T/W: Child Abuse and Negligence
Chapter Six: Ruby and Max
As they walked home, both men's eyes were far and distant. Memories fogged their minds; of playing pirates, of stealing biscuits and sweets, cuddles together curled up by the fire…memories they'd never again share. The only reminder they had now were the abandoned toys, messy bedrooms, and the memories forever branded to their minds.
Hamish had been left in darkness after Alex had to go to bed. He had fallen asleep beside the chained boy, and only woke when Hamish had cried out. He had brushed against his cut, shifting in his sleep.
"I gotta go ta bed," Alex had mumbled while rubbing his sleep-fogged eyes. "Or…" He yawned, "ma Daddy'll get real mad." He turned to leave. "But I'll get ya a plaster first. We got bue Thomas twain ones."
After that, he had left, but didn't return. Hamish waited and waited, and waited. But his friend didn't come back.
He had perked up hopefully when his door opened, but his face fell when it wasn't Alex. Instead, it was Mr. Moriarty and Tiger, but they had two kids with them. Tiger held the small boy in his arms and the hand of an equally small girl.
Both of them were badly beaten, a large gash opened on the boy's temple. His hair was shaggy and long, brushing past his ears. Some of it fell over his eyes, which were bruised and black and beginning to flutter open.
The girl clung to Tiger's hand tightly, while blood dripped from her shoulder, blending with her red coat, but staining the white dress underneath. Vast amounts of tears fell from her eyes, dripping on to her cheeks and falling from her chin. She gave a loud sniffle, and Tiger shoved her inside, making her scream loudly. Next the boy was thrown inside. He snapped awake as he hit the ground, rolling into the wall.
A loud crack echoed the room, coming from the other boy's leg. Hamish gasped when he noticed that it wasn't going the right way…The boy was screaming, and so was the girl, and so Hamish gladly joined.
The two men laughed at the wailing children, and slammed the door shut, cutting off their cries.
The rain didn't stop for weeks. But as the rain gradually faded, the sun came, shinning and bright overhead. Flowers grew in a variety of shades, sprouting around the grave and bursting city. Visits to the sad sight became less frequent and then slowly became a rarity. Life was changing-moving on. Sadness left behind them, happiness returning.
To a three year old, it seemed like they were left in there for days. He could barely speak-his voice was gone, or when he did speak, his voice was frog-like and really silly. Under different circumstances, he would have made a joke of it, laughing with his parents, but…now, he remained silent.
The girl gave a small hiccup, pushing a blonde hair out of her eyes. The boy was sleeping…or, that's what it looked like to Hamish. "What's your name?" The girl whispered, reaching over to inspect his cut. Her voice sounded really silly too.
"Hamish," He replied. "An' I'm three."
For some reason he didn't know, the girl looked surprised. "Oh. I'm Ruby. I'm eight." She rubbed her eyes, smearing red across her face, and pointed to the small curled mass against the wall. "That's Max. He's only seven." She sniffled. "Why'd they take us?"
Hamish shrugged, and then winced as pain shot up his shoulder. "I-I donno. But Mr. Moriarty and Tiger are really, really mean. They give owies."
Ruby gave a small nod. "I know. We'll get you out of here, okay? We'll get you back to your Mummy and Daddy."
"I don't have a Mummy. Just a Daddy and Papa."
"Um..oh. Um…okay. We'll get you back to you're…um..family, then."
Hamish's mouth popped open, but was caught off when the door was swung open. He stood, hoping for Alex, but whimpering and backing up when it wasn't his friend.
Mr. Moriarty stood there rubbing his hands together, Tiger at his side, a knife in one hand, a big gun in another. "Shoow Time!" Mr. Moriarty sang, as though it were a song. When he clapped his hands, Max and Ruby were drug forwards, screaming.
Once again, Hamish joined their screams until the door slammed shut behind them.
And that was last time Hamish saw Ruby and Max.
Darkness fell over the returning land. Everything was quiet and peaceful, no one stirring. The grave lay peaceful and silent, the flowers decorating it swaying in the light breeze. The air was tinted with a light smell of spring; the smell of the past fallen rain, new flowers, and of sweet-smelling wind. It was hot, the wind doing nothing to dissipate the heat. The parents of the deceased slept uneasily in their beds. The sweat plaguing their bodies wasn't from the heat, but rather from the grieving nightmares taking over their minds. Their world may have gone on, but they were falling behind, lost within memories.
A/N: Woah! The action's starting now. That and…we've gained so many followers! *applauses everyone for having faith in this story* You are amazing. I honestly thought now one would take a liking to it ;) Seems I was wrong! New chapter should be up soon. Warning though…things get pretty gross and...disturbing from here on in.