(a/n):

*ara~ara*: a term in Japanese meaning "oh my, oh no, or hmm". It's usually used by females to express some sort of surprise or amusement. This phrase is usually used in a seductive or flirtatious way

BTW play this during the hide and seek with Krone. Idk but I really love this theme. It's upbeat and I just really love it.

And now on to the story:

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

"I've set aside this room for you." Informed Mom to the newly added adult, Sister Krone.

Sister Krone turned to Mom. "Thank you. It's perfect."

While Mom and Sister Krone were having their chat, in the corner of the stairs were Emma, Marianna, Zara, Ray, and Norman.

"That's sure gonna be inconvenient." Commented Ray.

"She's between the three children's rooms." Mumbled Emma.

"It'll be easier for her to watch us." Said Norman.

As the five of them were having their openly private conversation, both Mom and Sister Krone turned around and the four of them all plastered fake and friendly smiles while Marianna had her neutral expression and only friendly waved at the two adults.

181045

Later that day...

As all the other children were happily playing outside, the five of them remained inside and stayed in the library while they had their private discussion.

"I was only so focused on the trackers that another adult never crossed my mind." Said Norman.

"We should be happy about this." Said Ray.

All four of them were bewildered by Ray's statement, as they put all of their attention on to him.

"Huh?" Started Emma. "What do you mean?"

"I think what he's trying to say is that with Carol and Sister Krone here, we have two new sources of info." Marianna explained to Emma as she looked at Ray to see if she was right and he nodded in agreement.

"You're right." Said Norman.

"First off, where did they both come from?" Wondered Ray.

Norman leaned both of his arms on the two chairs. "I suppose Carol's here to replace Conny-Oh! Sorry, Marianna!" Apologized Norman.

Marianna lifted her hand up. "It's fine, Norman. No need to apologize."

Ray only coldly stared between the two of them. "Anyway, if this place is a farm, they must have a base where they prepare all the one-year-olds to resupply the house."

"So then, do you think we all came from that place at some point?" Pondered Emma.

"Probably. And I bet Sister Krone did, too." Said Ray.

"It's significant that there are adults other than Mom." Said Norman.

"It means there might be other farms similar to this one." Said Marianna.

"But are the adults who work for the demons under their control from the time they're born or after they're captured?" Asked Zara.

"Knowing could change how we survive after escaping." Said Norman.

"But, first, we need to find out how to escape with everyone, plus find the tracking devices." Said Ray.

Emma then started to touch and feel all over her body. "I've searched all over my body, but there are no scars to show something was implanted."

"Nothing in our clothes either." Added Norman.

"Just based on mankind's existing technology, they probably use radio waves and need batteries. Something battery powered, that's small, doesn't leave a scar, and lasts over 10 years, that kind of technology wouldn't exist in 2015." Explained Ray as Marianna nodded in agreement.

"Meaning?" Asked Emma.

"It's going to be difficult to find the location and the figure out how to break it. And if it's demon technology, we may as well give up." Said Ray.

"Your right." Said Norman.

"We really don't have much to go on." Added Marianna.

"Huh? That's it?" Asked Emma as she turned to Ray.

"So... in other words... checkmate?" Asked Zara.

"Pretty much." Said Ray bluntly.

"THAT'S AWEFUL!" Exclaimed Emma in a frustrated tone as she tightly clenched her orange stand of hair.

"NO WAY!" Exclaimed Zara as she squatted down on the floor and began to ruffle up her brown low pigtailed hair.

"Well... if we can't solve it, we can guess." Said Norman.

"Right. Let's think like them. It might help. What would be the most convenient place to put it in?" Said Ray.

"Mm..." Mumbled Emma.

Everyone started to ponder and ponder. The room went completely silent as the ticking of the clock started to echo through the room.

After thinking and thinking, both Marianna and Norman gasp as their eyes widened and they both said in sync, "Carol."

"Huh?" Mumbled both Emma and Zara.

"She might still have a mark, since she just arrived." Said Ray.

Emma silently gasps. "From where they put the device!"

Meanwhile In Mom's Office...

"I'd like to thank you personally for giving me the opportunity to come back to this side." Thanked Sister Krone.

Mom's expression suddenly changed as she turned to Krone with a nonchalant expression.

"I simply made a request to have an assistant provided. It's not like I called for you specifically."

