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Chapter Text

"Emma, you're already ten. You're a big girl now, aren't you?"

"Even though I act like a five year old?"

Isabella smiled as she combed through Emma's hair, easing the tangles without causing her any pain.

"You know, Emma. I've heard that you might find a family soon."

"Eeeeeh?"

"You're not happy about that?"

The child snuggled closer to her. "I'm not sure, Mama. If I get adopted and go out, I can finally ride a giraffe, but-"

"But?"

"I don't want to leave this place." Emma was already tearing up. "Norman and Ray and Gilda and Phil and….and even you, Mama!"

Isabella's eyes softened. "Tell you what, I might be able to help you with that."

"Really? I can stay here?"

"Not quite, love. You'll have to work very hard, but then you can come back here and help me with the orphanage." Isabella smiled. "Would you like to be my assistant, Emma?"

The little girl's eyes were wide, joyous, already anticipating a longer time with the people she loved.

"Yes!"

"Then I will put in a good word for you, my Emma." Isabella pinched her cheek softly. "And someday, you'll make a splendid Mama."

"I will try my best!" Emma grinned. "Thanks Mama! You're the best!"

*****************

"Norman… don't cry.." Emma cooed.

Norman got adopted, and now Norman was leaving. She had begged Isabella to let him stay too, Norman was kind and sweet and would be an amazing Mama.

"Norman… You can visit me anytime, you know?" She tried to keep the misery out of her voice. "I'll always be here, so when you grow up, don't forget me.."

"I'll come see you." Norman promised. "I'll miss you so, Emma."

"I'll miss you too."

"You'll be a splendid Mama. When I grow up, I'll come back and support you all the way."

Emma couldn't hold back her tears any longer. She sobbed into Norman's chest as the boy tenderly wrapped his arms around the shaking girl.

"Promise you won't be like Ray?" She muttered. "He's never sent even a single letter.."

"I won't be able to forget you even if I wanted to, Emma" Norman's eyes were heavy with emotion. "You're special to me. And I've always kept my promises so far, haven't I?"

"Once you write to me, I'll know your address, so I'll write to you too!" Emma promised. "And once I'm an adult, even if you have forgotten me, I'll come find you. Both you and Ray."

"I'll be counting on you." He smiled, and in a swift motion, pressed his lips against her forehead.

He pulled her into a tight hug, and let her go only when Mama patiently tapped him on his shoulder.

"It's time, Norman."

He looked back at her, affecting cheerfulness. "I'm ready, Mama."

Norman looked smart and strong in his suit, stronger than he has ever looked before.

Emma blinked her tears away. He was starting a new chapter in his life. She wanted to see him off smiling.

He looked back at her one last time, smiling through his tears, and she realised that he shared the sentiment.

Mama led him out the door, and Emma quietly went back to her room, counting the number of days left till she turned twelve.

Chapter Text

Wearing the coat and the hat made her feel just a little braver, as if they were her armour.

"Emma-" Gilda hadn't let go of her hand all day. "Emma… you'll come back, right? I'll see you again, right?"

"Of course!" Emma grinned. "After I complete my training let's all have a get together! Mama will make one of her delicious cakes, right Mama?"

Isabella kept a doting smile on her face. "Of course" she said. "I'll be overjoyed to see all my children again."

"Don't worry Mama. I'll drag Ray and Norman and Connie and everyone back too"

Isabella cupped the cheeks of the youngster, who had suddenly grown sullen.

"Whats wrong, Emma?"

"Norman didn't write either." She sighed. "He had promised me."

"It's only been a few months, love." Isabella's hands moved from Emma's cheeks to her collar, straightening it. "You know how sickly Norman is. I'm sure he will send you a letter as soon as he is able to."

"Norman is sick? Can I go see him?" Emma's voice was punctuated by distress.

"After your training is done, Emma." She cooed. "I promise. After your training is done."

**********************

The gate looked even bigger than she remembered. It opened with a mighty creak, and while Isabella walked into it without hesitation, Emma was struck immobile by sudden dread.

Something bad was going to happen.

Every fibre of her being was telling her to run, hide, escape.

"Emma?" Isabella called from somewhere within the darkness. Emma swallowed, pat her cheeks, and walked in.

"I'm coming, Mama-"

In a wider portion of the tunnel, there was a flicker of light from a lamp that looked too ancient to recognize. Under it's uneven light stood Isabella and a strange woman.

The woman had slightly malicious smile on her face, and was decked in a long crimson dress. Emma's attention, however, was stolen by the woman's hair. It was white.

It was her first time seeing someone so old.

"Emma, say hello to Grandmother." Isabella said softly. "She is going to mould you into a perfect Mama, just like she did me."

The woman's smile grew wider. "Pleasure to meet you, Emma."

Emma smiled back brightly, despite a nagging feeling that this woman was bad news.

Grandmother came closer, and took a lock of Emma's hair in her hands. She pinched her cheeks, made her turn around. "Impressive product, as always." She snickered. "Good job, Isabella."

"Always an honour." Isabella smiled.

Product?

"Now, Emma. Do you understand what you are going to do?"

Emma looked at Isabella cheerfully. "I'm gonna become a Mama, just like my Mama!"

Isabella smiled, taking of Emma's hat and ruffling her hair. Emma was puzzled, until Isabella's right hand clasped itself on her arm stronger than she had ever experienced before.

"Mama?"

"Shh."

Grandmother had walked to a dark corner by then, and appeared to be having a conversation with someone.

"Mama? Whats going on?"

"You're so lucky, Emma. You're getting a chance."

"A chance for what?"

Her throat went dry when Grandmother started walking back, and the light fell on her companion.

It was massive, hulking, with long arms and a disproportionate mouth. Horns came out of what could be it's face haphazardly, and there was saliva dripping continuously from a lip. It held a wilted flower in its hand almost delicately, but was no less fearsome.

Emma screamed, tried to run, but Isabella held her in place. "Demon!" She howled. "Mama! MAMA ITS A DEMON-"

Slap!

She recoiled from Isabella, shocked, stunned at the physical pain. Her Mama's other hand still held her firm.

"Hush, Emma." Isabella smiled. "Today, you learn the truth. And you make a choice."

Isabella held her down as Grandmother told her everything. About the demons, about how they were cattle-children. That every sibling who had been adopted had walked through this very path to their deaths.

"But you, Emma. You are special."

"What…do you mean?"

"Emma, I was like you once. Grandmother was the one who saw potential in me." Isabella spoke with a kindness that couldn't be sensed from her iron grip. "She offered me a choice. Die now, worthlessly, or become a Mama and stay alive."

"I'm offering you the same choice, Emma" Grandmother said. The demon behind her made a sound like a chuckle.

Emma knew that it was visioning itself gorging on her flesh. But-

"I would rather die." She spat out. "I can never be like you, Mama! You're a traitor! You're cruel! You're the worst!"

Isabella's eyes narrowed in irritation. "You don't understand, Emma." She whispered. "I love all my children. I make sure that they are living their best lives until it is their time. You lived better than many others of your kind."

"Isabella is right." Grandmother sneered. "There are cattle children who are tied to a chair and fattened till they are ripe. There are cattle children who are mindless existences, without a hint of a soul. We make sure you live happily, freely, until it's time for you to fulfil your purpose."

"Its still…cruel." Emma sobbed. "Ray…Norman…and everyone else… if you loved them how could you do this?"

Isabella and Grandma exchanged a look, and the latter gave a small nod.

Kneeling in front of the trembling girl, Isabella pulled her into a hug. Emma fought to free herself, but the woman was stronger and brought her close enough to whisper in her ear.

"Norman is still alive."

Chapter Text

"Norman is… alive?"

"Yes. And remember what I promised you, my dear?" Isabella asked, still holding her close.

Emma swallowed. "You'll... Let me see him? Once training is done?"

"That's the plan, Emma."

It seemed too good to be true.

"Why?"

"Couldn't it be that I simply wish for your happiness?"

Emma pulled back from her embrace, glaring at her.

"Why?" She pressed.

Grandmother burst out laughing. "Extraordinary! This one has more fight in her than you did, Bella!" She moved towards Emma, slowly, and in one swift motion, had her fingers around her neck.

As Emma struggled to breathe, the demon behind them grew more restless.

"Lesson number one, Emma. You don't ask questions. Ever." All hints of joking had disappeared from Grandmother's voice. "You listen. You obey. That's how you stay alive long enough to meet your precious friend."

She let the child go, and Emma coughed roughly as her body adjusted to air once again.

"What do you choose, Emma?" Grandmother had one arm stretched in front of the demon, the only thing preventing it from pouncing on her.

Emma thought through her options.

It was a closed space, and she would definetly not be able to escape. On the other hand, if she made a deal with the devil..

Norman.

She could meet him again. And they could plan an escape. Together.

Determinedly, she bowed down to the two women in front of her. "Please" she whispered "I wish to live on."

"Excellent" Grandmother smiled, and held out a wrinkly hand. "Come with me then, little one."

Hesitantly, Emma took the old woman's arm. The demon seemed irritated, but obedient nevertheless.

"Goodbye, Emma!" Isabella called from behind.

Emma never turned to look.

*********************

Grandmother guided her inside a vehicle. It was her first time seeing a truck, and despite the novelty, Emma couldn't enjoy it.

"Grandmother? May I ask a question?" She whispered, bracing herself for another punishment.

The woman sighed and shifted in her seat, moving so as to be able to see Emma's face better. "I trust you will make better judgements about your questions now, Emma."

"I'm sorry for my impudence earlier." She said. "I fully realise what position I'm in now, and I'm grateful that I can keep living." She pressed her fingers together, "Even if it's like this."

Grandmother seemed to peer into her soul.

"Very well, Emma." She allowed. "What is your question?"

"Where I'm going.... Will there be others like me?"

"Of course. There will be many other girls over twelve years of age, all vying for the position of a Mama." Grandmother sounded almost proud. "You'll be competing against atleast 20 others, Emma. You must crush all of them if you want to see Norman again."

"Crush?"

"Your position is not guaranteed just because you were chosen, dear girl. Only four high level plantations exist. We only need four Mamas. And their ready replacements, if something goes wrong."

"What happens if you're not able to become a Mama?"

The demon chuckled in response, and Emma realised that it was listening. It was intelligent.

"Then, you become food again." Grandmother said without any hesitation. "Mature meat isn't for everyone, but since all trainies are the cream of the crop, customers are still willing to pay a high price."

Emma cringed at her referring to demons as customers. It made them sound so human.

Grandmother had noticed her change of expression.

"Anything else, Emma?"

Emma digged her fingernails into her palms, trying to calm down.

"One more question."

"Yes?" Grandmother prodded, her gaze unwavering.

Emma met her eyes. "What do I have to do to become a Mama?" She asked.

Grandmother sighed. "Didn't I tell you? Defeat the competition. Do all the tasks-"

"What else do I have to do?"

Emma's eyes were burning with purpose. The older woman smiled, and leaned in closer.

"Don't make friends. Don't form attachments. Show that you're kind. Show that you're resourceful." She whispered. "All those girls there are lost and afraid, just like you. Become their guide. Become the one they trust the most. Then use it for your win."

"So I should become their Mama."

"That's a nice way to put it." Grandmother snickered. "Show the overseers that you're already a perfect candidate. That you're a natural at deception. Isabella has told me how kind you are, Emma. That kindness will be your weapon."

"…He'll be disappointed in me" Emma muttered.

Grandmother hesitated, but slowly put her palm on the child's head, massaging it softly. A feigned kindness. Emma realised that this was what they were looking for- a kindness that makes the other feel that they are special to you. Makes them trust you. Breaks them when they realise it was all a chore to you.

"He would be happier that you've stayed alive"

Grandmother was speaking as if she knew Norman personally. It got on Emma's nerves, but the woman's voice and her touch were so warm; so convincing.

"Yes, Grandmother." She said, easing into the touch.

*******************

Somewhere along the trip, she had fallen asleep.

She knew she was dreaming, because Norman and Ray were sitting beside her on the Grace Field lawn. Ray was immersed in a book as usual, and Norman was relaxing, his head on her shoulders. She could see Mama at a distance, combing Gilda's hair while Phil and some other smaller kids pulled on her skirt for attention.

Isabella stopped what she was doing to look at her, and smiled. "Whats wrong, Emma?"

"Nothing" she called back. There was a shuffling sound of movement beside her, and somehow both Ray's and Norman's hands had found one of her's. They were looking at her, concerned.

"I'm okay." She whispered, her voice trembling ever so slightly.

They had moved even closer to her, their sides touching her's, and she thought Ah. This is the real warmth of love.

Everything else might have been a farce in that house, but this… this love, it was real.

She glanced at Ray from the corner of her eyes. He was still eyeing the pages of his book, but there was a slight furrow on his forehead. A little sign that showed her that he was worrying for her too. Norman was more unabashed of showing what he felt.

But years of knowing the black haired boy had taught her to read every slight change in his expressions with accuracy.

And she would never be able to do that again.

"Ray-" she said softly, and waited till he reached a suitable point in his book, closed it, and turned to her, giving her his full attention.

"Hm?"

"I'll never forget you."

The Ray her mind had conjured up acted just as he would have in real life. She was proud of how well she knew him. But right now, that accuracy made it even more heartbreaking to accept that this was just a dream.

He got flustered, chastising her to stop acting as if he's going to die. Hit her head with his book, albeit softly, teasingly. All through the act, he had a smile he couldn't hide, a smile filled with so much adoration that it hurt her to look. It hurt her to accept that even though she had a choice, he was driven to death.

Norman laughed softly by her other side, and it was to him that she turned next.

"I'll definetly come see you again." She said resolutely. "So wait for me. Okay?"

Norman squeezed her hand. "I will be waiting." He smiled contently.

Among Ray's mutterings of How come he gets to live? Emma pulled them into a bear hug, relishing the warmth as much as possible.

Before she had to return to reality once again.

Chapter Text

The training ground was nothing like she imagined.

Emma had envisioned a bare building, sans any luxury she had enjoyed back in Grace Field. What greeted her was a house that looked eerily similar to the place she had just left.

"Surprised?" Grandmother placed a hand on the small of her back, gently prodding her to walk into the building. "This design is common for almost every institution. Not very creative, our superiors."

It looked so similar that Emma half expected Isabella and the other children to come out and greet her. Instead she saw many girls her age and older, standing silently here and there like decoration. They all had the same, lifeless eyes.

But then again, so did she.

"Your room will be E53" Grandma told her. "The food timings are the same as what you had at Grace Field. Every time a buzzer rings, make your way outside. Your first lessons will be held there."

"….Thank you" Emma forced those words out, and it sickened her to be indebted to someone like them. But this was her only chance-

Grandmother smiled, and pulled the girl into an embrace. "Good luck, Emma" She said. "I hope you survive. I really do."

**********************

The training was nothing special. Nothing she couldn't handle.

Sewing. Cooking. Combat. First aid. Psychology. Maths. Physical endurance training. Within a few weeks, Emma's talents had already been noticed.

They were almost always watched by masked humans simply known as the overseers. They stepped in when someone broke the rules or got out of hand. Otherwise they were silent, immobile and almost seamlessly blended into the background. She knew they were also tasked with evaluating her and the other trainees, so she made sure to be on her best behaviour in front of them.

She kept a smile on her face at all times, even to those who regarded her with jealousy and disgust. She was disgusted at herself as well.

Clinging on to life even though so many of my family died.

Disgusting.

It almost seemed unfair, the level of advantage she had over the other trainees. She was a full scorer, already a step above the rest, and though she was neck and neck with Norman and Ray, here her superhuman abilities became even more apparent.

This earned her enemies. But also a few lackeys.

She had started small, taking care of a few girls. Giving them pointers and suggestions until they started coming to her willingly, asking for her help. She attracted those who were unsure, afraid and in need of shelter. Somewhere along the line, she learnt to care without letting people into her heart.

It helped that they were forbidden to call each other by name. All they were now were numbers.

Emma noticed that the owls were cameras a few weeks after moving in. They seemed to be everywhere, and the next time Grandmother visited, she mentioned it to her casually.

"You shouldn't think too much." The lady scolded, but Emma noticed an amused twinkle in her eyes.

**************************

She was fifteen the first time they decided to eliminate the lower ranks.

She had heard a scream while pinning down an opponent in combat training, only to see a familiar girl- one of her acquaintances- crumbled on the floor. As she watched, a masked humanoid creature walked towards the fallen girl and observed her closely, pulling out her hands and tracing the shape of her head.

"Satisfactory." The being smirked, and the girl began screaming yet again. "Have her sent to my place. Alive."

Emma knew it was a demon, even though it was nowhere near the likes of the one Grandmother had brought to intimidate her. This being looked calmer, more human, but the similarity made it all the more frightening.

"That's Lord Bayon" her opponent had gotten back on her feet. She was an older girl, someone who had been there longer than others, and Emma had sought her out the second day itself.

"Is he famous?"

"He's the main overseer of the major plantations, so he gets to do whatever he wants." The girl whispered conspirationally. "They say he gets live humans just so he can chase and kill them himself."

Emma and the rest watched as the demon gingerly picked up the screaming girl and carried her off into another room.

Emma's body reacted before she could think. The captured girl's images flooded her mind, and every detail was crystal clear. Every smile. Every time Emma beat her in a fight, and she stood up again, trying her best nevertheless.

Emma still didn't know her name, but even so-

"LET HER G-"

The overseers caught her before she could follow them. By the time Lord Bayon turned back upon hearing the commotion, she was already restrained.

He handed over his prize to another overseer, and slowly walked towards Emma. He extended his arm, slowly dragging a sharp finger over her right cheek. A trickle of blood followed his movement.

The demon brought his finger to his face, and a thick pointed tongue slithered out to lick it.

"Delicious." He muttered.

"Lord Bayon." Grandmother appeared from the shadows, a service smile permanently plastered on her face. "I must ask you not to hurt our girls."

"This one. May I have her?"

"I'm afraid Emma is a prime candidate, my Lord."

"Pity" he chuckled, turning back to Emma. "You would make a better fighter than a nanny."

Emma glared at him for all she was worth, and tried not to let him see how shaken she was. She wanted to scream at him, order him to let the girl go, but her body had forgotten how to form words.

She could do nothing but allow the overseers to drag her after Grandmother into her room, Bayon watching her all the way.

**********************

"That was brilliant, Emma." Grandmother roared with amusement. "Absolutely brilliant! You've won over all of them now!"

Emma was confused, and it showed. Grandmother only became even more giddy upon noticing this.

"You're a natural." She complimented. "You might have done it unawares, but you've definetly won over the few enemies you still had! You cunning little girl!"

"That's not what I- I just…"

"You just reacted?"

"Yes."

"Do you really believe that?" The old woman walked nearer, and softly laced her fingers through Emma's orange curls. "You don't need to pretend with me, Emma."

"I'm telling the truth. It never even-"

"Never even crossed your mind? Oh I'm sure."

Emma gritted her teeth in anger. "I'm not like you."

"On the contrary, my dear." Grandmother said, pulling her hand away. "You remind me so much of myself that it's eerie."

Emma turned her head defiantly. "May I go now?"

"Of course." The lady said. "But ask yourself this, Emma. Are you acting out of kindness or self preservation?"

"Good bye, Grandmother." She kept her voice monotonous, careful to not betray the sudden dread occupying her mind.

For the first time in her life, Emma was questioning her own motives.

Chapter Text

It wasn't the first time Emma had cried herself to sleep, but no other night had been this bad. The fact that she didn't even know the poor girl's name hit hard, and she regretted this facade where she pretended to keep people at distance and still got irreparably attached.

It was still dark outside when her nightmares woke her up.

This had been happening far too often recently- the image of her family, lying cold and dead on decorative plates, now accompanied by the nameless girl as well.

She needed some fresh air.

Quietly slipping into her shoes, she stole past the sleeping overseers (though she was sure they were only pretending) and went outside, to the only tree standing proud on the meadow. There was an owl perched on a branch, regarding her coldly. She ignored it, and proceeded to sprawl under the tree. Her night escapades had become almost routine, and no one had stopped her- yet.

The stars were visible through slight gaps in the canopy, and she was immediately taken back to her time in Grace Field, where they held night picnics without Mama noticing.

Though now she wondered if they were really being as secretive as they thought. She hated the thought of Mama allowing them those tiny snippets of happiness out of pity.

Isabella had played them so well. And now they expected the same from her.

Emma covered her face with her hands and let out a sob. Inside the house, she would be brave Emma, kind Emma, cheerful Emma who cheers everyone on. She could grieve only when she was alone.

Such a pitiful existence.

"Norman.." she cried.

Where are you now? Are you also training? Are you also waiting to see me again?

The leaves rustled, and suddenly there was someone on the grass beside her.

She hadn't noticed the lanky girl until she got too close. It threw her off a bit- that even with all the hide and seek she played with Norman and Ray, she still couldn't sense this person.

"43161" She acknowledged her companion, the older girl who had been by her side when Bayon-

She shuddered at the memory. That demon had unsettled more than anything else in this twisted world.

"…you were pretty brave back then." 43161 complimented, making herself at home beside her. But her words felt empty. Worthless.

"I couldn't do anything."

"You tried. Which is more than what any of us have done."

"She's still going to die."

They sat in uncomfortable silence, until Emma spoke again.

"Is it true? Is he going to hunt her for sport?"

"That's what I heard." 43161 affirmed. "Apparently, it's a favourite pastime for the noble customers. He probably has to pull a lot of strings to be awarded that privilege, though."

"And you heard this…from?"

43161 came closer. "The Overseers. They're not as slick as they fancy they are." She giggled. "Most of them get bored and crack some time or another. And they don't really notice me, so I come to know a lot of stuff."

"Stuff?"

"Like you." 43161 whispered. "I knew that you would be coming a few days before you set foot here. Everyone was buzzing about it. It was all they'd talk about."

"Why?" Emma pondered. She couldn't deny that she was talented, but simply that wouldn't be enough to cause an uproar.

"I thought you might know. I've been wanting to ask since you came." The other girl admitted shyly. "All I could gather was that you were supposed to be some sort of a missing piece. That you were indispensable for something."

"But what would-"

"Hush" 43161 warned, and in one swift motion, threw a rock, immobilising a second owl that perched on the tree. The contraption fell down, sparks buzzing angrily and the real bird watched, curious.

"Nice aim."

"Thanks, though that's about all I can do."43161 answered. She hesitated, then thrust out her hand. "Malorie."

Emma stared at it. "We're not allowed to speak our names."

"You're the only one who sticks to that rule." Malorie shrugged.

"For a good reason."

"Let me put it this way, I want to know your name." The girl pushed. "I plan on being a Mama, and so I want to be on good terms with a person who is basically guaranteed to be a colleague."

"So, not friendship?"

"I'm not hoping for that much." Malorie confessed. "I propose something mutually beneficial. My association with you, a prime candidate, will bring more attention to myself. And you-" she softened her voice. "I will tell you everything I hear. Every bit of information that comes my way."

Emma considered her options. Grandmother's blind preference towards her had set off alarm bells from the start, and in a place where she didn't know friend from foe, any information would be indispensable.

"Emma" she returned the favour, giving her a firm handshake. "But the moment you lie to me, I am telling Grandmother about you."

"I never lie." Malorie hissed. The threat seemed to work. It irked Emma that people thought she and Grandmother were so close. She had noticed the special treatment awarded to her, so much so that it seemed almost unfair. But to think it was for some sinister reason-

Of course it was for a reason. She thought, sighing. Every move was made for a reason in this selfish world.

"Thank you for telling me, Malorie." She turned to the girl with a smile.

Malorie shook her head. "No. You don't have to. To be honest, I was extremely jealous of you-" her head drooped in shame. "I still am. I feel like it's unfair that you are basically guaranteed to live."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't apologise. That makes it worse." Malorie sighed. "I wish I could hate you, Emma. But you're a good person."

"I left my family behind to come here." Emma said softly. "I left them to die."

"We all did."

A stray finger inched towards Emma's and she slowly laced it with one of her's. It was a small comfort, but pleasing all the same. 

********************

"Other people have already found out that the owls are cameras."

"My, Emma." Grandmother smiled from her chair. "Are you helping us out?"

It had become almost a weekly routine. Grandmother would visit the training ground and call her up to her study. The rest of the day she would be made to entertain the old woman as she peered at her like a piece of meat.

"No, just making a comment." Emma said. "I'm sure you already knew that."

"That I did."

"So you know what I do at night."

"Right upto where you destroy our poor birds, yes."

"And yet you're not stopping us."

Grandmother took a long sip from her cup, making a content purr at the end. "What can you do?"

"What?"

"You're powerless, Emma. Even if you manage to rile the whole group against us." She said nonchalantly. "Dare to do that, and we kill everyone. Not you, Emma. By now your friend must have told you how valuable you are." She put the cup down with a resounding click. "But everyone else will die, and their blood will be on your hands, darling."

Emma realised that not all of the information Malorie overheard was by chance. They used her.

"And meeting Norman?"

"That will proceed as planned." Grandmother reached out to take her hands and held them together roughly. "We have a personal stake in that, after all."

Emma's eyes widened in shock. "What do you mean-"

"You'll know when it's time, love." Grandmother muttered, holding her palms tighter. "Now run along and play with your friend. Make sure to impress us, Emma."

Two Overseers appeared, holding the struggling girl by hand and pulling her forcefully out of the office.

"Wait- tell me what- what are you up to-"

"Well, dear" Grandmother turned her face away, pulling out a large book and proceeding to start her work. "If I told you so easily, I wouldn't be much of a villian, now would I?"

Emma's protests were silenced as the doors closed, and the lady turned her eyes to a photo propped up on her table.

"Soon, my child." She whispered.

Chapter Text

Everytime Emma questioned why she was still living, Norman's face popped up in her mind.

It kept her going. Her dependence was almost unhealthy, but it kept her going.

By the time she turned 18, losing her fellow candidates to Lord Bayon and the rest had become almost commonplace. New faces showed up and left almost as soon as they came.

But tomorrow, Malorie was graduating.

"Two more years, Emma." She said softly. They were under the tree- their tree, and Emma was braiding her friend's dark brown hair.

"I'll catch up to you soon, Malorie."

"I'll be waiting."

Even after Emma finished her task, she held the braid in her hands, almost as if she were scared of letting go. Malorie noticed the heaviness in the air.

"You know, Emma. There was a girl I loved. Back at the house I was from."

"Hm?"

"I came here chasing her." Malorie chuckled. "She was older, you see. And my Mama knew I adored her. She used her to egg me on. But-"

"But?"

Malorie turned to her with cloudy eyes. "I was too late. By the time I arrived, she was already-"

"Oh, Malorie-" Emma hugged her, recognising the feeling all too well.

But Norman was still alive.

And Ray-

"I lost my best friend too." She confessed. "He was smart, and bookish, and liked to tease me but-"

"No, Emma." Malorie interrupted. "Not as a friend. I was in love with her."

Emma was taken aback by her frankness.

Love? She lost the person she loved?

"What about you, Emma?" Malorie pressed. "You always mention this…Norman person."

"He's my best friend" Emma said without hesitation. "Him.. and Ray. Though I can't see Ray anymore."

"I'm sorry."

"No, we're both hurting" Emma gave a pained smile. "What was she like, this person you loved?"

Malorie leaned back, her lips twisting into a sad smile. "She was a bundle of energy. Always the centre of a group. A troublemaker. Kind, and cheerful, and the best runner I had ever known. I would've followed her to the ends of the earth."

"And in a way, you did."

"But you see, I had always told myself that I was doing this for her. Siding with the enemy. Leaving my family behind. It was all to chase after the one I love." Malorie sighed. "But even when I came here and realised she was no more, I couldn't find it in myself to die."

Emma listened silently. Despite many years of companionship, this was their first time talking about themselves.

Through the years, Grandmother had stopped sending owls after them. She reckoned they were still being watched, albeit at a distance. Still, she scanned the area, not wanting the enemy to learn something so personal, so intimate, no matter how lacklustre they might have considered the information to be.

"I had used her as an excuse to lie to myself, Emma." Malorie whispered. "I wanted the benefits while still being on the 'good' side. I was just a coward scared of the truth of the world I was thrust into."

"It's normal to not want to die, isn't it?" Emma offered.

"You're scared too?"

"Terrified."

"Would you have chosen to come even if you hadn't learnt that your friend was still alive?"

The No was stuck in Emma's throat. The silence spoke for itself.

*********************

Mama candidates who had reached twenty years of age without being 'removed' left the academy as Sisters or Mamas. Though both positions guaranteed that you would stay alive, the atmosphere inside the 'academy' was such that sooner or later, you would want to be a Mama, and only a Mama.

Being awarded the post of a 'Sister' was usually considered a slap on the face.

Hence when Malorie was awarded a Sister's gown in front of all the trainees, everyone noticed the way her hands were balled into fists and the general agitation of her countenance.

But you never question them. Never.

And unwittingly, Emma imagined herself on the very same stage, recieving the clothes of a Mama. Envious eyes fixated on her, so different from the pity and ridicule that they saw Malorie with.

It was illogical. They all had to suffer the same for both positions. But the hierarchy existed nevertheless.

And within Emma herself. She had already known that Malorie would be a Sister. She and Grandmother had discussed it the evening prior.

Malorie is indeed talented, but I doubt that she will be a good Mama. Emma had said. She seldom makes a move without consulting me, and I think being independent is one of the greatest requirements of a Mama.

Grandmother had laughed. So in short, you want Malorie to continue being subservient to you? You want her as your Sister?

Emma had bowed her head in shame. Yes, she had admitted. I've found her quite useful, and with me as her superior, I doubt she would endanger me to try to gain the Mama position.

Was it that the place had changed her, or was this shrewdness inside of her all along?

Is this why Isabella suggested her? Because she knew Emma would thrive here?

Grandmother had given no clue to what she thought of Emma's proposition, and instead had softly ordered her to meet her again after the graduation ceremony the next day.

*******************

"You have five days to leave, Emma."

"What?"

Grandmother continued to sip her tea in silence. Emma sank deeper into her chair, wondering what she had done wrong. Had she overstepped her boundaries? She had assumed she was indisposible, but-

"You have a different purpose, Emma." Grandmother continued, ignoring her guest's distress. "Multiple purposes, infact. And for that, you need to prove yourself to many other important customers."

"What are you saying?" Emma gulped. She hated that a small glimmer of hope had reappeared. That she was so glad there was still a possibility she could cling to life.

"You will be taken to another facility for eighteen months." The old woman explained. "There, you would be tested and pushed far more than you have been here. There is a very real possibility of you dying, Emma. We would like you to stay alive, no matter what it takes."

Emma gulped. "So I'm not becoming a Mama?"

Grandmother's eyes twinkled with mischief. "That remains to be addressed after you return alive, dear."

"Where am I being sent off to?"

"Goldy Pond."

Chapter Text

While she was waiting in the truck, being transported to a new arena where she had to prove herself yet again, Emma rummaged through all the information Malorie had collected for her before she left.

Bayon was considered nobility, which meant the demon society had similar hierarchies to the human civilisations she had learnt about from books. He had a hunting ground and was allowed to purchase live humans- a complete deviation from the usual practice of selling them after death.

She knew that demons were not a monolith. That there were ones that looked monstrous and those who looked human. So far, both seemed sentient, albeit one more than the other.

Malorie claimed that the Overseers often talked about a human world, so there was no problem in assuming that this was a world run by demons. Which also meant there was a safer world they could escape to.

The books at the orphanage had been published in cities from the human world. A lot of appliances in both houses were marked as having been made in a human country. If there really were two worlds, there was something connecting them- some route that established a way for transportation of goods.

Despite herself, Emma was getting excited.

The truck shook, and with a jolt, she realised that they were moving underground.

Grandmother hadn't come with her. She had merely smiled and waved as Emma was led into the truck by demons. There was no one to ask anything to. She was on her own.

The truck stopped, the doors opened, and a hand suddenly rushed in to grab her. She fought to get free, fighting tooth and nail, biting into the appendage till the demon it belonged to let out a shrill scream of pain. It flung her a little far away, and glared with hostility till it went back inside the truck. Emma watched it drive away with quickened breath.

She was someplace that looked like a village straight out of a fairytale. Something she had only seen before in pictures. There were windmills, fields and houses, all looking like they belonged together. As if they were all planned and executed at the same time.

A signpost next to her read Music, Monsters, Survive.

She had a slight idea where it was, but what solidified it was the child who came to greet her. She had oddly long eyelashes, spiky short violet hair, and was wearing rags of an outfit eerily similar to what they had had to wear in Grace Field.

"Are you a new catch?" The girl asked, treading carefully towards Emma.

"I was brought here by demons."

Technically, that wasn't wrong.

The girl let out a low whistle. "Welcome to Goldy Pond." She said. "You're gonna have a hell of a time."

**********************

The girl's name was Violet. She guided Emma to what she called a 'strong hold' for all the children brought here for entertainment.

"Goldy Pond is Bayon's hunting ground" She explained. Emma nodded. Her guess was right.

"The demons come to hunt once every three days at an average" Violet continued. "You should know this by now, but those creatures eat us. All we can do is run to stay alive."

