I've been waiting to get here, this is where my story really picks up. Enjoy!
"Words" Speaking
'words' Thoughts
"Words" Demon Speech
'Words' Demon thoughts
Scene change
Emma lay in her bed, staring off into space. She was still thinking about that "dream" she had of Spencer.
It was unlike any dream she had in the past. It felt like he was really there, talking to her. She woke up only the day before, and the things she saw still plagued her mind.
'Spencer… why can't I think of anything but you? It's like there's something in my head keeping me focused on what you said.' She thought.
'... "We're escaping tonight… It might take a few weeks, but I'll see you soon, I promise." That's what he said… ugh.'
"What does it mean?!" She shouted in frustration.
"What up?" Asked Ray as he walked into the room with lunch.
"Ohhh uhhh nothing?" Emma said, unsure of how to tell the black-haired boy.
"Oh no, you don't! You're not getting out of this one. Tell me, what's going on?" Ray insisted. Ray walked up to the chair next to Emma and sat down, placing the food on the bedside table.
Emma stared at the boy with frustration, then gave a sigh and looked up at the ceiling.
"I don't really know. It's weird." Emma told her friend.
"Weird? With you? That's nothing new…" Ray mocked, causing Emma to give him a soft punch to the arm.
"I'm serious! I've never had this kind of thing happen before." She said,
"Okay, so what is it?" Ray questioned.
Emma looked down to her lap and started her explanation.
"I guess it started when I passed out after Leuvis stabbed me…" She began, causing Ray's expression to soften.
"I remember feeling heavy and cold like I was trapped underwater… I remember hearing the voices of our friends. Lucas and Yugo, as they grieve for their lost family. Oliver, Zack, Sonia, and Nigel swear vengeance on the Poachers. Basil crying for death and justice for what he did…" Emma lists as Ray looks at her.
Kel, Aubrey, and Basil told him what happened back at their orphanage years ago. At first, he was pissed at Basil, but he soon found himself pitying the blonde boy.
"Then I remember sinking, deeper and deeper into the black water. When I looked up, I could see my bloodstained body above. I tried to reach for it, but I was too far away…" the orange-haired girl tells the boy.
Her somber expression turns to a soft smile as she continues.
"Then I heard a voice, a familiar voice, calling my name. It was Spencer." Emma said, smiling at the memory.
Ray stares at her in shock when she mentions their messy haired friend. He was surprised she would bring him up now.
"He told me not to let go, to keep fighting. And that if I lost there, he wouldn't be able to see me again…" Emma explained, confusion starting to form on her face.
'"wouldn't be able to see her again?" What the hell does that mean?' Ray questioned himself.
"Spencer said he was proud of me, that he's seen all we accomplished in the time we've been apart… then he pushed me back into my body, and I woke up," Emma concluded.
"... Sounds to me like a hallucination during your near-death experience," Ray replied.
"That's what I thought too, but then it happened again. However, it was… different," Emma told him.
Ray gestures for her to continue.
"It was after I passed out once Leuvis was defeated. I don't know how much time had passed, but I was trapped in this dark place for a while, but it wasn't like before. My body didn't feel heavy, and I wasn't floating in water. I was standing in the room for some time when I heard him again. Spencer calling to me." She told him.
She takes a breath before continuing. "He told me the date was February eighth and that he and "The others" were going to escape, from where he didn't say. He did say it would take a few weeks to get here. And that he'd explain when he got here… I tried to talk to him and ask if he could explain what he was saying, but he interrupted me and didn't even acknowledge I was trying to talk to him... He said I was asleep and that I would stay asleep for a while." The girl said, looking at the vase of white flowers.
'Did he know she was in a coma? And who are the others? Wait, why am I thinking any of what she's saying is real? It must have been a dream.' Ray concludes before Emma continues.
"Spen said that he missed me and that he had a lot to tell me about the adventure he has had while away, before just disappearing. I tried waking up, but I couldn't, so I just sat in the darkness, trying to wrap my head around what he told me. Then, after a while, I woke up." The girl concluded.
"... That was some dream," Ray says in his usual monotone.
"That's the thing! It didn't feel like a dream. I mean, why wouldn't he acknowledge me when I tried to ask him questions? How'd he know I was in a coma? Why was he talking about escaping with other people? And How did he know the date? it doesn't make sense!" Emma exclaims, scratching her head furiously.
"... Look, my knowledge on dream theory is lacking, but I have one theory," Ray says once Emma has finished her rapid-fire questions.
"...?" Emma looked at Ray inquisitively, wanting to hear his answer.
"Greif. Emma, have you grieved for Spencer and Norman since they left?" Ray asks.
"... Don't you remember how depressed I was after they left?" Emma answered.
"No, not like that, you were pretending, so you could fool Mama. I mean, did you really have time to think about it and properly grieve?" The boy asks more clearly.