"... I've heard a number of good things about you, like how you're the youngest ever to be selected as a Mom and caretaker and producing the highest-grade merchandise among any of the plantations ever." For me to get to work under someone I admire, I am truly honored."Complimented Sister Krone as she bowed her head and put her right hand on her heart.

"I have no need for lip service, and I have no time for small talk. Now, then, let's get to work." Said Mom in a stern tone as she gathered a pile of papers and platters them all of the wooden desk, each of them with every Grace Fields children's names and information.

"These files cover each of my precious children. Memorize all of them right now. Especially the one named Marianna." Ordered Mom.

Sister Krone's eyes were widened as her mouth was agape of Mom's direct order.

"It should be easier than getting perfect scores on your daily test." Said Mom.

Sister Krone just stared at Mom for a second and then later had this sinister smile as she added a simple chuckle.

Sister Krone them picked up the piles of paper and started to quickly read each one. "Out of curiosity, why did you decide to call for an assistant?"

"They discovered the secret." Admitted Mom.

Sister Krone suddenly gasps.

"And they saw the truck as well." Added Mom.

"Wha..." Stuttered Sister Krone as she immediately put down the papers and started to panic frantically. "WELL, ACCORDING TO THE RULES, WE MUST FIND THEM AND SHIP THEM OUT NOW!"

"Now hold it right there." Stopped Mom.

Sister Krone stopped in her tracks as Mom started to walk closer to Sister Krone.

Mom placed her white, fair-skinned hands and planted them on Krone's cheeks, lowing her to her height.

"It's all right." Reassured Mom. "I already have a good idea of who the targets are."

"You do?" Asked Sister Krone.

"Likely, three of the older children." Suspected Mom. "We just have to ensure they don't escape before shipment. 'Special' doesn't even begin to describe my children, and this is all beneficial for the plant."

"So you're not... reporting it?" Asked Sister Krone.

"Not yet. I have procedures in place to deal with this, and you... are my guard." Said Mom. Mom then let's go of Sister Krone's cheeks and went over to her desk.

"Don't think. Just watch the children. I am the Mom of this house, and you are nothing more than an assistant."

"Do you understand, Sister Krone?"

"Of course, Miss Isabella."

***

Meanwhile in Krone's Room...

"So that's how it is!" Said Sister Krone "It's so surprising. To think that the amazing Isabella would make such a huge mistake. And she's not reporting any of it, instead trying to cover up her failure. If I help her, she'll owe me big time, and I'll be rewarded for my hard work with a Mom position to call my own!"

Sister Krone's dark blue eyes trailed over to her stuffed toy doll.

"Ara~Ara, what's wrong, sweetie? Why are you crying so much, my precious one?" She swayed. "Come on now. Don't cry. You'd be happy, too, wouldn't you, if I was promoted to a Mom? If that happens, I'll be much busier, but you'll always be here to support me, won't you, my dear? Just try not to get jealous and act selfishly because I'm paying attention to the other children."

Sister Krone then looked straight into the dolls dirty and rusty eyes. "Wait a minute. You really think so? This could be my chance to move up?"

Sister Krone immediately stood up and raised her doll high in the air and began to dance around her room. "Then I can finally become a Mom! And I won't have to wait, because my time is now!"

"If I were able to capture the children who know the secret and report her violation to the higher-ups, then Isabella will be fired!"

Sister Krone then started to walk in a circle. "I think it's best to pretend to obey her, and then, when she least expects it, take her position away!"

Then out of nowhere she began to sing. "🎵I'll capture the targets... snitch on her... then immediately ship the kids out for processing!🎵"

Sister Krone squeals out of excitement and happiness. "That's it! I'm going to be the Mom of this house. I need to find those brats fast."

Later that night...

After the children had dinner, some of the older kids were doing their daily chores. Marianna, Anna, and Don were doing one part of the dishes while Ray and Norman were doing the other half.

"What do you think of Sister Krone, Marianna?" Asked the braided girl named Anna.

"She's... um...

Marianna glanced at Sister Krone who was lifting up a young boy named Eugene high in the air while the other younger kids were surrounding her.

"Interesting. I mean all the kids adore her. So I guess I like her." Said Marianna. "What about you, Anna."

"Hmm..." Anna put her index finger on her chin. "She's pretty nice, so I like her as well." She said with a smile.

"I see." Mumbled Marianna.

"Huh, is something wrong. Do you not like Sister Krone?" Asked Anna worriedly.

