Authors note:
(Hey! how's it going? not gonna lie, I'm kinda nervous as this is my first Fanfic, but I'm gonna try. because it's better to do, than not do at all. please feel free to critique this, I'm open. I hope y'all enjoy!)
Chapter 1: Such is Life
[ Thursday, June 5th, 9:45pm, Vale police department.]
It's the regular for lieutenant Dan. another shift at the counter, reading a magazine. "Gods, why me." he solemnly sighs, nearly half asleep. until suddenly he is woken up by the doors opening, revealing a hooded woman leading a bandit in cuffs, inside.
His face lights up slightly "Ah, Ruby! Back as promised huh?" Ruby removes her hood with a smile, "Yup! Back with goods!" She says enthusiastically.
Dan gets up from his chair to see the Bandit better. "Hey there Erpon! You enjoying the place so far? Probably better than whatever empty garage you chose for a hide out." He says with a smug smile.
Erpon glares angrily at Dan, "Piss off!"
"Hmph, okay." Dan responds, seeming to not care, which seems to anger him further. "Thanks again Ruby, that's one less bandit done and over with." He says with a smile.
"No problem Dan! Just another day of delivering sweet justice don't you think?" Ruby says playfully.
"Naturally, but you sure were late this time around." He adds. She sheepishly scratches her head in response, "ehehe, Weeell this time around they sure were tricky." She adds. Erpon is behind her is scuffling, trying to hopelessly break free. "Tsk!! damn these cuffs!!"
Both Ruby and Dan watch as he keeps trying desperately, "Wow, he's pretty determined." she remarks.
"Yup," he adds.
The bandit, Erpon, soon stops all of a sudden, an immense, and hateful aura emenating from him. "Damn you, Ruby Rose! Damn you, Damn you, Damn you!" his fury is clear as day, this new hatred he holds for her is immeasurable. and he wants her to hear every ounce of it, and know that she'll be sorry she ever put him in bars. "I swear you'll regret this for the rest of your pathetic life! I will not rest, until you're at my feet begging for mercy-"
"Woah! you got that much of a raise!?"
"Yeah! turns out this boring post can pay a lot." To Erpon's shock and shagrin, she had been completely oblivious of any words he had told her.
"HHRRRNNAAAHH!!! DON'T YOU IGNORE ME!!!" He shouts, winding up a haymaker with his cuffed hands.
Ruby turns quickly, her silver eyes shine bright as she sees the attack incoming. She swiftly ducks it, and kicks his knee to get him off balance. He grunts in pain as he kneels awkwardly, "WHY YOU-!" He is suddenly tazed by Dan and falls down .
"Geez, that was a show. You really have to learn to put their hands Behind their back." Dan says with a slightly disappointed expression.
"Ehehe...heh..." She shrugs sheepishly, twirling her fingers out of embarrassment.
Suddenly, stomps can be heard approaching the pair, and a commanding voice enters the scene, the Chief of Police comes with a stomp. "Where's all that damn ruckus coming from!?-" He then looks down to see the Bandit, Erpon, lying face first on the floor. "Oh. Well I guess that was where."
"Hey sir! We found the notorious leader of the komoga gang! In all his glory!" Dan says mellowly shouting. "Bah! Quiet down lieutenant! I can't tell if you're becoming more of a helping hand or more of a nuisance in my force" He says annoyed. "But what you've done today is of much help, so I guess we can work something out."
"Oh. I wasn't the one doing the heavy lifting." He says looking to Ruby. The Chief turns to his gaze and sees Ruby, "Oh, your doing eh?" He says with a slight shagrin.
"Hey, Chief- Officer Moris!" Ruby says slightly nervous, hoping that they're on good terms. "I brought Erpon Vernon in, but you... already can... see that. anyways what was his bounty agian? ehehe..."
Chief Moris doesn't say a word and continues to stare down Ruby, making her more worried. He reaches in his pocket and lays down some lien. "20 lien. thank you for your service." he quickly turns away. "Lieutenant Dan, get this man's face off the pavement will ya?"
Dan glares for a moment, as he knows that Erpon's bounty should be higher, but he wouldn't want to keep the chief waiting. "Yes sir." He says wasting no time, and picking up Erpon's still unconscious body and dragging him to a cell.
