Chapter Text
You were curled up on your bed, terrified for your own well-being. Tomorrow was your adoption date, even though it was a known fact that your birthday wasn't for another five months. But she knew you were a valuable asset to the escape plan, with your amazing hearing, ability to lie, and the fact that you were one of Ray's only weak points. But even though almost all of the kids were aware of the plan and all of the plant's secrets, you still loved her. You were aware she was forced to take part in this. You had even caught a tiny glimpse of the numbered tattoo on her neck, but she was not aware of that. You already knew Ray was going to do something stupid to try and prevent you from leaving but would fail. You all had already suffered the loss of Norman, now it was your turn to leave. But you refused to become food. You were going to find a way to escape, one way or the other. No matter what. Audible footsteps could be heard down the hallway, startling you into a sitting position. You had wiped your eyes and reclaimed your somewhat numb expression by the time the person knocked.
" ( Name)? Are you alright in there?" It was Ray coming to check on you. His voice was muffled by the wood of the door, but his words were clear enough for you to understand. He sounded worried. You had been in your room for about forty-five minutes, but that was normal. So why is he worried now?
" Yeah, I'm fine..." You got up and continued fixing your bed as the door opened behind you. He had to find out somehow.
" What are you doing?" He walked over to you, looking over your shoulder at your bed. Almost all the contents that your room contained were on your bed, except for the small spot you were laying on. You turned around, giving him a small smile before shrugging and continuing.
" Y/n." Your smile dropped as you turned around to face him. You looked away, the floor being more interesting than his face for the time being. But still, he upheld his careless and stoic expression. Until the realization hit him.
" Your getting shipped..." He whispered under his breath. You slowly nodded your head, looking back up at him.
"We're leaving tonight. When did she say you were getting shipped?"
" Tomorrow at noon...I think." He nodded with a serious expression and went for the door.
" Don't let anyone come in here. Not even mom. And don't leave until I come back. Okay?" You nodded again and sat on your bed before he left, quietly closing the door. A shiver ran up the spine at the mere thought of the demons. You weren't as high-quality merchandise as Emma and Ray, but you were still right behind Emma. You were still valuable to them. With all three of you leaving, especially in their main harvesting season would be extremely problematic for all of them.
Ray exited the room quietly but began sprinting towards the library as soon as he was out of your earshot. His hope for escaping with everyone was slowly deteriorating, now more than ever. He was slowly breaking down. He suddenly felt a hand tightly, yet gently grip his shoulder, spinning him around.
" Ray. You do realize that you are terribly loud. So for the sake of Y/n and your plan, please do be quieter."
" Uh...Okay?" He began running again. Had he really been that loud? And when did she get there?
When he reached the library, he was out of breath. He slammed open the doors catching the attention of both Emma and Gilda who were quietly conversing among themselves.
" Ray?! Are you okay?" Emma yelled, standing up and running towards him. He shook his head.
" ( N-name)...sh-she's...she's getting sh-hipped tomorrow." He finally gave up and broke down as the tears eventually reached his eyes. They both froze before looking at each other and group hugging Ray.
" It's gonna be okay Ray. We're gonna get her out in time, i promise. Gilda, is everything ready to go." She nodded her head, not trusting her words.
" Okay. It's gonna be fine. We'll take care of it. But go comfort her, she probably needs it." Ray nodded. "And don't overthink it. she's gonna be fine. Gilda and I have to go help with dinner and tell Don the plan. We'll all meet here at 10:30 to discuss final details before we leave."
" Okay...Thanks Emma."
" Yup. Now go!" He walked a bit more calmly out of the library. He just thought of how painful this must be for you mentally and how terrified you must be.
You put everything back on the shelves and opened your bedside drawer, pulling out a medium-sized black book. It was the one Ray gave you a few years ago when you were sick and unable to leave your bed for a few days. He had stayed with you a lot, along with Norman and Emma. They would all stay there are talk to you throughout the day. You missed Norman a lot. But Emma definitely has it worse than you. She and Norman were so close, and they were torn apart in the blink of an eye. You sat the book down in the suitcase, giving it one more look before zipping it shut. You sat back on your bed and pulled your knees to your chest, sitting your chin on top of them. You definitely would not miss this place, but you would miss the people within it. You knew you couldn't take everyone with you, but you could take the older kids. You weren't exactly going to need the suitcase, but you had to play the act for mom. You got to your feet and began pacing. You had no time nor reason for sulking because you were going soon, but it still was extremely stressful. Ray approached your door to hear light, pacing footsteps going back and forth across your floor. That worried him also. you were always calm and composed like him. You rarely got this stressed or worried. He didn't even knock and just came in to see his suspicions were correct. You were there, biting your thumbnail while pacing in front of your bed. You hadn't even noticed he had come in, so he came over to you and touched your back softly. You visibly filched and backed up until you realized that it was him. You sat on your bed and Ray joined you there, grabbing your hand. " You need to calm down, N/N. Emma said we can leave whenever. I know you're worried-" He teared up. "- but you're not gonna get eaten." You gently slid your hand out of his grip and stood in front of him, brightly smiling. " I'm fine ray! I'm gonna be fine. Even if you have to, just escape without me." He also stood up, but more aggressively, and grabbed your shoulder again. " No, your not fine, Y/N. Your pacing...You never pace. You're supposed to be the calm one. And you're going to escape with us, " You shrug and plop back down on your bed. " I guess, we'll see." You both heard the bell that signals dinner so you got up and gave ray one last weary smile. " I'll be fine." You said again before leaving the room.
You just had to find a way to stay with him first.
You quickly jogged down the stairs, your footsteps echoing down the hallway towards the dining room. You felt a warm hand lightly land on your shoulder, causing you to turn around in surprise.
"Oh, hi mom!" You gave Isabella a bright smile and hugged her legs.
" Hello dear." She brought her other hand to your left shoulder." Are you alright? You look a bit pale." She cupped your face, her index finger landing on the pressure point behind your ear. She was trying to tell your pulse, so you tried not to let her extremely intimidating stare get to you
"Yes, I'm okay, I'm just really hungry."
" Oh, alright. Go eat then. and don't worry. I'll tell the others about your adoption." She smiled at you and you had no choice but to smile back.
" Yay, okay! Thanks, mom. I love You!" She let you go so you began skipping to the dining room.
" I love you too...(Name)..."
' She sounded upset...maybe she is sad about me going..' You shook your head ' no, you saw what her reaction was to Conny! Don't be dumb, (Name)!' After your short quarrel with yourself, you heard your stomach growl. Okay, maybe you were hungry. You seemed to be the last one into the dining room, excluding Isabella, so you took you to sit with the older kids and waited for her arrival. As you all got your food and sat back down, she rang the bell again. " Everyone, I have an announcement!" Her warm voice rang out. " (Name) is getting adopted!" She clasped her hands together and gave everyone her signature smile. Phil got up from his chair and ran over to hug you. You wrapped your arms around the small boy's shoulders and rested your chin on his head. " B-but ( N/N)...I don't want you to go!" Tears streamed down his face. You calmly wiped them away, stood up, and patted his hair. Almost all of the younger kids came and latched on to your legs also. You felt your own tears slide down your cheeks as you look your friends in the eye. After the kids let go, you slowly walked over to Ray and rested your face in the crook of his neck. He tightly hugged you, followed by Emma, Gilda, and shortly after, Don.