Chapter 9

Ruby had thought that her life had simply stopped before. Not over, exactly, just halted. Like walking down a long, twisted path only to find a brick wall waiting at the end. She had thought she'd reached that wall for most of her childhood, when she'd look in the mirror to find a more horrific version of her within the glass. She'd thought she had arrived when her parents had dumped her at Arkham. They had even paid a fortune to put Ruby at the top of Dr. Strange's priorities. Many times Ruby had felt dead-ended during the countless chemical baths, injections, and electro-shock therapy sessions. And her return home had felt like the worst blunder of all. But no. Life had gone on.

Until now.

The maid lay on her bed, hiding her face in her pillow. Her tears, hot and salty, dampened the fabric. Animalistic sounds were tearing from her throat. Her eyes stung like they had bees in them, yet she couldn't stop. She wept until her tear ducts shriveled up, and then some more. Ruby clutched at her chest, trying to reach her heart. Trying to stop it from breaking.

There came a gentle knock on the door. Ruby ignored it, still hiding in her soaked pillow. Until a gentle voice emerged from the woodwork. "Hello?"

Ruby stopped. Slowly, like a bear awakening from hibernation, she rose from her bed. Her back muscles complained at the movement, at the release after being tense for so long. She sat up, sniffling. Other than that, she didn't move. There came another knock. "Ruby? Are you in there?"

"Oswald?" Ruby wiped her eyes with both hands. "W-what're you doing here? Why aren't you with your father?" Just imagining poor Master, sick and surrounded by those three vultures, made her skin crawl.

"Father's asleep now, but he assured me that he's alright." Oswald didn't seem certain himself. "We are meeting tonight for a pre-dinner drink."

For a moment, Ruby forgot her pain. She imagined Oswald trying to drink anything alcoholic. He would probably shudder as it slid down his throat, then belch. She giggled behind her palm. But then, reality slammed back in. "Um...so he's...?"

"Please," Oswald asked, "will you let me in? I don't want to speak to a locked door."

Ruby blushed. Hesitated. No one had ever entered her attic bedroom before. She always locked it before leaving, and often right after entering. It was the place she ran to for peace and comfort when the amethyst cave was too far away. All of her treasures were in here. Everything she owned in the world.

Could she really let someone in?

But it wasn't just 'someone'. It was Oswald.

Swallowed hard, Ruby called, "Okay. One second." She glanced at her reflection. In short, she was a mess. Her short, curly hair, which was always wild, looked like she'd stuck her finger in an electrical socket. The little mascara she'd put around her eyes had streaked her cheeks black. Her eyes were puffy and bloodshot. Her clothes were rumpled. Only her jewelry was presentable.

Ruby took a deep breath. With a sleeve, she wiped the mascara off her cheeks. Once they were clean, Ruby fell back on a method that went beyond soap, water, and make-up. She stared hard into the mirror. Focused. As she watched, her hair adopted some form of order, falling around her head in brown-gray-blonde curlicues. All of the pinkness faded from her eyes. Then, with a quick straightening of her clothes, Ruby reached out. Her arm's bones elongated as she looked, closing the gap between her and the door. As easily as if she'd been standing there, she twisted the key in its lock. As the doorknob shyly began to turn, Ruby quickly retracted her arm. The bones had barely reclaimed their normal length when Oswald's face appeared. It was gentle and worried. And tear-stained.

Ruby stopped. Watched.

"Are you alright?" Oswald stepped inside. Gently closed the door behind him. "Um, you...ran off rather hastily."

Ruby hung her head. "I'm sorry, I-"

"No, no!" Oswald held out his hands. "I-I don't mean to reproach. I was simply concerned."

Ruby blushed without looking up. "Thank you, but...I'm not worth it." She hugged herself. "I'm just a servant. A scullery maid."

"You're also my friend." The bed creaked. A weight plunged into the blankets. Ruby stilled. He was close enough for her to feel his body heat. To smell his sharp cologne. Ruby risked a peek. His body was tilted towards hers, his eyes on her face. Ready to listen, to comfort...whatever she might need. Ruby was both embarrassed and touched. She wiped her eyes before the fresh tears could fall. Ruby could feel the illusion resisting against her hold, like a fierce dog tugging at a leash. She could already feel the clearness of her eyes vanishing, going back to being bloodshot.

"And...I'm grateful for it. Really." Ruby glanced up, this time without looking back down. A soft smile stretched across her face. "I...well, I never had the chance to have friends." She paused. Hugged herself. "I was...alone, for a good chunk of my life. Master saved my life."

Oswald scooted a little closer to her. Ruby's heart hammered against her ribcage. "I know what you mean. He gave me a family. Love. If something really did happen to him, I..." He stopped. Swallowed so hard Ruby could hear it. Without thinking she reached out. Wrapped an arm around Oswald's waist and pulled him close. Oswald automatically did the same. Their heads touched. The two of them sat like that for a while afterward, silent and in thought. Oswald replayed the doctor's words, and Ruby thought about the coughs and sick days. How they'd been growing in frequency for years. The two of them pondered over what might very well happen, but didn't speak.