Ruby looks at the money with a pondering gaze, she questions if this is really all of it. So she decides to check Erpon's bounty sheet. Her hunch was right, his bounty was around 35 lien, not even close to the amount she'd been given. "H-Hey, Chief Moris!?"
Chief Moris stops in his tracks. Relieved, Ruby now steps closer. "Chief, the flier Erpon's bounty goes for 35 lien, not the 20 you gave me. I- I know this is a small mistake, so where's the re-?"
"That's your pay. Take it or leave it. your choice not mine."
The Chief says sternly as he starts to walk away, Dan was squinting as he heard the conversation. Ruby was shocked, and saddened, she had hoped that this situation would never happen. She makes haste to try and convince him.
"Chief Moris! Is there any way you could raise it? please, even by a smidge?" Ruby says her voice quivering.
"No, I told you if you don't like it then leave it." Moris says sternly yet again.
Ruby walks in front of him walking backwards as he does, with a desperate look. "Please Chief! I need the sum! I don't think I'll last 3 days with it!" She pleads.
"There is sure to be another bounty to come, you'll be fine then."
Ruby continues, "B- But I won't have the time! I worked hard to catch him chief, I need the money, please!"
The chief puts his foot down, it causes Ruby to stop with a jolt. "You?... You worked Hard?..." he says glaring at her eyes, which looked oddly sad.
"You Worked Hard!!?" he yelled, causing Dan to turn to them, and Ruby to jump yet again.
The Chief gasps, his emotions being clear. "Then where? Where where was that hard work when the Grimm nearly made Mystral, and Vacuo fall? Who was there... to save the people, who saved my daughter? my Alma?" he says, seemingly on the brink of tears.
Ruby feels hurt, because in her mind, he's right. That day, they weren't enough, people died, and it's all because of them, because of her failure. "I-..." She goes silent.
The Chief sighs, and with his last bit of anger he speaks. "Maybe you should've tried harder. Then you'd have done at least something. Goodnight." He says as he walks past her.
Dan had seen it all, feeling his bosses grief, but disagreeing with his judgment. He looked to check on Ruby, who had her head lowered, her hair covering her face. Ruby had agreed with everything, it was her fault, she doesn't deserve anything greater, not after that. She slowly walks, slowly to the counter, and weakly grabs her 20 Lien.
"Ruby." Dan says quietly.
Ruby stops. and she turns her head slightly, her face still covered. "Bye Dan... it's been nice catching up with you..." She said mellowly, her voice trembling slightly. She then continues walking.
She reaches the doors, and gently pushes one open. Suddenly, she hears footsteps coming. She turns to see Dan, now in front of her, looking down at her. They stare at each other for a while, until suddenly Dan reaches his hand.
Ruby looks at him confused.
Dan gestures, "Give me your hand."
"Eh?" Ruby responds, more confused than she was before.
"Give me your hand." he repeats.
"What?" she asks again.
"Common."
"Huh?"
"Give it." he insist.
"Why?" she asks.
"Just. Trust me will you?" he insists once again.
Ruby's still confused, but then starts to slowly give him her hand. Once he has it he puts his other hand on her palm, he lets go to reveal 4 Lien.
Ruby is shocked. "Dan! Wait, I- I can't-"
"Hey, don't think about. I'm doing fine, you're the one who needs it." he says, cutting her off.
"But... I, I don't..." She's compensating.
"You do, and you should." he says with a gentle look. "Consider it a gift."
Ruby looks at him, and finally grips her newly given currency, storing it in her bag. She looks down for a bit, but with a newly found smile, she looks up to Dan. "Thank you Dan, you're the best."
Dan simply smiles and heads back to his desk. "See ya Rubes." he says with a wave while walking.
"Bye! I'll see you soon." She says, taking one last glare before eventually heading her way out of the station.
She walks around, and is still thinking of Dans kind gesture.
"Mm, he's such a nice guy." she thinks to herself with a smile.
She continues walking, and pulls out a list from her bag. "Okay. Milk, Juice, Bread, Steak, and Banana's. Oh and Milo's dinner. Yeah that should be it!" she says, now starting to speed walk.
After speed walking for a few minutes, she starts to realize she probably won't make it. so she looks around to see if the coast is clear. Once she's in the green, she uses her semblance to travel to the top of the building.
"phew! much better. okay, let's go!" She starts the dash from building to building, becoming a red blur of pedals, as she is ever closer to the market. After traversing many buildings, she finally reaches her destination, landing right next to it.
