New Plan

"Norman's getting...shipped out?" Ray managed to stutter through his shock.

"Yes." Isabella said. "It's happening tomorrow."

Ray said nothing as he glanced down at Penny, who clutched her leg, whimpering and gasping. He turned to Isabella. "So, then...what happened to Penny?!"

Isabella smiled. "It was a clean break, so don't worry."

Don, Gilda, and Emma gasped as they watched Isabella gently pick the ten year old up in her arms. "I guarantee it'll heal up perfectly without a scar." Isabella said, smiling down at Penny. "Though it will take a few months to do so. I do hope it's healed before your birthday, Ray."

Ray angrily gritted his teeth.

Isabella turned to Norman. "And Norman, give me that bag later."

Norman's eyes widened.

"Now, let's go back to the house." Isabella walked off.

That was the last thing Penny heard before her world went black.

031145

"What are we supposed to do?!" Don stuttered, holding his head in his hand.

He, Gilda, Emma, and Ray were sitting outside, still shocked on what just happened. Don whimpered. "Norman's getting shipped out...she took the rope...not to mention Penny can't move..."

"Penny's gonna heal up in no time!" Ray snapped angrily. "And the rope can be replaced! The escape can happen! It has too!" The raven haired boy narrowed his eyes. "But Norman's our focus for now!"

"Ray..." Emma muttered, resting a hand on his shoulder.

"Out of all of us, why was he picked to be shipped?" Gilda asked.

"When she said that the situation changed, she meant the next shipment." Ray growled, looking away. "It was about Norman."

"She even...got rid of Sister Krona...." Gilda gasped, putting her hands to her mouth in utter shock. Emma shared the same look.

"It seemed like everything went to normal this morning, right?" Don asked. "She was smiling and doing chores like she usually does. Now she's gone. And it's all because of Mom...."

Gilda shuddered, and Emma said nothing as she held the green haired girl comfortingly in her arms. The two girls jumped as Ray angrily kicked a bucket away.

Penny slowly opened her eyes. The first thing she noticed was that she was lying in one the infirmary beds, her leg properly casted, and Norman was sitting next to her. He smiled as he watched her open her eyes. "Penny..."

Penny gasped, tears threatening to fall from her eyes as she reached out her hand towards Norman, who took it lovingly. Norman smiled softly as his younger sister began to cry. "There's no need to worry." the white haired boy said cheerfully. "All she did was take the rope!"

"Norman, that's not what..." Penny gasped.

"You don't have to give up on this." Norman told her gently, squeezing her hand. "Your leg will heal."

Penny sat up. "No, Norman! I...we can't let you get shipped! Emma won't allow it!"

"You'll succeed in escaping." Norman continued.

"Emma would want you to come along too, okay?! We need you, Norman! Think about it...we wouldn't have come this far without you..."

Norman sighed as he gently rested the girl's hand on the blanket. "Thirsty?" He asked. He stood up. "I'll get some water."

"Norman..." Penny gasped out, trying to reach for him, but he was already out the door. The door closed gently, and Penny clutched her pillow and sobbed.

Norman calmly walked towards the sinks, thoughts rumbling like a train through his mind. "I'm pathetic...making Penny look so devastated. Not to mention Emma...." He shook his head as he slowly walked towards the fountains. "I'm really pathetic...." He stood in front of them and grabbed a cup. His hands reached the faucet, but the more he thought of his shipment, he started shaking.

His eyes widened as he thought of the one thing he wanted the most....

"I want to live!"

I thought I'd decided. I thought I'd prepare myself.

I don't want to die.

I want to keep living.

With everyone. Emma...Penny....

He turned on the faucet and started to fill the cup, but his fear got the best of him, and the white haired boy fell to his knees, hyperventilating.

I want to live...

I want to live...

I WANT TO LIVE!!

"Ray!" Don protested as they walked down the halls. "What about Norman?!"

"He's going to escape!" Ray snapped. "No matter what!" The boy angrily shook his head, grunting angrily until an idea popped in his head. "Don? Emma? Gilda?" He turned to them, a look of determination in his eyes.

"Let's go."

The three nodded.

Ray walked up to the infirmary, followed by Emma. When the two opened the door, Penny glanced up, her eyes shining from crying. The raven haired boy sat on the girl's bed and hugged her tightly, gritting his teeth. She clung to him shaking.

Emma was next. She held the brown-haired girl, muttering how sorry she was for not heling her little sister when she needed it the most. Penny said nothing as her two older siblings did their best on comforting her.

When they parted, she, Emma, and Ray gave each other knowing looks. Ray finally spoke. "We're getting Norman out."

Emma and Penny nodded.

Norman finally calmed down from his panicked state and filled the cup. He sighed as he stood up, slowly walking towards the infirmary.

"The problem is that HE ISN'T willing to escape." Norman's thoughts continued to scatter as he walked. "I can't escape alone first. If I escape, the other perfect scorers, such as Ray, Penny, or even Emma, might be forced to take my place. And once someone escapes, the security's gonna get tighter."

