|TRIGGER WARNING: MENTIONS OF DOMESTIC ABUSE AND VIOLENCE|
{if you or anyone you know has experienced domestic violence/abuse or any kind, 1-800-799-7233 (National Domestic Violence Hotline). Remember that you are not overreacting and there are people out there who will take you seriously and believe you. You have been a victim of terrible things and you are worth it}
The walk home was much merrier and quicker than the first initial trip had been. When they arrived home, they were greeted with their father and mother's shocked and disappointed faces, which quickly rearranged to intense relief and unabashed anger. Their father dragged them inside and brutally beat them until their back bled. "How dare you disobey us and not return home earlier! How dare you worry us like that!" he shouted, and when he had finished, he sent them off without supper and he had to be fetched a strong brandy. The next month were the worst days of their life, and they almost sank with happiness when they were once again forced into the woods. And when they arrived at their grandmother's, slightly before sunset, in part due to the shortcut and the speed of which they had made their way towards her house, they collapsed in tears. "Grandmother," asked they, when they had calmed and given food, "Why can I not stay here with you forever?"
And the grandmother sadly replied, "I only wish, my darling child, but I cannot for the werewolf is still a danger. I will, once he has been killed."
And they nodded slowly, "But, if I may, Grandmother, I am sent only on the day of the full moon. Why then..." They trailed off, waiting for her answer.
She paused and said, "I still cannot, for I fear I may die before this beast is murdered, and there will be none to protect you. I wish, my child, I do." And Ruby argued no more. So, this carried on, a vicious cycle of danger and hate. The beatings eventually lessened, and when they returned home late, it was to a quiet home, in which they were ignored by both parents. The parents were growing desperate, as their child continued again and yet again to return home safely. That night, the parents met yet again at the dinner table, the first time in many months.
"Wife, our plan is failing." the husband snarled, seething.
"That I am aware of, husband," said she, "Your mother has grown to care for her."
"Whatever shall we do?" said the husband, but the wife paused him.
"We cannot allow her to arrive at your mother's before nightfall. So, we will give her a large basket. Upon her back, we will place a pack filled with rocks and we will count the number of rocks. She is to return with this pack without a rock removed."
"Wife," started the husband, "What if she takes the pack off once out of our sight?"
"Husband, we will chain the front of it with a sturdy padlock to ensure it is not removed." The husband agreed, and they both went to sleep.
YOU ARE READING
The Untimely Death of Little Ruby Rider
FantasyIn a small village, there lived a young child by the name of Ruby Rider. Yet, there was something strange about this child. This child was neither male nor female, but simply was. And they were just like any normal child. Tragically, their mother an...
