CHAPTER 3

"Ruby, hurry...through here!"

She looked around her and hurriedly went into the open door of the convent pantry. It was hidden in the back buildings of the convent, away from the cafeteria where the Sisters of Drexel were feeding the homeless.

Sister Lucy ushered Ruby in, and immediately gasped as she turned on the light in the pantry and took in the image of Ruby.

"Oh my word! What happened, Ruby?"

"Sister Lucy, please I don't have much time, I...need your help!"

"What is it?" Sister Lucy had always assisted her and was known to her since her childhood years. She was a kind woman who had always taken care of those in need, as far as Ruby could remember. She also never asked any more questions than needed—although Ruby was certain that Sister Lucy had an idea as to what kind of predicaments led others to come to her hurt and injured.

Holding on to Sister Lucy's hands, Ruby showed her out the door and to the passenger seat upon which Oswald's still body laid.

"We need to get him inside immediately!" Sister Lucy called, and without any other word both she and Ruby carefully carried Oswald's unconscious body into the pantry area.

Ruby did her best to hold his body upright while Sister Lucy fumbled with the latch to a secret door in the wall which opened up to a small infirmary. They then carried Oswald's body inside and laid his body in the first bed they came upon.

The old nun looked at her with worrisome eyes. "How long has he been like this, my dear?"

"I...I don't know, but he's loss a lot of blood," She tried her best to not appear shaky, "And his leg and arm...injured."

"Oh my..." Sr. Lucy shook her head as she looked at the young man in front of her, his black hair fallen over his temple, wet from his sweat, and his eyes closed, and his face pale. She saw the worry in Ruby's eyes, and prayed that whatever it was that caused these young children to be in their current predicament would not be so long lasting and one that would not forever be a part of their lives. She was worried about young men and women like these two, and she made it her duty to assist them.

"Sister, tell me what I need to do to help!"

"Help me get these clothes off him so I can look at his wounds."

Ruby brushed away her tears, she had not realized had fallen. "Is he going to be okay?"

"My dear, he should be grateful you brought him here. It's not too late." Sr. Lucy watched as Ruby gave a sigh of relief. She was not going to ask about Ruby's predicament—not just yet anyway—her concern was first on the ailing man before her.

Ruby helped in removing the clothing, until Oswald laid before her, only in his dark blue boxers. Her eyes roamed his exposed chest, noting the paleness of his skin, the bruises on his ribs, fresh cuts and also the scars upon his the sinewy muscles of his abs. They looked like knife scar from a wound so long ago, so light and some several inches long. Above the bands of his boxers, she saw the line of fine muscle disappearing into his core from his abdomen. It was clear that for his light body he was a strong muscular man—at first glance one would have never guessed. It was also clear that he had been in many fights and altercations in his life; this seemed no shock to her.

Her eyes were then drawn to his legs. His left leg was bloodied, what appeared to be a gunshot wound that hit mere inches from his knee, and also a shot on his calves. She watched as Sr. Lucy prepped and began to clean the wound in silence.

The sight of blood did not faze her as Ruby was all too familiar with the likes of the infirmary, she had been after all an assistant and volunteer to Sr. Lucy oh so many years ago when she had been studying under her tutelage. She watched in silence as the elderly nurse rolled up the sleeves of her navy robe and began to clean the wound.

Ruby remembered assisting Sr. Lucy with cleaning wounds, and aiding the unaccounted people of her Gotham (the women and children that roamed the streets and found themselves in the harsh situations of life). Somehow those days of being a sister in training seemed so distant and so far gone, that it seemed like a dream. Those were the days when Ruby thought that the convent would protect her from the hard life that she was forced to live; those were the days she thought that God was going to save her, and that she had found her path. Now she was just as lost, and wasn't sure of anything anymore. Just as the thoughts and reminisce came into play, so did it disappear. Ruby cleared her thoughts, as she heard the nun ask for additional medical supplies. She moved to pick up medical bandages and alcohol to hand to Sr. Lucy.

Catching her in her quiet observance and motion to help, Sr. Lucy met her eyes in concern. "My dear, what you need to do is get yourself cleaned and rested. I'll take care of your friend here." She took the bandages and alcohol from Ruby in one hand, and with the other, ushered the young woman away from Oswald and towards the doorway which would lead to the other rooms of the infirmary.

"But sister, if I help, maybe we can get out of here faster...get out of your way."

Sr. Lucy shook her head, and returned to tend to the young man's wounds. She looked up between ministrations. "Hush, child. I already know what you're thinking."

"Sister, I...we need to leave as soon as we can. I don't want you getting hurt or them finding you. We can get him fixed up, have him rest on the road while I drive and-"

"Ruby, there's no such thing!" Sr. Lucy's voice was adamant. "You'll stay here until you are well rested and your friend here is fully rested and well."