"..." Emma did not answer the boy, simply looking down at her lap.
"... I think that dream was born from the fact that you haven't had time to truly understand and grieve over what happened," Ray told her.
Emma continues to look down, thinking about what Ray said.
"It was a weird dream, don't get me wrong. But you have to realize that Spencer and Norman are dead." Ray said to the girl.
"... you may think I'm crazy, but I don't think Spencer is dead…" Emma said softly.
"... Why do you think that? Is it because of the dreams?" Ray asks.
"No, I never felt like he was dead. Even the day after he left, I felt like he was still alive. I can't explain how it feels. It's like, a warmth, like he's still here, listening to me, or hugging me…" Emma tried to explain.
"... You're right. That is weird. But not unexpected. You are a sentimental person Emma and have always been sensitive to the emotions of yourself and others. I think you need time to think and realize that Spencer and Norman are not coming back." Ray tells her as he stands up.
Emma remained silent, continuing to look at her lap.
"Eat, rest, and grieve Emma, we need you at your best if we are to find a plan to save Phil and the others," Ray explains as he leaves the room.
Emma continues to stare at her lap for a moment before picking up her food and beginning to eat.
'Was it really just a dream? Am I just in denial? Then why do I still feel like he's listening to me… like he's right next to me at this very moment…' Emma thought as she began to eat.
'Speaking of Spencer, his birthday is coming up… March second, he is turning twelve… I should do something…' She thought.
Two days later.
It had been three days since she woke up, and finally, Anna and Zack had given her permission to move around. The same went for Nigel and Basil. However, Emma needed crutches.
'Just like when Mama broke my leg…' Emma reminisced.
Emma got up and quickly moved to the dining room, only to be stopped by Gilda.
"Don't walk so fast!" Gilda scolded her.
"Gilda, I'm fine. Please gather all the children," Emma grinned, "I have something important to tell you guys."
Once everyone arrived, Emma showed them what she and Lucas found in the pen cap.
"He-he really did exist…" Nat says in disbelief.
All the five-year-olds started crying. "Mr. Minerva is dead?"
"The way to the other world…" Lannion trailed off.
"Was an elevator above a golden pond?" Thoma finished.
"And to think that our very home for pretty much our entire lives held an escape route to the human world!" Anna exclaimed.
"This is incredible," Don said breathlessly. "There's so much stuff! 'Paths,' allies, blueprints of the farms, Sigma labs, Lambda project, the FLOW, the Seven Walls, and-"
"There's even instructions on how to contact the allies like Dr. Sigma and Miss Akane!" Gilda exclaimed. "If we contact them, does that mean they will help us get to the human world?"
"Probably," Ray replied. "But it's dangerous."
After seeing the younger ones' confused faces, he explained, "The Ratri clan. Mr. Minerva's family. They kept the 'Promise' for generations so that they could maintain order between worlds. I'm sure the traitor who killed Mr. Minerva, as well as some of his allies, will be willing to take drastic measures to stop us."
"So they would come at us with everything they've got." Gilda grimaced.
"Don't forget the 'Promise' also applies to demons as well," Anna added. "The demons would probably come after us once they realize what we're trying to do…"
"Worst case, we might cause another war between the humans and demons," Ray scowled, causing the younger kids to shiver in fear.
Emma was in thought for a while. She then finally said, "Are we just going to escape with our group? Do we start a war against the demons? Abandon all the other children from the farms? I don't want war. I want the freedom of everyone from all the farms, even the kids and Lambda and Sigma. I don't just want us to survive. I want us to live!" She says with conviction.
"And I don't want to stop there. I want to make it, so no children will ever be treated as cattle ever again. Only after we create a world where we aren't hunted like animals will I want to cross to the human world." Emma explains.
"A world where we won't be hunted?" Yvette repeated.
"Yes. And to do that," Emma pointed at a file on the hologram. "We need to locate the Seven Walls using the FLOW and make a new promise with लᘯ⠝ێ."
"The Seven Walls and the FLOW…" Dominic parroted.
"You said Mujika mentioned those two things, right?" Don asked to which Emma nodded.
"And sister Krone said something about लᘯ⠝ێ too, right?" Causing Emma again to nod.
"... 'लᘯ⠝ێ is a being that stands above all demons and is past the Seven Walls, only by using the FLOW can one reach them,'" Lannion read. "...' only ESPers and demon royalty can see the FLOW to get to लᘯ⠝ێ.' How can we get to them if only ESPers can reach लᘯ⠝ێ?" He questioned.
Nat looks to Emma in dismay. "And a new 'Promise'? What would that entail? How would we do it? I know I'm pessimistic, but how are we going to do such a feat? Cause I'm pretty sure the demons still want to hunt humans."
"Well, for the first question, we go to Sigma labs. They are the ones who have ESPers, and it says Dr. Sigma and Miss Akane are ESPers. So we just have to go break them out and have them lead us to लᘯ⠝ێ!" Emma explains.
