Chapter 3 Their Meeting

The small silver haired boy froze, his mouth falling open. He stood there staring at her as she got closer and closer, not moving, just staring at her in amazement.

Then, as if he had suddenly woken up, he began rubbing his eyes vigorously, resembling what she had done only moments ago when she had seen the light.

Finally realising that what he was witnessing was real, he just stood there staring at her dumbly.

He could not be blamed by his surprise, the very wastelands they were in was notorious for its deadlines, being the killer of many who had been foolish enough to traverse it. Ruby who was only a child, travelling alone no less, had miraculously been able to travel so far without encountering any danger. That in itself was a miracle.

What she had failed to notice was the strange glow of her necklace. Hanging around her neck was a chain connected to an anchor. It was unknown what material it was made of but it shimmered in the black night. It resembled silver in a way but was more beautiful.

Throughout her entire journey the necklace had kept warm against her skin, despite the gradually freezing temperature. It was her only source of warmth in the cold desolate wasteland.

She came to a stop before the boy and slowly climbed down to her feet, setting the bike on its brake and parking it. She was only a naive ten year old and had no sort of suspicion to the boy in front of her. She only knew that she felt relieved, she had finally met someone after so long.

She walked up to him. Standing in front of him she was able to make out more of his features clearly.

His silver hair curled around his bony face. His big blue eyes were soulful and framed by his long silver eye lashes. His tattered too big clothes hang off his shoulders, highlighting his scrawny figure. Standing right by her side he appeared small and tiny, clearly shorter than her only reaching her nose.

He backed away from her as if she were a disease, tripping over his feet in his rush. His eyes became guarded. The silver haired boy had lived in the wastelands all his life and had enough experience to know that it was impossible for just anyone to travel alone here. Anyone able to survive this long must now be someone simple, he thought.

He would be right if it was anyone else but unfortunately he was wrong in this case.

Surprised by how the boy had reacted to her, Ruby kneeled down beside the boy. She had wrongly assumed that the "poor boy" had been scared away by her. Although they looked to be the same age Ruby had felt it was her responsibility to comfort the boy, especially since he looked so malnourished and tiny.

She put her hands up in a sign that she meant no harm. She tried her best to make herself seem as harmless as possible, even going as far as making cooing noises.

The silver haired boy looked at her strangely. While he may be tiny he was actually eleven years old, a year older than her. Despite his small frame he was a very tough boy having lived in the wastelands all his life.

Realising that he was being looked down on by another child, a girl no less, he snorted. He stood up and dusted his shorts, not forgetting to glare at the girl that had looked down on him. He was not a baby that needed to be cooed.

Ruby, who had just been brushed off, did not know what she had done to trigger his anger. That did not make her change her thoughts though. No, instead she continues to worry about the "poor boy", looking at him with obvious concern.

She got up off his knees and followed behind the boy. Reaching out she put her hand on his shoulder, patting it comfortingly.

"It's okay. It's okay. Don't be afraid I won't hurt you. Big sister won't hurt you." She cooed in a comforting tone, completely oblivious to the silver haired boy's obvious annoyance.

Who's your little brother! This little brother is your grandfather! He continued scream profanities in his head. How did he end up meeting someone so annoying! He had been completely right, she was not someone simple, she probably annoyed to death all the creatures she met!

Planning to shoo her off, he turned around to her. Only to here rumbling sound come from her stomach. Her face turned a deep shade of red as she blushed with shame, it was so bright a colour that one was able to see it clearly in the dark.

"I'm sorry, you must be hungry little brother but I don't have any food with me. I have failed as your big sister."

She bowed her head in shame.

Who's hungry?! It's your stomach that grumbled not mine! The silver haired boy was irritated to the point of irrationality.

He turned to the girl planning to scream out all sorts of profanities at her. His mouth opened, ready to unleash his built up stress only to come to an abrupt halt.

Standing a few steps away from the silver haired boy the red haired girl had her head down, her tiny hands by her sides in tight fists. Her green eyes partially covered by a few strands of her hair held a deep shame. Looking at her he could see that she was genuinely ashamed. She had truly believed that she had failed her duty as a big sister.

His heart felt warmed. A girl whom he had just met had shown him such concern and care after he had been completely ride to her.

He reached his hands out and grabbed her right fist. His small hand wrapped around her fist and brought it in front of him.

Ruby looked at him in shock, only to be stared back at by such warm eyes. His face pulled up in a kind smile.

"It's okay. Don't worry I have food. By the way I'm Milo."

He reassured her. His warm smile comforting her. It had been the first time in her life to be stared at so warmly by someone. All her life no one had shown her as much care as the boy in front of her did.

"I'm Ruby."

That was all she could get out before she broke down. The fear and worry she had felt getting lost, the resentment and insecurities she was constantly plagued about, was all let loose. The floodgates had opened and out came a dam of repressed emotions.

Milo was shocked by her sudden outburst. He did not know what had caused it, he could only try to comfort her. Reaching out he began to pet her head and back in a kind manner.

However that just made things worse. She cried even harder. Like a cat she pounced on him, wrapping her hands around him and hugging him tightly.