━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ Chapter 4 ━☂

╰┈➤ ❝ [Ignorance is bliss] ❞

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┊┊ ┊ ┊ ┊ ˚♡ ⋆｡˚ ❀

┊ ┊ ┊ ✫┊ ┊ ✧ ˚.

┊ ⊹ ✽ ⋆ ┊ . ˚

☆

Nightfall rolled in as crickets chirped loudly with one another, the bright and dim stars all joined together as they sparkled the night sky, the moon being covered by a large cloud enabling it to shine brightly down to the ground of the earth and guide others in the darkest hour.

Light still shone inside the House, its extensive structure towering over the trees as it seemed to give an ominous feel to its existence, yet looked so homey at the same time.

Watching as Mama carefully took down the picture of her and Conny, (Y/n) watched in the shadows as the same comforting smile was imprinted on her face, her eyes closed, hiding her red glowing eyes filled with murderous intentions.

─── ∙ ~εïз~ ∙ ───

"I'm slow, and I wasn't as smart as everyone, but even after I leave, I'll do my best." Standing behind the nervous yet excited Conny, (Y/n) held gently onto her hand as Mama stood behind her with Conny's briefcase filled with her clothes and such in her hand. Conny was already prepared for departure as she had a black hat on along with a black jacket which (Y/n) made for her.

"I'll have Little Bunny so I'll be okay." Conny reassured all the older orphan kids who were waiting in front of her as they wished to say their last goodbye for Conny's departure.

"Conny..."

Glancing down at the little girl (Y/n) squeezed her hand gently, reassuring her that everything would be okay in the end. Even with the support from her older Sister Conny couldn't help but feel the sadness of leaving the family that she grew up with behind, probably to never see them again.

Scrunching up her face as Conny was close to tears (Y/n) kneeled and held onto her shoulders, concern showing clear as day in her (e/c) eyes for her little sibling. "I don't want to leave anymore! I want to stay here!" Conny cried, Mama kneeling as well to comfort the crying child.

"Conny... Conny!" Don cried out in sadness, tears springing up from his eyes and escaping as he tried to hide it away by covering his eyes with his arm, most of the others crying along with him as they watched Mama and Conny open the door and leave them behind, (Y/n) staying back to make sure that they all go to sleep.

Hearing the door close behind her (Y/n) sighed, clutching the flower that Conny gave her that day tightly inside her pocket. "Now, everyone, let's go brush our teeth for then we can go rest. Come along, everyone, let's go." (Y/n) commanded, walking forward forcing the others to turn around and walk towards the bathrooms.

"Sister! Can I put back the broom, please?" Emma asked politely, Ray and Norman close behind her but didn't make a move to ask. Hesitating for a second (Y/n) looked down at her white and clean apron, possible scenarios running through her head before shrugging her shoulders.

"Alright, you may go, but quickly. If we're not in the bathrooms anymore then quickly brush your teeth and go to bed." (Y/n) instructed, smiling down at the younger child before ruffling her hair. "Don't take too long." (Y/n) added, the same warm smile warming up Emma's cheeks.

"Okay!"

─── ∙ ~εïз~ ∙ ───

Humming a soft tune to herself, Emma gripped the broomstick gently as she walked inside the dining room, her eyes slightly sad, but her smile remained, along with the red blush coating her cheeks.

'Sister ruffled my hair! Oh, how I wish Sister would do that more often.' Emma sighed in content, the memory of (Y/n) smiling down at her reappearing in her mind. "Sister is just so kind and pure of heart..." Emam whispered to herself, meaning everything that she said then.

Spotting something in the corner of her eye, Emma turned her head around only to quickly stop in her tracks as a look of horror rushed into her features. "Conny?! You're kidding me!" Emma exclaimed in disbelief, quickly grabbing hold of Little Bunny.

Just in time, both Norman and Gilda walked in talking about how many brooms there were lying around. Maybe having a cleaning war was a bad idea, but hey, it was able to trick everyone into cleaning allowing for (Y/n) to relax from her duties as the eldest Sister.

"Let's hurry putting these brooms back." Gilda suggested, side-by-side to Norman just as Emma passed by them, running frantically. "Conny's already gone!" Gilda exclaimed seeing Little Bunny in the hands of Emma and immediately understanding what was going on.

"What should I do?" Emma asked in desperation, obviously wishing to give Little Bunny back to Conny safe and sound. "There's still time." The sudden voice of Ray spoke up, coming into the dining room with a broom in hand as he certainly was listening in on their conversation.

"What?"

"From the window, I saw the lights on the gate were still on. Mom isn't back either, so I don't think Conny has left yet." Ray informed them, coming out of the shadows and revealing himself into the light. Fidgeting nervously with Little Bunny, Emma bite her lip as she looked down at the stuffed bunny.

