Afflicted Lamentation

A gray sphere of luminance progressed higher into the sky. A black sheet plastered with stars was behind the gray sphere. A plethora of thunderous silver-colored clouds were scattered around the gray sphere, as well as the black sheet of stars. Despite this, the moon’s phthalo blue hue continued to excel past the electrified fluffy cotton. The moon cast its gleam across Grace Field and onto a big house that sat in the middle.

The glacial glare shone through the windows and dispersed itself onto the polished wooden floor. That same frigid phthalo tint shifted into a much more vivid toasty glint that cascaded from the ceiling and sprawled throughout the house. That luminescence lingered among the teary-eyed faces of distraught children. They said their last few goodbyes to a white-haired kid who stood next to a woman, named Isabella.

There was a particular orange and yellow-haired kid who stood there, with their head hung low. Emma stared at the ground with a dejected look on her face while trying to not break down into tears. The white-haired male waved goodbye to the other kids and walked with Isabella down a short corridor. Isabella grabbed an umbrella and placed her hand on the doorknob. Norman glanced up at the staircase. Indigo Blue Lotus eyes stared at a figure who had their back turned.

The black-haired male was leaning against the railing on the second stairway. Ray had his arms crossed as he felt a familiar gaze latch onto his skin. He slowly turned around and faced the white-haired male. Viridian Green Gladiolus eyes locked onto Indigo Blue Lotus ones. Ray stared at Norman with an agitated and unamused look. A warm smile appears on Norman’s face as he looks at Ray.

Yet his Indigo Blue Lotus eyes altered into Melancholic Cobalt Blue Hyacinth ones. That same warm smile was struggling to stay put. Ray’s face remained the same, yet his Viridian Green Gladiolus eyes melted into Regretful Celadon Green Carnation ones. But it was only for a moment before they returned to normal and he turned his back on Norman once more. The white-haired male’s smile faltered for a moment before returning to normal as Isabella opened the door.

The black-haired woman walked out and opened the umbrella. Norman took one last glance at Ray before reluctantly stepping out the door. Isabella pulled on the knob and the door had finally come to a close. As it shut, the thunder rumbled and a drop of rain landed on the roof of the house. Then another, and another. In time the light pitter patter of rain colliding against the windows and the roof of the house was heard. Unfortunately, this was a goodbye no one wanted to face like an incomplete ending to a book or a mournful ending to a film.

Norman’s life was taken from his peers way too soon. His own life was discontinued or canceled like a TV show. Everyone loved Norman and he was painfully ripped away from them with no warning. No one would ever be able to properly cope with this crestfallen loss. It really was like a farewell to a loved one due to how depressing the atmosphere was. A loud thud was also heard. Emma had fallen onto the floor and curled up into a ball.

Her friends Don and Gilda rushed to her side, trying to comfort her while knowing full well that no amount of comfort can really help grief. Ray knew just how mournful Emma felt, but he chose to not comfort her, out of fear of breaking down the way she did. The black-haired male longingly stared back at the closed door for a bit longer until deciding to turn around. Ray leisurely trudged up the stairs. His hands were dug into his pockets, and his back was slouched.

His legs were trembling. Each step felt heavily burdensome. He held onto the railings as he took another step. His body staggered a bit, but the railings helped him keep his balance. He felt though as if his heart sank as Norman left, had the same effect on his body. Ray felt like he was being crushed by tons of water pressure, which made it difficult to move. The black-haired male felt as if he was drowning.

Drowning in an ocean of repressed emotions while his body language and eyes seemed to display it. But he refused to express it to its full extent, the last thing he needed was to have an emotional outburst like Emma. In time, Ray reached the top of the staircase. He used the wall as a crutch as he dragged his feet across the floor. Just then, a familiar warm calm collective voice called out to him. “Ray!” For that moment the black-haired male stood up straight. His heart skipped a beat. A slight smile could be seen on his face.

He had been pulled to the surface and he whipped his head around, then called back. “Norman?!” Hopeful Viridian Gladiolus Green eyes darted around the hallway, to find that Norman was nowhere to be found. His slight smile turned back to a thin line. He clenched his fists in agitation, as he felt his eyes gloss over. Ray shook his head no and turned back around, his slouched posture returned and he felt his body plunge right back beneath the surface.

He briskly blinked away any tears that dared to fall down his cheeks. He kept his hand on the wall and steadily headed over to the library room. Once he arrived, he shakily climbed up the ladder and sat on one of the small lofts in the room. Ray glanced out the window and watched as the rain planted itself against the glass and slid down with ease. The moon’s phthalo blue pigment dawdled upon the male’s skin.

That same tint was cast among the loft that Ray sat on. One of the books could feel the moon’s frothy sheen amongst its hardcover until a shaky hand picked it up and held it close. The trembling body radiated a cozy heat despite the frigid atmosphere. Ray steadily opened the book to a certain page. It contained several photos of him, Norman, and Emma. But he was staring at a certain photo of Norman smiling as he looked at the camera. The black-haired male’s heart skipped a beat as he took in the warmth that radiated from Norman’s smile mixed with the toasty atmosphere of that day.