"Are there a lot of us?"

"A bunch. Very few older kids though. Not many of us live to become adults."

"Was there… a girl with long blonde hair and green eyes? She would have come here about three years ago?"

"A friend?"

"…We came from the same place."

Violet frowned. "There has been so many. And it's hard to remember." She said apologetically. " And we don't always get to greet them on time. Sometimes, the hunt starts minutes after someone new is brought in."

"It's okay. Thank you."

"Someone else might know, though." Violet offered. "Come, I'll introduce you to everyone."

***********************

Oliver, Paula, Adam, Gillian, Naru, Bianca…

So many people to take in in just a few minutes. But she had to do her best to remember.

"We were all brought in from farms. Bought by Lewis, who hunts with Bayon." Gillian explained. The small girl had easily become attached to Emma, and it was hard for her to accept that she was the older one. Though the amount of scars that decorated her body showed that she was not one to be taken lightly.

"When the music plays, that means the demons are coming to hunt. We get all the basic necessities and food, but in turn, they hunt us as they please."

"Almost all of us are from Glory Bell. What about you?" Oliver asked. " You seem too old to have come directly from a farm."

The young man seemed to be the oldest of the lot. Though he smiled, Emma understood that he looked at her with suspicion. Understandable.

"I escaped from my farm," she was stretching the truth as far as it would go. "The next thing I knew, I woke up here."

"Which farm?"

"…Grace Field" she whispered. The name brought along with it unforgettable memories, and she winced in pain.

The others gathered around her, suddenly awed. "A real escapee!" Gillian shouted in glee. "That's amazing!"

"You must be so talented-" Paula muttered. Even Oliver was looking at her differently.

She was deceiving all of them.

Violet burst into the gathering, marching up to Emma and grabbing her by her hand.

"Lucas wants to see you" She said curtly. Emma watched Oliver stiffen from the corner of her eye.

"Who is-"

"Our founder." Violet answered. She pulled her impatiently. "Come."

Amidst whispers of Is this okay? and Can we trust her?, Emma was guided to another hidden chamber where an adult man was waiting for her, a benign smile on his face.

"Welcome", he said, as Violet closed the door behind them. "Welcome to the Goldy Pond Resistance".

He was tall, with dark maroon hair and kind eyes. To Emma's surprise, she saw that he had only one arm. He noticed her gaze.

"A causality of the occupation." He quipped. "And a small price to pay for staying alive."

"Hi, Lucas." She smiled, walking closer to him. "Emma."

Lucas's eyes widened. "Well, I had a lot of things to ask someone who was coming from outside, but I think there's someone else you should meet first-"

Before Emma could question further, someone tackled her to the ground. She instantly got into defense mode, throwing the body off and jumping up to assume a fighting pose.

The person stood up, and brushed his disheveled black bangs to one side.

"It's been a while." He said sheepishly.

Emma stared in disbelief.

"…Ray?"

Chapter Text

Emma had insisted on holding Ray's hands at odd times, earning suggestive looks from many of the children nearby.

Her initial reaction upon seeing him was to envelop him in a bear hug and cry her heart out. He had followed suit. Lucas had stepped out, giving the two some privacy.

Ray realised that Emma was still afraid he would disappear-- hence the intense hand-holding. Touching. To prove to herself that he was real. That she wasn't having a fever dream.

They talked surprisingly little until dinner was done, though Emma kept giving him frequent looks.

Not that he could blame her. He found himself frequently gazing at her, admiring how different she looked and how she still managed to remind him of the childhood friend he had once considered lost forever.

Her hair was longer now. Her face more defined. She was an adult, and Ray found it very difficult to wrap that concept around his head.

They had gone to sleep early. According to schedule, they still had one more day till the hunt began. They needed the rest.

The girls had prepared a cot for Emma, and he watched her follow them, smiling even as she looked back multiple times to make sure he was still there. He watched her till she disappeared.

Oliver was still awake when he went to the room shared by the boys.

"You look happy." He commented. Despite himself, Ray cracked a small smile.

"Gimme a break. I just found someone I thought I had lost forever."

"Or she found you."

"Either way, she's alive." He muttered. "Are you doing anything?"

"I'll be off for patrol duty soon." Oliver said, closing the book he was engrossed in. "Lucas wants to call a meeting tomorrow. Just a few of us and Emma."

"I'll bring her." Ray said, taking off his shirt and preparing for sleep. He splashed a little water on his face and neck, attempting to alleviate the heat that persisted even at night. "Isn't this place under a pond or something? Why is it so fucking hot?"

"The heat comes from underground, Ray." Oliver deadpanned. "The chamber we couldn't open. You know that."

"Doesn't mean I still cant complain about it."

Oliver got up and filled a bottle with some water. "I'll be off then." He said. "Violet is probably waiting for me."

Ray nodded and burrowed into the make-shift mattresses the children had made out of old cloth and dried grass. It had taken him some time to adjust to this, especially after the luxuries at Grace Field, but now, this was home.

It felt like he had gotten only five minutes of sleep when a slight touch on his exposed calf woke him up. He groaned, thinking it was one of the new little ones.

Emma stood at the end of his bed, her eyes slightly teary.

"I can't sleep." She whispered apologetically.

Sighing in frustration, he moved to one side and opened one end of his blanket by habit. By the time it struck him that we're not kids anymore and this is hardly appropriate, Emma had already wordlessly accepted his careless invitation and climbed into his bed.

"Shh" He warned. "You don't want to wake the others up."

Nigel stirred in the cot nearest to him, but the others slept peacefully.

Emma snuggled into him, placing her palms on his bare chest.

"You're sweaty" She complained.

"Get out, then"

"No" she nuzzled into the crook of his neck. She sighed contently, and the feeling gave him goosebumps.

Her palms discovered his scar, and she innocently drew her fingers over it.

"What happened?" She whispered.

"We had an escape attempt a few years back. Killed almost half of us. And this demon called Lewis. He sort of-" Ray winced at the memory. "He put his hand through me. Didn't die, but I wished I had."

"I'm glad you didn't, though" she said.

"Well, now it's left me virtually useless." Ray confessed. "I can hardly run fifteen minutes without gasping for breath."

"It must have hurt so much…. but….I'm glad you're alive, Ray.." she mumbled. "I've been so lonely....and so scared.. and then I-" she trailed off, sleep making her less understandable. Her eyelids weighed down and drowsy, she managed a small smile before she fell asleep completely.

Ray had never been so awake. His relief at having found Emma was combined with a newer, stranger feeling. He was hyper aware of her every movement, every breath. He was extremely aware of the fact that she had grown up, that they were both adults. The place where her palms met his chest felt hot, and they were both sweating buckets, but despite the discomfort he didn't want to move.

Emma mumbled in her sleep yet again, and turned to the other side, almost pushing him out of his own bed. Grumbling, he tried to get up, find another, less crowded (and less confusing) place to sleep.

"No" Emma whimpered.

He paused.

".....Fuck it."

He eased back into the bed, gingerly putting his arms around the woman and pulling her close.

"This is just because the bed is so small, okay?" He whispered to her. In the absence of the sleeping girl's acknowledgement, it seemed more like a bid to convince himself.

***************************

Oliver had woken him up the next morning with an amused smile on his face.

"So this is why you were in such a hurry to kick me out last night" He chuckled.

Ray was on the floor, while Emma was lying comfortably stretched out on the bed.

"Not a lot of room for cuddling, is there?"

"How about you shut the fuck up?"

***************************

"Ne, Were you brought here by Bayon or Lewis?" Emma asked casually. The two of them were tasked with cutting vegetables for lunch, and Ray realised that the others were being considerate by leaving them alone once again. 

"Bayon." He muttered. "Mama called me a treat. Right before she thrust me into his waiting arms."

"And?"

Ray sighed. It seemed that Emma had no tact when dealing with people's trauma.

"Let me guess. You want a play-by-play?"

"Cause I know your memory is really good, Ray!"

He was a little proud of that.

"Well, he walked in right after Mama led me near the truck. She said she hoped he realised what a treat he was getting, and asked if this meant they could proceed with the plan." Ray said, expertly chopping up some wild roots. "I'm guessing I was the treat."

Emma listened as she worked her way through some fresh greens.

"He said he appreciated the 'gift of good will'. Was practically salivating. He implied that some construction had already begun, and that the plan was indeed proceeding smoothly."

"What plan?"

"Hell if I know." Ray muttered. "Or care. They can all go fuck themselves. They were treating me like a fucking gift. It was all 'here I wrapped it for you' and 'hehehee you shouldn't have'!"

Emma finally had the tact to look apologetic.

"Sorry."

"Nah. You get used to it." He chuckled. "Who would've guessed, though? Should've known the branding was weird."

"Yeah." Emma giggled. "Funny we never thought of that as odd."

"Or the tracking devices."

"Huh?"

"Didn't you notice? Mama was always the best at finding us." Ray explained. "After she looked into that pocket watch she always carried around."

"Ray..... you idiot. You should've known something was wrong."

"Maybe I didn't want to accept it." He sighed. "Either way, we're fucked."

Emma giggled softly, turning her attention back to vegetables.

"Whats so funny?"

"You've become such a potty mouth."

Ray was slightly annoyed. "And you show no signs of having grown up at all."

"My hair-"

"-doesnt count" he grinned.

"Ray, you fu-"

"Oh? You're gonna do it?"

"Fuuuuu"

"Just a little more~"

"Uuu Meanie idiot!"

"And she lands it." He laughed, dodging the tomato stems the young woman was throwing at him. Then he saw her eyeing the reject pile, full of rotten veggies they couldn't use.

"…you wouldn't."

"Watch me."

The first rotten tomato hit Ray right on his forehead.

"Thats it. You've done it now-" he roared, and pretty soon, the two were locked in a no-holds-barred wrestling match.

******************************
Oliver walked in on an uncomfortable situation the second time that day.

Ray, splattered by various colours of ooze, was being pinned to the floor by Emma, who was also covered with rotten vegetables.

"This isn't what it looks like!" Ray pleaded.

"…..please be mindful of the place when you flirt"

"Like I said, this isn't IT!"

Chapter Text

Emma was on cloud nine.

It had already been a day since she found out that her best friend was still alive, but every time their eyes met she still found herself wondering if this was just a good dream.

As if he'd read her mind, Ray would smile. And her hands would instinctively move to hold his.

Despite his embarrassment, he never protested.

So she should have known that people would get the wrong idea. She had assumed that they would have more pressing issues to worry about, but-

Lucas had invited them to the meeting as the 'Lovely Couple'.

"We're not together that way." Ray grumbled. "And why the fuck do you guys care so much?"

"Cause you've been smiling a lot lately, Ray!" Gillian replied innocently.

"So how about it, Emma?" Lucas nudged her. "He might seem standoffish but he's a good kid, don't you think?"

She laughed and brushed it off, but the idea affected her too much. Ray had always been just Ray, but now he was taller and stronger and honestly rather good looki-

Snap out of it! she begged herself, as Lucas rose to begin the meeting.

"If we go according to past data, the hunting party will arrive tomorrow evening" he said. "Our stockpiles are still not enough to tackle all of them, hence we can't go for an all out war. The best we can do is hide and hope we aren't found."

Emma noticed that everyone's demeanor had changed. Even Gillian looked morose, no doubt recounting the trials they had had to face so far.

"Emma, as an escapee I'm sure you've had to suffer all by yourself" Lucas continued. "We have very limited knowledge on the demon kind. We were hoping you could contribute."

"Yeah! You would've had to spend years on the run!" Gillian chimed in. "But you're still alive- no one can say it's just because of chance!"

Emma panicked. They'd know she has no experience with fighting the demon kind. She came from a place that treated them as valued customers, after all. They would call bull to her story any time.

"Th-there are many kinds of demons." She said. "Some can produce human speech. Others can only understand."

Lucas's disappointment showed on his face. "I see."

"But we already knew that." Violet interjected. "We also know that there are feral demons that are no different from predatory animals. Surely this isn't all you know?"

Emma racked her brain for information- any information- that would save her story and not let another know she was at a training institute.

The biggest trump card she had right now was the knowledge that there was a world run by humans, and that there existed a way to access it. But if she shared it, they'd know.

There was absolutely no way for an escapee who had supposedly hidden in forests to learn this information.

She would be hated. Would they be disappointed?

"Hey, Emma."

She turned to Ray, who looked at her with an emotion she couldn't place. Was it pain? Anger? Disgust?

"You said you were a runaway till now right?" He asked. "Why are your clothes so new and so well fitted?"

"Ah thats- the demons must have-"

"And last night, Emma, you smelled of soap." Ray continued. "You don't find those in the forest." He walked towards her, and she saw disappointment in his eyes. "I was hoping you would be truthful, Emma. But now that I've had to point it out, I want to ask- where the hell where you? And why the hell are you acting so guilty?"

Emma stepped back, almost bumping into Gillian.

"Hey, Emma-" the girl asked, her voice suddenly devoid of any cheer. "Are you a spy?"

The group reacted as if they had expected this to happen. Ray rushed forward and locked her in a pinning hold, while the other members readied a few firearms.

Ray leaned down to whisper in her ears. "Explain yourself, Emma" his voice pleading ,"tell me this isn't true".

She could easily overthrow him- her training had left her more than physically capable. But doing so at this point would be suicide.

She took a deep breath. "I won't consider myself a spy." She explained. "And there are no enemies waiting to ambush you. I've been sent here as part of a test."

"A test?"

Emma strained herself to look directly into Ray's eyes. "A test to see if I'm worthy of being a Mama."

She saw it coming, but opted not to dodge Violet's slap. The sound rang clear across the silent room.

"I trusted you." Violet screamed. "You traitor! You should be ashamed! Don't you have any self respect? You'll just go ahead and be one of them?"

"I have a reason" Emma said. "And… I didn't want to die."

"None of us do either!"

"Can you honestly tell me that you would choose death over this path if it was offered to you?" Emma asked, suddenly enraged. "Isn't it normal to want to keep living?"

"You-" Violet raised her hand again, but was stopped by a furious Lucas. He looked at Emma with cold eyes.

"Ray. You know where to take her." He muttered. Ray attempted to raise her up. She expertly tore free, and put her hands up in a show of defeat as the others prepared to pounce.

"Don't worry. I won't fight it." She said.

"I'm guessing you have more information." Lucas said. "I'll need you to share all of it."

Emma turned to look at him as coldly as she could manage. "I'll be happy to work out a deal."

*************************

Ray led her to a dingy room with no furniture whatsoever.

"Stay." He muttered, the pain of betrayal rendering him unable to articulate words properly.

"This will be my room from now on?" Emma whispered in awe. "I've never had a room to myself before."

"I'm not interested in chit chat." Ray said sharply. As he turned to go, Emma reached out and caught the corner of his shirt.

"What if I can't sleep again?"

He tore his shirt off her grip. "You deal with it."

"You're suddenly so cold-" Emma complained.

In a sudden movement, Ray caught her by her collar. "I never thought you would end up like this!" He spat out. "You're siding with the enemy. You're the enemy. And you were acting as if everything is alright… fooling me-"

"Would you have rather I died?" Emma offered, her voice slightly trembling.

Ray clicked his tongue and pulled her to him, wrapping his arms around her so tightly she found it hard to breathe.

"I hate you so much."

"Mmm"

"I was so happy you were back."

"Mmm"

"You're so cruel..."

"Mmm" She put her arms around him, slowly stroking his back. "Ray, I did this to live but, there another reason."

"What?" He thundered.

She pushed him away so she could look directly at his face while delivering the news. "Because I want to see Norman again."

Chapter Text

She had expected another outburst. But Ray looked like he had had the life sucked out of him already.

"It's hard to trust you right now, Emma." He sighed.

Emma smiled sheepishly. "I guess I deserve that-"

"But-" he interrupted. "I'm a glutton for punishment. So tell me- what happened after I got shipped?"

"Norman got shipped too." Emma answered. "But Mama gave me a choice. I could either go the same way or become a Mama."

"And you chose to be a Mama."

"As an added bonus, she promised me she'll let me see Norman again." Emma said. "You have to understand, I thought I had lost you and-"

"They could be lying."

"I thought so too, but-" Emma twiddled her fingers. "It feels like they want us to meet. Like our meeting is going to be of some significance to them."

"Assuming you're not lying-" Ray shot her a pointed glare, "Maybe it would be better that you two don't meet, then."

Emma shook her head violently. "I can't bear that!" She protested. "I want to see Norman- and escape with him"

"Escape with him where?"

"The human world." Emma said. "It exists, and there's a way to cross to it. We used to get stuff from the human world in the training ground."

"Where you were… trained to be a Mama?"

"…yes" She looked ashamed.

"I can't say I agree with your way of doing things, but-" Ray sighed, slumping on to the floor. "If you pass this test here, you and Norman can meet and run away."

"You believe me." Emma gaped in surprise.

Ray didn't answer the question. Instead, he closed his eyes and went into deep thought. Emma recognised his mood, and bent down to sit next to him silently. She waited till he opened his eyes and turned to her.

"I'll talk to the others. Tell them the information you shared. Prove that there are advantages to keeping you around." He said. "They're kind. I doubt they'll force you to stay here when the game starts but… just in case.."

"Thanks, Ray."

"Just make sure you save him."

"….you too."

"What?"

Emma moved forward, capturing his hands in her's. "Now that I know you're still here, Ray… I want to save you too!"

Despite himself, Ray chuckled. "We've been trying to escape for years, Emma." He said. "The addition of one more person won't do much help."

"I've got what they taught me in my head, too." Emma protested. "I'm sure we can think of a way-"

"There's a limit to your optimism." Ray said. "You dont even have a plan, and we have no weapons whatsoever, especially after the last attempt."

Emma reached out and wordlessly touched his scar over his shirt. Ray didn't push her away.

"And remember?" He choked out. "I can't run from them anymore. A quarter of an hour and my lungs give out."

"How have you-"

"I've hidden. Somewhere or the other. It's painful and I want to die but-" His eyes were intense, "I don't want them to kill me. I want to be a human they can't eat."

"Technically, that's what I am." Emma smiled wryly. "If only you were born a girl."

"No. I'm.. happy you're alive. Even in this way." Ray confessed. "I'm happy that you can meet Norman. That you can escape. And I can't, because of various reasons." He reached out and took her hand. "That's why you two should escape. Leave me be. With my new family."

"Then we'll just take them all along!"

"You can either join us, or go to Norman. You can't do both." Ray explained, hitting her softly on the forehead. "You idiot. I'm surprised that you aren't planning on rescuing the rest of the Grace Field kids too."

"…actually-"

"Don't tell me. Your plan was to save Norman and then save them and then escape?"

"Mama hinted I might be able to come back to Grace Field." She shrugged. "If I'm the watchman, won't it be easier to save the kids?"

"…..Pfft"

Ray let out the laughter he had repressed for so long. "You really… have no root in reality, do you? How easy do you think escaping from man eating monsters will be?"

"My family is worth the trouble."

"We don't even know where the exit is-"

"But we know there is atleast one!" Emma contested stubbornly.

Ray's shoulders relaxed. "…Honestly. You haven't changed at all-"

"I have." Emma said. "There are many other innocent children trapped here, Ray. I'm choosing to not think about them."

"You're just one person, Emma. You can't change the world."

"I know." She snuggled closer to him, and he put an arm around her shoulder with ease.

"..so do you think they'll let me out?" Emma asked in a small voice.

"You can just ask them yourself." Ray said, a look of annoyance on his face. "You guys can come in now."

The door opened and the core members of the resistance group stepped in.

Gillian almost tripped over her own feet as she rushed to embrace Emma. "I'm so glad-" she cried, "I knew you couldn't be all bad!"

"I hope you understand, Emma." Oliver said, a slight smile on his face. "We have so many little kids.. people who are sick or injured. We can't afford to not be cautious."

Violet stood to the side, barely managing eye contact with the orange haired girl. Her apology was evident on her face. Emma elected to smile back so as to not embarass the girl any more.

"I'm glad you guys have come around." She smiled. "Now, shall we get to making a plan?"

*******************************

"The demons have regenerative powers." Lucas said out loud for Emma's sake. "We've discovered that the speed depends on the individual. Also, the only sure-fire way to kill a demon is to hit their eye."

"That explains the masks!" Emma piped in. "So we have to destroy the masks first?"

"We did that last time. It took serious firepower to crack through. We saved them up for years." Lucas sighed. "And even then, it wasn't enough."

"We lack proper firearms now." Violet added, "After we nearly escaped that once, the demons have become more conscious of what they're giving us."

"So we can't depend on long ranged attacks anymore." Ray added. "Bullets, they give. But thats only because they know that it can't kill them. At least not as long as they're wearing those masks. It might slow them down, but it's ultimately ineffective. Only adds to the 'thrill' of the hunt."

"Then we try close ranged attacks." Emma declared, much to the surprise of all others.

"There you go again." Ray cringed. "Going in close for an attack is practically a death sentence."

"If not that, we find something else." Emma said confidently. "I've been training for six years. They must have seen something in my abilities if they sent me here. All I need is your help."

She stood up. "I have to return in a little less than two years, but-" She slapped her right hand on her chest. "- before that, I promise you, you will be free."

Chapter Text

That day, they had had a much earlier and much lighter lunch.

"We have no choice but to run and hide right now" Lucas had said. "As always, stick to places with more buildings. It will help you if you're being chased."

Emma had spent the whole morning fashioning a bow and a few makeshift arrows out of some nearby trees. Violet watched with fascination as she sharpened the arrows, pricking her skin with them to make sure.

"Don't draw blood." Ray warned. "Some of them rely more on scent than sight."

Emma turned to Violet with shock. "What happens if they come when it's that time of the month?"

Violet shrugged. "You keep running. Try to mask the scent. Hope someone else is less prepared."

"That's cold."

"Survival of the fittest."

"How different is that from the choice I made?" Emma asked nonchalantly, going back to her task.

Violet clicked her tongue and walked away.

"Well-" Ray chuckled by her side. "Somebody has trouble letting go-"

"She slapped me." Emma pouted. "I forgive her, it's just- I want her to understand that my choices were limited."

"We have more time together." Ray smiled, brushing a stray hair behind her ears. All of a sudden, her heart was thumping louder, ringing in her ears, and she barely caught the rest of his sentence.

"….she'll come around." Ray finished. 

"…uhn" She let out a soft sound of agreement. He didn't move, and suddenly the atmosphere between them was too tense-

"Come back to me." Ray muttered. It sounded more like a plea than an order.

"..yeah." She blushed. "You too, Ray."

His eyes softened, and Emma became extremely aware of their proximity. This was new. This was different.

Ray was different.

"Keep your hormones in check, please" Oliver called out teasingly. The two broke apart, faces burning, and returned to what they were doing.

Ray finished sharpening an arrow, and pushed it towards her, avoiding meeting her eyes. His heart raced when his fingers slightly brushed past her's as she took it from him.

Damn puberty.

The music started, indicating the arrival of the demons.

Damn everything.

He led Emma to his hiding place- a giant tree, and though it's canopy was dense enough to hide in, Emma couldn't understand it's benefits over a building.

"I can jump to any other tree from this one." Ray explained, moving aside a few leaves to show the ropes expertly tied to some chosen branches. "It's archaic but it works. They never think to look up trees."

"Are you sure?" Emma could envision a million ways how it could fail.

"I can't run either way." Ray said. "Swinging is faster. More laborious but takes less time."

"Are you sure it's okay that I'm up here with you?"

He gave a small smile. "I'm not losing you again." He said. "I'm personally going to make sure you stay alive... And that we can go save Norman."

She returned the smile, and got into a comfortable position, unmoving and silent until the first terrifying steps were heard.

Emma watched in horror as a huge, humanoid demon, it's body almost uniformly black, chased after a few children who couldn't manage to stay hidden. Ray kept a hold on her, pressing gently, reminding her to stay silent and stay calm.

Emma saw a child being murdered in cold blood for the first time. The demon seemed to relish the blood that splattered on its face, it's huge heavy tongue lapping up the drops like honey.

A demon she recognised as Bayon followed.

"You've already killed two, Nous." He thundered. "I'll have you retire for the rest of the hunt."

"I hunt for Nouma as well."

"You will retire, Nous."

The black demon made a sound of annoyance, but nevertheless hauled the carcasses on its shoulders and walked back the way it came. Bayon watched him go.

Emma was too scared to even breathe. Here was the demon who had specifically asked for her- right under her hiding place!

She felt Ray tremble as another demon came into view. This one was more imposing than Bayon, though dressed simply in a top hat and a cloak. He was tall and slender, but anyone could tell that he was one to watch out for.

"Leuvis!" Bayon called, as he walked towards him. "You don't look so enthusiastic."

"This bores me, Bayon." The creature said softly. "They can only run and hide. Where is the thrill? Where is the challenge? I'm starved!"

"A few more years, Leuvis." Bayon consoled. "It would be ready soon."

"Perhaps giving them more weapons-"

"Do you want that to happen once again?" Bayon asked viciously. "We lost two comrades. Three, because Nous has never been the same since."

"But that was also the most fun we had."

"The cost was too much." Bayon sighed, walking away.

"You've grown too soft, Bayon." Leuvis said, turning to face the tree. Emma watched with halted breath as the demon came directly under them.

He looked up.

"Have you healed yet?" He asked, almost adoringly. As one would speak to a puppy.

Emma's eyes widened in shock as Ray nonchalantly replied. "Not yet, Leuvis."

"Pity." The demon lamented.

"Our agreement still holds for ten more months." Ray reminded him. "You will hunt me then."

"And you will give me the hunt of a life-time. I haven't forgotten. But-"

Emma narrowly dodged his hand as he reached up to grab her.

"This one can still run."

*****************************

Norman solved the two hundred questions once again- a feat that he had completed everyday after coming to Lambda. He could feel the adults glaring at him through the glass walls, and felt like an exhibit. A curiosity.

Last year, they had started testing his body as well. Continuous strenuous exercises, which he would be forced to stop midway as his body gave out. They pushed him till he was completely burned out- perhaps a bid to increase his stamina- but he could tell that it never changed. He was as sickly as always.

But those exercises reminded him of Emma. How she would always be the last one standing. How she would find joy in constantly over exerting her physique.

His beloved Emma.

The tests were difficult. Though he breezed past them at first, they had becomes steadily more demanding. And in between sessions he would catch glimpses of things that were almost human- children with exaggerated adult physiques. Giant heads and arms that belonged to a toddler. Four arms, two of them flopping around as there was no bone. Children composed only of an upper body.

He wanted to leave. He wanted to leave this cursed place. And honestly, he could. He had found allies.

The only thing holding him back was Peter Ratri's promise.

"Emma is still alive." The man had said. "Once you turn twenty, you will see her again. Cause any problems, and she dies."

Emma.

The idea that kept him going, persevering, even as he felt the place change him mentally; emotionally.

Emma.

He would see her again. Run into her arms. And she would tell him I missed you, Norman.

Emma.

She would smile for him. No one has smiled at him for years.

Emma.

He no longer recognised the cold man in the mirror, but Emma would. Emma would pull the real Norman out again, from his deep sleep. She would destroy the stranger who was reflected at him.

Emma. I can't wait to see you again. He thought. Please be safe.

Chapter Text

Emma jumped down the tree, and stood face to face with the monster staring right at her.

"Oh?" He whispered curiously. "Not running?"

"Give me a headstart." She requested. "Until Ray recovers, I will entertain you."

Leuvis chuckled in delight. "You seem very sure that you'll survive till then, little girl."

"I try to be positive."

"Very well." Leuvis said. "I will give you five minutes-"

"I appreciate it." She said, before turning to run into the dense jungle.

Ray got up to move, but froze in fear as Leuvis stared right at him.

"Don't let her sacrifice be for nothing." He advised.

Ray mumbled in frustration, but obeyed. "Please.. don't kill her "

"I'm afraid I've already made one deal with you, boy."

"Then kill me instead!" He screamed.

Leuvis turned away. "You're weak now. You're useless." He hummed as he adjusted his hat. "I wonder.. will seeing that girl's lifeless eyes allow you to recover faster?"

"Don't touch her-" Ray made to move, but Leuvis didn't turn back. Without a warning, he started running, leaving Ray behind in the dust, coughing and struggling to get down.

*******************************

Emma watched Leuvis search for her from atop another tree, her bow drawn and ready.

Swish

The first arrow hit his neck. The demon turned to where it had come from, but by then Emma had disappeared again.

"You're talented, little girl." He praised, pulling out the arrow and tossing it aside. "I can't even sense your movements. A completely different level from the other prey-"

Another arrow came flying, striking the wound. He winced in pain.

"You have been trained." He said, amused, pulling the arrow out again. This one had gone deeper, and his wound was leaking fresh blood.

Another arrow hit right behind his knee, causing him to instantly bend down. The next arrow was aimed towards his other knee- but in a quick movement, he caught it and crushed it into two.

"I wish you had more to play with than just these primitive tools." Leuvis said.

He got up, the wound still weeping blood, and walked towards a giant tree, only to change direction in the next second a peep over a rock at the hiding girl.

"Found you." He snickered. Emma took out a concealed pistol and shot him point blank. The bullet bounced off the mask, hitting a tree nearby.

"You don't freeze in fear." Leuvis noted.

"I want to live."

Leuvis grabbed her, wincing slightly as she pierced his appendage with an arrow. He held her tighter, until her breathing started getting laborious.

"What a curious young girl." He said appreciatively. "I've decided. You are my new favourite."

"Flattered." Emma spat at his mask. Leuvis squeezed harder, making her gasp.

With a slight flick of his wrist, he threw her on the ground.

"Get stronger and I shall hunt you." Leuvis said, turning to walk back the way he had come.

"Where…are you going?"

"Is it not obvious?" He asked. "I don't need the boy anymore."

He's going to kill Ray! Emma realised.

She forced herself to get back on her feet, and charged at the hulking creature. Leuvis swat her away with a simple wave of his hand.

"Leuvis!" She cried as she got up again. The demon turned to see her clutching an arrow to her throat, trembling but still standing.

"If you hurt him, I'll kill myself."

Leuvis approached her once again, intrigued. "And what makes you think that will make me stop?"

"You're bored, aren't you?" Emma muttered. "Then I'm the perfect diversion. I've been trained for combat. And I was born in Grace Field."

"Oh" Leuvis bent until their faces were at the same level. His eyes focused on her, noticing the slight trembling. "You're that girl. This will be interesting."

Emma thrust the arrowhead closer to her exposed flesh, drawing a drop of blood. "Are you sure you want to throw that away?"

Leuvis chuckled. "Quite the spunk, this one." He said. "Fine. I will leave your precious friend alone. But that still doesn't mean he'll be safe from the others."

"I'll keep him safe."

The demon straightened, still staring into the eyes of his prey. "Surprise me, little girl." He said.

"I'll kill you." She vowed.

The music blared again. The hunt was over.

**************************

When she finally limped back to the base, what greeted her was a morose atmosphere.

"How many?" She whispered.

"Five." Oliver said, still staring at the ground. A few people were already silently engaged in administering relief aid, including a very familiar- albeit defeated- face.

She dragged herself to Ray, and he welcomed her with a soft embrace. "I thought I'd lost you-"

"We just found each other again."

"I wasn't able to protect you-"

Emma pulled back and head-butted him, causing the unprepared man to stumble backward and land on the floor.

"You absolute IDIOT. I don't need you to protect me! Don't try to be some hero!" She shouted. "Focus on getting better! On staying alive! Then fight by my side!"

She couldn't read Ray's expression as he looked at her.

"You're thinking up something stupid, aren't you?" He mumbled, slapping away Emma's outstretched hand and getting up by himself. "You're in way over your head. That thing is a monster above monsters."

"I'm stronger now. I can protect-"

"Protect you own ass first!" Ray burst out. "Stay ALIVE! STAY ALIVE AND GO FREE NORMAN!"

"YOU STAY ALIVE TOO!" She screamed back.

"I'M TRYING!" He shouted, then lowered his voice. "We all are."

Emma looked at the injured children being carried inside the building, understanding that they would most likely not survive the next hunt. Broken bones didn't heal in three days.

"How did you live like this for so long?" She asked Ray.

He turned away from her. "We had no other choice."

*******************************

That night, Ray was awake and waiting for her as she sneaked into his room. He silently moved back to create more space for her. She got into the bed, easing into him as he wrapped his arms around her.

The contact calmed her, made her feel secure. Let her be free from her frequent night terrors.

She had enough sense to know that people will frown upon it, call it inappropriate, but there was nothing sexual about this act. Entwined in bed, they both reverted to frightened little children seeking warmth and security in each other's company.

"I swear, Emma." Ray breathed into her ears. "I'll never let you die. No matter what I have to do."

Chapter Text

Emma never thought there would come a day when she would become accustomed to the hunt. But four months later, she was moving in tandem with the rest of them, leading the little ones to hiding spots before finding one for herself.

She made sure to hide somewhere near Ray. The demons seldom noticed him, and if someone seemed to come too close for comfort, she would distract them.

That someone was usually Leuvis.

Leuvis played with her- hunt was not the optimal word. He pushed her to her limits, often suffering a few wounds of his own, but still leaving her more or less in one piece as he retreated, a spring in his step.

