Neverland

14

Another challenge. A 5000+ words chapter.

(It's kinda sad that I would write so many words for my book rather than essays for school.)

Jan 14, 2046 - Night before
Ray's shipment

Tick tock, tick tock, the clock ticks as the new day would begin very soon.

A hum is the only sound all over Gracefield House.

While everyone is sleeping, Emma makes her way to the dining hall, following the voice that seems to echo throughout the house.

In the dining hall, Ray sits on top of one of the tables. It is dark except the moonlight shining through the window up high. A box was there behind him, and a book on his lap. He hums a song that he knew for a long time.

"Ray." Emma gets his attention. She asks, "What are you doing up at this hour?"

"This is my last night," he answers, "so I'm saying goodbye to the House."

"Tomorrow is your birthday." Emma remembers.

"Yeah. Tomorrow is goodbye."

The two say nothing for a few seconds. Emma goes up closer the table Ray is at.

"Hey Emma, did you really give up?" Ray asks. He shuts his book closed and turns to look at her.
"You didn't give up, did you?"

The truth is Emma never gave up.

"Let's run away, Ray." Emma tells him.

"In the end, we both decided the same thing." Ray says as he sets gets off the table, "The past two months, we couldn't talk since we were worried about Mom catching us."

"Even though we weren't doing anything, Mom never stopped watching us." Emma says. "If she's watching me, I could keep her eyes from others. This turned into an advantage in the end. I left everything to the others. "

"Don and Gilda, huh?" Ray guesses.

"Yes." Emma replies. "I left them to train for the escape, and all other preparations.

"Everything is ready. Supplies, food, and warm clothing."

"That's pretty good," Ray says, "How about running away?"

"I worked that out too." Emma answers, "I have a plan. We run away tomorrow afternoon, before you get shipped out."

"That's reckless." Ray tells her, "The situation is different from before."

The two of them sit down on chairs.

"There are two problems. First, Mom's watching our every move. She's watching us, and holds one of the younger ones. But at night, the babies are in her room.

"In order to escape with everyone, we'll have to shake Mom off, and separate her from the babies.

"And then there's the wall. Past it is a cliff. The bridge would be pointless due to security.

"What are you going to do?"

Emma gulps, and doesn't give Ray an answer.

Ray looks to the side at the box. "I think this is the best answer."

Ray opens the box, and takes out lighter fuel.

"Oil?" Emma says.

"At night, we'll light the House on fire." Ray says, "When Mom is distracted trying to put the fire out, we'll have everyone evacuate the building.