A New Start

Chapter 8

She was four when she, Ray, and Norman went to the gate and peered through the bars. She knew what was on the other side of those bars. She knew just how dangerous it was and just how many of their siblings had already died or sold their souls because of it.

"I'm gonna get strong." Emma said solemnly as she looked at the two who tensed up and stared at her wide eyed. They knew she didn't get serious often. So when she did…everyone took notice, even Mama.

"I'm going to get stronger and stronger and stronger. I'm going to be so strong that no matter what the dangerous thing on the other side of this gate is…I can fight it and win. I won't let whatever the dangerous things Mama warns about win." Emma said and she was dead serious as her hands tightened around the bars, remembering all that the demons stole from her.

Yuugo, Lucas, Mary, Lian, Zack, all of her friends from Goldy Pond that didn't make it…Mama…Connie.

"I don't care what I'm up against. I'm not going to lose. Just you two watch! I'm going to be so strong that I will be able to protect everyone!" Emma said and both of the boys stared at her for a moment before slowly nodding their heads.

"We'd better head back. Mama will be upset with us for coming here." Norman said after a minute or so of them silently staring into the dark tunnel.

"Yeah." Ray said quietly and Norman turned to leave, Ray and Emma a step or two behind him. Tilting her head back to look at the sky as she walked with the boys, Emma absentmindedly began to hum the tune that Mama used to hum when Emma had been in her belly. She felt a hand reach out and grab her arm immediately and came face to face with Ray staring at her in shock.

"How do you know that tune?" Ray demanded her in a whisper as they slowed down to let Norman walk ahead of them.

"The same way you do big brother!" Emma said brightly as she smiled at him while he stared at her wide eyed and shocked.

"You remember too…" Ray whispered and Emma nodded with a small sad smile.

"Don't tell Mama about me when she finds out about you. I want to surprise her. She knows that she has kids…but she might not know that it's you and me." Emma said smiling at Ray who silently nodded his head. If that was what she wanted then he had no reason to not do as she asked.

Besides…he had a sister…an actual flesh and blood sister. He'd have never guessed if it wasn't for that tune, even if he had suspected Emma to be Mama's child given that one of Emma's eyes was the same color purple as Mamas eyes.

"Those creatures. You're going to try and fight them." Ray said making Emma nod.

"Yeah. I'm training. One day we'll get out of here and I don't want to be weak, if I'm weak then someone I love will die." Emma said and for once she wasn't even pretending to be childish, no she was full grown dead serious Emma now. Something Ray noticed.

"Who are you?" Ray asked quietly as he stared at Emma who beamed at him.

"I'm Emma, your younger sister! Silly Ray, asking a question like that!" Emma said beaming brightly at him and then looking past him to Norman and Mama who were on the hill they were walking towards.

"Looks like Mama already knows where we were. Let's go before we get in worse trouble!" Emma said grabbing Ray and, surprising both him and Mama, picking him up as she ran up the hill towards Mama and Norman.