Chapter 8 - 9

Two chapters at a time now

Chapter 8: The Librarian

Ruby was checking on the group of builders and designers. They were able to design a very simple house that was stable, practical and didn’t need much recourses. Ruby praised them and went to check on Leigh and Feather. She saw that Feather had woken up. Ruby smiled, and Feather smiled back.

“I’m sorry for worrying you missus. The drink and food were truly great, I just felt like it was too real,” Feather told Ruby.

“My Princess, you are going to have to get used to it. You too Prince Leigh,” Ruby smiled. She felt so warm and happy, she loved the feeling of being helpful.

Ruby’s team of builders were sent immediately into action. They built one house at a time, replacing the poor houses on the poor section of the village. Ruby stayed with Feather and Leigh the whole day. Leigh seemed so exhausted, when he was finally able to trust Ruby he immediately fell into a long deserved nap. Ruby took Feather out to the glorious library of the palace. This time there was only Shauna, looking sad and pale, she made no eye contact with Ruby. Ruby came up to Shauna and gently held her hand, “I’m so sorry,” She whispered, a tear fell from Shauna as she nodded. Ruby got up to follow Feather who ran around looking for picture books, she seemed to find none. Shauna lead them to a tunnel which lead them to a massive room full of old, dusty picture books. Feather had a wander around, looking for books by the best author in Solarist, Ghana Thomyl. She found a few and brought them up to Shauna. Shauna watched her and looked down, writing something down. She then walked away. Feather ran after her.

“WAIT, LADY. COME BACK,” it was no use. Shauna had disappeared. Ruby pretended not to notice, but she knew Shauna just didn’t want to be near her, after all she was the one who killed her only friend, her only family.

“Feather come, let’s go to the gardens,” Ruby offered gently. Feather turned around to follow Ruby.

“Why won’t that lady say anything. She seems so nice,” Feather asked, still clutching onto her book written by Ghana Thomyl.

“Can I see the book you got?” Ruby asked ignoring her question. Feather handed her the book.

“The Floating Feather,” Ruby read the title, then she flipped through the pages. Every page was full of artistic illustrations and short words. Feather pointed to the drawings on the page.

“I want to draw just like her,” Feather announced proudly. Ruby smiled, she reminded her of Grace.

Around this time Ruby expected to wake up, but she couldn’t open her eyes to E-arth. She tried to force her eyes to open, but nothing would work. She could hear nothing but the stillness of the air.

Chapter 9: Never Ending Dream

As Ruby walked with Feather to the gardens she could see Feather get excited when they neared the stables.

“Are there horses?” Feather asked, jumping around eagerly. Ruby laughed and shook her head. Ruby showed Feather around all the colourful flowers.

“What’s your favourite colour, Feather?”

“Um, what’s a colour?” Feather turned her head sideways. Ruby looked at her stunned.

“Uh, it doesn’t matter. Your parents will tell you,”

“But I thought they were sacrificed, and my little sister too,” Feather whimpered. Ruby felt fierce.

“I’m so sorry. I’ve changed that law. No such thing like that will never happen again,” Ruby promised. Feather nodded crying. Ruby hugged her, and led her back to her room.

By the time they got back Leigh was already awake.

“Hello Leigh,” Ruby greeted.  Leigh smiled and waved. Feather dashed to hug him. Leigh kissed her on the cheek. Ruby left the room, still very confused.

“Why aren’t I waking up?” She asked herself. Ruby felt angry, confused and depressed. She missed her family. Ruby ran into her own room and stared out the window. “Oh Solarist, what have you done to me?” Ruby whispered. Little did she know Shauna had come in and was standing in her room behind her.

“Umm, your majesty,” Shauna interrupted. Ruby jumped.

“Oh, why hello Shauna, how can I help you?” Ruby asked.

“Can you take me back to my family in Minitripia,” Shauna requested.

“Are you sure you know where they are,”

“I can’t remember, but I have no family here,”

“I’m your friend, I am here for you Shauna. I swear I’ve changed,” Ruby insisted. Shauna shook her head and walked out the room. Ruby sighed, she knew Shauna would never forgive her, but she was worried she will have no home to stay in Minitripia. Ruby was determined to have Shauna trust her. Ruby sat down, but then felt a lump in her dress pocket, she reached in and found her phone. She could text her friends!

Ruby: GUYS I’M STUCK IN SOLARIST

Toni: OMG IS THAT WHY U DIDN’T COME TO SCHOOL TODAY

Grace: Ruby you’re in a coma in real life

Ruby: Please don’t tell anyone!

Tania: We won’t

Toni: Yes we promise we won’t

Grace: You gotta wake up, why aren’t you waking up?

Ruby: I don’t know, I can’t!

Grace: You’re in the hospital now

Ruby: What are the doctors doing to me, I think I can feel something!

Tania: We hope you can come back to school tomorrow

Toni: We gotta go bye, hope you can leave that horrid place

Tania: Bye, get back to us soon

Ruby: Bye

Grace: Ur going to be ok. We r going to find a way to wake u up!

Ruby: I’m scared Grace

Grace: Mum’s calling, should I tell her?

Ruby: NO!!

Grace: Ok, bye. I promise I’ll be back

Ruby: I’ll text you

Ruby hid her phone back in her pocket. She started to break down in tears, why did all these things have to happen to her? The door slowly creeped open, and Feather poked her head in.

“I heard you crying missus,” she said, quietly. Ruby wanted to smile.

“I’m fine, you can call me Ruby,” Ruby said holding in tears. Feather nodded. Then Leigh came into the room.

“Missus, I-I think me and Feather should go now,” he suggested.

“Absolutely not!” Ruby demanded “You are the princess and prince. You may stay with me for a bit. Plus I do need some company here,”

“But missus - we were just royalty temporarily,” Feather complained.

“Well not anymore,” Ruby demanded, and immediately started to organise a big coronation the next day.

“B-but, what about all the educational stuff required for this role?” Leigh mumbled.

“Nonsense, you shall be starting school next week,” Ruby demanded. At this point Leigh fell to his knees crying.

“Thank you, missus!! THANK YOU,” he said without stuttering. Ruby smiled, and helped him up.

“What’s school?” asked Feather, without paying attention to Leigh.

“Feather, it’s where we go to learn things!” Leigh boasted.

“Can I learn how to draw like Ghana Thomyl?!” Feather squealed excitedly.

“Of course!” Leigh was more enthusiastic than ever.

“Don’t get too excited Leigh. I haven’t even gone to school here,” Ruby laughed. The siblings looked at her shocked. Ruby laughed even harder. “Well you guys have to choose what you want to wear tomorrow, so get crackin’, make sure it’s presentable!” Ruby said leaving the room. The siblings picked out their outfits and soon enough they were out, ready for dinner.