How To Save A Life

Chapter 7

"Miss. Turner?" Ruby looks up as she hears her name. "We're ready for you." She follows the morgtition as he leads her into a separate room. It's cold and dark. As if the Gods were giving her a glimpse of her future. A black body bag lays on the slab before her. "Are you ready?" He asks. Ruby takes a deep breath and nods. "Yes." He slowly unzips the bag and opens it. Ruby chokes on her sob as she sees her fiancé laying lifeless. Her body bruised, broken, pale, some red spots where they didn't fully clean off all the blood. "That's my fiancé. Or, she was." She spoke softly.

He nods. "Ok, thank you." He goes to zip up the body bag as they walk out. "Wait! Wait! No!" Ruby suddenly turns around and throws herself on the body bag. "Don't leave me! Please! Don't leave me! I need you! Don't leave me alone! Come back!" "Security?!" They drag Ruby away as she kicks and screams.

--

Ruby gasps as she sits up. "Damn it." She whispered. Another nightmare. She sighs as she gets out of bed and goes to the kitchen. She turns on the light and nearly screams when she spots Malia. "Mother fuck! You scared the shit out of me!" "Sorry. I couldn't sleep." Malia shrugs. "Yeah, me neither." Ruby rubs her eyes. "I haven't had a good night's sleep in forever." She opens the fridge. "I uh....i heard you screaming....nightmare?" Malia lightly presses. Ruby nods. "The same one, like always." "....can i ask....what it is?" Malia leans over the kitchen counter. "They called me in to identify the body, and i broke down crying. Security had to drag me away." "God, Ruby. I'm so sorry." Ruby shrugs. "That's why when i realized what you were trying to do....i ran away. I just....i couldn't be there anymore. Too many bad memories." Malia nods. "I understand completely, Ruby. And I'm sorry if my being here is triggering anything for you." Ruby shakes her head. "It's not you, I've been having them ever since....yeah. They never go away. Actually, i just realized, i forgot to take my sleeping pill tonight." Malia looks at her. "You take sleeping pills?" Ruby nods. "Like i said, nightmares."

Malia looks at her. Like, really looks at her. "Ruby.... you've never....thought about....you know...." Ruby looks at her. "About what?" "About....joining her...." Ruby sighs. "Sometimes, but then I'd be breaking my promise."

--

After Ruby cleans Mel up and helps her put on some fresh new clothes. She has her sit on the toilet while she cleans the restroom, just to keep an eye on her. After she throws out the trash, they both lay in bed, cuddling. "Baby?" Ruby runs her hands through her hair. "Yes?" Mel whispered. "Can you promise me something?" "What?" "Please, please promise me that you will never do that again. That you will always come to me or Kylie or somebody. Please?" Ruby begs. Mel nods. "I promise. But only if you promise me, that if i ever do end up....doing it....that you won't follow me." Ruby tears up. "Mel, no." "No, Ruby. Promise me. My depression is my battle to fight. You can help all you want but ultimately, it's my job to get better. But if I can't do that, i need you to promise me that you won't join me. I'm a lost cause but you have so much potential, Ruby. You have so much to offer this world. Please don't throw it all away because of me. Promise me." Ruby sobs as she nods. "I promise." She kisses her deeply, holding her close. Mel holds her close as she slides her hands under her shirt.

--

"But, doesn't that mean that she broke her promise?" Malia asks. Ruby nods. "She did. First time she ever broke a promise to me, actually. And it ended up being the most important one." She looks down as she wills her tears not to fall. She takes a deep breath. She looks up at the ceiling as she blinks her tears away, as if all her answers were up there, somewhere. "Ruby?" Malia looks at her. "Hmm?" "Would you like to....did you wanna....sleep with me and Kylie tonight?" Ruby blushes. "Not like that, I'm sorry." Malia blushes as she hides her face. Ruby laughs. "It's ok, i know what you meant. Um....yeah, i think I'd like that." She smiles sadly as she follows Malia back to Kylie's room. She closes the door behind her as Kylie lifts her head from her pillow. "Malia?" "I'm here. Ruby's here too." "Rube?" Kylie sits up, trying to see her in the dark. "Hey Ky, you mind if i butt in?" "Of course not, Rube." Kylie scoots over as she lifts the blanket. Ruby lays next to her as Malia lays on the other side. Ruby soon falls back asleep as Kylie and Malia stay up. "You sure she'll be ok?" Malia whispers. "Yeah, i know her. She'll be fine." Kylie brushes a hair out of Ruby's face. Kylie turns the other way and faces Malia. "Are you gonna be ok?" She asks. Malia nods. "I think so." "Good." She kisses her softly as she holds her close. "Goodnight Malia." "Goodnight Kylie."