A sound of running bare footsteps could be heard through the never ending pearly white hallway.

As Marianna kept on running and running through the hallway, she started to hear a sound of a little girl sniffling and crying.

Once she got closer to the sound, she stopped running and saw an old wooden old door that looked like it was about to break any second now.

Marianna slowly grabbed onto the golden door knob and started to open the old sodden door, wearing the, loudly creaking door.

Once opened, she saw a young girl crying with fair skin and oval shaped blue eyes. She had short blonde hair tied into two pigtails at the back along with short, messy bangs. She wore a white shirt and skirt with plain brown shoes. And lastly, on the left side of her neck, there was a number that said, "48294".

"Conny!" Marianna yelled as she hurriedly ran over to the young girl's side, hugging her in the process, "Are you okay?" She asked.

Conny shook her head as more tears started to crawl down her fair skinned cheeks.

"What happened?" Asked Marianna.

"I-I had a nightmare..." She stuttered. "And *hick* and then *hick* I was eaten by this demon... and *hick* it just *hick* felt so real and I *hick* thought that I actually died and would
never see you again, Onee-chan!!!"

More tears started to drain out of her blue eyes as Marianna just said with sympathy in her tone, "Oh Conny..."

"If your having trouble sleeping... then I think I have just the thing." Said Marianna as she planted herself on Conny's bed. She signaled Conny to lay on her thighs, and so Conny did so.

Marianna began to, softly, stroke her blonde pigtailed hair as she began to hum a familiar tune.

As she continued to hum, she began to sing:

Let me sing a lullaby
As you close your eyes...
And as your drifting off... to sleep
How I hope that the dreams that you find
Are... bright

Love, can we meet again soon in the bluest of skies?
Where tomorrow waits for you and I
So hold me tight one more time, but don't kiss me goodbye
'Cause I know that I'll see you on the... other side

I will think of our song when the nights are too long
I'll dream of you for that's where I belong

Love, can we meet again soon in the bluest of skies
Only... in my dreams do we meet again...

After Marianna had finished this lullaby, she suddenly felt a tug on her sleeve.

Once she turned around, she immediately gasped and her eyes had shown pure terror as she saw Conny's face started to melt just like candle wax burning from the high temperature.

She then heard Conny's voice say, "Why didn't you save me, Onee-chan..." 

***

Marianna's eyes immediately opened wide as she shot up out bed and began sweating from the terrible and the genuine nightmare she had.

It felt so real, but at the same time... it wasn't.

She began to breathe inside and out as she slowly began to be in control of her breathing.

Once she was in control, she lightly sighed and the only thing she said was, "Well that dream was different from the... usual..."

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]

The griming thunder started to rumble through the atmosphere, as all of the orphaned children her safely indoors and started to greet everyone for the new day.

"Good morning!" Greeted a child.

"GOOD MOOORNING!!" Exclaimed Phil as he was running through and through the dinning hall.

"Hey, Phil, no running in here!" Scolded the glasses girl.

Emma started to place all of glass plates on each table for the children, but with a saddened expression on her face.

As she was in her deep thoughts, she then heard a young boy with a wide smile and round, light blue eyes, light brown ahoge (that resembles a leaf) and hair which resembles a bowl-cut, with straight and evenly-cut bangs which cover his forehead, and wearing the standard Grace Field uniform, and she heard him ask:

"And this goes there?"

"Yes, that's right." Said a familiar motherly voice.

Emma immediately gasps as her emerald green eyes showed fear in itself as she turned around and saw Mom with the light brown hair and a young girl with brown eyes, dirty sandy-blonde hair tied up into a high ponytail, and the standard Grace Field uniform.

Mom kneeled down to the two children's height, lifted up her index finger and asked the young boy, "Can you finish setting the table, Mark?"

The boy, who is presumably named Mark jumped up with his hands in the air and said, "Sure thing, Mom!"

Mom "happily" smiled as she chuckles with Marks bodily expression that she found cute.

Emma couldn't believe what she was seeing. How can a mother like her smile after what she has done to one of her children.

A usual morning. As if it was all but a dream...

As Emma was deep in thought, she suddenly felt two pairs of finger tips touching her right cheek, which startled her and made her gasp.

Emma quickly turned around and saw Marianna standing right beside her with her neutral facial expression.

"Hey, Emma!" Greeted Zara as she popped right behind of Zara.

"Marianna... Zara..." Mumbled Emma.

Emma then heard three pairs of footsteps entering the dinning hall, so she turned around and saw two little girls whose names were Sherry and Vivian who were holding hands with Norman.

"Hi, Emma, Marianna, Zara. Morning." Waved Norman.

Once she saw three of her best friends, Emma still had her terrified expression as she began to stammer.

Norman walked closer to Emma, got close to her ear and said, "Come on. Smile."

After hearing those three words, Emma silently gasped to herself as she looked down at the floor, preventing the children and Mom to see her horrified face and the four of them helped Emma put out all of the glass plates and decided to go to another room to have a private discussion.

In the private room...

