laying herself to rest | Teen Ink

laying herself to rest

December 18, 2023
By MikaGH GOLD, Bridgeport, West Virginia
MikaGH GOLD, Bridgeport, West Virginia
12 articles 0 photos 0 comments

Favorite Quote:
“Anyone can succeed if they have the skills to move forward”


Astrid was out on a carriage ride with Ruby when small, crystallized snowflakes fell from the sky above. Astrid was the first to notice this and stopped their carriage.
“Look sweet Ruby. Snow!” Astrid said pointing out of the carriage
Ruby then jumped up from her seat and looked out of the carriage “Really?”
“Yes, really sweet Ruby! Shall we stop for you to play?” Astrid asked with a smile
“But master, won’t we burn?” Ruby asked in confusion of her master
“Nonsense Ruby look at the sky! Tell me what do you see?” Astrid chuckled
“Clouds?” Ruby said
“That’s right sweet Ruby! And what do clouds do?” Astrid asked delighted
Ruby then sat back down in her seat confused by her master’s question “I don’t know master?” She spoke
“Then let me enlighten you!” Astrid responded cheerfully about to spring out of the carriage
Astrid then took a deep breath and jumped forth out of the carriage landing on her feet into the snow forming on the ground.
“See!” She said “I’m not burning!”
Ruby then sat on the edge of the carriage hesitantly before jumping out after her into the newly fallen snow. Her blush pink hair was quickly covered in beautiful falling snowflakes. Ruby looked up at the sky in amazement while Astrid reached down to gently grab a handful of snow.
Astrid would smile looking at the snow she’s collected in her palm “winter is truly the most joyous time for both species of human and vampire.” Astrid would then crumble up the snow inside her palm and throw it to Ruby.
“OW!” Ruby screeched
“Go on and play sweet Ruby I don’t mind being late today!” Astrid laughed
“Are you sure master?” Ruby asked.
“Yes, I’m certain!” She said taking a seat on the snow-covered road.
Ruby then carefully knelt down in the snow and pressed her bare hand into it. The snow piled up quickly and she was almost covered head to toe in it. It got colder but Ruby didn’t mind she couldn’t really feel anything after becoming a vampire the only thing that still worked might’ve been her cold and heat receptors. But since she couldn’t go out in the sun the cold was the only thing she could feel anymore. The cold breeze then continued to stain her flesh a rosy pink overtop of her pale face. Ruby then remembered back when she was human, she use to make sculptures out of thicker snow when her old master was nice enough to let her off work. She was still a child after all and like any other child Ruby liked to play so Ruby gathered up some snow and rolled them into three perfectly rounded shapes. She then placed them onto of each other one by one in order of large, medium, small. Ruby was then quick to gather rocks and sticks for the details. She placed two sticks into the medium sized shape for arms, made eyes, a nose, and a smiley face out of rocks and coals she gathered. But the finishing touch was still missing... A strong breeze then brushed over her knocking her hat off. It was like any ordinary winter hat made with wool, and cheap lace. It was sacred to Ruby the hat was the last thing Ruby ever owned as a human. It was soft and child sized as for Ruby crafted it for herself from what felt like three long decades from present time. It was painful to bring up her past life as a human as for she was a vampire now. The total opposite of a human. So why not leave her humanity behind? Ruby then slowly rose up from the snow and gently placed the hat on top of the snow sculpture and slowly started her was back towards the carriage.  
“I’m ready to go master!” Ruby announced happily
“Alright let's go then, shall we?” Astrid then took a quick paused “Wheres your hat sweet Ruby?”
“I lost it while playing” Ruby excused
“Shall we stay and look for it?” Astrid asked
“No, it’s no big deal master I don’t mind leaving it behind!” Ruby replied rushing into the carriage
“Are your sure sweet Ruby you cherished that hat?” Astrid asked again
“I’m sure master!” Ruby said with a smile
“Oh, alright then sweet Ruby if you insist let's be on are way then!”
The door of the carriage was then shut, and they were then off again. Ruby then turned to the window to take one last look where she left herself to rest…


The author's comments:

No much is said about Astrid, and Ruby’s relationship in the main book or in Astrid’s past. Ruby is one of those characters that I acidity skim over most the time. And since Christmas is coming up I decided to share a little bit of their relationship with you! This piece is about Ruby laving her humanity behind so please enjoy!


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This article has 22 comments.


Cxle18 said...
on Jan. 30 at 1:00 pm
Cxle18, Bridgeport, West Virginia
0 articles 1 photo 21 comments
This is the best

Cxle18 said...
on Jan. 30 at 12:59 pm
Cxle18, Bridgeport, West Virginia
0 articles 1 photo 21 comments
It’d buy this for my teen daughter