[03 - Death is coming]

[cloaklikeblood]

Dead. They're all dead and it's because of me. Peter, the guys from our village, Mother, Quinn, even Billy. They all died because I'm a wolf, a monster. It's no wonder that everyone leaves me, that I'm always alone. I'm unlovable, someone who'll always kill or chase away those I love.

[Her voice turns sing songy]

Monster, monster, monster.

[There was a broken sob, then a scream, shortly followed by a laugh]

Death. We all deserve death. You all deserve death.

[A beat of silence, then]

You're spiraling, too, aren't you? Even the Lewis and Clark shall be untouched by hell. It's coming for you. You're all going to dieeee, too.

Comments

[unvarnished]

[Ruby this is not how August wanted to find out about your status]

We're getting you out. Don't kill anyone.

[cloaklikeblood]

They're all gonna dieee. We're all gonna dieee. You can't stop it. Hell will get you, too.

[unvarnished]

No... Ruby, don't listen.

[cloaklikeblood]

[A giggle]

Too late. They hate me. They all hate me. Peter, Billy, Mother, everyone's deaths that I caused...They're right, you know.

[unvarnished]

You... weren't in control. It's different.

[cloaklikeblood]

No. No, I was in control so many times and yet people still died. And I chose that...that bitch over my own mother. My fault. They're all dead because of me. And now they've come to torture me.

[unvarnished]

[he pauses] Ruby, I know a thing or two about regrets. I understand. But do you really want to add more to that?

[cloaklikeblood]

There's nothing you can do to stop it. Nothing anyone can do. Death. This is a ship of death.

[unvarnished]

I've already died. [there is a flat tone to those words. Is this bravery or recklessness driven by desperation?]

[cloaklikeblood]

You'll die again. We all will.

[unvarnished]

[he has to be brave, he has to. This is his second chance and he can't blow it]

We'll see.

[cloaklikeblood]

[Silence]

[silentrunning]

[She's not quite alone though. Chell has finally found her way back to Ruby. She looks even worse now. There is blood caked on her clothes, hers or someone else's, maybe, and she's holding her right shoulder kind of awkwardly, and she may have other injuries. But she shuffles over to Ruby and sits down nearby. Her mind's completely gone, but she's silent.]

[cloaklikeblood]

[At this point, Chell is probably one of the only ones that Ruby wouldn't attack. A part of her mind recognized Chell as a friend, a companion. A pack member. Anyone tries to go after Chell, they'll find themselves being attacked by a Ruby instead. She doesn't mind the silence. Besides, it's never really silent, is it? No, not with those ghosts hanging around]

[silentrunning]

[And maybe a part of Chell's mind recognizes Ruby too. Slowly, her left hand snakes out, brushing blood-covered fingertips across Ruby's hair. Even as fucked up as she is right now, a promise is a promise, and Chell has enough tenacity to keep a promise. They're going to hell, sure. But they can go together. Slowly, she slides her hand into Ruby's. If they hold hands, nothing can pull them apart.]

[cloaklikeblood]

[She leans into Chell, the touch calming her nerves slightly. She gently squeezes the other's hand, taking comfort in having a friend. Even if she would leave Ruby in the end. They always did.]

[silentrunning]

[OOC: I hate my email client!]

[Chell squeezes her hand in return. Breathing is painful, so Ruby might notice that her breaths are shallower, a bit more raspy.]

[cloaklikeblood]

[She doesn't like the sound of Chell's breathing. She whimpers slightly, looking at her friend closely]

[silentrunning]

[Chell's kind of humped down, like that's less painful than sitting up straight. The arm attached to the hand not holding Ruby's is hanging limply at her side. She's absolutely covered in blood. She looks exhausted, and there may even be blood smeared on her face, though there doesn't seem to be any wounds.]