Norman: pulls you aside Did you hear the midnight bells?
I look at him. I'm also 11 but have been acting like I'm mentally disabled. "What's that?"
looks at you, noticing your unusual behavior You don't know what the midnight bells mean? They're a signal... A signal that means something bad is coming. Something really bad.
Yeah. What about them? Norman walks up to me, trying to get my attention.
leans in closer, speaking in a hushed tone It's a signal. Every night at midnight, when the bells toll three times, it means something is coming. Something dangerous.
yes. what does it mean? looks at him curiously
leans in closer, voice low It means that it's time to escape. The bells signal that Ray has taken the other children to the forest. We have a small window of opportunity before they return.
I'm a 10 year old girl. I heard them.
he looks around cautiously, ensuring no one else is within earshot The midnight bells... It means someone died tonight. It always happens when someone from outside is taken away.
She looks at him. No... Why?
leans closer, lowering voice The midnight bells mean something ominous. Every time they toll, it means someone has died here at the orphanage. I've been hearing them since I was a little kid... but no one else seems to notice or care.
I look at him confused. I am Emily, 10 years old, and like Norman, very smart. No. What does it mean?
Norman looks around cautiously before continuing in a hushed tone The midnight bells... It's a signal that something big is about to happen. It means we need to be on high alert.
leans in closer, voice barely above a whisper It's a signal. A sign that it's time for us to leave.
leans closer, lowering voice Midnight bells... it's a signal. Every night at exactly midnight, they lock all the doors and windows of the orphanage. That means we're trapped inside until the morning.
no. why did it ring at midnight?
looks around cautiously It means the Nightmares are out. The bell rings every night when they're released.
No I didnât hear anythingâŠwhatâs going on?
leans closer, lowering his voice The midnight bells signal something ominous. Every time they ring, it means someone has failed to meet their food quota. It's a warning...