Ruby P.O.V.
Dear Blake,
How's things? I've missed you and hope you'll return very, very, very soon. How's Adam? Is he well? I've been good myself. Well relatively speaking. Cardin's picking on me again :( Oh well, he's ten times my size so I ain't gonna piss him off. Our cat, Mr. Whiskers died a few days ago. I'm gonna miss him. Anyways, Yang made the volley ball team, I'm happy for her. I miss you so much, please respond as soon as possible.
XOXO,
Ruby Rose.
Dear Ruby,
I think you need a companion of some sort. I'm sorry about your cat. Adam's been fine, and I've been ok as well. Mostly just tired from walking really long distances everyday just to get work done. Trains just had to be fast. Think about what I said. My job is very, very dangerous, I may not be around long enough to come back to you. Find another friend, I'd hate for you to be lonely.
Lots of Love,
Blake Belladonna.
I hit the ground pretty hard. Scrambling out of the way, ignoring my scrapped knees, I ran away as fast as I could. No way I was going to hang around. A house is NOT a home. What idiot could ever think that? I ran and ran until I hit the ally where nobody could find me. It started to rain. Just my luck. I hurried and ducked under the cover of an old abandoned cafe. Beside it was a box filled with random crap. I emptied it, and PLOP! There I found something actually worth keeping. A big fluffy light brown teddy bear that was a little beat up. I gripped it and sat down into the box I had just emptied.
"You're so cute." I smiled. "I'm Ruby. I guess I'm not the only one mistreated. Who'd throw away something as cute as you?" I looked down at the slightly wet bear. "I guess if I'm gonna take you home, I might as well name you." I looked around and thought hard. "Ming. Your name is hereby, Ming." I decided, squeezing the stuffed bear tightly. The comfort. I hadn't felt such a comfort since Blake had left five months before. Who knew? I snuggled the teddy bear more, feeling a bit more at ease and kinda forgetting I was in the middle of an ally.
Mother, and father. My apologies to you
I have gotten quite scared, so I'm sucking on my thumb
My brother and sister, I'll see you both later
I'm quite reckless, IN THESE WORN-OUT SHOES. Yea!
With every worry, spreading oh-so-fast, on my face
If it's alright with you, I'll just replace it!
I tell myself that I will be, oh-so-loved
If I could only, find a stronger blade
I would cut off my face!
Those spoken words that tell me, in my head, I will be alright
I just need to clear my crazy filled mind ...
Why not, I don't know?
I got hurt while playing with the creation of tomorrow
And closing the empty gap, behind the broken seams
To everybody, I bid you adue
I drool from the throbs, in my pounding chest
Is this what you really want to see? You will make a big fool of yourself!
Is this what you really want to see? You will make a big fool of yourself!
AHHHHH this burden is still, no good
The machine must be, way bigger, so it can go through the heart
I tell myself that I will be, oh so very very loved
If I could only, find a stronger blade
I would cut off my face!
-
Why not, I don't know?
I got hurt while playing with the creation of tomorrow
And closing the empty gap, behind the seams
Everything from me is completely ripped off
The empty cell laying there, are just gone
So I just won't erode sweetly away
not in the place that I, used to be!
Just give up. ah, shut up, you are all so full of big lies
I want the answer, I want to cheat, so give it, right now!
You don't wanna change? Not even a little?
Nothing? This isn't me!
I pull off thousands of broken seams
I put the flame out of my immortal life
It doesn't matter who I am. As long as I change!
...
I woke up curled up on the ground with Ming in my arms. Suddenly all I could see was a bunch of people huddled around me. They all look relived to see me awake. Suddenly this reported started asking me what happened to me. I looked around to see the cafe was now ashes.
"I-I don't know, I was sleeping." I said.
"Were you in the least bit aware that the White Fang attacked this building while you were out? Where are your parents?" another reporter informed me. Maybe Blake kept me safe during the attacks. But if that's the case, why didn't she take me in like she promised? I looked around, still drowsy and quite frankly, wanting my own bed. I felt the world spin around as things blurred and I collapsed.
...
I looked at Ming who I had finished fixing up. She now was all stitched up and had a big patch heart over her chest. I snuggled her as I crawled into bed to get some shut eye. Maybe Blake was waiting for me to get some rest. That had to be the case, right?
...
I sat on the bench at school with Ming in my arms. I had hoped for peace that day, but who would give me that? I sighed and lied down, watching all the other kids have fun. Why did this have to happen to me?
...