But how long will his fascination hold? When will he finally decide enough is enough and claw her down?

That day, Emma took a new weapon with her. A splitting hatchet she and Ray had found as they scoured the grounds of Goldy Pond for something to fight with.

Ray had insisted it would be useless. Close range attacks are like asking to die! He had said, but Emma took it nonetheless.

She had realised that she was stronger than the average person when fighting with Leuvis- When the demon swung at her, and she caught his hand.

Leuvis looked smug, as if he had just taught her something new. Emma still wasn't over the shock. How had she managed to stop something so gargantuan?

"Maybe he didn't swing hard enough?" Ray had explained. "Maybe that's his game. Make you think you are stronger than you are. And then finish you off."

"That doesn't seem like something Leuvis would do." Emma had countered.

"You don't know him" Ray had snapped.

Emma had no idea how to let him know that she had built a rapport with the monster. That there was some part of her that looked forward to sparring with him.

Exerting herself was almost addictive, she realised, the day she threw a rock almost as big as herself at Leuvis. He kept challenging her limits more and more, and smiled like he knew something she didn't.

Emma also had a sneaking suspicion that he had asked the other demons to let her be. Bayon had passed by as she was escaping from Leuvis, and given her a slight nod of acknowledgement as he continued his walk. Even the more unhinged Nous had once come across her, only to let her go after chasing her for a few minutes. Most times, Leuvis was the first to find her.

Everytime she came back, bruised but still alive, Ray would be waiting with a furious expression, berating her for what he considered was putting herself in risk. They would argue all day, until it is forgotten at night when she steals into his cot again, and he welcomes her almost gratefully. It was a public secret now- everybody knew it, but nobody commented on it.

"You have to stop putting yourself in danger like this." Ray murmered.

It was dark, but he could make out that she was pouting. "So what? So you can start bargaining for your life again?"

"Just stay alive until you can get to Norman."

"The same goes for you too!" Emma said, pinching his cheek. "Hurry up and get better. Leuvis won't kill me before that."

"You don't know when he's going to actually consider killing you." Ray muttered, burying his face into her hair. "He's playing with your dumb ass."

"He's also inadvertently making me stronger than he wants me to be." Emma bragged. "One day I might actually be able to overpower him."

"You're human, Emma. You'll never measure up."

"I'm strong." She insisted. "For some reason I'm stronger than I have any right to be, Ray. I can stop his punches now."

"That's not possible."

"It is! Believe me!"

"No normal human would be able to-" he paused, holding her face in his hands. "Did they do something to you? Where you came from?"

"Of course not. It's all training-"

"It's impossible, Emma." He whispered.

Emma remembered Grandmother and Isabella gushing over her, how they frequently called her special.

"Am I… not normal?" She choked out.

Ray pulled her to him, and she melted into the crook of his neck.

She noticed that he never answered her.

****************************

She had gotten the hang of the splitting hatchet in a few weeks, enough to slice through wood with ease. Ray observed her, recognising that her strength seemed almost monstrous.

Frightening.

"Do you think I'll be able to cut open those masks with this?" Emma asked, looking quizzically at the weapon.

"Probably not. We had to resort to explosives last time." Ray replied.

Emma huffed in displeasure, turning her attention to something more demanding. She bounced towards a sizeable rock, and got into position.

"You're going to smash a rock?" He yelled out in annoyance. This girl was a walking example of bad decisions.

"Yep!" She quipped.

Ray watched as she leaned back, using the momentum to put more power into the hatchet. He noticed the weapon slip off her hands, and her appendages hitting the rock nevertheless. It all happened in an instant, and by the time he reached her, Emma was already howling in pain, clasping her bleeding hands to her chest.

Ray helped her get back on her feet, biting back his anger at how stupid she was and how she never listened, and turned to pick up the hatchet before they left but-

On the boulder there was a very noticeable crack.

Chapter Text

"Her bones are still unbroken." Lucas whispered in shock.

Ray sat next to Emma, whose hands were wrapped in bandages. She grinned at him "Told you I'm stronger than you think."

"That was solid rock, Emma." Ray deadpanned. "You just have dumb luck."

"It's practice! Practice!"

"You still tore off an awful lot of skin" Gillian said in awe. She reached out to touch Emma's injured hand, and she winced in pain.

"Sorry."

Ray stood up, motioning to Emma to do the same. "You should come get some rest. There is a hunt tomorrow. Don't forget."

"It's just a surface wound. I'll be okay." Emma said. "More importantly, I can't miss the training session-"

"You've taught everyone enough. You deserve some rest-"

"You deserve some rest! You keep exerting yourself everyday!"

"Not enough to almost break my bones!"

"But I didn't!"

"You damn near did!"

"You don't get to order me around!"

"I'm just-" Ray sat down. "I'm just worried for you. Every time you disappear with Leuvis I'm a nervous wreck!"

"I'm doing this because I want to-" Emma pointed a finger, prodding his chest. "So shut up and be protected. Besides, Leuvis isn't going to hurt me."

"Whats with that familiar tone?" Ray spat out. "Why are you acting as if you and that monster are friends? He's training you into a delicious meal, Emma!"

"I know that!"

Oliver and the rest watched the drama happening in front of them, not daring to come in between.

"You act like you're having fun, Emma! People are dying!"

"It is fun-"

Emma stopped her sentence midway and closed her gaping mouth with her palms, just as surprised as everybody else at the words that came out of her.

That night, the men's room was locked.

***************************

Ray woke up in the middle of the night, unconsciously reaching for the person he had come to share his bed with. His hands grabbed air, and he woke up.

After Emma's outburst, he had wordlessly walked away. He saw the other kids acting on edge around her as well.

Not their fault. Who in their right mind would come to enjoy this madness, after all?

But right now, the fight left a bitter taste in his mouth.

He got off the bed softly, making sure not to wake anyone. He dressed himself and slipped out, wanting to take a breather to calm down.

And came across Emma, who was busy chopping wood.

Without any instrument.

Ray watched, half intrigued and half horrified, as the woman chopped wood left and right using only her arms. He had read that trained professionals could do this, but watching Emma was surreal.

Were her wounds even healed?

Emma suddenly stopped, raising her right hand to her face and licking a particular spot. Through the light of the moon, Ray could see that the bandages had come undone.

"You fucking idiot! You absolute MORON!" He shouted, rushing to where she was. She hid her hands behind her back swiftly, but he reached out and dragged them out.

There were new wounds. A couple of them looked unbelievably gory, though they were all still only skin deep at first sight. Emma had a sheepish grin on her face.

"The FUCK were you thinking? Blood draws them in!" Ray squeezed her wounds, making her flinch. "IF YOU WANT TO DIE SO BADLY, I'LL KILL YOU!"

"I'm just-"

"And you're LICKING your fucking WOUND? YOU THINK THAT WILL PREVENT AN INFECTION YOU-" Ray suddenly stopped, coughing. Emma slowly eased her hands out of his grip and put them on his shoulder.

"Ray-" She whispered.

"What?" He muttered in between deep breaths.

"I broke rocks-"

"What?"

Emma pointed to an uneven heap made of small rocks. "I broke them all."

"Using-"

"My hand." she said, dazed, almost as if she herself couldn't belive it.

"That's impo-"

"But it happened!." Emma cried, "It really happened- "

She looked at her hands, moving them as if making sure they really were her's. "I'm… I'm not normal, am I?"

Ray stepped closer to her, softly, carefully, taking her hands in his again.

"Emma, it's-"

"It's okay. I know. There must have been something- maybe in the food.. or the medicines.. or.."

"Emma-"

"Oh my God-" she whimpered. "I'm a freak-"

Ray saw her body shaking in confusion. She was crying- strong, brave Emma was in tears before him, confessing a worry she had hidden till now- and he had no idea how to react. 

If this were Grace Field, he would have looked around for Norman. Or simply ignored her, because he knew that Norman would find her. He always did. 

But Norman wasn't here right now, and seeing Emma crying and being so vulnerable towards him was making him weak in his knees. 

What would Norman do? What would Norman do?

How could he console her when her worry was something that frightened him as well?

He was never any good at empty words of consolation. But-

For Emma, he would try. For Emma's sake, he would become Norman if he had to.

He raised her hands to his lips. 

"This is good, Emma." Ray kissed her wounds softly, tenderly, an action he was not used to. Emma looked taken aback for a moment, before allowing herself to be carried away.

Ray continued, "You're strong. You're amazing. You'll be such an asset when we try to escape. I'm sorry I was so-"

"Mean? Heartless? Uppity?"

"Hey!" He protested, and chuckled. "I was wrong. I'm grateful that you're protecting me. But it's fucking horrible to always be the weak one."

"You're not weak." Emma contested. "You look after the kids so well- and you keep finding more hiding spots for us. And you cook so well! And you have so many ideas that make life here easier. And you-" she rested her forehead on his shoulder. "You give me strength."

He pulled her up by her chin, and gazed into her eyes. "I guess I stand corrected then."

There was that feeling again. That strange, new emotion that made her restless and sweaty. Was Ray always so handsome or-

"I'm terrified of losing you again." Ray confessed.

"Don't be." She replied. "I'm not going anywhere-". The yet was unspoken, but they both knew it was there.

Ray hesitated, but then pressed his lips on her forehead. Emma's eyes fluttered shut, enjoying the sensation.

It was different from how it felt when Mama had kissed her there.

Ray's lips left a trail of heat as they travelled from her forehead to her cheeks to her eyelids, and then a soft peck on her nose. He paused millimetres away from her mouth. She lunged, and their lips met.

Chapter Text

It was awkward. It was so, so awkward.

Ray had disappeared before she woke up the next day- something she wasn't used to, since he always made sure to wake her up.

When he avoided her eyes even as she entered the cooking area for breakfast, she realised that it was on purpose. There was no jab at the state of her hair. No joke at the expense of her sleepiness.

She supposed that was a normal response, considering they had cross an invisible line the previous night. Something Isabella had told them was reserved for lovers- for when the prince met the princess.

Was Emma in love? She didn't think so. But then again, she had more important things to keep in mind.

The kiss was more one born out of impulse than from desire. Right?

She wondered if Ray thought the same.

By the time the music played blared from the speakers, Violet had finished wrapping Emma's hands with new bandages after cleaning the wounds. She was the only one willing to approach her naturally after yesterday's outburst. Even the little ones stayed clear of the stranger who actually looked forward to betting her life everyday.

She supposed she could understand where they came from.

"Did you and Ray not make up yet?" Violet muttered as she loaded her pistol.

Emma shrugged. "I thought we did."

"Once we're back, I'll lock you two in a room till you talk things out." Violet promised. "Its irritating to see you both looking at each other like lovestruck teenagers-" She paused, staring at Emma. "Are you lovestruck teenagers-?"

"It's time to hide." Emma whispered, face aflame. She noticed Ray waiting for her by the entrance, and trotted towards him.

"Hey."

"Hey-" He whispered. "You ready to go?".She found herself watching his lips move, remembering when they were flush against her's and moving ever so gently-

"Uhn"

**************************
The hunt had gone just about as it always had. They lost four children that day, and Oliver kept swearing, blaming himself for what had happened.

Ray stalked towards Emma, who was tending to Violet. Nous had almost caught her, and though she escaped, there was an ugly scar on her abdomen. She hissed in pain as Emma applied medicine.

"Did you show Leuvis?" Ray whispered.

Emma shook her head. "I kept my strength a secret. Just like you asked me to."

"Good. It can be developed into a trump card." Ray said, handing her more gauze. Emma used it to cover Violet's wound, keeping it sealed and safe from infection.

"Mhm"

A lock of hair fell over Emma's eyes as she moved her face down to concentrate on the treatment. Ray instinctively reached out to tuck it back, but retreated at the last second. Emma noticed, but tried not to let it affect her.

"You two." Violet said in a huff. "Whatever is smouldering between you, please go talk it out. You're making us all feel awkward."

"There is nothing between us." Ray stated. "You're imagining things."

"You share a bed every night!"

"Platonically!"

"We've all seen the way you look at each other!" Violet yelled, drawing everyone's attention to them. "How you two can find time to be all happy and sappy while people are dying is anyone's guess. It's a goddamn distraction, that's what it is!"

"Violet-" Emma said softly, rubbing the agitated girl's shoulders. "I'm sorry we worried you. But there's nothing wrong. Really."

Violet looked at her in the eyes, and she reciprocated, her gaze steady and unblinking. Eventually Violet looked away.

"Do whatever you want." She muttered as she walked away. "Just- don't do it in front of us."

**************************

That night, Ray found Emma pacing outside the men's bedroom, probably wondering whether she should enter or not.

"Hey, you." He said.

"Hey." Emma returned the greeting, suddenly transfixed by her worn out shoes.

"Can we talk?"

"Mmhn"

He led her outside, near the piles of broken rocks Emma had created. As they sat down, he noticed that she had put a distance between them.

"Are we really bothering everyone else?" Emma asked in a small voice. "It's insensitive of us.. isn't it?"

"I don't think they get to have a say in our private lives."

"We're making it too public, then." Emma said.

"Let's just- forget about it." Ray muttered, his gaze fixed on the tufts of grass near his feet. "Violet is right. We don't have the time or energy to spend on frivolous-"

"Do you regret it, Ray?"

He nodded. "You do too, right?"

"I'm... Confused." Emma admitted. "It.. It felt good. It felt nice. I just don't know if.. if that's enough reason to do it-"

"I don't have any special feelings for you, Emma." Ray sighed. "It was spur of the moment. I shouldn't have acted that way."

"No. No I'm partly to blame." She tried to laugh but it fell flat. "You feel nothing? At all?"

Ray looked at her, his heart beating audibly faster when their gazes met. He hoped she couldn't hear it as well as he could feel it.

He wanted to say I'm not sure, I'm not sure what I'm feeling, but it can possibly be love. He wanted to ask Do you love me? Did it mean anything to you? If I tell you I'm still unsure, will you leave me behind?

"Norman loved you." He said instead.

"And I him." There was a wistful smile on Emma's face.

Ray's heart dropped. "Oh"

"Atleast, I think I did." Emma continued. "He was my best friend. You too, Ray. But I got the feeling that I annoyed you a lot."

"You did. But I lik-" He cleared his throat, correcting the flow of thought. "I didn't mind it."

"I'm relieved to hear that" She grinned. "I never imagined you as a prince. Never thought I would want to give you a kiss. It was always Norman… but-"

"But?" Ray repeated unconsciously, hanging on to her every word.

"Kissing you felt good, Ray." She admitted, blushing shyly. "It felt really good. I just- I wanted to let you know."

"I liked it too." Ray sighed, inching closer.

Emma looked up at him with a clear, direct gaze. "I'm still not sure it's love." She pressed. "So I know it's selfish of me to want-"

"I feel the same way-" Ray said hurriedly. "Its- it's probably because… puberty and.. and you're a friend I thought I had lost and-"

Emma smiled, watching the flustered man before her.

"I know it won't mean much- and I don't know if I kissed you because I wanted to or because I was trying to be- to be like Norman-" Ray continued.

"Ray." Emma leaned towards him, snickering softly as his eyes suddenly dropped to her lips. "Ray, do you want to kiss me now?"

"Yes-" Ray gulped. "But I'm not sure if-"

"Shhh" Emma ordered, pressing her lips against his, moving so softly that he felt like he was melting. His hands found the small of her back and pushed her forward, closer to him, until there was no space left between them.

Comfort. Ray realised. And warmth. This quelled his fear of her leaving again. Of him being once again alone.

Do I love her?

He watched how the moonlight illuminated her as she pulled back. He saw her plump lips, thoroughly kissed, the most inviting he'd ever seen.

Norman should have been doing this. Norman should have been here.

Emma sensed the doubt in his eyes and slowly started to move away. But he held her back, his hands gripping her face, pushing her in once again to enjoy this closeness, this promise that now only their shared body heat could provide.

Chapter Text

The hunts had been getting progressively less laborious, and though there was no significant decrease in their capture rates, with Emma's training they'd been giving the demons a run for their money. It was especially easy to escape Nous, who was easily confused and distracted. Leuvis was concerned with Emma and Emma alone. So the true danger came from Bayon.

And that particular day, Bayon chose the wrong prey.

"How long have you been hiding here?" Bayon growled, holding a struggling Ray upside down by his right leg. "I remember you being at the forefront of the rebellion that day- what happened to that bravado now?"

"Let- me- go!" Ray cried between gasps. It was getting harder to breathe, and the demon seemed to both notice and be amused by that.

"Struggle more, hero" Bayon grinned.

"Let me GO!"

The monster obeyed with a snicker, releasing his grip and allowing Ray to fall on his face. He screamed in pain.

Emma's ears picked up his cry. Leuvis watched, incredulous, as she suddenly turned away from him mid battle.

"I have to go." She informed him.

A giant claw blocked her way. She turned back to see Leuvis fuming with suppressed rage.

"Don't get ahead of yourself, little girl." He advised. "I can kill you any time I want."

"But you haven't. Not yet."

"But now you've disrespected me." Leuvis muttered coldly. "I am not quick to forgive."

Emma stood her ground. "I've been thinking-" She said. "I don't want to fight you."

There was a pregnant pause until Leuvis started chuckling. "Have you gone mad?"

"No I-" Emma reached out to grab one big finger. "You've…been kind of a mentor to me. After coming here. And I can't forgive you for… the hunting, the bloodshed, but-" she turned her gaze to the ground. "I have this connection with you, and you have helped me understand my own strength a lot more than those many years at…" She paused. "I don't think I want to fight you. Rather, I want you to teach me more."

A flick of his wrist, and Emma stumbled back, a deep gash on her face dangerously close to her eyes.

"Argh-" She instinctively covered the cut with her hands. They came back covered in blood.

"You forget your place." Leuvis muttered, bringing his bloody finger to his face. A tongue slithered out to lick the stray drops. " You're prey. I'm the predator. I make the rules. Besides-" he inched closer to her. "I raised you thus to make you more delicious, my child. The more you struggle, the more I enjoy."

"We don't have to fight-"

"We don't." Leuvis agreed. "But I want to."

With a sudden turn, Emma sprinted into the wilderness, Leuvis following in glee. Something told her that this was the final hunt for them, one way or another. A match to the death.

She heard Ray scream again, and ran towards that direction.

No matter who was chasing her, she had to save Ray first.

Maybe offer herself to the other demon? Nous might grab the chance, and he might fight with Leuvis for her. But Bayon was a gamble. There seemed to be an unspoken rule that she was exclusively Leuvis's prey.

She took advantage of a sharp turn in the path, hiding herself as she pelted giant rocks at Leuvis with superhuman strength. The demon broke them into pieces easily, but was deterred by a few seconds. That was all she needed.

With a deep, calming breath, Emma's hands closed around the handle of her hatchet. The next moment, it was lodged deep in Leuvis's mask, though not deep enough.

Not deep enough. Not strong enough.

What were those masks made of?

Nevertheless, the action had slowed him down even more. Emma made her way to the clearing where she had heard Ray's scream from.

Thump.

It was Bayon. Bayon, kneeling next to what looked like a human body, bent in a way that looked so wrong, too wrong.

Thump.

It was a bloody mess. It was Ray.

Thump.

She watched as Bayon's tongue slipped out, salivating in anticipation.

Thump.

Ray's groan was soft, almost non existent. She wasn't sure if she had imagined it, or if he really was still alive.

Thump.

The bushes moved behind her. Leuvis was here. But Ray was suffering. Dying. Maybe dead-

Thump

Thump.

THUMP.

The world went red.

*************************

When Emma came to, she was sitting on Bayon's broken, lifeless body, his mask destroyed, bloody, and his face missing an eye.

Her body hurt. She followed the pain to her clasped fist, bits of the monster's mask still lodged into her flesh. She opened it to see what appeared to be a crushed eyeball.

Terrified, shaken, she looked around. Ray was lying a few metres away, and she crawled towards him, swallowing the way her body ached. Ignoring the multiple bruises, the fragments that digged deeper every time she used her abused hands to push herself towards him.

She couldn't feel her legs. They dragged behind her lifelessly.

She couldn't breathe without coughing desperately. Without wanting to give up and just sleep.

Her head was ringing. All she could feel was pain and regret.

She passed Leuvis, lying on the ground, his mask broken as well, though his eyeballs were darting around in shock.

Still alive. But she didn't care.

Ray was so near.

She pushed herself to conquer the final few centimetres of distance between them, reaching desperately for his hand.

A pulse. Disturbed, slower, but a pulse nevertheless.

Still alive.

As the music signifying the end of the hunt rang through the sky, Emma heard footsteps and finally allowed herself to collapse.

Chapter Text

Ray woke up in cold sweat.

He was still alive. Even with Bayon going apeshit on him, he was still alive.

He tried to move his hands, failed. Tried to speak, failed again.

Somehow managed a soft groan, alerting Paula, who was tending to another person's wounds. She rushed over to his side.

"Water?" She asked, concern evident in her eyes. "Pain medicine?"

He was numb. Couldn't feel anything.

"W-water" He croaked out. In a few seconds, he was being propped up by Oliver, carefully being fed small amounts of water, burning his dry throat.

"You were out for three days." Oliver explained. "You should take your time recovering. These wounds aren't something to scoff at."

"Emma?"

"She's with Lucas." Oliver ran his hands through his hair in frustration. "She has been hurt really bad too- won't listen to a word, though. She was up and going the day she regained consciousness."

Ray smiled despite himself. Sounds like Emma alright.

A sudden flash of memory, and Emma was in front of him, roaring like an animal as she continuously punched Bayon-

He blinked. "Three days? The hunt-"

"They didnt come for us yesterday." Oliver said. "Bayon.. the owner... died, after all."

It wasn't a dream?

"How?"

Oliver looked uncomfortable. "Emma…. we think."

"How?"

"We have no clue." Paula appeared with some warm water and a cloth, which she proceeded to give to Oliver. Said man began to wash Ray's face with the damp cloth.

"Emma-" Ray begged.

Sighing, Oliver turned to Paula. "Can you go tell her he's up?"

"On it."

In a few minutes, there was a distinct clanking as Emma powered her way into the room despite using crutches.

"Ray-" She called, letting go of her crutches in a daze and almost collapsing onto the foot of his bed. "You're alive! I'm so glad-"

"Legs-" Ray whispered, looking at her heavily bandaged appendages. She smiled. "I'm okay. Really."

Ray snorted and turned to Oliver for the truth.

"She broke a few bones." The older man said. "Tore off a lot of flesh. Can't move her legs now-"

"Oliver!"

"Why do you insist on keeping it from him?" Oliver snapped.

Emma bit her lip. "I'm sorry."

Ray looked at both of them in turn, Oliver irrationally angry and Emma looking apologetic.

Lucas entered the room and placed a calming hand on Oliver's shoulder. "We can't blame her, Oliver." He said softly. "She already killed one of them-"

"But the other one was right there-" Oliver wailed. "It was Leuvis! Leuvis! The body was gone, Lucas! All she needed to do was destroy his eye but-" he turned to her viciously. "I suppose she liked him too much for that."

"I told you." Emma explained. "I can't remember much of what happened- I just wanted to save Ray-"

"Then killing both of them would have been the best choice, right?"

"I did more than you ever have!" Emma cried.

"Thats because you're not human-" Oliver spat out. "You're one of them, aren't you?"

Lucas slapped him across his face, shutting him up. Oliver looked stunned, disbelieving. "You're taking her side too?" He whispered. Lucas turned away and helped Emma stand up. Paula handed her her crutches.

Emma looked like she was on the verge of tears.

"Emma-" Ray breathed. It was hard to articulate words. His throat was too dry, too hoarse, and his tongue unwilling. "-is human."

Emma shot him a grateful look, but he noticed that the misery hadn't dissappeared from her eyes.

****************************

When Emma fully recovered in five days, Oliver's frustration only grew.

"How are you all so blind?" He questioned. "She healed in days! DAYS! Thats not normal!"

"So what if she's not?" Gillian answered. "Emma is still Emma."

"She can be a spy- isn't she training to be a Mama?"

"Because she thought it was the only way to save others." Ray supplied, well enough to speak now. "She was baited with the life of our best friend. And she wants to save the little ones left behind at Grace Field."

"There is no way someone can be that selfless."

"Emma is." Ray pressed. "You don't know her like I know her."

"You would know her well, won't you?" Oliver muttered. "You two keep having fun when the rest of us are worried for our lives-"

"Enough." Violet shouted, effectively bringing the discussion to an end. "Lets talk about something more pressing? Like an escape?"

"Bayon's soldiers still patrol around here like normal." Gillian said. "Escaping would require the same, if not more, level of effort. Especially with-" her eyes unconciously travelled towards Ray.

He sighed. "So I'm the biggest holdup here? Its fine. Leave me behind."

"You know we can't do that." Violet said. "All of us will escape."

"Then Emma comes with us." Ray said. "After I heal, she and I will go save Norman."

Oliver grunted in disapproval, but everyone else agreed.

Just then, a young child burst into the room, scared and yelling unintelligibly. Lucas pulled her into a comforting hug, and slowly rubbed her back, calming her down expertly.

"Whats wrong, Naru?"

"Adults-" She said, still shaking a bit. "Me and Emma were.. picking firewood and-"

"Where?"

"Near the blue windmill-"

Gillian and Violet exchanged a look. They both got up together, and without a word, rushed to where Emma was. Ray turned to Oliver.

"No."

"I didnt even say anything!" Ray protested.

"I can guess what it is-" Oliver sighed, running his right hand through his hair. "Forget it."

"..please."

"….fine."

Oliver niftly hoisted Ray to his back, and without waiting for the injured man to hold on properly, started sprinting after the girls.

When they reached the windmill, Emma was standing right next to what appeared to be an old lady. She heard them approach, and turned to smile at them.

The smile was so cold.

"Get away from her!" Ray screamed.

"Brave words, coming from a cripple." The lady laughed as Emma turned to look at them.

"Why…are you here?" She whispered.

"Come back, Emma." Gillian called. "That person reeks of bad news!"

The woman walked a little closer, squinting at Ray. "Well. If it isnt the gift! I'm surprised Bayon hadn't taken a bite out of you yet." She joked. "But looking at you, I can tell he tried."

"You're here earlier than you said." Emma interrupted before Ray could speak.

"You made more progress than we had ever hoped for, my darling." The woman beamed.

"I killed one of your-"

"One of my clients? Yes yes. But its for the best." Grandma extended a hand towards her. "Now come, Emma. Your destiny awaits."

"She's being taken away?" Gillian gasped softly.

Emma hesitated. She shot a look back at the rag-tag group that had now become her comrades… mostly.

Her gaze locked with Ray's.

"Come back." He mouthed. "We will escape together."

She smiled softly.

Grandmother watched the interaction with amusement. "If your loyalty is divided, Emma, feel free to go back to them. We have no need for those we can't trust."

Emma's eyes lit up. "Then-"

"Of course, that also means you won't see Norman again." Grandmother continued. "That poor boy has been waiting for you for years."

"I.." Emma decided to take a gamble. "I'll find him."

The older woman laughed. "You and these children? You think you will be able to find where he is?"

"I-"

"And do you really think this entire group will be ready to sacrifice themselves for one measly man?"

Emma gulped.

It was true. It was true. It was true.

Norman.

She turned to face the others, face Ray, and gave a slight shake of her head.

Their faces dropped. Even Oliver looked horrified.

Ray slipped off his shoulders. He tried to erect himself, failed, and collapsed into a heap on the ground. He reached out towards her, stretched his hand as far as he could manage. "Don't go-" he begged.

Emma almost rushed to him, but caught herself in time.

"Are you coming, Emma?"

She gave them one last glance.

"Yes, Grandmother."

Chapter Text

Grandmother looked exceedingly pleased with herself as the vehicle rumbled forward.

"How old are you now, dear?"

"Almost nineteen."

"Thats old enough."

Old enough for what? She wanted to ask. But she remembered the first lesson Grandmother had taught her. To not ask too many questions.

"You did real damage to Leuvis." The woman chuckled. "I had hoped for it, but I would not have bet on it."

"So he is still alive."

"And more excited than I've ever seen him. He dearly wants you." Grandmother smiled. "Too bad he has already lost all chances."

"Because I'm a monster?"

"Oh, Emma-" She was suddenly drawn into an uncomfortable hug. "Oh no no no. You're no monster. You're a miracle. Both you and Norman."

"Will I-" Emma hesitated, then decided to go for it. "Will I get to see him now?"

"Soon, darling." Granmother cooed into her ear. "A few tests first. To see how you have.. developed."

"So you did put something in my fo-"

The hug became tighter as grandmother's right palm closed over her neck. "What did I tell you about questions?"

"I'm sorry-" she croaked out. Grandmother waited a bit till she released her hold.

"Good girl."

***************************

Emma was taken to a building she had never seen before. It looked new. Modern. Very different from the rustic templates of the farm houses.

Cold and unfeeling. This was no place to raise a child.

"Welcome to Lambda, Emma." Grandmother said, guiding her in. "I'll take you to your room."

The chamber was bare, save for a bookshelf and a stiff looking bed. There was a tray full of bland looking food, and she inhaled it before stuffing the tray into a slot that had opened up nearby just as she had finished.

So there was someone watching her.

She tried to read some books, failed miserably. The bed was too cold. The room was too clean. It was too silent.

She missed Ray's arms around her, and desperately wished she could have stayed.

"Don't be selfish." She told herself. Ray had his comrades. Norman had nobody but her.

Norman.

She blinked, and she was back in Goldy Pond. Ray was sitting beside her on the meadow where they had shared their first kiss. Their fingers were intertwined, and she realised ah. Its a dream.

"I'm sorry." She whispered. "I'm sorry I couldn't stay."

"You chose him." Ray replied, almost bitterly. "You always choose him. I'm used to it."

"No- Ray no!" She whimpered. "Its different. I had no choice. I wanted to save him-"

"So did I."

"-and there was no other way. You have to understand."

The rest of the gang appeared next to them suddenly, like a ripple on a river.

"Hey Emma." Gillian said. "It is because you don't trust us?"

"Hey, Emma." Violet joined in. "Did you not believe in us? That we'll be able to get out?"

"Emma." Lucas muttered, stepping forward. "We needed you more than ever. Did you ever stop to think what would happen if we lost our best fighter when we needed her the most?"

"Bayon is dead, Emma." Oliver said. "The estate is master-less. For all you know, we could all have been killed."

"I just-" Emma cried. "I knew you would all escape soon and-"

Ray turned and inched closer to her, holding up a bandaged arm. "How will I run away, Emma? Who will have to die to protect me?"

He placed one hand on her cheeks, pulling her closer. "You never really cared for us at all, did you?"

All excuses died in Emma's throat.

She hurriedly got up and started running, far far away from this horrid place that showed her just how much of a hypocrite she was. She had promised them they would all escape. Instead she just made everything worse.

Ray.

She woke up, her pillow drenched with her tears.

I'm so sorry.

***************************

"Good morning, Emma"

She looked around in surprise, and finally recognized that the voice was coming from a monitor she hadn't noticed before.

"Uh.. good morning?"

"I will be your doctor for the day. How are you feeling right now?"

"I'm… healthy, I guess."

"Well enough to come undergo a physical checkup?"

After the checkup, she would see Norman.

"Of course." She said with vigour.

"Excellent." The monitor said. "Someone will be there to escort you shortly."

Within two seconds, the door slid open to reveal two adult men in labcoats. They waited outside until she stepped out of the room, and then silently began guiding her to where she was supposed to go.

"My name is Emma." She chirped. Neither man acknowledged her.

They want minimum contact with the cattle children, she concluded. Made sense. So far, these adults seemed to be working with the demonkind as well.

Did they have a conscience, or were they just following orders?

They took her to another room, just as white as the one she was in before. Another man was waiting for her there, and he had the same smile grand mother did. A smile that suggested that he was well aware what was going on, and he didn't mind at all.

"Emma." He welcomed her with fake enthusiasm.

"Hello, doctor." She smiled, mirroring him.

He came forward and shook her hand. "We'll be working together for a few months, Emma. Call me Jacob."

"So I'll be here for that time."

"Mostly." He said. "It depends on how your body reacts to the changes."

She was so curious. So, so curious. But she held it in. Better the surprise than the dread of waiting.

"Lets start with a few physical checkups, shall we?" Jacob signalled towards another door. She kept the smile plastered on her face as she followed him in.

*************************

The checkups left her feeling exhausted and drained. Jacob seemed happy, and kept exclaiming in excitement. He was most excited by her blood tests, and ended the ordeal by taking some of her tissue and hair for more 'extensive' checks.

This definetly wasn't a routine examination.

But now she was done, and as she retreated to her room, she heard something move inside.

The lights were off, and she immediately assumed a defensive pose.

She stepped into the room as silently as she could, and switched on the lights.

"Uh. I wish you had warned me." Someone muttered.

In a second, Emma was straddling the stranger, one hand on his neck and the other ready to punch the daylights out of-

Familiar blue eyes, now filled with tears. A soft gaze. Pretty white hair.

Norman.