"No, it's not that. It's just... I don't like how things are changing." Marianna said with a tint of blush.

"It's because your jealous that Sister Krone is getting all the kids attention instead of yours!" Don butted in.

"No your wrong! I'm just... not used to another adult, is what I'm saying."

"Ha ha! Your jealous! The cold hearted Marianna is jealous!" Teased Don.

"I! Am! Not! Jealous! And what do you mean 'cold hearted'!" Yelled Marianna.

"Come on, Don! Stop teasing Marianna! That's not very nice!" Scolded Anna.

Just as Marianna and Don were about to get into a fight, Sister Krone suddenly got between the two and had a very wide smile on her face.

"You're two are Anna and Don, correct?" Asked Sister Krone.

"Yes, that's correct." Anna said with a smile.

"You betcha!" Exclaimed Don.

Sister Krone than glances over at Marianna with an intimidating stare with her wide smile. "And you must be Marianna."

Marianna only simply nodded.

Sister Krone inched closer to Marianna face. "I've heard great things about you. I also heard... that you get perfect test scores."

Marianna also nodded to that question.

"Marianna is really smart, Sister Krone! She's like a human calculator. She's even at the same level as Norman."

"That's amazing!!" Praised Sister Krone. Sister Krone lend out her hand. "Nice to meet you! I know we'll get along!"

Don went first to shake Sister Krone's hand, then Anna and Marianna shook hers, but Sister Krone didn't let go of Marianna's. Actually, she leaned in closer to Marianna, close to her ear.

"By the way, what do you plan on doing when your 12 years old? Hmm?"

Marianna silently grunts, but she remained herself from her facial expression to change. Sister Krone just continued to smile even wider.

Marianna just stared at Sister Krone and refrained herself from answering that question as the two of them just started to have a stare off.

It felt like the whole world was just frozen in time. Nothing was moving, no one was moving, all there was was her and Sister Krone just staring at each other.

Sister Krone's stare and smile got more and more intimidating, when-

"Marianna."

Both Marianna and Sister Krone snapped out of their starring contest and looked over to their right side and say Ray standing before them.

"Ray." Mumbled Marianna.

Sister Krone finally let's go of Marianna's hand and inched away from her face, finally being able to breathe.

"Me and Norman need your help with something." Said Ray.

"Sure, Ray. I'm coming." Said Marianna as she began to walk away from Sister Krone and walking in the hallway with Ray and Norman.

As Sister Krone was watching her targets walking away she began to think, "So peaceful... none of them are even hinting on their faces that they've found out about the secret. So these the children that were raised by Isabella.........
I SEE!"

Meanwhile with Marianna...

"Are you okay?" Asked Ray worriedly.

Marianna had a confused look in her eyes. "Yeah. I'm fine."

"Are you sure? She got really close to your face and she grabbed your wrist really tightly." Said Norman as he too was worried.

"I'm fine really. She just... caught me off guard is all." Said Marianna as she started to touch her wrist where Sister Krone grabbed. "More importantly, I witnessed your encounter with Sister Krone. Did she hear you guys?"

"No. We're okay. That women... I don't think she came here simply to watch children." Said Norman.

"What are you saying?" Asked Ray.

"The way she looked at us and Marianna, she suspects us, since we're the oldest." Said Norman.

Ray stopped in his tracks. "Wait a sec. How'd she find that out?"

"Isn't it obvious? Mom told her." Said Norman.

Both Marianna and Ray grunt in suspicion.

"Mom is on our trail, and she's closing in on us." Said Norman.

Ray turned to Marianna in a worried way. "Marianna. What did Sister Krone say to you?"

Marianna sighed. "Well, for starters, she immediately knew who I was. Next she said that she's heard great things about me and that I get perfect test scores. Then she asked me what I am going to do when I'm 12 years old."

Both Ray and Norman gasped at Marianna's last statement.

"Did you tell her anything?" Asked Norman.

Marianna shook her head. "I didn't answer, but we only stared at her. It was like time had completely stopped or something."

All three of them were on edge about this newly added Sister Krone.

Ray scoffed. "I saw that look of yours. I know that wasn't a friendly one." He smirked.

"Yeah. I don't take a liking to her. As soon as she appeared, I got this weird feeling from her. I don't know, but something tells me that she's bad news."

Both Ray and Norman nodded to Marianna in complete agreement.

Meanwhile with Emma...

Emma was in the infant room while changing Carol and she started to searching every bit of Carol's body for any signs of the tracker.

