Ruby Redfort: try not to scream

Hitch sighed in his chair. He knew, better than anyone, that there was nothing he could do to protect Ruby from The Count. It was once said that the only people who could ever beat Victor Von Leyden was either an agent who was equal to him or The Count himself. There never was such a person that was as intelligent as Victor Von Leyden. He had both dark and light in him. After all, he had protected Marnie Novak when she got pregnant with Lorelie and he had not killed Ruby when he got the chance. But the darkness inside overwhelmed the light and swallowed up any remains of purity in his eyes. It would take someone as perfect as the summer sun to bring out the good in him. There was no such person. The only person who could ever outshine the sun was now dead. Bradley Baker, the description of the colour yellow, was dead. No one could compare to him. Not even Ruby. Because, even she had her share of darkness. Her mind was occupied with trauma and paranoia. She, like a paper bag in the wind, floated through life, getting caught on obstacles and pain until, one day, her luck would run out. Her green eyes were the definition of beauty but behind them were the moments of terror, torment and torture she had been through. Ruby Redfort was every bit as dark as Count Von Viscount was cruel. She was every bit as damaged as Hitch was concerned. She was every bit as troubled as LB was mysterious. There was no hope for the sixteen year old agent. Her number was just about up.

Ruby opened her eyes to see a very sleepy looking Clancy. He smiled at her. Oh boy, how she loved that smile.
Once the two were up and dressed, they trudged downstairs to find Hitch. He had one hand supporting his head as he sat in the Redfort's huge armchair. He looked up as he saw them come in. Clancy kissed Ruby goodbye and went home. Ruby smiled at Hitch, a genuine Ruby Redfort smile. She knew something was wrong with him; he had never looked so sad.
"Talk to me," she sat down on the arm of the chair. "What's up?"
"Nothing kid. I'm just starting to think you need a new protector," he sighed.
"What?" shouted Ruby, raising her eyebrows.
"Well, kid, so far you've been stabbed and shot. Your life could be better without me,"
Ruby put her finger under his chin and moved his head so she would look at her. 
"My life wouldn't be my life without you, Hitch,"
He smiled at her and shook his head.
"Kid, listen..." he said but Ruby cut him off.
"No, you listen, man. You're the best god darn friend I've ever had and it's not your fault what happened. I jumped in front of the bullet. I ran back into that building. It was my fault every time. Me and my impulsiveness. If you leave, I'm toast,"
Hitch laughed and Ruby smiled.
"Alright, I'll stay. But you gotta stay out of trouble, kid. Got it?"
Ruby nodded and hugged Hitch. He grinned.
"Now, get some breakfast, kid,"
Ruby gulped her juice and sat at the table.
"Hitch," she said, pleadingly.
"What is it kid?" he rolled her eyes.
"Do you think I could, maybe, go to school today? I really wanna get out of this house,"
Hitch looked at her, confused.
"Kid, you were stabbed three days ago and all the kids in your class saw us arrest Lorelie, holding guns and Clancy ran off with the 'FBI' to save you from danger. How are you gonna cover it up?"
"Well, I was thinking about saying I got kidnapped. I mean, I wouldn't necessarily be lying,"
Hitch smiled.
"I suppose kid. Just don't tell LB. I kind of like the idea of breathing,"
Ruby laughed and got her backpack.

As she walked to school, she thought about what Hitch had said. When all hope had been lost, she could always rely on Hitch to keep her sane. But this time, it seemed she would have to be the one to balance him. As she reached the school gates she suddenly noticed all of the eyes on her. How could she have been surprised? She tried to act as if she hadn't realised and walked up to Clancy. He ran over and gave her a hug.
"What are you doing here Rube?" he said, letting her go.
"I wanted to get out of the house and I feel fine so..."
Clancy walked Ruby into the homeroom to greet a very surprised Mrs Drisco.
"Ruby Redfort, what happened to you?"
"What do you mean?" shrugged Ruby.
"I mean, why did I have the FBI bursting into my classroom and arresting a woman impersonating you? Later the school got a call saying that you had been injured severely and would need at least a few weeks off school. So why, may I ask, are you here today?"
Ruby smiled her sweetest smile at Mrs Drisco.
"Well yes, all of those things are true. I am injured and yes I was kidnapped by psychopaths but I assure you that I am definitely well enough to be here. I have a note,"
Mrs Drisco rolled her eyes. Ruby pulled a slip of paper out of her bag.