"And as for the second question, Minerva gave us a hint regarding that," Emma responded. She pointed to something on the hologram. "See here."
"Another 'Promise'?" Ray said in shock.
"This is going to take a while," Emma said to all of them. "And there's a big chance that we won't be able to do it. But I still want to try. Will you all still come with me?"
They all smirked and nodded their heads.
"Let's find the Seven Walls!" Gilda cheered.
"Yeah!" Everyone responded.
"Okay! We have five things to do then in the next two years," Ray announced. "First, get in touch with the supporters and ESPers. Second, find the Seven Walls. Third, meet with लᘯ⠝ێ. Fourth, make a new promise. And lastly, return to Phil and the others from the farms and go to the human world. We have to do all that in less than three years… it's going to be tough, but it is possible."
"I've got to tell Yugo and the others about what we've talked about and their opinions," Emma says as she gets up and walks to the door.
"You don't have to ask," Yugo smirked. He, Aubrey, Kel, and Theo had just come back from foraging.
"I'm in, all the way!" Kel said.
"Same!" Aubrey smiled.
"And don't forget about me!" Theo added.
"You guys were listening?" Yvette asked Kel.
"Are you sure?" Emma asked them. "You could just focus on escape first,"
"And leave you to do your crazy idea alone?" Yugo admitted. "I expected no less from you. Besides, it's going to be super dangerous, so as an adult, I have to help."
"Exactly! How can we let you risk your life for us again without us doing the same?" Aubrey asks with a smirk.
"Don't worry, I'm sure everyone else feels the same! But just to keep your mind at ease, I'll go tell everyone else!" Kel said as he bolted out of the room.
'We can do this! We can change the world!' Emma thought with hope.
Late that night.
It was nearing midnight, everyone was fast asleep except for two people. Lucas kept watch in the monitor room, and Emma was walking into the playroom with the piano.
Emma sat down on the stool and leaned her crutches on the side of the stool.
Emma looks to the grandfather clock on the other side of the room to see the time.
'11:58… just a few minutes now…' She thought.
Today was March first, so in two minutes, it would be March second… Spencer's Birthday.
Emma remembered the times where she would stay up late into the night and wait for the clock to chime twelve, when she would wake Spencer up to wish him the first 'Happy Birthday.' It was a tradition they did on each other's birthdays since they were four years old.
Emma placed her hands onto the piano keys, trying to remember the notes she wanted to play.
There was an audible 'Click' as the grandfather clock chimed; twelve bells rang, indicating the new day.
"Happy birthday Spencer…" Emma said quietly as she started to play.
It was a relatively simple version of the happy birthday song, but it was recognizable. She messes up on a couple notes, but it didn't stop her from playing the music while she quietly sang along.
"Happy birthday to you... Happy birthday to you... Happy birthday dear Spencer... Happy birthday to you..." Emma sang in a whisper.
When the song came to an end, she just sat there for a few moments, drinking in the silence left after the song ended.
'I'll wait for Spence. I don't care what Ray says. I know you're alive and on your way…' Emma thinks as she picks her crutches back up and hobbles back to her room.
Monday, March fifth
It had been a week since Emma woke up, and she was fully healed, no longer in need of crutches.
Today Emma would go outside for the first time in over a month to hunt for more food. With sixty-three people living in a single shelter, food ran out quickly, and hunting parties had to leave daily.
Today's hunting party would consist of Emma, Aubrey, Yugo, Oliver, and Zack.
The five hunters left early in the morning, armed with weapons, bags, and gear to make traps.
The expedition would take them to the southwest forest.
The group got to the forest without any issue. Once inside, the group began the hunt. First, they checked on the traps made the previous day, finding four traps sprung, with three of them catching the desired rabbit. After finishing off the rabbits using the Vider flower, the group set up traps in new locations. The five former cattle children saw none of the mindless monsters. However, it was only a matter of time.
"Aaaand done!" Emma said, finishing the rabbit trap.
'That makes three traps set. If we can make two more and collect some fruits from the trees, we should be good to go.' Emma thought.
As Emma got up and began to walk to Aubrey and Oliver, who were standing guard, Yugo and Zack approached as well.
"That's another trap down," Emma said.
"Good, two more to go. We also need to search for some other food like fruits and such." Aubrey says.
"Right, let's head more south. We haven't been there yet." Yugo tells them.
The children nod as they move south at a rapid pace.
There was silence as the group moved through the first. No birds chirped. Even the wind seemed to be quiet.
"I don't like this…" Zack said.
"Yea, it's much too quiet. Let's move faster." Yugo says, causing the children to pick up the pace.
After a moment of walking, a mindless demon burst through the trees in front of them,
The five hunters jumped out of the demon's way, splitting to the left and right.