Ray only enjoyed that photo for a moment before closing the book, then getting up and climbing back down the ladder. Next, he staggered out of the library and placed his hand back on the wall. The male gradually made his way through the corridor before arriving outside of his shared room. The door slowly creaked open. Ray shakily stood in the doorframe with one hand holding the doorknob while the other was holding onto the book.

Within the room were white beds pressed against two walls on both sides. There was an empty path between both of them so children could walk down it and get into their beds with ease. The black-haired male’s unsteady grip tightened around the book at the sight for a second before loosening it. He let go of the doorknob while he staggered into the room.

He weakly closed the door behind him and leaned against it for a moment as he took a few deep breaths. Ray attempted to alleviate some of the somberness and vexation that surged through his body before trying to stroll past most of the beds. Each step he took felt as if he sank deeper into the ocean. His body got heavier with each step. It was becoming much more difficult to walk, especially without some sort of crutch to help keep his balance.

As his body continued to waver and rock from side to side, he got more and more frustrated with himself. Which only added more water to the ocean in turn made his body feel more than just submerged beneath the surface. Ray felt like he was inundated with a superfluous amount of repressed emotions. His negative thoughts continued to consume him. ’Oh great! You can’t even use your legs right! It’s not that difficult to walk to your bed!’

’Are you really that pathetic?! You’re struggling so much to just walk across the room! You’re shaking so much! How hard is it to just put one foot in front of the other?!’ A small whine escaped Ray’s lips as his knees buckled and he fell to the floor. He found himself taking deeper breaths as if it was getting harder to breathe. He kept shaking his head no, trying to suppress his intrusive thoughts. But they only got worse.

’Of course you fell! You can barely stand up! You wanna escape this place so bad and you can barely stand your ground! It’s surprising that you even do exceptionally well at tag!’ Ray’s breath continued to pick up the pace as he shakily put one hand in front of the other and began to groggily crawl across the floor. The black-haired male gradually got closer to his destination but continued to be submerged by his negative thoughts. Ray’s eyes were glossy, but he held back any tears that dared to escape his sockets.

’YOU’RE NOTHING BUT A PATHETIC WEAKLING! YOU CAN’T DO ANYTHING RIGHT! YOU’RE GETTING SO WORKED UP OVER THE TRUTH! I THOUGHT EMMA WAS THE EMOTIONAL ONE BUT YOU’RE TREMBLING AND TRYING SO HARD TO NOT BREAK DOWN AND CRY THE WAY SHE DID! YOU MISS HIM DON’T YOU?!’ Ray whimpered quietly, he felt like it was even harder to breathe, almost as if he was choking from lack of oxygen. He shook his head no quickly.

’’YOU MISS HIM SO MUCH THAT IT MAKES YOU WANT TO BREAK DOWN AND CRY! YOU’RE ACTING LIKE IF HE WAS STILL HERE, THAT YOU’D EVER BE ABLE TO HAVE HIM! HE LIKES EMMA FOR A REASON! CAN’T YOU GET THAT?! WHEN HE SAID HIS GOODBYE TO HER, HE ALMOST CONFESSED TO HER! LUCKY ISABELLA INTERRUPTED RIGHT?! BUT WHETHER HE’S HERE OR NOT IT’LL BE THE SAME FATE! JUST ACCEPT IT! HE DOESN’T LIKE YOU BACK AND HE NEVER WILL! AND DESPITE YOUR FEELINGS FOR HIM, YOU FAILED DIDN’T YOU?! YOU FAILED TO HELP HIM ESCAPE! YOU DID EVERYTHING TO HELP HIM AND NONE OF IT WAS ENOUGH! YOU’RE NOT ENOUGH! YOU’RE NEVER ENOUGH! YOU LOVE HIM SO MUCH BUT IT WASN’T ENOUGH TO HELP HIM ESCAPE! YOU COULDN’T EVEN SAVE NORMAN!’ Ray started coughing and gasping for air as he felt his body continue to sink beneath the surface.

Water felt like it was being forced down the wrong pipe and hastily poured into his lungs. Ray harshly hacked and wheezed as he tried to not buckle under all that water pressure. ’JUST ADMIT IT! YOU’RE COMPLETELY WORTHLESS! YOUR IQ WASN’T HIGH ENOUGH TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM! EVEN EMMA DID SOMETHING DURING HER GOODBYE WITH NORMAN THAT COULD’VE WORKED IF HE WASN’T SO STUBBORN! WHAT DID YOU DO?! YOU JUST STOOD THERE AND LOOKED AT HIM! EVEN WHEN YOU TWO HAVE A CLOSE INTELLECT, EMMA DESERVES TO BE WITH NORMAN, THAT’S WHY THEY SAY OPPOSITES ATTRACT! EVEN IF HE WAS STILL HERE YOU’D NEVER BE ABLE TO GET WITH HIM! HE’S GONE NOW AND YOU COULDN’T SAVE HIM! IT’S ALL YOUR FAULT! HE’S DEAD NOW AND HE’S NEVER COMING BACK! HOW DOES IT FEEL TO KNOW THAT YOU LOVED NORMAN AND YOU KILLED HIM-’Suddenly Ray’s negative thoughts were cut short.

