Hey guys thanks for all of your reviews! They're really appreciated :) Thanks to Jaybes and Sid B for the awesome compliments. Actually made me blush lol...Anyway hope everyone likes this (slightly longer than usual) chapter.
Chapter 64
Ruby yawned tiredly as she leaned up on her elbows on the bed, watching thoughtfully as Summer jumped up and down in front of the small window which was placed above her head.
"Damn it" Summer muttered breathlessly before she stepped closer to the window and grabbed the ledge attempting in vain to pull herself up. She dropped back to the ground and sighed when she realised that her efforts were getting her nowhere. At the sound of a soft chuckle she turned around and glared half heartedly at her companion "Are you laughing at me Buckton?"
"No...I mean yes...Sorry" Ruby apologised through her laughter "It's just...Who do you think you are? Spiderman?"
"You're lucky I like you" Summer smiled as she moved to sit on the bed next to Ruby "Or you would have been sorry for that comment"
"Right" Ruby chuckled lightly as she dropped back onto the bed "So any more amazing ideas about how we should get out of here?"
Summer shrugged, her expression dropping considerably "The window is all I've come up with"
"The only way we're going to be able to get out of that window is if we spontaneously grow wings and shrink by 3 foot" Ruby commented dryly "It's not going to happen"
"Well do you have any ideas?" Summer asked expectantly at Ruby's frustrated tone "Because If you do I'm all ears"
"No" Ruby sighed and closed her eyes briefly "I'm sorry...I don't feel well and I'm taking it out on you...Sorry"
"It's okay" Summer said quietly as she reached out and squeezed Ruby's hand "How are you feeling today?"
"Terrible" Ruby answered with a small smile "The same as yesterday...Maybe a little bit worse"
"I need to get you out of here" Summer muttered, worry clear on her expression as she scanned the small room for a way out "Maybe we could distract him and I'll...hit him with something"
"Hit him with something?" Ruby asked sceptically "You? Seriously Sum? I don't think that would work"
"Hey I'm stronger than I look!" Summer protested. She continued at Ruby's doubtful expression "Okay so maybe that won't work" they fell into a short silence for a moment before Ruby spoke up again in a quiet hesitant voice.
"Are we going to...talk about what happened yesterday?"
"There's nothing to talk about" Summer said softly though her eyes flicked to the ground as she spoke "I'm fine. He didn't have time to do anything..."
"But he started to" Ruby reminded her gently as she gave the other girl's hand a soft squeeze "I just...I don't understand why you stopped fighting him"
"I had my reasons" Summer answered as she stood up and walked slightly away from Ruby "Look Ruby...I really don't want to talk about this right now, okay?"
"Well I do!" Ruby stated a hint of anger in her voice as she stood up shakily "I want to know why Summer...Why were you just going to let him...?"
"Ruby, just stop okay?" Summer pleaded as she looked back to Ruby "I'm just trying to do what's right for everyone...I'm trying to get us out of here"
"Yeah well it seems to me like you're on some kind of suicide mission!" Ruby countered shakily "And you won't even talk to me...You won't even tell me what's wrong with you!"
"DAMN IT RUBY!" Summer yelled in frustration. Her eyes widened in surprise when Ruby jumped at the unexpected outburst and already unsteady from the effect of her diabetes stumbled backwards and tripped over her own feet.
"Ow..."
"Ruby!" Summer exclaimed in panic as she rushed over to the girl in question and dropped to her knees next to her "Oh shit...I'm sorry Rubz. I didn't mean to hurt you. I just...I'm so sorry. Are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere? I'm so..."
"I'm okay" Ruby winced interrupting the other girl's worried babble "Nothing bruised except my ego. That's all...Don't worry. It's not your fault" she smiled weakly up at the brunette who gazed at her in concern for a moment before throwing her arms around her.
"I'm sorry" Summer said, her voice sounding thick with tears "I didn't mean to yell at you. I'm just...I'm trying to protect you as best I can under the circumstances and it's really frustrating that I can't do it!"
"Hey" Ruby returned the hug lightly before she pulled away and offered Summer a small smile "It's okay...You didn't hurt me. I'm totally fine. See?" she gestured towards herself as if to prove her point.
"Well I wouldn't say totally fine..." Summer sniffled quietly "Since you're ill and everything"
"Maybe not" Ruby smiled softly as she wiped the older girl's tears away "But you haven't hurt me at all. There's nothing you can do about the diabetes but...We're going to be fine. We'll get out of this. I know we will"
"Okay" Summer took a shuddering breath and nodded slowly "I'm sorry I snapped at you. I'm just really scared..."
"I know" Ruby sighed heavily and pulled her closer "So am I Sum but we just have to stick together and we'll get through this okay? Everything will be fine"
"You're right" Summer said quietly as she stood up from the ground pulling Ruby gently up with her "Are you sure you're okay? That fall looked pretty rough..."
"I'm fine" Ruby reassured her quietly as she found herself sitting on the bed again "Summer?"
"What is it Rubz?" Summer sat on the bed next to Ruby and gazed at her in concern at the seriousness in her voice.
