Survivor

Chapter 22

Even several hours later, while walking down the main street with Benji, Ruby couldn't stop thinking about the jaguar's behavior.

When she had entered the living room earlier to wait for Benji, they'd tried to hide it, but she'd still noticed how both Aaron and Torin heads had whipped around, staring at her before they could mask their reaction. Aaron barely looked away in time to hide his smirk, no doubt smelling the strong scent that was radiating from her. Ruby had ignored their behaviour, glad when Benji had called out for her.

He held the hotel door open, as they entered the lobby, walking to the reception. After she got her keys, they went upstairs and unlocked her room. While Ruby gathered all her stuff putting it back into her suitcase, Benji wandered around. When he spotted her battered handbag, he picked it up, but quickly set it down aside as he saw what was lying behind it. A little, black remote control, that was completely destroyed.

"Ruby, where did you get this?", he asked with wide eyes, holding it up so she could see what he was talking about. Glancing at him, she shrugged her shoulders.

"Sam lost it while we were eating breakfast yesterday. I found it, wanting to give it back later but then I tripped over my bag and accidentally stepped on it."

Benji shook his head in disbelief. The destruction of the remote control should have activated the fuse, releasing a deadly charge of electricity. But for some reason that didn't happen, meaning the E-collar was now nothing more than a piece of plastic. He'd take it of Nikita as soon as they got home.

Shortly after, Ruby was done packing and headed towards the elevator when Benji gently grabbed her wrist, stopping her.

"We have to get Sam's and Nikita's stuff too, or the hotel will get suspicious soon. I'll hack into the hotel system later, checking them out that way. Do you know which rooms they're in?"

Nodding, Ruby gestured him to come with her. She hadn't even thought about that, but Benji was right. Being the last one they were seen with, she'd be a suspect and that was the last thing she needed right now,

Coming to a halt in front of Sam's door, she looked at him.

"Nikita didn't have any luggage with her, so we can skip her room. Sam did though, but I don't have his keycard."

"Don't worry, Aaron stole a master key card from the cleaning personnel this morning. It should work on all the guest rooms here."

Reaching into his pocket, he took out a card and held it against the lock. It beeped, before a clicking sound was audible. Impressed, Ruby pushed the door open, entering the room. This time Benji helped her to gather all of Sam's belongings, to waste no time. They left soon after and Ruby held her breath when she gave her keycard back, expecting to be accused of stealing at any moment. But nothing happened and when they're walking on the main street again, she let out a relieved sigh.

Just as they turned around a corner, the mansion already in sight, Ruby looked up abruptly. The feeling of being followed crept up her spine, making the hair on her neck stand up. Trying to shake it off, she kept walking, glad to reach the gate after a few minutes. Benji didn't seem alert, so she ignored the feeling, blaming paranoia for it. Still, Ruby couldn't stop herself to rush to the mansion as soon as they were on the property. Torin was already waiting at the door, as he had opened the gate for them. Mumbling a quick "Hi", Ruby hurried past him, leaving her suitcase in the hallway. For some reason, she needed to see her jaguar as quickly as possible. Being near her soothed her.

When she finally pushed the cellar door open, immediately looking at the bed, Ruby jumped back, startled. Tripping on the stairs, she fell down, cursing as her tailbone hit the stone. Staying seated, she rubbed her butt, watching with wide eyes as Nikita rushed towards her with a concerned look.