"I fucking knew it!" Zack yelled.
"Shut up and run," Aubrey said as she fired her gun at the beast, killing it.
Three more monsters appeared, chasing Emma, Oliver, and Yugo. As the three ran, Yugo raised his hand and pointed to his left and right. With a nod, the three split up, causing the three demons to split, chasing one each.
Emma ran through the forest as the giant, multi eyed demon chased her. She had been running for a while now. She could no longer hear the other monsters or her friends and was getting worried.
Emma took out her bow and arrow and aimed for the beast; however, she tripped over a large tree root.
'Shit gotta get up gotta get up!' Emma thought.
Emma tried to scramble back up. However, pain shot from her ankle. Emma looked at the looming death slowly approaching her, its mouth filled with long jagged teeth and saliva dripping down its lips.
Emma reached for her four-barrel pistol and shot the net bullet at the monster, only for the demon to swing one of its arms, deflecting the bullet.
'No nononono! what do I do, what do I do!' Emma panicked as she frantically tried to get up.
Just as the demon approached the girl with its mouth-watering, the sound of a whistle came from a tree close by. Both Emma and the monster turned to the sound, seeing a figure standing on a thick branch.
The figure was a little taller than Emma, wearing some kind of poncho with a hood covering the top of their face and a brown mask covering the rest. In their right hand was a loaded crossbow, and in their left, a grappling hook.
The figure whistled again and threw the grappling hood to a branch between them and the monster.
The mindless demon's attention focused solely on this new figure. With a growl, it started to approach them.
The figure ensured the hook was secure before swinging towards the demon, crossbow aiming at its eye.
With a roar, the demon jumped at the figure as he was right above it. Emma watched the scene in stunned silence, the figure aiming it's weapon down at the monster.
"Jackpot." the figure said as they fired the arrow into the demon's center eye.
'J-jackpot?' Emma thought. 'That-that voice!'
The demon fell to the ground, dead, as the figure continued to swing. As the rope straightened out, the figure descended from the hook.
Once they got to the bottom, they fiddled with the grappling hook, causing it to become loose and fall to the ground.
The figure rolled the rope and attached it to a backpack under the poncho. After that, the figure turned to Emma.
The girl could now see the figure in better detail. The figure was a little taller than herself, by about four inches.
The brown wooden mask was simple, having three eye holes, where eyes usually would be for a human and a hole for the center. Three small horns protruded from the top, extending out about three inches.
There was a tense moment as the two stared at each other before the figure spoke up.
"E-Emma." The figure said in a wavery voice.
'No- no way!' Emma thought as she looked at the figure, 'please, please God, let it be him!'
The figure pulled back its hood, revealing long sandy blonde hair tied in a ponytail.
Slowly the figure took off its mask, revealing a face Emma had not seen in over four months.
"Spencer!" Emma said in shock and delight.
Indeed it was Spencer, the face of her best friend smiled in front of her, tears of joy streaming down his face.
"... Your next line is going to be, Spencer, Spencer, Spencer." the boy said with a smile.
Emma launched herself as best she could at her old friend, where they then wrapped each other in a tight hug.
"Spencer, Spencer! Spencer!" Emma cried with joy. His line coming true only confirmed his identity.
"I know Emma, I missed you so, so much!" Spencer said as he held his friend close.
"I knew you were still alive! *Hic* I just knew it! Ray said I was just in denial *hic* but I knew I wasn't!" Emma said through sobs.
"I guessed as much," he told her, and he rubbed her back. "You are my transmitter, after all…" He said quietly under his breath.
"What happened!? Where were you?! And why are you here!?" Emma asked, wanting to hear her friend's story.
"Gosh, I don't know where to begin. I got shipped to Sigma labs. You know what that is. I'll tell you more, but for now, we need to get you to Yugo and the others." Spencer said, separating from the hug.
"What? How do you know about Yugo and the others?" Emma asked in confusion.
"Long story, I don't want to tell it twice. I'll tell everyone once we get to the Rhizome." Spencer told the girl as he stood up.
Emma tried to stand but doubled over once she put weight on her right ankle.
Spencer kneeled down to Emma and helped her up.
"Looks like you hurt your foot or something… here, let me pick you up," Spencer said as he moved his backpack to his chest and leaned down, and presented his back to the girl.
Emma blushed as she leaned on the boy's back and wrapped her arms around his neck.
'His shoulders… they've gotten so broad…' Emma thought, as Spencer lifted Emma's legs.
"Which way is the rendezvous point?" Spencer asked.
Emma pointed towards the north eastish, causing Spencer to sprint in the direction.
'So- So fast, even with me and my stuff!' Emma thought as her hold tightened.
"Hey! Not too tight! I need to breathe," Spencer said in response.
"S-Sorry, you just shocked me a little," Emma answered with embarrassment.
