save me - taylor swift

4

She stood by the vehicle, arms crossed, gaze steady on the townhouse door.

A few minutes later, it swung open.

Taylor stepped out, dressed in an elegant but understated outfit—something sleek and black, her hair swept up, heels clicking softly against the pavement. Her expression was poised, unreadable, the way it always was in public.

Behind her, her assistant trailed closely, phone in hand, relaying details about the evening's event. Taylor nodded along, only half-listening, before her gaze flickered toward Ruby.

For a split second, their eyes met.

Then, just as quickly, Taylor looked away, stepping into the car without a word.

Ruby shut the door behind her before moving to the front passenger seat. The driver pulled away smoothly, the city lights blurring past as they headed toward the venue.

Inside the car, Taylor was silent.

It was different from last night, Ruby noticed. There was no tension, no flicker of unease. But there was still distance—a quiet, deliberate space that Taylor wasn't ready to close just yet.

And Ruby?

She wasn't sure if she wanted her to.

The car ride was uneventful. Taylor remained silent in the backseat, her attention divided between her phone and whatever thoughts occupied her mind. Ruby, seated in the front, kept her focus outward.

She wasn't here to make conversation.

She wasn't here to bond.

She was here to do a job.

A job that, if executed well, would secure her a future far away from all of this.

She had spent years doing what others couldn't—ending lives with precision, without hesitation, without remorse. This was supposed to be just another assignment. And yet, every passing moment in Taylor's orbit made it clear that this would be different. The security, the scrutiny, the constant watchful eyes—this wasn't the kind of hit that could be rushed. It needed time, planning, patience.

And Ruby was nothing if not patient.

She reminded herself of that fact as the car pulled up in front of the venue. Even before the vehicle fully stopped, the flashes began. Cameras lined the street, paparazzi pressing forward like vultures, their voices rising over one another as they shouted Taylor's name.

Ruby stepped out first. The crowd was controlled but aggressive, the kind of chaos that could turn dangerous in an instant. She scanned the faces, the hands reaching out, the camera flashes distorting her vision for split seconds at a time.

Routine.

Taylor's assistant exited next, followed by Taylor herself. The moment she stepped onto the pavement, the energy of the crowd surged.

Ruby positioned herself close, her stance rigid as she trailed Taylor toward the entrance. The paparazzi didn't dare step over the barricades, but their persistence was suffocating.

"Taylor! Over here!"

"Taylor, any comment on last night's attack?"

"How's Travis?"

"Are you worried for your safety?"

Taylor ignored them, her expression calm, almost detached. Ruby kept her pace steady, walking just half a step ahead, making sure no one got too close.

Once inside, the noise dulled to a distant roar as the heavy doors shut behind them.

Taylor's assistant turned to her. "We'll be about two hours. You'll stay stationed near the exit until we're ready to leave."