Viridian Green Gladiolus’s eyes frantically scouted his arm that was shaking and yet it was covered in a phthalo blue hue. Relief washed over him as he realized that he had finally reached the end of the path. The male slowly crawled over to his bed and sat on it. The water pressure continued to immerse him but the intrusive thoughts had subsided for now. He gasped for air and coughed a bit more before his breathing returned to a shaky unsteady breath but a more manageable one.

Ray hastily blinked away any tears that wanted to fall down his cheeks. Next, he placed the book on his bed. The male glanced at another bed next to his own. The sheets looked just as neatly made as the others, but there was something different about it. As if it radiated a cozy heat that invited you into a warm embrace. Ray slowly got up and used some of the wall as a crutch to walk to the other bed. He sat on it and immediately felt a sense of comfort. Almost as if it helped melt away all his nerves and tension. But it made sense since this bed was Norman’s before he got adopted. Ray glanced at where his hand was placed.

It was on the sheet. He leisurely picked up the cover and brought it up to his face. He thought. ‘Does…it still smell like him?’ The male was hesitant to sniff the bed cover at first. ‘No...I shouldn’t..smell it…that’s weird…besides…do I..really miss him that much?’ Ray clutched onto the bed sheet and pushed it away from him as he took a deep breath. ‘You know what? It doesn’t matter anymore! Who cares if I indulge a bit in something like this?!’

The male pulled the sheets up to his face and inhaled the scent. A Warm Vanilla Sugar fragrance waltzed its way into Ray’s nose. That scent wasn’t just Norman’s scent, nor did it only remind Ray of Norman. It unfortunately brought back every single moment he spent with Norman. Each memory he’s ever had only continued to add onto the water, causing Ray to struggle with simply sitting up on Norman’s bed.

As a result, it didn’t take long for the ocean to finally overflow. All that water came together to conjure a colossal wave of repressed emotions. Ray tried so hard to continue to repress them. His Viridian Green Gladiolus eyes had shifted into subdued Celadon Green Carnation ones before going back to Viridian Green Gladiolus ones. Carnations often represented denial and ignoring the truth. His eyes became glossy as he felt himself lean back and fall onto the bed from the water pressure becoming too heavy to bear.

Ray’s hands clung to the sheets for dear life. He pulled them over his head, engulfing himself in Norman’s scent. Only making the wave bigger. Every emotion he’s tried to repress, every memory he’s tried to not look back on, every smile Norman had given him. All of that was seen in the tsunami that crashed into the forest and saturated every single tree in sight. It drenched the entire place and Ray was seen, in the middle of it all, on the dampened grass and overwatered soil.

The male was no longer submerged in water. Just like how the tsunami desecrated the trees with its strength. Mournful Viridian Green Gladiolus eyes were finally seen with tears falling down their sockets. Ray was no longer drowning in his repressed emotions. Instead, like the trees before they were brutally mutilated by the tsunami. Ray was burying himself in his repressed emotions.

Attempting to plant himself like a seed and sprout new beginnings to overcome this sudden flood of negative emotions. The rain seemed to fall harder as Ray cried, he held onto the covers as he thought about every single second he’d spent with Norman, all for it to just lead to his inevitable demise. None of which he or Emma could prevent despite them doing everything in their power to stop it. Of course not even that was enough.

It seemed though as if the waterworks in his eyes had finally burst open like a dam and unleashed itself onto the world. But in this case, Ray lay there, crying by himself, in a way he’s never cried before. He felt utterly miserable and heartbroken. He was miserable in the system he was raised in. He was heartbroken by not just losing a very close friend, but also a close friend he had romantic feelings for.

Ray would’ve preferred to just stay as a third wheel in Emma and Norman’s potential future relationship. Only if it meant having the option to keep Norman alive since at least then he’d still get to be with him in some way. Even if it just meant being his friend and nothing more. Yet, no matter how many plans Emma and Ray pitched to him, he refused every single one of them. In Norman’s mind, if he runs away, then that’ll hinder the escape plan for his two peers, making their goal unattainable.

As a result, the only logical solution he could think of was self-sacrifice in spite of all the other roads and paths he could take. Neither Ray nor Emma could truly understand why Norman chose this route. Ray couldn’t understand it on an intellectual level, since there were other options available aside from death. Emma couldn’t comprehend Norman’s decision on an emotional level.

All it did was add to the stress and fear that the three had already felt when planning their escape together. So why choose that path if there are so many other paths he could take?! It doesn’t make sense! Ray understood that Norman had conjured up the perfect escape plan for the three of them but never in his plans did it ever say that he wasn’t a part of it! But of course not! His shipment was random!

Ray’s mother decided to do that to catch them off guard and try to thwart their plans of escape! The black-haired male knew that this was a possibility but no one had ever thought it would be in this way. But even when Isabella announced that Norman would be shipped out early, Ray and Emma made plans to work accordingly to this situation. Norman considered them but never wanted to go through with them.

