32} Action, Part 1

Book 4} Chapter 32
Action, Part 1
アクション、パート 1



{ Have I given up?
I don't even know.
In all honesty, I think I did.



Norman is gone.
He made me happy.
He gave me confidence.
But he's gone now.
S o I probably did. }


Emma spoke first, "Yeah, I haven't given up. You two haven't either, right?" she asked.
"Y-Yeah," I said, looking down.


"Yeah. So in the end, we're on the same page. We were planning the escape while pretending to have given up," Ray said.


"Let's run away, Ray. Y/n. I came here to talk to you about it," Emma said with a confident look on her face.


"Perfect timing. I wanted to talk to you two too. We couldn't tall for two months because we were worried Mom would see us," he said. When did this happen? Did they talk about something I didn't know about?


"Yeah. I just don't want Mom to figure out our true intentions," Emma said.


" 'Intentions'?" I asked softly.


"Yeah. Mom is tough to beat. We were always being watched. She never lets her guard down. Even though we were all doing nothing, Mom didn't stop watching us. She's really cautious. In that case, we could use that against her. If she was watching me... I could keep her eyes away from people who aren't me," Emma said.


"Don and Gilda, eh?"
"Even if Mom was watching us like a hawk, she only has two eyes. The more she guarded us, the less she watched the others. I left everything to them. Training and all of the preparations," Emma told us.


They had probably thought about this when I was asleep.


"And? How far along are you?" Ray asked her.


"Supplies, food, and warm clothes. Everything is ready. We can leave any day," she said, then gave me an apologetic look, knowing I was confused.


"That's pretty good," Ray said with a smile. "Now for the method. How will you run away?" He asked.


"I came up with a scheme. I have a plan. Let's run away from here tomorrow during the day," Emma said.


"Hold it. You're getting out during the day? That's crazy. The situation's different now. I think the escape should be at night. Sit. Hear me out," Ray told her.


Emma and I both sat down.
"Okay. Past the wall is a cliff. We can't go down it. If we're getting out, it's via the bridge. But there's only one bridge, and it's leading out of headquarters. That's the situation we're in right now. And there are two problems. Mom's watchful eyes and the security on the bridge," Ray explained.


"The problem with Mom's eyes..." I trailed off as I thought.
"Is that she is watching us and she'll always be holding one of the younger ones, right? She'll be doing that during the day, and at night, the babies are in Mom's room," I finished.


Ray nodded, "Right. That's why when we escape, we'll have to shake Mom off to run. And unless we separate the little ones and Mom... it'll be difficult to take everyone. Next, the security on the bridge," he said.


I nodded, signaling I knew what he would say, "It's the only way out, and I'm sure there's security there. Once they find out there's been an escape, the guards will rush there-- here. And even without that, it's at the edge of headquarters. Those monsters are going to be all over the place. W-which means it's over is Mom stops us. It's all over is Mom notifies headquarters about our escape. I-It's over if we're spotted on the bridge. A reasonable person would give up, it's impossible," I finished.


"So what we do?" I asked.


"I think this is the best answer," Ray said, taking out a box.
{ Oil? }
"We'll light the house on fire at night," he continued.


"You're going to start a fire?"
"You're a crazy genius," I muttered after Emma asked her question.
"That's right. When Mom is distracted putting it on... we'll lead everyone out, saying it's an evacuation. We also put some clay or something into the keyhole of the door that leads to the basement room. Then Mom won't be able to notify the headquarters. And headquarters will just think it's a fire. Not an escape," he said with a pause.


"Then the security won't be focused on the bridge! Well, at least for a while," I said with a smile.
"And at night, it'll be easier to hide. So the escape should be at night. I also prepared something as a bonus. Ten molotovs. They're hidden behind rocks in the forest," Ray said with a smile, his eyes meeting mine.


"M-Molotovs?!" Emma exclaimed causing us to look away from each other and at her.


"Don't take my six years of preparation lightly. We'll throw those molotovs into the plants next door on the way to the bridge. If it goes well, there will be another fire to make security even scarcer. Since it's nighttime, no one will be in the forest. No one will die," he said, our eyes then staying connected.


