Jeremy was three years older then Ruby, was her protective older brother. He had gotten a job at the local gas station. Ruby adored him, as he adored her. She was 16, just finishing her shift at the fish and chips shop down on Main street. Jeremy was getting off 30 minutes later and had promised to give her a ride back to their parents' house.
Ruby had walked the five blocks to the gas station, which sat a little ways outside the main drag. Everything closed up pretty early in town, back then. The sun had set and the last hues of orange and pink were rapidly vanishing from the sky.
"Hey!" Jeremy called from behind the Chevy pickup he was filling. Ruby waved to her brother. "I'll lock up and we can leave early."
"Cool." Ruby grinned, heading inside the small shop that served as home to the register and phone. A small sink was in the back, where she washed her hands and face. It had been a hot day, and it was only now beginning to cool down. It was then that she heard the roars.
There were five, maybe six of them. They were dressed as punks, motorcycle leathers and hair done in wild spikes. A leader, a big guy of 6'3. His boots were buckled all the way to his knees, with thick spurs. A leather jacket decorated with patches and spikes. Gauntlets on both wrists, studded with sharp points. Short, spiked black hair and red eyes. He dismounted; the others circled around the pumps on their bikes. Three guys, two girls on the back of the bikes.
"Fill 'er up." The leader spoke, with a dark chuckle. Jeremy stared at them.
"Actually, we're closed." He finally said.
"I didn't mean with gasoline." The leader laughed again, suddenly roaring. All of them went into fang, bloodthirsty. Grabbing Jeremy with one huge hand, the leader snapped the poor boy's neck without a sound and began to feed, draining him dry within seconds.
The withered corpse dropped to the ground in front of the pumps. The leader mounted again, and waved for the gang to follow. Down the road they raced, leaving Ruby behind. A silent and unnoticed witness.
Los Angeles, California 1983
Ruby moaned softly, twisting a bit. She felt a hand on her head, a gloved hand. Please, just let this be a nightmare! her mind cried, as she opened her eyes slowly. David was looking down at her, a sad smile on his face.
"No...not real...please..." Ruby whimpered hoarsely. David shook his head.
"We're real, Ruby." He answered softly. Ruby's eyes closed and she shook her head. "I was there when Austin killed your brother. You probably don't recognize me; I did look a lot different back then."
"You let him kill my brother?" Ruby hissed.
David shook his head. "I wasn't a member of their gang. I had no say." Ruby shook with grief and anger. David's gloved hand smoothed back the hair from her eyes. "I saw you. And I knew if you were seen, Austin would have killed you too. I hoped he never had, even after we were out of state. After all these years, I found out he hadn't."
"I died that day." Ruby cried, fresh tears running down her pale cheeks. "It doesn't matter anymore. I'm already dead."
"No." David spoke, his tone stern. "You are alive and well. The Boys and I repaid Austin and his gang for what they did all those years ago. Now it's your turn to repay us."
Ruby rubbed her eyes with her balled fists. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. "What!" David helped steady her as she sat up. It was then that she realized she was in her tiny studio apartment, lying on her bed. The sheets were tangled around her boots.
"That's part of the reason we're in LA." David sighed, picking up the glass of water Marko had brought at his request. The glass was placed to Ruby's lips, until she gave in and took a long drink. "We came here to not only try to get our story made into a film, but also to repay Austin and his gang for your brother's murder. Meeting you was fated."
"I really don't understand, David." Ruby pressed the heel of her palm to her eye, sighing.
"Don't worry. You will." David rose, pushing aside the curtain to look through the tiny window. "We can't stay here, we have to get to our safe house. The sun rises soon."
"So when the hell am I gonna understand?" Ruby cried. She blinked at the pain that rose in her stomach when David had said they were leaving.
"Tomorrow night. We will come back and I'll explain." He stepped towards the door, removing the chain and deadbolt. "And be prepared to make a decision, Ruby." The front door swung open and the faces of the other Boys met Ruby's. Paul waved, following David out to the street. Dwayne nodded and disappeared. Marko paused, his eyes speaking the worry he felt for Ruby.
"Night, Ruby." He waved, pulling the door shut. Ruby stared at the door a long time, long after the bikes had roared away into the night. Long after the sun had risen.