The Abyssal Kingdom: part 1

Chapter Ten

RUBY

Ruby had just finished another swim session alone, she hadn't seen or heard from Salantina since they finished school.

Another friend slipping away. There was an ache in her chest when she thought about it.

As she walked out of the swimming complex she pulled out her phone and looked at her messages. Her last two messages to Salantina were left on read.

She had promised her grandfather that she would call down to him for his 86th birthday. Her family had planned a small gathering for him on Sunday but plans always changed with her parents and they decided to have brunch with friends in town instead. Sadly, she had to even remind them of the party. They were barely concerned.

Salantina loved going to see Ruby's Grandfather. Ruby had planned to call her after swimming to invite her but after seeing her last messages ignored she thought maybe it was a waste of time to reach out again.

Walking toward her Grandfathers she felt discontent, like something was missing. The road passed by the turn to Salantina's house and she felt as if the hole in her stomach grew larger with every step. Ruby didn't want to annoy her but she couldn't leave her to close herself off from the world either, or maybe, was it to close herself off from just their friendship?

'Damn it I'm going to carry her out of that house if I have to,' she thought and marched up the road.

When Ruby knocked on the door Salantina's mother, Cecilia, answered. Crap.

'I'm so glad to see you, Ruby. You look beautiful. How is your summer going?' She asked taking her into a hug. Ruby always thought of her as her second mother but today it felt a little awkward.

'Thanks, Cecilia! It's going good. It's actually my Granddad's birthday today I was on the way there when I thought maybe Salantina would like to come with me?' Ruby smiled brightly but avoided her eyes. She hoped Cecilia couldn't tell.

'Thanks so much for thinking of Salantina you've always been so thoughtful,' Cecilia replied but she seemed a little off. Then she lowered her voice. 'I was actually going to call we've all been so worried about Salantina she's been acting odd lately. How has she been with you?'

She looked at Cecilia's tired worried eyes. Ruby looked down at her feet for a moment. She didn't know what Salantina had told her mother or what she'd want her to know.

'Em... well... it's just I think she's just lost interest in swimming I guess. She did so well last season coming first in the competition. There's nothing really motivating her to succeed again,' Ruby painfully lied. Her face felt warm and she still refused to meet her eyes. She was never a good liar.

'I think so too. I tried getting some new competitions. Even bigger ones for her but she just isn't interested. I know when she goes to college this year she might feel she won't be able to train or do these competitions but that certainly won't be the case,' she paused for a second frowning. 'I don't know, I think sometimes you teenagers are unpredictable. She's been in her room for days now and won't come out. I'm just worried. Sorry I don't mean to bother you, Ruby, with all this, you've been such a good friend to her.'

'She might come around to something yet. I guess my parents say the same thing about me,' Ruby replied with a slight joke trying to make light of the situation. It worked because Cecilia gave a small smile. 'I'll bring her to my Granddads today if she wants to come. Maybe she just needs to ....' Ruby trailed off because she could see Salantina walking down the steps of the house. Her hair was down and looked slept-in messy still wearing her pyjamas.

'Hey, Ruby! What are you doing here?' She spoke with a blooming smile. As she walked closer she noticed Salantina's eyes had dark circles underneath them and a paler than usual face to match.