Chapter 30: Chapter 30

I feel like I'm drowning, my entire face submerging into ice cold water. The chill runs down my cheeks, my neck and over my shoulder, immersing my entire body. I feel the cold seep it's way through the little warmth I have left. For a second or two, I feel relief and I'm finally able to breathe again.

I open my mouth to inhale air but suddenly the icy water is back with a vengeance. It suffocates me, invading my throat and heading straight for my lungs. I thrash around, gasping for air. The more I struggle, the more dots I see through the closed lids of my eyes.

Again, as if playing on some sick repeat, I'm relieved of the water drowning my face. I use the chance to gasp for air, resembling a fish out of water. My brain is unable to think clearly and all I hear is a loud ringing in my ears. Before I become too comfortable, I remind myself that the water will soon be back . . .

And I'm right.

This time with more force than ever, it slams straight down onto my face, streaming into my mouth and down my throat. My body convulses, the icy chill sending shivers running through it. I feel myself swing into survival mode, thrashing under the force of the water to break free and come up for air.

Is this it? Is this how I die?

I'd previously had a conversation with Tori about the worst ways to die, a common conversation topic between best friends I'm hoping. After inventing some crazy ways to die such as being torched alive whilst someone dissects your main organs one by one, we settled on a final decision . . .

Death by water.

The sensation of water filling your lungs, invading the one space where oxygen is totally compulsory sounds absolutely terrifying. Knowing what you need but unable to achieve it because you're ability to breathe has been snatched away. Here I was, in the exact same position, almost on the verge of drowning to death. . .

"Stop it! That's enough!"

"You're going to kill her!"

"Ruby! Ruby, wake up!"

I hear the constant screams of Uncle Tobias and Woody in the background, begging for me to swim to the surface and finally breathe to stay alive. To my absolute relief, the water comes to a sudden halt and I gasp desperately, my chest convulsing from the water in my throat. I'm unable to open my eyes but I feel my stomach flip inside out and I slump forward, throwing up the entire contents of my stomach.

All I feel is liquid travelling back up, burning my throat as it ejects from my body. I continue to thrash around in my restraints, feeling like I'm on the brink of death. Through my unreliable hearing, I hear Woody's voice float through the air and he sounds angry —

"I'm going to fucking kill you with my bare hands!"

My lungs feel like their being squeezed by an iron fist, draining them of any drop of oxygen. I continue to gasp for air, struggling to regulate my breathing. At last, I feel the oxygen slowly travel back into my body and I slump backwards, completely exhausted. My body and mind is limp, feeling like they've both ran an entire marathon.

I open my mouth to speak and beg for help but my throat burns and stings in rebel so I quickly shut it and allow my body the time it needs to heal. I almost forget everything I've seen previously, like the water had erased my mind with every drop. After several moments, it all starts to come back to me and I remember where I am . . .

Tied up in an abandoned warehouse.

As much as my eyes protest, I force them open, needing to know what's happening around me. When I do, the warehouse is now filled with light streaming in through the broken windows and ceiling. I blink several times, feeling extremely sensitive to the sunlight.

How long have I been here?

"Ah, she's finally awake. I knew it'd work."

I don't recognise the voice yet it sounds feminine. Too girly to belong to my Mum but also lined with an absolute hatred for me. The venom drips off every word and whoever it is sounds completely full of hate.

"Bitch." I mutter, my throat stinging in protest. I have no idea who it is but from the water still pooled up in my lungs and my face soaking wet, I come to the realisation that I've been tortured with water.

"What was that? I can't quite hear you. Speak up!" She responds almost mockingly. My vision remains blurred and I blink several times, needing it to clear so I can study my surroundings. All I can make out is a dark figure standing over me. I feel a harsh slap on my cheeks, forcing my face to swing sideways.

"I said . . . Speak up."

With all the effort I can give to string my letters together, I cough to clear my throat before giving her what she wants —

"Bitch."

My insult couldn't have come clearer and it almost sets off the murderous animal in her once again. I hear a shuffle and the sloshing of water before it suddenly pours over my face again. This time I'm ready and I forcefully drop my head low, causing most of the water to fall over my head.

"Leave her alone! That's enough! She's just a child!" Uncle Tobias roars, his voice echoing through the empty vast of the warehouse. I hear him struggle against his restraints with no success. Beside me, Woody lunges forward but isn't close enough to cause any damage or help me.

"It's almost touching to see how much you care for her. Shut the fuck up before I knock you unconscious." Our captor says to Uncle Tobias. I hear a low noise of disapproval come from him and if we weren't tied up, I wouldn't hesitate knowing he'd kick her ass.

I shake my head repeatedly, forcing the water droplets to drench my clothes and the floor instead. When I glance up, I can make out the shape of Woody sat several feet away in front of me, his eyes burning into mine. I blink several times and feel grateful to finally have my vision back. Woody leans forward upon noticing my alertness and his eyes fill with worry and anger.

"Are you okay? Ruby?" Woody asks. I nod once, still gasping quietly for breaths to regulate my breathing. My nod does little to reassure Woody and he remains staring at me, his arms twitching to come to my rescue.

I slowly turn my head, finally ready to see who it's been all along. The person standing in front of me is someone I'd never dream of it being in a million years. She's average height, an inch or two taller than me. Her slim build and petite features are the complete opposite of her murderous actions. I blink several times, my face expressionless as I look up to inspect her face.

If anything, it confuses me further. The person in front of me with eyes full of rage doesn't seem capable of such actions. I'd expect her to belong on a catwalk or modelling clothing online with an instagram full of adoring fans. . .

This is the person who captured my parents?

This is the person who gassed and tied us up?

This is the person who tortured me several times with water?

"What the fuck," I say in between gasping for air, unable to believe what I'm seeing. I turn to look at Uncle Tobias who appears to be slumped backwards in defeat, his eyes completely lifeless. He knows immediately what I'm thinking and he shakes his head, his face mirroring my confusion.

He doesn't know who she is either.

"Who are you?" I almost spit out at her. Considering I'm still recovering from almost drowning, the hatred for her grows intensely. She scoffs and shakes her head, pacing up and down in front of me. The urge to lunge forward and send her flying to the floor so I can pummel my fists into her grows stronger by the second but I know I don't have a chance with being tied up.

"Who are you?!" I repeat hoarsely, my throat scratchy and sore. She suddenly snaps her head towards me, yanking her hood off to reveal her entire face. I watch as she storms up to me, grabbing me by the chin. Her fingers squeeze painfully against my skin as she stares directly into my eyes, the hatred burning like a newly lit flame —

"Who do you think I am, bitch?"