(My) Monster - A Jeremiah Valeska Story

Reunion

I wrap the shawl given by Alfred tighter against myself as I step out of my taxi at Xander's old apartment. My face falls a little when I see a huge lock on the door. Dejected, I sit down on the front step of his apartment and let out a weak sigh. Where are you, Xander ?

Just then, an idea hits me.

"Taxi!" I call out the taxi guy from whose taxi I had just stepped out from five minutes earlier. I open the door and push myself inside.

"Sir, I need you to take me five blocks ahead from here."

"That'll be 20 dollars."

I nod in acceptance and he pulls over and starts driving to my destination.

I'm coming, Xander. I think to myself as I gaze out of the window. The driver pulls up in front of the address I wanted him to take me to. I pay him the fare and step out, squinting my eyes as I see the familiar apartment in front of my eyes. I rub my hands together and pull my shawl closer against my shoulders,quickly climbing up the flight of stairs and ringing the doorbell.

I watch from the corner of my eye as a figure approaches from the other side of the door. I can see her shadow. The shadow opens the door and instantly gasps, her mouth falling wide open.

"It can't be.."

"Delilah , it's me.. Ruby."

I feel hands engulf me and pull me into a tight hug. I slowly wrap my hands around her tiny body and hug her back. Delilah is whimpering softly so I place my palm comfortingly over her back and stroke her gently. We stay a few minutes like this before reluctantly letting go off each other. She instantly grabs my hand and pulls me inside, locking the door behind me.

"RUBY DAY THIS IS THE BEST DAY OF MY LIFE HANDS DOWN" Her enthusiasm and happiness makes me smile wide.

She looks still the same. Her blonde curls are falling loosely over her shoulders and she still sleeps with her make up on. Psycho. I smile softly at myself.

"What?" She raises an eyebrow curiously and huddles next to me.

"I missed you. I'm sorry Delilah.." I grab her hand and curl my fingers against her. I can hear her sigh softly as she curls her fingers back against mine.

"No Ruby. Life has been kind of unfair to you. I don't blame you for anything. I'm just glad to have you back. But how ? I thought you died." She looks up at me and I can see her eyes have started to water.

I then start telling her about everything. I start by telling her how I ran away and found myself living on the streets with a girl named Selina Kyle. I get to hear a full fledged speech by her on how stupid I was to drop out of St. Ignatius.

"I needed that change Delilah.." I croak.

"No you were just a coward. You just left when you should have tried to make things right, apologize and fight for what's yours!! You ran!!" Delilah has placed her palm on my arms and grabbed me hard, almost shaking me. "Xander would have come around. He was definitely hurt. But he loved you! You betrayed him! You left!"

She is right. I almost choke on my sob, my eyes feeling watery.

We then move on to talking about the night I was murdered by Jerome. She gasps when I tell her about what happened at the Indian Hill. "Are you serious? They actually bring people back to life at that facility? Oh my god." Her eyes are thrown wide and she has her mouth shaped into an O.