Don't Leave Me Alone

~9~

~Norman's POV~

Ray left the room, and I sat down on my bed. I took a few deep breaths. It is insane.

Ray is the traitor, but he isn't our enemy. He's actually a lot more than I expected. He can break the tracking devices. He can freely manipulate information. He gives an advantage when it comes to restraining Mom. He has all the information necessary to escape. He has inside knowledge of the enemy. What a trump card Ray is. But his condition...it isn't hard to trick Emma...Ray is probably right...everyone will just die if we take them...

~Ray's POV~

I tugged on the handle to the pantry. Mom was waiting for me inside.

"It took you a while."

"I was having a conversation with Norman."

"Mm. Has any changed with the targets?"

"No. They're busy training. Your assistant is the bigger problem. Sister Krone is on the move again. You should probably be careful."

"I see..."

"You shouldn't have summoned her. I know you did it just to discourage me." Mom stayed quiet. "It's totally fine that you're wary, but it makes me sad. You don't trust me, even after six years of me helping you." I begin to move things around on the shelf.

"It's just a precaution. Your work has been excellent, and I do trust you. But must I remind you that we wouldn't even be in this situation if you had done your job correctly that night."

I smirk at the wall that I was facing. Mom couldn't see my face, which was probably a good thing.

"It's true that we would have never predicted Norman having the ability of picking locks, but I never thought that you'd be a useless spy who couldn't keep watch."

I turned around to face her. "I already said sorry for that. But I made it up to you, didn't I? I sold out my two best friends. I report every single suspicious move Sister Krone makes. In detail. You better give me the reward I want."

"Of course I will. It's a part of our deal. I'm getting it for you now. It should take two or three days to arrive."

I left after that. I walked back up to my dormitory room.

I decided how to use the rest of my time on that day. I was going to be six, so at most, I had about six more to live. There's a limit to how many lives I can save. It's just reality. I don't care what they want. I'll make sure Norman and Emma live. I won't let them destroy the plan I spent six years on.

I sat down on my bed. I glanced over to Norman's bed. He was still there, and he was tearing at his skin again. I got off of my bed and sat on his. Norman looked up from his hands, and smiled when he saw it was me.

"Hi Ray." He whispered softly. That was another thing he did when he was anxious—he spoke quietly.

I wrapped my arms around him and pulled him closer. He gently gripped my arm as he rested his head against my chest. I began to play with his hair, which helped him calm down. Sure enough, his breathing soon slowed down, and a little while later, he had fallen asleep. I gently laid him on his bed and stood up. I quickly looked around. Everyone else was in bed, and the lights were out.  With that in mind, I pressed my lips to Norman's forehead before climbing into bed and falling asleep.

~Norman's POV~

Ray was comforting me. I guess that it's obvious when I get anxious. Whatever. I'm pretty sure a fell asleep in his arms.

I was past the gate.

"Why am I here...?" I started to leave, but I heard Ray's voice. I turned to him, and my stomach dropped.