She makes her way to the door and finds the lady is already starting to close the store. "Shoot!" she rushes quickly to the door.
"I'm sorry, but we are closing-" she says before she looks out the window. "Ah! Ruby it's you!" she says with a sudden joy.
"Hey Ms. Zhao! You think I can- Y'know?" Ruby says with a smile and shrug.
"Oh- well of course! How could I say no to my favorite customer? She says while unlocking the door, letting Ruby in.
She enters quickly, feeling the breeze of the air inside. "phew, glad I could make it." she mutters to herself.
Ms. Zhao closes the door and moves along to the counter. " You came a bit later than usual, work trouble?' she asks.
"Uh, well he was pretty hard to catch. but y'know, can't outrun me!" She says with a chuckle as she reaches for her items.
"haha, I know they won't." she says, chuckling as well.
Ruby scatters across the shop getting the stuff she needs, and she whispers to herself "okay, got the Milk, Juice, Bread, some cookies, steak, bananas, and butter. now I just need-" she looks to her side. "Dinner!" she grabs it and makes her way to the counter.
"So, found everything?" Zhao remarks.
"Mhm, about everything." She places them down to the counter, and Zhao begins to scan.
"So, how's that Milo of yours?" she asks with a smile, seemingly eager to know.
"Oh he's been great! he just turned 3 weeks yesterday!" she says with enthusiasm.
"Really!? it's been that long?" Zhao says shocked.
"Yeah, look I have pictures, see!?" she pulls out her scroll to show her.
her face softens as she sees the images "awoh how cute, geez they grow fast."
"Yeah, it's very hard to keep up honestly." she says with a slightly nervous little laugh.
"I can see." She says as she finishes scanning. "Okay, your total will be... 9 Lien."
Ruby's eyes widen. "wha- really?" she says as she tries to look.
"Yes, is something wrong?" Zhao asks, slightly confused.
"Oh nothing, I just- I thought there was a discount." she says politely.
"Oh! that- expired 3 days ago, I'm sorry." She says frowning slightly.
"Really? ah man..." she says with a sigh, frowning a bit too.
Zhao, upon noticing, speaks. "Hey, if you want I could-"
"No no, it's fine. I'll pay." She says as she reaches from her bag. "There." she says putting the money down.
Zhao glares at it for a while before finally taking it, and puts it in the register. Ruby then begins to bag her groceries.
"The pay wasn't good was it?" Zhao asks.
Ruby nods gently, but quickly lifts her head. "I'll be fine, don't worry. I can manage, I promise."
Zhao looks at her for a moment, before then grabbing her keys. "I know I can trust you when you say thay." She walks to the door and past Ruby, eyeing her once again. "Just don't be afraid to call for help okay?" she says with a smile.
Ruby smiles back, "I will." She says making her way out the door. They share a warm wave before Zhao finally closes the shop, and Ruby makes her way across the street, reaching the hotel.
She enters the building, the warm lighting filling the room. She then started steadily making her way upstairs, struggling slightly with carrying her groceries up. She finally reaches her floor, breathing a sigh of relief. She starts to walk down the hall, as she does she can't help but notice the many noises coming from the other rooms. Movies, music, sports, and... Cooking shows?
She quickly snaps back to her senses, realizing that she's already at her door. She breathes, and knocks on the door.
The door opens revealing a woman. "Ah! Ms. Rose, you're back!" say says with a smile.
"Hey Vicky!" Ruby says with a small grunt. She's tired of carrying her bags.
"Oh crap! Here let me help!" Vicky says as she reaches for a bag.
Ruby enters her room, she's now more comfortable. Not just for carrying one less bag, but to finally be home after the day she's had. "Ah, thank you Vicky! It's been a very long day." she sighs.
She smiles, "No problem Ms. Rose, I'm here when you need me!" she remarks.
Ruby smiles back and places her groceries on the table. "So did Milo give you any trouble?" she asks.
Vicky shakes her head, "Nope, not at all! he was good, although I could tell he missed you."
"Awoh I know, he gets so scared when I leave him. But I'm glad he's getting used to having you around." Ruby responds.
suddenly a small sound of whining is heard from behind her, she turns quickly knowing who it is.