"What you did yesterday...Trying to stay quiet to protect me?" at Summer's shocked look Ruby explained herself "I realised when you told me that you were trying to protect me as best you can...You don't have to you know..."
"I do have to" Summer argued softly "I'll do anything in my power to make sure he doesn't touch you or..." she trailed off and bit her lip, unable to say the words "I don't want anything like that to happen to you so I'll do anything in my power to stop it. You know I care about you...A hell of a lot"
"I care about you a lot too" Ruby responded sincerely "Which is kind of why I have an idea about how we should get out of here"
"What kind of idea?" Summer asked in anticipation as she stretched slightly.
"I was thinking..." Ruby started slowly fully aware that Summer wouldn't be happy with the proposition "Maybe I should distract him and you can like...Get some help? I doubt I'm going to be able to escape in this condition anyway..."
"I hope you're joking" Summer said as she narrowed her eyes at Ruby "But if you are that's not funny"
"Erm...I'm not joking?" Ruby attempted quietly.
"There is no way in hell I'm leaving you alone with him" Summer said firmly "I would rather just stay here and wait for help"
"But it might not come" Ruby said quietly.
"It will!" Summer exclaimed strongly "Cameron, Charlie and Joey will have everybody looking by now. Help will be here soon but I'm not leaving without you"
"Bu..."
"And" Summer continued glaring determinedly at Ruby "If you suggest it again I'm going to have to clobber you...Got it?"
"Clobber me?" Ruby chuckled lightly.
"Shut up" Summer blushed slightly "I mean it though. I'm staying with you no matter what" a moment later she found herself slightly surprised when Ruby threw her arms around her and hugged her tightly.
"Thanks Summer" Ruby said softly as tears formed in her eyes at the level of care shown by the other teen. They stayed in the embrace for a long moment before the door opened causing them both to pull away.
"Not interrupting something am I?" Grant leered drunkenly as he stumbled into the room, kicking the door closed behind him. Ruby and Summer shared a worried glance at the thought of what his drunkenness would mean for them. When they didn't answer him Grant rolled his eyes and took a seat on the floor leaning against the wall "Not talking to me again? That's too bad...I guess I'll have to talk at you again"
"Oh the joys!" Ruby exclaimed sarcastically.
"Sarcasm...I like that" Grant chuckled as he sipped from his bottle of beer "That's my girl"
"Or not" Ruby disagreed in disgust.
Grant shook his head as his expression darkened and he looked over at Summer who was glaring darkly at him "So...Summer? What do you say we picked up where we left off yesterday?"
"You're disgusting" Summer noted cringing slightly from the memory as Ruby's grip on her hand tightened.
"Maybe" Grant shrugged carelessly as he lumbered to his feet causing both girls' to tense. He grinned sadistically at the control he had over them "They're probably wondering where you are by now...that's too bad" he focused on Summer and motioned with his head for her to come closer "You remember our deal?"
"Summer don't you dare move..." Ruby whispered as she tightened her grip even further.
Grant's expression darkened when Summer made no movement "Hurry up!"
"You're not going to touch her" Ruby stated, glaring at him defiantly.
"Yeah?" Grant laughed at her statement "And who's going to stop me? You?!"
"Yes!" Ruby nodded firmly much to Grant's annoyance "Yes I am!"
Grant released a low irritated growl and started towards them but stopped short of reaching Ruby as Summer jumped up from the bed and stood defensively in front of her. He grinned and raised an eyebrow at her in challenge "You think you can take me?"
Summer remained silent and met his dark glare.
"You're deluded" he chuckled as he clumsily grabbed her arm and pulled her towards him, his drunkenness obviously taking some affect.
"Summer!" Ruby exclaimed in alarm as the other girl's hand was pulled roughly from her own. She stood up from the bed and took a step forward as Summer was yanked away from her.
"Ow!" Summer complained as she attempted to pull her arm back "What the hell are you trying to do? Break me arm?! Freaking Psycho..."
Grant chuckled "Not yet" he glanced at Ruby and smirked when he noticed the panic on her expression ""Don't piss me off Summer. You know what will happen. In fact just for that earlier comment I'm going to...make her watch"
"You deserve so much more than being in prison" Summer said darkly, refusing to let him see her fear though she felt tears building up steadily. Her gaze fleeted to Ruby's who was watching the exchange in horror with tears in her eyes.
"What did I tell you?!" Grant growled as he squeezed her arm tighter causing her to release a quiet yelp at the pain "Shut up!" he cast a quick look at Ruby before he backed Summer up against the wall he had just been leaning on.
Summer turned her head slightly as the smell of alcohol on his breath hit her.
"Are you going to co-operate now?" Grant asked in a low dangerous voice though his speech was slurring slightly as he moved his hands roughly over her body. Summer looked up over his shoulder and met Ruby's tearful gaze trying to block out the sensation of his hands on her.
"Hey" she said eventually her voice coming out as merely a whimper though she tried to steady it "Can I have some of that?" she motioned in the direction of the beer bottle.
