Ethan was very astonished when he learned that Ruby had left the house. He couldn't believe his ears and panicked. What was he going to tell that crazy guy now. His mind was in a turmoil, not knowing what to do.
Meanwhile, Ruby had begun calling Gary to tell him the good news and ask him to come and pick her but unfortunately, Gary wasn't answering her calls. Ruby was surprised as this was the first time Gary hadn't answered her calls. She quickly brushed it off thinking he might be busy with something and would call her when he sees the missed call. It was already late so she sat on a street bench, waiting for Gary's call. She wished she knew the way to Gary's house, that way she would have gone there and give him a surprise.
After some few minutes, Ruby called again but it went straight to voicemail. It was getting late, the sun was setting and she was becoming scared. She called several times but no one answered the phone. Then she sent countless messages to Gary telling him to come and pick her quickly if he sees the messages. She felt her fever flaring up again. She was feeling weak and thankfully, she had eaten before she came, that way she can save more. She went to buy some drugs to reduce her fever. She waited till dawn but still had no news, leaving her no choice but to sleeping the street that day cursing Gary as seconds passed and thinking of ways to punish him when he shows up tomorrow.
The next morning, she realised her fever had flared up again. Contemplating on what to do, she drunk the pills again and went to the public bathroom to take a bath and go to school. She had some money with her that could last her an additional 3 or 4 days. She also hoped to see her uncle after school.
When she went to school,both Ethan and Christabel were shocked. Ethan rushed to her on impulse and bombarded her with several questions
" What is wrong with you Ruby, why did you listen to dad words and leave home "
" Where did you stay on yesterday's evening"
You are coming home with me today "
Ruby looked at him surprised. Ethan rarely talked to her and this was the second time he had try to help her. She said
" you do not need to worry about me, besides it was your father's wish that I leave the house and I did. "
Ethan was about to persuade her again, when he remembered something and asked
" Before that, tell me sincerely, did you do what Christabel said you did "
Ruby was a bit hurt by Ethan's question. She retorted angrily
" What difference would it make if I explained myself, would you believe me over your twin"
Ethan stood there quiet and Ruby said with a mocking smile
" see, my explanation wouldn't make any difference, now please I would be glad if would excuse me "
Before Ethan could talk, Ruby turned to go but Ethan quickly grabbed her hand to stop her. Ethan who had grabbed her hand widened his eyes in horror as he instinctively left her hand. He exclaimed
" Ruby you are burning with fever, let's go home ..."
Ruby asked curiously, interrupting him
" Why are you doing this. Why act as if you care. You are in cahoots with them right. You all want to see me fall"
Ethan denied quickly
" No, you are also my sister and I care about you "
Ruby laughed and said
" You didn't give a damn about me before. Don't expect me to believe you. Also stop meddling in my business "
" Ruby listen to me and let's go home. You need.... "
Before he could finish, Ruby run away. There was no way she was going home. It would make her father and his family satisfied. Ethan dashed after her but surprisingly, he couldn't find her. It was like Ruby had just vanished into the thin air. He searched for her in the entire huge school but all his efforts went in vain.
He just hoped Ruby would come to school in good health the next day but he didn't give up on searching for her. Perhaps if he was old enough, he might have found her long ago but his connections weren't strong enogh. Much to his surprise, Ruby didn't come to school the next day, and the day after and the day after.... there was no way he was going to find her now.
Meanwhile, Ruby was now helpless. She now couldn't reach Uncle Gary again. She had grown to be so much dependent on him and felt he also didn't want her anymore. Eventually, she stopped calling him but her heart was shattered with countless thoughts in her mind. She was now alone in this world with no where to go to. Of course she still had her father but her pride wouldn't allow her to bow to them. Her fever was also worsening with each passing day and she spent all her money buying drugs. She felt very weak and thought maybe it was finally time she died.
On the seventh day of staying on the streets, Ruby was on the verge of dying when 2 thugs suddenly approached her on an alleyway. One of the men said
" Oh man, the child is already on deaths doorway, why border ourselves to kill her "
Ruby was shocked. She panicked and asked in fear
" Who.... a..... are you.... Why do...y... you want to kill me "
As if not hearing what Ruby said, the other man said to his companion
" Let's just get the work done "
Then he turned to Ruby and thought the kid would die anyway, even if she doesn't due there was no treat she can pose, therefore he said
" Your mother paid us to kill you "
Ruby was utterly speechless. What did he mean by that, which mother. No it definitely can't be her mother.
" You are lying "
She yelled. But they didn't mind her and one of them said impatiently
" We are not hear to argue. Considering your pale body and how weak you look, you might already be on your death bed. Cooperate so we can make this quick. "
Ruby turned and begun to run but they easily caught her, she was so weak but still struggled. She wasn't the type to give up so easily. She scratched thier hands with her nails and yelled for help. They became annoyed and harshly threw her to the ground. At the impact, her mask fell of and they were a bit surprised to see her face.
Ruby on the other hand didn't care about thier expression. This was not how she wished to die. She begun throwing stones at them frantically. Most of the stones hit them though but they also became more fierce and went to grab her arm tightly, then ruthlessly slapped her wounded face with brutal force.
Ruby's head whipped to the left in a flash and she spat blood. She couldn't even touch her face. It was so painful, she lost her balance and fell. She felt dizzy and her world begun to whirl around. One of the men took out his gun and said
" Let's end this once and for all "
Ruby was so tired, she decided to embrace her fate. Maybe she was destined to die by the gun. She slowly closed her eyes.
" Bang.....bang.. "
Ruby heard the gun shoot ringing in her ears buy surprisingly, she didn't feel the impact she thought would come. She slowly opened her eyes, trembling in fear. This was the first time she had heard gunshot. The scene in front of her left her dumbfounded. The two men were on thier knees, groaning in pain with blood gushing from thier stomach. They were in a pool of blood and few seconds later, they kicked the bucket.
Then a feminine figure approached her. She looked at the person closely. She had fair skin and delicate face. Her hair had been tied into a ponytail making her look innocent but the aura she was emitting was in contrast. She was gorgeous and looked like she was around her late 20's. She walked to Ruby and smiled. Then she said
" I can help you if you want "
Ruby was in a daze. Help, of course she needed help. But before she could answer, the woman continued with scheming eyes
" Before you answer remember that nothing comes free. Even he'll does not have a free visa "
But Ruby couldn't think again. She felt her head ripping away, she was convulsing uncontrollably and blurted out....
.....