Darkness

The next morning, Ruby arose earlier than her daughter not being able to sleep peacefully scared the wolfman might appear once again in their small cabin. She had pulled the girls curtains shut last night hoping the sun rays would not awake her while continuing to check on the girl periodically.

During the night she spent much time circling the living room checking to make sure all the windows and doors were locked so nothing could enter. She knew living close to the woods was not the safest environment for their family, but the laws given by the gods should have protected them from harm. Plus, it was the only part of the land available to her family since they didn't have much money to spare.

Was this a sign that the creatures did not obey the protection rights of the humans? Would other villagers be hunted by these beings during the night?

Ruby went to the table sitting down deciding how to take action about the incident last night. She didn't know if she should speak to the council not wanting to cause issues before the night of the hunt. But the people of the village needed protection! They stood no chance against the Wolfmen.

Not only did a night creature come onto their lands and into their home, but he had hurt her daughter causing scarring upon her arm which most certainly broke the laws of the skies.

Her daughter was the chosen, but the wolf had damaged her and probably would have taken advantage of her if Ruby had not entered the bedroom. Who knew what kind of twisted game the sick creature had planned!

"Mother?"

Ruby looked up seeing her beautiful daughter walk into the room with her night gown flowing around her gently. Her eyes were drooping still from her stirring too long in her sleep. Dreams had continued to suffocate the dark hair beauty.

Smiling and not wanting to worry the child, Ruby said, "Ahh. I was hoping you could sleep in today. You've been doing so much the past couple days. You deserve some rest."

Sophia gave her mother a puzzled look. Her mother never gave her a day to relax due to the fact that they had to do so much to provide for their small family. Was something perhaps bothering her?

"What's wrong mother?" Sophia said approaching her sickly mother who still sat on the chair looking exhausted as though she didn't sleep last night. Sophia tried to approach her but Ruby put her hand up stopping her daughter from approaching.

"I just have a few concerns, but nothing to worry your mind over." Ruby replied not wanting to scare her daughter about the late night visitor who resided in her bedroom last night. There was no need to upset the girl.

Sophia nodded looking around the home which seemed just the same as the day before still trying to decipher what put her frail mother in such an upsetting mood.

"Would you like me to make some breakfast?" Sophia offered heading to the cabinet to get out utensils so her mother could eat to keep up her strength. This morning Sophia noticed how weak Ruby appeared more than her usual self. It seemed her worries were dragging down her health which worried the girl.

Although they were poor, the two women always were able to have enough food for their two bellies.

After making the meal for the two of them, Sophia began to clean of the surface of the table while her mother suddenly stood up slightly dizzy. "I'm afraid I need to go to town today." Ruby said not giving eye contact to Sophia who was again confused by her mother's behavior.

At first Sophia wanted to reject the idea, but the child noticed how her mother avoided her throughout the morning almost purposely avoiding her. Through their entire breakfast, her mother would only nod her head seemingly lost in thought.

"Very well. Let me grab a cloak so I can join you-"

"That won't be necessary my child. I'm afraid it's rather personal and I need to discuss something with the councilmen. I do need you to lock up when I leave. I don't want you to be outside by yourself today." Ruby instructed quickly while she walked toward the family door entrance grabbing a coat.

"Mother, did something happen last night? I don't think it would be safe for you to travel alone. Please let me help you." Sophia said walking toward the only family member she had left in the world. She tried to hold Ruby while the dizzy spell started to wear off.

Ruby turned to see her daughter who loved her unconditionally. She didn't want Sophia to be subject to any harm until it was her time to die. Although she was picked for the hunt, Ruby still wanted to have fond memories of her daughter before her eventual death.

"Like I said, it's something personal I need to address. There's no need to worry. Take some time for yourself today."

Pulling Sophia into a tight hug, Ruby held her daughter tightly not wanting to let her go.

"I love you Phia." Ruby whispered in her daughter's ears.

"I love you too Mother." Sophia said as she also hung to her mom with all her might.

Ruby pulled away still looking at Sophia giving her a big smile. "I know I haven't said it enough and for some reason, I realize you struggle with me. But I have never been more proud anyone. You have become the most genuine person I could have expected with strength I have never known and I know I can't take any credit. You are an incredible woman my dear daughter and you have given me all the reasons to live that I've needed throughout my days. Never forget I love you."

Sophia gave her mother a smile giving her a quick kiss on the cheek.

Ruby immediately left not wanting to exchange any more words with her daughter afraid she might break down in tears. She didn't have much longer with the girl and she thought she was perhaps regretting not allowing her child to run before the picking.

Walking straight to the house of the head councilman, Ruby gently knocked on his door patiently waiting for him to answer.