Once he went over the wall and created the perfect escape plan after realizing his inevitable demise, he chose to stick to it. No matter how emotional and detrimental the outcome could be to his peers and how they’ll escape. Norman trusted them to do this and to not let his death be in vain. Ray knew that Norman understood just how difficult it would be to escape this place without that special someone by your side.

The black-haired male hissed out of anger as he tightened his grip on the sheets. The gloomy clouds rumbled in exasperation as Ray wistfully stammered. “W-Why….? Couldn’t..y-you have just...listened to us Norman?! Y-You’re supposed to be the intelligent one!” His voice sounded like a soft quiver meshed with a bit of aggravation. It was clear that Ray was in two stages of grief at once. Anger and Sadness.

Ray continued to mourn his best friend’s death as he lay on the bed, crying his eyes out. He wallowed in a melancholy way. “You’re…t-the smartest…k-kid..in the entire orphanage and, your plan i-involves sacrificing yourself?!” He asked. His voice continued to stammer and crack at each word as a pounding headache began to form from all the tears he shed. The black-haired male reluctantly let go of the sheets and placed one hand on his head.

He rubbed his temples and continued to latch onto the covers with his other hand, but the grip was even tighter. His knuckles were turning white from the sheer strength of his grip. It was as if Ray, who kept clutching onto Norman’s sheets, was actually holding onto Norman himself. If Ray let go of the sheets, he’d…let go of Norman and lose him forever. He can’t let go! He won’t ever let go! He can’t just let go and get over him! He refuses to let go of these negative feelings.

He’d rather have his feelings completely consume him until the point of breaking down from it. To Ray, it felt better than to go through the stage of Acceptance. Besides, how can anyone accept a loss like this? A quiet whimper escaped his lips, and even more tears fell down his cheeks. Ray’s headache only increased in pain. In turn, it created a constant cycle of more tears, but more tears equaled more pain and vice versa.

“I just want a-an answer from you! Why?! Why…d-did you think that..s-sacrificing yourself especially…w-when you h-had other options to choose f-from?!” Ray asked once more. His voice never failed to sound like a mere whisper as he continued to stumble upon his words. He steadily sat upright, but immediately regretted it as his headache that was pounding turned into a loud banging. He hissed and whimpered loudly out of agony as he fell back on the bed.

Ray rolled to his side and kept the sheets above his head, now trying to steady his breathing, hoping it would reduce the pain. He was now in a fetal position. His body shuddered from a mixture of anxiousness and the frigid temperature of the house. The phthalo blue hue that poured itself onto the sheets, didn’t seem to help. Ray’s quivering body was lying in a puddle of a dark hue mixed with his tears. Just then a shadow loomed over the covers. But it didn’t feel like a threatening Shadow.

It felt more like a warm comforting silhouette. Ray could feel a familiar presence near him. The bed began to dip, causing Ray to grip the sheets with both hands, yet he felt a hand gliding down his back. It rubbed small circles into Ray’s back. The black-haired male’s breath hitched as he heard a familiar voice speak. “I…did it because I wanted to protect you guys. I’m not going to explain any further because no matter what explanation I give you, we both know you won’t ever be satisfied with the answer you’re given.”

That voice belonged to none other than Norman. It broke the white-haired male’s heart to see his best friend this way. He’d never thought he’d see Ray so broken down and distraught but his eyes weren’t deceiving him. Realistically, Norman shouldn’t be surprised by this. Anyone would be in a state of depression if their best friend sacrificed themselves. Especially if there were other options. Norman continued to rub small circles into Ray’s back, causing him to curl up into a tight ball.

Ray continued to tremble and whimper but it wasn’t nearly as intense as before. The black-haired male’s breaths were tremulous as he spoke. “B-But knowing that fact..y-you still..chose..to..sacrifice yourself! You k-knew how I’d feel a-and did it anyway!” His voice cracked as he began coughing out of agony from how hard he was crying. Norman watched as Ray wept while harshly hacking and wheezing his lungs out. Melancholic Cobalt Blue Hyacinth eyes carefully observed the black-haired male’s quivering body language.

“Ray…I…also did it so you and Emma won’t get shipped out in my place. Plus it gave you two more time to escape once Emma’s leg is healed.” Norman stated in a serene tone of voice. As Norman kept speaking, Ray began to scoot away from the other’s touch. “Ray, please understand that I only did this for your own good. I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if one of you were to be shipped out.” Norman said in a sorrowful way but his expression was still serene.

Norman stretched his hand out to try and solace Ray. “I know..that you miss me, I know it’s..difficult to do this with just Emma but I know you two can do it,” Norman said and carried on with his words. “Ray please just allow me to comfort you-” A lightning bolt struck the ground near the orphanage. The clouds rumbled and roared with wrath.

Just then Ray turned around and harshly smacked Norman’s hand away. “Comfort?! Y-you call this comfort?! If you really wanted to s-soothe me then..you wouldn’t be dead in the first place! You disregarded all the options we had, in favor of this! We wouldn’t get shipped out if we got sick or broke one of our limbs! Those bloodthirsty demons need us in mint condition to feast and you know it! So why sacrifice yourself?! Especially when we still had a chance!” Ray said, his voice filled with indignation.