I nodded, "So forget tomorrow. Let's run away tonight," he said, the look on his face convincing as he neared us.
"Can you do it?" he asked us.
"Don and Gilda are probably still awake. The other siblings are ready. They've trained to run in file. And Y/n, your leg?" he asked.


In all honesty, it wasn't good. I overworked it. But, to not drag us down, I decided to lie.
"It's good!" I said standing up to show them, I tried not to wince.


"Then let's put the plan into action right now," he said, opening the light fuel. He spread it around the floor, "Ray..." Emma started.
"Don't worry," he said.
"The dining hall is the farthest from everyone's bedrooms. Everyone will be able to escape before they get trapped," he added.


"Watch out," he told me, pushing me back slightly so I didn't get my shoes in the fuel.
"To tell you guys the truth... I'm still against the idea of taking everyone. I think it's impossible. Especially with us being surrounded by cliffs. I thought you should only take Don and Gilda. I believe that would be the best thing to do. You should at least leave the babies behind. For your sake... and theirs," he said making my expression turn into a sad one.


"But, Emma, you won't listen even if I stop you. And it's better than having you stay behind and not escape," he paused.
"Much better. That's why I won't say anything more. It's your decision in the end," he finished.


He looked in confusion, "What are you two doing? Go tell Don and Gilda," he said as he dropped the light fuel onto the ground.
"Hey, Ray. I'm worried about something," Emma said, stepping up.


"Even if we start a fire... what is Mom decides to abandon the building? She might give up on putting out the fire and refuse to take her eyes off us, the merchandise," Emma said, her expression showing her worry.


"You realized that eh? Yeah. You're exactly right. There's a good possibility of that happening. Just starting a fire won't be enough. If we stop Mom for sure... there won't be an opportunity to shake her off. But no worries, I've thought of that," he said as he picked up the light fuel.


"It's simple. I just have to do this," he said, opening it.
"Ray..." I started.
Then he poured the remains on himself.
"Ray?!" I exclaimed, my heart started to race.
"Isn't it awesome? The perfect score with the set shipment date will burn up. She won't be able to abandon me. I've been waiting for this day," he commented as he dropped the bottle.


"I decided this a long time ago. Years. Many years ago. A childish realization. You know what, Emma, Y/n? I've never really been interested in studying or reading. But I endured it. I worked hard to improve... my value. To the highest, it could be! Twelve years. I'm the feast that they've been waiting and waiting for," he said with a smirk.


" And I'm going to take that away from them tonight. Right before the harvest, they've been looking forward to! Don't think you can eat me. Don't think you can serve me. Food? Merchandise? I don't give a crap! I'm a human being! Serves them right!" he exclaimed.


"And this is fine. This is the best way. I've watched my family die all these years. I used them. They were all good kids. They were kind-hearted," he said with a sad look on his face.


"Ray, wait--" I said, getting closer to him.
"Don't move," he said, holding out his hand to stop me.


"Listen. You guys only have one chance. Make this work. Don't waste my life or Norman's life. I beg of you two," he said with a serious gaze.
"Oh, I almost forgot. This is for the two of you," he told us, handing it to me.


Emma and I looked through it. Pictures of us...
"This..." I muttered tears started to form in my eyes.


"I took these with the camera I got as a reward. Since there's no flash, they're a bit dark," he informed us. I continued to look through it.
{ Pictures of the family. Of everyone... }


I looked at the one of Emma, Norman, and I. Emma was putting his hands in front of her face, Norman was smiling at her, and I was hugging Norman from behind.


The clock then bonged, showing it was midnight. Ray took out a match and lit it on fire.
"It's time. I'm now 12 years old. It was a life I wanted to curse... but the time I spent with you, Emma, and Norman was really fun," he said with a smile.


"No, please don't. Ray," I said, trying to reach out to her.
"Thank you. Goodbye, Emma, Y/n," he said with a smile.


Then, dropping the match, the place lit on fire.
"RAAAYYY!" I yelled as Emma pulled me back.




11/18/19
Word Count: 1669

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