START OF BOOK 18
NEVER ALONE

Chapter 153
Coward 

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So to make it easier for moi. 
Put your usernames on the following,
if you already have, don't worry about it.

Instagram:

Snapchat:

Discord: 

(if you have anything else, feel free to mention it!
And I am willing to give out my tik tok if you guys would like)

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1.

Reader's POV 

I stared in horror, Ray immediately wrapped his arms around me, holding me close to him. 
"Y/n... Emma, Ray. Good. You were all able to come back safely. But I'm sorry... you were a bit too late,"
Norman said.

"You didn't make it in time."
he said.

Ray held me close to him as I buried my face in his shoulder, not wanting to look at all the demons.

"All of them..."
Ray muttered.

"Killed. 
We made them kill each other. They're all dead. The Queen, Aristocrats, the Geelan Clan, all of them,"
Norman finished.

I took a shaky breath, forcing myself out of Ray's touch.

"N-Norman! We were able to make a promise. We can escape to the human world!"
I exclaimed.

"We don't have to fight anymore... So why don't we stop the eradication now?"
I said softly.

"It's too late. I can't stop it, Y/n. 
Their region has collapsed. The Imperial Rule that went on for many thousands of years.
It's impossible for the demons to govern. We can't make peace. I killed Yverk, the last one,"
Norman said, I felt myself break down even more.

"We put a crack in this world. A fatal fissure. 
One poke and it will shatter to pieces. All the demons will fie off. 
Just a bit more time until they're extinct. We can't turn back now. 
Eradication is the only option. Don't get in the way, Y/n,"
he told me.

I wanted to break down and cry, the pressure was coming down on me too much...
But I stood up straighter.

"No, Norman."
I stated. 

"Huh?!"

"I... I don't understand why we have to murder and go to war when there's no need at all! 
We personally don't want them annihilated.... and I... I don't want you to become a killer for it! That isn't the kind of person you are, N-Norman,"
I said, struggling to say his name without a tear slipping. 

"Y/n..."

I didn't stop. 
I couldn't... not until he agreed with us.

"Norman... let's find a way. Even if it's impossible. No matter how difficult it is, we can't give up! 
It's never too late!!"
I exclaimed.

"Y/n..."
he started again.

"I've decided...! That I won't let you kill yourself anymore. I won't let you go alone, not anymore, Norman."
I told him.

"What are you talking about? I said I won't go anywhere anymore,"
Norman said softly.

I grit my teeth. 
"I don't trust you, you liar!"
I said to which Vincent and Cislo's jaws dropped.

"Don't underestimate me, Norman! You're not fooling us, me again! 
We grew up together, we're family. I can see through you, you idiot.
You didn't answer me then. You're really suffering, aren't you?"
I said, hesitantly taking a few steps towards him.

"But because you're smart, you chose a path that was certain. 
And your kindness is making you shoulder all the burden. 
You don't want to annihilate them, do you? You don't want to massacre them. 
Don't lie, not to yourself. Tell us everything. What are you hiding? What are you afraid of?"
I asked him, now only a few steps away from him.

"Afraid?"
he asked.

I took a deep breath, clenching my hand into a fist.
"Norman, right now... you look like a small child, shaking in fear to me."
I said.

"Stay back. I've come this far. I don't intend to turn back,"
Norman said, holding out his arm to me.

I didn't stop, taking another step.
"No, I'm not letting you go."
I said, not stopping until I was right in front of him.

I took his hands in mine. 
"You're kinder and stronger than anyone. But you're also arrogant and a coward!!
Norman, can't you see? You're not alone... don't be scared, don't hesitate to believe in us. 
Share the suffering,,, the pain... the fear. Let us share the burden,"
I stated, a tear rolling down my face.

"Yeah, don't act cool. Don't keep it inside,"
Ray said, now beside me.

"Spew it all out!"
Emma said.

"You don't have to protect us! I don't want to walk behind you, I want to walk next to you!"
I continued.

"We're family, siblings and best friends. We don't want a future where you're going to suffer. 
No matter what result it brings. 
Tell us. What about you? What do you want to do, Norman?"
Ray said, which seemed to struck Norman as his face turned stunned.

He looked down, then pulled away from me.
My eyes widened slightly and my lip quivered.

"I can't. It's too late.
I'm already at a place where I can't go back. I don't deserve to walk next to you guys,"
he said.

"W-We know..."
I said softly.

"About to poison you spread in the castle town. And what you tried to do to Mujika and Sonju,"
Emma said.

"We also know about the experiments underground,"
Ray added.

"S-See? It's not too late.
We can all do something about it!! It's okay... if you're weak, if that's the real you.
We can waver, struggle, and laugh together."
I said softly.

"Let's live together, Norman!!"
We said in unison. 

"This time, for sure!!"

His expression broke and he pulled us all into a hug.
I held onto him tightly. 

"But it's just not possible. We don't have much time left.
I can't live with you..."
he slipped out of our arms and fell to his knees.

"...lp. Help me, Y/n... Emma... Ray,"
he cried, tears running down his face.

(Yes, this part broke me)

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7.12.2020
word count: 913