Chapter 36: Chapter 36

As we draw closer to the warehouse, I feel my heart pick up pace up at the sight of it in the distance. Images of Jasmine standing in front of me whilst pouring water down my throat fills my mind and I shuffle uncomfortably in my seat. I try to think of anything else to distract me from the thoughts but it doesn't seem to be working.

I find my lungs tighten, restricting the oxygen in my system. It suddenly becomes difficult to breathe and I worry that it's a side effect of the head injury. Beside me, Woody turns to look at me, dark eyes filled with worry —

"Hey, what's going on? You're breathing weird." Woody murmurs, parking the car and turning the engine off. The warehouse looms in front of me and I grip onto the seat I'm in, my knuckles turning a shade of white from the strain.

"I-I'll be fine in a minute," I whisper, feeling my head sway left to right. I release a small groan, closing my eyes and squeezing them tightly.

"Ruby? Are you going to pass out? Talk to me here, I don't know how to help you." Woody says firmly but softly beside me. Images of Jasmine's murderous look towards me continues to fill my mind and I frown deeply, wondering why I can't seem to shake her face from my thoughts.

"Is she still in there?" I ask Woody, my voice strained. I inhale sharply, my throat tightening further no matter how hard I try to prevent it. Woody's eyes that are filled with confusion suddenly flash with understanding and he takes hold of my hand, looking me directly in the eyes.

"Are you talking about Jasmine?" Woody asks me, his eyes flickering between mine. I nod my head once and swallow the lump in my throat, keeping my eyes trained on his so I don't have to look at the warehouse in front of us. Every time I do, it seems to make the pained feeling in my chest tighten.

"I won't let her lay another finger on you. It was killing me when I was tied up because I felt helpless but now that I'm not, she isn't getting anywhere near you." Woody says firmly, eyes filling with truth.

"I can hold my own," I whisper, my breath trembling. A small smile flickers across Woody's face from my confidence and he nods, squeezing my hand —

"Of course you can, you manage to scare me sometimes with that fierce personality." He re-assures me, leaning forward and placing a kiss on my forehead. I close my eyes and breathe him in as his lips linger on my skin. He doesn't move an inch, already knowing I need him for support. As each second passes, the tight hold on my chest loosens and I finally feel myself sink back down to reality.

"Just so you know, she has to get through me first." Woody murmurs, lips tingling the skin on my forehead. I nod and bury my head in his neck, wrapping my arms around him. He embraces me just as fiercely, the warmth from his body heating mine.

I hear the drivers side door open and I pull back slightly whereas Woody remains leaning over me, our bodies close. From the corner of my eye, I see Uncle Tobias stood with his arms folded across his chest, eyes narrowed —

"Oh Jesus Christ, here we go." He mutters under his breath. Woody sighs heavily and drops backwards, landing in his seat before turning to face Tobias.

"I was comforting her." He says bluntly, rolling his eyes. Uncle Tobias glares at him, his shoulders squared defensively.

"That's my job." He hits back in monotone. Woody doesn't respond but shakes his head, stepping out of the car. He walks past Tobias lazily, glaring at him the entire time.

"You're welcome, by the way." He mutters under his breath. Uncle Tobias subtly turns to watch him, guilt flashing through his dark eyes, only for a second. When he turns to look at me, he masks the emotion over and leans down into the car.

"Are you okay sweetheart? Feeling better?" He asks me and I nod, giving him a small smile. He nods in satisfaction before sliding into the drivers seat. He begins to key in a location into the car's navigation system and it beeps, signalling it's ready to go.

"It's a thirty minute drive away." Tobias murmurs, settling into the seat and pulling the seatbelt over. The back doors open and Woody emerges into the car, clutching a blanket.

"I got you this from the boot of the car, wrap up." He tells me, passing it over. I take it from him and smile gratefully, tucking the blanket around my body.

"It'd be nice to share it with you." I respond over my shoulder at him, knowing my words would irritate Tobias beyond belief. Woody smirks from behind me and Tobias pauses, eyes fluttering closed.

"Ruby, take that back." He says firmly, pinching the area between both of his eyes. I shrug and act oblivious —

"Take what back? I don't know what you're talking about." I tell him. He turns to glare at me, dark eyes narrowed. I hold his stare just as confidently until he sighs and breaks the eye contact.

