Shattered Masks
Ruby, upon hearing my voice, looked up from the policewoman's arms, her eyes swimming in tears.
Her look was a tangled mess of emotions: fear, shame, but above all, a desperate hope, like she was clinging to a lifeline, and a barely perceptible flicker... A silent question, checking if I was sticking to the plan.
Choking back sobs, she reached for me. "Honey... honey..."
I moved quickly, brushing past Seth's scorching stare, and wrapped Ruby in my arms, shielding her from the prying lenses with my back, a fortress of protection.