Chapter 15: Her Past

RYDER'S P.O.V:

I sat up on the bed panting, sweat plastering my cotton shirt to my chest. Ruby, beside me, was taking in short gasps of breath, her hands pressed firmly to the sides of her head. Her red hair was matted and tangled around her shoulders. Her chest heaved rapidly, her eyes narrowed as she focused on the end of her bed.

Thinking fast, I reached over to her and grabbed her arm, my fingers easily wrapping around her slender wrist. Her shaking stopped almost instantly and she relaxed, taking in a deep, shaky breath.

"Thanks. I think that was from- from the, uh, dream," her voice was quivering as she looked at me, "What time is it? The dodgeball tournament should start any minute now."

Looking over at the clock, it read eight-o-clock. I looked back at Ruby and gave her a reassuring smile and said, "No need to worry. It's only eight. You have four hours to get ready."

"Oh, alright," she sank back into the bed, her head lolling on the pillow. Her eyes were half lidded with exha