"Wait... so you told everything to Zara last night, Marianna?" Asked Emma.

Marianna nodded. "Yea and because someone couldn't mind their own business, this little idiot was eavesdropping on me. So I decided that I might as well tell her everything. Plus you know how Zara is when their's a secret that someone is hiding."

"That is true." Said Norman.

"Hey-

"But are you sure your okay Zara?" Asked Emma. "I mean... with everything. This farm- no... we are livestock to be eaten by demons, Conny was harvested and sold to demons to be eaten, and Mom's a traitor whose on the demons side."

Zara just looked at Emma and weakly smiled as she just looked down at the ground. "On the outside yes, but on the inside no. I don't understand why Mom is doing this. To be honest I still can't believe this is happening. Sometimes I wonder if this is all a dream, but no... this is reality... BUT!"

"Eh?"

"But I know that if Conny were here, she would tell us to stop frowning and keep on smiling, so that's what I'll do!" Zara said enthusiastically with a smile on her face as she began to clench her small fists.

Emma smiled at Zara determination while Marianna just nodded at Zara's speech and remained quiet.

"Listen, Emma." Said Norman gaining Emma, Marianna, and Zara's attention. "We have to act like nothing happened. Sure, we might have broken the rules by going to the gate last night, but that doesn't mean we saw anything."

"But... we left Little Bunny there..." Said Emma.

"That's right, and we have to assume Mom found it, but that doesn't tell her anything about who left it behind." Said Norman.

"But... Mom was laughing at breakfast. She doesn't show it on her face at all." Said Emma as she was still in disbelief over Mom's actions.

"And that's what we have to do, too, just like Marianna. "Otherwise, she'll notice that something is wrong. We can't let that happen, so smile." Said Norman.

Emma just stared at Norman with nervousness, but she immediately took his words to heart and then formed her usual happy smile.

"The delicious food, the white clothes that show when we're dirty, our regulated lives, all of it is to keep up our quality of life as merchandise." Said Emma as she began to shakily clench her white uniform. "The only thing left for us to do is wait while we're shipped out randomly."

"But the demon confirmed it wasn't random." Said Norman.

Marianna nodded. "Emma, did you hear what he said. 'Another six-year-old. 'They've all been average lately'. Marianna quoted.

"What's it mean?" Asked Emma.

"It means our ages determine their grades of meat, and if my hypothesis is correct, the siblings who were shipped out before, Olivia, Susan, Hao, Sadie, Helena, Abby, Marcus, Robert, Chucky, and Jimmy, we're all between 6 and 12, and if six years old is ranked as normal, then the highest quality is...

"Twelve years old!"

"Bingo!"

"But what about our scores? Meat won't start tasting better because of how well it did on some test, will it?" Asked Emma.

"True. The results weren't announced unless we received full marks, which means...

Emma immediately gasps after realizing something. "The shipping order?!"

"Correct. When we turn six, we're harvested in order from lowest test scores up, and once we've reached the age of 12, we get shipped out, no matter the cost." Explained Marianna.

"So we were exempt from it because we got perfect scores on our test?" Questioned Emma.

"But I still don't get it." Said Norman. "Why do our scores dictate the order?"

"And why do you think being between 6 and 12 is what matters? Is it the size of our bodies?Asked Emma. "Can't be, or else weight would be a factor."

"Think about. Why would they give us tests and test us everyday?" Hinted Marianna.

Norman sighs as Emma and Zara put their fingers on their chins as they started to think about why would the demons would want and which part of the children's bodies do they want.

After a while of thinking Norman suddenly gasps and says, "It's our brains."

Emma and Zara both gasp in unison and Emma said, "That means...

"That the brain must taste the best, and the more developed it is, the better."

Marianna nodded to Norman who got the answer right as Emma and Zara's eyes widened in shock and disgust.

"They eat... brains?" Emma said in disbelief.

"Seems so." Said Norman.

"To add things up, they'll spend a lot of for them, which makes us valuable merchandise." Explained Marianna. "Based on my research, Conny was shipped most recently. But before her was Hao... and Ceddy before him. Following the data they've used so far, the next shipment is at least two months from now, that means you, Zara, Norman and I need to come up with a plan for all of us to escape from here before the deadline."

Both Emma, Zara, and Norman nodded to Marianna's explanation.

Timeskip:

After taking their daily test, Marianna, Zara, Emma, and Norman started to walk into the forest to discuss their plan of action.

Norman grabbed a stick and started to draw out the plan.

"We'll start by making a rudimentary map of the site." Said Norman.

Zara raised her hand. "Question. What does rudimentary mean?"

"It'a short for basic principles." Answered Marianna.

"Oh." Said Zara.

"Anyways, the house is in the middle, lined up with the gate, and the forest encircles the rest of the property. So which exit do we choose for our escape, the gate or the forest?" Said Norman.

"I'd say... the forest." Suggested Emma. "The gate's always closed, except for when they're shipping, and when it's open...

