Carved in Lies

It had been nearly two weeks since I had seen Emma, she was to marry in 2 days, based one what Norman had told me during our hunting trip. Yet I couldn't seem to find her, she hadn't been home or anywhere else she normally hung out at; I had spent the last 4 days without her by side. My separation anxiety had put me on edge and I stopped eating for nearly a whole day.

After finding Norman's house, I entered through the back door; the sound of Emma's voice was like music to my ears, "I found you, Emma," I sang in a low tone. I waited in the washroom for several hours until Norman had left and then made my way upstairs. Humming a lullaby my mother once hummed to me, I knew she'd hear my song; the door to the first room locked before I could open it.

I smiled demonically "Emma~" I sung resting my forehead on the door, "I know you're in there, why are you hiding from me?" I asked. Nothing but silence. I sighed, "I'm not mad at you, Emma," I say in a kind voice.

I listened to soft footsteps walk in front of the door, "I love you Emma, I've missed you so, so much," I whisper in a seductive tone. Like light to a moth, I knew she couldn't resist me, "I haven't slept in days, I've been too worried about you. You didn't leave me as much as a note, why would you put me through something like that, Emma?" I asked in a dull tone.

"I… Didn't know how to tell you," she whisper. I leaned against the door frame, "It's so good to hear the sound of your voice, I want to see you," I beg. Without hesitation she opened the door, nervously swaying from side to side and I smiled at her apologetic eyes.

I wrapped my arms around her, we embraced for what seemed like forever; I kissed the top of her head as I gently stroked her hair and she purred snuggling her face in my chest. I sit up and grabbed her by the chin, forcing her to make eye contact with me.

Ray: "Were you really going to marry Norman?"

Emma: "… Yes, it would have been the right thing to do,"

Ray: "You would have abandoned me for him?"

Emma: "I… Ray,"

Ray: "You don't love me anymore, Emma?"

Emma: "I love you! More than anymore else, I don't want to marry Norman! I want to marry you and have your babies and be with you forever but… If we're caught breaking the contract…"

Ray: *Laughs* "You have me wrapped around your finger you know that, Emma? You always know the right thing to say,"

Emma: *Pouts*

Ray: "If you come back home with me, all will be forgiven,"

Emma: "… But, the contact…"

I took off my jacket and shirt, showing her the promised words carved on my chest, "Property of Emma, it's gonna be hard for me to find a wife with this on me," I sighed and we both laughed. "I don't care, let's run away together," I explain in a cocky tone as I open my arms wide. With that, she cried; never had I seen her cry with such a smile on her face, she hugged me nearly knocking me over.

She kissed me in excitement and in the heat of passion I ripped off the top half of her dress, and we made our way onto the bed; I shoved her on the mattress and started unbuttoning my pants. "I missed you so much Emma," I smiled, "I missed you too Ray," she blushed happily. Emma smiled and I chuckled at our excitement as she pulled my belt off and peppered my stomach with soft kisses.

"Ray?!" Norman gasped entering the room. I turn my head and cocked an eyebrow, Emma gasping and covering her bare breast; I wondered what thoughts ran through his head as I smiled wickedly at him.

Norman: "Ray!"

Ray: "What's up, dork,"

A sharp pain flooded my chest and I fell to my knees, "Ray!" Emma cried jumping to myself, I felt myself get dizzy and I chuckled, "This must be karma," I whisper before passing out. When I woke up Norman an Emma were at my side, "How long have I been out for?" I asked.

Norman: "Not long,"

Emma: "Are you feeling ok?" *Ray sitting up*

Ray: "Yeah, just a little light-headed. *Looks at Norman* I'm surprised you didn't try to kill me in my sleep, Norman,"

Norman: "I thought about,"

Ray: *Chuckles* Shoulda took your chance, you could never take me awake; even in the shape I'm in,"

Emma: "Enough already! Try to relax Ray, you got an infection so you have to get some rest!"

Norman: "That's what you get for carving out your chest with ink,"

Ray: "It was a declaration of love. What can I say; I'm a poet at heart,"

Norman: "…"

Ray: "Are you gonna rat us out for screwing around behind you back; Norman?"

Emma: "He can't, I was never promised to him…" *Norman shrugs his head and looked away*

Ray: "W-What are you talking about?"

Emma: "He falsified the documents I had gotten in the mail, I was never supposed to marry him. I was promised to you, Ray,"

Ray: "Emma, I need you to leave the room for a few, ok?"

Emma: "But,"

Ray: "I'm hungry, I haven't eaten in a day; I'd like something to eat please,"

Emma: "… Ok, I'll be back…"

When she left the room I sat up, Norman's face still looking down in shame. "You know I have to kill you right, Norman?"

Creator's Note:

Caution – Next chapter Contains violence

Chapter 6 Title: "Fire"