The fire had spread widely, and they had to put it off before they could enter the building. Mr. Evans was a bit anxious. He never really cared about Lily, but she was still his daughter, and he couldn't watch her die at such a young age. The firemen were quickly called, but it would take time before they arrived. A certain police man couldn't take it anymore and bravely entered the building. After searching for a few minutes in the fire, he found her. He rushed to Ruby and scooped her gently in his arms, but he was shocked to see her face. Even in this state, he heard the child murmuring
" D.....dad....., he...help me..."
" I... I.... would be a good girl... please....I...I.. don't w.....want to die..."
" I...It hurts,.....my face..... it hurts.....aaah "
The police instantly felt pity for the child in her arms. Had it been her father, she would have long died. Yet she was still expecting him to save her.
The fire did not spare the police man and he got some burns over his body. But eventually, Ruby was saved. After he took Ruby out, everyone gasped in shock, Ruby's dishevelled appearance was not a pretty site at all. Her face was red and swollen. She had blisters on her face, and her skin seemed to be peeling. blood was slowly trickling down the burnt wound. And most of her body part has been burnt. She was quickly taken to the hospital for immediate treatment. .....
3 months later
Ruby was about fo be discharged from the hospital. She stared intently at her face through the mirror for almost 15 minutes and broke down into uncontrollable tears. This was not her face. She told herself over and over. How could she simply accept the cruel fact that her face has suddenly changed into this monster. it was completely unacceptable for her. The door opened, and the nurse entered. Seeing her miserable state, she worriedly rushed to her, knowing why she was crying. She snatched the mirror from her hands and said softly
" Don't cry, Ruby. You shouldn't cry. Shhhh "
Ruby struggled in her arms and yelled in anger hysterically
" No, leave me alone. Leave me alone. You are all going to mock me. I know, you are all going to say I'm ugly, I'm now a monster. You can all bully me like you want, but please let me be alone. aaaaaah "
She cried in pain. What sin have she committed to deserve this cruel fate. Her face was now a bit unbearable to look at, and it has caused her psychological trauma. Her face was full of burnt scars that had darkened over time. She looked like a new person. The only fortunate thing was that the wound were healing, and they were no more itchy and painful like before. She wished she would have died in the fire. What was her use now. The nurse tried to comfort her
" No, no, Ruby, you shouldn't say that. You are not ugly. This face is only temporal. It will take some time, though, but you will regain your appearance. You would be discharged today. Home would help you recover quickly. "
Ruby lost control again and said in tears.
" Not.....not my house. I can't go with this face it would give aunt and Christabel opportunities to bully me. I won't leave this hospital with this face. "
The nurse was in a dilemma. She didn't know what to do. Ruby's situation was indeed pitiful. No one would want such a thing to happen to him or her. She didn't have the courage to tell the child that it might take years before her face could be normal and that the cost were billions. A delay could worsen her chances of gaining her face back. Thinking of the childs background, she knew money wasn't a problem, but would her parents help. it seems they dont care about her. Since she was admitted, her dad has visited her once on all the 3 months, as for her mom never. it was only a certain nanny who had been visiting her. Also a police man has been visiting her. Just as she was thinking of how to cheer her up, there was a knock on the door. she answered with a " come in" and the door opened. Through the door came in a handsome man. The nurse recognised him immediately and said
" Officer Gary "
Gary smiled at her warmly and asked
" How is she?"
The nurse stared at Ruby's tearful face and didn't know how to answer. Knowing the answer, Gary smiled and nodded in understanding, saying
" I understand. You go and take care of other matters. I'll be with her. "
The nurse nodded and quietly went away. Ruby stared at the man in front of her with tearful eyes and said
" What are you standing there for. Are you not disgusted with my face. Quickly run away. "
Ruby said those words, but she was secretly praying that he wouldn't go. She knew he had saved her, and she was very thankful for that. But during her stay in the hospital, he had been visiting her for so many times that she had begunn to like him.
Gary chuckled lightly and walked to her. Ruby secretly sighed in relief. Had Gary left, she would have bawled out in sadness. The edge of the bed sank as Gary sat down. He said
" Let's fix that,"
Then he took out a colourful, decorated mask out of his bag. He carefully placed the mask on Ruby's face and tied the rope at the back of her head. Ruby quickly took out a mirror to check her reflection. It was pleasing to the eyes, though, as it covered all parts of her face, excluding her eyes, mouth, nose, and ears. But she was still not happy, she didn't want this, she wanted her true face. Her eyes became watery again, and this time, Gary saw it and asked in concern
" Hey, why are you crying. Don't you like the mask. I can get you another one. "
Ruby shook her head and asked
" When will dad visit me. I've missed him so much. "
Gary froze in place. At the thought of Ruby's father, he felt a strong resentment towards him. He couldn't understand why a father could be merciless towards his own flesh. After saving Ruby that day, he had been drawn to her. he didn't want to accept it, but he knew deep down that it was because of the misfortune that befall on his family. His wife and baby girl had died in the fire. he couldn't save them then, and he dearly regretted it. Maybe that was why he felt a sense of protection towards this child. He saw his baby girl in her. Perhaps if she had had the chance to grow, she would have been like Ruby.
" Ruby, let's not talk about dad now. He's a bit busy. You will meet him when you get home. "
Ruby nodded with a crestfallen face. Oh, what was she thinking. She had been expecting too much. She already knew the outcome but still wanted to try. She thought of something and her eyes lit as she asked
" What about mom. When would she come "
Gary was a bit stunned. He asked
" Mom, you have a mother,"
Ruby founded his question silly and involuntarily giggled
" Ha..... of course, I have a mom. Who doesn't have a mom..... do you have a mom "
Gary chuckled and said
" Yes, yes. I'm sorry. i thought your mom was no more since I haven't seen her before. "
Ruby warned
" Hey, mister, watch your tongue. My mom is alive. "
Gary chuckled and nodded. Then he continued
" Your nanny is here to send you home. Be prepared, I'm gonna talk to her outside. "
Ruby stared at him with sadness etched on her face. Although her face was hidden under the mask, Gary could still tell that she was sad. He asked in concern
" What's wrong, why that expression "
Ruby, who was initially sad, chuckled and said
" But you can't see my face, how can you know the expression I'm having "
Gary smirked and challenged
" Let's test my level of intelligence."
Ruby nodded and quickly smiled beneath the mask. Gary stared at her for not less than 5 seconds and said
" Right now, you are probably smiling,"
Ruby quickly changed her tactics and puffed her cheeks beneath the mask as if she were about to cry. Gary chuckled lightly and said
" You dare not cry, young lady,"
Ruby then made an angry expression beneath the mask, and Gary said in amusement
" Oh, don't be angry, Ruby. Uncle will apologise to you now. "
Ruby put down her pretence and said in amazement
" Oh wow, Uncle Gary is so cool. You can detect my expression without seeing my face. Oh heavens. "
Gary felt she was adorable and funny that he couldn't help but smile. He said
" Is nothing difficult. Emotions are also shown in the eyes. Your eyes can easily show your emotion. "
" Oh really. Wowwwwww "
Gary then changed the subject
" Now tell me, why were you sad earlier?"
Ruby's expression turned sour again. She turned her head to face the other direction and slowly said
" Uncle Gary is so fun to be with. When I'm with Uncle Gary, I feel like I have no worries in the world. I really like Uncle Gary, can I..... stay with ... Uncle... Gary "
Gary was shocked by her request.
...