CHAPTER FIVE

“Go, he needs you out there more,” the woman said while breathing heavily. “I can take care of myself and her, trust me.” Ruby looked down at her hand which was clasped in the woman’s soft one. Her hair was packed in a ponytail and on her neck, she bore the mark of a Luna. The man gave the woman one last look before hurrying out the door. The woman wasted no time in pulling her down a small corridor and into a bedroom. She let go of her hand, and Ruby felt cold, missing the warmth the little contact provided. The woman threw open a small cupboard and pulled her into it. “Ruby, I want you to promise me, no matter what you see or hear, do not come out,” the woman said. Her eyes glistered with tears and Ruby was flooded by the usual familiarity. The same questions that raced through her mind resurfaced. Who was this woman? Why did her eyes mirror hers? Why does she feel a surreal connection with her? And why does she feel so much fear of losing her? “Ruby, please promise me,” the woman croaked out through tears. “I promise,” Ruby heard herself say. It didn’t sound like her, but like a younger self. The woman nodded and gave her a tight smile. She pulled her into a hug and kissed every spot on her face that was visible before closing the cupboard door. Darkness filled the small space as Ruby watched the woman wipe her eyes with the back of her hand through small holes present in the cupboard. She ran out of the room but came crashing back seconds later. Ruby placed her hand on her lip to stop herself from letting out a sound. The woman groaned in pain from her fall but her head was forced back by a figure which stepped into the room. “Where is she?” The voice was deep and ominous. “Curse you,” the woman spat out which angered the man, causing him to bang her head repeatedly on the floor. Streams of tears ran down her face as she fought to remain quiet. “This is your last chance…” Ruby struggled to hear the name he had mentioned but as soon as it was uttered it escaped her mind. “Let me have your curse and all will be spared.” “Go to hell!” the woman grunted as blood dripped from her broken nose. The figure chuckled before pulling out a knife. “Soon, but you first.” Ruby shut her eyes just as he slit her throat open. **** Ruby opened her eyes almost robotically. She scanned the room she was in as she almost forgot where she was. A groan escaped her lips as she lifted herself from the damp floor. The dungeon reeked of waste, blood, and death. She could hear painful grunts and someone cursing profusely from a few cells down. With every movement she made, the chains around her ankle and wrist clanged burning deeper into her flesh. Everything hurt. Her wrist and ankle from the silver of the chains, her stomach from lack of food, but most of all her bleeding heart. She was damned to die alone without having a feel of what it felt like to be loved. But at least it felt right in a way. She could have apologized and faced a lesser punishment, but she knew her father and Ophelia wouldn’t let her live. But then again, what was the point in living when the one she was destined to be with was with another? An of Aiden flashed through her mind and she could feel her heart break all the more. She wanted to hate him, curse him for the pain he put her through, but she couldn’t. Pain shot through her chest as the wolfsbane which was injected into her system hours ago poisoned her blood. It was a slow and painful death potion. Ruby blamed no one for her fate; she had decided to die. At the very least, she’d find some peace in the afterlife. Clanking of the metal door to her cell pulled her out of her thoughts. She stared weakly as a figure entered the room and walked towards her. The figure squatted in front of her and through blurry eyes, Ruby recognized her. “Betty?” Betty shushed her by pressing her hand against her lip. Retrieving a vial from her coat which looked similar to the one Ophelia injected her with. She filled a syringe with its content and injected it into her thigh. “What are you doing?” Ruby winced at the sting. “This isn’t an antidote, but it will counter the effect of the wolfsbane before it reaches your heart,” Betty said as she removed a set of keys from her other pocket. Carefully she removed the shackles from her hands and feet. “Betty, what’s going- what are you- The guards!” “…Are unconscious, but they will be back to their senses soon to avoid suspicion. Hurry, give me your clothes,” Betty said and began to strip. “No! I won’t let you do this to yourself. This is my fate,” Ruby slurred. “Ruby, I don’t know why but I don’t want you to end like this. There is so much you can do and I know you have a bright future, I can feel it.” Betty grabbed her hands and begged. “But Aiden-” Betty cut her off curtly. “Aiden is a power-hungry asshole who would do anything if he meant he gets the whole world and you deserve so much better.” A fresh set of tears rolled down her cheek. Ruby was shocked she had any more tears to shed. “What about you?” Betty gave her a weak smile. “My life ended when my parents and everyone I love were taken away from me. I couldn’t bring myself to do it.” Ruby knew what she meant. She also knew how it felt to want to take her own life, but she couldn’t pull through no matter how many times she tried. “Please you need to hurry, we don’t have time.” Betty had stripped completely. She held out her clothes to Ruby urging her to hurry. Ruby stared at Betty. She was so thin that her ribs could be seen clearly. Her face was sunken and her eyes which Ruby had always known to hold nothing held a tiny glint of joy. Taking off her filthy clothes, she swapped clothes and stood by the gate with the keys. “I’m sorry,” Ruby cried out. “Promise me you will live without regret. Live for me.” Betty hugged her and Ruby could feel a teardrop touch her shoulder. Ruby nodded and wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. “Run to my shed. I have packed a small bag for you. Take it and go.” Ruby nodded and with that, she walked out of the cell, out of the dungeon, and into the sunlight. Betty’s shed sat at the outskirt of the pack. It looked quite shabby from the outside, but inside, Ruby could imagine how much care she must have taken to keep it neat with pictures of her family on the walls. Retrieving the bag, she slung it over her shoulder and ran into the forest. She didn’t look back. She had seen and experienced enough for it to be ingrained into her memory. Branches scrapped and tore her clothes as she ran, and rocks dug through her worn-out shoes as she scuttled further and further away from the place she once called home.