2-Ruby

When I get home, the sight waiting for me nearly knocks the breath out of my chest.

My belongings.

My clothes, shoes, and even my suitcase are scattered across the front steps like garbage.

My favorite dress lies crumpled in the dirt.

For a moment, I just stare.

Then my heart drops.

"Mom?"I rush forward, dropping everything I’m carrying.

I pick up my dress, brushing the dirt from it with trembling hands.

"Mom!"I run to the door and pound on it with both fists.

“Mom, please open the door!”Silence.

I knock again.

Harder.

“Mom, it’s me! Please, just talk to me!”Nothing.

My throat tightens.

“I didn’t do anything wrong.”I press my forehead against the door.

"Please."Still nothing.

I keep knocking until my knuckles ache.

I keep calling until my voice becomes nothing more than a broken whisper.

No one opens the door.

No one even asks if I’m okay.

Eventually, my legs give out.

I slump against the wall, staring at the suitcase beside me.

That is when I understand.

They really threw me out.

I gather my things with trembling hands.

My suitcase feels heavier than ever.

My heart feels heavier still.

“They don’t want me anymore,” I whisper.

And for the first time, I have nowhere to go.

My mind races through every person I know.

There aren't many.

My twin sister, Rose, is gone, living her life far away.

And then I remember Anna.

Rose’s best friend.

Anna has always been kind to me.

She never treated me like a burden.

She never mocked me the way Cleo did.

Maybe…

Maybe she’ll let me stay for a few days.

Just until I figure out what to do.

Dragging my suitcase behind me, I start walking.

Every step feels like I’m carrying the weight of the world.

By the time I reach Anna’s house, my clothes cling to my skin with sweat. My eyes burn from crying, and my chest aches with every breath.

I stop outside her gate.

What am I doing?

I stare at the suitcase in my hand.

I shouldn’t be here.

Anna has her life.

Her problems.

I shouldn't drag mine into it.

I turn around.

I barely take one step.

"Ruby?"My entire body freezes.

Slowly, I turn.

Anna stands in the doorway.

Her eyes move from my face to the suitcase.

Then back to me.

“Ruby,” she says softly. "What happened?"I open my mouth.

Nothing comes out.

My throat closes.

My eyes fill again.

Anna doesn't ask another question.

She simply walks toward me and opens her arms.

"Come."That one word breaks me.

The moment I step inside, everything I've been holding back comes crashing down.

I sob until my body shakes.

Anna doesn't push me away.

She doesn't demand an explanation.

She simply sits beside me, one hand resting gently on my shoulder.

She waits.

And when I finally have enough strength to speak, I tell her everything.

Anna listens without interrupting.

Her eyes widen at some parts.

Her lips press into a thin line at others.

But she never stops me.

When I finish, my voice is barely a whisper.

“I just need to stay for a few days.”I look down at my hands.

“I don't know where else to go.”Anna smiles.

“It's fine, silly. You don't even have to ask.”Her eyes glisten.

“You're welcome here.”I stare at her.

“Why are you being so kind to me?”My voice cracks.

“I don't deserve it. I'll pay rent.”Anna raises an eyebrow.

"Ruby."Her voice is firm now.

“You deserve better than what they did to you. Don't ever think otherwise.”I wipe my tears.

"I'll still—"

“And do I look like I need your money?”She smiles teasingly.

A small laugh escapes me before I can stop it.

It is the first time I've smiled all day.

My chest tightens.

But this time, it isn't from pain.

It's relief.

“Thank you.”

Anna squeezes my hand.

“You're safe here. Rest. Tomorrow, we'll figure things out together.”That night, I lie awake in the guest room Anna prepared for me.

My suitcase sits in the corner.

My clothes are folded neatly on the bed.

For the first time in days, I feel a tiny piece of peace.

Then I remember him.

That cold voice.

Those words.

This never happened.

My eyes snap open.

I stare into the darkness.

If it never happened…

Why can I still remember every detail?

Why can I still hear his voice?

And why does it feel so real?

A tear slips down my cheek.

I pull the blanket tightly around myself.

But just before I close my eyes, another thought hits me.

What if tomorrow doesn't bring answers?

What if it only brings more questions?

I turn onto my side, unaware that somewhere beyond this house, the man from that night is already closer than I think.