Talking of it would have made it real.

Finally, the sun began its descent across the heavens. The sky bled profusely, the sun a giant ember. Chills began to wiggle their way through the walls. Vapor spread across the window. Ruby shivered, and Oswald tightened his hold on her. The evening's duties began to whisper in her ear. She closed her eyes, savoring this moment, before speaking up. "I'd better start getting ready."

"Oh." Oswald sounded disappointed. "O-of course." He started to pull away when Ruby took his hand. He turned around. Ruby was staring at him with bloodshot eyes. "I need you to do something for both of us."

Oswald smiled. Curled his fingers around her hand. "Of course."

"Be with Master now." She said immediately. "And later, too. Every moment you can, cherish him. I'll try to do the same." Even though her position severely limited what she could do. She licked her lips. Sighed as her heart bled. "Oswald...we can't stop the clock. Whatever will be, will be. But what we can do is enjoy every moment we can with Master. Otherwise, we'll regret it until our last breath."

Oswald nodded slowly. "I intend to do exactly that." He paused, then added. "I...I loved my mother with all my heart. She was the only family I'd ever had, and I did my best for her. When she died..." A single tear dribbled down his hollow cheek. He wiped it away. Inhaled shakily. "I felt like a part of me had died, too." A faint crack of a smile. "Then Ed came along. Picked up the pieces and put me back together."

Ruby smiled. "Yeah, you've mentioned him. He sounded...cool." If one could turn a blind eye to his strangling his own girlfriend, that is. But of course Ruby didn't say this.

"He was." Oswald agreed. "I...I miss him."

Ruby felt an irrational, two-pronged fork of jealousy pierce her heart. Forcing herself to smile, she nodded. "We're always leaving people behind in life. And sometimes, they're leaving us behind."

"Indeed." Oswald nodded, rising. He turned back to Ruby and, almost subconsciously, stroked her cheek. Goose-bumps spread across Ruby's skin. She smiled. "Thank you." Oswald whispered. "You're a wonderful friend."

With that, they said their goodbyes. The door closed. And Ruby lay down on her bed. Smiling and crying at the same time.

"Master," she whispered, "if anything happens to you...I'll protect your son." She held up her hand. Watched the nails grow long and sharp. "No matter what it takes."

That night, Oswald did as both Ruby and his own heart wanted. He returned to his father's bedside. He helped him dress into formal evening attire, and they spoke of many things. That afternoon's medical blunder remained beneath the surface.

The two men played three rounds of chess. Oswald won the first, but his father floored him afterward. Master rung for Ruby, who, at his gentle request, lit a fire for them in the saloon. She paused once her duty was finished. Stood there, fumbling with her apron.

Elijiah noticed this. "My dear," he spoke softly, "are you alright?"

Ruby didn't answer. Then, she simply stepped forward and threw her arms around him. Elijiah automatically rested his hands on her back. The hug lasted no longer than half a minute, but it meant the world to both of them. Ruby pulled away. "I apologize. I just..." She inhaled. "I just...got quite the scare today. And I'm relieved to see you reverted to your old self."

Elijiah looked touched. "My dear, you have nothing to apologize for." He winked. "Now, go on. If you want, you can relax this evening. Surely another maid may aid us at dinner."

Ruby stared at him like he'd offered her a million dollars. "Truly?"

"Truly." Elijiah smiled. "All I ask is for the family sherry." He gestured to Oswald. "He has yet to taste it, and every self-respecting Van Dahl must at least try it." Oswald blushed deeply at the compliment. Ruby noticed, and smiled. She bowed. "Of course, Master. I'll be back in a jiffy." With that, she was gone.

Charles slapped on a pair of rubber gloves. A scarf was tied tightly around his lower mouth. His eyes were set on the task at hand.

He, Mother, and Sasha had all agreed. Oswald was nothing but trouble. They'd only tolerated him until now because he'd seemed harmless, and they'd expected to nevertheless have the fortune within arm's reach. True, their recent attempts at defaming him before Elijiah had gone up in the tubes, but c'est la vie. He was such a pathetic loser, it wouldn't take long for him to slip up. Or for Elijiah to die. Mother had been replacing his heart medication with mints since Day One, and the hole had gotten bigger. Given the doctor's words, the money was as good as theirs.

Then, Elijiah had mentioned his lawyer. That was the last blow to crash the tree.

Oswald had to go.

Charles hadn't taken long in whipping up the ticket to their sucess. A simple toxin that causes immediate death to whoever absorbs it. In addition, it is difficult to trace. It has no taste, odor, or color. Perfect.

Carefully, Charles tipped the beaker into the bottle's nuzzle. He watched the liquid trickle down, mixing with the Van Dahl sherry. Elijiah couldn't drink because of his health. The servants were forbidden from touching the residents' food. If they wanted to eat, they had to bring or buy their own. All Charles had to do, thusly, was tell his sister and mother to avoid it. Sooner or later, Oswald would drink it. No loose ends.

Finally, the last drop plopped into the sherry. Charles snickered as he straightened, peeling the gloves off. Carefully, he slipped the cap back on and put it back in its place.

