because she won against me in chess once again. However, this time her eyes are filled with horror. It's something so small yet so noticeable if you look hard enough.
I can tell she's contemplating telling me. I hate having to keep this from her, emma and Norman.
She finally replies,
"Yea, just tired .."
"You sure? You seem off"
I hate pushing her like this.
"Yes ray, I'm absolutely sure" she laughs and smiles at me.
It's clear she's been up since she'd gotten back. Less then an hour of sleep for sure.
I look down at the board, it's the messiest I've ever seen her play. I move my knight once again and look back at her.
"Checkmate"

She analyzes the board before looking up at me.
"Yup guess I lost, congrats!" She says with a smile. I look at her blankly.
She would never admit that.

Y/n POV

We clean up and place everything back in the closet. It's now 2:13 am. I close my eyes and exhale. Once I open my eyes I look out the window. Ray had went to place his book back and had agreed to meet next to the window. Through it, I see the gate, although I can't see it very well because of the type of metal net covering it.
Wait
Metal net?
I touch the cold material and try to find the clasp to open it. However, the metal won't budge. We're completely locked in.
I move my hand away quickly as I hear Ray's voice behind me, he sits down next to me as he looks out the window.
His gaze shifts towards me as he hands me something.
"I thought you could use something sweet, you seem really un energized"
I offer him a warm smile as I take the candy out of his hand.
"Only because I trust your judgment "

September 2nd 2040

The young girl gave her friend a confused look.
"Where did you even find those" she asks, her mouth watering at the sight of the lollipops in his hands.
"I found them in the pantry" he says simply.
"But what if mama finds out? She's never given us those before!"
"She won't find out I swearrrrr" he says trying to calm her down, "besides if she does and gets mad, which she won't, I'll take the blame"
She widened her eyes, "no way! I'm not letting you take all the blame!" She says with a pout. Ray laughed quietly to not get them caught in the library after dark.
"So will you have one?"
Y/n paused for a moment.
"Only because I trust your judgment!"

~~

I take off the plastic covering the candy, the lollipop had always been a heart shape with a bright red colour to it. Ray would  mostly bring them out on special occasions. I mean I guess today is special, not that he knows that though.
I look at the lollipop once again, the red colour had just stuck out to me, it was vibrant and the shine made it look almost glossy. My mind drifts back to the blood that covered Conny's torso. The colours of the candy and the blood had a striking resemblance, it almost made me sick to my stomach.
"You okay?" Asks ray
"Yeah" I respond "I'm doing great."
I put the lollipop in my mouth, the flavour immediately taking over my taste buds.
So there I sat, eating blood lollipops with the comfort of my best friend.

A/N

HOLY HELL THREE CHAPTER IN TWO DAYS- IM ON A ROLLLLLLLLL
ANYWHO I WANNA MAKE UP FOR ALL THE MONTHS I DIDNT POST (SORRY ABOUT THAT BTW) SO IM TRYING MY BEST TO GET QUALITY CHAPTERS OUT FASTER.
As always, constructive criticism is always welcome as well as funny comments (and please tell me what you think of the story in general:))
And of course don't forget to drink as much water as you need, get a snack if you can and remember I am so incredibly proud of you for everything and anything you've accomplished:))
Xx
-author
11/6/2021
1499 words