Carol started to laugh at Emma's touch as Emma continued to search and even started to pat on her small bare back.

While watching Emma, Gilda started to wonder what Emma was doing and to be honest, she was really worried.

After finally changing Carol into her clothes, Emma picked up Carol and started to cradle her like a mother would to her infant child.

"Shift perspective." Emma whispered to herself. "Try to think like them. Demons won't eat the tracking device, which means... *gasps* it's somewhere easy to remove."

"Emma, I, uh...

"But where?"

"Wanted to ask you something. The other night...

Emma suddenly gasps as she had an idea, so she immediately put's down Carol in her crib, tilted her head, and looks behind her left ear. And there was a small, but red bump, kind of resembling a bug bite.

"Zara! Come over here!" Called out Emma as Zara turns around comes to check out what Emma had just found.

When Zara came and saw this red bump on Carol's ear, Zara immediately, but silently gasps, catching Gilda's attention and taking a look for herself.

"What's that? Is it a bug bite?" Asked Gilda.

"... No, it's- it's a mark... from when they took our blood for testing." Answered Emma. "At least, that's what Mom said."

Emma squeezed Carol's ear and she could feel the tracking device inside Carol's ear.

Both Emma and Zara had gleeful looks on their faces as they looked at each other, "This is it!!"

"That reminds me!" Said Zara. "When all the younger ones got here, I saw that Naila had it when she came! So did Mark, Phil, and... Conny. On... everybody's ear..."

Both Zara and Emma looked at each other with concerned looks in their eyes.

"Mine, too?" Asked Gilda as she tucked in parts of her short hair.

Both Zara and Emma went up to Gilda's ear, but there was no signal or sign of a red bump anywhere on her ear.

"I don't see a red bump. Do you, Emma?" Asked Zara as she turned to Emma.

"No, it's already gone." Replied Emma.

"That makes sense, though, right?" Asked Gilda. "I'm 10, and you and Zara are 11, so it's been years now."

"Yeah. It was way smaller than I expected it to be." Said Emma.

"I agree. I thought that it would be a lot bigger." Added Zara.

"What was?" Asked Zara suspiciously.

Both Emma and Zara panicked as they waved their hands and had goofy looks on their faces.

"Huh?! Oh! We were talking about the scar and how tiny it was! It disappeared already! Right, Zara!"

"Yeah, Yeah!"

"Yeah..." Mumbled Gilda.

Carol started to fuss around in her crib, grabbing all three of the girl's attention.

Emma went over to check on Carol and as soon as she started to touch her, Carol immediately grabbed Emma's index finger as a wide and big happy smile was spread across her chubby cheeks and laughing along the way.

"We've gotta protect them, every last one."

Later that night...

"Regular check-in. Regular check in. This is 73584 at Plant Three. October 17th, situation normal. Ending transmission."

"Isabella?"

"Grandma?"

"I have a message for you from the boss. 'Those four can still be shipped out as scheduled, correct?' Listen Isabella. The other Plants had a disappointing harvest this year, and only your Plant can deliver the highest quality goods that are going to be offered during Tifari."

"Yes, I understood that from the start. Please tell the boss... that everything is going fine. You may have any child whenever you wish."

"However..."

"Hm?"

"They said that number 71481 will be used for a very special 'project'."

"I see..."

***

Emma started to sprint really fast as she then kicks the ball and pretends that she kicked it too far and began to run into the quintet's regular and daily spot.

"I never even thought about it." Admitted Marianna as she, Norman, and Ray began to feel their ear.

"Yeah, they're in a place no one would notice." Said Ray.

"I never knew about a mark from when they took our blood, and it disappears that quickly?" Asked Norman.

"Yeah... I knew, but I never even considered that would be it. Sorry." Apologized Emma.

"Oh, no. You did great, Emma." Praised Norman. "We now know the location and the size of the device. On to the next step."

"The next step is...

"How to break it." All five of them said in sync.

"Let's see. If we tried to make an incision...

"Mom might lift our hair and see it." Finished Emma.

"She'd catch on." Said Norman.

"You're right. Well, whether or not we can break the transmitters, the tracking devices implanted in us aren't that useful in the grand scheme of things." Said Ray.

"What?! How do you figure that?!" Asked Emma as she shouted.

"The signal's so crude, it can't specify an individual. Without checking, she can't tell where we are. Even if we get close to the gate or walls, it doesn't notify her." Explained Ray.