"Those demons are there. So when do we try to escape? During the day at playtime when we're able to get out of the house freely, or during shipping, when Mom's-

"WE CAN'T WAIT TO DO IT DURING SHIPPING! THAT PLAN MEANS SOMEONE WE LOVE DIED!" Roared Emma.

"You're right. And I'm also worried the younger ones won't be able to stay awake during the night." Said Norman.

All four of them stood up and looked beyond the small iron gate.

"It's decided. We'll escape during the day through the forest, if that's possible." Said Norman.

"That depends on what things are like beyond the forest." Said Emma.

"Who knows what we might come across on." Added Zara.

"Into the unknown..." Mumbled Marianna.

And so the four of them jumped over the small iron gate started to run towards what the end of the never ending forest lied ahead.

As the four of them made it to the very end of the forest, rain started to pour down causing the grass to get wet and causing Marianna's bare feet to feel a shiver.

When they got there, they saw a giant cemented wall covering them from seeing the outside world, just like the large iron gate from their childhood.

Zara and Norman just stared at each other and then later stared back at Marianna and Emma, which both of them had pondering expressions in their eyes.

As Emma and Marianna were still in awe, they then heard shuffling noises from above and what caught their eye shocked them.

All three of them saw Norman climbing this large tree and Emma said in a baffling tone, "Hey, what are you doing?!"

Just as Norman was begging to climb the second trunk of the large tree, he suddenly missed his step and harshly fell onto the wet grassy ground causing Zara and Emma to wince.

"Norman! Are you okay?" Emma ran to Norman's side, making sure he wasn't hurt in any way possible.

"I guess I must be tired from thinking too much." Said Norman while patting his back. 

Emma and Zara chuckle while Emma smiled. "Maybe you should leave the climbing to me and Marianna. Let's go, Marianna."

Marianna nodded while the two of them started to climb this large tree.

Emma was on the second branch while Marianna was on the very top the tree's leaves.

"So, is something there?" Asked Norman.

"Nothing." Said Emma. "The wall looks about two or three meters thick. The top of it is pretty high up. What about you, Marianna! See anything?"

"The only thing is see is the top of the wall and the top of another forest leading the way." Replied Marianna.

"But there are no guards." Said Norman.

Norman put his ear up to the cold cemented wall. "It's quiet."

Norman removed his head from the wall and Emma and Marianna jumped out of the tree as the three of them walked over to Norman's side.

"Emma, Marianna, Zara, what do you think?" Asked Norman.

Emma placed her hand on the cold cemented wall. "It was built sturdy. I don't see any rough edges or seams, and the surface is smooth."

"Indicating that they built this wall so no one could climb onto to escape." Added Marianna.

"Then, should we just give up?" Asked Norman.

"That's what it's meant to make us think, but... if it was you, me, Marianna, and Zara, climbing this wouldn't be a problem with a rope." Emma said with a smile.

"I don't sense any demons. Only Mom's watching us. So there's no need to be scared." Said Norman.

"Plus I couldn't knit a long enough rope for us to go over this wall." Suggested Marianna.

"That's a great idea, Marianna!" Exclaimed Emma while Norman smiled at Marianna.

"Good job, Marianna. Like they say, you have brains and beauty." Praised Zara with a bright smile planted across her face.

Marianna still had her neutral face, but the only thing that changed was that her pastel yellow wolf-like eyes were sparkling and the color of pink started to spread on her cheeks.

Suddenly, while breaking their conversation, the ringing of the bells tolled, gaining every child of Grace Field's attention.

The four of them started to run back towards the open field of The Grace Field House. When they arrived, Zara, Emma, and Norman began to huff and puff out of exhaustion while Marianna just stood there looking around the horizon.

The glasses girl started to count the children just to make sure everyone was there, but then she noticed something wasn't right.

"Huh?" She said. "There's two missing."

"MOM!" Cried Mark as he hurriedly ran over to Mom's side with tears streaming down his face.

"What's wrong?" Said Mom in a worried tone. "Did something happen?"

"I'M SORRY! I LOST NAILA WHILE WE WERE PLAYING IN THE FOREST!" Said Mark in a very worried and distressed tone.

Everyone in the crowd gasped and had very worried expressions that their siblings was missing.

"I LOOKED, BUT I COULDN'T FIND HER!" Mark began to sob some more.

Mom diggs for something in her pocket and by first glance it looks like an ordinary silver pocket watch.

However, when she opened it up, she only looked at it for a few seconds and then she reassuringly smiled at Mark.

Both Marianna's and Norman's eyes widened at the sudden expression.

"No need to worry." She reassured. Mom stood up and looked back at the other children with her reassuring smile. "Everyone stay here 'til I get back. I won't be long."

Mom started to walk towards the forest, while the glasses girl placed her two hands on Marks shoulders, comforting him.

"I'm sorry." Mark said with tears still trialing down his cheeks.

...

...

...

...

...

...

As six minutes pass by, Phil suddenly gasps as he happily points at something, "Ah!"

Everyone started to cheer as they saw Mom carrying and cradling Naila like a little baby while she motherly smiling at her sleeping child.

"Mom!"