"What about Sister? Sister will be so disappointed if she found out that we went out without permission!" Emma argued, nervous and scared of what would happen if Sister were to find out their little sneaking-out plan.

"Sister is too busy with the children to notice one or two of us missing. I think you'll be fine." Ray replied, the same stoic expression on his face as the broom was still gripped in his hand. Thinking of this greatly, Emma was thinking of what may happen to her if her Sister found out, or even worse, having to lie to (Y/n).

"Emma, come on." Norman broke her thinking process, looking over at Emma with patience. This seemed to snap her out of her doubts as she quickly nodded her head, her hold on the stuffed bunny tight. "Okay."

So, the two ran away from the House and headed towards the lighted-up gates, awaiting as to what they may see on the other side of the forbidden gate.

─── ∙ ~εïз~ ∙ ───

Arriving at the opened gate, both Emma and Norman stared up at it in caution, everything that they've been told not to do near that gate flooding into their thoughts as the constant reminders of both Mama and (Y/n) were ringing loudly.

""You can't go near there, no matter what.""

""Be a good sibling and listen to your big Sister. Don't go near that gate.""

Both of them recited the constant sayings of both their Mama and Sister, though only Norman was calm about all of this as Emma seemed to be skeptical. Looking over to Emma, Norman chuckled. "I know. Let's get scolded together, later." Norman whispered, smiling reassuringly at Emma as they crept closer to the edge of the gate.

Peeking over the stone wall, Norman and Emma tried to see if the tiny figure of Conny would be anywhere in sight, only to see that there was no small child in sight or Mama.

"Conny?" Emma whisper-yelled her name. Why she did it in such a low voice, well, you could say it was out of pure instinct to where she couldn't even tell that she did it. Hearing no response, the both of them decided to slowly walk inside of the gate, a truck right in front of them as the inside of it was being covered by a curtain.

Stopping by the truck, the two stopped in wonder, marveling at the new piece of technology that they have only heard of in stories or seen in pictures. "Is this the truck that'll take Conny? Actually, I've never seen a vehicle before." Emma continued to marvel at the metal moving object, both of them going their separate ways as Norman went to inspect the truck while Emma went to look at the inside of the gate.

Hearing the sound of something dripping down from above her, Emma looked up, only to see a water leak from the ceiling which was connected to a long line of pipes. Continuing looking at the dripping water, Emma saw that some of them were leaking down the wall as well.

Jumping from the step stool near the truck driving door, Norman hopped off, his eyes set on the wall. "No one's here." Norman informed her while Emma went to the back of the truck to where the curtain was. "Maybe she'll find it if we leave it in the back." Emma suggested, Little Bunny tucked securely under her arm. Agreeing with Emma, Norman walked off to inspect the inside of the gate more while Emma went to do what she said she would do.

Seconds after that a sudden 'thud' sound of something falling on the ground was heard making Norman stop walking and turn towards Emma's view. Feeling her balance lessen Emma quickly stepped away from the truck, Little Bunny on the dirty ground below her as she began to pant heavily.

Backing away more, Emma held a look of utter horror and disgust, disbelief fuming inside of her depleted eyes as the usual smile that she held now gone, replaced by a disgusted frown. "Norman." Emma whispered, not being able to say more. Turning around, Norman walked closer towards where Emma was, confused as to what could have made her act in such a way.

Gathering up the courage to go ahead Norman continued walking as he was now in front of the closed curtain, his hand reaching out to grab it as he pulled it aside only to reveal the turning of pages, the thing that will change them forever, the truth of life for them.

The water droplet fell, adding to the hundreds of other water droplets that have accumulated over who knows how much time.

Gasping in surprise, his expression changed into one of horror as his pupils shrunk in size, his face becoming wrinkled in disgust as to what he just saw. The dead body of Conny, her eyes wide open in surprise as if she didn't have enough time to react to what had happened to her. Conny's once vibrant face was now dried up and had a dark color to it, her once shining hair now dull and messy. Blood stained her clothes as some patches of dirt covered her face, water below the dead, little girl with a Vida flower stuck inside her deceased and cold body.

Oh, what dreams little Conny had. What dreams were given to her by her consumers.

"Is someone there?" A distant, unknown voice rang from behind one of the mysterious doors, surprising the two at an alarming rate. "Hey, did you hear a voice just now?" Another unknown voice asked, being responded by another. "Probably your imagination."

Quickly hiding behind the truck, Emma grabbed Little Bunny as she ran close behind Norman, hiding beside him as the enormous double doors swung open with a loud sound. Breathing rapidly, Emma and Norman looked at each other and nodded, going under the truck as the mysterious figures walked out.