The white-haired male’s calm expression changed into despair meshed with flummox as he pulled his hand away. Norman fell silent, not able to answer the other’s question. Ray snagged onto Norman’s collar and violently shook him as he yelled. “TELL ME DAMMIT! TELL ME WHY YOU WOULD DO SOMETHING SO STUPID! THIS ONLY RESTRICTS US FROM ESCAPING THIS PLACE FURTHER! EMMA’S LEG BEING BROKEN WAS BAD ENOUGH BUT THIS?! YOU SACRIFICING YOURSELF ONLY MADE THINGS WORSE!” Ray screamed out and finally stopped shaking Norman.

Compassionate Cobalt Blue Hyacinth eyes met Infuriated Viridian Green Gladiolus ones. Norman opened his mouth to speak, but his lips quivered as no sound came out. Norman had pity in his eyes for how Ray was acting, but he really couldn’t blame him. They’re stuck on a farm, with only months left to try and escape before they get ruthfully slaughtered and eaten by demons. It doesn’t help with the fact that Norman is dead too, which only increases the tension of this everlasting cat-and-mouse game.

The white-haired male knew he was the cause of the problem, but he felt like he had no other choice. Norman closed his mouth and his gaze shifted away from the black-haired male. He was unable to reply to the other’s question. “ANSWER ME!” Ray shouted, trying to get some confirmation, some reasonable response as to why Norman would do something like this. “I….I don’t have….any other reason, Ray.” Norman replied, as his voice cracked at the end. The white-haired male was starting to lose his composure.

Ray’s tears fell harder and he let go of Norman. The black-haired male turned his back on him and curled up into a ball as he wept. “O-Of…course you’d….say something like that.” Ray said in a somber tone. Norman let out a shaky breath and scooted closer to Ray. “I..know you’re angry and…sad, and you have every right to be. But, I did this for you guys…and for our family to escape freely.” Norman said softly.

The white-haired male placed his hand on Ray’s own. “Ray please, listen to me. I know it hurts...I know you probably want to slap me right now…..but it’s still possible. You, Emma, Don, Gilda, and the rest of our family can still escape here, unharmed if done right.” Norman said, his voice was trembling a bit. He interlocked his hand with Ray’s own. Ray’s free hand clung onto the other’s sheets.

Ray’s heart skipped a beat as he felt Norman’s hand clasping with his own. The black-haired male still felt reluctant so he pulled his hand away from Norman’s own. As much as he enjoyed the warmth, he still felt cold towards what the other did. The white-haired male frowned and slowly untwined their hands. Norman steadily got up from the bed and walked over to a drawer. He tugged out the drawer and picked up a brown piece of paper.

Norman held it up. “Earlier today, on my way back to the house, I wrote down instructions on how to escape. It’s in the form of a letter to Emma.” He stated quietly as he took another deep breath to regain his diminishing composure. Ray’s grip only tightened on the covers as Norman spoke. It felt like Norman was only rubbing salt into the wound. The wound was Norman’s death and the salt was Noman’s love for Emma.

It didn’t matter if Norman was alive or dead, his ongoing love for Emma would never change. Ray knew that and it only further progressed his feelings of frustration and sorrow. The black-haired male continued to stay in the same position. This time he was laying his head on Norman’s pillow, trying to block out everything he was saying. The white-haired male meticulously watched Ray’s evasive body language with a small frown. His hands clamped down on the brown piece of paper even more as he began reading the letter.

“First, Ray intends to die. From what he said, he’s doing it so that you and I don’t get killed. He didn’t include himself in the numbers, he’s not escaping, Ray has decided to die inside this house. He’s going to set himself on fire to distract Mom in order to let us run away, that’s his entire plan but I won’t allow him to do that, not ever. That’s why I’m writing down the plan I recently came up with for you. It’ll happen in about two months, probably the night before Ray’s birthday.” Norman paused for a moment and took a quick glance at Ray before speaking once more.

“Using the fire that he’s planning to start, I want you to save Ray, outwit Mom, and escape with everyone. Don’t worry, you have enough time. By the way, I got something unexpected from Sister Krone, I’m counting on you, Emma. Please take care of Ray and the rest of our siblings, and finish what we started.” Norman flipped the paper to the back side and spoke again. “This part is for you, Ray,” Norman said quietly.

“I’ll show you something cool, so shut up and follow.” Norman stated. The white-haired male saw how Ray kept trying to block him out. He put the paper on the dresser. Norman sighed and walked over to him then sat on the bed and placed a hand on his back. “Ray, could you please listen to me? This is a foolproof plan. You guys actually have a chance to escape!” Norman said with a slight smile, in an attempt to cheer Ray up. The black-haired male let go of the sheets then rolled to his side and got off of the bed.

Ray shook his head no as his hand settled on the dresser. “I’m…not going through w-with it!” He said. “What do you mean, you’re not going through with it? Ray, this is an almost guaranteed way to flee from this place for good, and you don’t wanna go through with it?” Norman asked as he scooted to the edge of the bed, as he kept his eyes on the black-haired male.