"Naila!!"

All the children ran over to Mom's side with relieved and happy expressions on their faces, while Marianna, Zara, Emma, and Norman just stood their bewildered that Mom found Naila that quickly.

"She got tired and fell asleep. See? She's perfectly fine." Reassured Mom.

"I WAS WORRIED!" Wailed Mark as he began to cry again, leaving everyone to laugh at Mark's behavior.

"I'm sorry...! I'm sorry, Naila!" Wailed Mark.

As the other children were happily laughing, the other four just stood their while Marianna crosses her arms and said, "Are you seeing what I'm seeing."

"Yea, but how did she do that? It's almost like she knew exactly where Naila was." Said Norman.

"We'll, actually, now that you mention it, Mom's always been really good at finding us.She found us quickly, no matter where we hid." Said Emma while reminiscing the past.

"Yea. She even found Marianna that not even us could find her. But why did she look at her watch?" Wondered Zara.

"Wait." Said Norman. "That's not a watch. It's a tracker."

Both Emma and Zara gasp.

"Then you know what that means." Said Marianna.

"That probably means we have a chip inside us."Said Norman.

"Mom did that on purpose." Said Marianna. "Mom isn't that careless. She pulled out that "watch" for a reason."

"That must be Mom's way of telling us, 'No matter who you are, I won't let you escape'. Mom is probably trying to tell us just that." Said Norman.

The four of them looked at Mom's face and saw the most slyest and wickedest smile plastered on her face as she and the other children walked right past them, and the four of them put on a facade, pretending to act like everything was normal like it always was.

As soon as all of the children and Mom passed by, all four of them put on angered expressions on their faces.

"So Mom is...

"Our enemy!!"

***

"Hey Emma. I need to get the leaves off of my hair, so I'll be in my room, okay?" Said Marianna.

"Okay! We'll fill you in after your done, kay?" Said Emma.

Marianna nodded while she walked away and went into her room, leaving Zara, Emma, and Norman to talk about their plan.

"First, we've gotta get some cloth for rope for Marianna to knit. I might have an idea where to look. We'll meet up in the hallway at 10:00." Said Norman.

"WAIT!" Emma grabbed Norman's sleeve just before he could take another step and went up to his ear to whisper, "If they have tracking devices on us, then what if there are cameras or listening devices also?"

"Cameras really?! Now I just got the chills!!" Exclaimed Zara as she began to hug herself out of this creepy feeling.

"Don't worry." Reassured Norman. "I already took a look around. There's nothing like that here."

"Wait. You did?" Asked Emma as Zara sighed in relief.

"Yeah, but I wouldn't have guessed... that the security measures aren't located on the building. They're on us." Said Norman as the three of them continued to walk on the stairs.

"Norman... do you think Mom already knows we went all the way to the wall?" Asked Emma in a sort of a nervous tone.

"I doubt it." Said Norman. "When we tried to deliver Little Bunny, it didn't seem like she knew we were there."

Zara, once again, sighed with relief as Emma said, "That's good."

"That tells us Mom doesn't know where we are at any given time. She can only tell our location when she checks. What she does know is that someone other than Conny brought Little Bunny to the gate that night. However, I don't think she's figured out who yet. Otherwise, she wouldn't have warned us so indirectly." Explained Norman.

"That makes sense." Said Emma.

"Hey, Zara!" Called out someone.

All three of them turned around and saw the glasses girl poking her head out of the hallway.

"Oh hey Gilda!" Waved Zara. "What's up?"

The girl supposedly named Gilda went up to Zara and co. as she said, "Yeah. Don is having a fit over the broken clock in his room. Can you come fix it please."

"Sure thing!" Exclaimed Zara. "I am the handyman after all. I'll be right back Emma, Norman, kay?"

"It's your time to shine, Zara!" Exclaimed Emma as Norman just simply smiled.

Zara walked away from the two and started to head with Gilda. As soon as Zara was gone, Emma looked over to the drawing board and saw that Conny's drawing was gone.

Norman saw a saddened expression on Emma's face as she puts her hand to the empty wall and murdered in a hurtful tone, "Conny..."

Timeskip to 9 minutes later:

*huff puff*

*huff puff*

*huff puff*

*huff puff*

"EMMA! NORMAN!" Zara silently yelled as the two suddenly turned around and saw that Zara had a very disturbed look in her eyes and was completely out of breath.

"Zara!" Said Norman.

"What's wrong?!" Asked Emma.

*huff puff* "It's... *huff puff* Marianna... and Mom is with her... and she has a creepy look on her face!!"

"WHAT!!" They both said in unison.

The three of them hurriedly ran between the halls and trying to get to Marianna's room as soon as possible, hoping that nothing bad is happening.

As soon as the three of them got there, both Emma and Norman gasp horrifically as they quickly hid beside the wall and creeped their heads between the doorway.

Marianna stopped brushing her hair while Mom had an intimidating face and looking straight at Marianna while she had her fingers clenching into Marianna's right shoulder.

