Book 4} Chapter 27
Won't Let You Die
お前を死なせない

"Norman. Escape by yourself tomorrow afternoon," Ray said.
"Sorry, I can't do that--"
"Denied," we told him in unison.

"To be accurate, I want you to pretend that you've escaped. You'll nullify the tracking device and pretend to have escaped. But you'll hide in that area until Y/n's leg is healed," Ray said.

"And on that day we escape, you'll run away with us!" Emma exclaimed.

"Until then you'll be someone who's gone, so you can inspect the vicinity all you want. And we won't have the problem of how to meet up after we get out," Ray explained furthermore.

"But even if it's not true, once I run away, the security will get tighter," Norman replied.
"That won't be a problem. Judging from the house's policies, security won't increase much," Ray told him.

"Policies?"
"One, to let us grow freely and healthily. And two, confidentially. The first point is because it's best suited to develop our brains. Other than studying... in order to grow and develop our brains, exercise and love are essential. The minimum requirement for the merchandise that Grace Field House produces is healthy children with rich emotions who grew up freely," he said holding up his thumb.

Then he added his pointer finger, "It's the same thing with the second point, confidentiality. They don't show themselves. Because if they did, the children might run. That's why they hide themselves, use human adults and make them play house," Ray informed.

"So here's the thing. They can't confine us with stricter rules... or take measures to prevent escape that will make the house look threatening. And they can't make the wall higher because the children will be able to see it from afar. If they were to tighten security, all they could do would be to increase patrolling or caretakers. We can deal with it if it's just that. No. We will deal with it!" Ray said, trying to convince Norman.

"Even so, if they make the wall high enough that we can't climb it with a rope... How are we going to go over it next time?" Norman asked.
"You can hide and make a ladder or something," Ray replied with gritted teeth.

"What if they change the tracking device to a more complex one?" Norman asked. He didn't want to risk it was my guess.

"Even if they implant new ones, next time we'll know where they are. We'll just have to take them out! It won't work since we already know about the tracking devices. You know this! So stop asking pointless questions! Anyway, you don't have to die! It's a trap to think that the only option for you is to get shipped out!" Ray yelled.

"I'll supply your food. We'll keep you hidden for sure! We can more or less deal with tighter security! I still have a Trump Card to outwit Mom! So live! Pretend to run away... and with this method--"
"I can't. I can't do it. It won't work," he said with made my heart break. He wasn't just gonna give up, was he?

"It's not just the security. If I escape, one of you might get shipped out in my place. To have one of you get killed instead of me? I absolutely don't want that," he told us.
He then smiled, but instead of making me happy, it made me sad.

"Thanks. It's okay. I'm prepared for it," he said, looking up. Then he looked down. "Tomorrow's shipment can't be helped. I'll give them my life. But I won't give them anything else. I have no intent of losing. I will win! I'll make sure the escape plan succeeds!" he said, looking up once again.

"That'll be enough. It's fine."
{ It's not fine! I know Norman doesn't want to die. I won't let him die. I won't. }

"You can't be serious. If so... what was I working on for the last six years?" Ray asked, I could hear the pain in his voice as I was quiet.

"Sorry," Norman replied.
"Then Ray and I could break our leg too," Emma said. We turned to her.
"It's okay, right? Come on, Ray, let's break a bone or two," she said with a smile.

"Emma, what are you saying?" I asked with confusion.
"You know, since you're hurt so badly I don't think you'd get shipped out in Norman's place. Remember what the demons said at the gate? We're high-grade merchandise. And also special. When we go out, we have to be in perfect form. So if someone were to take Norman's place, it'd be either Ray or me. That's why if Ray and I were hurt badly as well, we wouldn't get shipped out immediately," she explained.

"That's ridiculous," Norman said. It is, but it makes sense.
Ray cracked up laughing, "That's a great idea! All right, let's get crackin'. But don't you think my arm will suffice?" Ray asked, putting his arm out.

"Oh, right! Then it's decided! Let's break an arm!" Emma said. The whole thing making me laugh.
Norman's eyes widened, "No. Wait. It's not guaranteed that you won't get shipped out if you get hurt," he said.

"Then catch a horrible cold!" Emma ordered.

Norman looked even more shocked.
"The demons won't eat me if I'm ill, eh?" Ray said.
"Breaking your arm will be super painful and it'll be exhausting to be sick, but you're okay with it, right?" Emma asked.
"But..."
"And if that won't work, we'll think of something else. I'll do anything!" I chimed in.

"What? You guys are crazy to do all of this," Norman said.
"What are you talking about? It's way better than having you die, Norman," I said.
"Do you remember what you said? "We'll all escape from here together." If you're not part of all of us, I won't accept it! I don't care about an unexpected shipment of Mom's circumstances. There's never been an option to die from the beginning!" Emma said with confidence and worry.

I put my hand on Norman's shoulder, "Don't worry. We'll all escape from here together. Let's live together," I said softly.
"Yeah..." he said as we all huddled together gently.

"Then it's set. Tomorrow you'll pretend you've climbed the wall and escaped," Ray said after a while.
"And I'll also inspect the vicinity. It's better to take care of it while security is still light," Norman added.
"Right," I muttered.
"There's another thing that's on my mind. By the way, I'm also wondering about something related to you, Ray. I think I asked you before, but..." Norman trailed off.

"Hm?"
"When and how did you find out about the secret? Because normally there'd be no way to find out. The truth about the house... How and when did you know?" he asked.
Ray smirked, "Ah, that. I knew... from the beginning."

11/17/19
Word Count: 1130