Ray glared at the other and spoke. “You don’t get it, do you?! I don’t care if it’s the best fail-safe option! I don’t care if it is guaranteed or the only option we have! You’re not in the plan that you created, Norman!” Ray said in a wavering voice, as more tears continued to spill from his eye sockets. Norman’s hand firmly grasped the sheets. “You’re not in the plan that you created either, Ray! You planned to light yourself on fire so me, Emma, and the others could escape! What if I didn’t figure out your plan beforehand? I would feel absolutely devastated!” Norman stated in a quivering way as he struggled to keep his composure.

Ray turned his back on him and looked down. “T-Then….you know how I feel.” He said quietly and took another deep breath before speaking. “If you know how I feel about your death and your illogical choice then…then why go through with it in the first place?!” Ray asked. Norman gulped harshly and spoke. “I can ask you the same thing, Ray…..” The black-haired male turned around to face Norman again. “I’ve been planning that for almost 6 years of my life that I’ve spent here! I chose that plan because there was no other way!” Ray said, trying to justify his decision.

Norman shook his head no. “Ray, there’s always another way! You don’t need to light yourself on fire in order for us to escape!” The white-haired male said as he let go of the covers. “I can say the exact same thing to you! There was no reason for you to get shipped out! All you had to do was run away or get sick or injured and you would’ve been fine!” Ray exclaimed. “I didn’t want to take that chance! I wasn’t sure if getting injured or sick would be viable enough for Mom to not ship me out!” Norman said.

“That’s why I decided to make a new plan and write it down so Emma could use it to escape with everyone!” Norman stated. Ray clenched and unclenched his fists then turned his back on Norman once more. “I guess we’re not so different than we thought….but I’m not going through with this plan, Norman. I don’t want to live a life of freedom if one of my closest siblings and best friend is gone!” Ray said with a slightly choked sob as he took his hand off the dresser.

The black-haired male commenced to stumble towards the door. “I’m not going through with this..p-plan and that’s final! I’m not going through with a plan that doesn’t have you in it! There’s no reason for me to!” Ray uttered as he kept wavering towards the door. Norman shook his head no then got up from the bed and darted towards the other. Ray glanced back at him. “I refuse to waste my time by fleeing this place if you’re not coming with-” Ray’s words were cut short.

Norman rapidly pulled Ray into a warm comforting embrace. He laid his head on Ray’s shoulder. The white-haired male could feel just how much the other was trembling in his arms. Ray’s eyes widened and his arms cautiously wrapped around Norman’s back as he inhaled his scent. Before Ray could utter another word, he heard a small sniffle from Norman. Ray took note of the water drops hitting the glass one after another as the rain got even heavier.

The black-haired male tensed up as he realized that Norman was crying. Ray clutched onto the other’s fabric and pulled him even closer. That calm collected facade had finally broken and all that was left was an anguished frazzled mess. Ray breathed in that same Warm Vanilla Sugar aroma as he began to reminisce all the times that Norman had stayed level-headed. Ray recalled the time that Emma and Norman figured out the truth of GraceField a few months ago.

He could only imagine the nauseating look on the other’s face when he found out about the demons as the fact that Mom was in on the whole thing. Yet Ray knew that Norman had to push aside his fear to think clearly and conceive a plan to escape this place. That’s one of the many things that he loved about Norman. He always appreciated the other’s high IQ and constant willpower to always challenge himself. The black-haired male also adored how Norman would always devise backup plans in case the first one or first few didn’t go well. It’s the way his lips would furl into a content grin when he’d figure out a puzzle or conjure up another successful strategy for Tag.

It’s the way his silky porcelain hair would oscillate in the wind as he stood tall and boldly vocalized his ambitions. The way his placid voice would phonate about his aspirations to leave this place. His voice is like a cordial salutation! It deluges me with such a doting clasp. “R-Ray….please hear me out. I need you to acknowledge the s-severity of the situation and at least reevaluate my plan.“ Norman said quietly, as he began rubbing small circles into the other’s back. Ray whined and shook his head no. “W-Why should I reconsider it? Why should I….reconsider anything?! There’s no reason t-to rethink your plan!” Ray tremulously answered.

The white-haired male kept the other close to him as he spoke. “It’s a near-perfect plan! What do you mean there’s no reason to reconsider it?” Norman asked. Ray took a deep breath before speaking. “That’s the flaw! It’s not perfect! How are we going to carry the babies while going over the wall? What if we’re hiding from demons and one of them cries? How are we going to keep them quiet? Let’s not forget about the smell and how are we going to keep them changed, clothed, and fed? Tell me, Norman!” Ray replied as his voice became increasingly more frustrated with Norman’s poor thought-out plan.

Norman let out a shaky breath as the other male ripped apart the puzzle that was once a finished piece. Norman gulped harshly as he tried to fit the puzzle pieces together but none of them seemed to actually fit with each other anymore. It was an entirely different puzzle set with even more pieces than before. The white-haired male couldn’t quite comprehend how he would solve that puzzle yet he took a moment to gather his thoughts. He exhaled a breath and lifted his head off of Ray’s shoulder then looked directly into his eyes.

