Episode 13

Episode 13 is the first episode of season 2 of The Promised Neverland anime. It aired on January 8, 2021

Synopsis
After escaping Grace Field farm, the orphans are on the run to find their safe haven William Minerva has left them. Meanwhile, a group of demons are on the hunt for Grace Field's missing livestock.

Plot
Emma, Ray, and the other Grace Field children begin their journey to find a safe place to live. It's hinted at that it might have been a few hours, possibly leading into the very next day to where the episode begins. The children stay within their pacts while exploring the wide forest, Don even saying it's much bigger than they expected. The children play for a short while, Thoma and Lannion even fooling around by running on bridging trees. Yvette and Jemima inspect bugs that seem familiar to them while squatted next to Vida weeds. Gilda and Don both do their jobs of making sure the children don't wander off too far without them, while Emma and Ray get coordinations in order. Emma reminds everyone to stay in a group, suggesting it's safer to do so since the demons might still be looking for them. The group then decides it's best to take a break and eat within a large tree, Gilda reminding everyone to make rations for themselvesAs everyone eats, Ray parts from the group for a minute to talk to Emma who's off keeping watch. He goes to tell her about how safe the area is, seeing no marks of any wild animals close by and that he can take over. As Emma is happy to let him take over, Ray apologizes for what happened before; he feels as if her cutting off her ear is his fault, and makes a promise to protect the family they have as of now. After his vow, they begin to talk about what their next move should be. Getting water seems too dangerous to do once it's brought up, and decide to head southeast instead for the time being. Upon further examination of the pen, Ray shows everyone the hidden morse code that reads as "T.O.U.C.H.M.E". Upon pressing the screen, Gilda enters the password needed for the screen that displays a note left by Minerva, guiding them to the location they need to head to. Everyone says it's thanks to Norman leaving them the pen that they'll be able to head to their safe haven The children begin to head southeast, where they discover plants filled with freshwater. Ray and Yvette point out that these plants were found in a book back at the house, "The Adventures of Ugo". Gilda and Emma come to the conclusion that the forest they're residing in was what Minerva was describing in his book, and how it will act as a guide to surviving the outside world. Brief words of encouragement are shared and the group carries on, heading into night on the search for their destination. Meanwhile, demons who were sent out to track down Grace Field's missing livestock are on the lookout for the children, one of them pinpointing their location as heading southeast.As the night carries on, the children continue to make their way until they're stopped in their tracks by a wild demon who chases them throughout the forest. Don and Gilda make the signal for their groups to split into two while Emma, Ray, and Jemima run behind the group. The wild demon is caught on an arching tree branch, striking it and confusing it for a short amount of time. As the trio catches their breath after escaping from the monster, they stumble upon a trap called The Snakes of Alvapinera, where falling into them means never getting back out. Ray then decides to make it his goal to get the demon to follow him where he'll trap it in the vines. Emma and Jemima agree to let him do it, knowing he'll come back safely, and rejoin with Gilda's group to run downwind. Ray then begins his plan by getting the monster to chase him, leading it away from Don's group and to follow him instead. However, his plan is cut short by the hunters looking for him, slaying the wild demon. Knowing he'll only be captured and forced to lead the demons to his group, Ray decides to trick the hunters by telling him they're all dead except for him, and distract them. Before doing so, he leaves a message for the group just in case he is caught and returned to be shipped out: head to the location without him, as he's been captured by pursuers.

As Emma, Gilda and Don all meet up once again, Emma explains Ray's plan to them. Shortly after, a call whistle is made from the pursuers, signalling that a child has been found. The group think of the worst, and begin to fear for Ray's safety once he takes longer than expected to come back. Emma then explains she'll check out the situation, and that everyone should continue to head downwind. However, as she heads off, she suddenly collapses due the wound on her ear opening up once more. Just as Anna examines her, someone in the distance leads them to safety, a group of fireflies illuminating the figure. The group is quick to realize it might be one of the humans Krone mentioned to them, and allow themselves to trust her. During this, Ray continues his escape from the pursuers, growing exhausted with each step he takes. Eventually, he's cornered, and collapses on the ground. Just as he's about to be taken in, he's suddenly lifted up and taken away by someone else. The pursuers realize they're not part of the group, and commence a chase. Through their efforts, they lose Ray and the person who took him as smoke blinds them and throws their scent off. Ray later awakens next to a lantern in a soft makeshift bed. Taking the lantern from beside him, he wanders until he finds Emma sleeping in a room nearby, and goes to wake her up. She awakens happy to see Ray again, not thinking he made it back safe, and the two hug it out. As Ray is explained to what happened with Emma and the group, they discuss the possibility of being rescued by Minerva's group. Suddenly, the masked woman from before comes to check on Emma, and is relieved to see her up and awake. Medicine was administered to Emma as she was asleep, healing her open wound and having it re-bandaged. She then tells them that dinner is ready, and the group is currently waiting for them. As she takes them to eat dinner with them, Ray makes the shocking discovery that the man and woman who saved them are actually demons, and that they don't even know who Minerva is.

Research elements

 * The forest is mysterious, this forest is different than the one they have been to.
 * In this episode was first shown the first female demon introduced in the series.

Trivia

 * In the first few opening shots of the forest, the Vida makes it's debut, yet it's use and purpose will not be mentioned until much later.
 * In the anime, the snakes of Alvapineria are introduced, but aren't really touched upon like they are in the manga.