Enigmatic (Ray x Reader)

5- Start!

     "So far I haven't received a single letter..." Gilda said, "I'm sure they've forgotten all about us and are living it up everyday! Ugh! I wanna hurry up and go outside, already! I wanna try on different outfits!" Gilda whined.

       "There's a whole lot outside that we don't have in the house..." Nat mentioned.

"I wanna see a train..." A boy named Phil fantasized.

The conversation was interrupted when they heard heavy footsteps in the grass. "What the?! You've all been caught already?!" Don yelled.

"Heheh... this is what happens when Norman is "it"." A random sibling said.

"Well, since Don is here, that means there's one left standing. It's not very surprising it's a one-on-one between Norman and Emma." Anna said.

Soon, Emma was approaching them looking very depressed. She collapsed on the ground. "He got me again..."

"Hey, you avoided capture for..." Y/n checked her requested pocket watch. "Ten minutes. Congratulations, a new record."

Emma whined more. "Why is Norman so good? Norman has never been able to outrun me in a foot race and yet I can never win a game of tag!"

"Well, think. What does he have that you don't?" Y/n assisted.

"Too much to count..." Ray whispered to Y/n. Y/n elbowed her friend.

"It's tactics." Y/n explained. "You're absolutely right that he's no match for you when it comes down to physical abilities. But he always uses his head. Defeating him is never straightforward." Y/n tutored. "Furthermore, tag is a game which allows tactical approach to shine the brightest. How will the target move? How will it attack me? You need to observe and analyze the situation. See through and predict the opponent's next plan... Then use all of this to form an even better plan. Think of it as chess, where you use your body to maximize all movements on the board."

Emma sweat drooped. "Are we still talking about tag?"

"The game he's playing is chess at the very least... you'd probably be wise to remember that." Ray said. Norman laughed as he said that's what made it fun. "See? That's why he's so good at it."

Emma sighed. "And there's Ray and Y/n's tactical brain on top of it all... and Y/n could even beat me in a race..." She huffed.

"I daresay Ray and Y/n have always been more of a strategist than me." Norman said shyly.

"Oi..." Ray said. "You're giving me too much credit..." he mumbled.

    "Yeah." Y/n said. "Have you forgotten you've been getting perfect scores ever since we began taking exams?"

Ray, Norman, and Emma continued discussing tactics and complimenting each other. Y/n looked over at the younger children. Y/n sighed. Once again, they talking about how out of their league the four eleven-year olds were from everyone else. Don suddenly yelled at Norman and suggested another game of tag. This time, the roles were reversed. They were about to start until...

"Hold up." Y/n announced. "I'll be playing this round." Last time for fun. Then it's back to thinking and planning for survival. Last time before it's life and death.

Everyone looked at her excitedly. Norman ran while everyone counted. Y/n found Norman and the children were called to the house for what? Well, Connie's farewell of course.

Y/n helped dress Connie for adoption like the mom she is. Emma burst he door open and asked if Connie was prepared. Connie hesitantly nodded and exited with Emma, her bunny in hand.