"Hahaha, it's okay. I've wanted you to hug me for almost five months! So I don't mind!" the blonde boy said with a smile as he ran.
'Should I tell him about my dreams? Would he think I'm crazy?' Emma thought as she looked at the boy holding her. Emma shook her head. 'I can tell him later. Right now, I want to bask in his presence.' Emma thought as she leaned her head on the boy's shoulder.
Spencer ran with Emma on his back in silence for the next few minutes as he approached the point the hunters would meet up should they get separated.
Emma looked down at Spencer once again, seeing the medium-sized back on his chest bounced with his sprinting. Going down his arms, Emma noticed a wristwatch on his left arm. It was black with a cyan face, depicting the time of 9:40 am. On his right wrist was a tattoo, similar to the IDs all cattle children had. This was a tattoo of 𝚺-5.
'Sigma… was he really at the lab-made for ESPers? Does that mean he is an ESPer?' Emma thought.
Spencer could see the edge of the forest in the distance, "We're almost their Emma. make sure you tell your buds that I'm not an enemy, okay?" He told her.
Emma responds with a nod as they exit the forest. Looking to the left, Emma saw her comrades.
"Guys! Over here!" Emma shouted while waving her hand.
Yugo, Aubrey, Oliver, and Zack looked over to the source of the voice. When the group saw Emma on top of a new person, they immediately acted, rushing over to her with their guns drawn.
"Emma! Are you okay?!" Oliver asked as he kept his gun trained on the boy in front of him.
"Who the hell are you, and what have you done to Emma!" Aubrey shouted.
"Wow! wow wow wow wow guys, calm down! This is Spencer! My friend from Grace Field!" Emma shouts, waving her hands.
Emma's four comrades looked at the girl in confusion and slowly lowered their weapons.
"You mean the Spencer that was shipped off with your other friend, Norman?" Yugo asked in suspicion
"Yea, that's me, hehe," Spencer says with a chuckle.
"Then how are you alive?" Aubrey said, raising her gun once more.
"I was sent to Sigma labs. Look, I'd love to explain everything, but right now, we should get back to the Rhizome. Emma fell down and hurt herself while running from a Mindless Wild-One." Spencer tells them as he gestures to Emma's injured foot.
Zack moves quickly to the two of them and kneels down to Emma's right foot, and takes off her shoe, noticing the swelling in her ankle. He touches the ankle and gently moves it around, causing Emma to wince in pain.
"Looks sprained to me. We should get back and wrap it up. Looks like you aren't going to leave the base anytime soon once again." He says, putting her shoe back on.
"Dang it…" Emma said under her breath.
"Cheer up, Emma. It's better than laying in bed for four weeks," Spencer said with a smile.
"Wait, did she tell you she was in a coma?" Oliver asks as he approaches him.
"No, she didn't. I'll tell you how I know with everyone later. It's a long story," Spencer says, trying to quell the curiosity of everyone.
"As weird as this is, Emma seems to trust you. Emma is a good judge of character, so I'll believe her, but until you give us answers, I've got my eye on you," Yugo said sternly.
"Fine by me. Could you take her? I'm getting a little tired." Spencer asks the older man.
With a nod, Yugo kneels down, allowing Emma to climb on his back.
With that, the six-start running in the direction of Home, Oliver taking point.
As they ran, Aubrey glared at the mysterious boy in front of her. 'This is the guy that was shipped before Emma and her gang escaped? How is he alive? He said he went to Sigma labs, which would make him an ESPer. But how did he know Emma was in a coma? Has he been spying on us? I don't trust him… Whatever your planning, "Spencer," I'll make sure it doesn't harm my family." the pinkette thought as the group ran.
After a while, the group arrived outside the base. As Oliver took out the pen and entered the code, Spencer started to look around the area.
"Whatcha looking for?" Aubrey asks as if performing an interrogation.
"Just getting a feel for the area, the Wastelands are really barren of all life, aren't they?" He answers with a smile.
"Yea… that's why they're called "The Wastelands," Aubrey answered.
"Yea, yea," Spencer says, blushing with embarrassment.
'The coast looks clear. Let's hope he chose to go somewhere else…' Spencer thought the image of a menacing figure in combat gear with dark skin flashed in his head.
The hatch opens, allowing Oliver, Yugo, Emma, and Zack to descend.
"You go next," Aubrey ordered the dirty blonde-haired boy.
"Cool, thanks." Spencer thanked as he climbed down.
As Spencer descended, he could hear the voices talking.
"Can you get all the Grace Field kids to meet me in the infirmary? I have something I need to tell them." Emma asks a tall Tan boy.
"Will do!" He answers before sprinting off.
"Spencer, wait in this room here," Emma says, pointing to a room with the numbers' 109' on it. "I want it to be a surprise when you come in, just wait here for a few minutes, then I'll come to get you," Emma says as Yugo lets her down to lean on the wall while Zack gets crutches for her.