"What's wrong, Marianna?" Asked Mom. "I saw that Emma was looking a bit pale."

Both Emma, Zara, and Norman began to shudder out of fear.

"Something happen? I noticed earlier that Emma wasn't her her cheery self and you were more quiet than usual." Said Mom as she lifted up her left hand and started to feel the back of Marianna's ear.

"You think so. Emma was just annoyed that Ray teased her again." Lied Marianna.

Marianna's P.O.V:

She hasn't figured it out, not yet anyway.

Mom continued to stare at me with those deep purple eyes that feel like she's hypnotizing you.

But I know what she's doing. She's examining my reaction. So this who you really are, Mom.

I actually believed your lies. I thought you were a caring mother who loved your children.

That night, I realized that since the beginning we were just your silly toys.

There are so many emotions that I'm feeling right now. I'm scared of you. I'm sad that I just want to cry. I'm terrified about the demons. I'm sad that I'll never see Conny's smile again because of you. Right now... I just want to-

No...

...

...

...

My emotions don't matter. Toss those emotions aside. I need to lure her in. Right now she is my prey that I need to fool.

This... this is how I fool my enemies...

End of Marianna's P.O.V.

Regular P.O.V:

Marianna smiled. "Don't worry about me or Emma, Mom. We're just fine. Actually to tell you the truth, Emma and I are just sad that Conny left and we thought about how we're going to leave the house pretty soon too."

Mom removed her hands from Marianna's ear and her deep purple eyes softened as her warm motherly smile returned.

"Do you like living here?" Asked Mom.

"Of course I do Mom. I love this house, my siblings, and you, too." Marianna said with her façade as she stood up and gave Mom a hug.

"Oh Marianna~ you still have leaves in your hair." Mom said. "Here let me brush your hair like I did when you were little."

Marianna released Mom from their hug, turned around and sat down on her wooden chair.

All three of them silently sighed with relief.

Mom grabbed Marianna's brush and started to brush her long icy blue hair as she started to hum a familiar tune.

"I know that tune. Did you sing it to Conny?"

All three of them silently gasped as Mom suddenly stopped humming and brushing Marianna's hair, while she just stared at her, doing absolutely nothing.

Marianna turned to Mom as she added, "You know what? Conny told me that when she's all grown up, she wanted to be a loving mother just like you and never ever let her children go."

Mom suddenly resumed to brushing Marianna's hair as her motherly smile returned as she said, "Yes, Conny will become a lovely young women and a good mother, too."

Zara, Emma, and Norman hid behind the wall again as both Emma and Norman clenched their fists in anger of this women that they called their mother.

Suddenly, Mom hugged Marianna out of nowhere as she said, "You know if I had a child of my own, I would have her grow her hair out and let her wear many accessories and cute little dresses if I may add."

Mom grabbed Marianna's pink and white bow as she tied it up. However, she never let go of her grasp on Marianna.

Marianna still had her nonchalant expression as Zara began to scratch the walls in full anger.

Before Zara could completely destroy the wall, a ringing of a bell started to go off and just like magic, all of the tension suddenly went away as all of them saw Ray near the doorway.

"Food's done. Time to wash up for dinner." Said Ray.

All the doors for each room started to open and the sounds of running and overlapping of chatter started to echo through the halls as every child started to run the halls and head downstairs for dinner.

Mom sweetly smiled. "I'll be there soon."

All three of them nodded and put on their fake smiling faces and went into the room Mom and Marianna were in.

"Come on, Marianna! First come, first serve!" Exclaimed Zara as she grabbed her right hand and Emma came over to grab Marianna's left hand.

The four of them started to happily run down the stairs and filling their stomachs with dinner.

"About last night..." Mom started causing all four of them to stopped in their tracks and froze on the last step of the second floor. "Did you four go to the gate?"

Norman turned around with a fake smile on his face. "To the gate? But that's against the rules."

"Why would we do that? Plus you know how Marianna is with breaking the rules." Zara added.

"Besides, we were tired from playing tag yesterday. Right?" Said Norman.

Emma nodded. "That's right."

"Why do you ask?" Asked Norman.

Mom closed her eyes as she warmly smiled. "Never mind, as long as you didn't go."

All four of them turned around while Emma, Zara, and Norman smiled back at her and the four of them continued heading downstairs.

Once all four of them were downstairs and Mom was out of sight. Both Emma and Zara immediately and tightly hugged Marianna as Marianna was caught off guard.

"Marianna are you okay?!" Rashly asked Zara as she touched Marianna cheeks.

"Are you hurt! Did she hurt you? Did she say anything else to you?!" Emma asked Marianna with a worried tone in her voice.

"I'm fine. She didn't do or say anything to me, so don't worry." Reassured Marianna.

Both Zara and Emma sighed with relief as they suddenly collapse to the ground and started to pant out of all the tension and anxiety that was in that room.

Marianna kneeled down to Zara's level and put her hands on Zara's shoulders. "I told you that I'm fine. So take a deep breath and relax."

Zara nodded to Marianna as she did what she was told to do and once she had regained calm, she stood up and smiled at Marianna.