"Aw Milo!" she says as she gets on her knees. "Come here boy, common!" she says, patting her lap to call him over, which the small pup gladly waddles over. After a while, the puppy reaches Ruby's arms and she comforts him in her embrace. "Oh Milo, good boy!" she says sweetly while scratching his ear, which makes the puppy happy.
"Thank you Vicky, you're the best!" Ruby says happily, to which Vicky gives a simple smile and nod. "Oh wait-" Ruby says reaching her bag, pulling out 4 Lien.
"Here's your pay!" she says with a smile.
Vicky is caught off guard by this, "M-Ms. Rose! y- you don't have to give me extra, I'm fine with just the average!" She says with a gesture.
" No please, it's the least I could do for your troubles." she insists.
Vicky is still conflicted, but she ultimately takes the money. "Thank you Miss." she says, still seemingly conflicted as she goes to grab her bag.
Ruby notices and approaches her with a look of reassurance, "Hey, you don't have to worry. I know that you're concerned about my financial problems, but it's okay. I'll manage like always."
Vicky is still a bit hesitant, but soon understands and gives Ruby a slight nod. She soon makes her way to the door before stopping abruptly, turning her gaze back to Ruby. "Well, I'm off miss. You can call me anytime, okay, wish you well!" she says with a smile.
"Bye, you too!" she says while gesturing a wave with Milo's paw.
With one final wave, Vicky closes the door. Ruby keeps her place thinking, "hm, she's a nice girl." She soon stares at Milo and cradles him with a smile. "Now, who's hungry for dinner?" she says playfully.
She puts him down and goes for his new kibble to then pour it in his bowl. Upon viewing the Pup is happy and eats away, as Ruby then puts down his bowl of water. "There you go!" she says to him.
She soon let's herself fall onto her couch, letting out a big sigh as she lazily takes off her boots. She groans as she's laying down, feeling exhausted, she just feels like going to sleep. To escape into her own thoughts. but that would have to wait, she still has... a lot to figure out.
She grumbles before reluctantly getting up, heading towards the kitchen table. she lays out her remaining money, and then pulls out a small book fro m her bag and starts to write.
"Okay... 11 lien in cash. that's not too bad." She starts to write in her small book. "I still need some stuff from Zhao's tomorrow, so I'll head there tomorrow. ah right! But tomorrow's also around the time the Landlord takes rent. So then... 7 lien I'd guess, and that'll leave..." She suddenly pauses, and puts down her pencil. She gently rests her head on her hands, and lets out a deep sigh. She then repositions her hands, pushing her hair up as a result. she stays silent before finally speaking.
"... Dang it!..." she says quietly, sounding nothing less than defeated. She's realized that she's backed into a corner, and there's a possibility that she can't get out of it this time.
She gets up and starts to unclip her hood, folding it gently to put it in her cabinet. Suddenly, her scroll vibrates. She pulls it out of the bag to see who it could be. her face lights up slightly as she sees it's her sister, she eagerly responds.
"Hi? Yang?"
"RUBY! THANK THE GODS, YOU FINALLY PICKED UP!"
Ruby winces in pain as she didn't expect her volume was that high, although maybe it was just Yang who was just loud.
"Ahh!... Hey Yang!..." she responds. "Sorry for keeping you in the dark."
"Oh Ruby, it's okay. but I've been trying to call you for hours, I was beginning to worry something bad happened."
"I know, but I'm alright Yang. Promise. I was just busy."
"Okay, good to know." She says relieved. "What were you doing?" She asks.
"Oh- just... on the job y'know?"
"Oh, okay! You got one today?"
"Uh yeah! I got one today!... Just a small bandit leader, no biggie. He was a bit tough to chase though."
"Aw common, you're too nice sis. He propbably never stood a chance with you! not with your semblance."
Ruby scoffs "Well, he had a customized Hermyz 807, so I really wouldn't say that."
"Wait Wha-? Seriously?" Yang responds rather flabbergasted.
"Yeah, I knew you wouldn't believe me! " Ruby exclaims. "I still can't believe he had that model, and customized!?"
"How could he even get it!?" Ruby adds
"Well he is a Bandit so..." Yang replies
"Yeah, a small bandit! I mean even if he had help, those things are hard to steal!" Ruby exclaims in response.
"Then I bet they just got lucky."
"Yeah, I guess so."
"So that's it? you just couldn't keep up?" Yang asks
"Hey! common, of course I'd catch up to it!"
