Ruby & Violet

Ruby and Violet's stories

It was late. Too late. Ruby was never this late.

Violet could feel it. Something bad had happened. Or would happen. Oh, it was all so confusing to tell. It might be helpful to be able to see what would happen, but for Violet it only blurred her mind. She couldn’t tell if what she saw would happen in twelve minutes or twelve thousand years. It could be highly inconvenient. Not that she would wish away the gift, just that it would be a little less overpowering.

With a clatter a tall regal looking girl flung open the rickety door leading into the dark alleyway, startling the pale nervous girl in the corner.

“Damn it, Ruby.”

“What?”

“What the hell happened? We said two o’clock. Do you know what time it is?”

“No,” muttered Ruby, pushing her sweaty hair out of her face.

“Well it sure as hell is past two. It’s almost morning, for God’s sake,” Violet hissed, twisting the old tarnished ring on her finger. “Why are you so late? Did something happen? Did they see you?” Violet questioned nervously, her words falling over each other.

“Nothing happened,” Ruby replied too quickly, not looking Violet in the eye.

“Don’t lie to me! We can’t risk"don’t you get it? This is our only chance!” Violet shot back, trying to look stronger than she felt. The effect was somewhat marred by her shaking hands.

Ruby looked away, “Look. I got what we need. I did what it took. Why do you always worry so damn much?”

Violet seemed on the edge of a breakdown. “You don’t"you don’t understand. If you could see what I see, feel the darkness lurking at every corner, hear the evil sifting through the streets, you’d worry too.” She raked her shaking hands though her short blue hair angrily. Her eyes flickered dangerously in the moonlight. “You know damned well why I worry: because I can see what is what must come, and I’m not sure if we can change what is fated. It’s enough to drive anyone mad.”

“I know, I know. I’m sorry, okay?” Ruby said, trying to appease her. Violet was not appeased. “Look, we don’t have much time. This location is only safe until sunrise. We need to do this, and do it now. You’re right, this is our last chance. Did you set it up yet?

Violet nodded. “Well, I had to do something while I was waiting,” she said darkly. She suddenly embraced Ruby tightly, “I don’t mean to be like this, I just worry, you know.”

“I know, I know,” Ruby replied softly.

When Violet pulled away, she steadied herself. “Let’s do this.”

“We have to do this right"Violet, is this just as you saw it?”

Violet bent to the ground to inspect the odd assortment of items arranged in a circle. An empty thread spool, seven strange shiny coins with an unnerving eye pictured on each, an ornately embroidered scrap of golden fabric, three battered looking silver buttons, a translucent blue crystal, and a broken bronze chain. Yes, all seemed to be in order. All that was missing was the ring. Shaking slightly, she removed the tarnished ring from her left hand. She placed it delicately among the rest of the objects. Kneeling, she closed her eyes, and clasped her hands as though in prayer.

“Do you have it?” Violet whispered, sounding as though she was speaking from very far away.

“Yes.”

“Place it in the center.”

From her coat pocket, Ruby pulled a small object, wrapped clumsily in paper and string. She carefully placed it in the center of the circle.

“They are coming,” Violet whispered.

Ruby clasped her hand. “What do we do now?”

Violet didn’t seem to hear. She straightened up. Opening her eyes, she grinned dangerously. Her eyes, no longer blue, were full of flames. “It is time.”

It was time. Together, they reached into the flames.

Close your eyes, the flames whispered. It is time now. You must join us. It is time. Do not fight us anymore. It is time. This is your destiny.

Everything else seemed to slip away. The last thing Ruby saw was Violet’s hair floating around her head like smoke. She knew this was their destiny. They gave into the flames.

They were meant to do this. This was their fate. Who were they to fight fate? They should have fought harder.

By the time the sun rose, both they and the flames were gone. So was the town.

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