The Cardboard Box's Unsolved Mystery

9. Sleeping Beauty

This is what I sort of imagine Delionia (this is the closest picture I could get) to look like, only with slightly more olive skin.

Recap -

Withina few seconds, he saw her huddled near a bin. "Ruby!" Feeling victorious and thrilled, Ammon ran towards Ruby with a relieved grin, but every step injected worry. Soon his smile faded. Uh oh. Something's not right. Her whole body shivered in the rain. Ruby's lips were purple and her face was pale. It was like the cold was draining life outof her. Her eyelids were tightly shut, water rolling off the delicate skin. Without thinking, Ammon wrapped one arm under her legs and the other under her neck, so she was draped dramatically in his arms. She seemed to be partly conscious as her lips mumbled when Ammon picked her up, but that was it. As Ammon paced to shelter, he was grateful for the strength footy gave him.

End of Recap -

Slowing down once he was under cover, Ammon sat on a cold seat while still holding tightly onto Ruby. Her golden hair was damp and flowed like a silky curtain across his lap. Water rolled off her smooth cheeks, which were slightly pink from the cold. Thunder boomed in the distance, but nowhere near as loudly as before. Birds were huddled in the nearby trees with fluffed feathers, desperately trying to keep warm. Ammon wasn't sure on what to do. After placing two fingers on her cold neck, he knew she was breathing. It was a start, but he was still worried. Brushing his fingers gently across her smooth skin, Ammon failed to find any bumps or scratches. "Um, hello? Ruby are you awake?" He urged while shaking her. His voice echoed along the concrete underground eating area he was sitting in. Suddenly, it dawned on him how awkward he felt. It was unusual to have a girl lying in your arms. An unconscious one too. As he observed her features, Ammon realised that Ruby was pretty, and felt like a creep staring at her. He forced himself to stop daydreaming and make sure Ruby was ok. As he held her in his arms, speaking to her, hoping she would wake, a rush of guilt choked him. Is she like this... because of me? Ammon felt responsible for her once again. If I kept my eye on her, this wouldn't have happened. He gently laid down her shivering body on the cold, metal seat with careful hands. Looking around the dark and deserted eating area with eyes scanning the rows of empty seats, Ammon struggled to keep his panic down. A few torn hats littered the floor, along with some plastic wrappers, but it wasn't what he was looking for. "Ah ha!" He sprinted as fast as he could to a jumper a few metres away, snatched it from the ground and ran back to Ruby. He quickly wrapped it around her arms and torso, making sure to cover as much of her as possible. "Ruby? Wake up. I don't know if you're ok or not and a small sign would help." He gently shook her, even though there was no response. Since it there was nothing else he could do, Ammon waited nervously next to her on the seat while keeping a constant eye on her. For some reason, a small part of brain told Ammon not to get any help. He didn't know why, but thought of getting another person formed bad feelings. As he tapped his feet anxiously, echoes bouncing off the concrete walls, a random memory popped into his head. It was the childhood story, 'Sleeping Beauty.' Looking back at the unconscious girl, Ammon couldn't help that smile that creeped on his face. "Huh. I guess you're like Sleeping Beauty" he whispered. Only crazy.

Ammon didn't know how long he waited for. As he shivered in the cold, he made sure Ruby was warm under the jumper. After searching for another few minutes, he managed to find a school jacket, which Ammon also gave to Ruby. As he was halfway through putting the jacket under Ruby's head, a snap was heard. "You know it's not going to work." The voice was so sudden and unexpected that Ammon's heart lurched in panic and breathing instantly hitched. Eyes wide, Ammon faced the person behind him. It was Delionia, one of the prettiest girls in the grade. Her olive skin dripped with water, along with the deep red hair she dyed ever since she was 11. She was Asian, with large chocolate eyes, dimples and a sassy personality. Girls envied her, hence why she didn't get along with Fiona, nor her friends. Ammon tried to speak, but his throat went dry as he was at lost for words. "Here, I'll show you," she said confidently, walking forward with long strides. Ammon stepped away as she approached Ruby. Her hands creeped into the pocket in her shirt and pulled out a small glass vial with sloshy green liquid. Transfixed, Ammon watched as she opened it with a small, satisfying pop, and used her finger to apply some underneath Ruby's nose. "What are you doing here?" Ammon asked cautiously. He never talked or associated with Delionia, so it wasn't like they were great besties suddenly helping each other out. "I saw you walk out," she replied, still concentrating on Ruby. "Didn't choose the perfect timing I must say. Teacher saw you but didn't do anything. He was confused, but I put two and two together." Ammon tilted his head, not clearly understanding what two and two meant. Delionia paused to look at him at laughed, her large, Asian brown eyes full of happiness. "Mate, it wasn't hard. Teacher called Ruby's name, the girl you have been hanging out a lot with, and there was no response. You instantly look around frantically like a dog lost in a busy crowd. Suddenly, you take off." Delionia said it like it was the most obvious thing in the world. She shook her head as she finished applying whatever was in the glass bottle to Ruby's nose. "Why did you come after me though?" Sliding the small glass vial into her pocket, Delionia turned around and stared at Ammon straight in the eye. "I want in."

"In on what?" he replied. She sighed. "This whole investigation. I know you two are trying to figure out what happened in History. I want to be part of it. I believe in ghosts and curses, plus other magic. You two seem like the only people serious about it, and I therefore wish to join." She stood tall with a determined look on her face. Confidence radiated off her body. "Um, sure" he stuttered. Ammon couldn't believe she even wanted to be near them. He thought if anyone knew what he was doing, they would think he was a weirdo, just wasting his time of flimsy magic. Here, however, one of the most popular girls wanted - without being bribed - to 'join' in. "So, you actually believe in magic?" Ammon paused halfway through his question, wondering whether it was a dumb or not. "Of course I do." Delionia faced Ruby, watching her calmly. Ammon shifted uncomfortably in the silence. Only the sound of rain splattering on the ground was to be heard.

Ammon had a slight guess at what she was doing, and curiously waited to see if it would work. Sure enough, the once peacefully sleeping girl with a gentle expression fluttered her eyes open, a disgusted look scrunched up face. "What is going on?" Ruby grumbled as she massaged her head in pain, "and what is that horrible smell?" She rubbed her nose and sneezed. Delionia rolled the small, half-empty, vial between her fingers. "Secret," she said with a smirk and a quick wink. Ammon knew Ruby was wondering who Delionia was and why she was there, but he quickly cut in before anyone else could speak. "Are you ok? What the hell where you doing?" Ruby looked at Ammon with a quizzed look. Seconds ticked by, and Ammon felt anticipation rising. She tilted her head and gave him a hard stare.

"Who are you?'

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Weellll here it is! Chapter 9.
Or Chapter Nine.

Or Chapitre Neuf. Or Kapitel neun. Or capítulo nueve.

If you know what any of those languages are, comment below. (If you do, I applaud you because I suck at learning other languages. Three years of German and I remember nothing.)