"But we still have them." Said Emma.

"Yes, but why? They must be confident they can come after us as long as the tracking device is intact." Said Ray.

Marianna suddenly gasps in realization. 

"Hold on." Said Norman. "So that means if it were to send a notification, it'd only be after it's been destroyed?"

"That's a definite possibility." Said Ray.

"What do you guys mean?" Asked Emma.

"Weren't you listening? An alarm probably goes off once the trackers are broken." Said Ray.

"So Mom would find out instantly?" Questioned Emma.

"As soon as we break them." Joined Marianna.

"But knowing that Mom purposefully clued us in on the existence of the devices, we can't ignore the risk." Said Norman.

"It's dangerous to even touch it." Warned Ray.

"So we can only destroy it when we escape." Said Norman.

"WHHAAAATT?!" Exclaimed both Emma and Zara.

"B-B-BUT THEN WHAT ARE WE SUPPOSED TO DO?! HOW DO WE DEAL WITH IT?!" Exclaimed Emma.

"Well... we can always cut off our ear." Said Marianna bluntly.

"WHAT?!" All four of them turned to Marianna with concerned looks on their faces.

"Yeah. All we do is grab a knife, but we have to be careful of the the pinna and funnels of sound into our ear canal. We also need something to stop the bleeding, like cloth. Then we can cut each children's ear in their-

"WAHHH!!" Both Emma and Zara wailed as Zara put her palm on Marianna's mouth and Emma placed her hands on her shoulders.

"Maybe less blood and body parts and we'll find another way. Okay, Marianna?" Said Norman with a uncomfortable smile.

"What happened to you Marianna?" Asked Ray. "You used to be all innocent. What happened and how do you know about thi- actually... don't answer that."

"Anyways, the shape and size of it brings something else to mind. Leave it to me. I'll figure out a work-around." Said Ray.

"You sure?" Asked Norman.

"Uh-huh." Said Ray.

Emma unhanded herself from Marianna's shoulders and grabbed her blue ball.

"If you say so. It's all yours." Said Emma.

"Now the issue of taking the other children with us. The problem is they all completely trust Mom, and they probably won't be able to handle the truth of our situation." Said Norman.

Emma puts her blue ball closer to her face. "If we want to take them, too, we're gonna have to lie to them?"

"I don't want to them. That's just plain cruel." Added Zara.

"There's another issue, insufficient abilities." Said Ray.

"What are you getting at?" Asked Zara suspiciously.

"To put it bluntly, they're a hinderance." Said Ray.

Marianna gasped as her eyes widened.

"RAY!" Said both Emma and Zara in sync as Emma was about to throw her blue ball at Ray's face.

"You know it's the truth. Some of them aren't good at physical activity, not to mention the babies who can hardly walk." Said Ray.

Both Emma and Zara looked at each as Emma said, "Me and Zara talked about this and we actually have an idea for how to deal with that."

"Hm?" Mumbled Marianna.

"Which is?" Asked Norman.

"By playing tag."

"Huh?" Said the two boys.

Marianna stared at the two for a sec and then chuckled. "Oh I see now."

"Huh?" Said Ray.

"What do you mean, Marianna."

"Isn't it obvious." She answered. "It's to strengthen their physical and mental abilities."

Both Ray and Norman gasped while Emma and Zara smiled at Marianna.

Emma started to explain, "Norman and Zara are it, and everybody else runs."

"We pretend it's okay when we're actually training. Then Mom won't find out!" Said Norman as he quickly caught on to Emma and Zara's plan.

"Zara and I'll teach them how to push their bodies to the limit. Marianna can teach them how to be stealthy like her. As for sharpening their minds...

"Leave it to us."

🥕🥕Emma🥕🥕

Emma and her group of kids ran through the forest and they soon reached a long streaming river as far as the eye can see.

Emma and the other children leapt over the river, while some kids did followed what Emma did, some fell into the river and got wet, and some just simply walked over the wooden log.

📖📖Ray📖📖

"Don't rush." Said Ray to Lannion.

"Eh?" Mumbled Lannion with a panicked look on his face.

"Concentrate. What can you do to escape?" Said Ray.

"Hmm." Mumbled Lannion as he knelt down to the ground and started to think really hard.

"Norman isn't going to overlook any details." Said Ray.

"Huh." Lannion looked straight ahead at the forest and he then realized what Ray was trying to hint him.