Chapter Text

To my dearest Emma

A few weeks ago, I learnt the truth of the world we live in. Mama told me that normally, kids are eaten. We lived in a farm, Emma. We were the crop.

It took me quite a while to accept that Ray was dead, and you were next, but I was saved because of this… strange mission the people here at Lambda speak of.

I should've tried to run away. I truly wished I were dead. So I could see you guys again.

They found me, though. Found me trying to bite my tongue off. (There was no other way. They were always safe with what they gave me). I should have known that I'm always under watch, even in the bathrooms.

So in consolation, I asked for a pen and some paper. Because right after I tried to die, Grandmother came and told me you were still alive.

I just have to wait a few years, Emma. If I keep doing well, and if I keep being healthy, I can see you again.

She told me you're waiting for me too. You probably have trials of your own. Is it selfish of me to want you to try your best? Do whatever you can so I can see you again?

I keep remembering you as you were before Mama took me away. All trembling with red eyes, trying hard to smile for my sake. I suppose you'll be an adult when we meet again.

Its a bit sad that we won't get to grow up together. But I intend to keep my promises.

I'll write to you, Emma. Every day I can. And when we meet again, this will be my gift. A reunion present of sorts.

I miss you already. Let's leave this place together.

Norman.

*****************************

"Norman?"

He looked so much older than she remembered. He had grown to become gangly, a stretched out version of the young boy.she had known and loved.

"Emma-" he whispered, cupping her face with both his hands. "I wanted to see you so much."

"Me too-" and she broke into tears. Norman held on for as long as he could before succumbing to the same.

She hugged him, her whole body pressed against his, making sure he was real. It had been so long, far too long, and-

"Emma" he said, his voice a little strangled. "You're crushing me-"

"Oh!" She blushed and hurriedly got off him. Norman sat up, his face mirroring her flush.

"Its been so long." He breathed, "You're so grown up, Emma. Your hair-"

"You too." She smiled. "You're so tall now."

"I'm sorry I couldn't send you letters." He said, reluctantly pulling away from her. "But I still wrote them, Emma. Whenever I could."

He put a stack of envelops in front of the bewildered woman.

"Oh Norman-"

"Shh." He whispered, and pulled her into another hug. "I don't know how much time we have so… how have you been?"

"Terrible." Emma complained. "I've messed everything up. Now I'm training to become a mama-"

"You did what you could."

"-and I've killed, Norman! I killed a demon, but I did it with my bare hands and-"

At this, Norman pulled away in shock, looking at her with surprise. "Bare hands?"

"I'm freakishly strong now." She said sheepishly. She had expected concern, maybe disbelief, but Norman looked shellshocked.

He grabbed her by her shoulders violently. "How is your health?" He shouted. "Do you have any pain? Difficulty in breathing? Panic attacks? Head ach-"

"Norman calm down-" Emma said, a little taken aback. "I'm okay! Just a tad stronger than usual-"

"Are you sure?"

"I just had a checkup, Norman." She replied. "The doctor was happy… I don't think I'm sick."

He let out a sigh of relief.

"Whats wrong?"

Norman put his hand over hers, and looked at her, suddenly serious. "Emma, do you know what this place is?"

"Grandmother called it Lambda." She said. "Its… a hospital?"

"Its where we were born, Emma."

***********************************

Norman's movements were slow and calculated as he sat down on her bed and pulled her to sit in between his legs. He snaked his arms around her waist and rested his chin on her shoulder, his cheek rubbing against her's softly.

There was a distinct friction from his five o'clock shadow, another testament to how he had grown.

They kept sneaking peeks at the monitor and the door, expecting someone to come pull them apart at any moment. This moment of peace seemed too good to be true.

"Norman-" She whispered, "Tell me more about this place?"

He let out a deep sigh. "To be honest, I'm not quite sure myself. Since I was brought here, I've been made to take more tests everyday. I rarely see anyone except the adults."

"So there are other kids here?"

He nodded. "Its just that I don't get to see them much. Unless one of them tries to escape."

"That happens a lot?"

"More than you would think. The kids here are.." he thought for an appropriate word. "…special. Like you. So it's easy for them to tear down a room or two."

"They're all strong?"

"In various ways." Norman said. "You see, Emma. I think this is a place for human experimentation."

Emma froze.

"I've seen children with disproportionate bodies. Huge heads. Children who speak from the age of one. Children that look more demon than human." Norman continued. "They've… put some stuff in me as well. My mental capabilities.. increased exponentially. After coming here."

"What are you-"

"Usually, it doesn't work out that well." He said. "I've heard of children go mad and kill themselves. One girl got a seizure as we passed each other in a hallway. The scientists just… observed."

"Is that why you asked- Oh god- Norman, do you have them too?"

He shook his head. "I'm healthy, Emma." He said. "Weak, but healthy."

She buried herself into his chest. "I'm so glad-"

He nuzzled against her cheek. 

"I'm so glad they let us meet-" She continued.

"Though I still can't digest why." Norman sighed. "I have a few guesses, but-"

"Me too." She bit her lip. "Especially after… what you said. Coming here. All these tests."

Norman followed her train of thought. "They consider us cattle." He lamented. "Nothing is too far fetched."

"Hey… Norman-" She began, then remembered the monitors. So she stayed silent, and hoped he could read her eyes. Let's escape. Let's not be their puppets anymore.

He blinked. Then smiled. "Why did you start growing out your hair?"

She was a bit taken aback. But then again, it might be a sign. To remind her that people were listening, and to divert the conversation.

"I didn't feel like cutting it." She said, smiling uneasily.

"Doesn't it make training difficult for you?"

"I usually have it in a braid. Its not that bad." She pulled at some strands, a little concious now.

Norman took them from her hands, stretching them as long as they would go. "You should cut it." He whispered seriously. "It looks too different."

"I am different." Emma shrugged.

"You should cut it." Norman repeated, smiling, and suddenly it didn't sound like a suggestion anymore.

It was unnerving.

She shook it off. This was Norman. Norman.

Her best friend.

She wished there was a way to tell him Ray was still alive, but something told her it was information that should be conveyed in secret. The last thing she needed was these people turning their attention to Goldy Pond.

The door opened, and people in labcoats waited outside silently.

Norman reluctantly got up. "Thats my cue to leave." He said apologetically. "I hope I get to see you again. Soon."

She tried to grin, send him off with a smile, but it was hard when her mind was preoccupied with creating scenarios where they never met again.

"Promise me?" She choked out.

Norman waved, and left without a word. She was all alone once again.

********************************

To my dearest Emma

They keep giving me tests here, but they're so much more difficult than the ones we used to get at the house. I'm terrified that I won't get to see you if I get even one wrong.

The resources here are good, though. So if I keep studying, I think I will be able to hold on.

I've only ever seen adults here, but sometimes when I'm walking to the test room, I hear screams from other rooms. I try not to think about it, but its not a sound you can easily forget.

I have dreams about Ray sometimes. Then I wake up and wonder if this is fair. He was smart too, but he still had to die. I feel so selfish for being happy you're alive, Emma. I feel so selfish for thinking that I'm glad I am alive with you, while Ray is

I want to see you.

Norman

Chapter Text

To my dearest Emma,

I'm sorry I haven't written for so long. They have started to put a device on my head now, to better measure my abilities (or so they claim). But it is exhausting and heavy and it gives me such a headache that I keep falling asleep the moment I am returned to my room. I don't even have the luxury to dream of you now.

I finally saw another child like me yesterday. He was dark-skinned and tall, almost bald, and had a worrying scar on his head. He seemed extremely frightened, and was being forcefully led to another room.

I promise you, Emma. I hesitated there. The door closed, and moments later, the screaming began. But the doctors restrained me, and told me its nothing I should be concerned about.

Now that I know for sure that there are other children here, I'm more worried than ever. The scar looked so much like one left behind from a major surgery.

Its shameful, but all those worries lead to more worries for myself. Am I going to have to go through that one day? Will my scream join the rest? The headache by itself is unbearable at times, Emma. Some days I just want to stop. But I can't, because you're waiting for me.

I miss you and your smile.

Norman

************************

Norman visted her at odd days, and she would almost always be surprised by his presence when she returned from seeing doctor Jacob.

He would be sitting, back straight, on her bed, unmoving until she stepped in. Almost as if he came to life only at the very moment he saw her.

Emma didn't know what to make of it. She hated herself for thinking Norman was rather frightening.

However, the ill feelings soon melted away as they engaged in conversation. Save the moments he watched her hair with such intensity that she thought it might burst into flames at any moment.

They had not gotten a chance to speak privately yet.

He would usually ask how her tests went. She was being pushed physically every day, each time harder than the last, but it was never an impossible task.

She would ask him the same question, and he would tip toe around the topic. She would press more, and he would speak of something else with a tone of finality that didn't leave room for any more discussion.

One night before he left, Norman turned to her, an unreadable expression on his face as he said, "You're turning nineteen tomorrow."

"Yes." She affirmed.

He looked at her for a long time before breaking out into one of his trademark fake smiles, waving as he left the room.

The next day, she was summoned to a different room. Jacob smiled at her with more genuineness that day, and it actually made her feel more disturbed.

"I assume Isabella or Grandmother has told you of how one becomes a Mama?"

"Graduating the training academy?"

"And after that?"

Emma stared at the man blankly. He sighed in annoyance. "They always leave the awkward stuff to me."

"What do I have to do?"

"Awaken your maternal instinct, Emma." Jacob said, looking rather uncomfortable. The first time the man had shown genuine emotion. "Its an archaic way of thinking, but its the way this has been done for centuries."

"You don't mean-"

"You have to give birth to become a Mama." He continued, interrupting her in a rush to get the conversation done with. "We have been observing your menstrual cycle, and we'll decide on the day you are most fertile to go ahead with it." He saw Emma's face turn pale in horror, and immediately added, "Artificial insemination, of course. It will not be painful nor will it take too long."

"What happens-" Emma swallowed, trying to wet her dry throat. "What happens to the baby?"

"It is sent to one of the farms." Jacob said, immediately at ease once again. "Don't worry. It will definetly be a high level farm, considering its pedigree. As long as there are no birth defects." He added darkly.

"Pedigree." Emma repeated, disbelieving.

"You and Norman." Jacob beamed, suddenly full of pride. "You're both our most prized creations! What one lacks, the other makes up for! Its almost as if (unpronouncable) itself willed it to be so!"

Emma's ears picked up the unfamiliar name.

"Of course, that does not guarantee that your offspring will have both your positive traits, but thats where people like me come in-" Jacob continued, "A little human manipulation, and the probability increases exponentially! Its already a miracle that both of you are fertile. There were so many faliures.. we almost gave up-"

"Hey, doctor Jacob?-"

"Please, call me Jacob-"

"Doctor Jacob. What exactly am I?"

He grinned. "I think you have figured it out already, haven't you?"

"I'm not wholly human. Am I?"

"Our most ambitious project yet. A demon-human hybrid." Jacob's eyes were sparkling. It was sickening to see a man so obsessed with something so disgusting. "All possible thanks to that one particular tribe- I'm so thankful they existed. Getting the Royals' help would have been such a pain-"

Emma ought to have been in shock by now, but she was surprisingly taking it in stride. Maybe she had suspected this all along. That comradeship with Leuvis. The pleasure she felt from the hunt. Her strength, that Leuvis polished so ardently..

Did he know?

"Why?" Emma whispered. "Why go through all this trouble?"

Jacob stopped his monologue to look at her curiously. "Isn't it obvious?" He said. "For (unpronouncable), of course."

"Who-"

"They didn't even tell you that?" He groaned. "Must I do everything? I'm a doctor, not a nanny."

"Please, doctor-"

"Well, to put it simply-" he rubbed his chin, "It is an existance equivalent to what we would call a God. Only, it exists in the mortal realm."

"Exists?"

"You can see it, if you're lucky. Theoretically, you can also touch it. Speak directly to it. Its a living, breathing creature, but the demonfolk worship it as a God." Jacob explained. "Obviously, they seek to give him the best offerings. The more rare and accomplished the meat, the better it tastes."

"I was meant to be an offering?"

"Not you, Emma. You've got a little too much demon in you." Jacob laughed, but refused to explain further.

Norman! Emma realised.

*****************************

When Norman came to visit that night, she told him of her conversation with the doctor, expecting to be interrupted at any time.

Even after she was done, Norman's expression showed nothing more than thoughtfulness.

"As expected." He murmered.

His lack of emotion dissapointed her.

"They're forcing us to have a child- They're going to sacrifice our baby to some God- Don't you feel anything?" Emma sobbed.

"There is nothing we can do, Emma." Norman replied, nonplussed. "You said it yourself. To become a Mama you must give birth."

"It seems too real now. I don't want to-" Emma choked. "Norman, before that happens, lets es-"

In a flash, Norman's lips were on her's, kissing her with so much force that she swallowed her words. Just as the door opened.

Norman pulled back, and moved a stray hair behind her right ear. "I'm honoured, Emma." He smiled. "I'm honoured that I have been chosen. You should be too."

Emma followed his movements with her eyes, still too shocked to move. To her surprise, what waited outside were not doctors like always. Rather, they were overseers, weapons out and ready to attack at any moment. Norman waved as he walked towards them, nodded and followed them out.

Of course. She had almost messed everything up. She almost said their intentions out loud.

The kiss was meant to stop her. The praises were to ward off any suspicion about himself. An indirect Don't worry. I'll keep an eye on her aimed towards those who were waiting and watching.

But was his indifference an act as well?

**********************

To my dearest Emma,

I saw a demon for the first time today. It looked strangely human… it was even wearing a labcoat.

The doctors interacted with it sans any inhibitions. It was rolling a wheeled container down the hall, and I had a slight suspicion about what was inside. It had come from a room where the screaming had recently stopped.

I developed a sharp pain some time afterwards. They found some lumps in me, so I'm going to be forced into an operation tomorrow. My usual doctors were yelled at by some other adults. Something tells me I'll never see them again.

Not that I even remember their faces now. I probably won't notice even if its not the usual people tomorrow.

It hurts a bit, since I'm on some very strong medication, but I keep reading books so I won't think of the pain. Or the empty, silent room.

I hope you come see me soon.

Norman

Chapter Text

Dear Emma,

I had my operation three days ago. It took me some time to be well enough to write, and I have so much to say… My only consolation is that I can share it with you, at least through my letters. They've promised me they would never read them, and I never go anywhere without them, you see.

I had my suspicions, but I recently confirmed that I'm treated differently compared to other children here. My tests are painful, but not so much that I can't handle it. I always get treats, medicines, and I have people at my disposal. I get almost everything I ask for. They treat me with some kind of reverence. Especially this man, Peter Ratri… who 'adopted' me from the farm. He promised me a lot of things, and privacy was one of them.

This is risky, but I can't keep it inside any longer. I need to tell someone.

Because Emma, I think I found an ally!

I can't tell you the specifics, so ask me in person, okay? I can't afford to put them in danger.

But there's a way for us to escape, Emma. I swear, by the time you come, I will be ready for you. This time, I will protect you. No matter what happens to me.

Norman.

*********************************

"An ally." Emma whispered, holding the letter close to her chest. Norman had found an ally. So she could assume that he was planning an escape, at the very least for the two of them.

Ask me, the Norman in the letter had said. But she didn't know how and when to bring it up. In the letters, Norman still seemed the same. The living Norman in front of her seemed almost like a stranger at times, someone who was masquerading as her childhood friend.

And that kiss. It was so painful.

It was the first time Norman had ever hurt her. His callousness was still a shock.

And Ray had been so gentle.

She shook her head, trying to clear it of all painful thoughts. Two people, both equally important to her. Both battling their own demons, though Norman's letters gave her a feeling he had gone through more than he had let on.

She wanted to ask him so many things. But they couldn't breathe without being overheard.

She sighed, holding the letters to her once again. The only reminders of the Norman she had been so desperate to save.

And a familiar scent, though muted, wafted into her nose.

Citrusy. Orange juice?

Her first thought was that Norman may have spilled some on the paper as he was writing. Then she noticed that a part of the letter she had been reading had been left blank.

She held it to her nose as inconspicuously as possible. The scent was strongest there.

Bingo.

Now where should I sit? She wondered.

Every time he had entered, Norman had made a beeline to a particular corner of her bed.

A blind spot?

She filled a glass with water, and gently walked to that place. Silently, she spilled water.

Nothing happened.

She continued to 'accidentally' spill water along the bed until the dispenser opened, giving her fresh sheets.

"Thank you!" She smiled, making a show of removing the sheet and pulling the new one on. The dispenser closed as soon as she had finished putting the old bedsheet inside.

And now Emma knew where the blindspot was.

All she needed was a heat source.

She looked around. There was one single lamp, thankfully detatchable. She walked to the bookshelf, lingering, acting like she was choosing a book to read. She finally settled on one, and picked up the lamp as she walked towards the bed, making sure her legs extended past the blind spot so they could see just a bit of her and the book she was supposedly reading.

She gingerly held the paper against the light bulb, and brown letters- slightly faded by time- began to show up.

************************

I know you'll find this, Emma. And I'm hoping they wont.

Just in case I'm not here when you recieve this, I need you to know all of this. So you can at least save yourself.

He calls himself Smee. He has given me some things, told me a lot of other things. About the demon society. About the farms. The trackers. The Ratri family. About William Minerva. If I'm not here, go find him.

He was very careful while talking to me, though. He was my doctor for the operation, you see. And the first words he told me were a warning that he wasn't going to use any anesthetic, because he wanted me awake and alert for what he was going to tell me. He begged me not to scream in pain and alert others.

It was hard, Emma. It hurt so bad that I thought I would pass out from the pain. But I survived, and was able to collect bits and pieces of precious information from what he whispered whenever he got close enough.

So let me tell you, Emma… about the truth of the world.

****************************

A lot of things clicked into place as Emma kept reading. Why the humans were so amicable towards the demons. The fact that they were called 'customers'.

The thousand year old promise. How they were leftovers from the same.

The fact that humans could forge a new promise. And maybe, just maybe, escape to the human world. The pen. The fact that there are children who have escaped before.

But there were some things that made no sense.

Bayon's hunting ground was illegal. But it had continued to function, and even Grandmother seemed to be aware of it.

And if the human world had been indifferent (at best) to those they had left behind, would they really welcome them back?

What will happen when one breaks the old promise?  Will they be putting other humans in danger?

Then, did she even care?

A part of her whispered, they have had their share of happiness. They have lived so long without sparing a thought for the cattle children they left behind.

But-

She sighed. Of course she couldn't bring herself to be comfortable with that. With subjecting even their worst enemies to what they had to go through.

She shuddered, thinking about what the doctor had said.

A demon-human hybrid.

I'm not one of them, she thought resolutely. I will never be one of them.

*********************************

Peter Ratri was waiting for Norman as he returned from routine tests.

"Peter!" Norman called almost amicably. "To what do I owe this pleasure?"

"Polite as always, I see." The older man chuckled. "I heard you're fathering it soon."

"Emma was ready earlier than expected." Norman explained. "Don't worry. I'm leaving to the seven walls right after it is born."

"For a better promise."

"For a more profitable promise." Norman corrected, smiling.

Peter seemed amused. "You've completely shifted to our side, haven't you?"

"I wasn't aware there were sides." Norman said. "All I'm concerned with is the option that allows Emma to stay alive."

"I can promise you that." Peter grinned, already preparing to leave. "As an added bonus, you'll get to live with her."

Norman's expression morphed into a look of pure disgust the moment the man left the room.

Chapter Text

Dear Emma,

James Ratri came to talk to me yesterday. He told me they're planning on building a new farm, one that creates better products than even the premium ones. And then he promised me a share.

I wanted to laugh at his face. But I knew I was living in his mercy, so I wouldn't dare. Not before seeing you.

He told me about (unpronounceable). About the promise. I think I hid the fact that I already knew about it, though. He talked to me as if I were a child.

He said he wants me to go meet (unpronounceable). To make a new promise, create a new loophole that would allow him and his friends to take advantage of it for the new 'farm'. He was so excited about it, and it was so easy to forget that he was talking about sacrificing human children…

And then he told me my other task. To father a child with you, Emma! He means to make our child the sacrifice for when I make a new 'promise'!

I couldn't keep my cool after that. I clawed at him, I bit him, I did anything I could to hurt the monster who had dared to suggest such a horrible, horrible thing. Yet he took it all with a smile!

Others came to hold me back, and he told me to think it through.

As if I could! As if I would!

I've always wanted a family with you, Emma. And this man expects me to be okay with pawning off my child? He called our baby 'it'! Like an object!

This place is horrible, Emma! Heart breakingly horrible. Damn those demons. Damn the adults. I want to kill all of them. Every.single.one.

They'll never touch you. Or our child.

******************************

When doctor Jacob himself came to pick her up, Emma knew it was the day. Being guided to a different room solidified that realisation.

"It will be over quick." The doctor promised.

And indeed it was. Emma could hardly believe that a few days later, she would almost certainly be on the road to carrying a child.

The doctor explained that they had induced ovulation in her. The zygote would be implanted within her later.

After it was tampered with.

She tried not to think about that. Or about how she herself was one of those tampered pieces.

"You'll be taken to Grace Field for your pregnancy period", Doctor Jacob said matter of factly. "Norman suggested it would be easier if there is a woman to take care of you. He might be coming with as well." He paused and looked at her with slighy envy. "You're so pampered."

"Am I really?" She whispered.

"Normally, pregnancy is handled at headquarters." The doctor said, taking her temperature. "And everyone is in this one big room. They get food and help, of course, but-" He glanced at the thermometer reading, and exhaled in satisfaction. "Well, not that they would know their mates anyway. But having someone like Norman request to stay by your side is-" he turned to her. "You're childhood sweethearts, aren't you?"

"You…can say that." She said softly.

The doctor smiled condescendingly. "How romantic."

She bit her tongue, trying to keep herself from screaming at him, at how nonchalant he was, making her produce a child just so they could-

"You may leave now." He said dismissively. Emma bowed, and left.

******************************

She was already two month pregnant by the time she reached Grace Field house. Mama was there at the gate, beaming, all delighted and proud and seeing her twisted Emma's stomach in a way that was almost sickening.

Isabella hadn't aged a day.

Norman was by her side, smiling, gingerly taking her hand and leading her inside the house, where a room had been prepared just for them.

Emma looked around. There weren't any familiar faces. Figures. It had been seven years, after all.

Seven long years, in which every member of her family had been taken away and eaten.

Her rescue plan had failed even before it began.

The new children gathered around her and Norman in awe as Mama introuduced them as her older children who had come back to visit for a few months. Norman seemed to get along with everyone, even Mama, splendidly. But every time she saw a child, she could only be reminded of the future that lay before them.

A sudden patter of feet alerted her to the presence of a newcomer. Within moments, Norman was in front of her, shielding her with his whole body, the intruder flush against his chest.

She watched Norman's expression go from surprise, to sadness, to muted joy. He stepped back to reveal an older boy with dark skin, brown hair and the sweet smile she had loved oh so much.

"Emma!" The boy chirped.

Phil.

*******************************

Phil hung out with them till it was bedtime. It was unbelievably easy to identify this gangly eleven year old as the four year old she had left behind so long ago. He had changed so little. He was still her beloved Phil inside.

And she wanted to tell him to run. To escape. She wanted to warn him so bad.

But if Mama got to know, he would be shipped out faster. She didn't want that either.

As Phil perched on the end of her bed and chattered noisily about how life was after she left, she calculated the possibilities. He had turned eleven a few months ago, and would be two months shy of twelve the day she was to give birth. No matter how hard she thought about it, that window was too small for her to come back as Mama and help him escape. It was a fool's errand.

And with her at this state- she touched her stomach- she wouldn't be able to run with him now.

Norman sat on an armchair nearby, watching them, a smile never leaving his face. She felt like he was keeping tabs on her, on what she discussed with Phil. The boy himself was just a bundle of excitement at having met his favourite people again.

"Is Mama treating you well, Phil?" She asked, eager to change the topic from the kids who had been adopted. The kids she couldn't save.

"Yes! She says I'm a prodigy!" Phil grinned. "She said that whoever adopts me will be so lucky-"

"Thats…" She bit back a sob, "That's nice."

Phil immediately stiffened, his smile morphing into a worried frown. "Emma?" He called questioningly, reaching out to wipe an escaped tear away. "Does it hurt? Do you want something?"

"I'm okay-" She smiled through her tears. "I love you, Phil. You should remember that."

"I love you too, Emma!" The boy smiled back, but it didn't reach his eyes. The worry was still there. "I love Norman too! After all, you guys came to visit again."

Norman got up and walked towards the bed, and effortlessly gathered both of them into a bear hug. "I'm sorry, Phil-" he choked.

Phil, sandwiched between the two, could only try wiping away their tears with both his hands. He looked more worried than ever, his eyebrows furrowed, almost near tears himself.

They stayed like that till another child shyly came into the room and announced that Mama was calling them for food.

****************************

That night, Emma lay awake as Norman slipped into bed beside her.

"Can't sleep?" He asked, curling a stray orange hair around his pinky finger.

She stayed quiet, and Norman leaned in to whisper into her ear. "Its okay. You can talk freely here."

"I want to save Phil." She confessed immediately. "When…when we escape, I want Phil and the rest to be there with us."

Norman blinked. Then softened. "I thought you might say that."

She turned hopeful. "So then-"

"Thats impossible." He cut in, and shushed her with his hand as he continued. "Listen, Emma. I have a plan. And I need you to follow it."

Chapter Text

Dear Emma,

I think they're drugging me. I have these periods where I retain no memory whatsoever, and I wake up in unfamiliar rooms with unfamiliar people.

Peter has been visiting me a lot more recently. And he almost always carries news of you. Of how you're working hard on training to be a Mama. How you have impressed everyone there. It has me almost looking forward to his visits now.

He's more than just a cartoonish villian now, Emma. I pity him. Sometimes, when he tries to push his views on to me, I inwardly laugh at him. His visits provide at least some form of amusement in this dreary place. I imagine I might feel a little sad when the time comes to cut his throat.

Preperations for an escape plan are underway. I have found many comrades, though we usually have to use middlemen to communicate with each other. All I need now is you safely by my side.

Hurry to me

Norman

*****************************

"A plan?" She whispered.

Norman shuffled closer, till she was close enough to be encircled in his arms. "I'm supposed to be keeping tabs on you. Making sure you don't tell-"

"They trust you that much?"

"I've pretty much convinced them." He grinned, and suddenly he was the old Norman again. "Why do you think I got to bring you here? I have a few suspicions, Emma. I think I'm being trained to be the successor."

"A cattle child? As a successor?"

"Stranger things have happened." Norman stated. "It was so difficult, though. Waiting so long to even tell you about what we have to do. About escaping-"

"There aren't any cameras here?" She asked. "No microphones?"

"Nothing." He said. "I made sure. This place doesn't normally need them, after all."

Emma snuggled closer. "I have so many things to tell you too…R-"

"May I speak first?" Norman interrupted. "Time is of the essence."

"I-" Emma swallowed her protests. "You go ahead."

Norman had a glint in his eyes, something she had seen before only when he was engaged in a particularly challenging chess game.

"I have found an entrance to the human world."

"You wha-"

"Shhhh" His hands were on her mouth again. He waited till she calmed down to remove it.

"Smee. He gave me a.. pen. It had information. A lot of it. And it showed me coordinates-" He pulled out a rather fat pen with a checkered design. "Goldy Pond. I think thats where we should go-"

"That can't be right!" Emma cried. "Norman, I've been there! Its a hunting ground for demons…at least, it used to be-"

"But thats illegal!"

"I remember. It was there. I was there." She gulped. "So was Ray.."

Norman blinked, once, twice, before his face twitched in surprise. "Ray is… still alive?"

"Yes." Emma breathed, relieved that she could finally let it out. "Ray was given to Lord Bayon…as a sort for gift for something…And the last I saw him-" Emma flinched unconsciously as his heartbroken face came to her mind. "He was injured…a lot. But he was alive, Norman!"

Norman covered his quivering lips with his hand. "Its… not a lie?"

"Will I ever lie to you?" Emma whispered, herself tearing up. Norman let out a loud sob and held her closer. "This is great. This is amazing. We can save him, Emma!" He said, voice trembling with emotion. "The three of us can be together again-"

"Yes-" She said, silently hoping that Ray and the others were still hanging on. Still staying alive.

"This is perfect. This is working out better than I hoped-" Norman's eyes crinkled as he smiled, and Emma thought finally. A real smile.

"So whats your plan?" She prodded.

"We go to Goldy Pond anyway." He explained. "There must be something there. William Minerva had built it for us cattle children. If not the entrance, there will be a clue."

"There was a certain underground room we couln't open-" Emma thought out loud, recalling the mysterious room Lucas had showed her. 

"Perfect" Norman said appreciatively, looking at her with those warm eyes that made her stomach do flips.

"How are we going to escape?" She asked. 

"I have a team ready at Lambda." Norman said excitedly. "We have a few cooperative scientists too. You will be taken back there, Emma. I've made sure of that. When the time comes, Smee will come get you."

"And you? And.." Her hands grazed against her belly. "The baby?"

"One month after you give birth, I will be taken to meet (unpronouncable). To form a new promise." He explained. "I will be taking it with me."

"..It?"

"They expect me to make a certain promise. Instead, I will make another. A promise that will set all us cattle children free." Norman continued, shivering in repressed excitement. "The Ratri will pay! And so will the demons! We-"

Emma placed a hand on his cheek, slightly cupping his face and forcing him to look at her. "It, Norman?"

Norman looked at her with surprise. "Don't tell me you've grown attatched to it, Emma."

"You're speaking about our child-"

"-that was forced upon us. That neither of us wanted. It doesn't mean anything." He took her hand off his face, forcefully lacing their fingers together. "When we are free, when we have had our revenge, lets start a real family together, Emma."

She recoiled from him as if she had been slapped. "Norman, you-" She choked out. "What are you saying? What you call it is still a child! A life!"

"A means to an end, Emma." Norman's voice hardened. "I was afraid you would get emotional about this. But sacrifices have to be made-"

"Norman…what have they done to you?"

"Opened my eyes. I was too naive." He glared at her, and it cut her deep. "I grew up. Its time you do the same."

He turned away from her, and from the most bitter argument they had ever had.

She waited till his breathing had calmed before slipping out, his final letter in hand. She wandered outside the house, to the tree Ray always used to sit under. The tree that had often given shade to the three of them.

Happier times.

*****************************

Emma,

This may be the last letter I can write to you. Its been almost a year since my previous one, and I still have a lot to tell you, but I think I would rather say it all in person.

I've learnt a lot more about this place. The people. About Peter Ratri, and about myself. About the new plantation they so dearly want. I can't wait to crush it all.

I've grown, matured, and I've become someone Peter seeks out for advice now. I get to make requests no cattle child could dream of. All for our escape, Emma. All for our revenge.

Peter is a small man. His mask has crumbled, and underneath I found the most fascinating insecure mess, constantly under the shadow of his late brother. He frequently slips up, calls me James, and I no longer see him as a threat but an asset, the biggest pawn I could hope for, wrapped around my finger. The man was so convinced of my faithfulness that he took me on a tour of the mass production farms, and that cemented my ideals, Emma.

I can't even begin to explain what I saw there. Humanity, depraved of all that makes us human. No sentience. No language. Just living, breathing meat.

The Lambda farms are inhumane in a different way. Children like us, but less fortunate. Being experimented on. Being broken in mind, body and soul. I had to smile and nod as he showed this off like a toddler with his favourite toy.

I will enjoy killing him. Watching the life dissappear from his eyes. The same eyes that watched over all of this without shedding a single tear.

He means for me to be his successor. I will ruin him. He and the other Ratri will take our place. They will finally learn the pain they put us through.

I will use anything I can. Anything. Anything to secure the success of our revenge.

And once that is done, Emma, I will protect you forever. I will never let you out of my sight. I will protect you and your smile. So give me strength to do what should be done.

I love you. Forever and always.

Norman

***********************

Tear drops fell on the paper, softly smudging the words as Emma doubled over it, shaking so hard that her sobs came out strangled.

She understood him. Understood at least a part of what he had gone through, what had made him into who he is now.

But for Norman- kind, sweet Norman who had professed his love for her- to want to sacrifice their child, to speak so brazenly of subjecting other humans to the same fate they had encountered… It was terrifying.

She missed Goldy Pond again, even with the constant fights for her life. She would rather go against a thousand Leuvises than see Norman as he was now.

The wind stopped, and there was a comforting hand on her shoulder. She looked back, and emerald met lavender.

"Mama?-"

Chapter Text

"I saw you walking out of the house." Isabella explained, and she seemed almost nervous. As if she was unprepared on how to act towards Emma now that she was older.

Now that she was on the path to becoming a Mama herself.

"Of course you did." Emma muttered. "You always kept such a good watch over us, after all." She made sure that it came out sounding like an accusation.

Isabella brushed it off nonchalantly. "May I sit beside you?"

Still so polite. Still acting all loving.

"Why?" She spat out, unable to hold back her feelings of betrayl from that day so many years ago.

Mama seemed like she had expected that bitter question.