"Goddammit." He mutters, yanking the gear stick into action and pressing on the gas pedal heavily. The car lurches forward, gravel underneath the tyres flying everywhere. I turn to briefly give Woody an amused wink and he smirks back at me, dark eyes shining in my direction. I notice Ivory's car following closely behind us, her headlights illuminating the inside of our car.

"Is Ivory coming too?" I ask Uncle Tobias, facing forward. He nods his head, eyes trained on the road as he drives through the dark country lanes.

"Yes. Ben has Jasmine with him in the back seat. They're going to deal with her once we have your parents safe and sound." Tobias explains, turning to see my reaction. I nod slowly, feeling my stomach churn with nausea.

"How did she give up their location?" I ask him warily. He pauses for a moment, dark eyes flickering over to me. A tense silence falls upon all three of us in the car before Tobias clears his throat.

"It's amazing what information you can get from someone when they believe their life is about to end." He states darkly, his hands tightening around the steering wheel.

"Well damn, I'm sorry I missed that show." Woody says from the backseat, his words quiet. Uncle Tobias glances at him from his rear view mirror and his shoulders tense up.

"I've been meaning to thank you, for looking after Ruby whilst I was dealing with Jasmine." Uncle Tobias says quietly. Woody leans forward, popping his head in the space between the two seats at the front. He turns to look at Tobias, his eyes focused directly on him.

"I'm sorry, what was that? I didn't quite catch it." He says smugly, humour lining his words. I swat his shoulder playfully and he grins. Tobias releases a low groan, running a hand over his tired looking face.

"You're both going to be the death of me, mark my words." He mutters unhappily. I laugh quietly before turning to watch the scenery whizz past me as we drive. Every minute that passes is a minute closer to finding my parents and the thought of that makes me feel excited and nervous at the same time.

"It's been nineteen days since I last saw them." I tell no-one in particular, my breathing shaky.

"Wow, it seems like it's been so much longer than that." Woody says from behind me. I nod my head, agreeing with him.

"Less than three weeks, that's how long we've spent annoying each other." I tell him and Tobias. It's quite unbelievable to think it's only been three weeks since meeting Woody. I feel like part of me has known him forever yet the logical side of me worries it hasn't been long enough to validate the way I feel about him. On the other hand, it's only been three weeks of re-uniting with Tobias and since then, our relationship has strengthened by each day.

We've sorted our differences and the truth was finally revealed. Despite the years I lost with Uncle Tobias, we entered a new level of love and understanding the past few weeks than we ever have done before. Growing up, I always knew he was heart broken over something . . .

I just didn't realise that it wasn't something but someone he was heartbroken over. I briefly turn and look at Ivory's car that's following close behind us.

"How are you and Auntie Ivory?" I ask him quietly. He stills for a second, his jaw tensing with frustration at the question —

"Civil. If that's what you call it." He mutters a response. I look at him intensely, knowing he's hurting an incredible amount inside. If only I could do something to make his pain go away but I know that will never be possible. I can't ever bring back Trish or take back his regretful actions after her death.

"She saved my life Uncle Tobias." I whisper. Moments of silence pass between us, the only sounds coming from Uncle Tobias' laboured breathing. I watch, feeling heart broken as his eyes fill with a glassy sheen.

"I know." He whispers, his words pained. It's like he's fighting an internal battle with himself constantly over his relationship with Ivory. A single tear escapes his eyes and he sniffles, reaching up with his arm to swiftly wipe it away.

"It doesn't take away what she did though Ruby, do you understand that?" Uncle Tobias says shakily. I nod my head, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"I understand. At the end of the day, it's your decision whether you want a relationship with her or not. One thing I know for sure is she didn't know Trish would die that day, nobody did." I tell him softly. He releases a shaky breath at the mention of her name, his entire body trembling —

"She'd hate this." He murmurs, eyes flickering over to me. I remain silent, wanting him to continue. I'm not the only person who finds it difficult to open up, it must be a Melvin trait.

"She'd hate that I've spent years being unhappy and hating Ivory for every second of it. She was the most kind hearted person I've met in my entire life. Not just on the surface but deep down, her soul was pure. All she wanted was a family to pour her love into." Uncle Tobias cries softly, silent tears sliding down his cheeks. I reach up and wipe away at them, wondering whether his heartbreak will ever lessen.

"She'd want you to be happy." I tell him and he nods, turning to look at me with a small smile on his face —

"Yes sweetheart, yes she would.”