//Iris//The Promised Neverland //ON HIATUS//

Chapter 8

"Hey, Ray?"

"Hm?"

"About a while ago...seeing everyone go without you not knowing what to do, I'm sure it's hard. But thinking about it, you sure is emotionally strong huh."

He just stared at Iris dumbfounded. This topic came randomly when they are sitting alone under a certain tree. They were currently taking a break as the others continue to play. 

"Uh...thanks. I guess."

"I know your an emo kid but..."

"Hey!"

"...I know you can do everything fine." Then she sigh as she continue, "Its just that, you easily give up. Yet until this time, you were actually already planning about it. Knowing the truth about the orphanage and those demons, and even as a spy. It sure is hard especially keeping the secrets."

"...I don't know if that is a compliment or anything but, thanks for understanding," he said as he smiled.

She nods and stared at the running children in the forest. "I'm just saying that you don't have to hide anything anymore. You have us. But lying about taking everyone out of this farm might cause you more problems in the future."

He flinched and stared at her, surprised. "You knew?"

"Your good at acting, but you can't hide everything from me. I know you guys. You easily give up...but you sometimes try something else to solve things right. I know we currently have no idea about the outside world and we also have to survive. The number of children we have to take are too much and they will be trouble."

"I know you would understand, but I also know you will oppose me too, right?" he asked.

"Might be. I don't want to leave them, but there are circumstances. So I don't want to decide about that yet."

"*sigh* I do hope you won't tell Emma though."

"Sure. If that's what you want."

Then as if on cue, Emma runs towards their direction, waving at them. She stood in front of them as she pants.

"*pant* hi *pant* guys..."

"Oh hey, Emma." Ray acknowledged.

"Emma," Iris stood up and pats the dust out of her clothes. "can I talk to you?"

Eh?  Ray raises an eyebrow.

"Oh sure!"

"Then lets go to the library." Iris said and started walking.

"Wait, Iris!"

She looked back at Ray and...slightly smiled. "Don't worry." then she mouthed, "I won't tell her."

Then the girls entered the house, leaving the boy behind.

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Iris reached out one of Minerva's books and handed it to Emma, making the latter confused.

"I found something that might be helpful and it is someone you might want to meet after we escape." Iris started.

"Wait, someone?!"

"Yup. And it is the author of that book." Iris then open the book and pointed at the ex libris.

"Huh? William Minerva? Is he someone you know or...wait you never went outside!"

"Of course I can't do that. But I'm sure he's an ally since he tried to warn us."

"Eh?"

Iris then pointed at the sign. "See this lines around the owl. Does it seem familiar?"