"Because no one here will understand you better than me." Isabella said softly. "And back when I was in the same… situation, I often wished for someone to talk about it with. No matter who that person was."

Emma patted the ground next to her, giving the older woman a silent invitation. One that she gracefully accepted.

They sat in uncomfortable silence for a while before Emma decided to break it.

"Hey, Mama-" She asked. "Why did you choose this?"

Isabella closed her eyes and leaned against the tree. "It was my own little revenge."

"Revenge?"

She could see Isabella was thinking, weighing in her mind whether she really should tell Emma something that was bound to be so personal. Something she had definetly kept to herself for so long.

Something that had pushed her to make a choice that changed her entire life.

Eventually, the choice was made.

"My best friend." Isabella began, her gaze focused on something far away in the past. "They took him away. I found out too late, and-"

Emma could tell she was struggling, trying hard not to show how affected her was by the memory.

"By the time I even guessed.. that something was wrong, he didn't exist anymore." Isabella continued. "I wanted to keep him alive through me. And become a human they couldn't eat."

The venom in her tone when she addressed the demons surprised Emma. She had always assumed that Mama had been working together with those creatures, and to hear her refer to them with a hatred comparable to what she and Norman held was... eye-opening, to say the least.

She thought for a second that she could see a younger Isabella, joyfully playing on the meadow with a unnamed boy, laughing, blissfully unaware of the fate that awaited her. She felt so shockingly familiar.

Too familiar.

"Emma-" Isabella began carefully, almost as if she were afraid to approach that topic. "No matter how you feel now, I am glad you're alive."

"Even though I've become the kind of despicable person who is about to sacrifice her own child?"

"No one will blame you." The older woman said, her eyes downcast. "It is necessary for you to survive."

"Just as it was for you?"

Isabella smiled, albeit a smile so full of sadness that it made Emma's heart ache.

This side of Mama was new, raw, and frighteningly akin to her own future self.

"Did you ever love us, Mama?" Emma whispered, a question that had bothered her since the first time Isabella forcefully held her down to face grandmother, and force upon a child a choice she should never have been pushed to make. "How much of it was a lie?"

"Every single one of you. I loved you all "

It was such a cliche response, something that Emma would've brushed off with ease but for the note of sincerity in Isabella's voice.

"And I never had to lie about my love." The woman continued. "All of you gave me so much happiness. It was my duty and honour to provide you with all my love and affection till your time inevitably ran out."

"That sounds too perfect." Emma noted.

"On the contrary, I was never a perfect Mama." Isabella sighed, her hands slowly reaching for Emma, as if asking for permission. "I still had a few favourites."

Emma let her stroke her hair, and the action brought with it so many memories, happy memories that had been tainted by the truth of the house… or so she had thought.

She moved forward quickly, enveloping Isabella in a bear hug.

"I was happy." She murmered, almost as if she were complaining. "I was happy in this house. With my friends. With you."

Isabella hugged her back, her hands still trembling from repressed emotion. "I'm so glad you chose to stay alive, my darling Emma-" She choked out. "You will have to face so much suffering. So much grief. But even so, I'm glad you're alive-"

Emma pulled back, and the heartbroken expression on Isabella's face made her feel a little guilty.

This woman, this woman who was forced to put up a facade in front of her children… how happy she must have felt when one of them embraced her despite knowing the truth?

In the future, would Emma be reduced to this as well?

Isabella's gaze fell to her stomach, and Emma stiffened, suddenly conscious.

"How far are you, darling?"

"A little over two months."

"I see." Isabella's eyes were warm, almost teary. "You've both grown up so much. Its the first time… I was able to see-"

"Did you have to do… this as well?"

Mama jolted at the unexpected question. "Ah..yes."

"And you had to give up your child?"

"I never even got to see him." Isabella said sadly. "I never got to hold him. He was gone by the time I came back to my senses. All I had were people congratulating me on the birth of a healthy baby boy."

"And it will be the same for me." Emma sighed.

Isabella was silent for a while, her expression conflicted, as if she were once again silently at war with herself about something she wanted to say. Eventually, her compassion won.

"Emma." She began. "I plan for you to be my successor. And take over Grace Field house."

"I guessed as much." Emma replied.

"And working in the premium plants… means that there is a chance you will have to… cultivate your biological child as well."

Emma felt sick. Were the people who called the shots incapable of any compassion?

"If they give you a choice, Emma.. No matter how tempting it might seem to be able to watch over your child, choose to never see them again." Isabella seemed to speak from a place of experience.

"Mama…" Emma began, her stomach twisting with a sense of foreboding. "Did… you…"

Isabella slumped against the tree, as if she were a puppet momentarily released from the strings that controlled it.

"When you went to Goldy Pond…" She whispered, "…was Ray still alive?"

The black hair. The same violet eyes. The same sad smiles on both their faces. Now that she knew, it seemed laughingly obvious.

"He was-" Emma cried. "He was a little hurt, but he was still alive. Still working hard to stay alive-"

"Thank goodness" Isabella smiled, her eyes still closed, a single tear escaping down her cheeks.

There was silence for a while, and Emma was still struggling to process all this information. The similarities between her and Isabella were difficult to ignore, and something told her that if it were not for Norman and Ray, she might have turned out the same.

Isabella loved them. A twisted, miserable love, but a love that seemed true to her nevertheless. She wasn't blameless, but Emma understood her.

For a second she wondered whether it would be possible to take Isabella along when they escaped.

"I was so worried-" Isabella interrupted her musings.

"Yes?"

"That you would try to escape. That you would try to do the same stupid things I did." She continued, and her mask was back on. She was once again the Mama who had decieved her children for so many years, the Mama who seemed too perfect, too calm to be truly human Her tone had changed, and when she talked she seemed almost indifferent. "It wouldn't have been fruitful, either way. And its more dangerous now."

"How is it?" Emma asked, suddenly nervous.

"I assume that you've guessed there are tracking devices on you." Isabella reached out to stroke Emma's earlobe, a habit Emma recognized she had had for a long time. The reason became clear, and what she had assumed was a sign of affection now took on a completely different meaning.

"It happens a few months after you give birth. After they deem your body recovered and ready." Isabella's fingers moved down Emma's face to rest on her chest. "Right here, they put another device. The moment a Mama or a sister gets out of their assigned area, they are blown up to pieces."

"You…walk around with a bomb?" Emma cried out in surprise.

"You get to live in return." Isabella said, but even she didn't seem quite convinced.

The reality of what she had chosen finally fully dawned upon Emma, and all she could do at the wake of that realisation was to sob into her Mama's lap as if she were a five year old once again.

Chapter Text

Emma woke up on her bed, comfortably covered by a blanket and feeling well rested. She had no recollection of how she got back- the last thing she remembered was the warmth of Mama's lap; the feeling of her fingers as she softly ran them through her orange hair while humming a tune that seemed so familiar and so sad and-

The mental image of Mama carrying her, and ever so lovingly pulling a blanket over her, was too painful to imagine. She found it difficult to remind herself that Mama was just a glorified farmer, and her love was conditional.

The shower turned off in the attatched bathroom, and the silence alerted her to the fact that there was someone in the room with her.

Norman stepped out, a towel covering him from hip down, aggressively shaking his head to get rid of stray drops of water. She let out a noise like a startled mouse, and he became aware of her presence. And how wide awake she was.

"I uh-" He stumbled over his words, uncharacteristically embarassed. "I was taking a bath."

"I know." She answered, noticing his shy flush. Her face felt hot and she desperately searched for something to say. "Maybe I should take a bath too."

Norman blushed even harder, and she realised how awkward and suggestive that must have sounded.

"-alone, I mean!"

And with that, the awkwardness levels reached a new high. Norman looked almost dizzy.

He reached for his clothes, and nimbly gathered them on his shoulder. "I should-"

"Oh- Oh should I close my eyes-"

"N-no I can use the bathroom-"

"Won't your clothes get wet?" Emma asked whilst hurriedly covering her eyes with her palms. "I promise I won't look, so-"

Norman looked at her, eyes ernestly closed and willing herself to go blind for just a few minutes.

He held back a chuckle. Emma was always so righteous.

So pure.

He had to protect her.

He hurriedly tried to pull on his pants, balancing on one leg, lost his edge, and came tumbling down on the floor, producing the saddest welp that had ever come out of his mouth.

Norman was never very athletic.

And of course, Emma appeared right by his side.

"Are you okay? Did you hurt yourself?" She was frantically moving his hair around, trying to see where he had hit himself. Before he could stop her, her touch revealed a pronounced series of bumps on his head.

Most definetly not ones born from mere impact.

She leaned back, and noticed the expression of fear on his face as she did so.

"I'm sorry you had to see that-" He whispered.

"What did they do, Norman?"

He touched it himself, as if trying to see if it was still there. His jaw clenched. It was.

And it will be there forever.

"Exposure to radiation." He whispered. "Surgeries. I don't recollect half of what they did."

She reached out to touch him again, and he jolted back.

"I'm disgusting-"

"No you're not-"

"I'm not normal-"

"Neither am I." She persevered, and finally pushed her forehead against his. She waited till his breathing had calmed down, unconsciously matching her's.

"I have demon in me, Norman. Do you think I'm disgusting?"

"Of course not, Em-"

"Then you're not either." She kissed his nose tenderly, softly, and he melted. "You don't have to be afraid."

"My hands are not clean-" He whispered, his voice hoarse. "I've had to help them. Many times."

"You did what you had to. To survive." Emma reasoned, though his confession still sent chills down her spine. Little Norman, pushed to bring pain upon children just like him. Not being given a choice.

He wasn't pushing against her anymore, and rather had eased into her embrace.

"You have to forgive yourself, Norman."

"It's not that easy-" He laughed softly. She pulled him up by the chin, forcing him to meet her gaze.

"Then you start trying today."

He was silent, looking at her with more intensity than she could handle. She shyly brought up a hand to cover her face. "Ahhh Don't look at me like that!!!"

He moved her hand away and took it in his. Slowly, as if still waiting for her to push him away in disgust, he brought it to his lips.

She watched, transfixed, as his lips met her skin.

He watched her expression with upturned eyes.

"I love you, Emma." He sighed, and the feeling of his breath on her skin gave her goosebumps. "I promise. I will protect you. And I will take our revenge."

She faltered. "That's not what I want, Norman." She moved her hand, entwining their fingers in a solid clasp. "I just want us to escape. Run away. And work towards a better future-"

Norman's manner changed. Gone was the insecure boy exposing his fears. The wall had been resurrected.

"Emma, you don't understand. There can be no peace as long as demons exist."

"What if we make a new promise? A new promise that allows us a way around all this- violence that you're suggesting?"

"Pipe dreams, Emma." Norman said darkly, easing his hand away from her's and standing up. "And that way will never be satisfying."

"Isn't it more important that everyone stays alive?"

"Whats important is that you stay alive." Norman said, quickly putting on his clothes. "And the demons stay dead. Besides-" He straightened his tie whilst looking at her with eyes that were cold. Cruel. Distant. "A new promise, even one for peace, entails a sacrifice. Are you ready for that?"

He walked to the door, and the moment it opened Emma heard happy chatters and joyful screams.

"You should take a bath soon. Come down for breakfast."

He left before she could answer.

****************************

The table had already been completely set by the time she reached it. Norman was playing with a few children as Mama watched him, her expression almost soft. As if she was watching over him.

And not monitoring him under the orders of their predators.

She eventually noticed Emma's presence.

"Good morning, my darling." Isabella smiled as she rushed towards her, "How are you and the baby today?"

"Hungry." Emma replied cheekily, a vague attempt at a joke. Norman was avoiding her completely, and she had a vague suspicion that he felt like she had betrayed him by resisting his plans.

A few children laughed at her words. At one glance, everyone seemed happy, healthy and well-fed.

Gourmet meals.

Isabella noticed her watching the children.

"Do you feel sorry for them?" She asked.

"I do." Emma sighed, not even caring to put up appearences any more. It was exhausting.

Mama didn't look surprised. She ruffled Emma's hair affectionately, a silent Its all right, and turned her gaze towards where Norman was still playing with the kids.

"You should tell him." Isabella advised.

Emma seemed confused, so she pointed to her chest. To the device. To the ticking bomb that would soon desecrate Emma's body as well.

Did Mama know they were planning to escape?

Did they slip up?

There was nothing but concern in the woman's eyes, but then again, she was a terrific actor.

"Why?" Emma dared to ask.

"Norman..seems to harbour love towards you." Isabella replied. "Love is a luxury here, but considering who he will be… He might one day want to take you as a wife, and-" She smiled, and she looked so tired, so resigned as she patted her chest again. "- this will make things more difficult."

"So Norman will live to be an adult." Emma observed, trying not to get distracted by the marriage part. Or by how even Mama knew his feelings for her.

Even though she herself couldn't see it so clearly at times.

Isabella looked proud for a moment. "I'm sure he has already deduced what his future role will be."

"And me?"

"They're very tight lipped about that." Isabella clicked her tongue. "Its infuriating. I raised you. I ought to know-"

For the first time, Emma wondered whether she really would be sent back to Grace Field at all.

Isabella must have noticed her crestfallen look, because she was immediately comforting her. "Its alright, I'm sure that Norman will eventually be able to take you back-"

So she still has no idea.

Phil came running to them, concerned about Emma's change of mood. Even Norman was watching her, ignoring the children tugging at his clothes to get him to pay attention.

"Ahha don't worry! Don't worry!" Emma laughed loudly, partially for Norman's benefit. "I just have a baaad headache- so I'll just rest a bit!"

Phil didn't look convinced, and neither did Norman. Isabella gently pushed the younger boy away. "I'll take Emma to her room, so don't worry too much. Okay?"

"Okay, Mama." Phil tried to smile.

Isabella lent Emma a hand, which she gratefully took, as she guided her back to her bed.

"I'll bring you breakfast in a few minutes?" Mama suggested.

"Yes please."

There was silence until they reached the bed, neither of them knowing what to say to dispel the sudden gloom that had overtaken them.

Isabella pulled the blanket over Emma's form.

"Phil adores you." She noted, and Emma broke into a smile depite herself.

"I love him too."

"And he's such a smart boy." Isabella complimented, her eyes shining with pride yet again. "Did you know, Emma-" She added excitedly. "If it were not for your child, Phil would have been the sacrifice! Imagine that, such an achievement, especially as a mere human child!"

As Isabella gushed, she failed to notice the change in Emma's expression, the horror that came upon her when she realised that the Mama in front of her now was a farmer bragging about her plentiful yeild.

Chapter Text

Phil was happy that he got to see two of his most favourite people once again.

He had imagined that moment many times. After getting adopted, after growing up, he would search the entire world for a glimpse of Emma.

For some reason, he had had the feeling that even though she promised, she wouldn't come back to Gracefield. Just like everyone else.

But Emma had returned, and brought Norman with her.

And yet, he was more worried than happy.

Mama had told him that Emma and Norman were having a baby, but he saw nothing but fear in Emma's eyes every time she spoke of it.

"Hey Emma?" He had asked, perched on an end of her bed as she lay on it, almost half asleep. "What are you going to name the child?"

"Does it really matter?" She murmered, before regaining her senses and vehemently denying that she had said that. Even though he had heard it loud and clear.

And he didn't want to admit it, but Norman scared him at times.

Norman had always had the potential to turn scary. Phil remembered how frightening it was to be chased by Norman during tag. How it felt to do your best, only to have his cold blue eyes see through your every plan.

But this was on another level.

He played with the kids and they loved him. They flocked around him. Phil alone noticed how Emma would jolt when Norman placed a hand on her stomach, asking how the baby was. He alone noticed how Norman and Emma seemed to have had a fresh fight every morning, and it pained him because he remembered how they used to be.

And maybe if Ray had come back too, things would not have been so bad.

He had asked Emma about him, and Emma just smiled and said that she was going to meet him soon, one way or another.

Phil noticed that she always said 'I' and not 'we'. Like Norman was not really a part of her choices, even though he was having a baby with her.

But its not like Norman didn't love her. Phil could see it clear as day. The Norman he remembered still existed within the stranger he was now forced to live with. His eyes still filled with warmth upon seeing Emma. He still cupped her face gently right before he had to leave for 'work purposes' (which he never made clear). He would see them hugging at times, and Emma never pushed him away. She just looked mildly confused, before easing into it.

Times like those, he thought he had gotten back two of his most favourite people. But that night, they would go back to being distant once again.

"Hey, Emma-" He asked one day, unable to hold it back. "Are you and Norman married?"

Emma seemed startled, before forcing her face into the fake smile he hated to see on her.

"Nope!" She said with false enthusiasm.

He had guessed as much.

"Then, Emma…" He asked softly. "Do you love Norman?"

The mask slipped, and he saw that expression of confusion once again.

She leaned over and poked his nose. "Shouldn't you be studying?"

He caught her fingers and squeezed. "You can tell me."

"Really now?" She looked amused.

He was being treated like a child.

"I'm already eleven, you know!" He protested, throwing his hands up in a huff. "And even Mama says I'm smart!"

Emma laughed. "Of course, of course!" She said. A shadow crossed her face, and her laughter died. She shifted so she was closer to him, leaned in hesitantly and whispered. "Then, Phil, are you happy in this house?"

He blinked rapidly in confusion. "Ah. Yes. Whats wrong?"

"Have you noticed… anything strange?"

Phil wanted to laugh, tell her that she was acting like she was in a mystery novel. But Emma's eyes weren't smiling, so he gathered that she was hinting at something. Something important.

"The numbers on our necks?" He offered, after some thought. "The fact that the windows are… unreasonably reinforced.."

Now that he thought about it, a lot of things about the house seemed eerie. A lot of things he had never had any need to question. A lot of things to which he had chosen to simply swallow Mama's explanation without thinking about it.

"Why haven't anyone else come back?" He asked, voice slightly trembling. "Even the ones who were most attatched. Are they okay? Is Sherry-"

"What else?" Emma guided him. "What about Mama? Does anything strike you as… odd about her?"

Phil racked his brain, dissecting each memory. Destroying the warmth that shielded them from examination. Laying them out as pure, cold facts.

"She always knows." He said, surprised it hadn't occurred to him sooner. "Mama always knows where we are during tag. Even inside the house. As if she can track us."

Emma smiled at him, a sad smile, whilst tugging at her right earlobe. Phil stumbled, regaining his balance at the last second.

"We do have them?" He whispered. "There?"

Emma nodded. She reached out and pulled the panicking boy into a comforting embrace.

"Hey, Phil-" She cooed, stroking his back in an attempt to get him to calm down. "I'm going to tell you something… unbelievable. That will change your life as you know it. But I won't do it if you don't want me to."

"What- what happens if you tell me?"

"There is no guarantee that.. I can help you." Emma sighed. "Worst case scenario, you have to live on with the knowledge and act as if nothing is wrong. So I understand if you would rather not kno-"

He pulled back to meet her gaze, mustering up every ounce of confidence he had.

"Tell me, Emma." He requested. "Tell me everything."

***********************

To his credit, Phil stopped crying in a few hours, before Norman returned and got suspicious. When Mama checked up on him, he himself made up a story about how he was sad that Emma would probably be leaving soon. Emma watched with bated breath as the boy willingly hugged the woman he now knew had been raising him as cattle his whole life, his facade never breaking, never leaving space for doubt.

Emma was glad she made the choice to trust him.

"So I have barely one year left." Phil murmered once he had made sure Mama couldn't overhear them anymore.

"I'm sorry, Phil." Emma said softly. "I can't promise anything, but I want to save you. You and all the little ones here."

Phil's right leg was bouncing uncontrollably, irritably, and he himself didn't notice.

"I'm mad at myself. For not discovering the truth sooner. For just… choosing to not see the signs-" He groaned, suddenly looking older than his age. Emma realised that she had forced him into becoming an adult before his time. Forced him into losing what little time he had had to stay a hapless child.

He noticed her gloom.

"Thank you for telling me, Emma." He forced a smile. "Really. I feel like I can… prepare for it better now."

"There's still time- You can plan an escape… maybe with the other kids-"

Phil shook his head. "Then they'll know it was you. And they'll punish you. Won't they?"

"That doesn't matter-"

"It matters." He interrupted fiercely. "You have a better chance of living. And changing the world. And I don't mind sacrificing myself for that."

"Phil, I-"

"Its just.. I have a selfish request." He pulled at her sleeve, and suddenly he was a four year old child again. "Until you leave, please let me spend more time with you."

Her vision got blurry because of the tears threatening to cascade down her cheeks.

I want him to live, she decided.

I want to save him.

She pulled him into a hug, and the contact alerted her to how he was still shivering from the shock of the revelation.

What a cross for an eleven year old to bear.

And how blindly he trusted her!

"I love you, Phil-" She sobbed, unable to hold back any longer. "I will try my best to keep you alive- with me-"

The boy hugged back tighter, still shaking. "I love you too, Emmaah!" He cried. Then a small, broken, "I don't want to die-"

She pulled him closer, wordlessly comforting him, because she couldn't trust herself with words anymore.

She understood the weight of words, and didn't want to make a promise she may not be able to keep.

*****************************

Norman listened from outside, cursing the fact that he had come back earlier than expected. Cursing the cruel fate that had him hear Phil's scared voice. Hear Emma crying.

He already questioned his methods too much for his liking. Emma made him question them.

And he could hear her weeping inside the room as she desperately tried to hold on to the last reminder of their time in Grace Field. Her need to save at least him, at least Phil, because she couln't save anyone else.

And who knew if Ray was still alive.

He felt a familiar sting in the corners of his eyes and hurriedly wiped his tears away. He couldn't afford to appear weak. Not now. Not in front of them.

And though all he wanted was to cling to Emma, bask in the warmth and comfort she offered, Norman decided to stay cold and rigid, because he had a duty to protect her.

He had to keep his feelings stored away, at least until their triumph, but maybe by that time Emma would hate him.

Who would love a murderer?

Nevertheless, he had a duty. He would protect, even if it would never be more than a thankless job.

Chapter Text

Norman had realised that he was in love with Emma the moment she kissed his forehead that day.

He's sure of that, because despite the multitude of memories they have made later- together- that one still remains the freshest in his mind's eye.

The faint metallic medicine scent. His eyes tearing up from lonliness. Emma. Him finally telling her no, he wasn't fine with being all alone whenever he got sick. Finally complaining about how unfair it was that he couldn't play outside without fearing another disease.

Emma's face mirroring his pain. Her lips brushing against his skin when she promised him that she'll never let him feel lonely again.

And she did keep her word. At least, until they were forcibly seperated.

Finding outlandish ways to sneak in, managing to rope in Ray as well, every time he got sick. To the point he couldn't remember well any day without all three of them in the infirmary together. She was amazing.

And even when she was no longer able to be physically close to him, her presence still lingered in his memory. Her existence became a driving force. The very fact that she was alive somewhere, waiting to see him, kept him living.

Lonliness, though, he tasted quite a lot of.

He couldn't get along with the researchers and their twisted ideals. He wasn't allowed to interact with other cattle children. Smee was a breath of fresh air, but even to him, Norman sensed that he was mearly the means to an end. Smee wanted destruction, and Norman was at the right place at the right time.

The closest he had to a peer was Peter Ratri. He couldn't get over how similar they looked. He couldn't get over how easily the man who led the cattle children business would open up about his insecurities to someone like him.

Was he dumb, or was he playing dumb?

But he had offered Norman what he wanted the most- an escape from the mundane. News of Emma, reassurance that they would definetly meet again.

And one day he was told she was to give birth to their child.

Norman had felt empty. Drained.

Though he had often fantasized of such a life, one of domestic bliss, this was the furthest from happiness.

They had explained it to him. It was mechanical. Matter-of-fact. They didn't even pause to consider that they were talking about two real people with real feelings.

Forget livestock. They were experiments, Emma and him.

But that still hadn't stopped his heart from singing the first time he laid eyes on her again. After waiting for her in her room, anticipating their meeting. Wondering what she looked like now.

Worrying if she was still the woman he fell in love with.

And she was.

She smelled different. She looked different. But her essence remained.

What surprised him, however, was his reaction to it.

His bitterness towards Emma for not sharing his burning need for revenge. His need to make the demons pay for what they inflicted on millions of innocents like them. Robbing them of their future in the cruelest way possible- by letting them know that even their past was a lie.

I have to protect her.

Emma was still naive. She still dreamed about saving everyone.

It was illogical. Impossible. If she continued in that path, it would only lead to her destruction.

I have to protect her from herself.

There was no one else to look out for her. There was only him.

He watched her as she slept beside him, her belly slightly protruding, finally showing signs of pregnancy. It felt more real now, the fact that he and Emma had created a life together.

He wondered if there was something wrong with him, since he felt nothing for his child but mild fascination and an interest born from the fact that it was to be a key element in his plan.

Maybe Emma was right. Maybe Lambda had killed a part of him. The part Emma so obviously had preferred.

But was acting on reason rather than emotion really that evil? Was it bad that he would rather sacrifice a single life than possibly endanger millions?

Emma was in the wrong. She wouldn't accept it, but he was right. Eventually, she would see that.

There was a sudden cold draft from the open window near the bed. Emma mumbled, disturbed.

No mystery there. She had taken to wearing something Mama had given her- a small, silky number that barely gave her any insulation. He wondered if it was really something that a Mama would normally just have lying around to gift to the next unsuspecting guest. But knowing Isabella, she probably had something in mind.

Not only was the night wear useless, but it was also sinful.

Lambda had never been a place to foster a healthy sexual awakening, and Norman himself had not experienced such feelings before leaving the dreaded place. Him relieving himself had always had more to do with stress than desire.

Maybe that explained why his eyes were often drawn to her delicate curves. Why her smiles (rare now, almost non existent) produced in him emotions that were so different from the butterflies he had often had at eleven.

He wanted to touch her. Hold her close. And sometimes he did. But they were almost always seperated in the morning. It was a cruel reminder to wake up to- the fact that they had begun to repel each other even physically.

But that one cold night, she reached out and grabbed him before he could get up to shut the window.

Quelling the demons inside him, he merely enveloped her in a hug before closing his eyes, willing himself to go to sleep.

****************************

A few seconds after the morning sun woke him up, he saw her green eyes flutter open as well. Her hair, (longer now, but still as charming), was strewn around their interlocked bodies.

He watched the recognition dawn on her face.

"Sorry sorry-" She yelped as she accidentally tugged her hair while attempting to free herself from his hold.

Of course she would want to leave.

His disappointment must have shown, because she paused to give him an embarassed smile. "I'm a lousy partner in bed, amn't I?"

He coloured before she could understand the accidental innuendo.

It took her exactly fourty two seconds, but then she almost tumbled out of the bed in shock. "I- I didn't-"

"I know." He said sheepishly.

Her eyes, however, were focused on a particular point near his chest. A part that looked darker than the rest of his shirt.

"I drooled on you?" She squealed, as red as a tomato.

He touched it despite her protests. Slightly wet.

"It appears so. But-" He smiled. "This isn't the first time it has happened."

"Ah-" Emma cringed. "I did it a lot when I sneaked in to have sleepovers with you, didn't I?"

"I don't mind." Norman confessed. "Its you, Emma."

She looked shaken, her gaze suddenly trained on to the ground. "Still. I'm sorry."

He hated this. Hated the wall between them, the very one that both of them had nurtured since their reunion.

"Hey, if you're really that sorry-" He suggested, "I know a way you can make it up to me."

"Really?"

"Yeah." He gave her a sly smile, opening his arms wide. "Come here."

She looked at him quizzically.

"Here." He prodded, stretching his arms wider.

She flushed. "Norman, what are you-"

"Unless you don't want to." He interrupted her, sounding unsure. The emotion felt strange to him. Delicate.

Unnecessary.

Even Emma looked uneasy.

He couldn't blame her. It almost felt like his old self, and he was sure it was throwing her out of wack.

"I don't mind-" She whispered, before inching towards him. The hug was almost awkward enough for him to want to end it. But even though it was by his request, this was the first time Emma had hugged him in a long time. Recently it had always been him initiating.

So he wanted to treasure this.

As her arms wrapped around his torso, he reciprocated by bringing his in towards her slight frame. He moved his fingers through her hair while his other hand found itself a place right on the small of her back.

Emma relaxed into his touch.

"I missed this." He said, voice breaking. She looked up worriedly, eyes meeting his, neither looking away.

"Me too." She whimpered. "Norman, I miss you even when you're right here!"

"Emma, I just-"

"I can't understand you anymore-"

Norman held her closer, as close as he could without hurting her.

"Lets not talk about anything else for some time." He begged. "No demons. No revenge. No death. Lets just-" His voice cracked, "-lets just be Norman and Emma."

She understood. Her own grip on his clothes tightened as if she was desperately trying to hold on to this slight remnant of the old Norman.

For once, he tried not to let it bother him.

He doesn't remember when they fell back to sleep, but when he woke up, they were still locked in an embrace.

Chapter Text

WARNING. MENTIONS OF DEATH AND BODY HORROR.

Emma's pregnancy was obvious now, and though she was still physically well enough to run around, Mama had taken to restricting her to her room.

"The children will ask many questions," She had said as way of explanation.

Of course, Emma thought. Why bother teach children who are close to death about how life is formed?

But Phil was an exception. He had volunteered to be Emma's personal helper, and since Norman wasn't always with her, she really appreciated his presence.

And this allowed them to spend more time together. Fulfil her promise. Phil seemed to adapt to the new knowledge fairly fast, still able to appear kind and cheerful in front of Mama. He asked a lot of questions about her, how she trained, about Leuvis, about Ray, about the future.

A future he firmly believed he would not be a part of.

When Emma asked him about it, he grinned sheepishly. "Of course I would love it if I can go with you, Emma." He said. "But I would rather prepare myself and be proven wrong than wish for the impossible."

Emma wondered if Norman somehow recognised that Phil knew more than he ought to. The pale youth had taken to pampering Phil more than usual, with nothing but pure tenderness in his gaze.

Though of course, his plans had not disappeared. He continued to refer to the child as it or the sacrifice. Her face would fall, but he would offer no apology.

Phil assured her that it was alright. That Norman was being objective and choosing millions over one. Though even those words seemed hollow, empty, as if Phil himself didnt believe them.

Emma wished with all her heart that her intuition was wrong

*******************************

"You're quite near." Mama had commented that day, after inspecting her straining belly. Norman was sitting beside them, brow wrinkled in worry- whether for her or for the sacrifice, she didn't know.

"How near?"

"We can expect the child next week, I suppose." Isabella smiled. "And soon, you'll be a splendid Mama!"

Emma gave her a weak smile, unconsciously rubbing her palms on her belly. She had gotten used to the sudden kicks- Doctor Jacob had warned her that the child might be stronger than an average human baby. She was beginning to feel glad she had a little demon in her as well. It certainly helped her endure the pain.

Norman had been extremely caring as well, bringing her exciting new books and delicacies whenever he returned from his increasingly more frequent 'trips' to a place he never told her about. But that day he had returned with a smile on his face, informing her that unless something unavoidable happened, he would be able to stay with her uninterrupted.

Isabella had been showing care in her own way, making Emma's favourite foods and bringing them up to her every time.

If all of this had not stemmed from their personal interest in the child, Emma would have been happy. Briefly, she wondered if they would have been so welcoming if this were a normal world and a normal birth. She thought about the other Mamas, the ones who did not have a special sacrifice thriving inside them. How were they treated? Did they recieve even an ounce of the care she did? Did they also have a partner by their side, taking care of their every need?

Unable to hold back her curiosity, she had once asked Norman why he was not asked to father more children. "What if something goes wrong with us?" She had asked. "Won't they logically need backups, no matter how less special they can be?"

Norman had rubbed his chin with his right hand, deep in thought. A few moments later, he had turned to her with a crooked grin.

"Its like white pearl caviar."

"Huh?"

"Leaving aside taste, its value and demand is on a completely different league even when you compare it to normal caviar." Norman had explained, "And that is because of its rarity. With lesser numbers come more value."

Emma had tried to bite down her revulsion at the child being treated like a product.

"And I suppose they don't want to take the risk of my genes getting out." Norman said. "We are rare breeds, Emma. And our child will be rarer still. Even if it fails, the time taken to perfect it will only increase the value."

"That doesn't really make any sense-"

"The powerful can afford to destroy sense." Norman said, lightly placing a finger on her lips. "Besides, I would refuse the very idea of someone else as my partner."

"They could still force you."

There was a strange glint in Norman's eyes when he said, "They won't dare. Not anymore."

******************

She had gone into labour quite earlier than expected. It was Phil who noticed that her water broke. Within seconds, Mama had summoned helpers who seemed to appear from nowhere, as if they had been hiding away waiting for this very moment.

She was properly positioned on the bed, and though a protesting Phil was forcefully pushed out, Norman calmly took his place. He was smiling, but when his hand held her's she could feel his nervous jitters.

"Its okay." She mouthed.

He was surprised for a second, before easing into quiet laughter. "I should be the one telling you that."

She tried to smile back, but the contractions turned it into a grimace. It was painful, unbearable even, and she felt like maybe, just maybe, even with her strength enhancements it would prove to be too much for her.

She realised that her nails had been digging into Norman's skin when he let out a yelp during a particularly painful contraction. She let go, only to unconsciously reach out and hold him again when the next one hit.

