Twenty Eight

***Ruby***

I was having a dream.

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

And that made my heart ache a lot more. They 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 the idea of opening my eyes before someone could walk in on me shedding tears, I felt really 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 backwards.

"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 by my lips.
After an appreciative smile, I began to down the liquid like a person who has just completed a long journey in the desert.

While I eased my brief desire, footsteps graced the quiet that reeked of a distinct scent which tried to find a balance between a disinfectant and air freshener.

"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 as I handed Zion the now empty cup.

Lovingly, she cupped my cheeks. The worry in her eyes also wore compassion which enveloped my heart with even more warmth.
"Are you feeling okay? Are you feeling any pains?"

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

"Oh great." She relaxed her position and sat beside me, her eyes wearing those 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 really 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 mom was trying to say. Diane's terrible departure from the world is a picture that would 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 instantly 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 most scary part.

As I recalled how stuffed I felt, how weak I felt, I locked eyes with my mom's and she hugged me hand into her's a bit tighter.
"I felt so 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 just 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 plea in my eyes. Everytime I ask about what exactly 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. There are just 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 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 as she maintains a firm stand on the tiled floor which would eventually betray her with its smoothness.

"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 to them and perhaps peace, 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 on 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 to lose Diane in such a way and I know you are feeling guilty 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 make yourself fall into 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.

Replaying the part about guilt which mom talked about, it became my lullaby and soon, I was deep in *La La land*, a much more safer space.

~

As planned the funeral 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 definitely not forget.

As I snapped out of my thoughts which were invaded by the approaching noise from other students, I wondered what my parents wished to speak to me about later on.

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

"Hey you," Abby slid beside me as she walked in with the remaining students who I bet were hardly ready not 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 that okay the other day. I was so scared because it seemed like you were struggling to breathe."

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

Abby sighed and hugged me closer like she used to. " 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 her, a voice suddenly interjected.

"I'll walk you to class Ruby."

"Oh great, it is her. Clara." Abby muttered beneath 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?"

"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 some where 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 as usual, pulling people's attention to him as usual.

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 realized, his scent was indeed leaving a trail.

So, I bade Abby good bye and I was soon following his scent, the questions in my mind doing a jumbled dance in my mind.

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