Their arms were still entwined around each other’s backs. The black-haired male watched how the moonlight dithered upon the other’s face as tears fell down his cheeks. “I’m not sure but statistically speaking, there’s always a chance for unlikely events to take place! Therefore, I trust that you and Emma would make the right decision.” He said softly before talking about how crucial it is for them to escape. That’s when Ray remembered one of the other things he loved about Norman.

It’s the way his Indigo Blue Lotus eyes would glimmer with faith as he discussed the next steps to escape this place. Despite those Sanguine Cobalt Blue Hyacinth eyes shimmering with tears, he still looked as celestial as ever. Norman steadily unwrapped a hand from the other’s back and he raised it to greet the other’s cheek. “That’s why, in spite of all the odds against us, I know that y-you two are more than capable of pulling this off.” Norman said, as his lips curled into a slight warm grin.

His thumb caressed the other’s cheek and wiped away any tears. Ray’s face radiated a bit of heat as he felt the white-haired male’s hand on his face. Ray placed his hand on Norman’s cheek and then wiped his tears away with his thumb. Ray’s lips quivered as he struggled to formulate a sentence. Norman interlaced both of their hands together and whispered. “Please Ray, do this for our family, do this for Don, Gilda, and Emma. If you don’t do this for them, then At least…do this for me.” Norman said in a last desperate attempt to persuade the other.

Ray’s heart skipped a beat and began to pick up speed. He whispered back as he pressed his forehead against Norman’s own. “N-Norman…your constant drive to flee from this place meshed with how confident you are in our abilities is so enchanting. You’re always so calm, kind, and logical with your thinking! Yet you don’t mind trying new things no matter how careless it seems. That’s one of the main reasons why I love-” Just then Norman briskly covered his mouth. “Shh! Wait…do you hear that? I think someone is coming up the stairs! I-I have to go!” Norman said in a bit of a panicked tone. Ray gently squeezed the other’s hands for reassurance. “Hey w-wait! I think we’re okay! I don’t think anyone is gonna-” Just then Norman completely vanished. Nothing was left except for the faint smell of Norman’s scent mixed with the feeling of congenial heat that also began to evanescence.

Ray’s eyes widened and they rapidly darted around the room, searching for any sign of the other. But alas there was no trace left of him. “Norman?! N-Norman don’t do this to me! You c-can’t just leave me again! NORMAN?!” He desolately called out. No one answered as the rain continued to be a downpour while clashing against the ceiling. Despondent Celadon Green Cyclamen eyes were scintillating with even more tears. Cyclamen flowers signified hopelessness and resignation.

It didn’t take long for his legs to completely give out. The black-haired male harshly fell to the ground and he got on his hands and knees, his arms were wobbling as he stared down at his hands. Tears fell onto the floor, and some of them fell on his hands. His breathing picked up the pace as his body twitched and swayed from side to side. He whipped his head towards the dresser, his eyes fixated on the brown piece of paper. Ray glanced back at his hands and shook his head no quickly as he spoke. “I-I’m not doing that stupid plan! There’s no r-reason to!” He exclaimed as his breathing became more sporadic.

Ray let out a choked sob. “Besides…I’m tired…I’m so tired of everything! there’s no point anymore!” He uttered. In a trice, footsteps were heard down the hall. Ray gasped and kept his head down as he speedily wiped away his tears. A kid turned the knob and opened the door. Nat’s cocky expression quickly softened as he saw the other shaking and hunched over on the floor. Nat slowly walked over to him. “Y-You alright Ray?” He asked quietly. Ray took a deep breath then nodded, he got up and spoke. “I-I’m fine I..just got something i-in my eyes! It’s probably a-all the dust in this house!” He said with a quivering voice.

Nat was a bit skeptical so he asked another question. “Oh okay! But why are you shaking so much?” He asked. Ray was clearly rocking back and forth. He stumbled over to the dresser and picked up the brown piece of paper. He folded it up. “I-I’m shaking because…it’s c-cold!” He exclaimed as he staggered over to his bed then he opened the book and placed the paper in it. He closed the book and shakily walked over to Nat and handed him it. Nat wasn’t entirely convinced but he decided to just brush it off. He took the book. “What’s this for?” He asked.

“It’s for...Emma. Just give it to her and tell her to read it also d-don’t look in it!” Ray said. Nat slowly nodded his head and he walked towards the door. “Also! We’re g-gonna play hide a-and seek so whenever I get downstairs is when t-the game starts! So get everyone to the f-front door!” He said. Nat nodded and his cocky grin returned. “You got it, Ray! I’m definitely gonna beat everyone in this game!” He exclaimed before rushing out the door and downstairs.

“T-That should keep e-everyone busy….” He muttered then wobbled over to the door and closed it. Nat darted to the front door. “Ray said that he’s going to play hide and seek with us! So gather around the front door!” Nat called out. Many kids were quick to stop playing their own games and they all congregated towards the front door. Don, Gilda, and Emma were the last kids at the entrance. Nat walked over to the orange and yellow-haired kid. He held up the book. “Here Emma! Ray wanted me to give this to you!” He said. Emma nodded and she leaned against a wall and opened the book.