And suddenly there was a moment of peace, a moment where she was devoid of any other sensation but a deep, terrifying feeling of dread. She was in a space that was completely black, watching a flame flicker and die in the distance.

Then she was back again, and someone was screaming loud enough to drown out any other sounds. Loud enough to completely erase the hurried whispers of the helpers and Mama's moans of misery.

"Emma..shh.. its going to be okay. I'm here. I'm here-" Norman was cooing, his voice strained and shaking. It was then that she realised that it was her. She was screaming.

A nurse was clutching a bloody lump and hurriedly taking it elsewhere. One was in between her legs, occassionally surfacing with a bloody cloth and then reaching out for a clean one.

"The…..baby...?" She choked out.

Norman's eyes were red. "Don't worry about that now-" He said, running his fingers softly through her tangles.

But those words just set alarm bells ringing.

"What…happene-"

"Its nothing!" Norman cut her off immediately, himself seemingly surprised by the harshness of his tone.

She shifted her gaze to Isabella, who was leaning against one corner of the room, her right palm pressed against her mouth.

"I wan…." She spluttered. "…up-"

Somehow, Norman understood.

"You shouldn't get up now, Emma." He said firmly. "You should lie down and rest."

She didn't break her gaze, letting her eyes speak to him for her. Eventually, Norman conceded and propped her up on the bed.

It was all red.

She could smell the blood. Smell the urine. Smell the mess that she was.

The baby-

She looked around frantically, and a helper understood her wordless question. When she softly let Emma know that the child had passed away during birth, the first emotion she felt..

….. was relief.

Chapter Text

Mama still brought her food, but they weren't her favourites anymore.

Emma picked at her breakfast (lunch? dinner? She had lost track) whilst running her eyes over the pages of the open book in front of her.

It read How to deal with losing a dear one.

Demons paid good attention to mental health. If Norman's hunch was correct, they would need her in tip top condition for another trial, after all.

The bloody bundle. Unmoving. Unnatural.

She swallowed the bile that was rising up her throat at the memory. Even weeks later, it was embedded so freshly in her mind. She could see it when she closed her eyes.

Early birth sometimes causes death, Norman had explained. The baby also couldn't get enough oxygen as it was being birthed. These things happen, he consoled, before leaving her alone to her guilt and her thoughts.

She was happy the poor thing wasn't born. Happy that the child did not have to forcefully be made into a bargaining chip.

But the feeling of loss and emptiness had crept in slowly as she recovered.

She hadn't seen Norman in a while.

Phil was the only one to keep her company, but she found it very difficult to curb her suddenly irritant demeanour even with him. She was filled with anger, and no one and nothing to direct it towards.

Emma felt like time had stood still within her. She couldn't move on from that day, but around her the world continued to change. The wind continued to blow. The children continued to grow. She remained static in body and heart.

Something was holding her back.

***************************

When Norman returned, he seemed to get unsettled whenever he met her eyes. She felt his eyes dropping to her stomach quite a few times, almost as if it were an unconscious action- and his eyes always twitched in surprise at not finding there a fullness he had gotten used to seeing for months.

She recognised that he was stuck in a timeless world, just like her.

But there was no sense of comradeship. Their misery came from two different places. What she lost was a child. What he lost was the foundation of his plan for revenge.

She felt fury the first time he put his hand on her shoulders, as if he was offering her warmth, offering her support, as an equal. As if his feelings came from the same place her's did. As if he could understand the mess in her mind, the confusing squiggle born from an unholy mixture of relief and loss.

But she still wondered whether Norman- smart, meticulous Norman- had failed to take into account the probability of the baby dying. His reactions certainly hinted at that.

Understanding him took yet another week.

It took accidentally walking in on him sitting on his knees on the floor of their room- an unmoving statue of grief- for her to recognise the signs.

For her to recognise that Norman was still Norman, after all.

*****************************

He had ceased to function at his optimal level. His plan was falling apart, it's foundation had disappeared, and he was doing nothing to hold it together.

Something weighed heavily on his chest. How could he get rid of it without knowing what it was?

He didn't even want to consider the chance that it was guilt. He couldn't afford to. One who aspires to be a leader should not second guess his choices. And he was adamant that choosing the cattle children over it was the right choice.

No. Not it. She.

Mama had told him while she was grieving. Beautiful little girl, she had lamented. She had Emma's hair and your eyes.

Once he knew, he couldn't hold back his curiosity. He had managed to grab a spare moment alone with the body, and had nimbly tugged one heavy eyelid open.

Dull blue. How brilliantly they would have shone if she were still alive!

He cupped her cheek and winced at the coolness of her skin. His heart could not comprehend why her body- which was supposed to be warm and alive- suddenly felt so cold. So lifeless.

So he ran. He ran away from Grace Field, from Emma, and from the tiny body that was slowly pulling his convictions apart.

It took him weeks to gather up the courage to return. It still startled him to see Emma so lean- it seemed so unusual now. He kept expecting to see her preganant belly safely housing their baby, keeping her safe.

He was seeking someone who no longer existed in that world.

He didn't dare ask what had happened to the body. As it was not 'preserved', there was a chance it was not consumed.

But some demons were desperate. And thinking about that made the weight on his chest worse.

He should've made sure she had a proper burial. He should've payed more attention to Emma. He should've..

…He should've done a lot of things. But he didn't.

He wondered what it would have felt like. Holding the newborn in his arms, her skin warm with the liveliness particular to infants, roses blooming on her cheeks as she flailed about. Emma near him, still as weary, but with a triumphant smile on her face. The baby's eyes opening, and them being graced by a brilliant, beautiful blue.

Memories of moments that never happened.

He and Emma had been avoiding each other, coming together in their room only when one had already fallen asleep. They slept in two corners, and he always made sure to wake up and leave before she opened her eyes.

Though he had a slight suspicion that she had woken up before him at times and had simply pretended to be asleep until he left.

So he was completely sure that she would not return to their room when he was there, and he allowed himself to finally break down. The tears came hot and heavy, and along with it the feelings he had tried so hard to keep hidden so far.

The fear he had felt watching Emma suffer. The grief he had felt when holding the lifeless body of their child.

He cried for her. He cried for himself, who could not love her properly when she was alive.

His sobbing was all he could hear, so it startled him when someone slowly slipped their arms around his frame. A familiar scent tickled his senses.

Emma.

She was warm. Comforting. He had missed her more than he had fathomed.

"It's okay." She whispered, her exhales tickling his ears. He melted into her embrace, body relaxed, but mind still reeling.

Emma was all he had left.

He had to do whatever he could to keep her alive. Anything to keep her by his side.

Anything.

Chapter Text

Emma woke up to Norman sitting at the foot of their bed, all dressed up and his thumb pressed against his lips.

"Norman?" She called, snapping him out of his reverie.

"You're awake. Great." He smiled. "I didn't have to leave without saying goodbye."

"Leave?"

"I'm needed at Headquarters. Its too much a risk to continue the plan without the… baby, so-" He turned his gaze to the ground. "They've… decided to celebrate the festival as usual."

Emma allowed herself a small smile of relief before the insinuation hit her.

"They're still having a celebration." She whispered in horror. "They still need a sacrifice."

Norman nodded ever so slightly.

"Who-" She began, and then Mama's words came back to her mind.

If it were not for your child, Phil would have been the sacrifice! Imagine that, such an achievement, especially as a mere human child!

Phil.

"Norman?" She reached out to him, her voice shaking. He held her hands in his, his face mirroring her dread. "Hey, Norman, run away? You can do it. You can take Phil and run away from here-"

"I can't." He whispered. "That would raise more complicatio-"

"Please?" She whimpered. "I promised. Take him? I can't bear it- He's the only one left-"

"What about the others, Emma?" He asked, voice affecting strictness. "What about the other children here? If not him, it will be some other hapless child."

"Then what do we do?" She cried. "What do we do now? I don't want Phil to die-"

"Neither do I." Norman consoled. "Listen, Emma. Just take your time and rest. I need some more time. So wait for me."

"I don't care about myself-" Emma said, "Just- Phil… and Ray, he's also out there, battling demons.. its been almost a year-"

"Rest, Emma." Norman said firmly, freeing himself from her grip. "And wait for me."

She watched his vehicle drive away until she couldn't make it out anymore.

**************************

Emma was deemed almost fully recovered in a few weeks.

Dressed in her outdoor clothes, she had just finished packing her suitcase when Phil walked into the room.

"You're going?" He asked, though he already knew the answer.

"They asked for me." She tried to smile.

Phil looked thoughtful for a moment. Then, almost as if it had taken him all his courage, he choked out a question. "Will I get to see you again?"

Emma immediately understood the hidden query.

Will I get to live?

"I-" She whispered, "I don't think so, Phil."

"Oh." His face betrayed his despair for just one second before he forced out his usual smile. "I understand."

She dropped to her knees, pulling him into her chest and hugging him close.

"I love you." She said, her tears wetting his neck.

She felt his whole body shake as he attempted to hold in his sobs. "I.. love you too, Emma-" He said. "So, don't give up… keep.…living."

When they broke apart, arms still around each other, his eyes were flooded with tears nevertheless.

"Ah-" He tried to wipe them away. An impossible task, because more tears followed. "Ah.. Stupid me. Even though I said I won't hope.." He looked at her, eyes red. "What do I do, Emma? It seems I was still hoping I could stay alive… with you… with everyone-"

A sudden knock on the door brought them back to reality.

Isabella stepped in, her eyes softening slightly at the sight of Phil and Emma, both harbouring expressions that suggested they had been crying until then.

"Its time, Emma." She said.

Emma wiped away the last of her tears and stood up straight.

She was almost as tall as Isabella now.

Don't give up. Keep living.

"Lets go." She smiled.

As Isabella stepped out of the room, Emma extended her hand to the younger boy looking at her with apprehension. 

"You can come with me now-"

He chuckled thorugh his tears. "And go where? Emma, they'll just kill you too."

"We can still try-"

Phil reached out to hold her hand. "This is enough." He said, squeezing her fingers. "You cried for me. You cared for me. Just... don't forget me, okay?"

"Phil, please-"

"Even if you call now", He said, voice clear with conviction. "I won't come with you, Emma." He looked at her with a grin that somehow didn't seem as forced as before. "So instead, keep me in your memories."

"Forever." She agreed. 

Her chest ached. Phil's name had been carved across her heart, a pain that she was sure she would never heal from.

I'm leaving him here.

He stood with the other kids, saying goodbye in an almost sing-songy voice and waving energetically as Isabella escorted her outside. 

I'm leaving him here to die.

***************************

Grandmother didn't seem like she had aged a day when she came to pick her up.

"You look tired, Isabella." She commented.

Isabella didn't meet her eyes. "I have failed you, Grandmother."

"Do you think me unkind enough to put all blame on you or the girl, darling?" The older lady smiled, no hint of warmth in her words. "It could happen to anyone. As long as the boy and the girl are still healthy, we can try again."

Emma wanted to clear her throat, make any noise to remind her that she was right there.

"But-" Grandmother's voice turned deeper, more sinister. "You must be punished nevertheless, so certain privilages may be cut, Isabella."

Mama looked fit to collapse.

"Ray-"

"-is what, twenty?" Grandmother smiled. "Rather ripe, but he would make an excellent consolatory present along with the twelve year old, don't you think? He was already a full-scorer." Her eyes narrowed. "Lord Bayon is already dead, and the pact died with him. Lets make full use of his life, shall we?"

"Please, he-"

"I have jumped through loops for you long enough, Isabella." Her smile disappeared as she turned to Emma, acknowledging her for the first time that day. "Come, Emma."

She found her feet moving almost by instinct. In a few short steps, she was standing next to Grandmother.

She glanced back at Isabella, who looked almost broken.

There were a million questions in her mind. Did this mean Ray was still alive? What did Isabella do to keep him alive? Why did she suddenly seem like just a miserable little girl?

"Emma." Grandmother spat out her name like a warning. Within a few minutes, she was seated beside her on the vehicle. They drove in silence for what seemed like a few hours until she spied the lady open her mouth.

"You will be asked to bear a child once you are fully recovered, physically and mentally." Grandmother explained, her eyes still not meeting Emma's. She didn't even bother to put on her usual fake smiling face- her face now showed her frustration. "Till then, you are to do what was originally expected of you."

"Expected of me?"

The vehicle passed through a very familiar entrance. Familiar, because they were all built to look the same.

"Welcome to Morning Glory, Mama." Grandmother finally cracked a real smile.

Chapter Text

The Mama uniform was heavier than any other piece of clothing she had had to wear before.

As she pulled her untidy hair into an immaculate bun, Emma wondered what thoughts had run through Isabella's mind the first time she donned her uniform.

It felt like she was becoming an entirely different person; like the uniform and what it stood for could consume her at any moment.

She wouldn't allow that, though. She had already decided to escape. To flee from this messed up land, to a world where people like them could live free.

And, She thought as she fixed the last button. And I will go save Ray.

Norman was safe, atleast for the moment. He could take care of himself.

Norman had asked her to wait, but Grandmother's words didn't give her any peace of mind.

Ray was still alive. And about to be sacrificed once again.

She paused before stepping out of her room.

Not right now. She would escape later, once she understands more about this world, imbibe all the knowledge her position as Mama offered her. She would have to seek allies- a risky business, but something that had to be done nevertheless.

Besides, its not like she would definetly be alone. Because if everything had gone according to plan…

"Emma!" The woman embraced her the moment she walked out to the hall.

She calmly returned the hug, trying her best to not let her excitement and relief show. To not seem suspicious.

"We meet again" She smiled, "Malorie."

**********************

"I was sent over here about a week ago." Malorie complained while she took Emma around the house. "The place was already immaculate, but they wanted me to make it more habitable, or so they said."

"You were alone in the house?"

"Yeah. And there really wasn't anything to do. So-" She stretched her arms, letting out a satisfied purr. "I explored the forest." She lowered her voice, "This house is somehow different."

Emma had noticed it the moment she had arrived. But she decided to indulge her companion, eager to find out if there was anything she had missed.

"The forest is bigger." Malorie whispered, even though there was no one to overhear them. "It has more trees, more small caves, and I even came across a few buildings-"

Emma paused. She had not been able to spy any buildings on the way there. The tiny size of the windows in the vehicle had made sure of that.

"And the owls-" Malorie continued. "The cameras. They're everywhere."

Another thing Emma had noticed. Though she also saw that cameras weren't restricted to just the owls.

"And the last thing-" Malorie gulped. "There's a second gate."

"What?"

"The forest land- its divided. A sizable portion is enclosed by a wall and a huge gate." Malorie played with her fingers nervously. "Thats where all the buildings are. The free area around the house looks the same as the one my house had."

Emma's eyes narrowed in suspicion. "This is definitely not an ordinary house." She said.

"Actually-" Malorie softly tugged at Emma's skirt. "There is something else, but I'm not sure if its not there in the other houses…I'd never really explored the house that much."

"Show me."

She smiled nervously and she led Emma to her room. Malorie quietly moved Emma's clothes from her bed and knelt down beside it. Emma watched her grope around the underside of the bedframe until the room was filled with a resounding click.

As Malorie stepped back, looking at the piece of furniture in anticipation, the top of the bed frame opened automatically to reveal an array of weapons, most similar to the ones they had been taught to handle in the academy.

Huge knives that looked like they could cut steel. Acid. Bombs.

"This seems completely unnecessary." Emma spoke, breaking the shocked silence.

"And yet here it is." Malorie supplied, awe still apparent in her tone.

"Hey, I have a question." Emma said, "Do you remember seeing a sister while you were still in your house?"

"Only once, when a lot of kids came down with the flu one winter." Malorie answered. "But she was gone in a month."

"And we were taught that a sister's role was to help a Mama only when aid is requested." Emma continued. "Otherwise, all sisters help out in headquarters.. at least until they are promoted to Mamas."

"Thats… what they said."

"But you're already here." Emma stated. "You came here before me, even. You have your own room. Your own reign over this place." She walked towards a window, gazing out, barely making out the tip of what she assumed was a wall beyond the trees. "Whatever this house is for, it requires the two of us."

Malorie sat down on the bed, suddenly exhausted. "What do they have planned-"

Emma sat beside her, a grin on her face. "We'll deal with it when it comes." She said. "There's no use worrying about it, is there?"

Malorie smiled back. "I'm glad you're with me. I wouldn't be able to bear working with someone else as my ….superior."

"We're friends before that, Malorie." Emma huffed. "I don't care for this hierarchy."

"You're still the same." Malorie laughed. "Did you…get to see your friend again?"

Emma nodded curtly, well aware that despite how painful her 'meeting' with Norman was, it was a luxury people like Malorie couldn't afford.

"And how was the surgery?"

Emma unconsciously brought her right hand to her chest, her fingers ghosting over the area where a few days ago they had implanted the device that could take her life.

"I'm still not used to it." She confessed. "It still feels like an intruder."

"It is an intruder." Malorie sighed. "We're doomed to this life now, aren't we?"

Emma didn't answer.

**************************

The children arrived the next week. Fifteen lively one year olds, each carried to their respective cots with extreme care and caution.

"I can't believe we have to name them." Malorie lamented. "If I name even one, I'll get attatched. I won't be able to bear them leaving-"

"You'll get used to it." Emma consoled, picking up another crying child. "You have to."

They exchanged no more words as they rocked the babies to sleep.

**************************

Its been a few months already, Emma thought lazily as she watched the children crawl across the room. They were at an age that required constant vigilance over them, and with how busy that made her and Malorie, she barely had any time to wallow in sorrowful memories.

She had celebrated Phil's birthday alone, all for the boy who would never see another one.

A letter had arrived a few days earlier, informing them that Grandmother would be visiting to give them instructions on how to move forward. Needless to say, both Emma and Malorie were on edge.

Some days later, Grandmother met them with a smile on her face.

Chapter Text

Grandmother walked into the house as if she owned the place. All of a sudden, Emma felt uncertain of her own importance in that institution. The older woman walked like a conqueror.

"You're doing well." She commented after inspecting the children, who were in deep sleep- Emma wondered whether Grandmother had consciously decided to visit at noon.

"Come, Emma. Malorie." She led them to the hall. "I have much to tell you."

Emma sat opposite to her, and the two maintained complete silence until Malorie entered the room, tea in hand. She reverently set it in front of the guest.

Grandmother took a small sip. "Not bad." She smiled, and Emma noticed how Malorie's eyes lit up in pleasure. Appreciation was rare.

"Now, there is something the two of you must know." She went directly to the main topic. "You must have noticed it already, but this house is not like any other."

Emma and Malorie didn't even dare nod, hanging on to every word that rolled out of the woman's tongue.

"You must be familiar with this already, Emma." Grandmother smiled. "The late Lord Bayon practiced a prototype of sorts."

Emma felt bile rise up her throat at the memory. Goldy Pond.

"Even as mere humans, even if they were not particularly remarkable, the cattle children managed to engage with and challenge our customers, even those of high society!" Grandmother continued, her voice loud with excitement. "To the point that they returned again and again, that they dared to risk persecution for that fleeting pleasure!"

Malorie glanced at Emma curiously. Emma, howeved, was concentrating on sitting still and not lunging at the evil woman sitting just a few metres away from her.

It would be so easy. So easy to throw the table away and claw out her face. So easy to push her head against the table and break her bones.

"Emma?" Grandmother called, a note of annoyance in her voice. "Are you listening to me?"

"Yes." She replied, snapping out of her thoughts. "B-but, isn't hunting humans illegal?"

Grandmother held up two fingers. "There are two means to escape the law. Well, there will be."

The two younger women maintained their stunned silence, prompting her to explain.

"The promise can be changed by a human." Grandmother explained. "If we pay the appropriate price, we can tweak the rules. Make it so that humans who are not born free may be hunted." She shrugged. "Of course, we won't make this information public. Only our select clientele would be aware of this change. Otherwise, things may go out of hand."

"And if..that doesn't work out?" Emma questioned, pushing her nails into her palm to keep from screaming in anger. "What happens then?"

"Well," Grandmother said. "These little ones… are more like you than you know, Emma. They cannot be called wholly human."

Lambda's products.

Emma bit her lip and drew blood.

"But changing the promise is of great priority." Grandma continued. "Most of our customers would be averse to consuming something that is half their own. Killing it and not eating it would be a waste of resources, and they probably will not pay much for the experience alone-"

Emma remained silent. She heard Grandmother get up, the clack clack clack of her heels as she walked closer.

"By the way, darling-" She whispered, her lips close to Emma's ears. "Who told you about the promise?"

Emma lunged back in surprise. "I..the.." She fumbled. "You…did.."

"Don't lie to me, child." Grandmother purred. "It was Norman, wasn't it? How long had he been planning that little rebellion of his?"

"Re-rebellion?"

"Did he kill his own child to stop our plans?" Grandmother continued, rage flaring in her eyes. "Did you work with him, Emma?"

"I don't-" Emma choked, "I don't… I don't know-"

Grandmother's fearful expression became muted, changing into a false smile. "I see."

She returned to her seat and took a sip of her tea. "Its best that you were not associated with it." She said. "After all, that foolish attempt cost him his life."

Silence. Emma couldn't even cry- she couldn't process this information.

Norman rebelled… and died?

You did this, a voice in her head said. He wanted to wait. You told him to run away with Phil and you knew he would do as you said. You killed him.

She was vaguely aware of the intensity of Grandmother's gaze on her. Malorie was staring at her as well, but her eyes were filled with concern.

It made the news feel even more unbearable.

"He.." Emma began, but Grandmother impatiently cut her off. "So Emma, we are modelling this house into an institution that caters to a very specific taste- a hunting ground, if you will."

Malorie sat up straighter, finally understanding the implications. "The kids… de- the clients are going to hunt them? Here?"

"More specifically, in the forest enclosed by the gates." Grandmother calmly replied. "Of course, it will mostly be up to your judgement to decide which child is introduced to the game at what time. Though we would prefer you wait till they are atleast six."

"And.. the weapons-"

"Oh. You've already found them." Grandma looked at Malorie with appreciation. "Those are for you and Emma. To keep our customers in check if they… get too out of hand. It has been said that the first hunt is a rush of emotions that are difficult to completely handle."

Malorie swallowed her horror, and Emma stayed silent, still not over the news.

"So you would give equal importance to physical development and mental development." Grandmother said after finishing her tea. "I will convey more information to you before the first child turns six. Now, I must be off." She got up and dusted her skirt. "And Emma, you will be called to headquarters within a few months. We can try again our little experiment once again."

Emma stood, numb, as Malorie rose up to accompany Grandmother outside the house.

****************************

Even weeks after her visit, Grandmother's presence was yet to leave the house.

Malorie seemed to have taken her words to heart, and was enthusiastically teaching the children to balance themselves and walk. Though none of them could properly run, there were already quite a few that could move faster than a normal one year old would.

They cannot be called wholly human.

Emma shook her head, willing the older woman's words to disappear.

The day was peaceful, uneventful. So when Emma heard the knocking on her window, she assumed it was either Malorie or one of the little ones come to invite her to play.

She opened the blinds, and the sunlight illuminated her surprise guest from behind, almost giving him a godly halo.

Fitting, considering she had feared him dead for so long.

"Yo!" Ray grinned, casually resting his arms on the windowstill.

Chapter Text

Ray's palms were on her mouth in a second.

"Shhhh" He cautioned, and slowly removed them from her only after she nodded her understanding.

She watched, dumbfounded, as he climbed in through the window like it was the most natural thing in the world. He looked up to meet her gaze and grinned.

"Lots of experience with trees."

She couldn't help but chuckle, even as the joke brought back memories of Goldy Pond.

Ray was here. Ray.

"You're alive." She murmered, slowly letting her fingers curl around a lock of his shaggy mane. She pulled, and Ray stifled a howl of pain.

"What was that for?"

"I wanted to make sure if you were real!"

"Pinch your own damn cheeks, idiot!" He grabbed her by her arm and pulled her flush against his chest. "-or you could do this."

"I could do this." She agreed, buring her face into his shirt, his scent, allowing herself a few minutes of pleasure before she pulled back.

"How did you get here?" She questioned. "There's supposed to be a lot of security and-"

"Surprisingly, there isn't much." Ray answered. "A tall wall and a deep ridge is all they could think of as security measures."

"H-how did you cross-"

"We swung here." Ray smiled, his eyes shining with the thrill of adventure. "It was so easy, Emma! A few strong ropes and makeshift hangers were all we needed."

"…we?"

Ray took her hand in his.

"Norman found me, Emma. And now we found you."

****************************
Norman's escape had been successful. Grandmother had fed her lies, wanting to see if she had anything to do with it. Perhaps even wanting to break her spirit. Snip any hints of rebellion in the bud.

The rest of Ray's story seemed like a blur. He gave her a fast rundown about life in Goldy Pond, how not many demons knew about it, how that basically ensured their safety. The only demon around was Nous, who in his madness devoured even other demons when he fancied they were threatening him.

And then Norman had shown up with a mini army, killed Nous and the remaining servants with ease, taking Ray and the others back with him.

And now they had come to Emma.

They were holding hands, and even then she was struggling to keep up with him as he pulled her along, going room from room to wake up the little children. She noticed more 'grown ups' around them, gently carrying the sleepy children on their shoulders as they prepared for escape. Some were familiar faces. Some were frighteningly new. All of them looked at her with what seemed like awe, and it felt rather unsettling.

There was a loud thud from an adjacent room, and Emma hurried to it. Malorie had Lucas pinned to her cupboard.

"Emma! Intruders!" She cried out, then her eyes widened in surprise when she noticed Ray next to her.

Emma walked in, her hands up, trying to calm her friend.

"It's okay, Malorie. He's a friend." She said softly. "He won't hurt you."

"But they're stealing the childr-"

"We're escaping, Malorie." Emma interrupted, fire in her gaze. "We're taking the children with us. What will you do?"

"You…knew this?"

"No, but-" She glanced back at Ray, whose eyes softened in response. "-I trust them."

Malorie let Lucas go and sank to the floor, overwhelmed by the recent happenings.

Lucas propped himself up and walked up to Emma.

"Nice to see you again." He smiled, then turned to the woman sitting on the floor. "Will she be a problem?"

"She won't." Emma said confidently. "I know her. I know she will join us."

"I'll keep a watch on her, just in case." Lucas said. "You two look around for anyone we have missed."

Ray was off in a minute, pulling her along, their hands once again clasped together tightly. It still flustered her, of course, but he seemed to do it naturally, and she understood, because even she felt like this was a dream that would end the moment their hold broke.

That's why she knew he would stop and give her his entire attention when she tried to pull her hand away.

"What?" He asked curtly, the concern hidden from anyone but those who knew him well.

She smiled, or she tried to. "I can't come with you."

"Don't be stupid. Of course we'll take you along." He grunted, stubbornly holding on to her. "No one cares about you becoming a Mama. You had to surviv-"

"If I leave, I die." She said, finally succeeding in pulling her hand away and bringing it to her chest. "Right here. It'll blow me up. I'll die either way, but I would rather not have the children see me."

There was a pregnant pause, and Emma was preparing herself for panic, but then-

-Ray smacked her on the head.

"You thought we didn't know?" He huffed. "Norman knows people on the inside. Of course he knew."

"…oh-" Emma's voice grew quiet. "S-so you're just taking the kids-"

Ray smacked her again. "Of course not, idiot!" He groaned. "We figured out a plan. And I made something. Temporary, but it will last until we get you to the base and have it operated out."

"..huh?"

Ray handed her a device that looked so small it was hardly believable that it could save her life.

"This is-"

"It's not much, since it can't really disable the device." Ray muttered, unconsciously thumbing it. "But it will block the signal, and the device won't work."

"Oh-" She took it from him, and found a clasp. She pinned it on her uniform, right on her chest. "Thanks-"

Ray grinned. "Notice that flower?" He pointed out something drawn so crudely that Emma herself wouldn't have been able to place what it was. "Norman drew it. A sort of good luck charm from him, I guess."

She smiled. And then her smile dropped.

"Malorie-"

"Of course we have one for her as well." He handed her another one. "No flower though."

"Pity." Emma giggled.

A child started crying from the room next to them, alerting them to their purpose once again.

"Lets go?" Ray offered her his hand.

She smiled shyly, taking it.

"Yeah."

Chapter Text

Malorie was still slumped on the floor when Emma returned, the weakest child clutched to her bosom.

"You should talk to her." Ray suggested, nudging her with his shoulder. "If she is coming with us, she needs to be alert and pull her own weight."

"And if she… doesn't want to join us?"

"We can't leave any loose ends untied, Emma." Ray said, his voice suddenly deep and morose. "You have to make her understand... or else…"

He stood with arms stretched towards her, and Emma gently transferred the child to his hold.

"I'll be waiting." He whispered, and it brought back the good memories from Goldy Pond, the ones she didn't want to forget, the ones that always had his scent and his warmth.

"I'll be back." She smiled.

Ray's gaze softened in an instant, and he had the same look she had seen on him every time they huddled close in bed, desperately keeping their eyes open by fighting sleep, thankful for the fact that the other was still there, still alive.

She wanted to kiss him, but now was not the time.

Malorie looked up as she heard the approaching footsteps.

"Emma-"

"Malorie." She smiled, kneeling next to her. "Have you made your decision?"

"I want to live-" Malorie whispered, her eyes red, and Emma understood that she had been crying. "I.. I love the children, but I want to live-"

"If you're against this, Malorie, I'm afraid I won't be able to help you." Emma said gravely. The threat was evident, despite her attempts to phrase it softly.

Malorie was miserable in her acceptence.

"I suppose I will be an accomplice, then." She said, voice shaking slightly. "At least the children… will live free."

Emma took her hand and pressed the device on it.

"Come with us." She urged.

Malorie pressed her free palm to her chest in a sadly familiar gesture. "I can't. We can't."

Emma took the device and pinned it on to Malorie's uniform. "This will help."

For a second, hope washed over Malorie's face.

"But how?"

"A friend of mine made it. It interferes with the signal." Emma smiled. "We can escape, Malorie. We can live."

Emma expected joy, but was faced with doubt.

"Are you sure?" Malorie asked, her lower lip trembling in fear. "Are you sure it will work? What if it doesn't? What if we end up dying either way?" She leaned forward, grabbing onto Emma's collars. "What if this whole escape goes south? What if we end up dying for nothing? At least here, we can live a little longer… and the babies can live until they're a little stronger-"

"Malorie, don't worry." Emma tried to console her. "I know them. They're amazing, and I know they'll make it work. Its better than living in limbo and waiting for death-"

"Exactly! YOU know them! I don't!" Malorie's voice rose in desperation. "How am I supposed to put my lives in the hands of people I don't know? The whole world is scary, Emma.. But at least here, I have some stability! Even if I'm doing… despicable things, I know where that will get me-"

Emma paused.

Malorie was right. She had no reason to trust Norman or Ray. She didn't even know them.

She didn't even know them, but still-

"Malorie, do you trust me?" Emma asked, holding her gaze.

Malorie's shoulders slumped. "You, I trust."

"Then come with me. Put all your trust in me." She urged excitedly. "Trust me, when I tell you that I can get you out of here. That we can survive together!"

Malorie looked stunned by Emma's optimism. When the surprise faded from her face, a small smile took its place.

"Fine. I'll come." She said, her eyes fixed on Emma's. "I've devoted myself to following you, after all."

Something about Malorie's look struck a chord within Emma.

It was the same way Ray looked at her.

*******************

The children were dressed and ready to go. Emma stood at the forefront of the group, holding tightly on to Malorie's hand, both ready for the moment of truth.

If they died, they died together.

Ray had wanted to join them, of course, but she wouldn't let him. Malorie had succeeded in placing a seed of doubt, showed her how naive it was to blindly trust someone, even your best friend.

After all, to err is human.

And she didn't want Ray to lose his life over a careless mistake.

The boundary was clearly demarcated. Both of them had come there many times, inching close to danger, knowing that one step across would spell death. It had brought her thrill, the same rush she got from courting death earlier when she used to fight with Leuvis.

She hadn't fought like that in a long time.

Today, the boundary looked different. It looked less imposing. Crossing it didn't seem like such a monumental task.

Malorie, however, was shivering. Tension weakened her knees, and she clung on to Emma for support.

"Almost done", Emma calmed her. "Just a few more steps-"

And emerald met electric blue.

Norman stood there with a group of people, dressed in white and red. There were what looked like demon carcases strewn around them, and a tall girl with a ponytail held an iron bat that seemed to be dripping something liquid.

No, Emma realised as Norman walked closer to them. He was wearing white clothes. The red spots were irregular, almost damp.

They were all bathed in blood.

"Emma." Norman said, his hands held wide in an open embrace.

Her body obeyed. Without thinking about it, she let go of Malorie's hand, crossing over the small fence with ease and collapsing into his arms.

He smelled metallic. He smelled like death.

Ray followed her, a wry grin on his face. "Looks like you guys had to deal with a lot, huh?"

The tall guy next to the ponytail girl shrugged, a toothy smile plastered on his face. "Its not much trouble." He said, "Not when you enjoy it."