Lannion swiped at the ground, erasing his own footsteps, stomping on the left side of the path and making fake ones, and he continued to run and hide into the right path.

"Check the wind. Which way is easier to run?" Said Ray.

Don was in the middle of the forest. He thought about Ray's advise and he then puts his index finger into his mouth and lifted it up in the air.

"Let's see now. That's downwind." He said to himself as he then decides to go the other way and continue running.

💫💫Marianna💫💫

Marianna immediately squatted onto the ground as she signaled all the younger children to get down.

Just like Marianna signaled, all of the little ones kneeled down onto the ground on all fours as they saw Marianna turn around to them, getting closer to their ears.

"How about we play a little game." She whispered. "It's called the quiet game. Whoever can be the quietest, will get a hug from Onee-chan."

All the children waved their hands in the air and cheered, but Marianna immediately put her index finger her mouth and made a "Shh..." noise.

Every child immediately put their hands on their mouths and started to follow Marianna's lead.

Marianna quietly stood up and there she saw Norman with his hands on the back of his ears, trying to listen to any noises.

Marianna stealthily walked on the ground. Once she reached to the other side of the forest, she signaled all of the kids to walk quiet like she did and for a great success, all of the kids walked to the other side without even making a single noise, preventing Norman to even sense where they are. In reaction towards this, the young girl named Sherry silently giggled and kept on walking quietly.

Meanwhile with Thoma...

As Thoma was running through the forest independently, he jumped from tree to tree and jumped from rock to rock.

He safely landed onto the ground as he puts his hands on his hips and had a very cocky and confident smile plastered on his face.

"This is awesome." He commented. "I can last way longer than I did before! Maybe I can even beat Nor-WHAH!"

***

"And I thought I was doing so good this time, too!" Moaned Thoma.

"You can't just focus on your own footprints. You gotta check out Norman's too." Said Ray.

"Really?" Asked Thoma.

"That's right." Said Ray. You also have to realize that Norman is reading your habits. As an example-hmm?"

Ray turned his head to something in the distance. When he looked over he saw Sister Krone just standing there and staring at the children with this creepy and disturbing smile and look in her dark blue eyes.

Emma, Marianna, Zara, Norman, and the rest of the unfound children came by Ray's side and saw the exact same thing Ray and the other children had just saw.

Sister Krone walking over to the children's side with three younger kids by her side and one younger one on her back.

"Outside playing tag." Said Sister Krone. "Looks like fun. It's important that I get to know all of you better, so let me join in."

The quintet only gave her nasty and distasteful looks at her while all the children just smiled and cheered.

"This match will have a 20-minute time limit. I'll be it this round. Now then, run and hide!" She smiled.

All the children were out of site while Marianna, Ray, and Norman were near the center of the forest and watching Sister Krone the entire time she was counting.

"7, 8, 9, and 10." She counted down. Sister Krone suddenly began to do a little dance. "Now I get to see for myself exactly what Isabella's crop of special children can do! Let the game begin!"

"I wonder if she has a screw loose." Commented Marianna with her arms crossed.

"Now then, how will the enemy move?" Said Ray.

Sister Krone then started running at abnormal speed and making her way towards the forest.

"She'll probably come looking for us first." Said Norman.

"And on the way, she'll take out the younger, slower ones. Makes the most sense." Said Ray.

The three of them then started running into different directions: Ray going left, Norman right, and Marianna center back.

As Krone started to run faster and farther into the forest, she suddenly stopped in reaction as she looked down and saw footprints right below her.

"Fake footprints?" She then put her right hand behind her right ear and started listening to her surroundings. "That's strange. How is it so quiet?"

Krone suddenly, widely grinned as she angled her head high up in the sky.

"I'M GONNA HAVE TO PLAY FOR REAL, THEN!"

All the children were in small groups as they all hide behind bushes and started to murmur and wondering what's taking Sister Krone so long to find them.

The quintet were all hiding up high the tree bushes and wondering the exact same thing.

"She's not coming after us." Murmured Emma.

"What's she planning?" Wondered Ray.

"I don't like the looks of this." Commented Zara.

Suddenly a group of kids came out of their hiding spots and were in the center of the quintet's hiding spot.

They all picked up small leafs with little shapes in the center of the leaves as they all wondered:

"Huh?"

"What's this?"

Emma's eyes immediately went wide as she saw Krone coming out of the bushes and wrapped her hands around the five children.

