The bustling city came alive with the rising of the sun. Cars lined up in bumper-to-bumper traffic, storefronts setting up for the morning rush of customers and the crushing explosion of commotion that swirled together, making every sound incomprehensible, filled the streets like a rushing torrent of water.
Within the cluster of the morning commute sat an average citizen, waiting impatiently in her car as the traffic dragged on at a snail's pace. She tapped her fingers against the steering wheel as her eyes glanced toward the clock embedded in her dashboard. "Come on already! Green means go, that's not a new concept!" She hissed through grit teeth, contemplating laying her hand on the horn.
Once the standstill began to roll forward, she let out an exasperated sigh, inching onward before the lights changed once more, leaving her locked in place once again. "Seriously!? Fate, why do you hate me so much?" She shrieked, hitting her head against the wheel, groaning in exaggerated frustration.
Her ringtone sounded through the car, startling her to reality. She answered without a second thought, feeling slight relief at the tag, reading her manager's name. Bella: "Ruby, where are you? You're already over 20 minutes late!"
Ruby averted her gaze even though Bella could not see her. "I'm just stuck in traffic. I'm on my way, but it's almost like every red light was waiting on me specifically. I'll be another 5 minutes max. Just cover for me for now."
There was a ringing silence on the other end before Bella grunted in annoyance. "You were at another audition before coming to work again, weren't you?" Ruby chuckled nervously, leaving Bella irked. "This is not how you should be living. I know you want to make it to the stage, but sacrificing your job for that dream is dangerous."
Ruby sighed weakly as the lights changed, freeing her from the lineup finally. "I know, but I feel like I have a real shot this time. I swear that this is the last time I put an audition before work. I'll be pulling up shortly, alright?"
Bella shook her head, turning her gaze out of the window to find Ruby pulling up. She let out a soft sigh. "Last chance, Ruby. Get your backside in here this instant. I don't want to fire you for chasing your dreams, but at this point, you're not leaving me with much of a choice."
Ruby got out of her car, clutching her phone in her hand as she rushed in, ending the call before tying her apron on in a flustered rush. "I swear. Last time, then I will never make that mistake again. Thank you for being understanding all this time."
Bella turned her back, waving the conversation off. "Just get to work. Your section has been waiting on you for far too long. And tie your hair up." Ruby chuckled, pulling her hair back obediently as she rushed into the kitchen to clock in.
Once she made it to the floor, her work became overwhelming swiftly. Her shift rang on with a symphony of spills, stains and foul attitudes. By the time her break was issued, it was a welcome relief. She rushed toward the back, searching her email for an acceptance, only to find the crushing reality of yet another rejection. "Damnit, what am I doing wrong?"
Ruby's co-worker leaned across her shoulder, gazing at the email with a snort. "It seems as though you're not as talented as you think. Sorry, I guess you're going to be stuck with us for the rest of your life. Can you imagine? Being all wrinkled and still serving customers?"
Ruby snorted, turning toward one of her oldest friends with a snarky grin. "I think the only one who's going to be stuck here for life will be you. I at least have a career plan, whereas you're content living on minimum wage and relying on tips, Alisha."
Alisha simply shrugged, taking a seat at the breakroom table. "It's not a bad career. We get some really great customers who tip well, we have a tight-knit community here with shared resentment, and you are my favourite. This place won't be the same without your sunken eyes slinking in 20 minutes late every morning."
Ruby scoffed, sitting beside Alisha as she trashed the email. "Sure, it's not all bad here. But don't you dream of something more? I'm not aiming for Broadway, but being cast in local musicals doesn't feel like it's out of the realm of possibilities! It's not like I suck at singing or acting."
"You're being out-sung and out-acted. Honestly, Ruby, you've been at this for years. I think it's time that you set that dream 'career' aside and focus on something more suited to your talents. Have you thought about a career as a professional complain-er?" Alisha grinned smugly.
Ruby scoffed, leaning back against her chair. "Just you wait. You're going to see my name up in lights someday. At the local theatre." The two shared a light-hearted laugh, enjoying the camaraderie. By the time 7 PM hit, Ruby felt exhausted, but grateful. Trudging out of the restaurant with Alisha in tow.
"10 hours of back-breaking labour. At least we only have to see the first half of the dinner rush, but man, I'm so ready to collapse against my bed. Ugh, we have to do it all again tomorrow morning!" Alisha whined.
Ruby chuckled weakly, rubbing her stiff shoulders as she approached her car. "That's the joy of working the morning shift. But hey, at least we won't have to worry about the weekend shift this week." The girls shared a shudder at the thought before Ruby opened her driver's side door. "Get home safe."
Alisha grinned, starting to walk backwards as she waved to Ruby. "You too! If you're not on time tomorrow morning, I'm breaking into your apartment and stuffing seafood in all your curtain rods! Don't test me, Ruby! I'll do it!"
Ruby grinned, dismissing the threat as she got into her car, twisting the key in the ignition, only for her engine to sputter and die. She felt her entire body stiffen as she attempted to start the engine again, only for it to repeat the failure. "You have got to be kidding me."
Ruby sighed in annoyance, slinking out of her car to slam the door. "Useless hunk of metal!" She locked the vehicle for the night, choosing to take the journey home on foot. The roads and streets were quieter now, but something thick hung in the air like a warning. A deep shudder ran up her spine as she approached the city running track.
