Red {Wolf Rebellion I}

Epilogue~All This Time~

All this time,
the saint was a sinner,
the jokes on me,
a stone cold killer.

-Wanted, "Demons"

Epilogue~All This Time~

I blinked rapidly, disoriented while I waited for my vision to clear. What was going on? Where was I?

"You're okay, Ruby. I know it can be a bit disorienting at first." The voice came for my left, and I twisted rapidly. Wires pulled at my face and neck, and I nearly jumped when I realized where I was.

In the Scenario amphitheater.

My eyes darted up to the empty seats, and I thought of that day in Scen training, when Carmine had first appeared. Where I had first started to realize the horrors going on here at Red.

Someone was removing the wires, I could feel them tugging uncomfortably at my skin, pulling me back to the cot. My eyes darted around, trying to find the person that had talked. I needed answers. Hadn't I just been in Claret's office? I winced when a needle was pulled from my arm, and I followed it to an IV bag.

"Here," someone slid the hands under my shoulders, helping me sit up. When I finally got a look at them, my heart froze.

Carmine.

My eyes widened, thinking back to the office. Those words that had flashed across my vision, scenario complete. No, that had felt too real. There was no way in hell that it'd all been a Scen.

"W-what's going on?" Desperate for something to make sense, I lunged up, ripping the rest of the wires away from my skin. My legs felt weak, like I'd just spent hours on a horse, and I stumbled sideways.

Carmine's arm shot out and he stopped me from falling. My eyes jerked up to green ones and I could've cried with relief. "Carmine!" Before I could stop myself, my lips met his, needing something to ground myself to reality. I forgot about what had happened in Claret's office a few moments ago, I wanted a chance to escape reality.

Instead of returning the kiss, Carmine gently pushed me away. His eyes held mild concern, but that was all, nothing else. "I understand scenario's can be confusing and disorienting when used for an extended amount of time agent Gray. I believe that would explain your actions."

I wanted to scream at him. I wanted to hear his damn nickname for me leave his lips, just once. "That-none of that could've been a Scen. It was-it felt too real." I searched for something to prove I was right, and I grabbed at a strand of my hair. It was black again, but it was extremely short, almost to my chin. I hadn't done that.

"I cut my hair," I said, "but it's shorter."

Carmine put more distance between us, and I felt my heart breaking all over again. "I believe Claret will explain everything, if you'd go with her."

I twisted, seeing her standing near the door, and my blood boiled. She had done this, somehow, she'd made everything wrong. I wanted her to pay-I wanted her to bleed for what she'd done. "I'll explain everything, Ruby." She motioned me over, but I was frozen to the floor. I wouldn't be alone with her. I didn't know what was going on, and that scared me more than I cared to admit.

Seeing my expression, Claret looked at Carmine. "Perhaps you could join us? I believe it may help clear up some of Ruby's confusion."

Carmine nodded, and I latched onto his arm, not caring that I was making a fool out of myself. I needed to play my part perfectly if I had a hope of escaping. Thirty seconds to overpower Carmine, another minute to subdue Claret before she can call backup. That's if I'm lucky.