Yang laughs a little, "Then what was the hold up?"
"Uh, I had to dodge a bunch of bullets!"
"I'm pretty sure that's easy for you" Yang says smugly.
"No duh, but his Red Bandana also might've... covered... my eyes... a little."
Yang snorts a bit "Say what?"
"Well it's not like it happens!" Ruby says in embarrassment.
Yang tries her best to hold her laughter. "Hey, I'm not judging sis, but- pfft- how do you even get there!?" Yang starts laughing hysterically.
"Shut Up, Yang!"
Yang continue's to laugh "It's really hard not to!" she says in between.
Ruby grumbles slightly under her breath. Clearly embarrassed.
Yang makes a sudden pause "Wait, did you say this guy had a red bandana?"
"Huh? Yeah why?"
"Did the guy have green hair and a punchable face?"
"Yeah?..."
"...What's his name?"
"um... I think it was...mmm." Ruby ponders to herself a bit like longer, before finally remembering. "Ahh! I think it was Erpon?"
"Ahhh, Erpon Vernon, I knew it! Well good on you for turning him in."
"Wait you know him!?" Ruby said surprised.
"No duh I know him. He was causing some trouble over here not too long ago" Yang answers.
"Really!?" Ruby exclaims once more.
"Yeah, he and his group came here during the evening and ransacked some peoples houses." Yang explains.
"Oh my Gosh." Ruby says in shock
" Yeah, and when I got word of what happened you can bet I went out to find them." She says with a sense of bitter pride.
"Yang!- that's dangerous, you can't do that you'll-"
"Hey, relax sis, you don't have to worry. I asked for permission, I'm good with all the cops here." Yang says, happily reassuring her.
"Oh... okay." She really wishes that could be her.
"But to cut it short, I gave them a proper 'talking to' if you get my chase?"
"Ah, that's good to hear!" Ruby says enthusiastically. "I bet you where praised like a warrior or something when you got back."
"Yeah I did, but I really had to rush back home so it wasn't long." She
"Why's that?"
"Oh. um, just wasn't feeling too well. I got a flesh wound, nothing major just... embarrassing."
"What? What happened?"
Yang mumbles a little.
"Yang?"
Yang stays silent, clearly embarrassed, before giving a reluctant sigh "Okay fine... so- one of the guys that I planted down, wasn't completely down and he... gave me a lucky shot on the ass."
Ruby is shocked, so much so that she stays silent for a while. Until she lets out a small snort, which turns into a small chuckle.
"Yup, here we go" Yang says mellowly, and embarrassed still.
Ruby's chuckle slowly explodes into hysterical laughter. "H- How does that happen!?" she says in-between her laughter. "Must've been a Bullseye!"
Yang let's out a small grunt. however, she finds enjoyment in the situation and starts to chuckle, soon enough she laughs along side her sister. "I guess yours does beat mine by a lot huh?" she responds in between. "Doesn't make yours any less embarrassing though." say adds.
"Shut- Up-" Ruby responds, laughing still.
The two girls continue to laugh, finding much joy from both their situations. they keep at it until they finally settle down, both letting out sighs before silence ensues.
"I missed our talks." Ruby says
"Mm, yeah." Yang responds
The sisters remain silent for a while longer afterwards. They both feel so greatful, as they've been apart for sometime, so much so that they almost forgot how nice it is to just have each others company.
Yang later breaks their silence. "Hey Rubes?" she asks.
"Yeah?" Ruby responds.
"Do you think you can come over anytime? It's been a long while, and I was just wondering if maybe for the summer... y'know?" Yang asks with her usual enthusiasm.
Ruby's expression slowly shifts, as a harsh truth comes to mind yet again. there's nothing more that she'd want than to be together with her sister, nay, her family and friends agian. however, that just isn't possible with her current situation.
Ruby sighs, "I- I'm sorry Yang, but... some stuffs come up and I don't think I can..."
Yang meets the news with a somber silence, until she responds with a somber yet positive voice. " Hey, it's alright sis, I don't think I can come over either. I've got some stuff going on over here too. It's just how it is, we all have our own lives, and duties to take care of. We gotta be responsible y'know?"
"Yeah, I guess..." Ruby sighs once again with a shaky voice, like shes lost all hope. Yang quickly notices, and speaks again. "Just try not to worry too much Ruby. This isn't the first time you've been in these situations, and everytime you keep pushing and pushing and hit that problem with a 'Yang!"