Dear Mrs Drisco,
I am pleased to inform you that Ms R Redfort is perfectly capable of being in school. Although she hasn't fully recovered from the stabbing, she is doing well and is able to come to school. I hope you will not jeopardize her education.

Yours Sincerely,
SJ
Doctor, Surgeon and Ruby Redfort's personal GP

Mrs Drisco looked slightly shocked. The details of Ruby's injury had not been confirmed until then. She looked at Ruby and noticed her hand clutching her side. For once, the teacher who had despised Ruby Redfort for years, was actually concerned.
"Ruby, I think you should go home," she said. The bell rang and Ruby rushed to her seat.
"Rube, are you sure about this?" asked Clancy, noticing how much pain she was in.
"Yep. I'm fine, Clance," she nodded, trying to conceal the agony.
Throughout the day, Ruby was passed a lot of notes by her friends, all of which were intercepted by Mrs Drisco. By the end of the day, the teacher was not very happy.

"Look, Ruby," she said, grabbing a note from Del. "I've been trying to cut you some slack today but this note passing has to stop. Would you please just clarify what happened, so that everyone can pay attention,"
Ruby stood up, slowly. Clancy touched her arm comfortingly.
"Do you want me to say it?" he asked. Ruby shook her head.
"Ok. So there's been a lot of confusion about what happened. Well, I guess the jist of it is that I was kidnapped by..." Ruby shivered at the thought of his name. "A man and his accomplice. Apparently this woman is very good at disguise so she dressed up as me and came into school to fool everyone. My house manager, Hitch, figured out that she wasn't me and managed to find out where I was. He got the FBI involved but by the time they found me..." Ruby shuddered. Clancy took her hand in his and smiled up at her.
Ruby sighed. Whispers spread throughout the classroom. Clancy knew that Ruby couldn't continue to talk about it. She was both lying and telling the truth about something that had traumatised her.
"When we all arrived," he said, putting his arm around her shoulder. "A shot was aimed at me which Ruby jumped in front of, hence the wound on her arm. It was only when we got out of the building that we discovered that Hitch, Ruby's house manager and friend, was not with us. Ruby went back inside to find him and as he managed to escape, Ruby was stabbed,"
The whispering level increased. The faces of her classmates became sollum and dark.
"What?" asked Elliot, standing up and walking over to Ruby and Clancy.
"Look, students," sighed Mrs Drisco. "As devastating as this news is, please take your seats. We only have twenty minutes of the school day left. Mr Finch, Mr Crew, Miss Redfort, please sit down,"

Ruby's vision suddenly went fuzzy. The voice of Mrs Drisco suddenly twisted into the echoing sound of Count Von Viscount.
"Why so sad, Miss Redfort?"
"It seems no one is coming to rescue you this time, Miss Redfort,"
"Take your last breath, Ruby Redfort,"
And then his voice shifted into Lorelie's.
"I smell the bubblegum of an american,"
"Come out Bubblegum Girl,"
"And you the smart kid's smart kid,"
And then, to Ruby's relief, Hitch and LB appeared in her mind.
LB:
"Look, Plankton Girl,"
"You will not be one of us,"
"Do you notice everything Ruby Red?"
Hitch:
"You gotta stay out of trouble, kid,"
"What is it with you and orders,"
"I'm a house manager, not a butler,"
"I know I don't say it enough, kid, but I really do love you,"
As she returned to the classroom, she felt Clancy's hand on her thigh. She gasped for air, finally registering where she was.
"I have to go," she jumped out of her seat.