"Huh?" Grant looked up and shrugged when he noticed what she was talking about "Oh...Yeah, whatever"
Summer took the bottle from him and waited for a moment until she felt his hand under her shirt before she lifted the dark bottle and brought it down as hard as she could on his head. She felt a mix of satisfaction and nervousness as the bottle smashed and Grant hit the floor.
"Summer!" Ruby exclaimed as she rushed over to the other girl and hugged her tightly "Oh my God...You hit him!" she pulled back and gently pulled the stunned older girl's shirt down which had moved halfway up her stomach due to Grant's groping.
"Uh...Yeah" Summer nodded her gaze still on Grant who was out cold on the ground, bleeding profusely from his head wound "I said I would, didn't I?"
"I thought you were a pacifist" Ruby said wide eyed.
"He isn't dead is he?" Summer asked as she bent down next to him. She felt for a pulse and stood a moment later "He's just knocked out"
"God, I'm so glad you're okay!" Ruby stated tearfully as she dove back into Summer's arms "I thought he was going to..."
"I know" Summer said quietly as she hugged Ruby lightly and attempted to push back her own tears at the thought of what had almost happened "Do you think you'll be able to get out of here Rubz? With your diabetes and all..."
"I think so" Ruby nodded as she bent down next to Grant and rummaged through his pockets. She pulled out his keys and almost yelled in triumph "We better go...He'll be waking up soon"
"Right" Summer grabbed Ruby's hand and pulled her gently towards the door, which she unlocked quickly. They rushed out of the house and outside.
"Where the hell are we?" Ruby asked when all she saw around her were trees and a road which seemed to lead nowhere.
"I have no idea" Summer said as they walked over to a car.
"Can you even drive?" Ruby asked as they got in.
"I don't know..." Summer shrugged with a small smile "But it's about time I learned" she turned the key in the ignition expecting the car to start and released a growl of frustration when it chugged before simply dying out "Come on..." she tried again but the engine didn't start "Damn it!"
"It's okay" Ruby reassured her quickly "We'll just have to walk"
"Walk where?!" Summer asked as they got out of the car "We don't even know where we are Ruby!"
"I don't know" Ruby shrugged as she slipped her hand back into Summer's as much for her own comfort as the other girl's "But we have to go before he wakes up..."
Summer nodded and they moved as quickly as Ruby could manage in her condition down the road.
---
"Hey" Joey said softly as she wrapped her arms around Charlie's waist and dropped a soft kiss on her neck "I brought you some more Coffee"
"Thanks Jo" Charlie smiled softly as she turned in Joey's arms and greeted her with a kiss "I really need that right now"
"I figured you would" Joey responded quietly as she caressed Charlie's cheek lightly "You've been working for a straight twenty four hours"
"I just...I really miss Ruby" Charlie admitted quietly "I hate that there's nothing I can do to get them back. We're basically powerless"
Joey nodded in understanding "I miss her too. It's ridiculously quiet without her here. I miss her constant energy and babbling, her teasing...God I even miss her yelling in the house and complaining"
"I know" Charlie chuckled sadly "I wish we could go back to like a week ago...Have her back to tease us about the simplest things, fight over the remote with Summer. I need my daughter back Joey. I don't know what I'll do if we lose her..."
"Hey don't think like that" Joey said quietly though fear filled her own eyes "We are not going to lose Ruby or Summer. They're going to be fine. We just have to..."
"Find them" Charlie finished for her "Which is way easier said than done Jo...Plus even though she's not really showing it I think Cam is on the verge of a breakdown..."
"I hate this" Joey sighed in defeat as she looked over at the files scattered on the kitchen table "Not knowing what's going on...Where they are or what he's..." she trailed off and looked down at the ground.
"I know" Charlie swallowed heavily at the thought willing the sick feeling in her stomach to pass "And Ruby's probably already sick because of low blood sugar"
"Summer will look out for her" Joey said quietly as she rubbed Charlie's arm soothingly "If Ruby's sick...At least she has Summer there. You know them Charlie...They'll stick together through thick and thin in there"
"I know" Charlie sighed as she braced herself with her hands on the table in front of her "I just want to get them back as soon as possible. I need to tell Ruby that I love her again...I need to hold her and just...I need her back"
Joey nodded in understanding as her heart ached for the girl she thought of as her own daughter "I know" she leaned slightly to the left and swore when her hip collided painfully with the edge of the table causing a file and a free piece of paper to drop to the ground "Shit I'm sorry Charlie..."
"It's fine" Charlie said quietly as they both dropped to the ground and she picked up the piece of paper. She looked at it thoughfully at the photograph of the isolated house for a moment before her eyes widened in surprise "Oh My god...Grant owns a house less than ten miles away which is completely isolated from anywhere"
"And that's important because...?" Joey asked expectantly.
"He's not in Summer Bay!" Charlie explained excitedly "And his car hasn't been found in a five mile radius...He must have them here!" she leaned forward and kissed Joey quickly "Thanks Jo!"
"Um...Okay" Joey said a small smile tugging at her lips at the thought that they were actually getting somewhere as they stood up from the ground.
"CAM!" Charlie hollered up the stairs "Come here! We're going out!"
TBC