Ruby shook her head, "There's people out there looking for me and-"

"No, child I'm not letting you leave like this," Sr. Lucy placed the items in her hand down on the nearby table, wiped her hands, and surprised Ruby by taking her in her arms and hugging her.

Ruby was taken aback and soon settled in the elderly woman's warm arms. This woman was like a mother to her, and she knew darn well that she owned her an explanation for disappearing months ago from her care, and she knew that this woman had no need to take care of her like she was doing.

"Sister, I'm sorry..." And somehow Ruby felt the tears fall from her eyes as she began to sob. The heaviness of the events of the day hitting her, and flooding her with visions of the horror she'd committed to free herself from the reigns of the men who thought to return her to her kidnapper, her captor. "I've done so many things and-"

"Shhh, my dear, it's okay." Sr. Ruby rubbed her back as she let Ruby cry.

"I know I owe you a lot of explanation, and I know that..." She shook her head as she stepped away from her embrace. Rubbing her eyes from the tears, she quieted not knowing how to explain or to begin to explain what transpired to get her to the situation she was in at that very moment.

"My dear, there's a reason why I took you in. I've known you since you were a child, and whatever trouble you've gotten yourself into, please know that I'll help you."

"I don't want them to find you and hurt you and-"

"My dear, this is a safe place. You can rest hear, and I promise you they won't find you. Now, please Ruby, go on ahead and take care of yourself. Let me tend to this young mans wounds."

With another hug and a smile, Sr. turned around back to Oswald and soon began cleaning up the wounds on Oswald, who was breathing slowly, mumbling in his dream-like state.

Ruby looked at Oswald's body again and for a brief moment watched Sr. Lucy.

Feeling her eyes on her back, and Ruby's presence, the old woman said to her without turning,

"Ruby, my dear, don't worry, and clean yourself up will you? I have fresh clothes there for you, in the donation area, I know you'll remember where. And when I'm done here I'll take a look at you."

Ruby nodded her head, and giving one last glance at the sleeping Oswald, she turned towards the infirmary bedroom and the showers to cleanse herself.

She was familiar with this secret infirmary, remembering the months she had assisted and aided wounded women and children in secret in the very same place.

She was grateful for people like Sister Lucy and wondered how she got so lucky meeting such people in here life.

.

.

.

[Beginning of Oswald's dream]

His dreams were vivid dreams, at first in full darkness and black veil. He felt only the soft hands brushing against his brow, and then soon when he tried to move he felt himself falling into the oblivion until he found himself floating restlessly and in no direction in the black veil.

He floated for a moment, hearing only the constant loud pounding of his beating heart against his ears. Ta-thud, ta-thud, ta-thud. And then like a movie projected in front of him, he recalled his first meeting with the woman who scorned him, the woman whom he thought he had worshiped and adored, and in some sick fascination had thought had 'loved,' and later betrayed...

"Oswald, my darling, it is so nice to meet you."

"And I you."

"I'm Fish Mooney, and I believe I've found my very new pet..."

Then his scream escaped his likes as he plummeted downward into nothingness.

"My dear, please don't look at me that way," she hissed at him.

"In what way?"

"Like a love sick little puppy, with those promising eyes, wanting eyes."

"Uh, Madam Fish I wasn't-"

"No need, Oswald. I am flattered." She ran her hand against his cheek, and leaned in to kiss his lips, biting it ever so lightly. "It's refreshing."

"It's not my intention to bother you."

She pulled back and studied his face. He looked so very handsome, an earnestness in his eyes and a formality that she had not seen in a very long time in her lovers. And no doubt he was a very earnest lover, so eager to please her, admire her, and in the slightest even love her. To Fish this was what she needed, she needed her pet to admire her like a Goddess and to not think or question all her wishes. To her Oswald appeared the perfect candidate—an easy individual, so eager to join the ranks of Gotham's top mob, and so fresh eyed. So manageable.

"I enjoy your admiration, darling." She kissed him again, and enjoyed his awkward shyness, as she pulled him close to her by the belt of his pants. "I always wanted a pet like you."

"Oh, Ozzy it's so nice to see you! You look so handsome!"

"Thank you, Mother."

"This new job of yours as a front door manager is paying off, huh?" He hand't... he couldn't... tell his mother the truth about his job. He wanted her to be proud of him, and know that finally he was able to provide for her and make sure she was taken care of. He wanted her to know that he could be somebody, and not some son of first generation immigrant barely surviving in a low paying, low-life job, destined to be stepped on.

"It is, Mother, it is." He smiled at her, taking a sip from the tea she made him.

"Is it a very serious job?" She asked him, and he knew she meant 'Is it a job that's dangerous and will get you hurt?'

"Believe it or not, it's a pretty quiet position, ticketing people in and out of the establishment."

"Oh Ozzy, I'm so proud of you! I know you'll do great and show that boss how marvelous my son can be!"

