Don't Leave Me Alone

~13~

⚠️TW: Mentions of violence

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~Ray's POV~

I woke up the next morning feeling confused. Had Norman really said that last night, or am I going crazy? I glanced at the clock on the wall. It read 5:54 a.m. Kids were bound to start waking up any second now. My gaze shifted over to Norman, who was still asleep. I stood up, got ready for the day, and went back to Norman's bed. I gently shook him to wake him up. Norman opened his eyes sleepily.

"Mm...Ray?" Norman sat up, rubbing his eyes.

I ruffled his hair. It was soft. "Morning."

Other kids were starting to awake. Someone had started to yell from excitement, and a few others joined in. Norman winced, and I glared at them to shut up. One kid noticed and motioned for the others to stop. I watched as Norman stood up and went to get ready.

I decided to wait for Norman by the door. Emma showed up outside the room.

"Good morning, Ray! Are you waiting for Norman?"

"Yeah."

"You didn't have to." Norman appeared next to me, tugging on his bracelet. He spoke quietly, which usually meant something was wrong.

I smiled at him. "I guess so, but I wanted to."

Emma stared at us with her jaw practically in the floor. "Ray is smiling this early in the morning?"

I immediately dropped it, rolling my eyes at her as I stepped out of the room. Norman giggled and stepped out after me.

~Norman's POV~

Once we finished breakfast, Emma and I were hanging the clean laundry up outside so that they could dry.

"I feel a lot better after telling Gilda and Don the truth."

I nodded. I didn't feel like talking right now.

Emma paused. "Can I talk to you about something, Norman?"

"Yeah, sure." Looks like I'll have to anyway.

"I think I've figured out a way. A way to escape with everyone."

Ah. The very thing we aren't doing. Emma is going to be upset when she's finds out we're leaving everyone behind. That's her problem, I guess.

(One explanation later cuz it doesn't actually say Emma's plan)

"Is it reckless?"

I nodded. "Yes. It is."

"But we're able to catch Mom off guard with this plan. If we think about this realistically, this is the only way we can get everyone out of here."

"Right."

Emma and I finished hanging up the clean laundry, and we went back inside.

Something has been bothering me. About Ray.

"I did all of this to make sure you and Emma don't get killed."

That's what he had said. Me and Emma. If I'm right, Ray's probably...If that's correct, I need to prevent him from doing that.

Don tapped me on the shoulder. Gilda was with him.

"I got them for you." He handed me the herbicide and detergent that I had asked for. "What the hell are you gonna do with these?"