unsolved disappearances » otis and ruby

Part 8

Ruby POV

Leaving the country was a lot easier than I expected.

At the cost of feeling truly alone as I embarked on a train that went under the English Channel en route to France. I did have my dog as a companion but it wasn't the same as human contact. I also faced the danger that French people didn't take too kindly to many English speakers.

I let out a long sigh as the announcement mentions that we were about to arrive in the city of Paris. We didn't get a chance to go here on our field trip due to Otis and Maeve going missing. The mention of Maeve made my blood boil. 

When the train had arrived I feel like I'm a fish out of the water as I exit the underground train station and find myself in a new country. I felt anxious, with my stomach wanting to spill the contents of the sandwich I had eaten on the train ride. Yet I wasn't sure if it was my anxiety or the baby. 

I was able to find some English-speaking tourists that were able to navigate me in the direction of the accommodation that they were staying at. It was just a budget hotel but it would fulfill the purpose so I could figure out my next move.

When I arrive, I see that paying guests had access to a computer that sat in a common room. When paying for the room I ask permission to use the device and are given the password to access the device.

I let Baby relax in the small room I called my own and set my bags down before walking back to the common areas where I use the computer to look for different options on how to go further away from Moordale for my safety.

That's where I came across some employment options for people around my age that wanted the experience to travel the world and have a job in a new sector. Looking through the options they had available on the website I went for options to be in hospitality or customer service attendants. 

I write up a few applications for the time I had available on the computer and wait for the replies from the companies to match me with a job. These employment options came with accommodation, food and they help you through the visa application.

Within just twenty-four hours in Paris, I was able to connect with a local agent that had an office for an interview the following day. Apparently, there was an urgent job listing and I was invited for an interview to see if I was a good fit. I left Baby in the motel room, I knew she would sleep all day from all of the travel.

"thank you for coming so quickly, Ruby." A woman with a heavy French accent invites me to sit across from her at her desk. 

I had dressed in a simple white button-down shirt and the same blue jeans I had worn when I left Moordale. I didn't pack too many clothing options. "Thanks for inviting me." I take a seat and agree to the offer of a hot tea.

"So I looked over your application yesterday and I see your history with a part-time role you had in a customer service role." She explains looking at my application she had printed out. "I sent your details across to the provider that has reached out for young students and they were wanting to take you on for the winter ski season. All training will be provided before you start the role."

I nod along to her words. "The only cost to you would be the airfare tickets, as we have a sponsorship service within our company where we would cover your visas and accommodation during your stay. The only things you'd be in charge with would be any exploring the country in your downtime."

"Sounds fantastic to me." I agree. "What country is the role based in?"

"New Zealand." She answers. "I believe that you could thrive in the job that they have listed, you'd be a ski instructor for the winter season before having two months allocated to exploring the rest of the country outside of the job." 

"What if I wanted to stay on longer in the country?" I ask. "If I really enjoy living there."

"Well, we would surely be able to help extend your working visa for another season if there was another role that became available." She explains. "After that, we would be looking into applying for a citizen visa which is at cost for you, but we would help to keep you employed if you wished to stay."

"Do you have any other questions?" She asks after I had filled in the majority of the paperwork that came with a job contract in a different country. "We are happy to support you in the whole process."

"Not at this point in time," I answer, having paid the fees I needed for my airfare in cash. I knew the money wouldn't last forever and employment would be the best course of action to take. I would just need to do a lot of saving during the work season.

Children were expensive. 

I was farewelled out having filled out all the paperwork regarding my visa application. It would take at least a week for the New Zealand immigration to approve or deny it before I could even step foot in the international airport. 

My advisor, who's same was Sally, instructed me to transfer my money into a bank account that could be connected to a visa card to use in New Zealand. It was dangerous to just carry around a bag full of cash in Paris.