Ulysses Paradox (a Will Lenney fanfiction.)

chapter twenty-one

The reception was warm and excited, Ruby's parents hugged her tightly in the front door and welcomed her in. It was just past dinner time. She sat in their living room and watched the news and left her phone in her old bedroom. When her mother asked why she was home, she told them she missed them. An answer like that was enough for them. She didn't tell them she planned to stay, that this was her sudden and permanent homecoming.

"I'm happy you're here." Her dad said.

"You look different, how has London been?" Her mother asked.

"It's cold."

Ruby had sent Will a text right before she left London.

I need some time alone. We'll talk soon. She hadn't turned on her phone since the flight attendant's voice crackled over the monitor and asked them to power down all devices.

Her parents asked about Jake on Valentine's Day. She said they'd broken up, and then changed the subject. They didn't push it. She spent the first week in her childhood room, frozen in time from her last year of high school. She worked from her laptop and only answered emails from clients.

Finally, she decided to venture out.

"I'm going to that coffee shop down the street today," she told her parents.

"Oh, the one you used to go to when you were in school? That closed down just before Christmas. You might want to try this new place, it's a little further down but you might like it. It reminded us of the spot you took us to in London."

Her mother was right, this new coffee shop was warm and comfortable and reminded her dearly of Esters. She thought of Lisa. She thought of everyone.

Last minute decision

hello to both of you, sorry i've been so out of it these last couple months. lots going on. i've decided to move back to california for a little while. if it's not too much to ask, I need some help gathering a few things from my apartment, i can pay to ship them here.

i'm with my parents for the time being, and my phone has been off. i'll send pictures soon.

p.s. if you could not mention it to Will that'd be appreciated. im fine, just need space.

All my love. Xxx

With that email on its way to Audre and Taj, who would surely be relieved to hear from her, she felt she could take a deep breath. She continued reading through her emails and sipping sour coffee. This place was nothing like Esters. Back to emails.

New Business Inquiry

Who: Will

Where: No fucking idea.

What: Ruby, I don't know how else to reach out to you, what happened? What's going on? Where are you? Please, I've tried calling. Says your phone is dead. Im worried as hell. no one has seen you. Your apartment door was unlocked. I locked it and I got the spare key from the cupboard. Hope that's okay. Please call me, I don't know what to do. You've got me scared to death.

Love, Will.

Hiding away from her own life made her feel sick. She read his email again and drank coffee when her mouth went dry. He'd sent it at almost two in the morning where he was at in London, she wondered if her mysterious disappearance had kept him awake all night.

In a new tab, she opened up his Youtube channel. He had posted a video the same day that she got on a plane. It did well. There was only one other update on his page, a short message a couple days ago. Going on a break. Lots going on. Be back soon! This was surely about her, but it didn't feel appropriate to assume that she was causing so much distress that he was unable to work.