He frowned, trying to think of a new plan. "Escaping after that will be close to impossible."

His brows furrowed in realization. "That's why Emma wants to take everyone out at the same time. If I don't escape today, or tomorrow, I'll die. But...if I escape alone, everyone will die."

His frown deepened. "Having said that, with Penny's fractured leg, we can't all escape tomorrow. So the only choice left for me is to not escape and die. That means I will die tomorrow. I have to get shipped out."

He had a new look in his eyes. "Smart move. That's why she meant to break Penny's leg in the beginning. She even prepared bandages. But still, we won't give up escaping. It's already not going the way Mom wants it. I have only one more day."

His glare darkened. "I'll destroy...the plan Mom has in mind. I'll use this life to the fullest until the end...and successfully help everyone escape!"

When he reached the infirmary, Norman took a deep breath and gently smiled, opening the door. "I'm back..."

He stopped short at the sight of Emma and Ray sitting next to Penny, Ray sitting on the bed while Emma sat on the stool. The three of them looked at Norman seriously.

"Ray...Emma..." Norman muttered.

Emma stood up and took a spot next to Penny while Ray moved to the other side of her bed, allowing Norman to sit on the stool.

"The plan is, tomorrow, you'll escape by yourself." Ray said.

Emma nodded. "You won't die. Not on our watch!"

Norman smiled, which burned at Penny's heart. "Sorry, but...I can't."

"YOU CAN!" Ray, Penny, and Emma snapped, startling the white haired boy.

"But to be more accurate, you'll just pretend to do it." Ray continued, and Norman glanced at the older boy in confusion. "You'll disable your tracking device, fake an escape. Then hide in the area, 'till Penny's healed up."

"And on the day of the escape, you'll run away with us," Emma concluded, taking the cup from Penny.

"Yeah, but..." Norman sighed. "Even if it's fake, once I go, security will get tighter."

"That does make sense..." Penny turned to Ray. "What now?"

"Not a problem." Ray responded. "Based on the houses' caretaking policies, security won't increase much."

"Caretaking policies?" Norman asked.

"One. To let us all grow freely. Two. Strick confidentiality. The first is for developing our brains. A child that grows up freely with rich emotions. That's the minimum requirement for the product here."

"So then...point two means..."

"Yeah." Ray nodded. "The demons stay out of sight. If we fear them, our brains won't grow as planned. So the worst they'll do, is add more guards or caretakers. And those things we can deal with. I know it!"

"Even so, if they end up making the wall taller than it is now, how do you plan on climbing over it?"

"You can make a ladder! While you're hiding out in the forest!"

"What if they change the tracking device to a more complex one?"

"If they implant new ones, we'll know where they are, so we'll take them out! We can handle it!"

Norman just smiled.

"Don't you get it?!" Ray snapped furiously. "We're telling you you don't have to die! I'll supply your food. And keep you hidden no matter what! Tighter security should be no problem! And I still haven't used my trump card to outwit Mom. So stay alive! Just pretend to run away and then...."

"I can't."

Ray jumped.

"Sorry." Norman glanced down. "But it won't work. It's not security. If I run, you, Penny, or Emma might end up getting shipped in my place. To have one of you get killed instead of me... I couldn't bear it. They can have my life. But. I have no intention of giving them anything else. I'll destroy what Mom's been plotting. And make sure the escape plan succeeds!

" But thank you. Really. You should come up with a new plan. One you guys can execute once I'm gone."

"You...idiot..." Ray breathed out angrily. "Six years! That's how long I've planned all of this!"

"Sorry...."

"Darn it!"

"You guys, don't you know you're frightening Penny?!" Emma snapped. "She's overwhelmed enough already!"

The boys turned to the ten year old to see that she was shaking, clinging to Emma and watching them with wide eyes.

Norman smiled softly, reaching forward and hugging the girl tenderly in his arms. "Sorry, Penny. I didn't mean to frighten you."

Ray just gritted his teeth.

After a moment of silence, Emma raised her hand. "Well, Ray and I can break our legs too!"

"Emma?" Penny squeaked out.

Emma grinned at her. "Smart, right? We just...break a few bones!"

"Emma..." Ray breathed out. "What are you...."

"I think," Emma continued. "Since Penny's leg is in pretty bad shape, it's probably unlikely she'll get shipped out in Norman's place."

Penny grinned suddenly. "Emma, that's probably true! You're brilliant!"

Emma returned the grin, resting an arm around Penny's shoulder. "Remember what we heard at the gate? We're high-grade merchandise! And special, too! When we go out, we've gotta be in perfect form! If someone were to take his place, it'd be you." Emma turned to Ray with a grin. "But if you got hurt like Penny, you wouldn't get shipped out right away!"

Ray finally burst into laughter, grinning at Emma. "Good thinking, Emma! Let's do it!"

