Twenty Eight

Ruby

I had a dream.

And in that dream, Diane's face was all I saw.

And that made my heart ache a lot more. It ached so much, I couldn't help the tears. As they rolled down my cheeks, I knew I would never be able to recover from the guilt of not being friendly to my birth mother.

As my head tossed in the idea of opening my eyes before someone could walk in on me shedding tears, I felt warm hands on my skin, cleaning off the evidence of my pain.

Curious to know whose hands were so warm, I opened my eyes and they landed straight on Zion whose face was almost kissing mine.

"Hello," he gently greeted and relaxed his protruding body.

"Hi," I croaked.

He blinked. "You are awake."

"Hmm." As much as I loved the few-words conversation, my throat hurt as much as my heart did.

As I tried to prop myself to a seated position, my eyes not ignoring the slim tube attached to a patch of my skin, Zion beat me to it and placed a cup of water to my lips.

After an appreciative smile, I began to down the liquid like a person who had just barely survived a long journey in the desert.

While I eased my brief desire, footsteps graced the quietude of the room.

"Ruby, you are awake." My mom excitedly rushed toward me and made sure that I felt her warmth as she engulfed me in an embrace. "I am so glad."

"Hey, Mom," I greeted back and handed Zion the now empty cup.

Lovingly, she cupped my cheeks. The worry in her eyes also wore compassion.

"Are you feeling okay? Are you feeling any pain?"

My head danced left to right. "I am feeling okay, Mom. I am okay."

"Oh great." She relaxed and sat beside me, her eyes wearing the look that said she was ready to ensure I don't stress myself.

Sighing deeply, I reached for her hand and relished the homey feeling it brought before I asked with an air of sadness, "She is gone, isn't she?"

Mom brought her other hand on top of mine and caressed gently.

"What you saw... It is not something you should get used to seeing."

Without meaning to, my eyes closed for a second, and the picture I saw made me understand what my mother was trying to say. Diane's terrible departure from the world is a picture that will be haunting me for a while and considering how vivid my memory is, it is going to take a while for me to forget it.

"How are you feeling about everything?" she asked and my mind started to replay how things happened. From meeting Mr. Klaus to leaving the party, to the part about Diane which led me back to Mr. Klaus who seems to be hiding something dark.

And, that brought me to the scarier part. The part where I had a taste of death.

As I recalled how stuffed I felt, how weak I felt, I locked eyes with my Mom's and she hugged my hand a bit tighter.

"I was scared, Mom."

Zion let out a small cough from where he was seated and I sighed. What I had in my mind was not something I wanted him to hear, so I decided to keep the confession light.

"It was like that night. The night I am so scared of."

"I know, baby. I know. And I am so glad you are okay."

" It has gotten worse, hasn't it?" I asked with a plea in my eyes. Every time I ask about what happened to me that night, both my Mom and Dad brush off my inquiry.

Mom had the side of her lips tugging with a sad smile and I could read the terrible news already. "Ruby-"

"It has, hasn't it?"

"No, of course not. It is just that there are some things your Father and I need to discuss with you before you can get a definite response."

" Oh."

" Hey," she called softly and placed her palm against my cheeks, some kind of admiration in her eyes. "You are okay, Ruby. I assure you that nothing will happen to you. Okay?"

I nodded and intertwined our hands. " Where is Dad?"

"He is with the doctor. He will join us shortly."

"What about, Abby? She must be very worried."

Mom smiled. " She is at home now. And yes, she was very worried, it was quite difficult to persuade her to leave."

I could picture my friend pulling her hair into a messy ponytail while she maintains a firm stand on the tiled floor.

"I'll text her later."

"Diane will be laid tomorrow," Mom suddenly dropped and my eyes snapped towards her.

"Uh? Isn't that rushed? Won't her death be investigated?"

" Her family is refusing investigations, so, she is going to be laid tomorrow."

I frowned. " Why wouldn't they want investigations? Clearly, someone was callous enough to treat her in such a way. That person must pay."

" Ruby, everyone has their reasons for the decisions they make. They might sound absurd to others but as long as it brings satisfaction and perhaps peace to them, they are good to go. So, if they wish to do things that way, let's respect their wishes."

" But-"

" I know, darling. It seems unfair. But remember, the process of investigations could open much more wounds in the heart. Perhaps that was the thought her family had."

I relaxed and reasoned it. " I guess you have a point."

A sharp exhale and my Mom's attention was dragged back to the fact that I was presently in a hospital bed.

"Okay young lady, time for you to sleep."

"But I just woke up. How would I sleep?"

"Just close your eyes, it will come," she said, patting the pillow behind me.

Yeah, Mom, sleep is such a nosy fellow. I am sure it will jump into me as soon as I close my eyes.

As she adjusted my body and made me lay down, she said, her voice gentle as ever, "I know it is painful that you lost Diane. And I know you are feeling deep guilt somewhere within you. I just want you to know that you are not to blame for anything. You have done nothing wrong. So, don't put yourself in an emotional jail."

Who would have thought? As my Mom spoke, my eyes closed and almost immediately, sleep arrived, trying to close my fluttering eyes.

The little speech my Mom gave became my lullaby and soon, I was deep in La La land, a much safer space.

~

As planned, the funeral was held the next day and since the doctor cleared me on time though under a few conditions, I attended the funeral. And I must say, my funeral first experience is something I would never forget.

Even now that I am back in school, I can't stop thinking about it.

But I quickly snapped out of my thoughts when the approaching noise from other students reached my ears. Then I recalled that my parents mentioned something about having a talk with me.

After my discharge, they announced their intention to bring something to my notice. I can guess and say it is about my health but what they could have to say is what baffles me still.

"Hey you," Abby slid to my side as she walked in with the remaining students who I bet were hardly excited to begin another cycle of academic work.

"Hi."

Her face instantly wore the look I was expecting. "How are you feeling now?"

"I am pretty fine as you can see."

" You didn't look fine the other day. I was so scared because it looked like you were struggling to breathe."

" Well..." I shrugged and left the statement that way.

Abby sighed and hugged me closer. "I am glad you are okay now."

"I am glad too."

"Do you need me to walk you to class?" she asked and as the playful frown on my face relaxed so I could reply to her, a voice suddenly interjected.

"I'll walk you to class, Ruby."

"Oh great, it is her. Clara." Abby muttered under her breath. "You don't have to Clara, she is fine."

Clara, who was wearing a smile wider than her usual ones swung her head in my direction, an action that subtly hinted at her intent to ignore Abby.

"Are you feeling better now?" she asked.

"Uh?"

"Yes, uh?" Abby repeated my question. "What kind of question is that? Did she tell you that she is sick?"

"Oh, I overheard you guys when I was passing by."

I blinked, not sure of what to make of Clara's invasion of my privacy. Actually, I had a harsh response somewhere within me, but I soon decided to reserve it for a very special situation.

"I-"

"Ruby Powers." Another voice joined and it was without a doubt, Adonis Klaus. The man I had so many questions for.

Ignoring how the faces of the two beside me lit up, I faced the man squarely, ready to throw him a burning question.

But he beat me to it.

"The principal wants to see you in her office. Be there as soon as you can." And just like that, he walked away, leaving his scent as a trail that pulled people's attention to him.

I was already disappointed that I wouldn't get a chance to speak to him but when he took a brief look behind and locked eyes with me, I realised...

His scent was indeed leaving a trail... For me.

So, I bade Abby goodbye and I was soon following Mr. Klaus's lead, the questions in my mind doing a jumbled dance.

Hopefully, I can find answers to them and hopefully, I am not in danger as the bloodied paper suggests.