one thing I'm missing
The beginning of the week. Like clockwork. New arrivals trickled into Mandalus. New faces would show up on the devices, confused, angry, frightened. Ruby was, strangely enough, getting used to it. She liked to, occasionally, meet them at the station, offering them a free meal at the diner. Nothing beat a hot meal and a stiff drink-- or a cup of hot cocoa-- when the world seemed like it was falling apart around you. Ruby made her way to the station, a little basket of goodies on her arm. Small, personal thermoses of hot cocoa and coffee, muffins, and the free meal tickets.
Ruby stopped just outside as a man came barreling through the entrance doors, out into the sunshine. She had a feeling he could stop on a time, from the way he skidded to a halt, avoiding running into her. Her eyebrows jumped towards her hairline. Most people walked or stumbled out. Never ran, at least, not that she was aware of. But this man ran. "Look, I know this is crazy, but I promise, you're save now." Ruby said, holding up her hands in a 'look I am no harm to you' gesture.
"Safe, right." The man scoffed, the corner of hip mouth coming up in a lopsided, wry smile. "One minute, I'm at home, the next I'm on another planet and asked to fight in some stranger's war, with a bracelet slapped on my wrist that I can't take off. Doesn't sound safe." The man emphasized his point by lifting his right arm, hand balled into a fist, flashing the bracelet that everyone got.
"I know. I'm sorry. I'm...not really that great at reassuring people here. I was better at it when I was home, but...what can you do? Muffin?" Ruby reached into her basket, pulling out a blueberry muffin, fresh made that morning.
The man gave her a confused look. "Do you just walk around carrying baked goods with you?"
"Only on Mondays and Tuesdays," Ruby nodded, still holding the muffin out towards him.
"Oh. Okay." The man lifted his hand, accepting the muffin. "Thanks."
"No problem. I'm Ruby. Sorry about everything."
The man nodded, mouth full of muffin. He looked a bit bashful, chewing a little faster then swallowed. "I'm Peter."
The world fell away as just the name evoked dozens of memories. Peter at her window, asking her to run away with him. The affection she felt for him. Love. It was love. The little ways they'd catch each other's eye and share a little secret smile. Waking up to find his body ravaged and bloody, torn to pieces. Dead because of her. Because she had it in her head that Peter was the wolf. The monster that was slaughtering animals and townspeople. She was trying to help him. If they chained him up, he wouldn't hurt anyone. But she was wrong. She was horribly, desperately, tragically wrong. And he died because of her. She killed him.
Ruby felt lightheaded and she exhaled brokenly, unable to handle the memories right now. After a moment, she felt a hand at her elbow.
"Hey, are you alright?" The man-- Peter's tone was softer now, concerned.
"No, I'm..." Red shook her head. She closed her eyes, taking moment to just try to regulate her breathing and not feel like puking. "I'm okay." Ruby opened her eyes, meeting Peter's.
Her Peter's eyes were darker brown than this one's. The Peter in front of her, his eyes were more hazel, somewhere between brown and green. And were currently, quite obviously filled with genuine worry. "Are you sure?"
Ruby nodded. "Yes, I'm sure."
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