To The Shock of Miss Louise (Carousel Series #1)

Chapter 4: Los Angeles, California | 1983

Ruby moaned softly, twisting a bit. She felt a hand on her head, a gloved hand. Please, just let this be a nightmare! her mind cried, as she opened her eyes slowly. David was looking down at her, a sad smile on his face.

"No...not real...please..." Ruby whimpered hoarsely. David shook his head.

"We're real, Ruby." He answered softly. Ruby's eyes closed and she shook her head. "I was there when Austin killed your brother. You probably don't recognize me; I did look a lot different back then."

"You let him kill my brother?" Ruby hissed.

David shook his head. "I wasn't a member of their gang. I had no say." Ruby shook with grief and anger. David's gloved hand smoothed back the hair from her eyes. "I saw you. And I knew if you were seen, Austin would have killed you too. I hoped he never had, even after we were out of state. After all these years, I found out he hadn't."

"I died that day." Ruby cried, fresh tears running down her pale cheeks. "It doesn't matter anymore. I'm already dead."

"No." David spoke, his tone stern. "You are alive and well. The Boys and I repaid Austin and his gang for what they did all those years ago. Now it's your turn to repay us."

Ruby rubbed her eyes with her balled fists. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. "What!" David helped steady her as she sat up. It was then that she realized she was in her tiny studio apartment, lying on her bed. The sheets were tangled around her boots.

"That's part of the reason we're in LA." David sighed, picking up the glass of water Marko had brought at his request. The glass was placed to Ruby's lips, until she gave in and took a long drink. "We came here to not only try to get our story made into a film, but also to repay Austin and his gang for your brother's murder. Meeting you was fated."

"I really don't understand, David." Ruby pressed the heel of her palm to her eye, sighing.

"Don't worry. You will." David rose, pushing aside the curtain to look through the tiny window. "We can't stay here, we have to get to our safe house. The sun rises soon."

"So when the hell am I gonna understand?" Ruby cried. She blinked at the pain that rose in her stomach when David had said they were leaving.

"Tomorrow night. We will come back and I'll explain." He stepped towards the door, removing the chain and deadbolt. "And be prepared to make a decision, Ruby." The front door swung open and the faces of the other Boys met Ruby's. Paul waved, following David out to the street. Dwayne nodded and disappeared. Marko paused, his eyes speaking the worry he felt for Ruby.

"Night, Ruby." He waved, pulling the door shut. Ruby stared at the door a long time, long after the bikes had roared away into the night. Long after the sun had risen.