Norman went to Emma's side as he reached out his hand towards Emma.

"Can you get up?" Asked Norman.

Emma looked straight up at Norman and then she looked over to his hand and saw him shaking just as much as Emma was.

Emma slowly grabbed Norman's hand, he lifted her up, and the two just stared at each other's eyes.

Emma sighs and smiles at Norman and Norman chuckles as he smiled right back at Emma. They then smiled at Zara and Marianna and the four of them casually walked towards the dinning hall.

Meanwhile at the dinning room...

"Onee-Chan!!" Called out young girl with fair skin and round red eyes. She has unruly black hair with spikes sticking out at all angles that she keeps her hair in a mullet esque style and short bangs. Like all the other children at the orphanage, she wears the standard uniform. And her identification number, 59294 is located on the left side of her neck.

"Hello Yvette." Greeted Marianna nonchalantly.

"Come sit next to me, please!!" Begged the spiky girl named Yvette.

"No! Come sit next to me, Onee-Chan!" Said a young with dark skin named Jemima.

"No way! Onee-Chan is going to sit with me!" Said another young girl curly sandy-blonde hair slicked back into a high ponytail named Alicia.

"Nuh-Uh! She's gonna sit next to us!" Said Both Thoma and Lannion as they both had their arms to one another.

All the children began to argue to which person is going to sit with Marianna.

"How about I just sit next to all of you. How about that?" Said Marianna.

All of the younger children smiled and they all turned to Mom as they both said in unison:

"Mom! Can we switch seats for this one time!!"

Mom motherly smiled at all of the children and said, "Of course. But only just this once."

All of the children cheered and started to move around and make room for Marianna.

In this scenario, it looks like nothing has changed at all. That everything that happened with Conny and their previous siblings never happened. If only that was reality.

Later that night...

The creaky door started to open as Emma was holding a lantern to guide them through the dark hallway and she was not alone. She was accompanied by Marianna, Zara, and Norman.

They four of them go to a locked door that all of the children weren't supposed to go and Norman began to pick the lock through the locked key hole.

After some time and jabbing through the keyhole, the door unlocked and when Norman opened it, the door made a slightly loud creaking sound.

All four of them nodded and went inside the forbidden room. They saw a lot of box being covered by white cloth.

Emma and Zara started to gather and collect all of the cloth in the room and handed it to Marianna to sew together.

The Next Day...

After another day of their daily tests, Marianna, Emma, Zara, and Norman went back into the depths of the forest, far away from Mom and the other children.

"Wow Marianna! You did an amazing job sewing these table cloths together!" Praised Emma. "And this was a great idea, Norman, swiping spare tablecloths."

Emma unbuttoned one of the lower parts of her white shirt.

Emma started to climb up the same large tree and just tossed in the now sewed rope into the tree trunk to be hidden.

"Now we have a way to climb over the wall." Said Emma enthusiastically as she later hopped down the large tree and ran over to Marianna, Zara, and Norman's side.

"But we still have to figure out the hard part." Said Norman.

Emma looked down at the floor. "How to deal with the tracking devices."

"And how to take everyone when we escape." Said Norman.

Zara crossed her arms and sighed of how their plan was going to work.

"Hey, guys." Said Emma.

"Hmm?" Said Norman as Marianna and Zara turned their heads over to Emma.

"I think it'd be a good idea to tell Ray and get his opinion." Suggested Emma.

"I was thinking the very same thing. I also think Ray would be the least likely to panic. And because he knows a lot, and besides Zara, he's good at working with machines. He would be an asset to our plan, but...

"But what?" Asked Emma.

"Is there something wrong, Norman?" Asked Zara.

"Tell you what. I'll talk to Ray myself. Why don't you, Marianna, and Zara head back to the house for now, and-

"Why not now?"

Startled by this voice, Emma, Zara, Marianna, and Norman gasp as they turn their heads to where the voice was and to their surprise they saw Ray standing their with a book in his hand.

"Ray?!" Said Emma in surprise.

"Yo." Waved Ray.

***

"Hey, sorry. I followed you." Said Ray.

"Huh?!" Said both Emma and Zara while Marianna's eyes only widened in surprise and Norman nervously chuckled.

"It's been bugging me all day, so I thought I should just come out and ask you." Said Ray.

Ray walked towards Emma and handed his book to her and walking behind her, Marianna, and Norman.

Ray placed his arms around the three, pulling them closer to him.

"Tell me what happened at the gate the other night." Said Ray.

"Huh?" Mumbled Emma.

"Mm..." Mumbled Norman.

"You know, when you tried to take Little Bunny to Conny. You both were acting a lot weirder than usual, you too Marianna. And you came back empty-handed, even though you didn't see her." Said Ray.

Norman smiled sheepishly. "You're so sharp!"

"Uh-

Ray began to arm choke them making Emma to gag out of breath and Marianna to make a cute cat face that was in pain.

"Z-Zara... help... me..." Begged Marianna as she was reaching her hand towards her.

