Ruby Redfort: try not to scream

Chapter 32- Suite 325

"What's wrong?" asked Clancy.
"Ruby Redfort, please sit down," sighed Mrs Drisco, rolling her eyes.
"I have to find him. I have to find Victor," Ruby whispered.
"No, Rube, don't be stupid," Clancy stood up and held her hand.
"Both of you, there is one minute left. Please sit down,"
As she said those words, the bell rang. Ruby grabbed her backpack and ran to the door. Clancy was just faster and stood in front of her. He sighed and took hold of her.
"Ruby please don't do this," he whispered. The entire class was enjoying the show. Although they had no idea what the two of them were talking about, it was quite interesting to watch it unfold. Ruby sighed and smiled helplessly at Clancy.
"I have to do this, Clance. There isn't any other way and you know it," she sighed.
"Do you even have the slightest idea what you're doing?"
"I have no clue," smiled Ruby. Clancy stepped aside and as she was about to leave he caught Ruby's arm, spinning her around to face him.
"Rube..." he whispered. "I love you,"
"I love you too, Clance," and with that she ran out. 

As the kids of Twinford Junior High watched Clancy Crew utter the words 'I love you' there was silence. To some, it came as no shock. To others it was like the biggest storm had just struck the classroom. As they watched Ruby Redfort run from view, her friends smiled to themselves. They had no idea what she was doing nor where she was going but they knew that she would be back. That was the beauty of Ruby Redfort. She wasn't always punctual but she would always show up at some point.

Ruby ran. Like her life depended on how fast she could go, she sped through the streets of Uptown Twinford. The Count was predictably unpredictable, meaning he would be in the place Ruby least expected. Tearing down Prince Avenue she reached the place. The Lunar Peak hotel. Perfect for someone trying to lay low. As she reached the reception desk she knew exactly what to do. She noticed The Count walking towards the reception desk and she decided to listen in.

Victor: hello, I'm Mr Miller checking into suite 325.

Receptionist: yes sir. Here is your key

Victor: thank you. I'm expecting my daughter at any moment. Her name is Ruby so please give her another key and let her up.

Receptionist: of course sir. Enjoy your stay

As Ruby listened, she looked shocked. He knew she was there. Of course he knew. He knew everything. The Count walked upstairs and Ruby approached the desk.
"Hi, I'm Ruby Miller, I'm here to see my dad,"
The receptionist smiled at this small girl.It was hard not to be intrigued by this figure. She was small, thin and couldn't be more than a child. Yet her eyes, that were two slightly different shades of green, made her look like so much more than a child. It was as if she could stare deep into your mind, fathom your thoughts and read your soul and you wouldn't even know it.
"Of course Miss. Here is your key,"

Ruby thanked the woman and walked upstairs. She followed the dark suited man, hiding in the shadows and using her parkour skills to stay out of sight. Although he knew she was there, he couldn't see her meaning Ruby had the upper hand. Ruby was thinking positively. She was going to live. She had to. All she needed to do was stay in the moment.
Rule 21: Don't think back; Don't think ahead; Just think NOW.
The Count smiled. He couldn't hear her. He couldn't see her but he could sense her. He knew she would come. How could she not? As he entered the room, he suddenly lost her. Like she had disappeared into thin air. His smile faded and his expression turned sour. This child was no ordinary kid. She was far from it. Where had she gone? He turned around to close the door but couldn't see her. Was she still there? He closed the door on the empty hallway and, as he turned around, he found himself staring into deep green. The Count was startled; she had not been there a few seconds ago. Ruby sensed his discomfort and smiled.

"Don't mind me," she said, continuing to smile. "I'm just here for the soda in the mini fridge,"
The Count didn't know whether to laugh or shudder at her sentiment. Here was a girl who, despite all the odds being stacked against her, was alive. She was like a fly, being fast enough to slip through The Count's fingers every time he tried to catch her. And now here she was. No weapons as far as he knew. No backup. Just a girl. Was this girl fearless? He doubted that but she certainly seemed invincible. Suddenly a truth dawned on Victor Von Leyden that could have sent him sprawling to the floor if he was alone. Ruby Redfort was not much different to him. She was intelligent, skilled and seemingly couldn't be killed. So there was the picture. Girl and man. Agent and psychopath. Hero and villain, just staring into each other's eyes. As Ruby looked into the void of Count Von Viscount's cruel black eyes she suddenly felt nothingness. She wasn't afraid of him anymore. After all these years of running from him, hiding from him, fighting him, escaping his clutches, she was not afraid. It was a different feeling. She was neither confident nor sure of herself. All she knew was that she refused to be scared of a man. And there was the truth, he was just a man.
"I am not afraid of you," she whispered but with so much force The Count took a step back.
"And I never will be again," she continued. "Do what you want. Try as you might to hurt me and my friends but know that I will always be there to stop you. I don't care what deal we made. It's not me or them. It's me or you now. I have so much more fight in me than you think so I hope you're ready," The Count said nothing. Ruby walked straight past him and out into the corridor of the hotel. He turned around to speak but she was not there. All he could remember were those eyes. Staring up at him like that of a curious infant. They meant war.
"If it's a war you want, Ms Redfort, then it's a war you will get,"