"If it was a stray cat, I would have caught it and ate it."

"You eat things like cats?"

Shadows passed by the hiding children. This made Emma quite curious as she went to take a quick peak only for her breath to be caught in her throat as her eyes dilated once more as to what she just saw. Demon. If there was one word to describe their features, it would be that it resembled a demon.

These demons had more than one eye each as their faces were covered by what seemed like a cracked white mask that still allowed for their eyes to see since there were holes made for them. They had long, gnarly fingers with nails sharp enough to cut through cloth or even flesh.

Norman, too, saw this as he held back a loud gasp and instead gulped his fear down, Emma covering her mouth as she felt as if she was going to throw up the dinner that both Conny, Mama, and (Y/n) made for everyone just a few hours ago. Conny was so happy, finally being able to cook alongside both of her idols, even if it was only once. Even though she burned most of the food (Y/n) still ate it, and so did everyone else. Oh, how happy Conny was. Sweet, sweet child was Conny.

Picking up the dead and wet body of Conny with their rather large hand, the demon stretched its long, slimy, and grey tongue out in hunger. "It looks so delicious. Human flesh is the best." The demon commented while the other two that were hiding shook their heads in disagreement.

"No..."

Putting down the large glass container, the demon threw Conny in there; the liquid made to preserve her to be fresher for when the buyer arrives to eat it. "Damn! Can't I at least have a fingertip?"

"You idiot. It's valuable merchandise. It's not something the likes of us can have."

The naked body of Conny could be seen upside-down inside the filled container, the expression of surprise and horror still fresh on her young but dead face.

"All the human flesh produced on his farm are high-quality meat intended for the rich."

"Where's Mama?" Emma asked in a hushed tone, her hand shaking as she slowly looked over at Norman who quickly shushed her.

"Is the Gupna done?"

"Mostly done, sir."

"Another six-year-old... lately we've been shipping out normal quality ones, but it looks like we'll soon harvest some high-quality ones."

"That is if that bastard of a demon eats it before we can retrieve it-"

"Enough. Isabella." At the mention of the familiar name, both Emma and Norman's face turned worse, their attention now to their left as the figure of their Mama could be faintly seen. "Yes." Isabella responded, her voice monotone. "Make preparations to pluck these three with full scores." The boss demanded, his voice calmer.

"Understood." Isabella replied, her face serious as her once shining eyes were now dull. "Wait, I smell something." The demon boss stated, handing Isabella his clipboard as he walked closer towards the hidden two. Seemingly using his eyes to detect where he caught the scent, the demon's eyes swirled around for a few seconds before stopping to his bottom right; under the truck.

Kneeling to look under the van, the eyes of the demon switched towards where Little Bunny was, a noise following soon behind.

─── ∙ ~εïз~ ∙ ───

Taking rapid breaths, Emma and Norman tried their best to run back towards the House only for Emma to stumble down and fall. "Emma!" Norman yelled her name out of concern, propping his hand on top of his kneecaps as he tried to catch his breath.

Down on the ground was the cheerful Emma. What once was joyous laughter coming out of her mouth was now angry, betrayed, heartbroken, and traumatized sops of pain.

"Is this place a farm? Are we all... food? No, it can't be. Everyone found foster homes."

"And Mom... it was the usual, kind Mom, right?"

The last thing of the little girl was handed over towards Isabella, the sweet sewed-on smile of Little Bunny reminding Isabella of everything she failed to protect. Isabella failed her vow once more.

"We were mistaken. That girl wasn't Conny, right?" Emma asked, desperate for everything that she used to know to have never left her, Emma wishing to still hold on to her old life as an ignorant lamb. A lamb to the slaughter, as life goes.

Catching his breath, the same traumatized eyes of Norman stared back at her, his confidence nowhere in sight. "That was Conny."

Then the cries of betrayal from the baby dove rang throughout the lands, reaching Heaven and Hell. Though, are they really real?

Closing the curtain (Y/n) went back to bed, not regretful what she has done by allowing them to escape from the House. (Y/n) never liked the demons, so why bother?

The broken colored lenses could be heard throughout the night as they two talked about their next move; their first move.

𑁍┊𝐌𝐄𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐎𝐈𝐀 ˎˊ˗

⠀ ⠀________

⠀⠀┊ ┊ ┊

⠀⠀┊ ┊ ┊

⠀⠀┊ ┊ ✫

⠀⠀┊ ⊹ ⋆

⠀⠀┊. ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀

⠀⠀✧ ⠀

╭⋟────────────────────────╮

ʜᴀᴠᴇ ᴀ ɢᴏᴏᴅ ᴅᴀʏ/ɴɪɢʜᴛ ᴍʏ ʟᴏᴠᴇꜱ!

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