"Wow look at those clouds. It looks like a rabbit."

"YOU... LITTLE TRAITOR!!"

"So I assume something must have happened! Now spill it!" Demanded Ray.

"Oh, wow. Aren't you a clever one?" Chocked Emma while trying to grasp for the tiniest of air.

Soon After The Explanation...

"Demons, huh? A farm. Mom is the enemy?" Said Ray as he repeated what Norman explained to him.

Ray looked ahead of his four friends. "This is bad."

"HE CATCHES ON FAST!" Exclaimed both Emma and Zara.

"So that means, this whole time, Mom's been taking care of us and feeding us so well so we can get shipped out and become demon food." Said Ray.

"Actually... I'm surprised you're ready to believe this so easily." Said Emma.

"Huh? Of course I believe it. Norman and Marianna would never make up such an unbelievably dumb lie. He's not you, Emma, Zara." Said Ray with a smile.

An *ikari* popped onto Zara's head as she had a ticked off expression. "Why you little!!" Marianna immediately held Zara back.

"So, if we're really going to make a break for it, we need to address a couple things. First is the number of kids. We should narrow it down to those who can make it." Said Ray.

"WAIT!" Interrupted Emma as she waved her hand up to Ray's face.

"Hmm?" Said Ray.

"We're leaving here and taking everyone, and, to make that happen, we need you." Stated Emma.

Ray gasps. "Everyone? You're kidding, right? There are 39 kids here, and most of them aren't even six years old yet. There's Mom, demons, homing beacons. Those factors take a bad situation and make it worse. You want the impossible."

Emma clenched her two fists. "I know it'll be tough, but I don't think it's impossible!"

"It can't be done. Emma, you don't get it, do you?" Said Ray.

"Huh?" Said Emma.

"Ray, hang on." Said Norman.

"Ah, I see. That's why you said you'd talk to me. But you have to be upfront about something this grave." Said Ray.

Ray walked towards Emma. "Emma..."

"Yeah, what?" Asked Emma.

"We can't just worry about escaping, it's not enough." Said Ray.

"What do you mean by that?" Asked Emma.

"We don't know what's waiting outside beyond this wall, but there's a place we're getting shipped to. The fact that there's a farm and a buyer should give you an idea. What waits outside is a demon's world. There is no place for humans to live. It was never meant for our kind." Said Ray.

Emma gasps, Norman looks away, and Marianna let's go of Zara and the two just stood their silently.

"So it's impossible. If we take everyone, then we'll all die out there." Said Ray as he puts his hand on Emma's shoulder. "We leave them behind. That's the best option."

Emma just stared at Ray for a second, took in a deep breath and said, "No way."

Ray gasps let's go of Emma's shoulder and leaves him speechless.

"Even if it's impossible, they're all coming! We can figure it out!" Said Emma in a determined tone.

"What?!" Said Ray.

"I don't know what's on the outside, but leaving part of our family behind isn't an option!" Emma's emerald eyes trailed down to the ground as they showed sadness. "I want Conny to be the last one they take. Never again. I won't lose anyone else like that. If there isn't a place out there for humans to live, we'll carve one out for ourselves! Together, we'll change the world!"

Suddenly Emma's eyes trailed over to Marianna and in her actions, she ran over to Marianna's side, grabbed her hands and looked straight into her wolf like yellow eyes.

"You agree with me right, Marianna?" Pleaded Emma. "I know that you and Conny were close. You loved her like she was your own little sister!" Emma looked down at her hands as she continued, "I... I, too saw you crying that night..."

Both Ray and Norman gasp at what Emma just said. Them hearing that Marianna was crying, brought shock to them.

"You were hurt. You were hurting inside and never told any of us. You kept it all to yourself. You thought that you were so weak that you couldn't save Conny. Well... guess what! You're not weak! You're the strongest person that I know! So don't blame yourself for Conny's death! But... please. Tell me that you agree with me!"

Emma's eyes started to get watery as Marianna just stood there and staring at Emma.

Suddenly Emma felt a hand on her hair as she then saw Marianna sweetly smile at her and she heard her say, "Don't worry, Emma...

"I'm with you, all the way."

"HUH?!"

Emma happily smiled as tears started to stream down her cheeks and she happily gave Marianna a big hug.

"What?! You've gotta be kidding me?!" Said Ray as he was shocked that even Marianna would agree with Emma's plan.

"Even I agree with Ray." Zara suddenly smacks her lips together. "Oh... that felt strange to say."

Emma looked back at Ray with you smile. "Thank you, Ray, for helping me to understand. We're planning an escape where we get everyone out. I'm not bending on this. I've decided."

Emma let go of Marianna as she quickly grabs Ray's sleeves and started to shake them rapidly. "YOU HAVE TO COME TO GRIPS WITH MY PLAN, RAY, SO STOP JABBERING, AND HELP US!"

By the looks of it, Ray started to feel agitated and pissed off of Emma's naive actions, so he shoved her away, causing her to spin around.

Norman started to laugh at Emma and Ray's little comedy skit, causing Ray to turn towards him.