"Hey!"

Charles spun around. The head maid was standing in the doorway, arms as crossed as her expression. Her foot was tapping impatiently. Charles masked his surprise with a smug look. "What, out of clothes to mend or something?"

"Or something." Ruby shoved past him, collected the sherry, and took two shot glasses alongside it. Charles watched her work, thinking. She and Sasha had been at each other's throats since the beginning. Of course, Ruby had never done anything outright violent. She loved her job too much for that. But Charles could still see it in those indigo eyes. Ruby hated Sasha. And him. And Mother. Yet she was powerless to express it.

That was reason enough to provoke her. Charles deserved a little fun after doing his job so well. "You know, Ruby, I pity you. I really do."

"Ah?" Ruby didn't even turn around. "Good." She replied breezily. Not really listening.

"I mean, how must it feel to adore a man who doesn't give a crap about you?" Charles asked. "To serve him so devotedly, to hang on his every word, knowing you're completely replaceable to him."

Ruby didn't answer. Kept her eyes away. But her body had stiffened. She swallowed hard. "Enjoy your evening, Master Charles." She began to walk away before stopping. "Oh, and by the way, please deliver a message to your sister." Now, Ruby did face Charles. Her round, chinless face was as hard as marble. "If she ever repeats the stunt she pulled this morning, I will not hesitate to discipline her." A slight bow. "Good evening, Master Charles." She turned around, sherry and glasses in hand.

Charles snapped out of his shock to grab her by the hair. Ruby cried out as she was jerked back. Charles' face appeared inches from her own, red with anger. "Don't you dare speak to me that way!" He shouted. "You certainly can't threaten my sister!" He shook her like a puppet, using the hair in his fist like a string. "You'll get canned for this! See if you don't, bitch!"

Grace suddenly entered, a cocktail in her hand and a shocked expression on her plump face. "Charles!" She snapped. In an instant the young man let go. Ruby was gone not a second later. Charles stared at the empty doorway, shocked, before turning back to his mother. "Mom, she threatened Sasha! She said she'd 'discipline' her." He used air-quotes. "What if she's onto us?"

"What does it matter?" Grace asked. Her eyes were as cunning as a vixen's and thrice as dangerous. "She's nothing but a scullery maid. She cooks, cleans, and waits on those worth far more than her. Who would possibly believe her, even if she did suspect something?"

Charles snorted. "Elijiah, duh!"

"Elijiah will be out of the picture soon enough. Right after his sniveling little bastard." Grace assured him. Both her face and tone hardened. "But if you give him any reason to doubt us - like yelling at his most loyal servant - then everything we've worked so hard for will go up in smoke!"

Charles pursed his lip. "Okay, Mother. Sorry."

"Oh, honey." Grace gently stroked his cheek. She might have said more when a scream erupted from the saloon. Oswald's.

Charles frowned. "I don't get it." He said. "The poison shouldn't have left him time to shout."

That only meant one thing. Mother and son bolted towards the shrieking.

Oswald knelt on the floor, cradling his father in his arms. His body was shaking almost as badly as Elijiah's. Between his ears, all of his thoughts were a-tumble. Confusion and pure terror tightened in his chest like twin snakes. All he could do was cry and watch, helpless, as the white foam dribbled out of Elijiah's mouth. Elijiah stared up at him, pleading for help, for answers. Oswald could give neither.

Ruby was crouching on the other side of Elijiah's body. She was trying to get a pulse, some visible cause...anything. Her hands were frantic and her head was shaking quickly. Tears were streaming down her face like two waterfalls. "NO!" She kept yelling. "Master! Please! Please!"

Oswald looked up, desperately, at the sound of footsteps. Sasha and Grace appeared like guardian angels. Grace's face lost all color as her eyes landed on the sherry. "Did..." She pointed. "Did he drink that?"

"Yes!" Oswald exclaimed.

"Why?!" Grace demanded. "He's not supposed to...Sasha," she placed a hand on her daughter's arm. "Call an ambulance!"

Elijiah's low moaning increased in volume. More foam spilled. Ruby's hands tore away from his body. They instead covered her mouth as sobs forced their way out. Oswald cried out, hugging his father tighter. As if doing so would anchor his father's soul to his world.

It was then that Charles appeared. Sharing a glance with his mother, he quickly knocked over the bottle. Most of its contents spilled onto the floor. Steam rose where the liquid fell.

"Stay with us, Father." Oswald pleaded. "Help is on the way!"

But his father could no longer hear him. Or see him. He was too far away for that now.

Oswald stared, open-mouthed at his father's stilled face. Just for a second, he remembered holding another parents in his arms. Seeing the light fade from their eyes. His heart tore in half as he screamed to the heavens. Ruby didn't hesitate to grab him and pull him in a tight hug. Oswald desperately returned it, like a drowning man being tossed a rope. He clung to Ruby as if letting go meant death. He buried his face in her chest and wept uncontrollably. Ruby cried with him, keeping her eyes closed. If she looked at the dead Master, she knew that her sanity wouldn't survive.

The two cried in each other's arms for hours afterwards. Saving each other from falling into the cracks.