Ruby scoffs a bit at her sister's bad pun, but her spirits are lifted after that reassurance. "Okay... I'll keep that in mind." she says sounding encouraged.
"Good, now-" Yang's sentence is interrupted by a sudden clanking of what sounds like pots and pans. Safe to say it startles both sisters.
"Woah- What was that!?" Ruby says.
"Aaand there's one of them. It's probably Lance agian, he said he'd be in charge of dinner tonight. buuut, I guess I trusted him a bit too much." Yang says with a chuckle
Ruby follows suite. "Hehe, Okay I'll let you get to it."
"Yup, best I do." Yang agrees. "Well see ya!"
Ruby is ready to say goodbye, before suddenly changing her mind. "Um- Sis wait! she exclaims.
Yang doesn't hang up once she hears this. "Yeah? What's up?" she asks.
Ruby takes a while to get her words out, but she eventually does. "Have you- had any talks with Weiss? or Blake recently?"
Yang is taken a back for a bit, as she has considered, but has never gotten the chance to. she takes some time, but finally replies. "No. No I haven't, sorry." She says in a plain, but somber voice.
Ruby mood shifts as she hears this, but she remains optimistic, but it's clear to hear her disappointment. "Oh, okay. I just... I hope they're okay that's all."
"Yeah, me too." Yang agrees.
"Well um- I got to go take care of a dummy in the kitchen. Talk to you agian sometime, take care of yourself Ruby." Yang says.
"Yeah, I will."
"And keep track of your schedule." she adds
"Yeah, I know."
"And don't get into any trouble outside of your job!" she adds once more.
Ruby laughs a bit, "Yeah, Yeah I know!"
" 'K then! Bye Rubes, Love you!~"
"Bye, love you too Yang! Say hi to Lance for me!"
The Scroll call hangs up, Ruby places her scroll on her chest with a small feeling of satisfaction, but still disappointed by the fact that she can't make time to go with her sister.
She soon makes her way to her room, her folded hood in hand, as she flicks the light switch only to be met with nothing. "What the-?" she exclaims before flicking the switch a few more times to no avail, the lightbulb is dead.
She lets out a frustrated groan, causing her cheeks to puff slightly. until the corner of her eye she sees her lamp, to which she soon starts to steadily approach. she's awfully couscous as she gets ever closer to the lamp. She is mere inches from it, even using her bed as support for her knee, she finally reaches her hand to the string.
The atmosphere is very tense for Ruby as she, soon enough, grabs the string. She hesitates for a little, a drop of sweat dripping down her head, before finally.
click*
The lamp turns on, and she breathes a sigh of relief as falls to her bed like a ragdoll, landing face first on her pillow. She turns back to the lamp "Thank you for working." she tells it.
Not too long after there is a sound of clawing, which spooks Ruby. When she looks for the source she finds Milo whining and on his hind limbs.
"Aw Milo, c'mere." She picks up the little pup, inviting him to her bed. She places him on top of her and looks at him, "Sorry for leaving you alone" she says with an apologetic face. Milo barks and makes his move to give Ruby lick kisses.
"Hehehaha, hey! calm down baby!" she laughs as she lifts him up, bringing their noses together. "You love me a lot, lot don't you baby! yes you do, yes you do!" she gives him nose kisses, only for Milo to return with a small lick making her giggle.
She brings him down to her chest, and gives him a warm look. "You're such a good boy Milo." She says to him as the pup starts to yawn, to which Ruby follows suite, Yawning as well.
"Oof." Ruby says afterwards. She puts Milo down next to her. The little dog lies down comfortably, as Ruby then starts to pet him softly.
"I'm really lucky to have you, y'know that?" she says with a tired smile. "I bet you feel the same way." she says ever softly, and the pup slowly falls to sleep.
Ruby continued for a while before finally letting him rest. she shifts to face her ceiling, which is cold and dreary.
"Man, this world has changed so much. It's hard even trying to keep up. I really wish things were different. I wish they went differently. But... we can't change that... not now... not ever. " She thinks to herself, as her eyes grow heavy.
"I just hope... We can all be... okay..." She says her final thoughts as she finally drifts away to sleep. Where all of this life's problems, and worries, fade.