Tranquility

Chapter 2

     Oakley walked through the double glass doors, suitcase trailing behind her. Plants, natural wood accents and calming colors greeted her with such warmth that it helped counteract the cool air from the air conditioning. A female stepped forward retrieving her suitcase and gestured Oakley to the front desk. A few people hungout in the lobby area as staff bustled around doing their jobs. The Receptionist stood up and shook Oakleys' hand, smiling warmly. "Welcome Home! Name?" She sat down and started typing away. "Oakley, Ruby Oakley." After a few moments she handed Ruby a bronze key, "This is your official house key, congratulations. It is located down the stairs, across the square, past the fountain, first right, the last left, and then the last right. Feel free to explore and enjoy!" She then answered the ringing phone in which Ruby turned around, looking at the now empty lobby. On her way to her new home she noticed the bustling life of people dissipated and a distant rumble. The home was quite small, just the amount of usable space for one person, compared to all the other homes in which was grand and luxurious and big enough to house a dozen people. They did mention single people were spread out amongst those who chose to live with others but it looked like she lived in the roughest part but still good quality. Days turned to weeks, weeks turned to months and months became years. "Ruby, I thought you loved it here." Mark looked at his wife with concern as she replied, "I'm sick, they're moving me into the sick ward until I'm better or pass away. I never said I hated it here Mark. Take good care of the children." The two Doctors who had came in a small ambulance walked her out and placed her into the back. Once it left the children came out, Mark hugged them and they looked up at him. "Will mommy be okay?" Mark smiled, hiding his tears and shook his head yes. Later that night after putting the kids to bed he got a call from the hospitality ward. "Mr.Vine?" "Yes this is him." "We are sorry for your loss. Your wife passed away shortly after arriving, it was too late for treatment." After the call he fell asleep on the couch unaware of the flashlights and commotion outside.

     That night Ruby was taken to hospitality she knew she was never sick but they put that she was sick in her head. They placed her in a room and left. She peaked out and noticed no one was around and quickly walked over to the supply room. Door clicked closed and she swapped her clothes for the boring colorless attire, finalizing it with the hat, mask and gloves. She left the floor through the stairwell, heading out into the basement and out the side entrance of the giant complex. She took out the bag with a change of clothes and swapped into them. Stuffed the hospitality attire, except the mask and gloves, into the bag. Shoved the bag into a bush near the exit, took the hat off and ran away into the desolate forest: dropping the hat and disappeared.