unsolved disappearances » otis and ruby

Part 4

Crying was the only response I knew. This was how I reacted to the news that I was carrying a child in my womb before I had even turned eighteen. My parents weren't going to take the news well that they would be grandparents in their forties. 

I felt alone.

There was a knock with a kind voice I recognized from school. It belonged to Aimee, a girl I had been unkind to in the past. Perhaps this would be her moment that she could get back at me. "Are you okay in there?" She asks.

Wiping my face, which just smudges the makeup across my face. "I'm fine." I utter quietly.

"Ruby? Is that you?" She asks, which I respond to with a quick nod. "Are you sure everything is okay, you sound really upset?"

"I'm fine, just trying to process a breakup that's all. I suppose you can run and tell all your friends about it." I mutter annoyed, I wasn't in the mood of seeing anyone today. It didn't stop the tears from flowing down my face.

"That would require having friends around." Aimee jokes to herself. "Can I offer you a muffin? It seems to cheer people up."

I hadn't noticed how hungry my body was craving food. I accept the offer, before unlocking the door I make sure to stuff the used tests and their packing back into the paper bag and exit the stall. There Aimee offers her support and drags me out into the sunshine that covered the park. 

As We sit down on a wooden bench, she passes me a cupcake that happened to look like a vagina. I give her an odd look but she just brushes my response off with a laugh. "Thanks for the muffin." I thank the girl while I wipe some of the smudged makeup off my face.

"Girls have to stick together and support each other. It's a dark world out there, very scary and we shouldn't face it alone." Her words were kind and just reminded me about my situation, which leads to more tears falling down my face. "Oh crap! I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault, I'm just overly sensitive at the moment," I assure her calming myself. "What would you do if you kept getting bad news?"

Aimee sighs. "I feel as though I would want to disappear from the world, just so I could process the news on my own terms." She explains. "But I'd also reach out to friends for support as well."

I nod, taking in her response. "Is there anything you'd like to share, I understand if not! We're not close or anything-" 

I cut the girl off. "Thanks for the offer, but it's not something I'd like to share with anyone right now. I think you're right, I just need some time away to work through some things." I explain. "Thanks for the muffin and insight."

I thank the girl before farewelling her.

Driving home, my head is buzzing with ideas. I open the front door to reveal my father passed out on the couch with his friend he had invited over earlier in the day.

I roll my eyes at the sight before heading towards my bedroom. I shut the door behind me before pulling out the suitcase I had hidden under my bed. I had some money stashed away that I had been given from my grandparents before money became an issue for my father's medical treatment.

The crumpled money I stash into my backpack I had been loaned from the school when we required the new uniforms. When my suitcase was empty, I fill it up with some clothes and other essential products. 

I change my clothing into blue skinny jeans and an oversized sweater that I had taken from Otis' house when I had stayed over. I quickly wipe the makeup off my face and tie my hair into a ponytail. 

Gathering both my backpack and suitcase I look down to my small dog Baby, who was looking at me confused at my actions. "Do you want to join me?" I ask, to which she responds with a bark.

"Give me a moment," I instruct her before heading outside of the small house, throwing my bags into my car that sat in the driveway. I quietly head back into the house grabbing the dog biscuits that sat in the laundry room and picking up Baby that sat in the usual handbag I'd carry her around in.

I was taking Aimee's advice and taking the time to separate myself from the problem and figure it out in my own time. Once I had settled Baby into the front seat I quickly check over my important documents, which included my driver's license and passport before pulling out of my parent's driveway.

Little did I know it would be the final time I'd be in Moordale for a very long time.