She quietly gasped and covered her mouth as her eyes welled up with tears. Emma fought tooth and nail to not let those tears fall as she looked through each Polaroid photo. Her hands slightly trembled as she held one with her and Norman. She gulped harshly and stammered out. “T-Thank you, Nat….” She said quietly with a wavering grin as she began putting the Polaroid photos back into the book. Eventually, she picked up the brown paper and opened it. Isabella held a lantern as she placed her free hand on an infant’s forehead.

She checked their temperature as she softly hummed her lullaby. The women steadily strolled down the aisle of cribs, making sure each baby was sound asleep. Once she was finished, she closed the door and put down the lantern. Isabella walked down the hallway and curiously tilted her head to the side. She smiled slightly. “Why are you all gathered at the front door?” She politely asked. Nat grinned. “Oh, Ray said that he was gonna be the seeker for hide and seek so he told everyone to wait here until he comes downstairs!” Nat exclaimed.

Isabella nodded. “Oh, that sounds like a lot of fun! Would you like me to check on him?” She asked. Nat nodded his head quickly. “Of course Mom!” He said happily. Isabella nodded with a smile. “Alright, I’ll be back in a few minutes.” She said as she gave Emma a quick glance at the piece of paper that she was holding before making her way to the staircase. Meanwhile, Ray swayed from side to side as he walked towards his dresser. He pushed it out the way and he took off a few of the fake wooden floorboards.

He picked up a medium-sized box filled with lighter fluid and a box of matches. He placed them on his bed then picked up a lighter fluid can and untwisted the cap. He began pouring it all over the room. Once he was done he got another can and poured it over himself. Ray took out a match then he dragged it across the striker. The match ignited and for a moment he stood there admiring the flickering flame. Dark blue was at the tip of the ball. Red was right above and meshed into a bright orange.

It looked like a reverse raindrop. The gasoline dripped onto the floor from his clothes as an uneasy smile began to form on his face. “I have to do this! It’s the best way-the only way! I’ve watched so many of my siblings die over the years! I used them and each one of them was a good kid, they were so kind and carefree!” Ray exclaimed. His uneasy smile curled into an anxious one. His lips quivered as he spoke. “I’m 11 years old and it’s a life I wanted out of….but I cherished the time I spent with you guys. I’m tired of going through the same routine every single day! Tonight’s the night that I finally broke it. It was nice knowing you two while it lasted.” He muttered and let go of the match. At that moment everything went in slow motion.

As the match got closer to the ground the soft humming of Isabella seemed to grow louder and louder. As soon as the match came in contact with the floor, it burst into flames. The fire briskly permeated throughout the room in a frenzy. As the flames scorched the wooden floor, it burned a gleaming reflection into Ray’s eyes. Negated Celadon Green Snapdragon eyes were fixated on the fire as it drew closer. Snapdragons meant deception since Ray was bargaining with himself that this was the only way. Plus he was in major denial that there was any other path that he could take. The once overwatered forest was now being completely consumed by an enormous conflagration.

It gnawed its way through the grass and clambered up the trees. It seared through the flowers, fungi, and other unsuspecting insects. The black-haired male stood in the middle of it all as a ring of fire surrounded him. Trees became nothing but black charcoal as the leaves were turned to mere ashes. The sweltering heat made Ray sweat as the fire reached up to his pants. Within a blink of an eye, the flames finally engulfed his entire body.Isabella continued to hum her tune whilst she reached the top of the staircase.

As the woman began to amble down the long corridor, an acrid putrid smell lingered its way into her nostrils. Isabella’s eyebrows furrowed as she covered her nose but kept walking. Her humming slowly started to trail off as she got closer to the door. Beneath the cracks, she could see a bright orange light and immense black smoke. Her eyes widened slightly and she stopped humming completely. “Ray?!” She called out as she opened the door. She was immediately struck with a torrid heat.

Isabella’s eyes almost popped out of her sockets as she sprang into action. She hastily got downstairs and picked up a fire extinguisher. “Children! Grab the empty buckets, fill them with water, and follow me upstairs! The main bedroom is on fire!” She ordered as she bolted back up the stairs. The other kids were a bit scared but Don and Gilda took the lead and rounded everyone up to fill the buckets with water. Emma’s entire body was shaking with fear. Her tears fell down her cheeks as she fell onto her hands and knees out of pure agony.

Her breathing increased rapidly as she struggled to comprehend everything. Her eyes skimmed through the words one last time. ’Ray has decided to die inside this house. He’s going to set himself on fire.’ Emma swiftly shook her head no multiple times. Yet the buckets of water, the fire, and the smell of burning flesh all pointed to one thing. She didn’t want to believe it but she knew it was true and way too late to save him now. She clutched onto the piece of paper and screamed out. ”RAAAAYYYYYYYY!!!!!” Despite the fire being put out, they unfortunately weren’t able to recover his body since it was burned to ashes.