"That's the plan, Mother."

"Oh, sweetie I hope your boss sees your full potential! You'll be a boss yourself one day!"

He smiled at her.

"In time, Mother."

"Look at that punk, I don't see what Fish sees in him."

"Yeah, walking around like a fucking brainless slave."

"What the hell is he even doing here with us?"

"I'm telling ya he's a mistake about to happen."

"Shit, that dimwit said to me that he joined because he wanted to be like one of us."

"That weirdo, a part of our crew? Yeah right, ain't happening. Fish needs to keep him as her bed whore. The kid probably can't kill shit."

"Let's see how 'pretty-boy' last."

"Well, I can tell you for a fact, Fish sure as hell doesn't plan to keep him that long or have him join."

"You sure about that, pal? She seem to fancy him."

"Trust me, I've heard her speaking to Ralf, and I'm sure she got plans for that kid. Maybe a fall guy or something, who knows."

"Maybe someone dumb enough to do something and take the fall."

"Well, whatever it is. She ain't planning to keep him that long. You'll see."

They laughed. "Yeah, he'll probably just be another Carlo."

They didn't realize that he had been listening to them all along, nor did they know that very moment would inspire him to spurn Fish Mooney. Oswald had bigger plans for himself—his mother had always told him that he would be great someday, and that was a promise he made himself and for his mother. He wanted a better life, a nice life, one that meant not being stepped on, ran over, or living in the bottom of Gotham. He wanted to be like those men, like Fish Mooney, at the top. And somehow Oswald realized that in order to do that he had to do whatever it took, even if it meant turning his back on the woman whom he had thought he admired.

Not once did he question what the crew said about her plans for him. He had learned about 'Carlo' after hearing his name several times. Carlo was the pet he had replaced who no doubt was decaying in the bottoms of Gotham's murky bay.

Oswald was a good reader of people, and in his gut he knew that Fish Mooney's intentions with him were not the best. This realization came to mind once he removed the pathetic veil of 'love'/admiration he had for her was removed.

As much as he informed her of his interest to join the ranks of her thugs—in order to make more money to support his mother- she simply belittled him and made sure he remained her careful pet. She wanted him to be an eager young lover, dimwitted and clueless, and polite—a facade Oswald was so good in showing, and one that Fish was blinded from.

"My dear," she said, "You can never be like them." She sensually ran the tip of her high heels over his leg, "I mean look at you; no man would follow you."

It was hard for Oswald to hear this, and yet he remained silent. An anger raging inside of him as she said this in front of her men, and she seemed oblivious to their laughter of him.

"Now be a good fellow, and stop with this nonsense," she pointed at her drink at the table across from them. "Be a dear and get my drink."

Oswald stood up and like a good 'assistant' did her bidding.

Oswald was anything but, and he was certain that she would find out soon, when he took over her reign. He was certain of it.

Gun shot.

The pain coursed through him and he felt himself fall into the cold water. He fault with all his might to swim upward but only to continue to sick. He was holding his breath now and struggled until he found himself gulping the water and he drowned.

The blackness again—he was floating again in the oblivion and the darkness.

This time he felt wetness on his face, and a soft voice, muffled in the far distance.

"Hello!" he yelled, his mouth opened, but no words came out. "Hello!" nothing.

He plummeted downward again, free-falling into darkness, until suddenly he saw a bright light bellow him. He fell towards it until the light enveloped him, and a soft voice of a woman came.

Her brow furrowed in worry, and beautiful green eyes staring back him and into his soul.

"It's all right." she told him, and he felt gentle hands touching his face, "You're going to be okay," she tells him

and then everything faded in the light...

[End of Oswald's dream]

"It's all right," Ruby whispered, dabbing the sweat from his brow. She wondered what he was dreaming about—perhaps a nightmare—that had him tossing and turning. He mumbled a few phrases that she did not make out, and wondered how long he would be in a such a state.

"It's just the fever breaking through."

She turned around to the voice and saw Sr. Lucy standing on the doorway watching her.

"Why don't you rest your eyes, my dear? He'll be fine by tomorrow, believe me."

Ruby nodded her head, set the clothe she had used on the nightstand beside Oswald, and sat on her bed across from his in the room. They were in the infirmary's resting beds—the room was small with two twin beds opposite each other and in between them a night stand with a lamp, and the clothe. The room was a light shade of pale yellow, and the beds soft and comforting. Ruby remembered the many times she would read stories to the children they had saved off the streets on these beds until they slept. And here she was in the same beds, being saved and helped by the only woman in her life that she felt was more her mother than her own mother ever was.

"Do you still help the children and women off the streets?" She asked the old woman, turning to her, remembering how she had met her.

Sr. Lucy sat next to Ruby on the bed and turned to her. "Yes, my dear, we still help them; work hard to get them off the streets; to make better of themselves."

