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

Chapter 13: Santa Cruz, CA | 1986

Ruby huddled in her fleece-lined denim jacket, sipping hot tea. It was freezing here on top of the bluff where the crew had built a makeshift cave set. She wished it had been the real cave - it probably would have been a lot warmer - but then remembered.

She wouldn't allow them to film an actual death scene in the real cave. David had even let her put it in the contractual clauses.

Around her, crew and technicians were setting up, bringing in vats of what appeared to be blood: it was orange and gooey, and sparkly too. Ruby made a face. Vampires, if they bled, bled real blood. But this was a movie. So much for reality.

Still sipping her tea, she took up a spot near the back wall, out of sight but with a full view of the shot. The Boys would be hanging upside down, asleep for the day, and the Frog Brothers - Ruby had to admit Corey Feldman was cute and a nice guy; Jamison was weird - would climb up a short ladder and stake...

"Hi Ruby!" Alexander waved, walking onset. Ruby waved. The Frog Brothers were going to stake Marko. She kept her eyes down as Alexander neared her. "You sure you're okay with being on set?"

"Yes. I really have to be." She sighed. Alexander nodded, cables and wires snaking after him, part of the harness used to hold the actors from the ceiling vampire perch.

"It's just a movie. Remember." He smiled, squeezing her hand. And with that he was off, to be hoisted into position. Ruby nodded to her self, trying to steel her will against what was going to come. Really, he was right. It was just a movie, and he was an actor, and the real Marko was safe and sound at home.

The crew readied, the camera was started and 'action' called. The three human teens poured into the vampire den, and up the ladder went Corey and Jamison. Ruby dared a look at the Boys; each looked as peaceful as their vampire counterparts back home. It was almost reassuring in a way...

"Goodnight, bloodsucker!" Corey yelled as he stabbed the prop stake into Alex's chest. Alex flew awake and roared, the fake goo pouring from the blood packets under his coat, spewing the mess all over himself, Corey, Jamison and Corey Haims.

Ruby was transfixed. Alex took the dive, falling onto the cave floor and thrashing about in the throes of death. And he looked helpless and scared, angry and frightened. And then she no longer saw Alexander. It was Marko on the floor, roaring in pain.

Ruby fled.

***

Alexander hurried past the crew, as soon as he'd been able to leave the set. He knew where she'd gone. And he followed, ducking down as the real tunnels of the cave got smaller.

He heard her crying, mingled with the sounds of open water, as he came into the cavern. Ruby sat, her knees drawn to her chest, at the water's edge. Her hair loose from its braid, spread everywhere, pieces drifting on the surface of the water.

"Ruby." He spoke quietly, not to startle her. But she didn't move, the tears continuing as the pain of what she'd seen filmed welled up and out of her small frame. Alex moved slowly, coming up and sitting beside her. "Ruby... it's not going to happen to Marko." He offered, slowly putting his arms around her. She willingly went to him, her face pressed to his shoulder as he held her.

"Please. No. Never. I couldn't bear to lose him, any of them." She spoke through sobs. Alexander stroked her hair, her back. He was still in Marko's jacket, which was dripping the fake vampire blood. Ruby buried her face into him, getting the sticky mess on her skin.

"Shh..." he comforted, as her sobs slowly subsided. Ruby was gripping the jacket, the material tight in her fists. Slowly she looked up at him, and he knew she didn't see him as Alexander anymore.