Enigmatic (Ray x Reader)

9- A Snitch!

     After the two were sure that they were out of earshot, Y/n turned to Ray. "Ray. Who are we going to frame?" Y/n asked.

      Ray thought for a moment. "You've noticed how Sister Krone has been talking to Gilda in particular recently. From Emma and Norman's view, it is very likely that Gilda is the spy. Of course, telling Mama of the ceiling ropes would be nice and would make the spy without a doubt, Gilda. However, if she is somehow proven innocent, we're in a pinch. That's too risky."

     Y/n nodded.

    The boy continued. "I'll bet Norman figured out there are two spies. There's not much we can do to prevent them finding Gilda's innocence without revealing ourselves. But I still think we should leave her alone."

     Y/n nodded once more. "Then there's one choice." She whipped her head at him. "We're framing Don." Ray nodded. "I'll write a note and inform Mama."

     That night, she wrote the note that read three words. Rope. Norman. Bed. Y/n stuck the note in a drawer near her bed. She waited until everyone was asleep. When she heard snoring, she pushed back her covers. However, she saw another figure getting out of bed. It was Gilda. Y/n quickly grabbed her covers and hid herself in bed. Y/n heard the door open and close. Y/n peeked from her covers and Emma was following the girl. Thank goodness we picked Don. Gilda is probably going to speak with Krone right now. Emma will eavesdrop and the conversation will prove Gilda's innocence. Y/n thought as she put on her slipped.

    The h/c haired girl tip toed to Mama's door. The light was on, telling Y/n Mama was awake. She slipped the piece of paper under the door, not bothering to hide the paper sliding sound. She heard footsteps approach the door, so Y/n began back to the room.

    She halted when she peeked around the corner of the hallway with the children's rooms and Krone's room. Emma and Gilda were hugging and quietly sobbing. "Thank goodness! Thank goodness, Gilda!" Emma whispered. "I'm sorry for doubting you!"

     Y/n waited for the girls to go back to bed. She waited a few minutes for them to fall asleep before she walked back in and got in bed herself.

~~~~~

    Y/n was going down for breakfast. She passed Sister Krone, on her stomach, butt sticking up. She was staring at the ground very hard. Her head was to the floor. Y/n raised a brow at her. She proceeded down to the large dining room.

     The children ate breakfast, did their daily tests, played, and then moved to to chores. Y/n, Ray, and Norman were washing clothes. (The old fashioned way by bucket and the metal thing.)

      "Hey," Ray said, "did you guys see that this morning? Sister Krone was staring really hard at the floor in the storage room."

     "Yeah, I heard from Emma." Norman said. "It's an action that would be taken when trying to find the targets. She's opposing Mama's control. Just like I thought. But now, is this spat between Mama and Sister something to be happy about? Or should we be sighing in annoyance? Oh, by the way, those footprints in the room are of no help. She won't find anything. The size of the slippers for all of the older kids are identical. I also walked around a lot despite how little time we had, so you can't tell what I was searching for."

        "Well, if those are no good, she'll come after us for something else. But why is Sister acting independently and trying to find the targets? Depending on her objective and methods..." Ray said.

     "We cannot yet rule her out as a mere 'annoyance.'" Norman reminded. His gaze darkened. "Gilda is clean. Ray, Y/n. Do you think the spies did their job?"

     "Well, isn't it obvious? Because there's some sort of benefit from doing so, don't you think?" Y/n said. "For example, they could be offered the chance to escape being shipped off and be granted an opportunity to grow up and become an adult." Y/n sighed internally. Well, I doubt even Mama could make a deal like that on her own.

     Norman looked at her sadly. "Guaranteed safety for ones own life, huh..."

      The trio said no more after that. The other children completed their chores and completed training. Don and Gilda were obviously taking it even more seriously now that they knew the motive behind the game. The day passed on as usual and according to the schedule.

     Night fell and Emma was counting some steps. Norman approached her. "Emma, do you have a moment?" He asked.

     Emma nodded and followed her friend down to the dining room. Y/n happened to be putting away dishes until she heard the two enter the room. She was completely silent as to not notify the two of her presence.

     "Emma, I'd like to ask you something. What if there was a child who intentionally became a pawn of Mama. And what if that child was ensuring their own life by acting as a spy? Would you leave that person behind? Or take them with you?" Norman questioned.

     Y/n frowned. So even Norman's having trouble with this option.

     "...So you're saying that if they acted as a spy, they'd be able to live without getting shipped off?" Norman nodded in confirmation. "I'd take them with us." She replied instantaneously.

     Y/n heard Norman grunt in surprise. "Even if that person didn't wish for it?"

     "Yup! I'd drag them if I had to!" She said. "Because if we ran away, there's really no guarantee that the child's life would be spared. And besides... I want to believe in them! None of our siblings are truly evil. They're probably just scared! We were all raised here... I won't leave anyone!" Emma replied.

      Norman chuckled. "I knew you'd say that, Emma!" He said cheerfully. Y/n heard him shuffle. His footsteps were approaching the food storage room, where she was. Y/n panicked. If she moved now, he would definitely hear it. All she could hope for it that he didn't enter.

     Norman peeked around the corner. "Y/n, I knew you were here. Can I talk to you and Ray? I want to discuss some plans with you." Y/n looked at him with wide eyes. She swallowed and reluctantly nodded.

     Norman walked outside, Y/n following. "Thank you, Emma." He said as he exited. Emma looked at them confusedly. He walked up to the bedrooms, Ray already inside. Norman strolled over to his bed. He kneeled down and checked under there.

     "Well? What's it look like?" Ray asked.

     "It's not there." Norman answered.

     Y/n sighed in fake defeat. "Seriously? I'll go check the bathroom..." She said, trying to escape. She felt like something bad would go down for her and Ray here. In fact, Y/n would bet anything Norman already knew.

     Norman held a hand up. "I already checked there. The rope in the ceiling in the bathroom was still there." Norman reported.

     "Then I guess that's settled." Ray concluded.

     Norman looked down. "Only the ropes underneath my bed have disappeared... The source of information..." He paused. "No." He turned to the other two. He had an absolutely frightening countenance. "The traitor... was you two. Wasn't it?"

Crap.