"Sure! I can't wait to see them! However, I'm a bit afraid Ray might try to..." Spencer says, trailing off.
"Beat the crap out of you?" Emma asks.
"No. I know he's going to hit me. Just how much and how hard is the question." Spencer answers as he enters the empty bedroom.
'Well, here we go!" Emma says as Zack returns with crutches.
Emma proceeds to the infirmary, where most of the Grace Field kids are waiting for her.
"Emma! What happened?! Are you okay!?" Gilda asked in worry as she ran up to the limping girl.
"Did you get hurt?! Do you need medical help?" Rossi asks.
The other children rush over to Emma with worried looks, asking if she needs help.
"No, no, it's just a sprain. I can manage, I just have something amazing to show you all, but we need to wait until everyone is here." She tells them as she sits down on a bed.
Gilda proceeds to wrap Emma's injured ankle and put an ice pack on it. Slowly more and more Grace Field children arrive, ending with Ray.
"Emma! What did you do!?" Ray asked as he approached the orange-haired girl.
"Nothing! Just sprained my ankle! Look, can you all just stay here for a bit? I need to get someone. Don't leave!" Emma said as she picked up the crutches and walked to the door.
"What the hell is she on about? "Show us, someone?" Who could that be?" Don asks, scratching his head.
"I don't know… but whoever it is, they better be important," Lannion said.
"Yea, we were working with Basil and the garden," Thoma said.
"Let's not doubt Emma. She wouldn't waste our time." Anna said.
'Who could Emma want to show us? It must be someone important, someone, we know of… could it be one of the allies? Like Dr. Sigma or Miss Akane? Or maybe it's someone from the farm who escaped…' Ray thought as he tried to theorize who Emma was talking about.
With Emma and Spencer.
"Are you ready? Emma asked with a smile.
"To see everyone? Hell yea!" Spencer explained as they reached the infirmary.
"Okay then, wait out here until I call you," Emma says as she enters the room.
All the children in the room look to Emma, who is smiling like no tomorrow.
"Okay, everyone, I'm sure you're confused as to why I called you all here," Emma said, causing most of the children to nod.
"Well, while we were hunting, we got separated when a mindless man-eater attacked. I got hurt and was about to be eaten when someone saved me." Emma explained.
The children looked at the girl in shock.
'She nearly died? Who saved her?' Ray thought.
"Okay! You can come in now!" Emma announces.
Slowly the door opens, revealing a figure a little taller than Emma. His dirty blond ponytail hung on his right shoulder as he looked into the room filled with children.
The Grace Field children stood in stunned silence at the person who just walked in. seeing a face they all thought they would never see ever again.
'Im-impossible! How are you alive!' Ray thought as tears formed in his eyes.
"Spencer!" Everyone cried as they jumped to the previously thought dead boy.
"Hey everyone," Spencer replied as he accepted everyone's embrace.
"We thought you were dead!" A sobbing Gilda said
"How are you alive!" Don asked.
"Where were you?!" Lannion and Thoma asked at the same time.
"Wow, wow. Come on, guys! Don't barrage me with so many questions!" Spencer says with a chuckle.
"Where's Norman?" Ray suddenly asks, making the room go silent.
Spencer looks at Ray with a smile as he walks over to him. The two boys stare at each other before embracing.
"I'm happy Emma was able to get to you in time! You suicidal bastard!" Spencer tells the black-haired cyclops.
"I'm the one who should be calling you suicidal, you bastard!" Ray replies as tears roll down his face.
When the two friends separate, Ray punches Spencer in the arm, causing the boy to wince and rub the injury.
"Knew that would Happen," Spencer said as he gained a more serious expression.
"The night I was shipped, Mama separated Norman and me. I went into a truck while he went with Mama into a side room. I haven't seen or heard from him since…" Spencer tells the children, who start to look disappointed.
"Look, I really want to tell you what happened to me while I was at Sigma labs, but it's a very long story, so how about I tell it to everyone after dinner tonight? Sound good?" Spencer asks.
'He was at Sigma Labs? He must be one of those ESPers then… just what the hell is an ESPer anyway?' Ray questions in his head as the other children nod in agreement with Spencer's proposal.
"So, can someone give me a tour of the shelter and introduce me to the other occupants?" Spencer asked.
"Me! pick me!" Yvette asked, jumping up and down.
"No, I want to do it! Dominic counters.
"No, it should be me!" Emma says while sitting In the bed.
"Emma, you're hurt. You will stay here. When the tour is over, I'll come and stay with you until dinner, okay?" Spencer replied.
Emma pouts and crosses her arms in irritation.
'Hmm, classic Emma… I missed this.' Spencer thinks as Dominic and Yvette grab both his hands and lead him out.