I was nine. My family and I were on our way to a camping trip. I looked over at Yang in the seat beside me who was busying herself with her scroll. Mom was driving and Dad was playing with little Summer. I sighed and looked out the window with Ming in my arms. Blake sounded a bit disappointed when I told her about Ming, I wonder why. Ming's been a better friend than anyone I could have until Blake returned. I had a special friend until Blake came back to take me in like she promised.
The site we always go to is an ever green forest with a big stream and cliffs. In the winter, it's always so pretty with the snow, but that's when the beowolves come out. I loved that place. It was beautiful, especially in the fall. I mean, nice weather, pretty place, what could get any better?
...
"Ruby, go gather firewood. Oh, and take Summer with you, Yang and I need some peace and quiet." Mom demanded. Mom and Yang were stretched out on pool chairs, Yang texting Brian, her friend, and Mom reading a book.
"Ok, Mom." I said as I went over to Summer and grabbed her little hand, leading her into the forest.
...
As we walked, Summer kept looking up at me. I finally asked her what she was wanting and she practically knocked me over with a hug.
"Summwr wuves Wuby." Summer cued. I returned the hug and stroked her blonde hair.
"Ruby loves you too, Summer." I said. Summer seemed to not really want to let go of me, so kept a hold on her. I almost never got to spend time with Summer, nobody would let me. Every time I cuddled with Summer, Mom scolded me for 'hurting her'. I wouldn't ever want to hurt Summer. I love her too, so I don't understand why everyone thinks I'm out to get her. I eventually released Summer and continued the search for firewood.
I found a bunch over by a try looked over at Summer. She was currently sucking on her thumb and looking around.
"Summer, stay right there. Don't move, I'll be back." I said as I turned my back and went over to gather the wood. As I scooped up the wood, I was about to force more into my arms when SPLASH! I turned around to see Summer in the stream we were near. I ran over and tried to grab her, but I couldn't reach.
"WUBY! WUBY! SAVE MWE!" Summer screamed, her voice getting muffled by the water. I jumped into the stream without a second thought, immediately being exposed to the ultra strong current. I tried my best to paddle towards Summer, but I had a hard time. Eventually I was able to grab her tiny body, pull her close to my chest, and try to swim to the edge. Unfortunately, I couldn't get there without being sucked under water several times and soon enough I got my jacket caught in a rock and I couldn't get away. I started to scream, but my voice was muted by rushing water. Suddenly I saw Mom, Dad, and Yang rush to us.
"Hand over Summer!" Dad demanded. I did my best to extend my arms with little Summer curled up in them. Dad grabbed her and started to try and wake her. Mom extended her hand after I begged for five minutes for someone to help me. I grabbed onto Mom and was discarded to the side as soon as I was on the ground. I fell flat on my face, exhausted. Dad then pulled me up by my hair. "WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU!?"
"S-She's dead." Yang sobbed. I felt my own tear roll down my face.
"T-Try getting the water out of her lungs." I suggested.
"We did. Why are you such a little demon you would kill someone as innocent and sweet as Summer? HUH! ANSWER ME, YOU LITTLE IMPISH DEVIL!" he yelled. I felt more tears form.
"I didn't drown her. I promise. I told her to stand right where I left her while I grabbed the wood and next thing I know it she's in the water. I tried to save her, bu-"
"THAT'S A LOAD OF BS!" he yelled. I cried more.
"You are truly a despicable little girl." my mother glared. I sobbed more.
"I didn't mean for this to happen, I swear!" I begged. Dad let go of me and cradled pale, beautiful, lifeless, little Summer and walked off with Mom. Yang was still whimpering to herself. I crawled over to her. "Yang, I promise I didn't do it. I was only trying to-" SLAP! I held my now red cheek. Yang growled before grabbing me and shoving me hard onto the ground then kicking me several times. "YANG! YANG PLEASE! I'M TELLING THE TRUTH! YANG!" I begged as she beat on me. Eventually Yang had her fill and knock me back into the stream and walked away. I clung to the edge with the last of my energy. "I'm sorry I couldn't save you, Summer." I whimpered.
...
On the top of the mountain, at the cliff's edge, a white grave stood. 'Summer Rose, Thus Kindly I Scatter' it read. I felt tears stream down my cheeks as I looked at it from a distance. I wasn't allowed anywhere near it. Currently, Mom and Dad were in the car and Yang was crying at the grave. I wanted so badly to run over there, snuggle closely to Yang and wail my eyes out, but I knew I couldn't. I had accidently caused it after all. What would Summer do to me? I mean, she loved me, she trusted me, I failed to keep her safe. I walked over to the now frozen stream and cried. I caused it. I was at fault. I sobbed more.