"How can you just laugh? Her plan is suicide!" Said Ray.

Emma started wave her arms up and down and started to throw a tantrum. "WE'RE ESCAPING WITH EVERYONE, AND THAT'S IT! I WON'T AGREE TO ANYTHING ELSE! I WON'T! I WON'T! I WON'T!"

"SOMEONE SHOULD KNOCK SOME SENSE INTO HER! SHE'S UNREASONABLE!" Yelled Ray.

"Yeah, totally! I'm glad she's her old cheerful self." Said Norman.

"You're missing my point, Norman! Stop her, or you'll both die! Of course, you knew all that from the very start, didn't you?" Asked Ray.

Norman stared at the ground. "You didn't see the way those two cried."

Ray gasps.

"That night, I thought she was crying because she was terrified. I know now that I was wrong. What I saw there made me afraid of dying. Emma and Marianna were scared, but it was the thought of their family dying that horrified them. They're amazing, to be in that situation and worried about protecting others." Said Norman.

"But it's a lost cause! The five of us could make it, but trying to take everyone, it's like making a boat out of mud!" Said Ray.

Norman sighs.

"You should be scared. There's nothing to be ashamed of. Don't let feelings cloud your vision! We'll die!" Said Ray.

"I do see clearly. I want to build a boat out of mud as well!" Said Norman happily.

"Huh? Don't be a fool! You're supposed to be different! You're the coolheaded one who should weigh out the best option, Marianna's the shy and silent type, and Zara's the little brat!" Yelled Ray.

"Hey!" Yelled Zara.

Ray quickly grabs Norman's white collar and gets close to his face.

"WHAT GIVES, HUH?!" Yelled Ray.

"Because I love her...

Ray gasps while Marianna and Zara just stared at Norman with surprised looks on their faces.

"Did he just-

"Shh..." Whispered Marianna as she covers Zara mouth with her hand.

"And how I'd do anything to always put a smile on her face." Said Norman.

Ray suddenly let's go of Norman's collar. "You've gone crazy. And what if Emma dies because of it?"

Norman confidently smiles Ray. "That won't happen. I will make sure of it, and I'll do whatever it takes."

Norman smiles again. "Look on the bright side. I've always been able to accomplish whatever I set out to do. If you bake mud, you can make a vessel, so a boat that's made out of mud wouldn't necessarily sink."

"All of you have lost your minds." Said Ray.

"You think?" Asked Norman. "Perhaps Emma, Marianna, Zara, and I are both insane. We've completely lost it, so you can't let us do it alone."

Norman crosses his hands together behind his back and got closer to Ray.

After hearing Norman's speech, Ray suddenly chuckles and smirks at Norman.

"You jerks. What kind of friend would I be if I did?" Said Ray.

Suddenly, a loud bell tolled that was coming directly from the house.

"Uh, hey, guys, shouldn't we still have some free time left?" Asked Emma.

"Yea... we still have about... 30 minutes left." Said Marianna as she lifted up her white sleeve and checked on her watch.

"We should go." Said Norman.

The five of them started to rush over to the house as fast as they could.

Meanwhile... Inside The House...

All the children started to murmur in awe and were circled around Mom who was holding a small one-year-old baby with short, unruly pale orange hair and light blue eyes. She wore a standard white uniform, but the one for small children. And her identification number, 53494 is on the left side of her neck.

However, that wasn't all, there was a person right next to Mom, but this wasn't a child. It was a large and muscular women with short black hair in an afro, dark blue eyes with long bottom eyelashes, plump lips, and dark skin. She wore the standard orphanage uniform made for the plantations' Sisters, which consists of a black dress with a white blouse underneath it and a white apron over it.

"Attention. I want you to meet Carol, your newest sibling, and this is Sister Krone. She's here to help me with my duties." Explained Mom as her palm pointed to women next to her.

After Mom's introduction, the women named Krone smiles and giggles at the children.

Both Emma and Zara gasped as Norman's and Emma's eyes widened in distress.

"An... adult?"

"Another enemy."

Both Marianna and Ray just stood their with nonchalant expressions on their faces, showing no emotion whatsoever.

Sister Krone widely smiled at the children. "I'll be living here with all of you from now on. It's nice to meet you."

After that introduction, all of the children started to take a liking to Sister Krone.

"Nice to meet you!" Said one child.

As the children were greeting Sister Krone, Mom chuckles as her deep purple eyes showed satisfaction within her.

It was as if Mom was telling the four of them that the game was on. Try something, I dare you.

And so...

...

...

...

...

...

...

Let the games begin....

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———————-A/N———————————-

• Ikari or it's full name "Ikari Maaku" utilizes the anger mark in anime. Ikari means. "anger" or "wrath" in Japanese.

• The song that Marianna sang to Dream Conny is Isabella's Lullaby Covered By Amalee. And the lyrics are hers so go check her out she's really amazing!!!

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]

That's all I wanted to say, so I'll see you guys in the next one!

Bye~Bye!!

-Savvykawaiipanda 🌸🐼