unsolved disappearances » otis and ruby

Part 12

The news of a body of a young teenage girl being found became major news in the UK. She matched the description of Ruby Matthews who disappeared just weeks before but was proved to belong to another girl who had been living homeless for two years on the streets of London.

One family was given closure to have their daughter home so they were able to lay her the rest. While Ruby's parents were left with more questions. They wanted their daughter home, safe no matter what trouble she may be running from.

Four weeks rolled into two months from the day that Ruby had disappeared without a trace. The only person that witnessed seeing her leave that day was Adam. His story claimed he ran into her when he saw her driving erratically like she was running from someone. He tried to convince her to stay that day. Now no one had any answers for where she had gone.

The police investigation was something not spoken with the locals anymore.

People had to move on.

My mother was beginning to get me to focus on finishing my school year. Making sure I had the right grades to get accepted into university. She even convinced me to get a part-time job to keep me out of trouble.

They did build a memorial for Ruby, in the local park, there was a rock that displayed her name. I had walked past it daily on my way to school. Some days I'd even see teddy bears or various baby toys like they were offering gifts to the unborn child that Ruby had been carrying.

My mother had been trying to convince me that if Ruby was still alive she would've been found by now. Otherwise, she would've at least sent a letter.

Maeve would be returning in just a matter of weeks from her semester abroad. Since that last phone call where she still wanted to insult Ruby, I distanced myself from the girl. There was a part of me that still loved Maeve, yet there was another part that was still worried about Ruby.

Getting home from school one night, I see that Anwar was attending a session with my mother as she had recently taken on clients on a part-time basis. I'm given a strange look from the boy, who I just avoid and grab a bag of crisps from the cupboard. "You okay there Sex Kid?" He asks after farewelling my mother.

"Perfectly average Anwar, how nice to see you in my home." I greet him sarcastically. "Can I offer you a snack or a friendly fuck off?"

"Neither would suffice, listen there's an Instagram page that's just appeared and it's making its rounds." He explains.

"Another virial Instagram model, you must show me, Anwar." I was sick of his constant bullshit from school

Anwar rolls his eyes, as he pulls out his phone to display an Instagram page mocking the disappearance and even theorized death of Ruby. "Someone sick has created this page and has made disgusting memes." He explains.

I see that they had taken a lot of different photographs from her public page and had made different versions of her death. There were even some posts dedicated to the possible murderer. "Wow, you a backstabbing friend. I had no idea." I point at the post.

"We have to find out who's behind this page. Maybe they know something about Ruby and where she is." Anwar pleads. "I miss the damn bitch."

"Many people deal with grief in different manners, perhaps there is just someone out there that took interest in the subject of a popular girl going missing. Some people deal with grief with humour." I explain, almost sounding like my mother, making me internally cringe.

"I thought you'd care, she was carrying your spawn after all." He says locking his phone and dramatically walking out the door.

Shrugging I continue to eat my snack before pulling my own phone out to see I had a notification.

rubymatthewsisadeadbitch has requested to follow you.

Clicking on the link, I see it was the same page that Anwar had previously just shown me. The creator had added another recent photo, there was a girl who looked very similar to Ruby, except there was a very pale filter on the photo. 

The girl showcased herself with dyed blonde hair, leaving her roots dark brown and she wore glasses that seemed oversized for the usual purpose. Standing beside her was a tall older guy who had curly brown hair and a short beard. 

The pair both wore matching black jackets, while the girl who could be considered as Ruby twin stands beside him with blue jeans and black sneakers on her feet. Behind them was a picturesque location of mountains with a deep blue lake.

Both held takeaway coffee cups in their hand as I could see snow on top of the mountains behind them.

On the caption on the photo it read;

Am I really dead? Or did I just change my identity?