"Guess I got you!" She said with a toothy grin.

"But... how?" Whispered Zara.

"How'd she draw them all in?!" Emma said to herself.

After Sister Krone had caught all the children and went back to the base, Marianna, Zara, Norman, Ray, and Emma went to check out these leaves for themselves.

"She left these on the ground to lure them." Said Norman as sweat trickled down his cheeks.

"She may not be the screw loose we thought she was." Commented Marianna's

"So she's got a good head on her shoulders." Said Ray.

One after another, Krone started collecting all the children one by one.

Since she's been it all the children she's gathered we're: Rossi, Chris, Damdin, Hans, Marnya, Yvette, Sherry, Nat, Anna, and Thoma.

And now Krone found her next target, Lannion.

As Krone was chasing Lannion nonstop, he kept on running with tears streaming down his face and snot dangling out of his nose as he began to wail in fear of being caught.

And just by Lannion's luck, there was a hole below the tree stump, so for the time being Lannion hid in there and a sigh of relief escaped his mouth.

However, Krone ran up to the tree and smashed it in smithereens, holding the young boy up by his collar.

[a/n: that poor boy :(]

Meanwhile back at base...

"I can't believe it!" Ran Lannion. "She's impossible to beat!"

However, he immediately stopped in his tracks at the amount of people Krone had caught within that time.

"Huh? Don and Gilda, too?" He said to himself in shock.

"She's crazy fast. I couldn't get away." Said Don.

"You're right. She caught us in way less time than it usually takes Norman." Commented Gilda.

Meanwhile back in the forest...

"HEY EMMAAAA!! ZARRAAAA!!" Waved Phil with Nina by his side.

Krone found two new targets. You what they say, kill two birds with one stone. So, Krone immediately ran towards Phil and Nina, however, in just the nick of time, both Emma and Zara came out as Emma picked up Phil and Zara picked up Nina and sprinted away with Krone right behind them.

"Cover your mouths!" Said Emma.

"And hang on tight!" Added Zara.

Phil and Nina did exactly what the two told them to do and they both covered their mouths and clenched on to their white clothes.

The two kids and the adult kept on running and running through the trees and bushes as Krone had a very creepy expression on her face as she began to pant heavily like she's been running for years and years.

The three of them kept running and running until they reached two ditches and the three of them were jumping up and down, from edge to edge and as Krone reached the final ditch, while falling down she was laughing insanely like she was being a kid again.

As soon as Krone made a turn, she was surrounded by layers and layers of heavy pummel of rocks and an "Eh?" sound escaped her lips as Zara, Emma, Phil, and Nina suddenly disappeared.

A wide and unsettling grin was spread across Krone's face and her dark blue eyes were looking from left to right, right to left.

"Running while carrying a kid takes stamina. You must be exhausted, Emma, Zara." Krone's voice echoed throughout the rocky horizon.

Both Emma and Zara covered their mouths with their hands as the two started breathing heavily and their eyes widened.

"You won't be able to move unless you rest. Know what I've learned? Norman's failing point is his physical strength. I heard he was feeble when he was younger. Ray's weakness is that he's always a little too quick to give up. He tends to make fast decisions, but then abandons them just as quickly. And you, Emma, Zara, geez I can't tell which one of you is more naive."

Both Emma and Zara clench their fists in anger.

"For example, carrying others when you're being chased, since they'd be helpless otherwise." Explained Krone. "Oh! And I almost forgot! Number 71481-oh I mean Marianna." 

Both Emma's and Zara's eyes widened.

Krone put her finger on her chin. "Hmm... I don't know where I should start. Norman and Ray seem close with Marianna and are very protective of her, but she's such a mystery. For example, why is she soooo cold hearted. She shares no emotions whatsoever."

Zara clenches her fists even harder after what Krone had just said about Marianna. But Emma too was ticked off of what Krone said as well.

"That girl is cute, but yet, so many secrets hiding within her heart. That's why she's in so much danger and precious to the demons."

Emma and Zara immediately gasped as their eyes widened and sweat started to trickle down their soft cheeks.

"Come on and give up, come out already! I swear I won't do you wrong." Yelled Krone with a sweet tone in her words. "Listen, Emma, Zara, why don't we level with each other? If you saw the harvest the other day...

Both Emma and Zara's eyes of emerald green and brown widened as a small combination of a gasp and whimper escaped their lips.