She waited patiently standing with her head held high as she passed other villagers. Some were surprised to see the weak human woman walking without her daughter making them very curious on what she was doing today. Hearing some shuffling behind the door, a handsome man opened it in a rather awkward state with his eyes furrowed wondering who would knock on his home at this hour. His hair was messy and his shirt was not tucked into his trousers and his breathing was fast.

Ruby smiled at Randel and was about to say her pleasantries when she noticed a blonde woman quickly appear behind the councilman in another appearance that had Ruby raise her brow. Although the girl wasn't in Ruby's view for long, the woman as enough.

The blondes hair needed to be combed down and one could see that she was not in a presentable state due to how her dress was not all the way done up. She also looked to be trying to escape the residence without anyone noticing.

"Miss Red.. is everything alright? Is Sophia alright?" Randel asked immediately with his eyes filled with concern looking behind the frail older woman trying to see if her daughter had joined her. Even though he seem to care about the Ruby, he truly would rather have had the dark hair girl at his door instead.

"Sophia is home Sir. I just had a small concern to converse about, but it seems you are rather busy right now.."

"Not at all." He said looking toward the blonde who now appeared behind him again looking all dressed and presentable. "Miss Thornton was leaving."

"I was?" She asked looking toward him shocked by his dismissive attitude. Her pleading eyes looked at Randel, but the man gave her a deadly glare making her look toward the floor.

Randel didn't answer the girl by rather pointed toward the door for her to exit. She seemed to become red with embarrassment realizing that she was only there to satisfy his needs, not because he held any romantic interest toward her. The blonde gave a quick nod to Ruby before she quickly ran out of sight hoping no one in the village would learn of her late night appearance at Randel's residence.

"Please come in Miss Red." Randel said as he directed Ruby into his home.

Ruby nodded slowly entering the home of the man looking around seeing how he lived a lavished lifestyle compared to the fragile ways of their family. He had nice furniture that seemed to be made of better material then any see had ever seen.

Not wanting to spend much more time here, Ruby turned to face the councilman wanting to finish the discussion quickly not being comfortable alone in his presence.

"I have some worries about the Wolfmen Sir. Sophia had a visitor last night in her bedroom that gave me quite a fright."

Ruby suddenly felt a change in the air as Randel's eyes darkened.

Randel started to shake as anger filled his body. He was still in the middle of getting Sophia out of the hunt, but the news of a man approaching her before that day did not settle well within him. "Who was he?!"

"I'm sorry sir, but it wasn't a man. It was a Wolfman…" Ruby started to say trying to remain calm as she felt the tension rise in the home, but she wasn't able to say anything more about it for a moment feeling the councilman's wrath growing. "There's a scar on her arm that was not there yesterday. She seemed to be asleep during the whole incident and had no idea about it. But I am worried that the wolves are entering our lands without proper permission."

"That damn thing!" Randel spat as his hand hit the wall so hard that it made Ruby jump. He then looked away from the woman while he tried to catch control of his breathing. But Ruby already wanted to leave not feeling safe around him.

"I will personally make sure they don't come in contact with Sophia again." He promised sincerely turning around seeing the old woman looking at him with hesitation. He took a deep breathe realizing he probably went overboard. He then gave her a small smile hoping he wouldn't have a bad relationship with her until he was able to have Sophia to himself.

"And any other villagers? Correct?" Ruby questioned realizing Randel wasn't focusing on the bigger picture. Although she was furious the wolfman touched her daughter, her overall fear was for the well-being of her people. Sophia was the sacrifice and she couldn't allow herself to forget it. Was Randel only concerned over Sophia?

"Of course Ruby." Randel replied with his charming smile looking into her eyes. "Sophia and the rest of the village are under my protection. I will take care of this issue immediately."

Ruby nodded making her way out of the residence feeling as though she was done with the conversation and had made a point to her kind. She wanted the human race to succeed and live and knew that it was wise to give the news to a council member to protect the village.

"Give my best to your daughter." She heard Randel speak from behind. Yet the woman refused to meet his eyes again wanting to leave quickly.

But as she exited the house, her body went limb and she fell to the ground while she screamed out in pain. He body began to shake and her mind become fuzzy being surrounded by absolute darkness as though her body had finally stopped functioning.

She couldn't hear anything as her body slowly crouched together huddling trying to find the strength to stand, but Ruby could feel her soul beginning to leave her body in a painful matter. She tried to find her strength to call out for her daughter, but she wasn't able to feel her arms at this point.

The last thought she had was of Sophia and being able to embrace her child in a heart warming hug filled with so much happiness for such a cruel life she had endured. She wanted to be there till the end.