"Wait, are you sure you're fine with it?" Penny asked. "Knowing the pain it follows..."

"Penny, it'll be fine!" Emma grinned.

Ray nodded, turning to Emma. "How about we break our arms instead?"

"Great idea!" Emma grinned. "Arm it is!"

"Wait a second!" Norman stuttered. "There's no proof you won't get shipped out if you get hurt like that..."

Emma grinned. "Then...we'll make each other catch a cold!"

Ray smirked. "You think the demons won't wanna eat me if I get sick, huh?"

Norman and Penny just stared at the two in shock.

"So we'll break our arms and get sick! You sure you're okay with all of that?" Emma asked.

Ray grinned. "Yeah!"

"Why don't we make string telephones so we can discuss plans through them!"

"Sure sounds fun! Also, that way Mom won't here us!"

"Y-you guys..." Norman began.

"If that doesn't work, then I'll think of another plan!" Emma rested both hands on Norman's shoulders, grining in determination. "I'll do anything!"

"But why?" Norman asked. "This plan's just crazy! Isn't it?"

"Well, I like it much better than letting you die." Emma pointed out. "Remember what you said once? We'll all flee from here together!" She put a hand on Norman's. "So if you're not part of all this, I won't accept it! Let's live together! Okay?" She asked, tears threatening to fall.

"We won't let you die." Penny promised.

Norman smiled, tears falling down his cheeks as he buried his head in his hands. "Yeah..."

Ray tossed him something. "Catch."

Norman grunted as he caught it. He inspected the object curiously.

"Use this thing, to disable your tracker. Go hide in the forest. Then you'll climb the wall."

"And scout." Norman added. "Before they increase security."

Ray grinned. "We've got a new rope coming, thanks to Don and Gilda. They're using spare sheets from the living room."

"So it's done, then." Emma grinned.

"Press it against your left ear and hit the button." Ray explained. "That'll disable the tracking device. If we use this thing, Mom won't know."

"Is it...made from camera parts?" Emma asked curiously.

"It's more than just that." Ray said. "I used parts of the rewards I got from Mom. And dissembled them. From the camera, all I wanted was the strove."

"You've collected these parts...for six years..." Norman breathed out, glancing at the small object in his hand. "Just so Mom wouldn't figure it out..."

"Amazing..." Emma breathed out.

Ray scratched his head. "There's no need to be impressed about it. I realized the house's secret. I had to do it. And that's that."

"Ray..." Penny mumbled softly.

"Ray." Norman said suddenly. "Something's been bothering me. How'd you find out? I know I asked you this before. A normal kid wouldn't have realized it."

"I've always known." Ray muttered.

Penny and Norman gasped, glancing at each other while Emma just looked shocked.

"I've just always known..." Ray sighed, turning away from the three. He sat on Penny's bed. "You know what infantile amnesia is?"

"Infantile amnesia?" Penny asked curiously. "Slight de ja vu of reading it in the books one time in the library, but I've never given it much thought. What is it, anyway?"

"When most people reach a certain age, they don't have any memories of being a baby." Ray explained. "That's infantile amnesia."

Penny gasped softly. "That explains it..."

"But in some cases, there are humans who don't forget everything." Ray continued, surprising Penny. "Wait, Ray, so what you're trying to say..."

"Yes." Ray turned to her softly. "I still have...memories from inside of the womb."

Norman, Penny, and Emma gasped.

Ray continued. "Some of my memories...didn't match with what I've been told. That's how I knew. My first memory, is being in a dark liquid. I could hear a lullaby...from somewhere..."

"Do you remember a lot?" Emma asked, shocked. "Or is it hazy?"

"All of it's in fragments." Ray said. "But in high detail. Demons faces. And how there were other babies there. They implanted the trackers. And then we were divided...into batches of five."

"Five..." Penny squeaked out, stunned of what Ray was telling them.

"After that, I went through a tunnel, and...was here."

"The tunnel being the gate?" Norman asked.

"Yeah." Ray said.

"Wait, so..." Norman gasped, putting the pieces together. "Past the gate isn't outside, but..."

"Headquarters." Ray narrowed his eyes. He stood up. "The headquarters enchased five plants. Those are what make up this house."

"The what Krona said was true..." Emma breathed out. "Every last detail..."

"Wow..." Penny breathed out.

"The gate can't be an escape rout." Ray continued. "Beyond it, things get rough. There's not just a few guards out there, it's swarming with demons."

"Isn't that...bad, though?" Emma asked.

"Not quite." Ray said, much to Penny's surprise. "Because of that, the security's pretty thin. Their main focus will be on the gate. So we won't have to worry much. Once Penny's leg is healed, we'll run!"

"Oh, I see..." Emma muttered.

"We've got everything worked out, Norman. So, tomorrow you'll disappear." He reached his hand out, and Penny put it on top of it. Emma put her hand on top of Penny's, and Norman put his hand on top of Emma's.

Norman grinned. "Understood."