Ruby turned her gaze away. She was once one of those children, lost in the streets, orphaned, living their life day by day, scraps by scraps. For a short period of her time, Ruby had stayed in the church, working closely with the nuns, aiding in feeding the children, giving them warm clothes and food. She had even thought she had the 'calling'.

"You know, you can't always save them," Ruby said, "Gotham... those streets will never let them go."

"Oh child, that doesn't mean I don't help. Whether they stay or not, I'm here to feed them, to clothe them, to let them know that someone's out there cares for their lives."

"And here I am, barging in on your peace, a mess of what I was." Ruby tried to fight the tears from her eyes to fall. "You don't see me for years, and here I am, just another failure at your doorstep."

"No, child," Sr. Lucy stopped her, "you came here to save that man; there ain't no bad in that. You came here to get help, there ain't no bad in that either."

Ruby was silent, as she felt Sr. Lucy's arm around her shoulder, pulling her close. "My dear, I know something happened—something real bad—because of all places you seek shelter here. I see it in your eyes, and I know someone out there hurt you..."

Ruby leaned close on Sr. Lucy's shoulder and buried her face there, fighting the tears which began to fall. She cried silently, biting her lips and holding back the sob that stayed in her chest. She didn't want to be weak, she didn't want to falter.

"Sister Lucy... I can't even begin to tell you what I've gone through, what I've done, what has happened..."

She felt Sr. Lucy's hands brush her hair, and rub her back, "There there child, you don't have to tell me anything—just know that I'm here and I'm here to help."

"I'm so sorry..." Ruby looked up at her, "I'm so sorry that I've turned out the way I have and I...messed up, and I-"

"Shh-shh..."

"Whatever I've done, I had to... and I know that I need to leave here—to leave Gotham and never come back. It's that or I die."

Sr. Lucy met her teary eyes, a frown etched in her face, but she didn't let her go. "My child, there is always forgiveness...there is always hope..."

Ruby looked up again and shook her head, "I'm struggling to keep that in mind, because right now all I see is the hopelessness of this life, and the fact that this very city is cruel, and dark and the people the run it are filled with hatred and are corruption. And I've lost people I love, and I've... I don't know, Sister Lucy..." She shook her head and looked at the old woman, "I don't know if I can forgive until I've seen them suffer for what they've done, what they've taken away from me..."

Sr. Lucy was quiet, and didn't say anything further. She could only pray that Ruby would find her salvation. She wondered what it was that had traumatized and upset the girl, and yet the same time she chose to make sure that she did not ask for her to tell.

Sr. Lucy met many women and children like Ruby and her male friend come through from the streets of Gotham. She herself, had on a few occasions lost faith and hope, having seen the horrid turn of the rule of Gotham. There were more people dying, there were more crime, rape, killings and suffering. And she herself, was not clear of any dealings with the corrupted, as her church had received on occasion offerings and donation from the money of the corrupted. How cruel that in such a world, the very bosses and head of the mobs and mafias still called themselves believers and crossed themselves and attended church. Was she no better than the rest of them?

Her only rationalization for herself was that she helped shelter the suffering, clothe the naked, feed the hungry with the donations she received. Sister Lucy was grateful that in her many years, she was surrounded by her trusted nuns who believed in her work and in the importance of maintaining the silence asked by those who they saved. Ruby was a young woman whom Sister Lucy could not judge for the turn of her life, and she could only pray that she would be all right.

"You know, you can always stay here Ruby and hide from whatever it is, or until things settle down. No one ever looks here."

"I know, Sister Lucy, and I appreciate that... but I know that the longer I...we stay here in Gotham the more I'm putting all our lives in danger. We need to leave as soon as we can before they start looking."

She took Ruby's hands in hers and squeezed them. "Then, if that's the case you're going to let me help you the best I can, child."

"We'll be out of your hair tomorrow..."

"If and when he's full and well awake, you'll need to leave at the earliest before the sun rise."

"That was the plan," Ruby nodded her head.

"The car I saw you drove in, I know it isn't yours... we'll help rid of it-"

"No, that won't be necessary-"

"There's another way you can leave the city and it'll be undetected."

Ruby was about to speak, but Sr. Lucy held a hand to stop her, and told her firmly, "Not another word about it. We'll speak about this tomorrow; you need to rest, my dear."

Ruby took a deep breath, and released it slowly. She felt the stress of what had to be done, and the frustration that Sr. Lucy was adamant in helping her, and she had no choice but to accept it.

"All right," she said to the older woman. She felt the fatigue course through her body, and it was then that she realized how tired she really was and how late the time was.

"Get some rest, Ruby."

Ruby didn't say another word as she watched Sister Lucy leave. She simply got under the covers, and closed her eyes to a dreamless sleep.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Please review to let me know what you think of this chapter. Thanks!