Emma leaned back to see Norman's face, only to be pushed into his chest once again when Ray joined in on the hug.

She felt Norman's chuckle.

"This is rare." He said, "Ray, you're initiating physical contact?"

"Shut up, idiots." Ray's voice trembled. "Its been too long. Let me just enjoy this-" He exhaled sharply through his nose. "Damnit, you smell like hell!"

Norman laughed, only crushing them both closer in a tight embrace.

Emma closed her eyes, feeling comfort in this moment that she never dared imagine would happen again-

"Emma?"

Ray shifted, and Norman allowed her to free herself from them. She turned, and Malorie was the only one standing on the other side of the fence, hugging herself to stop trembling.

Emma walked towards her, a hand extended in help.

"Come." She smiled. "Its safe-"

Malorie took a quick look at the two men watching her friend.

"Which one?"

"Huh?"

"Which one.. is the friend they promised you would see again?"

"O-oh-" Emma flushed, rubbing the back of her head in embarrassment. "Th-the one in white…and red."

Despite her nerves, Malorie managed a smile. "I see. You got to see him after all."

"Yeah." Emma returned her smile in kind. "Now come, Malorie."

The frightened girl pulled up her dress a little, and took one small jump. The moment her feet touched the grass on the other side, she broke out in a real smile.

And then the smile froze stiff, and Malorie collapsed.

Chapter Text

Ray watched as Emma rushed towards her friend's collapsed form lying unmoving on the ground.

She was crying. She was crying again.

His device had malfunctioned. They placed their trust on him and he blew it.

He made her cry. He made her cry. He made her-

Norman placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Its not your fault." He said calmly, much too calmly.

Ray allowed relief to wash over him, until he realised that for someone who had watched his device malfunction- a device Emma herself was wearing- Norman showed no emotion of shock.

"You." Ray growled, low enough that Emma couldn't hear. "What did you do?"

"What are you talking about, Ray?" Norman smiled, but his eyes remained trained on the black haired man.

"The flower. I should've known it was strange-" Ray spat out. "You messed with it, didn't you? And marked the one that wasn't tampered with-"

"My, I can never get past you." Norman closed his eyes, this time giving him a true smile of appreciation. "As expected of Ray. I would have been disappointed if you hadn't caught on to something so obvious."

"Why?" Ray yelled, reaching out to grab Norman by the collar. There was a swift movement, and suddenly Vincent was there, a gun poised at Ray's right ear.

Norman waved his hand slightly, as if shooing Vincent away. "Its alright. Ray wont hurt me."

"Yes, boss." The dark haired man relaxed his hold, but refused to move.

Ray clicked his tongue. "Why did you kill her?"

"We have no use for dogs of the Raitri." Norman answered readily. "Its a security risk waiting to happen. I don't want to endanger those who have placed their trust in me."

"But the others-" Ray argued. "You've saved so many others from different plants-"

"Oh that-" Norman mused. "They had their uses. Don't worry. Once they served their purpose, they were properly disposed of."

Ray's eyes widened in horror. "How could you-"

"Hey, Ray?" Norman said softly. "Where did you think those machines came from? The ones you tinkered with until you figured out how they worked?"

"Stop it-"

"Why do you think I'm so sure I can take it out of Emma without causing her any harm?"

"Please, stop it-"

Norman stepped closer, until he could whisper directly into Ray's ears.

"You're as guilty as the rest of us, Ray."

********************

Emma had to be pried away from the corpse, and even then, she had to be supported by Norman on the way back.

Ray wondered how Emma didn't notice the mismatched group that was accompanying them to the base. He himself had been quite taken aback when he first met Adam, and even that meeting had done nothing to quell his surprise upon meeting so many like him under Norman's thumb.

Emma hadn't even had the experience of meeting Adam, owing to his death before she arrived at Goldy Pond, but she seemed least bothered by the hulking giants surrounding her and Norman as they walked.

Was she in shock?

He wanted to go talk to her. Take her small hands in his and hold them tight, give her some comfort and company until she opened up to him. Until she let him shoulder her worries as well.

Even a crying Emma was better than this version of hers, a walking corpse engulfed in gloom.

You're as guilty as the rest of us, Ray.

But would she want to talk to him?

Besides, Norman and her, they almost emitted a feeling of exclusivity, subconsciously warning others not to approach them. Even Vincent walked five steps behind, still alert, but respectfully maintaining his distance.

Norman was holding her hand, and Ray could see him drawing circles on it's back, trying to calm her down.

Hopefully, that would be enough.

Violet caught up to him, two children strapped to her back.

"Are they a thing?"

Ray didn't flinch. "Beats me." Then he added softly, "They should be."

"I thought you liked her."

"I like both of them."

She rolled her eyes. "Please don't mope around if something happens over there."

"I won't." He gave her a half smile. "I'll be celebrating."

"Sure."

He tried to ignore that little voice gnawing in his head, the irritating whisper that said Do you really think this Norman will be good for her?

He killed her friend, it said. He killed her, and you should tell her about it.

Why? Why should he? He's just ruin this last bit of happiness they have left. And god forbid he cause an uncrossable rift between his two best friends-

Are you okay with this? Decieving her together?

Shut up, he thought. Shut up shut up shut up.

How long do you think you can keep it from her? How long till she notices how Norman has changed?

Shut up! He thought. He hasn't changed! He's always been the kind to go to any lengths to keep everyone happy and safe and-

Are you sure that is still his goal? The voice sounded haughty, dripping with scorn. Are you sure there's nothing he considers more important now?

Ray remembered the time Norman had come to save them. How he had happened upon the pale boy stabbing Nous, who had been securely tied down by the others.

Norman had claimed he was torturing the creature to get precious information. But anyone could see that Nous barely had any coherent thought any more.

And anyone could see the frightening grin adorning Norman's face, the coldness in his gaze as he ripped the demon apart while he was still alive.

A grin mirrored by every single member of the core team surrounding him now.

Are you sure that is still his goal?

************************

The hideout was huge. Majestic. Emma wondered how Norman had found it, and more importantly, how no one else had.

"Emma?" Norman spoke to her kindly, gently, as if she were made of glass. "We will have to do the operation right away. Can you handle it?"

"Uh. Yeah." She plastered a smile on her face. "I can."

Norman returned her a brilliant smile, almost dazzling her, and turned to the dark skinned man following them.

"Vincent, can you go get him for me? I think Emma will appreciate his company-"

"Yes, boss." The man, Vincent, went without any complaints. Emma was still disoriented by the amount of power Norman seemed to hold here.

She also noticed the way people tended to shrink away from him, even those who appeared close to him. The pony tail girl and the boy with her observed her with interest, and she felt as if all her movements were being watched.

And Norman's followers… they didn't look normal.

Of course, she had anticipated this, especially after understanding Lambda and its purpose. However, the sheer number of modified humans surrounding them at that point was almost as frightening as the implication.

How old were these children?

They moved slowly, silently, only pausing at some points to take closer looks at some innocuous things, like butterflies and colourful flowers. Despite their physique, they behaved like toddlers.

She particularly noticed the one closest to them, who had a stuffed animal pinned to his clothes. His clothes were as bloodied as the rest of them, and she hoped that her hypothesis was wrong, that they were not little children that just looked deceptively older on the outside.

But she was in strange territory now, and her instincts had kicked in.

Don't let them see that you're uncomfortable. Don't let anyone see your suspicions. Don't show that you are shaken.

She tried to concentrate only on grief, mask away her questions and doubts to ponder on later, when she was alone.

So she played the part of a doll clothed in grief at the death of her friend.

Not a difficult role to play, as it was the truth. She had basically guaranteed Malorie her life in return for placing her trust on her. She had forced her to make that choice.

She sneaked a peek at Norman, practically glowing by her side, looking princely in spite of the red marring his features.

She should've known the moment she saw that flower.

Chapter Text

When Vincent returned to guide her to another room, Emma looked back, half expecting Norman and Ray to follow her.

Instead, they just looked at her in silence. Ray seemed uncomfortable, but still managed a smile when his eye caught hers. Norman, on the other hand, could barely conceal his excitement.

And when she entered said room, she understood why.

Phil sat there, his eyes just as wide as hers when she cautiously opened the doors. He was in her embrace in a matter of seconds, buring his face in her chest as they sobbed audibly. The door creaked, and they both saw Norman leaning against it, a little surprised and embarassed at having been caught.

"You saved him?" Emma asked, still finding it a little difficult to accept and understand this reality.

"Yeah." Norman smiled bashfully, like a little child who had completed his chores and was eagerly anticipating praise. It was hard to believe that this was the same man who had quite possibly engineered Malorie's death.

Phil glowed with admiration when he looked at the older man. "He saved the other kids too!" He gushed. "He was so amazing- just showed up one day and managed to take all of us out-"

"How did you get past the- the demons?-" Emma asked, genuinely shocked. "Headquarters is so near-"

"We started from there." Norman smiled. "We had more support than we could have ever hoped for, so we managed to hold back reinforcements long enough to give us a head start."

He had accomplished so much in so little time.

Admiration grew in her, admiration for this sickly man who had, in spite of his physical drawbacks, managed to use the power of his mind to do what humans had not been able to do for a thousand years.

"You're amazing." She breathed.

Norman smiled back, his gaze warm and soft.

After spending more than an hour with Phil (during which Norman had waited patiently) he offered to lead her to her room, where she could freshen up.

People stepped back in awe as he walked down the corridors- a look that bled to her as well, because here she was, confidently walking alongside the leader. Alongside their saviour.

The younger kids, those who didn't know any better, frequently ambushed him. Tackling him at corners, whispering childish blabber into his ears with a seriousness that would put any spy to shame. He went along with it, only flashing Emma an apologetic glance when a child stopped him to insist that he come see how well her saplings had grown.

This was the Norman she loved.

Malorie was still there, her wide eyed corpse gnawing at Norman's smiling image.

But this Norman shone so bright, Emma had to fight to not be swept along.

When they finally reached her room, she invited Norman in.

The man had coloured instantly, blabbering about how inappropriate it was, how she would need some privacy for now, how he had to get back and do some urgent work.

Emma had inisted, tugging at his sleeves ever so slightly, amused at how that was all it took for him to throw away his worries and walk in himself.

She had noticed that they were being watched, and what she had to ask him couldn't wait.

******************************
Norman always seemed so sure of himself, so collected and composed. Which was probably why she found his present condition adorable.

He was obviously nervous, being alone with her like this.

It somehow relieved her. This Norman, she was used to.

"I wanted to ask you something." She began. He flicked his eyes to her at once, listening with rapt attention to her every word.

"Did you-" She choked, unsure of how to put it across in a better way. "Did you kill Malorie?"

Norman blinked. "Ah-" He said, sounding almost disappointed. "Did Ray tell you?"

"He knew?"

"Only after it was done. The act was all me." Norman confessed almost apathetically.

Emma gave him the best glare she could muster. But that question had changed something in him, and he looked at her straight on, confidently.

Looked at her like he did at all his 'subjects'.

"It had to be done." He explained. "I couldn't take the chance that she would be a spy. It was one life over the hundreds that I have taken under my wing now."

"I knew her. I could have vouched for her-"

"Emma-" He took her hand in his. She was suddenly very aware of how he had grown- his hand engulfed hers.

"Emma, look at me in the eye and tell me you would not have minded it." He whispered. "That you would have taken it if that one decision caused harm to everyone here."

"I-"

"If you say yes," He continued. "Then you need to check your priorities."

"But you saved me." Emma whispered. "Thats unfair."

Norman relaxed, just a little bit. "I got my personal feelings involved."

"Shouldn't you get your priorities checked?" Emma shot back, indignant because heartless or not, she had begun to see the sense in Norman's words.

She understood. But that didn't mean she agreed to it.

"For a long time-" Norman said softly, his eyes hooded and distant. "For a long time now, Emma, you have been my only priority."

Emma froze, her mouth open in shock.

"You should know by now, Emma." Norman continued. "I'm in love with you."

When at age ten, Emma dreamt of being Norman's bride, this was not how she had pictured the confession.

Not these painful words from a broken boy who had had to grow up too fast.

"I-"

"You don't have to say anything." Norman gave a half smile. "I know you don't-"

"Its not that I don't-" Emma protested suddenly, shocking even herself. "I- I've also loved you for a long, long time.. but-"

"But?" Norman egged her on, his body slightly leaning towards her, drinking in every syllable that fell from her lips.

"But I'm not so sure anymore." Emma completed, her voice almost trembling.

Norman's gaze was heated. It burned her with its intensity.

"And I.." Emma continued despite herself. "I kissed.. Ray. I don't.. I can't decide what I feel.. for who.."

"There are other things more worthy to be thought about right now. I understand." Norman said, seemingly unaffected. "Its unfair of me to ask that of you when I myself am not sure if there is a future for us."

"What do you mean-"

"Its a war, Emma." Norman got up and straightened his tie. "Its a war where I can very well die. I promise you that you would be safe- but I may not be-"

"I'll keep you safe-" Emma said, almost instinctively. "But why a war? Aren't we focusing on the escape-"

Norman bent down till they were face to face. "Your hair is longer." He noted. "You should cut it."

Emma had a vague sense of deja vu.

"What do you-"

"I'll ask Vincent to deliver clean clothes to you in a minute. Feel free to freshen up." He continued, unmindful of her question. "Don't worry, Emma-" He threw her a strange grin. "You'll understand."

***********************
Ray was waiting outside as Norman quietly exited Emma's room.

"What did you talk about?" He asked.

"Always so straightforward. Thats what I like about you, Ray." Norman smiled, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Did you tell her? About the deal?"

"Not yet. She's too different." Norman brought his other hand to his mouth, biting his thumb in frustration. "She's changed too much."

"People change, Norman." Ray sighed. "You've changed."

Norman looked up at his friend, a sudden light in his eyes. "Thats right. The poor thing is just scared. Worried." He whispered. "All I have to do is remind her… give her a nudge in the right direction-"

"Norman what are you-"

Norman returned Ray's gaze with an equal fervor. "As if you haven't changed, Ray." He said. "As if you're not pulling your own strings in the midst of all this."

Ray stepped back, a strange light in his eyes. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Its okay, Ray." Norman reached out and trapped him in a hug. "We understand each other, don't we?"

"What are you getting at, Norman?"

"Are you really that torn about what I did to those Mamas?" Norman whispered. "Did it not sate you in the least?"

Ray swallowed his words. They tasted sour. Evil.

"We're both dancing to the same tune, Ray." Norman continued. "It'll do you good to accept it."

And Ray remembered the second day after Norman took him to the base, when he called him alone to his room and gifted him a small scrap of paper. Read it, Norman had said, his eyes giving nothing away.

Scrawled on the paper, in hurried but familiar writing, was the phrase 'forgive me, my son'.

Ray cried all night. He shut himself in his room, cursing her, cursing himself, cursing the world.

He kept remembering, thinking, understanding many things that had slipped his mind back then.

Isabella joining him in the library, eagerly suggesting new books, urging him to study hard. Isabella's pained expression when he excitedly told her that they had the same eyes. Isabella's ever present smile breaking ever so softly before she urged him to put on his hat and pick up his suitcase on his 'adoption date'.

Isabella's eyes following him as the demons dragged him away.

When Ray emerged, he was furious. But he had no idea who it was directed at.

To Isabella? To himself, who did not notice? To the system, which reduced a mother to this?

Or maybe to the demons?

Norman was right. They both seeked revenge. But-

"Unlike you, Norman-" Ray hissed. "I won't use others for what I seek to do."

Norman watched his friend walk away.

"Not yet." He murmered, a knowing smile on his face. "Just not yet."

Chapter Text

Ray tasted blood. He looked at his thumb in surprise- he had bitten through his nails.

They had finished setting the table for the hundreds of children housed in the base. He had stalked off to his assigned room, wanting to take a quick nap before breakfast.

Sleep ran circles around him.

Norman was a monster, he thought in admiration. No human could keep this group running so perfectly.

If anyone could get revenge on the demons, it would be Norman.

Ray caught himself grinning, and quickly wiped it off his face before anyone took notice. What was this, this thirst he had been feeling? A drop of security, and suddenly he felt secure enough to challenge demons? In their own homeland?

Ray had read enough books to know about genocide. If what Emma said was true, then humans were the invading species. Like the colonising British. The Aryans who forced Dravidians to servitude. The Mongols who terrorised Asia and Europe. He knew they would be in the wrong.

But we were brought here, he reasoned. Unwillingly brought here for food. If the food bites back, then did their complaints have any substance?

No, neither the demons nor the cattle children were in the wrong. Both sides were brought to this situation by other forces.

The adults. The Raitri. And those who willingly supported them.

The humans on the other side, enjoying life at the cost of the cattle childrens' future.

How dare they live such complacent lives? How dare they not know, not understand-

"He's here!" Phil called, snapping Ray out of his reverie. The young boy dragged a sheepish Emma in by her sleeve.

"Hey." She offered.

"Hey." He answered, unable to stop the slight smile forming on his lips.

But then he noticed her attire, and frowned.

"Isn't that-"

"-eerily similar to the Grace Field uniform?" Emma finished. "Yeah. I noticed."

"Not a good look." Ray commented. "Especially not after all this."

"I didn't have any other option." She sighed, slowly seating herself next to him. "This is what Vincent gave me."

They sat in silence, a silence so heavy that Phil produced an excuse and escaped.

"So uh-" Ray began. "Did you know? About mama being-"

"Uhn." Emma replied, slowly entwining her fingers with his. A small sign of support. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you."

"It's okay. I wouldn't have taken it that well." Ray sighed. "Norman…gave me enough time. Maybe even too much."

"How are you dealing?"

"Honestly? Not well. I don't know what happened to her." He lowered his gaze. "I don't think I even want to know."

He squeezed her hand, and she squeezed back, still looking at him worriyingly.

"What?" He asked, smiling slightly as he bonked her on her head. "Are you gonna keep that stupid expression on your face forever?"

"Fine. I'll stop worrying about you." She huffed. "Stupid Ray."

"Don't be like that-" he cooed, shifting his body to lean his head on her shoulder. "Thank you."

"For what?"

"For being a worrier."

Emma chuckled, "That doesn't sound like a compliment."

"I mean it to be, though." His hands twitched. She was so close. So close. Her breath fanned his face as she spoke.

"Hey, Ray?" She began softly. "Norman kind of let something slip, but- are we going to war?"

Ray stiffened. "….yeah."

"Why?"

"For freedom." Ray parotted the words he had heard Norman spit out so many times from his balcony, words that never failed to make every cattle child's blood boil. "To free humankind from the demons and claim our lives for ourselves. To make them pay for every loved one they murdered."

"That sounds like Norman."

"That was Norman." Ray chuckled. "He's pretty good at speeches."

"But you're still not convinced?"

"Not really." Ray kept the reason to himself. She didn't pry.

"I would rather we all escape." Emma fidgeted with her skirt, a scene all too familiar. "Honestly, I had been thinking of just- It sounds kind of crazy, but-"

"Tell me."

"Ray-" She looked into his eyes, emeralds blazing with resolve. "I want to remake the promise."

Ray burst out laughing.

Emma flushed in annoyance. "D-don't laugh! I'm serious!"

"So you're just, hoping that that demon god thing would agree to your request?" Ray asked in between deep breathes, trying and failing to keep the tone of disbelief from his voice. "Do you even know how to find him? Does he even exist??"

"I would rather that than lead toddlers to battle!" Emma yelled. "Why this obsession with fighting when there's a chance we can just escape safely?"

"You don't get it?" Ray asked incredulously. "You really don't want to just… make them pay?"

"Yes, I do…hate the demons, but-" Emma's voice got lower. "I don't want revenge at the cost of more lives-"

"You're gonna tell Norman this?" Ray pressed. "You think he'll listen to you as he is now?"

"H-he doesn't need to stop his.. preperations." Emma spoke like a scolded child. "I can go by myself. I have enough training, and-" She touched the cut on her right ear, "we already took care of the tracking devices when we escaped, so-"

"And you think he will let you go just like that?"

"I don't need anyone's permission." She grinned. "This isn't a request. This is me letting you know."

And Ray maybe, just maybe, fell in love a little more.

*******************************

Emma felt small when she walked into Norman's office. He had a desk that was far too big for his frail young figure.

He looked up when she entered, and gave her a beautiful smile. She couldn't help but smile back.

"Busy?" She questioned.

"Never too busy for you." He replied, not missing a beat.

She tried to not let him see her blush.

"So…I wanted to tell you something." She grinned. "I've decided to go find (unpronounceable)."

Norman's smile dropped. Suddenly the air was thick, miasmic.

The desk's size now seemed oddly appropriate.

"No." Norman answered, though she had not asked a question.

"What do you mean, no?" Emma said, suddenly irritated. "Listen to me- If I manage to find him, I can reforge the-"

"No."

"Norman, listen to me! You're sending children to war! This can help-"

"No, Emma." He stood up. Emma stared in silence, barely breathing, as he slowly walked towards her.

Norman stopped just a hair's breath from her unmoving figure.

"No, Emma." He repeated. "You're not going. Its not safe."

"We can't afford to think about safety right now, Norman." She said, refusing to back down. "You're going to a war. Won't that be dangerous for me too?"

"It won't." Norman said, his tone suggesting that there was no scope for doubt in that fact.

"You can't be so sure-" Emma contested. "When I fight-"

"You won't fight." Norman interrupted. His statement sounded more like a command.

Emma's eyes went wide, shock and fury plain to see. "What are you talking about?"

"You will remain here. With a few guards. They'll never find you." Norman smiled again, his eyes gentle, as he slowly cupped her face. "Don't worry. I'll come get you as soon as it is done."

"Norman, what's wrong with you?" She asked, her voice trembling with emotion. "Do you hear what you're saying?"

"You will not fight, Emma." Norman said softly. "I wasn't able to save her. At least you, I will definitely protect."

He ran the fingers of his right hand through her hair, slowly untangling it. Gently, without causing her even the tiniest amount of pain.

"Don't worry, Emma."

For the first time since this fight started, Emma locked eyes with him. A scorching gaze, almost provoking in its anger.

"Hey, Norman?" She whispered just loud enough that he would pay attention to catch every word. "Which Emma are you talking to?"

Chapter Text

"Which Emma are you talking to?"

Norman froze.

"What are you talking about, Emma?" He forced a smile, trying to keep himself calm. "You, of course."

"I'm not twelve anymore." Emma said softly, gently, as one would to a child. "We're not in Grace Field anymore, Norman."

"I know that." Norman answered the unspoken question. "I'm coherent. I remember."

"Do you?" Emma contested. "Because you don't act like it. You're still treating me like a child-"

"I'm not-"

"All you're thinking about is protecting me. I don't need to be protected!" Emma bashed out, slamming her hand on the table, rattling it ever so slightly. "I don't need protection."

Norman noticed the depression on the surface when she removed her hand.

"Physically, you are strong." Norman agreed. "But you're rash. You're illogical. You don't think before-"

"I managed to make it this far." Emma glared at him. "You're underestimating me at every turn."

"You lived by luck-"

"And your choices haven't always worked out for you, have they?" Emma said bitterly. She didn't want to bring it up, but it was the only way to show him, to plead with him to stop more death.

"What?"

"Our baby." Emma whispered, almost shameful at having brought it up. "None of your choices could have saved our baby."

Silence.

She looked up, and Norman was staring at her with a blank expression.

"What are you talking about?" He asked, bending slightly to catch her eyes. "What baby?"

"Our… our baby- the one we…" She stopped in shock. Norman continued to look confused. "Don't you dare tell me you don't remember-"

"Emma?"

"Stop LYING!" She cried, eyes red and brimming with tears. "Our DAUGHTER. Our BABY!"

"Emma, calm down." Norman looked worried- she wondered if it was real or just an act. "You're mixing dreams with reality. We're not even lovers-"

"It didn't matter to THEM!" Emma yelled. "Then- then who were you talking about just now? The girl you couldn't protect?"

A flash of blue eyes and orange hair. A body wrapped in his embrace. Much too cold. Too unmoving.

Norman held his head in his hands. "Stop. I don't know what you're talking about-"

"You HAVE to remember- don't you DARE forget-" Emma sobbed heavily, slumping on to the ground.

"You're wrong- you're wrong- " Norman muttered, digging his nails into his scalp, his pupils darting around. "I've kept everyone safe- I haven't made ANY wrong decisions- everything is going perfect-"

"It's NOT." Emma screamed. "Every thing is NOT perfect, Norman! You're only human-"

"Please-" Norman groaned, bumbing one angry fist on the table and interrupting her. "Please. Let me forget-"

Emma sat silent, shocked.

Norman walked towards her. He lowered himself to his knees, sitting in a way to directly meet her gaze. 

The walls had disappeared, and Emma saw Norman as he truly was.

"If..I don't forget.." He choked out, "then I keep thinking…about the possibility…of failure-"

"Norman-" She cried, slowly taking him in her arms. "Norman, you have to remember. You have to understand- that you're not immune to faliure-"

"I can't afford to-" He sobbed. "I can't, Emma. There are so many children- God- I need to take care of them-" He looked at her, eyes crazed, reaching out to cup her face gently. "You've been through so much… I have to protect you too-"

"So have you-" Emma cried, "You've suffered too, Norman! Please let me protect you-"

"You're so different-" Norman said, almost as if he hadn't heard her words. "Why did you have to change so much? I can't understand you now-"

She put her palm on his, pressing it against her cheek. "I'm still Emma."

"You're different-"

"Do you hate that?"

"I-" Norman looked away. "I hate that I couldn't.. save you."

"Do you hate me?"

"I could NEVER-" He said, ernestly shaking his head.

"I like the person I am now, Norman." Emma confessed. "There are some… parts of me that I can't change now… some things I always had that I wasn't aware of.. but.. I can embrace them fully now. And I'm not going back."

Norman looked at her, silenced.

"I'm never going to be who I was at twelve." Emma sighed. "You should stop looking for her."

"Even after this nightmare ends?"

"Even if this nightmare ends." Emma said sadly. "The Emma you loved won't be here anymore."

Norman offered an attempt at a smile. "You say it as if I can't love you now." He said, slowly taking her hands in his. "Don't make light of my feelings."

"We'll have time to think things over later." Emma said, affecting cheerfulness. "Me, you and Ray. After everything is over, lets get a small house. Just the three of us."

"That doesn't sound like Emma." Norman teased, slowly easing out of his gloom.

"…a house for ourselves, right next to the house where our family lives." Emma sheepishly completed her thought, earning a soft chuckle from Norman.

"There she is." He said, his smile less false now. "I'd like that. The three of us, together."

Getting up slowly, he walked to his desk, pulling out two glasses and tossing one to her. He opened the thermos on his desk, and Emma noticed the sweet scent of tea.

"It's a luxury, but I sneak some out for myself." Norman explained, bringing a finger to his lips. "Don't tell anyone."

Emma fought a giggle. "Promise." She brought her cup towards him, and he gingerly poured some out for her as well.

"To a future together." He said, voice heavy with emotion.

"To a future together." Emma tried her best to keep her voice from trembling. She gingerly took a sip, relishing the taste of tea after what felt like decades.

"If you stay here, I can sneak you some too." Norman offered, observing how her lips had curved into an energetic smile.

"I would love that." Emma said, avoiding his gaze by concentrating on the single tea leaf bobbing on the surface of her drink. "But now, I have to go-"

Norman's smile became bigger, as if he were trying even harder to hide in another, more feral emotion.

"Sorry Emma." He whispered, and Emma felt a wave of nausea hit her.

***********************

She woke up in a room, alone.

She knew the door would be locked, but tried nevertheless.

Iron doors. She could probably get through them really easily, but it would definitely make noise.

Noise enough to bring reinforcements.

Where was this place?

Even during the tour of the base, Norman had not taken her here. She would definitely remember a dungeon.

A piece of iron on the door slid away to reveal two animated eyes.

"She's awake-" The girl in the ponytail- Barbara- commented loudly. "Hey, the boss wanted you to know that he's very sorry for how drab the place is, but nothing else could hold you, y'know, you bein' half demon and all-"

"He drugged me?"

"For your own good." Vincent's voice rang out. "You wouldn't listen, and we can't afford to have variables in our plan."

"You know I can break out of this, right?" Emma growled, anger and hurt colouring her thoughts read.

"You shouldn't." Vincent answered. "Not if you care about the boss."

"Yeah." Barbara said, her voice decidedly less cheery than before. "The boss… he needs you here. Safe."

"And I know you are aware of his mental state." Vincent supplied. "It would be pure selfishness on your part to deny him this. To flip him off and put all of us in danger."

Another male voice rang out in the background, asking loudly if she was making trouble, and if they wanted him to shut her up. Despite herself, Emma felt her blood boil. It was probably the boy who was with the ponytail girl.

The girl in question replied to the angry man. "You better not dare." She warned. "The boss wouldn't take kindly to it."

Emma leaned against the door, half of her wanting to go yell at Norman, the other half wanting to hug him tight and ask him what horrors he had had to go through for him to change like this.

******************************

Norman sat at his desk, eyes closed and fingers slightly massaging his temple.

He still couldn't believe that he had had to do that.

There was no way to mince words- he had broken Emma's trust. Now there was no way she would care for him.

It's worth it, he told himself. Even if she ends up hating him, it's worth it, as long as she is safe. As long as she is still breathing.

And Emma would definitely take care of the cattle children in his stead, should victory come at the price of his life.

He recognized that he was being extremely selfish. Not only was he robbing Emma of her pride and agency, he was also making decisions for her.

"It's for the greater good." He whispered to himself, hoping that hearing the words out loud would help him swallow the idea. Hoping that he could erase that one moment when he was almost swayed by Emma's words; almost convinced by her perspective.

To remake the old promise. A swift and painless escape. It sounded like a fairytale. And Norman wanted to close his eyes and throw off the burdern on his shoulders, run to Emma and trust her with his life.

But it wasn't just his life anymore, was it?

He leaned back against his chair, eyes still closed, mind replaying memories as it often tended to do then. A small escape to a happier childhood. A beautiful lie.

I have to thank Ray, he thought.

Chapter Text

Ray tasted coffee after what seemed like centuries.

Norman was sitting opposite him at his desk, his gaze soft as he concentrated on the dark- haired boy and how his eyes lit up with the first sip.

"I missed you." The words were out of his mouth before he could think them. Sometimes the heart spoke faster.

Ray looked at him, almost shy at his unabashed expression. "Me too. Emma told me you were alive, but I could never bring myself to hope that-"

"That we can once again sit like this and have an evening coffee?" Norman chuckled. "You're as pessimistic as I remember."

"The last time I dared to hope, she left us." Ray muttered, almost as if he didn't want Norman to hear. But of course, he picked up on it.

"Once we have acquired sufficient intel, Emma would be next." Norman smiled. "Trust me. I want to see her just as much as you do."

Ray gave him a half smile. "Still madly in love, I see."

"And you, Ray?" Norman baited, leaning forward and looking at him with his clear blue eyes.

Ray looked down, uncomfortable at his gaze. "I'm not sure. I've never thought of her…as a partner." He summoned courage and finally met Norman's gaze. "Its always been the both of you that I love."

Norman took a sip from his coffee, eyes closed as he enjoyed the aroma. "Me too." He whispered. "I love you two, too."

"But Emma a little more?" Ray offered, grinning.

"A little differently, perhaps." Norman answered. "But like you, I am also unsure about my own feelings." He looked at his cup, concentrating on how some bits of undissolved coffee moved about at the bottom. "Its strange that no book can teach me to read my own heart."

"No book should have to." Ray said, "You're supposed to learn by yourself. Trial and error."

"After all this." Norman hummed.

"After all this." Ray agreed.

They sat in comfortable silence, until Ray broke it.

"Emma's strength…did you ever get to the bottom of it?" He asked, genuinely curious. "Its been bugging me for a while now."

"I've never seen it in action. We met in a very… controlled environment." Norman confessed. "Can you tell me more?"

"It didn't seem natural." Ray opined. "Almost as if her body wasn't prepared to contain the strength. Her skin and flesh fell apart. She felt pain just like the rest of us. Its just that her bones remained unbroken." He looked at Norman questioningly. "Was she given some drug? Something that made just the bones stronger, perhaps? Or maybe something from the genetic level?"

"Forced genetic modification." Norman supplied. "She is human, yes, but contains certain demon…qualities. And as far as I know, they only influence her physique."

"Emma can't be cruel like them." Ray smiled, mind elsewhere. "She's too emphatic."

Norman finished his coffee. "I'm still in shock about her strength. Is she as strong as them?"

"To be honest, I can't be accurate." Ray thought hard. "She managed to defeat two high ranking demons, kill one.. But I wasn't really coherent when that happened. The most I can tell you is that she can easily break solid rock."

"I see." Norman mused. "It will be hard to physically reign her in.. if she runs wild."

"Thats a possibility?"

"Its something we should look at." Norman whispered. "Should strength not be the only thing Emma inherits from them."

Ray winced, remembering Emma's proclamation that the hunt was fun.

"We come up with a plan B." He suggested, twiddling with his fingers. "Something that would help us contain her…and also keep her safe."

Norman smiled. "I knew you would understand."

