𝑴𝒚 𝑪𝒓𝒊𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒍 | 𝟏𝟖+

~ escaped prisoner ~

Ruby's perspective

I pace around the room while rubbing my chin.

He escaped? How? Why? Will he come to find me?

I pause in front of my balcony window and look out at the city lights. The muffled hum of city life slightly distracts me from my wild thoughts.

He wouldn't find me, I'm sure he hates me by now.

"I'm fine," I whisper into the empty room and watch as a small puff of condensation forms on the window.

I step away, stumbling through the room as my limbs shake. I will let them settle as I find my way through the dark.

Finally, I made it to my bedroom.

I tug my dress down and let it fall to the floor. I undo my bra and chuck it to the side before sliding on an oversized shirt.

I flop onto my bed, the soft fabric enveloping my figure as I let it basically eat me alive. At this point, I would appreciate it if the world would just crack open and devour me.

I let out a long sigh and watched the car lights dance across the ceiling. The gentle breeze from my room fan blows loose strands across my face and I let the white noise soothe me.

"Ruby," the masculine voice startles me and my heavy eyelids fly open. It takes a moment for me to adjust to the dark, but once I do, my heart races.

I stare at the dark figure while tugging my sheets tighter around me.

"Who the fuck are you!?" I called out.

The stranger remains silent but the light moonlight seeping in through the open window high lists the figure of a man.

"W- what are you doing here?" I ask in a shaky whisper.

My mind races to the possibilities of who it could be - I've had stalkers, many in fact, in my line of work, it's often, but never have gone so far as to break in!

The man takes a step forward and I swear my heart leaps into my throat, clogging it. I shuffle back, fumbling for my phone on the nightstand. My fingers tremble as I unlock it.

I turn on the flashlight and am about to dial emergency services when I freeze.

The room falls to an eerie silence as I stare at my intruder, finally about to see their face.

His sharp jawline is clenched together showing veins pop at the sides and his dark eyes are glazed over. His lean figure is hardly covered by a white tank top and bright orange pants.

I gasp quietly.

"What the fuck Ethan!?" I yell, pure anger lacing my voice. He stays frozen on my windowsill.

The tears I was holding back finally let loose and waterfalls ran down my cheeks. I rush to wipe them away, hiding my face in my hands.

"What the fuck," I repeat in a wavering voice.

He jumps up, the bed dipping as he sits next to me.

"I- I'm sorry," he whispers in a reassuring voice while moving my hands and replacing them with his own. "I... I didn't mean to scare you, I just... I was mad,"

"Mad at me!?"

"No! No... myself really, for coming here,"

I let out a crooked laugh, "you say that like you live down the street,"

He scoffs but his face stays in a dead expression.

"Ethan?" My voice is soft as I raise my hand to his face, only now noticing his black eye. "What happened?"

"Ruby... you're not safe anymore,"

I furrow my eyebrows. "What do you mean?"

His jaw tightens as his bottom lip trembles. "I'm so sorry Ruby," he whispers, "I've put you in danger,"

"How?"

His eyes fall closed. "I... lied, about the gang."

"What? The... God? Heaven?"

"Yeah, I uh- I was in the gang, I just did my sister's jobs too because she couldn't, I knew what they would do if she failed..." He trails off, his eyes opening to watch my expression, "They know about you and they know about my sister and... they want revenge,"

My eyes widened. "Is your sister okay?"

"I- I don't know, I can't reach her,"

I caress his cheek gently. "I'm sorry, what can I do to help?"

"I don't know," he whispers, voice cracking ever so slightly.

"Let's go to the police,"

"No!" He snaps.

"Ethan... maybe if you help them take Heaven down they'll lessen your sentence,"

He groans while running a hand through his hair. "I escaped from prison,"

"I know but-"

"No, Ruby you don't know, I'd have to live without you, maybe if I hide then we can at least..."

My gaze falters, dropping to his hands which fiddle in his lap.

"It's crazy that that's your reasoning..." I mumble under my breath.

He snorts. "I'm crazy Ruby, what do you expect?"

"You're not crazy, you're mentally disturbed,"

"What's the difference?"

I bite my inner cheek.

"Exactly,"

I stand abruptly and turn away. "Look, if you just came here to argue then-"

"No!" He grabs my wrist, pulling back next to him. "Fuck! I'm sorry, I-" Tears brim in his eyes and my heart aches. "Please, Ruby, I can't live without you,"

"Don't just say that so lightly,"

His gaze intensifies and my eyes are glued to his as he stares deep into my soul.

"I would rather die than live in a world without you,"

"Ethan! You're going to prison for committing murder, but it's not like you'll never see me again,"

His brows crease. "Not seeing you for that long would kill me,"

"Then I'll visit!"

"You'll move on and forget me and I'll lose my chance-"

My lips hit his before I even have time to process what I'm doing. It only takes him a moment to relax into me, his hand pressing against the back of my neck and pushing me harder onto him.

Our teeth clink together as his tongue invades my mouth, bringing a familiar sense of comfort.

I pull back and gulp in fresh air. "We're going to the police," I say in a demanding voice.

"But-"

"End. Of. Conversation."

"Tomorrow,"

"Fine," I reply with an eye roll. "Now if you don't mind, I'm exhausted."

His eyes almost instantly light up. "Can I sleep with you?"

Somehow, even after that depressing conversation, his childish grin and deep dimples glow through the darkness.

I scoff quietly. "You're crazy,"

"All the best people are,"

I sigh. "You better not snore," I grumble while rolling over and wrapping myself in blankets.

He slowly folds his arm over me and I use his outstretched arm as a pillow. His nose nuzzles into the crook of my neck and his hot breath sends shivers through me.

"I love you," he whispers, "My heart will forever belong to you, even after every star in the sky has erupted and the Earth is turned to ashes, since the first moment I saw you... I knew you were the one for me. You're perfectly imperfect. Everything I desire and everything that drives me insane-"

I slap his bicep with a giggle. "Shut up and let me sleep,"