Nevermore

Chapter 1: The Dream

A figure, silhouetted against the fiery sky. That was the first thing that Ruby saw. And everything was still and quiet. But not peaceful. It was a deafening silence, like when the world has ended. And then there came a whisper, a breath of almost non- existent wind that sent a prickle of fear creeping up Ruby's spine. And it formed into two words: "Help us..."

*

Ruby sat up suddenly, and, in shock, tumbled sideways. She clutched at the lilac coloured duvet but she pulled too hard and it came away in her hands. With a small scream, she landed on the floor, hitting her head on the sharp corner of her battered beside table. After lying there groaning for half a minute, she pulled herself up and gingerly put a hand to her forehead. Wincing with pain, she saw that her creamy skin was stained with red. Using the bed to steady herself, she stood up slowly and peered at herself in the mirror. Sighing, she picked up a tissue and gently dabbed at the blood. She picked up a her brush and styled her wavy, light blond hair so that it covered her cut, and then she clipped it back. Now satisfied, she glanced at the clock on the wall and stifled a gasp. 6:00 am.

*

"RUBY! RUBYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!" Who was shouting? Who did the raging, furious voice belong to? Ruby squinted at the tall, looming figure before her, bathed in early morning light. And then, her eyes, gleaming like sapphires, saw the platinum blond, curling hair, the heavily outlined eyes, the crimson red lipstick, the angry snarl. Her mother. And behind her, her teenage sister, Beth, who was more advanced and sophisticated than Ruby would ever be. Two years older than Ruby, at 15, and already rebellious, cool, popular. Dark lashes thickened with layers of mascara, heavily pencilled eyebrows, smooth creamy skin, and midnight coloured strands of dyed hair escaping her fashionable side ponytail and falling across her... Frustrated-looking face? Why were they glaring at her with deathly looks? And why could she hear the laughter and chatter outside? And then she knew. "RUBYYYY! HOW DARE YOU LIE IN BED, YOU LAZY CHILD, YOU..." "Leave it Mum!" It was the cool voice of Beth, stepping in, standing up for her. Ruby felt a rush of gratitude for her. "AND YOU TOO! EVERYONE'S AGAINST ME! GO ON, GO, YOU UNGRATEFUL CHILDREN!!!"

*

"You know, sometimes I think Mum just doesn't care." Ruby wandered on, staring down at the grass, wishing Beth could just stop talking about this, start talking about anything: weather, school, homework, ANYTHING. But Beth continued, and Ruby started playing an interesting game with her and Beth's feet; left right left right left... "So it's decided. I'm moving out with my new boyfriend. I can't stand it anymore." Ruby froze, her heart in her mouth, unable to register this huge rush of information. "No." she said quietly. "You can't." Beth turned to look at her. "Yes. I can." Ruby raised her voice to a desperate shout in her fruitless attempt to stop her sister. "PLEASE! MUM WOULD ONLY BLAME ME! WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN THEN?!" Beth rolled her eyes. "Look, you have to stand up for yourself for once. You can't just go around tagging after me your entire life. You could seriously damage my life, Ruby. And you have to promise to not tell Mum. She'll figure out eventually, but don't tip her off. You'll be in trouble if you do that, OK? I suppose I could show you my boyfriend..." Ruby nodded, tears stinging her eyes. Beth's words had hurt her, badly, as if she was stabbing her with a newly sharpened knife. She turned away from her sister. She felt as if her life was being torn apart.