Chapter 2

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A few days later...

Ray had been sitting in this basement for god knows how long, staring at his book, but clearly not focusing on it, rather focusing on the old, dusted over telephone in the corner of the room.

"I've been here for a whole day Yuugo... I really don't think our allies are going to call..." Ray stifled a yawn.

"Even I thought I'd be more impatient, i guess not. Just wait. They will call— eventually." Yuugo said, boredom in his tone, and rocked back and forth on his chair, before getting up.

"I'll check on the kids, you stay here, Ray"

"Oh what the hell? I'm bored too, you know!" Ray grunted and threw his book at him, he knew Yuugo would catch it anyway.

"Give the book to Emma. She wanted to read it but I'm finished, so.." He turned away from Yuugo and stared at the red telephone on the wall.

"Sure, sure, lover-boy"

"WHAT?"

"Nothing, nothing" Yuugo hummed and smirked at him as he climbed the ladder upstairs.

Hours pass, still no news of anyone contacting. Emma slowly walked down the ladders, she smiled at Ray as he just welcomed her with a "yo" and a slight hand movement before sinking back into his chair.

"Still no contact?" Emma tilted her head and questioned.

"No... I'm contemplating whether our 'allies' still even exist. It's been 7 days since we contacted them." Ray grunted.

"Well It's no matter! We'll figure it out!" Emma cheered and took Yuugo's chair and pushed it next to Ray's.

She always lightens the mood, no matter what.. Ray thought, he chuckled a little.

"Hm?" Emma heard the chuckle.

"Oh, nothing, you just always make the mood brighter, less depressing" Ray smiled.

A— A genuine smile! Her heart skipped a beat, her chest felt restricted, she blushed slightly before pouncing on Ray, hugging him and nuzzling her head into his collarbone.

"E-Emma!!" Ray furiously blushed, his hands around her waist trying to push her back.

"What are you doing?"

"Hehe! Your hair is frizzy from when i braided it, it looks cute" She smiled at him, still sitting on his lap.

"U-Uh.. Emma g-get off..." Ray knew he couldn't hide his blush any longer, he didn't need a damn mirror to know his face is as red as a beet.

The phone. It rang, echoed off the paint-scraped walls, Emma fell back onto the floor, the sudden ringing must have made her jump.

Ray and Emma looked at each other for a moment, then back at the phone. She slowly made her way over to it, as if nothing just now happened, Ray scratched his nape, embarrassed of how close they were, she was sitting on his lap... Too close...

Yuugo and Lucas jumped down the ladder, and some of the other children slowly made their way down too after hearing the phone.

She picked the telephone up, waiting for a response.

A few seconds passed before she screamed "MORSE! RAY!"

Ray sat up quickly and took the telephone from Emma's hand, their fingers touching slightly. She jolted up, but thought nothing of it.

Ray translated the morse quickly, saying it out once the morse sentence had finished.

"I'm sorry, but I can't meet with you right now—"

"— Next time, I will be the one to contact you first—"

"— Be careful. Peter Ratri is the enemy—"

"—Minerva's younger brother and the head of the Ratri Clan."

"Younger brother?! Really?" Emma shouted.

"WAIT WHAT ABOUT THE LOCK?!" Ray screamed down the telephone.

"—Stay where you are. I will definitely come to see you."

"I-It cut off..." Ray stared down at the phone in his hands before putting it back on the stand on the wall.

"They exist.." Yuugo said.

"Yeah... We just have to wait, again" Emma stared at the phone. A smirk slowly creeped up Yuugo's face.

"So, Ray..."

"Hm?" Ray turned his head to him.

"What were you blushing at?"

"WHAT?!"

"Haha— guys it's late, don't scream, some kids are probably asleep, remember. Let's go upstairs." Lucas patted Ray on the back and climbed the ladder.

Ray lay on his bed, a book on his chest, face down. He sighed, sleeping was impossible. He was too busy thinking about the phone call.

It wasn't a recording... But why would they speak in morse—

Ray gasped slightly as he figured it out. The enemy must be near our ally. Is the enemy after us to capture us, or kill? Why? If they're after us we're gonna have to figure out escape roots if they find this bunker.

He sighed and took a breath. He sat up slightly, and saw Emma in the doorway.

"What are you doing up?" He shout-whispered to her.

"I couldn't sleep... Too busy thinking about our allies and enemies." Emma whispered and sat on the foot of his bed. Ray sighed.

"We need to be ready for anything. Any day could turn into hell from here." Ray turned over and put the book on the side-drawer.

"Can i join you?"

"What?"

"I need comforting. I feel alone, Ray..." a small blush fell across her face and he smiled slightly.

"Ugh.. Fine. This is a one-off chance though. This ain't happening every day."

"I know i know." She climbed in next to Ray, her back facing him. All of a sudden a hand stroked through her ginger hair and fell down onto her back. His finger danced onto her shirt, drawing light circles for comfort.

"Thank you, Ray."

He smiled, then realised what he was doing and stopped, heat flushed across his face.

"I- uhh, no problem" He gruffed in his usual tone trying not to show his embarrassment.

She tortures me... With that soft voice, that smile, she's too much. I tried Norman. I know you loved her. I can see why. I'm sorry...

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CHAPTER 2 END

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