Ruby wakes up

Ruby!

I opened my eyes to plain white. It took me a few seconds to adjust to the blinding colouring. I tried to lift my head to inspect my surroundings and immediately regretted it. All the blood rapidly rushed to the other parts of my body, my vision blurring and my head dizzy. Before I could help it, I let out a gasp, evoking the attention of a familiar person.

"Ruby!" He gently helped me sit up. He had a stupid grin on his face, though his eyebrows were scrunched in concern. "Are you okay? Actually, wait, I'll get the pill and some water." He started chattering, bustling here and there. He looked like a large blob of brown, zipping back and forth. Finally, my vision cleared, and I managed to croak out, "Chubs."

He came back to my bedside, with an orange pill about the size of my thumbnail and a glass of water. "Not another word out of you until you take this." he beckoned, gently. So I listened and flicked the pill in my mouth, washing it down with water. I gave the glass back to Chubs, who set it down and placed two fluffy pillows behind me, so I could lean against it.

Then, he ran to the other side of the room, and I heard the familiar click of the telephone as he picked it up.

I looked around and found a wall mirror. I was taken aback by what I saw. Some of the hair had started to regrow from my bald head. I remember that pain, my screams echoing in the back of my mind. I looked so different, not like the 16-year-old kid that had hidden in the back of a truck. I pulled myself from the mirror, looking for something to distract myself from the excruciating memory.

"Are you alright? Do you need anything?" Chubs asked, gently arranging the blanket around me. I shook my head, "I missed you, Chubs."

He put on a fierce scowl but still clutched my hand as if I would disappear if he didn't have a clutch on me, "I'm going to need some serious answers later. Honestly, Ruby, what were you thinking? I was worried sick."

"I'm sorry, Chubs."

"Shush, I don't want to hear that. I'm just happy you're here and back. I missed you too, Ruby."

That's when the door burst open. Liam. He also looked different. He looked more ashen, with wrinkles starting to come up on his face. He looked right at me, before rushing to my bedside. "Ruby." he whispered, his hands coming up to cup my face.

"Liam." I one-upped him and threw my arms around him, burying my head into his neck. He kissed my head over and over again, and I could feel cold drops on my head, his tears.

"Ruby!" I let go of Liam and saw Vida there, behind her Zu. Vida stormed over to me, her expression changing every 5 seconds, from relieved to happy to concerned and finally settled on anger. "You stupid, stupid girl, don't leave without back up ever again!" she chastised. She pulled me into a fierce, but gentle, hug.

"How long was I out?" I asked.

"Three weeks." That came from Zu, who sat down on my bedside, and held my hand.

Three whole weeks. Maybe I truly did miss much.