Chapter 21: Chapter 21

RUBY.

In the bustling Bliss market, the chaos seemed never-ending. A lost child cried out for his mother, a man desperately searched for his misplaced wallet, and shopkeepers shouted at the top of their lungs, trying to attract customers. The market was always flooded with people, and not a single empty space could be seen between the stalls. Some people shielded their eyes from the scorching sun with their hands, while others fashioned fans out of newspapers or magazines. The unforgiving sun beat down on the market, causing beads of sweat to glisten on everyone's foreheads. Many faces turned red from the sweltering heat.

Amidst the commotion, I slipped into the crowd, relishing in the anonymity it provided. I had no desire for fame or fortune, for the spotlight and the riches that came with it. They were fleeting and contingent on conforming to others' expectations. Instead, I preferred the shadows, where I blended in with a hundred other faces just like mine.

For the past five days, I had been taking the same path through the market. It was the only way that led to the cheap, rural hotel where I had been staying. I deliberately chose this remote area in another state, far away from where I had escaped. The hotel was incredibly affordable, so much so that even after two months, I wouldn't have depleted the fifteen hundred dollars I had brought with me when I ran away. I would never dare to try finding such a cheap place where I had come from.

The Bliss hotel was an old building that managed to squeeze itself between a converted warehouse and a block of apartments. It had just six stacked bedrooms, resembling a precarious house of cards. It was the kind of seedy place where men with beer bellies went to have affairs with other men's wives, making promises they couldn't afford to keep. It was also the place where prostitutes brought their customers, paying for rooms by the hour. Weeds sprouted through the cracks in the concrete pathway, and the remnants of cheap take-out meals littered the ground. There were always a few rooms filled with shouting matches, and cars were crammed outside the building due to the lack of a proper parking lot.

The receptionist exuded a scent of stale perfume, and instead of flowers, ashtrays adorned the tables. Even the hotel lobby carried the scent of an elderly woman's home. The carpet on the floor was a decade old, bearing a worn-out pattern of large flowers interrupted by patches that were frayed and threadbare. The large windows should have allowed ample light, but the heavy drapes and the grime on the panes rendered the atmosphere dull to the point of inducing sadness.

The hotel I found myself in was nothing like the luxurious five-star establishments I was accustomed to. It was grimy, dimly lit, and cheap. And you know what? It was absolutely perfect. Perfect for someone like me, someone running away and trying to stay hidden. They would never think to look for me in a place like this. They were probably searching the fancy neighborhoods, but I had outsmarted them.

As I approached the hotel, I heard a faint yowl coming from a dark corner near the building. It sounded like a cat. I've always had a soft spot for cats, always will. Almost as if it was meant to be, a tiny fluffy creature emerged from the shadows and into the light. It was a kitten.

This kitten looked softer than any stuffed animal I had ever seen in a department store. It was undeniably cute, and I had a feeling it was a girl. She cried out, calling for her mother like a helpless baby. She couldn't be more than a few weeks old, far too young to be on her own. I approached her cautiously, but she was scared and scurried into a long concrete pipe that seemed to have been lying there for ages. I peered inside and noticed a lifeless black cat lying next to the pipe, appearing to have been dead for a few days. That must have been her mother. My heart ached for the little kitten. It was as if I was looking at a feline version of myself, alone in the dark and crying out for help. So, I did the only thing that came to mind.

I stood completely still at the entrance of the pipe, hoping that if I didn't move, she wouldn't see me. Then I tapped into one of my unique talents. I can meow quite convincingly, although I wasn't sure if it would work with a cat. Fooling a person is one thing, but fooling a cat? Nevertheless, I meowed back in response to her cries, and she replied every time. Gradually, her meows grew closer and closer.

Eventually, her fluffy black and ginger face peeked out from the end of the tunnel. I didn't make a move. It was crucial not to scare her away before I could get low enough to grab her. This trick would only work once. After a bit more "conversation," she ventured to the mouth of the tunnel, just a foot away from where I stood. Swiftly and gently, I reached down and scooped her up, cradling her in my arms. I continued to meow and purr to comfort her. Now the challenge would be caring for such a young kitten, ensuring she was well-fed and nurtured. But she seemed healthy, just in need of a good meal.

"Hy, Mrs Ruby Daniels." A deep masculine and stormy voice spoke behind me.

I jumped up in fright as I turned around trying to get a look at whoever called my name. Nobody seemed to recognize me in this place. "Who... who are you?" I stuttered while holding the kitten carefully.

"A good person here to take you away from all evil and dirtiness to a place a princess like you should be." He croaked out, smiling.

A short man stepped from the shadows, a man too proper and prim to be from this neighbourhood. His nose was the star of his face, and not in a good way. It stuck out like a pinch of clay fashioned into a beak. It was arched, but not in a regal way. He looked like a carnival mask painted in fleshy tones, it was odd to see something that shape covered in real skin and stubble. The look was made more pronounced by the thick black eyeliner he wore. There was a seriousness about him that unnerved me.

His dark sunshades and shiny black suit was a hint to who he might be working for. As if it was rehearsed, more men suddenly showed up around him.

I couldn't help but pray that they were at least Toby's men. Better Toby's men than some assassins sent by a rival political party or just a random enemy who'd like to ship me off for prostitution. I surveyed the area I was in. I was almost trapped between them and the entrance but I had already spotted an opening wide enough to lead me away from them and then I ran.

Being chased was nothing like the movies. The stars look heroic, sexy and in command of the situation. Reality was far removed from that pretty version of running to save you skin. I wiped the sweat from my forehead, exhausted. My long legs broke from beneath me and collapsed. It had not been long before I could smell him, them - the stench of their expensive cologne. My heart started racing and I knew I had to keep going.

The floor constantly attacked underneath my feet, refuse crunched under my feet and big, brown bins and pipes seemed to appear out of nowhere as if to try and stop me. But I could still hear them. I had to stop before my lungs gave out on me. My rough hair was matted with some dirty liquid, my arms and legs all bruised and cut and my clothes looked like rags, dirty and tattered. I knew I definitely looked like a leaking pipe but I had to keep running.

I kept running but I soon knew my time was up. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the same man almost touching my back, I tried to jump out of the way but it was too late. I screamed as a rough hand holding a white handkerchief suffocated me, I flailed hoping to be able to get away but then before I knew it, I passed out.