Lupin the Third: The Del Monte Ruby

Chapter 16

Ruby awoke to a crackling and a popping. The house was full of smoke. Coughing, she covered her mouth with her sleeve. She could see a thick gray cloud billowing under her bedroom door.

No!

She tried turning the knob, but winced and drew back her hand. It was hot. "MOM! DAD!" she shouted.

There was a rapping at her window. "Ruby! Ruby, get out of there! Hurry!"

"B-But Mom and Dad--"

A pair of arms grabbed her from behind and she struggled against them. "NO! Let go! We have to save Mom and Dad!"

"It's too late, Ruby."

"NO!"

She was twirling through a black vortex, and when she stopped, she found Antony standing in front of her.

"Ruby."

He seized her roughly by the chin, one hand going to the back of her hair, gripping it painfully tightly.

"OW! LET GO! DIANA!" She looked past Antony. There was her sister. But Diana did nothing. She just stood there, glassy eyed. Like a doll.

"DIANA!"

"Your sister's been drugged, RuRu."

Antony had disappeared. In his place was Lupin. He stood before her with his hands in his pockets and a frown on his face. "I have to go now, Ruby."

"No, wait! Don't leave yet! I need you!"

"You don't need me, RuRu," he said with a smile. "You're a smart girl. You'll figure out a way. Besides, this is no life for you."

"But—"

"Ja ne!" he said, turning his back and raising a hand in farewell as he began to walk away.

"No! Lupin! Please! Take me with you!" Ruby reached out a hand, but she couldn't touch him. He was walking down a great, long hallway.

Behind her, Ruby heard the crackling sounds of a fire burning uncontrollably. A glance back showed her house slowly razed to the ground. And from within the fire's depths emerged a dark figure. It began walking towards her.

Step by step, Ruby retreated, but the figure kept coming. She saw the long hair, the close-trimmed beard, the cape.

Aderlass.

Ruby turned and fled down the long, dark hallway, desperately trying to catch up to Lupin. But no matter how fast she ran, the hallway just kept getting longer, and Lupin got further and further away.

"Luuuupiiiin!!!"

"Jaaaa neee!!!!"

She looked back. Aderlass had become a monstrous beast and was chasing her on all fours. Screaming, Ruby ran faster, but the monster was gaining. He was practically on her heels...

~~~

Ruby shot up in bed with a gasp. Her body was soaked in sweat. It was that dream again. Only this time, Lupin and Aderlass were in it. It was getting worse.

Ruby threw off her covers. The sheets were practically sticking to her skin. She ran a hand through her hair and gazed about the room, giving her eyes a chance to adjust. It was still dark outside. She could still see the stars. A glance at her phone revealed it was just after 4:00 AM.

Well, there was no way she was getting back to sleep; that was for sure.

Ruby climbed out of bed and went down the hall – 'Walk. Don't run. There's no need to run.' – trying to assure herself that nothing was chasing her. Everyone was bound to be asleep this early in the morning, so at least she could take a shower without worrying about Jigen banging on the door and reminding her that other people needed to use the bathroom.