𝓥𝓲𝓼𝓲𝓸𝓷 𝓞𝓯 𝓜𝔂 𝓟𝓻𝓸𝓶𝓲𝓼𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓻𝓵𝓪𝓷𝓭

【Ｃｈａｐｔｅｒ ５】

Scarlett POV:

The more this escaping nonsense droned on the more I began to wonder about life outside: the risks, the rewards, all of it. I didn't doubt Emma and Norman when they said it was possible but then again, it was like desperately swimming in an ocean. Maybe you will find land or maybe you will just drown.

The traitor talk has had me on edge. I didn't know who to trust except Ray, Emma, and Norman. As well as Sister Krone's eerie presence and her words of unlikely wisdom stung with me. It had me nervous and sharp. She was helping me but why? What did she gain by helping me with my agility and attitude?

What was worse was Don and Gilda had become rather distant from Emma and me. They must be traitors but calling them that didn't seem right. I observed them from afar, talking amongst themselves. I guessed by their expressions since I couldn't hear them. Gilda adjusted her glasses a lot and her shoulders were hunched. Don had an open stance and talked with his hands. A lot of low waving, pointing in no real direction, and a friendly supportive side hug.

Comforting and advice but what advice? Why wouldn't she go to Emma who she looked up to for comfort? I made a mental note and went on with my day until Emma tugged my arm.

"We need to talk." Her tone wasn't angry, unlike her grip. Assuming this was about the escape, I let her guide me away. Through the kitchen, down the stairs, and outside where only a few kids were playing. I followed her to our usual spot expecting something big. Norman and Ray stood sheepishly in front of us.

"What is it?" I asked when she finally let go.

She sighed and nudged Ray, he groaned. "Ow! Okay it's not that big of a deal but-"

"What did you do?" I jumped to the conclusion. Knowing Mr. Angsty, he could have forgotten to loop me in on a small detail or he blew up something. It was a large range. I placed my hands on my hips as Emma whispered angrily, "Go on."

"I am the traitor." He exhaled.

What. Why. and what all over again. Why was he the traitor? Did he not believe in us that much that he became hellbent on proving us wrong? "Did you guys know?" I asked Emma and Norman.

"I figured it out then I told Emma but on the condition, Emma didn't tell you," Norman explained.

"Why?" I groaned looking in Ray's direction.

"That's what I said!" Emma complained. "So I knew it broke his promise but I had to tell you because we have a way to turn this around." I couldn't ask any more questions as Emma dove into her rant about how we could him as our spy. A trump card; Norman put it.

I had more questions and I couldn't help but feel betrayed. I understood why he didn't tell anyone but once he was caught why not come clean to me? Why didn't he want me to know? I'd understand why he'd narc or snitch or whatever. I would have understood so why didn't he trust me? He trusted me enough to tell me when he found out about the mess, granted I already knew via visions, but why didn't he trust me enough to tell me this? He hated his mom and I did too so why team up with her?

Halfway through Emma's rants and explanation, leaves russled behind us. I flinched and everyone got quiet. Sister Krone marched into view as she pulled away from stray branches.

Were dead. We are so dead.

"So cute," She cooed. "I love how naive children are."

"What are you talking about?" Ray spoke up.

"See, naive." She tossed a stray leaf off her shoulder and placed her hands on her hips. "The House is more than what you think. You need to know that before making decisions."

I paused for a moment before finding my voice. "You know. Why not turn us in?"

"Isabella." She simply said. "I'll explain further later when it's safe to talk."

"How do we know this isn't a trap?" I argued as she walked away.

"You don't, but you don't have much of a choice, do you?" She smugly answered before disappearing into the forest again. Then the sound of Mom's obnoxious bell rang through the forest. My stomach sank as looked between Ray, Emma, and Norman.

+++

During the talk with Sister Krone, I empathized with her. She expressed everything in pure honesty or I hope she did. How the house operates, what happens, and especially life outside the wall. She didn't get to be a Mom and she wanted to be the best of the best. Isabella was the best one in the industry.

Over time, I came to like her and she came to like me. A mutual understanding/hatred for Isabella. I wasn't as quick as Norman or Ray when it came to planning my moves so it felt like she was looking out for me. Even if it was for her own gain in the end.

Of course, Ray had his doubts. "How do you know that she won't turn on us?"

"I just know." I defended her over breakfast as I pointed my fork at him. "So, traitor.."

"This again-"

"Yes, this again." I scolded. "Why?" That was all I to say for him to understand what I meant. He frowned and folded his arms. He blew a stray piece of black hair from his eye but it swooped back down.

"I get rewards. Tools." He explained. "I didn't tell you because I knew you'd be all..." He looked for the right words while shoving pancakes into his mouth. "Ya know, you."

"Wow," I rolled my eyes. "I feel so loved."

"Shut up." He shushed. "You'd do the same and besides she's my biological mother. You would do the same if you could save your skin."

"So you sold us out to save yourself?" I commented harshly.

"Let's go with that." He sighed while stuffing food into his face. I knew he was hiding something, did he feel weak or discouraged by being a traitor? When I continued to stare at him to indicate his comments didn't sway me, he groaned and rubbed the back of his neck. "God, I did it to save you and the idiots. Happy?"

"Why didn't you tell me? That you knew before me?"

"I don't know. I figured you'd think I was crazy."

I laughed and cracked a smirk, "I'd think you were crazy. Me? The girl who has visions" I mimicked other kids who mocked my ability.

"I was like 3." He groaned. "I didn't understand it any more than you did."

"Still though," I said. "I would've trusted you."

He sighed bitterly and pushed aside a his plate. "I just thought-I knew-" He struggled to string his words together. I reached for his shoulder and slowly wrapped him into a side hug. "I thought I could protect you. You are my best friend after all,"

"Ouch," I laughed to lighten to mood, "Should I break the news to Norman?"

"Shut up." He scoffed as a smile grew on his face. In all honesty, I found it adorable that he wanted to protect me. Reckless and stupid but maybe this is how he feels around me. He leaned on my shoulder and my body stiffened. His soft black floated down near my neck and tickled it.

Yet I enjoyed his little acts of intimacy. It never failed to make me smile or make me comfortable. "I will be fine," I said hollowly yet I didn't believe it but it kept him from nagging me. My death haunts me that's why I take in details in the present.

Last night, I knew it was coming sooner then I thought.