rr (ON HOLD)

Chapter 4

The moon's light broke into Ruby's bedroom, casting an almost glimmering sight. The girl was wide awake and had been for the last hour; sleep was obviously not opening its arms to her tonight. 

Meanwhile, she'd been thinking and thinking about recent events. Nothing added up. What was Terrador's purpose? Why did he need to be in Twinford? These were questions Ruby wished she knew the answers to.

Cautiously, as to not wake anyone in her household, she grabbed her latest notebook from her hiding place and flicked to a new page, grabbing a pen.
She began to write:

T:

Terrador is probably not who he says he is. This is pretty much proved by his Australian accent. Did he really have a brother called Cyril? Did Cyril and Terrador really know Kaina? I have no way of knowing.

What I know:

Terrador was presumably hired by Marnie Novak, who is actually alive (somehow?), to go to Twinford. I don't know why.
He wants to find Kaina.

Ruby frowned, realising she didn't actually know much. Oh dear.

What I don't know:

Why was "Terrador" asking me where Kaina was? He must know who I am.
Has Kaina managed to escape the Count?
Is she alive?
Is Terrador asking me because he thinks Kaina got in touch with me and told me where she is?
Is Cyril real?

Why was LB acting so peculiar when I mentioned Novak?

"Ruby?" called a voice, knocking on her door.
Startled, Ruby jumped, and switched off her torch, cursing. She pretended to be asleep as Sabina entered her bedroom.

"Hey, sweetie, are you alright?"

She stayed silent, trying to breathe evenly.

"Ruby?" repeated Sabina. Ruby blinked, acting as if she had just been woken from sleep.

"Huh?" she said. "What's the matter, Mom?"

"Nothing. I just kind of came in... in fact, I'm not sure why."

"OK, well, I'm fine."

"Sure." Sabina smiled, and patted Ruby somewhat awkwardly. The woman was about to leave the room when Ruby called,

"Wait."

Sabina turned around, puzzled. "Hm?"

"You know when... you know, before Hitch died... um, where were you and Dad?"

"Oh, that," said Sabina, laughing, before hurriedly stopping when she realised how upset her daughter's tone was. "A gentleman knocked on our door and said we won a trip to somewhere, I don't quite remember where exactly. Of course, Brant and I were surprised in the very least, but eager to go. So we went. I don't remember anything which happened there, though, strangely enough... Ruby, are you sure you're okay? You look a bit annoyed."

"I'm okay, honestly," said Ruby, though inside she was thinking: geez, thanks a lot, Mom. "So um, this man, what did he look like?"

"Oh, you know, one of those types. Dressed in an old-fashioned suit, black cravat and very polished shoes. Very neat, too. Kind of posh and quite clearly wealthy. Now I think about it, he reminded me of Mr Pérez, that government guy. How funny."

"Yeah, funny," repeated Ruby. "Well, g'night Mom."

"Goodnight, Ruby." Sabina gave another smile before exiting the room, shutting the door behind her. Once she was gone, Ruby let out a heavy sigh.