"Then you should know I'm on your side."

The two of them looked up and gasped with fear within their eyes.

                                "I found you."

***

"Three more to go!" Announced Lannion.

"How much time does she have?" Asked Don.

"Eight minutes, 40 seconds!" Answered Nat.

Krone began chasing Marianna, Ray, and Norman until the three of them decided to split up and see who she would go after next. Ray went to the right, Norman went to the left, and Marianna kept going straight.

However, the three of them expected Krone to go after Norman, but instead she continued straight and was heading towards Marianna.

"Marianna?" Thought Ray.

"But why her?" Thought Norman.

As Marianna looked behind her, she saw that Krone had a very drooling and hungry expression as if Krone was the predator and Marianna was her prey.

The two kept on running until the same rocky terrain appeared again, and just like with Emma and Krone, Marianna and Krone started to jump off rock after rock.

But not a second later, Krone suddenly lost her prey and started looking everywhere. From up to down, left to right, and side to side, but she still couldn't find her.

As Krone kept searching and searching, she then suddenly felt a small objects hitting her right shoulder.

When Krone looked down, she saw four small little pebbles, she looked up and what saw her frightened her.

She saw Marianna just sitting there on the tallest boulder and saw Marianna staring at her with this cold and dark glare.

Both Norman and Ray were shocked at seeing Marianna's stare.

"Woah..." Thought Norman.

"Haven't seen that look before." Thought Ray.

Krone was in total fear and shock as sweat started to trickle down her forehead.

"So... this is number 71481. They are... truly elite..."

As Krone continued to stare at Marianna, Ray ran up towards her and patted her shoulder.

Krone gasps as she saw him pulling out his pocket watch.

"Your time's up." Said Ray.

Krone sighs as she admits defeat.

All of the Grace Field children cheered and wave their hands in victory as Zara ran up to Marianna and gave her a big hug.

Norman and Ray waved their hands as Marianna just have the fellow children a peace sign.

Krone glared at the quintet with a distasteful look on her face.

"Norman, Ray, number 71481, Zara, Emma... and...

Krone looked up beside Emma and saw that Gilda didn't have a happy smile on her face, but more of a suspicious one, and to that Krone only chuckles to herself as she added an evil grin and had an idea in mind.

A few days later...

"Krone hasn't done anything since then. It seems strange." Said Emma as the five of them were in the library discussing their next step.

"Yeah. I haven't had a creepy encounter with her since." Said Zara.

"She's probably just following Mom's orders. Mom used to suspect us at first, but it doesn't seem like that now." Said Norman.

"I wonder what happened?" Wonders Emma.

"Thoughts, Ray?" Asked Norman as he turned to Ray.

"I'd like to hear what you're thinking, Norman, Marianna." Said Ray with his back turned.

"I think Mom did something behind the scenes so that she wouldn't have to make a move herself." Said Norman.

"I agree." Nodded Marianna.

"What do you mean?" Asked Emma.

"Think about, Emma. If you were Mom, what's the easiest situation you could hope for?" Hinted Marianna.

"Uh..." Mumbled Emma.

"Knowing your target's every move without ever having to do anything yourself." Said Marianna as she gave Emma a second hint.

"But... Norman said that there are no hidden cameras or listening devices..."

Emma trailed of her sentence as she started to put all the puzzle pieces together and she and Zara both gasp as their eyes widened in fear.

"No way..." Mumbled Zara.

"It couldn't be." Mumbled Emma.

Both Marianna and Norman nodded.

"That's right. I think-

"There's another person keeping an eye on us, and it's... someone among the kids." Ray finished.

"So there's a traitor." Suspected Norman.

Both Emma and Zara gasp while Marianna crossed her arms and leaned against the bookshelf.

Suddenly the five of them were cut off by the ringing and of the bell, symbolizing the children it's dinner time, time to eat.

Norman grabbed and started to slide the silver tray table while Ray, Marianna, Zara, and Emma grabbed the big jars of water and started to make their way to the dinning hall.

As the rest started to walk ahead, Emma suddenly stopped as had distress in her eyes and started to look and suspect every child within that room.

Was it Phil, Gilda, any of the younger kids, Don, Mark, Naila, Anna, Jemima, Thoma, Lannion, Yvette, or Nat...

As their voices were echoing in Emma's mind, she couldn't help but show utter fear and despair in her emerald green eyes.

"No... it can't be true..."