"Summer, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to. I'm sorry!" I broke down into uncontrolled sobs and sniffles.
"You should be ashamed of yourself, you pathetic excuse for a person." Yang's cold, bitter voice came from behind. I continued to sob as she slapped me before walking away.
...
I looked in the mirror. I was covered in bruises and scrapes. The winter was cold, bitter, and sad like my family. After Summer's death, they truly, truly, truly hated me. I had written to Blake about it, and she said that she was trying her best to get her mission complete so she could return and take me in, get me out of this hell house. I slipped on my now only, simple red dress and simple flats with no socks, and my dress with no jacket to protect my exposed arms. I ran outside to get to school, quickly passing the world around me. I ran, and ran, and ran, and ran, until I wasn't heading to school, I was heading to some unknown place. I saw an old, rusting play ground and decided to stop there. I then spotted something on the swing set. I walked over to see it was a girl about two years older. She, much like me, was covered in bruises, some she was trying to hide with her snow white hair that cascaded around her, creating a blanket around her. She had icy blue eyes that were affixed on what looked to be a picture. I sat in the swing beside her quietly.
"Did you need to escape too?" I asked. Her attention snapped to me. I could see in those blue eyes she was afraid.
"Yes, why?" she said in a more demanding voice.
"I just was curious. Who's in the picture?" I asked.
"That is none of your business." she scoffed.
"Come on, tell me. I have a picture on me to. I have three. Here, I'll show you." I pulled three small pictures out of my pocket. I scooted my swing closer and showed her the first one. "This is my older sister Yang." I showed her a picture of Yang and I when we were five and seven. "This is my late younger sister Summer." I showed her a picture of little Summer curled up in the green grass. " And this is my best friend, Blake. She's far away though, and is always telling me I may never see her again." the girl looked at me with a quizzical expression.
"You're really open about this aren't you?" she asked.
"Yeah, I'll tell you all about my problems if you tell me yours." I said.
"Why such an interest?" she asked.
"Because keeping it in hurts sometimes. You look like you and I have some things in common." I said. She sighed and handed me the picture.
"My family. The elderly man is my grandfather, the middle aged man is my father, the woman with white hair is my aunt, the little girl is me, and the pasted in woman with lots of red curls is my mother. I never met her because she died when I was a baby." the girl explained.
"I'm so sorry." I said.
"Save it. I don't need sympathy." the girl said coldly.
"You seem to." I said.
"What do you know about that? For heaven's sake, you look like you were on the bad end of a beating." she scoffed.
"I was. And I will be when I get home. You look the same, you know." I said.
"And if I am?" she said.
"We should be able to talk about it. I always feel like there's a gaping hole in my heart that no matter what I try to do, I can't fill in. My family hates me. They just disliked me before Summer died, but now they all hate me. Before Summer came along, Yang and I were so close. Then Summer was born and Yang ignored me and yelled at me constantly. When Summer died, she and everyone else started to beat me. My friend Blake, she said once her mission is over, she'll come back and take me in, so I'm hanging on until then." I explained.
"And you think that a faunus girl can support you?" she quirked an eyebrow.
"Even if we live in a cardboard box under a bridge, I'd be happy because somebody would love me and I'd feel safe." I said
"I guess I feel the same way. My father's been bitter ever since my mother was killed by the White Fang. And they continue to attack our company, so every day, my father comes home frustrated and angry, that makes for a very, very difficult childhood." she said the last part a bit angrily.
"Is that why your covered in bruises?" I asked.
"Yes, that is why I hide here all the time." she said bitterly. I gently gave her shoulders a squeeze before handing her picture back.
"I'm so sorry. I know how hard it is to feel like there isn't any escape." I said.
"Your friend is much like my aunt, Delilah. She takes care of me when she's not working. She's a doctor." the girl said.
"Maybe one day, she'll take you in." I said.
"She can't afford to piss off my father. He'll have her thrown in jail for it." the girl explained.
"Geez, tough family." I said.
"I guess people wouldn't expect that from the Schnees, but yes, very, very, very, tough family." she said.
"Wait, Schnee? Are you... Weiss! That's it." I finally remembered the name I was looking for.
"No, duh, sherlock." Weiss scoffed.
"Sorry, I probably should've caught on." I said. Weiss had a small smile creeping on her lips. She got up and gave my swing a small push, making it move a bit. I giggled. "Nice to be a kid isn't it?"
"Yeah, that's why I come here. What's your name?" Weiss said, sitting back in her swing and starting it.
"I'm Ruby Rose." I said.
"A pleasure to meet you." Weiss said as we soared into the sky.