Dominic and Yvette lead Spencer around the Shelter and introduce him to some of the other kids living with them. They arrived at the monitor room where Gillian and Sonia were on duty.
"This is Sonia and Gillian. They are kids who escaped from Goldy Pond," Dominic explains.
The two girls turn to the voice to see the two kids and a new face.
"Who's this?" Sonia asked.
"This is Spencer! He's our big brother from Grace Field!" Yvette tells the girls.
"The same Spencer that was shipped before you all escaped?" Gillian asked, a little suspicious of this new person.
"Yeah… long story, but I was shipped to Sigma labs instead of being eaten," Spencer told them, rubbing the back of his head.
"If you escaped from there, you must be an ESPer, right?" Sonia asked.
"Yep! There were nine of us. I'll tell everyone about it later after dinner." Spencer tells them.
'This whole situation is strange… I've got my eye on you.' Sonia thought as the boy walked away.
The next group Spencer met was Lucas, Kel, and Nigel as they taught some of the younger kids how to tie knots.
The three stopped when Spencer entered, with looks of confusion and worry at the new face.
"Who are you?..." Lucas asked in a stern and serious tone.
"This is Spencer! He's our friend from Grace field. He escaped from Sigma labs!" Dominic explained quickly, having learned that Spencer was met with apprehension before.
"Sigma? With the ESPers?" Kel asked.
"Yep. I'm an ESPer. You all must have questions, and I will answer them, but I will do that tonight after dinner." Spencer answers.
"... Sounds good to me!" Kel answered, walking up to Spencer and outstretching his hand. "Names Kel."
"Nice to finally meet you. Thank you all for protecting Emma while she was at Goldy Pond. I don't know what I'd do if she died there!" Spencer says as he shakes Kel's hand.
"Wait, how'd you know we helped her at GP?" Nigel asked.
"Like I said, I'll answer after dinner," Spencer replied.
'If he's an ESPer from Sigma labs, then he's the key for us getting to लᘯ⠝ێ.' Lucas thought as he watched the boy walked away with his two siblings.
Soon after the trio entered the garden, they met with Basil and Pepe along with some younger kids as they tended to the underground crop.
"H-hello. Dominic, Yvette, who's this?" Basil asks, very concerned and nervous at the new face in front of him.
"Don't worry, Basil. This is Spencer. He lived with us at Grace Field before being sent to Sigma Labs." Yvette tells the skittish boy.
"It's nice to meet you, Basil. How are you feeling today?" Spencer asks in a calm and soothing voice.
"Ohh uhh… good, I guess?" Basil said, confused.
"Good, good, nice to meet you too," Spencer said, outstretching his hand to Pepe.
"Pepe, so you escaped from Sigma labs? You're an ESPer then, right?" Pepe asked as he accepted the dark blonde boy's hand.
"Yep! I'll tell everyone all about it after dinner, so you're going to have to wait till then," Spencer tells them. "Well, it was nice to meet both of you. See you later!" Spencer says as he walks with his siblings.
'Why was he so kind to me? I don't even know him… well, if he'd knew what I've done… would he act differently?' Basil thinks as he watches the three of them exit the garden.
As the three Grace Field children walk down the hall, Spencer remembers something he wants to do.
"Hey guys, do you mind going back to Emma and telling her I'll be there in a bit? I have to talk to a couple of people in private." Spencer asks the two younger children.
Dominic and Yvette look at each other before turning to Spencer and nodding. With a wave, they ran back to the infirmary, leaving Spencer alone in the hallway.
"*Sigh* here we go…" Spencer says as he walks down the hallway towards the pantry.
Spencer sees other kids, some from GP and some from Grace Field, as they walk down the hallways of the Rhizome until he enters the hallway towards the pantry all alone. He sees a flash of pink inside, preparing to walk down towards him.
"It's now or never…" Spencer says as he begins to hum.
[By Your Side from OMORI, but it's being hummed].
Spencer walks down the hall as Aubrey approaches as well. As the two pass each other, Aubrey stops in place in shock.
Quickly getting out of her stupor, Aubrey leaps to Spencer and pins him against the wall, her arm against his neck.
"How. Do you. Know. That. Song?!" Aubrey askes in a threatening way.
"*Ack*, Sunny, taught it. *ack* to me! At Sigma!" Spencer chokes out.
"S-sunny?" Aubrey repeats in shock. Aubrey's arm loosened and fell to her side.
"Y-yea…" Spencer says as he rubs his neck. "He's an ESPer like me."
"Wh-where is he? Why isn't he with you!" Aubrey almost screams out.
"ESPers emit an energy signature. On an individual level, it's hard to track. but, when many ESPers are together, it can be easily picked up, so the nine of us who escaped split into three groups. Sunny went to the northernmost Rhizome." Spencer explained.
"Is, is he alive?" Aubrey asked, tears forming in her eyes.