"And whats the plan to reign you in?" Ray asked as he got up. Norman mirrored him. "You're the boss of this place now, right? What happens when power rots you?"

Norman closed his eyes. Lambda was there, in his head, slowly breaking down who he was as a person.

"I won't survive till then." He whispered inaudibly, walking out the door with Ray following close behind.

**************************

Ray was still shuddering in horror when Norman finally brought him to the room with the iron door.

"This might be the only place that can hold her-" Norman mused out loud.

Ray stared at him as if he were crazy. "Whats wrong with you??" He cried, "We just… we just passed.. that! How are you so calm???"

"I'm used to it, Ray." Norman explained patiently. "Anyway, how else did you think we learned so much about demons?"

"It's inhumane!"

"It's what they deserve." Norman sighed. "Now I need you to focus here. Will this room be able to keep her in?"

"I'm not sure." Ray muttered, ghosting his hands over the walls. "But Norman, keeping her here, with that so nearby-"

"They'll be long dead by the time anything happens with her." The pale man said as consolation. Then, "we need to clean this place up."

"I hope you know what you're doing." Ray muttered, shooting Norman an accusing glare. "You've always followed logic, but I can't help but think that something else is moving you right now."

Norman narrowed his eyes. "I'm only human."

"You fall back on that excuse whenever it suits you." Ray said, disapproving. "But they way these people see you- its not normal. Its not.. not healthy. And I feel like you're being influenced by it."

Norman stepped forward, staring silently, until he suddenly pulled Ray into a hug.

"You're too much." He exhaled. "Ray, stop noticing so much-"

"I can't help it." Ray said, voice trembling. "I can't help it. Not after seeing you like this… seeing what you're doing… what you're planning to do-"

"Am I being unfair?" Norman asked. "Of all people, Ray, I know you will understand this. Understand me."

Ray paused. His heart was pulsing. His blood aflame. Revenge sounded so sweet.

"Did you know? Back at Grace Field.. I wanted to be like Emma." Norman confessed, his words heavy. "I wanted to be like her. Pure. Selfless. But-" He pulled back, holding Ray's gaze. "I'm more like you, Ray."

"I just want us all to escape." Ray lied. "I just want to be safe."

"You want to wreck havoc." Norman translated. "You want them to feel every bit of pain you felt."

Ray chuckled. "You know me so well." He said. "Yeah. I hate them. I want them all to die horrible, painful deaths. Being hunted for years… makes you feel things like that."

"Then-"

"But not just them." Ray continued, cutting Norman off. "I want to make them all pay. I want both worlds to burn. Both humans and demons, roasted by the same hellfire-" He leaned forward, grabbing Norman his collar. "Got it? You and I- we're not the same." He shook the pale man once for emphasis, before letting him go. "You've got a bit of Emma in you too. Me? I'm dyed black. Completely. I just don't act on it." He turned away, heading to the stairs. "Don't involve me in this again."

Norman watched, stunned.

Then smiled.

******************************

Emma waited. Her prison didn't seem much like a prison- Norman had taken a lot of care to make it almost (if not more) comfortable than the normal rooms.

Like he expected that she would end up down there some day, for some reason or another.

So she waited. Waited till the time Cislo, who was on watch, would start to nod off.

But the boy remained alert, polishing a machete, shooting her glances every now and then.

How annoying.

She had almost decided to sleep, to leave escape for another day, when she heard the tell-tale sound of the knife hitting the ground.

Cislo was on the ground, his whole body convulsing. His eyes rolled back, exposing the whites. His mouth was wide open, as if he were screaming silently.

Emma had broken the door open in seconds.

"What happened? Are you okay?" She cried, hurriedly placing her hand in his mouth so he won't bite his tongue off. Cislo bit into her skin, and she winced slightly in pain.

Footsteps. Someone was coming.

"I only got out cause this guy-" Emma explained, " He's hurt! Is there some medicine-"

Ray stepped out of the shadows, eyes showing no sign of shock at Cislo's state. He walked towards them, a small bottle of pills rattling in his hands.

"Its just me." He said, dropping down beside them. He shook out a few pills in his hands, and after forcefully prying Cislo's mouth open, he dopped them inside and moved the jaw so he may swallow them.

"This happens frequently." Ray commented. "They usually take medicine, but he got too invested in his task and forgot." He let out a small satisfied smile, looking at the man who had now gone to sleep. "I was waiting for this. There's no way I can hold him back long enough for you to escape, after all."

"Huh?" Emma blinked. Ray was already standing up, holding two backpacks.

"Hurry up." He smirked. "They won't leave him here alone for long. Lets go."

Chapter Text

By the time Norman had returned from negotiations, Ray and Emma were gone.

He rushed downstairs, colliding against people, tipping valuable objects down furniture in his mad dash to get to the dungeon.

The moment he saw the door bashed open and the area deserted, he slumped onto the cold, hard floor.

"I'm sorry Boss-" Cislo said softly, guilt dripping from every word. "I didn't mean to- I should have payed more attention-"

"Its not his fault, Boss!" Barbara cried, placing a protective hand on the trembling man's shoulders. "I should have reminded him to take his pills- I knew he would forget… he always does when he's concentrating on something-"

"Get out." Norman moaned, as if he were in pain. "Please. All of you- OUT."

He waited till all footsteps had dissappeared before letting out the string of coughs he had been holding back. He pressed his palm against his mouth, desperately trying to muffle the sounds. When he moved it away, it was red.

"I don't have much time-" He whispered in horror.

He had to calm down fast. The fits came whenever he was over excited- he knew that. But it was so hard to reign in the sudden feeling of helplessness; the knowledge that the two people he cared about the most were out there again, probably on a fool's errand.

Ray, he thought. I thought you understood me.

He had failed. He had failed. He had failed miserably.

He was all alone once again.

*************************

"That was- how did-" Emma stumbled over her words, attempting and failing to describe the scene she had seen on the way out of the underground room.

There were dismembered demons floating in jars, preserved in some kind of liquid. Charts marking each type, their weakness. Various weapons of torture, all too big for humans. And the ghastliest was the number of rotten ropes hanging from the ceiling, indicating that even though the place was empty now, something had occupied it just days earlier.

Something that required being restrained. Something that was alive.

Bile rose in her throat every time the image came to mind.

"Their lab. I've only ever seen it once, though." Ray replied whilst running. "They kept sharing the results with me, but I refused to go do down there ever again."

He slowed down, taking deeper breaths. Talking and running appeared to have taken a toll on him.

Emma remembered what he had told her back in Goldy Pond.

"We can rest for a while if you want to-" She offered. "We're pretty far from the base."

"Can't afford to-" Ray aaid, each word punctuated by a deep inhalation. "They have a fast guy. Really fast. He can find us in seconds."

"I can take care of him." Emma promised, stopping the sickly man by force. "For now, lets just camp up a tree. I hear something out there- they might be wild demons."

"Fine-" Ray huffed. He waited till they were both safely settled on a tree before shooting her a sheepish smile. "Thanks."

"You're veeeery welcome." She said smugly. He rolled his eyes.

They sat in silence for some time, Emma waiting for Ray's erratic breathing to calm down.

"Phil will be safe there, right?" Emma prodded once Ray seemed better. "I feel bad, leaving without any notice."

"We couldn't afford it." Ray said. "Don't worry. Norman will take care of him."

"Hey Ray-" She moved closer. "Thanks."

Ray smirked. "You're veeeeeery welcome."

She punched him playfully.

"Ow. Fuck-" Ray rubbed the place where the punch had landed. "That fucking hurt, idiot. Learn to control your strength."

"You're just a weak ass." Emma grinned. "Learn to take a punch."

Ray scowled, trying to hide his smile.

They took out blankets from the bags (so thoughtful, Emma commented) and draped them around themselves, trying to gain insulation from the cold.

But the cold was too overpowering, and some time during the night, they had wordlessly come together, finding warmth in each other's arms just as they had about a year ago.

***************************

Emma knew what it was the moment Ray took Minerva's pen out the next morning. After all, Norman had taken special care to mention it to her, telling her what a monumental discovery it was.

"You stole it?"

"I borrowed it. He had two." Ray grinned. "We don't have the first clue to where we're going, so I figured this would help."

"The map-" Emma whispered. "But Norman said he had gone to all those places- he wasn't able to find entrances anywhere!"

"The way he is right now, its a possibility that he could be hiding the truth too." Ray reasoned.

Emma remained silent; she couldn't refute that.

"He's probably really sad right now." She said instead. "I.. I didn't want to hurt him any more, but-"

"But you still believe this is right." Ray finished, tinkering with the object. "In the end, if it works out, you have a lifetime to make it up to him."

Emma nodded. "Minimum bloodshed. I don't want the humans and demons fighting a war. No matter how carefully Norman plans it, there will still be deaths. On both sides." Her shoulders sank in defeat. "But I can't help but feel guilty- hurting Norman like this. Even though he tried so hard to protect me."

"He locked you in a cell."

"To protect me. I understand that." Emma protested. "I don't really like that, and it made me feel awful, but I understand what he was thinking."

"Then whats your problem?"

Emma looked at him sadly. "I'm betraying his trust."

Something flickered in Ray's eyes. "You don't need to worry about that." He said. "As long as your heart is in the right place. You can't always expect people to understand." He broke their eye contact. "Sometimes you have to sacrifice someone's trust to keep them safe."

Emma nodded slowly. "Yeah."

She watched as Ray examined the pen, turning it this way and that, looking for a clue. Her stomach rumbled.

"I'll go find some food." She suggested. "The demons might not come out in the morning."

"You sure you'll be okay by yourself?"

She gave him a look. He rolled his eyes.

"Okay fine. Go find us something to chew on."

She quickly scaled down the tree, careful not to make any noise that would alert other beings to their hideout.

It was time to hunt.

*****************************

Hunting animals was not something she had been taught, but she had been taught to hunt humans, and she figured there wasn't much difference.

The forest wasn't exactly bustling with life. She found a few berries, but they looked so foreign to the ones they used to get in the farms, and she had no clue if they were even edible.

At worst, they could be poisonous enough to kill.

Movement in the grass. At once, she had pounced on the tuft, but barely missed the rabbit that wasted no time jumping away.

Ray had thought to pack weapons like knives, but she didn't have anything for long range hunting. She missed her makeshift bow, and it would take too long to make another.

Another whisper of rustling grass. In one swift moment, Emma picked up a few stray stones and flung them towards the noise. Another rabbit popped out, trying to escape, but it was limping.

She chased after it. Despite the handicap, the rabbit still managed to last a few minutes before she caught it and took its life.

By the time Ray got worried and came to check, she had killed more than a dozen.

******************************

"This is way too much meat." Ray remarked again, the third time that day. He was roasting them bit by bit, hoping that that would help preserve it longer. "We're just two people, Emma. Now we have to carry this weight too. What were you thinking?"

"I'm sorry." She said. "I kind of lost count.."

Ray just rolled his eyes again, before going back to concentrating on roasting. She watched him, biting her lip, trying to forget the rush and exhilaration she had recieved from the chase. How she thought maybe, just maybe, she had missed some stones on purpose just to make the prey run. Run as fast as they could, before she swept in to catch them.

She shivered.

Ray extended a piece of meat to her, but she shook her head. "I don't feel like it."

"You have to eat, idiot." Ray said, concern lacing his voice. "You have to keep yourself healthy."

"I will. I just-" She shrugged. "I don't feel up to it right now."

Ray was still unconvinced, but he knew when to stop bugging her. So he turned back to his work, hoping she would seek him out herself when she was ready.

Despite himself, he frequently zoned out as he waited for the meat to cook. His mind would go to Norman, whom he had betrayed. Norman, who truly thought he was doing the right thing.

Norman, who's ideas of revenge were not enough.

He had betrayed one, he thought, looking at Emma through the corner of his eyes. How hard would it be to betray the other?

Chapter Text

This is a fic where the trio don't come to know of the reality of the farm. When she turns twelve, Emma is given a choice - become a mama, or become food.

When Grandma promises her that Norman is alive, she decides to live on, no matter how bloody her path would be. 

As she trains to become a Mama, Emma realises that she is being doted on by Grandma for reasons unknown. She is promoted to be a mother, and is told that there are unique tasks set for her. 

First, she is told she has to 'prove herself'. She is taken to Goldy Pond, a hunting arena where she comes face to face with Ray, whom she thought she had lost forever. Their relationship deepens through shared fear and vulnerability, and Emma decides that she wants to escape with her new comrades.

However, during the last hunt, Emma unleashes her full potential by blacking out and destroying two demons, killing Bayon and injuring Leuvis. 

She is taken away from Goldy Pond, to headquarters, where she is told that she would begin completing her 'tasks'.

The first is birthing a child. She meets Norman, who is to become her partner in an experiment to produce a child of great potential; a higher breed. There, she is told of James Ratri, his pen, and the promise. Norman reveals his plan to use their child to create a new promise that benefits the cattle children. Emma is shocked at his callous attitude towards the life they have created.

The relationship between Emma and Norman become strained, as they return to Grace Field for her pregnancy. She begins to understand Isabella better, now that they're on almost equal footing.

Emma suffers a miscarriage. After recuperating, she is taken to a specialized farm, which is designed to grow premium produce that would serve as prey for nobles who miss the hunt. The Raitris wish to remake the promise to accomodate this.

There, she is reunited with a friend, Malorie, who trained with her and has become a sister. Before the farm opens, they are rescued by Norman, Ray and other cattle children. 

Emma is taken to a hideout which has now become home for many escapees, including Phil. Emma notices that Norman has become obsessed with her safety, influenced by the trauma of losing a daughter he has forced himself to forget. She also disagrees with Norman's plan of an all out war, even using the smaller children who have been experimented on. With Ray's help, she breaks free of the cage he keeps her in, and embarks on a quest to remake the promise themselves. 

And that's it! I hope you enjoy the new chapters! 

Chapter Text

He woke up to Emma whispering in his hear.

"I hear footsteps." She cautioned, one arm protectively draped over him. "Sounds like bipeds. I'll go check it out and-" she exchanged a knowing look. "-take care of them."

"They may be demons." Ray protested. "The civilised kind. We can just keep hiding here-"

Emma's gaze dropped to his chest. He realised the problem without her saying it.

He was too weak. Couldn't take the risk of him being found. 

"Be careful." He said. He felt weak. Useless. 

Emma's gaze softened. "I'll be right back." She promised.

He watched her jump down nimbly, landing on four feet with the grace of a cat. She seemed excited at the prospect of danger. 

He frowned.

******************************

Emma followed the footsteps, taking care to stay downwind, just in case the biped was a hungry demon.

The sound grew closer and closer, until suddenly, a hooded figure came to sight.

Emma tensed. That didn't look right. The figure was small. Even smaller than her. And it looked almost entirely human-

The figure bent down to pick some weeds. A dainty hand reached out of the clothes. 

Pale green skin. Long claws at the end. 

Not human. But close.

A sudden murderous aura behind her was the only warning she got before a spear was thrust into the ground beside her, missing her by a hair. 

She turned and was on the defensive in seconds, coming face to face with a giant, two legged demon quite unlike any other she had seen.

"Human." He said, his voice betraying his disbelief. "Wild?"

"She can't be." Came a female voice behind her.

She had forgotten about the other one. 

The smaller figure took her hood off, revealing pale violet hair and an uncharacteristically kind smile. "Who are you, child? Why are you here?"

Emma felt her body relax almost instantly. Not a threat. Not yet.

"Emma. I'm Emma." She said. "I heard your footsteps and came to investigate."

"Are you human?" The bigger demon asked, sniffing her inquisitively. "You smell strange. You smell like her."

The female demon came closer and sniffed. "You're right. How peculiar." She extended a hand. "I'm Mujika. The one breathing down your neck is Sonju."

"…hello" Emma shook it, still in shock at the absurdity of the situation. Her, talking to two demons so nonchalantly. It was like a fever dream.

"You're an escapee." Mujika smiled. "I admire your bravery in having reached so far."

"Thank you-" Emma whispered. "You're not going to eat me?"

Mujika laughed. "No, no. Don't fret. We don't eat humans." She gestured to Sonju, who groaned in frustration. "Yes, she's right. We don't eat humans now. But there are many others that do, so don't be so gullible as to approach every sound you hea-"

A distant howl rang out from within the forest. She tensed. 

From where? Was it Ray? Was Ray safe?

She left her new acquaintances in the clearing, ignoring Mujika's gasps and hurrying to where her friend was. 

Stupid, stupid. Leaving him for so long. Stupid. 

She looked around. Which tree was it? Where was he? Why didn't she leave a mar-

A nut hit her right on the head, attracting her attention up a nearby tree. 

"What did you find?" Ray drawled, lazily stretching on a branch. 

Relief at his safety trumped any annoyance at him throwing nuts at her.

"Two demons. But they said…they don't eat humans and-"

"There's two of them?" Sonju remarked, walking out of the wilderness. Mujika followed close behind, waving enthusiastically at the frightened boy. 

"Emma-" Ray turned to her in shock. She grinned. "It's okay, Ray." She explained. "They said..they won't eat us."

"And you believed them?!" Ray shouted in fury. "Emma, they're DEMONS, and-" he coughed violently, cutting off his own speech. 

"Oh my." Mujika said, stepping closer. "Is that one ill?"

"He's injured." Emma explained. "It's…an old injury."

"That won't do at all." The female demon huffed. "Two human children alone in this wood- and one injured?! That's inviting trouble."

"We know." Emma said. "But there's something we need to do. No matter what."

Mujika looked at her, then turned to Sonju. They seemed to be having a conversation without words.

"You can't be serious." Sonju groaned. "We're already having trouble trying to evade them-"

"He's injured, Sonju!" Mujika pleaded. "Please, at least until I can take a look at him-"

The bigger demon seemed at a loss. "Fine." He said. "But first sign of trouble, they're acting as bait."

Mujika smiled, and turned to Emma and Ray.

"Are you willing to trust us?"

"Emma, no." Ray called out. "It's too risky. Don't."

Emma, instead, turned to the woman. 

"Are you sure you can help him?"

"I can't make promises." She answered. "But I will try my best."

Emma nodded, and walked to the tree where Ray was still watching her carefully.

"Let's go with them, Ray."

"The fuck?" He cried. "Are you crazy?"

"I might be." She said sheepishly. "But if there's a chance they can help you, Ray-"

"Screw that! I'd rather die-"

"I'm going with them." Emma cut him off. "You can make your choice."

The boy's lips trembled. He looked at her for a while, eyes pleading her to stop, to rethink this foolishness. 

She didn't budge.

"Fine." He broke. "Fine, FINE. Lets both get eaten together. But I'll be DAMNED if I leave you alone with them-"

She helped him down the tree. He was still shivering. She couldn't blame him.

He'd been running from their kind all his life. Goldy Pond had scarred him beyond what she could understand. 

Throughout the walk to their lair, she held his hand, offering the only kind of comfort she could. 

****************************

Sonju moved closer to his companion, whispering so the humans wouldn't hear.

"What are you doing? You could just leave them alone-"

"They've been trying their best all this while. Just like us." She answered. "I empathize with them."

"Your empathy got us into this mess the first place."

"And yet, you still indulge me." She smiled. "Besides, won't this work out for you too? It's a male and a female. If they have children.."

"Wild humans." He licked his lips. "It's been centuries."

From the corner of her eye, Mujika saw Emma tense, sensing Sonju's bloodlust. She placed a warning hand on her companion. 

"Not now." She chided. "Besides, the female..Emma-" 

Sonju nodded. "She smells just like you."

"And I want to find out why." Mujika said. "So please let me do this."

"You always do whatever you want." Sonju said, almost adoringly. "But keep in mind that in a pinch, you're the only one I would save."

"I know." She smiled. 

Chapter Text

"It's damaged your lungs." Mujika said, a hand under her chin thoughtfully. It was such a human gesture. Ray didn't like it at all.

But Emma was there right next to him, squeezing his hand as the demon woman pressed her fingers on his chest thoughtfully. 

The demons had brought them to an underground passage of sorts. Something that was definitely not made naturally. Something that felt like it was made for a purpose.

"I think a few ribs might not have healed correctly. I can fix it, but not here." She sounded apologetic. "It'll be too messy and too dangerous, especially in a forest like this."

"You mean, an operation?"

Mujika cocked her head to one side. "What's that?"

"It's when you open the body and-" Emma shuddered. "Never mind. If it's dangerous, I'd rather you not do it."

"But I can offer you something else!" Mujika said, getting up in a hurry. "I'll go get it. You two stay here!"

She left them alone with Sonju, who was brooding in a corner. 

"What're you looking at?" He barked, feeling the weight of Emma's gaze. 

"Your spear." She answered. "Can you teach me how to make one?"

He seemed surprised. "This isn't a toy."

"I have no use for a toy."

Sonju grinned, suddenly amused. "You're irritated, aren't you?" He brought one long finger to where his nose would have been. "I can smell it." 

"What do you mean?" Emma took the bait. Beside her, Ray tensed. 

"You smell even more like us when you're agitated." The demon said. "I noticed it when I attacked you too. You looked human but smelled like us."

Emma chose not to engage him any further. Luckily, Mujika returned right on time. She knelt beside Ray, startling him, and offered a vial of something green.

"It'll work as a painkiller." She explained. "Sonju usually needs about half of this, but since you're human, I'm guessing you'll need less than a quarter- I'll even teach you how to make it. The herbs are readily available here-"

"How do I trust you?" Ray asked, suspicion coating his words. "How do you even know this stuff isn't toxic for humans? You've never tried it on one-"

"You have no choice but to trust us." Mujika said softly. "It might not work at all, but…it's worth a try-"

Emma quietly took out her knife, and sliced her thigh open.

"Emma whAT THE HELL-"

She ignored the hysteric man, instead focusing on the demon before her. 

"It hurts more than I thought." She smiled, though her face showed the pain she was in. "So can I test the medicine first?"

"Oh. Oh, yes. By all means-" Mujika took out some of the mixture, rolling it into a small ball and placing it on Emma's mouth. "Please chew it before swallowing." 

She glanced back. Sonju had already left the vicinity.

Ray watched Emma swallow, fear apparent in his eyes. He waited for a sign, any sign, that she hadn't swallowed poison. That she would be okay.

A few minutes later, Emma was looking at the wound with curious eyes.

"I can't even feel it. In fact, I can't feel anything!" She bit her finger, drawing blood. "I didn't feel that!"

Ray hit her head, and it was more the movement than the pain that alerted her to it.

"Stop injuring yourself! What's wrong with you?" He cried. 

Emma grinned. "I'm testing if its safe!"

"You're CRAZY."

"I don't wanna see you hurt." She whispered, effectively silencing him. As Mujika left in a hurry to find something to cover Emma's wound, he moved closer to her.

"Stop doing so much for me." He complained. "It makes me feel pathetic."

It makes me have second thoughts. 

"I'm doing this for me too." She huffed. "Painkillers can help both of us, you know?"

He pulled her into a hug. 

She resisted. "I'll get blood on you-"

"Shut up or I'll make you."

"How?" She challenged. 

Ray swept his thumb over her lower lip, and the woman finally grew quiet and let herself be hugged. 

***************************************

"The painkillers work well." Ray muttered. "Thanks."

Even with a mask, he could see the genuine happiness on Mujika's face. It was unsettling, but he had learnt to accept it. That this demon was simply helping him, and not fattening him up to eat.

It'd been three days since they started travelling together underground, after all. They would seldom go up. And even then, it was mostly for food and medicine.

"Where's Emma?" He asked.  

"She and Sonju left before you woke up." Mujika answered, busy grinding herbs together using a round stone. Making medicine for him. "She finally finished her spear, so she's excited to learn how to use it."

Ray chased away unbidden images of the male demon skewering Emma with her own creation. Instead, he got up and walked towards Mujika. 

"I'll help." He offered.

Mujika seemed happy again. It didn't take much to please her, he realised. 

She scooted over, and handed Ray a stone similar to hers'. He realized it was heavier than he thought. 

"So, you and Sonju.." He began. "Why are you living…like this? Like nomads?"

Mujika didn't seem taken aback by the question. "I thought you might have already realised it, but-" She smiled sadly. "We're fugitives. The royals want us dead. We don't… belong in society."

"Why not?"

Mujika didn't answer. Instead, she just smiled and went on grinding leaves.

They sat together in silence, doing their work calmly. Ray didn't feel the need to break the silence again. 

And until Emma and Sonju returned triumphantly with various fruits and meat, not another word was exchanged. 

***************************************

"She could keep up with me." Sonju said, awe still evident in his voice. The two humans had gone to sleep, and they were sitting a little further away, finally getting some time to exchange a private conversation. 

"Emma?" Mujika asked, though she already knew the answer.

"She was almost as fast as I was. Even got a few kills before I did." He reported. "It was fun. It was a rush. It didn't feel like I was hunting with a human." 

"Is she though?" Mujika mused. "Human, I mean."

"When she hunts, she's one of us." Sonju pressed. "But later? Right now? She smells more like them."

"I've heard stories." Mujika whispered. "About what they do to.. the children. The torture. The unnatural modifications." She shuddered. "We came across one, remember?"

"I do." Sonju breathed. "We got there too late."

"He was far too large for a child-" Mujika continued. "What if they've done something to her? She can't exist otherwise..it goes against nature-"

"Against god." Sonju supplied. 

"But not of her own volition." She warned. 

"I know." He muttered. "I know, but I still can't bring myself to like it."

Mujika leaned against him, still looking at the two children huddled together. No, not children. How long had they been running from the Raitris?

"What if they're the key?" She mused out loud. "The key to rewriting the promise? To changing this messed up society?"

"…to bring us back to a golden age?" Sonju hummed. "It sounds good. But they're so small." 

"We can guide them in the right direction."

"How so?"

"Share our knowledge." She tinkered around with her locket. "Nudge them a little. Make sure they meet him."

Sonju juggled the idea in his mind. "And if it goes wrong?"

"Then nothing changes. We continue to stay here." Mujika said softly. "We continue to run. Continue to hide."

Sonju turned his gaze to the orange haired female. Even in sleep, her fingers were wrapped around her new weapon. The man, on the other hand, had no weapon. Instead, his hand was on her's, ready to notice the slightest movement. 

An alertness even in sleep. Behaviour typical of prey. 

And then he remembered Emma running right behind him, mirroring his excitement, relishing the chase just as he had. He remembered Ray, learning within minutes the highly specific method to produce the painkiller, something that had taken Mujika around a year. 

They weren't normal human prey. 

How satisfying would it be, if the Raitri had unknowingly bred their own destruction? 

Either way, he reasoned, it was going to be fun.

"I'll develop her fighting skills. With her strength, one or two wild ones at a time won't be any trouble." He said. "And you can teach the boy medicine.….and poison. Teach him the things you know. Teach him about us."

"And about him?"

"When they're ready for it." 

Chapter Text

Norman sat behind his imposing desk, thumbing through reports as Vincent watched. 

"They're going ahead with the ceremony? Even though they don't have any eligible.. sacrifices?" He asked, looking at Vincent with disbelief. "I thought the Queen would be fastidious about things like this."

"There are multiple possibilities." Vincent offered. "Another hidden farm. Perhaps a member of the staff. Maybe even one of the more… disposable Raitris."

"Aren't they worried about inviting his wrath?"

Vincent looked at the pale man in front of him amusement. "Do you really believe he exists?" He questioned. "The more we hear about him, the more mythical he seems." 

Norman looked lost. "The demons certainly seemed to believe in him."

"But the royalty-"

"It's been centuries, Vincent. Maybe they've grown presumptuous and overly confident in their safety." Norman barked. "We only need to concern ourselves with the fact that the Tifari is fast approaching. And plan accordingly."

Norman's hand was quivering.Vincent turned his eyes away. 

"We will talk later, Vincent." 

The man bowed and left the room, not surprised by the sound of a lock clicking behind him. Norman was obsessed with appearing infallible before them. To the point of hiding his spasms. Even refusing medicine to throw away suspicion. 

Working himself to an early grave. 

And yet, his oldest friends left him. They saw him suffer, but left him right where he was, digging the hole that would eventually consume him. 

Unforgivable.

Vincent pretended he couldn't hear the soft wailing from the other side of the door and stood guard. 

********************************

Emma

He reached out to hold a corner of his desk. He didn't know if holding on to something solid helped ease his spasms, but it was almost natural now, especially when he was feeling like the whole world was collapsing around him.

Ray 

He gasped loudly, then hoped no one had heard. They were getting even more painful now, the blood even harder to hide. Vincent knew, most probably. But he just watched him, and Norman respected him for that.

Emma

He retched, and blood came out through the gaps of his teeth. Three little drops on the floor, taunting him. Even the blood looked diseased - a thick dark brown instead of red. 

Ray

During these times, he wondered if it would really have been better if he had sneaked in a few of those convenient pills. Swallow one, even two, and go to sleep, waking up to a body that was more or less settled. 

Emma

But who would follow a man who couldn't even save himself?

Ray

Who would follow just another sickly child, throwing a tantrum and demanding revenge? 

Not even your friends, a voice in his head whispered. Not even Emma and Ray.

Useless. Useless. 

You deserve the pain, it cooed. 

Useless. You couldn't even save a baby. 

You couldn't save the people you love. They didn't trust you to keep them safe. 

Because they knew how weak you are.

Hot tears traced patterns down his cheeks. His body had stopped convulsing, but somehow, it hurt even more.

*************************

"You're not going to sleep yet?"

Emma looked up from where she was sitting to see Mujika, her face illuminated by the light of a single candle she was holding daintily. 

It was their fifth night after meeting these strange demons. More than five days since she last saw Norman. 

"Too much on my mind." She shrugged, moving a little so Mujika could sit. The small demon made herself at home, and joined Emma in gazing at the ashes of a fire that had long since been put out.

"Like what?" Mujika prodded.

Emma poked at the ashes with a stick. "Like how maybe it was time that Ray and I…resumed our quest."

"May I ask what that is?"

The orange haired woman stiffened. 

"We want to remake the promise." Emma confessed. "Save humanity."

Mujika gasped. "Oh. Oh! This is wonderful!"

"Huh?"

"I was planning to- well, me and Sonju, we talked about it." Mujika explained in a rush, unable to hide her excitement. "We thought about telling you about him. About that promise. Of course, we didn't- didn't want to force you into it but-"

Emma looked at her, tears already forming at the corner of her eyes. "You mean, it's real? He is real?" She whispered. "This...our quest…it's possible?"

Mujika extended her hands, gently pulling Emma into a loose embrace.

"Oh, you poor, poor child-" She cooed. "To think you chose this path without any proof…how very, very brave-"

Emma sobbed into her chest. "Thank God-" She cried. "Thank God…we didn't leave him for nothing-"

Musica was intrigued, but decided it was not the time to be asking questions. She waited till Emma pulled herself together before taking off her chain and giving it to the trembling girl.

"Take this, Emma." She said. "Take this with you when you go to see him."

"How do I see him?" Emma pressed, graciously accepting the necklace. It looked like an eye - it unnerved her. "We don't know how to reach him- we're just following a map that we hope will take us there."

Mujika shook her head. "I can't help you any more that this." She whispered. "The struggle to find him is a part of the process of reaching him. You must find your path on your own, Emma-"

"I'm not even sure if I can meet with him." Emma whispered. "I'm not purely human."

"Your partner?"

"Yes, I'll have to rely on him for that." She said in a resigned tone. "But I'll try my best to accompany him as far as I can."

Mujika cradled Emma as if she were a baby.

"Tomorrow, I will teach you a ritual." She said resolutely. "Tomorrow, we will take you where the map points you to go."

Emma met her gaze. 

"So, we'll soon be saying goodbye."

"Yes." Mujika replied. "But some goodbyes are necessary."

"How long have you been living here?"

"For a long, long time. Far longer than when you were born." Mujika pulled the human girl a little closer. "and we will remain here. Any time you need a helping hand."

"Why… are you doing so much for us?"

Mujika released her embrace, but Emma still didn't move.  

"We've grown tired, Sonju and I." Mujika said. "We're tired of the royalty. We're tired of the needless starvation. The cruel punishments. Everything." She nimbly pushed a stray lock of hair behind Emma's ear. "And we've grown tired of running away. Right now, we're powerless, but-" 

"If I rewrite the promise-"

"If you change the world…" Mujika interrupted. "..the stage would be set for our return." She reached down to take Emma's hands in her's. "The enemy is the royal family. The avaricious nobles. The villains who are pulling wool over the common folks' eyes." 

She drew a figure on the sand near their feet. Someone tall, and wearing an eerily similar mask.

"Leuvis?" Emma offered, watching the demon woman draw. She paused, her shoulders stiffened and she turn to look at Emma. "No, but… how do you know him?"

I might have killed him, Emma wanted to say. But there was something else in Mujika's voice, some unidentifiable emotion, and Emma decided to keep it to herself. 

Mujika sensed her discomfort. 

"It doesn't matter." Mujika said, and Emma could make out from her voice and restless manner that no, it did matter, at least to her. 

"What matters, is this woman-" Mujika turned her attention back to the figure again. "The current Queen. Legravalima. She is the one who will stand in your way."