Ruby knew this area well, having passed through it many times before at all hours, yet tonight there was something odd about the running field. There was nobody in sight, despite this area being one of the most active at any time. Ruby swallowed her fear, swinging open the gate to gain access.
A sharp jolt ran through Ruby's body when a hushed voice called out to her suddenly. "Excuse me, young lady?" Ruby's head whipped toward an elderly woman, who sat against the chain-link fence with a cardboard box beneath her, holding her hand up toward Ruby. She appeared to be blind and in desperate need of help. "Do you have anything to spare? It's going to be a cold and hungry night, if not."
Ruby's features softened. Although she could have sworn nobody was around before the woman made her presence known, Ruby felt no fear at the sight of her. She knelt beside the woman, fishing through her apron to gather the bills she was given that day. "Of course. I don't have much to spare, but I hope this makes a difference."
Once Ruby placed the notes into the woman's palm, she felt the vagabond squeeze her hand. "You're a good girl. I can see that your life is about to change. A new journey awaits on the horizon for you. Your kind heart, sharp wit and exceptional persistence will lead you into a wonderful world of mystic wonder and friendship. It seems as though the Inbetween is calling for you. And a tall, handsome redhead looms quite near in your future." The woman's stoic features softened as she stroked Ruby's hand. "Quite the lucky young woman you are!"
Ruby chortled nervously, pulling her hand away. She felt a dull ache in her chest as she rubbed the back of her hand. "I'm not that lucky. I have a dream, but it's not for a handsome redhead to come save me. Thank you for the kind words, though."
The woman merely hummed, pocketing the money. "Now, who said he was going to save you? If anything, I can see this young man being quite the pain in your side. I wish you all the luck, my dear. It's time for you to pass through the Inbetween and find your new life. I hope to see you again one day."
Ruby felt a small, reassured smile spread across her lips as she bowed her head goodbye. "Thank you, but that's just not for me. Have a safe night." With that, Ruby finally pushed open the gate to the track, turning her head back toward the woman. "One more thing-" Ruby felt her blood run cold. Where the old woman had sat mere moments ago, now laid bare with no signs of her anywhere. "Okay, time to go."
Ruby gulped, entering the running track with a deep shudder. "I could have sworn she was just there." She rubbed her head, pushing forward as she tried not to dwell on the sight. Her gaze shifted across the strangely empty running track with confusion. It felt entirely devoid of life. Not just human life, the animal activity felt terrifyingly void and absent.
Ruby's pace slowed as she whipped her head around in all directions, finding nothing living around her. Her heart began to pound in her chest so hard it was almost audible as she turned to continue toward the exit, yet she found her foot had sunken into the dirt, almost like quicksand.
"What the hell?!" Ruby grabbed hold of her shin, trying to free her leg as she sank in further. Her frantic stare shot around the empty field with no buffer. She let out a panicked shriek as the earth opened up beneath her, swallowing her further. She collapsed forward, clawing at the grass in a panicked struggle.
"SOMEBODY HELP ME!" Ruby shrieked as she felt the soft, malleable grass begin to give way underneath her fingernails. She fought back tears in the attempt, entirely losing the battle to pull herself from the trap. Further, and further she fell into the sinkhole, her head beginning to fall under. She reached up, desperately grasping for the stars that remained out of reach as the light of the moon was obstructed by the cave-in. Her hand quickly following suit, swallowed whole by the earth itself.
Soft sounds began to return to the running track as people who were absent mere moments ago ran the course, unaware of the woman who had just been absorbed into the ground mere feet away from them. Ruby's existence was entirely unknown to them.
Ruby was left feeling as though she was plummeting. A bright, stinging light burned in her eyes as she struggled to open them. Once she caught her bearings, she realised that she was tumbling and flipping in a downward fall. The ground flashed through her vision rapidly, then the sun, the blue sky, and the ground again. Panic set in fast as the realisation dawned on her. "Fuck, I'm falling!"
She yelped, grasping for something, anything that would cease her fall swiftly. With nothing to grab hold of, she was left to close her eyes and pull her body inward, preparing for the inevitable blunt collision with the ground. And it came swiftly.
Ruby's body was left to plummet down into a cluster of trees; the firm yet bendable branches gave some relief to what would be a devastating fall. As her body collided with the earthy substrate. "Owww..." Ruby whined, slowly pulling herself from the ground. Her body was littered with cuts and bruises, yet she was alive.
Soon after her fall, the leaves crunched from behind her, signalling someone on the approach. Ruby staggered to her feet, brushing her jeans down as she scanned the area with a pained expression. "Thank God. Is someone there? I just fell from the sky, the ground literally ate me! I know that sounds crazy, but it happened! And I-"
Ruby backed away as the glint of metal caught her eye. A tall, muscular male stood before her, bearing striking red hair, authoritative, sharp green eyes and royal clothes that were far from the century she knew. He spoke in a cutting manner, speaking in a language she could not comprehend. "I'm sorry? I don't understand a word you're saying..."
Ruby backed away, her defences high as the young male sighed in irritation, turning the point of his blade out of the forest, toward a large walled kingdom in the distance. He turned on his heels, walking toward the domain silently. Ruby felt her hands tremble as her gaze shifted toward the sky. "Where am I?" She took a shuddered breath, quietly following the redhead toward the kingdom in confused silence.
-End of chapter 1-