"Yes, very much so. How about you and the rest of the people from your group join my friends tonight as I tell you what happened to me. You'll learn more about Sunny that way. And I promise that tomorrow I can go in-depth into Sunny's time at Sigma labs and how we became friends." Spencer proposes.
Aubrey simply nods and starts walking off before turning back to Spencer. "If you're lying about Sunny. I swear to god I will kill you! I don't care how close you are to Emma!" Aubrey threatens.
Spencer simply nods as she walks away, no doubt to tell Basil, Kel, and Gillian.
'Well, I guess that wasn't the worst outcome that could have happened…' Spencer thinks. 'Now for the next person to talk to…'
Spencer enters the pantry to see Yugo working alone as he prepares the dried meat for storage.
"Hey ahh, Yugo.." Spencer says, getting the attention of the adult.
The man stopped what he was doing and turned to the boy. "Spencer, right? what do you want?" He asked impatiently.
"Makoto is alive." He says simply.
"..." Yugo stares at the boy in absolute shock, unable to process anything.
"W-what?" Yugo asked in a hushed voice.
"Makoto, he was shipped to Sigma labs. He's been there ever since. It's because of him that my comrades and I were able to escape. He helped us in so many ways. He said that If I ever meet you or the others from Glory Bell to say. "Hope keeps moving forward."..." Spencer quotes.
"N-No way! He's really alive!" Yugo says as tears start to fall down his face.
Yugo falls to his knees as he starts to sob in relief.
Spencer approaches the man and places a hand on his shoulder.
"H-how is he?" Yugo says, looking at the young ESPer.
"He's working at Sigma labs as a counselor for ESPers. He helped us get through what happened there and aided in our escape. But he can't leave, like the Mamas and Sisters, he has a bomb in his chest, once that the demons will detonate if he did anything out of line." Spencer explains. "But don't worry! We made sure to cover our tracks. No one will know he helped us."
"... Big bro… is alive. T-Tell me more! Please!" Yugo begs.
"I will, but I think it would be best if I tell it along with everyone tonight. I can tell you more details tomorrow if you and Lucas wish…" Spencer suggests.
"... Yes, yes please.." Yugo replies with a smile.
"Well, dinner should be ready soon. We should go…" Spencer says as he starts to leave.
"Wait!" Yugo shouts, stopping Spencer. "Thank you." He thanks the boy.
Spencer replies with a smile and says, "No problem," as the man goes on his own and to tell Lucas the exciting news.
At dinner, ten minutes later.
Dinner tonight was roasted rabbit meat and vegetable hash.
Spencer sat next to Emma in the dining room, which was so full of kids that most children ate on the floor.
"Ohhh god, it's been over a week since I ate real food," Spencer said, savoring the food.
"Really? Where did you get real food in the wild?" Emma asked. "Oh wait, let me guess, "Tell you after dinner." Right?" the girl guessed.
"You read my mind, but I will tell you that it was an unexpected event." He tells her as he takes another bite.
"... Spencer? Can I just say how much I missed you?" Emma asked sincerely with a bright smile.
"I missed you too Emma, to be honest, there was a time when I wished you were at Sigma with me… but were together again, all of us, so now all we have to do is get everyone else and change the world," Spencer says, looking at Emma.
"Right! Now finish your food. I, along with everyone else, want to know just what the hell happened to you." Emma ordered as she ate the last of her food.
After the children finished eating, the Goldy Pond children cleaned up. At the same time, the Grace Field kids along with the Goldy Pond resistance along with Yugo joined Spencer in the playroom.
Spencer sat on the piano stool with Emma sitting next to him, Yvette sat on his left knee, and Dominic on his right. The rest of the young kids sat on the floor criss-cross. Ray, Don, and Nat leaned on the wall while Gilda, Anna, and Alicia sat on the stairs with the friends of Sunny. The two adults stood on the top floor looking down at the kids, and Spencer began to tell his tale.
"Everyone comfortable? This is going to be a long story." He asked to which the Grace field escapees nodded. The four Goldy Pond kids and the two adults just stared at him, eagerly waiting to hear about their friends, while the rest just nodded.
"Okay good, First I want to please insist you hold your questions until after my explanation is done, this story would last all night if I had to stop to answer every question. And most of your questions would probably be answered later on. If you have more specific questions after the story is over, you can ask me tomorrow." Spencer tells them.
"Alright, so where do I start? I guess it started the night Norman and I left Grace Field. November third of last year." Spencer starts as he begins his recollection.
Chapter 14, end.
And with that, Spencer is back with the team! The next arc, the 'ESPers Side Arc,'' will be a first-person telling of Spencer's experience the past four months at Sigma labs and beyond. It's going to introduce new characters, new settings, and new information about this world. Expect it to take a lot longer than the last few chapters as I do not have a template in the form of the manga. If anyone has any pointers for making something like this, it would be appreciated.
Stay safe friends!