Chapter 4 Knowing The Unknown

"Hello, Mabel?" Ruby's voice held a hint of doubt.

"Hey, Cuz," Mabel replied cheerfully, her voice slightly muffled through the phone. "Sorry for calling late, but I've been trying to reach you for hours. Everything okay?"

Ruby paused, considering her words carefully. "I'm not sure, honestly. It's been a strange night. What's up?"

Mabel's tone turned serious. "I had this weird experience, or perhaps a dream. I wanted to share, and it felt... off. I just wanted to check in. Is everything alright?"

Ruby's heart skipped a beat. "A dream about me? What do you mean?" She felt a surge of anxiety mingled with curiosity.

"I don't know, it's hard to explain," Mabel hesitated. "But it felt important, like a warning or something. Are you sure you're okay?"

Ruby's mind raced with conflicting thoughts. Should she confide in Mabel? Could she trust her with such a bizarre story? But the concern in Mabel's voice felt genuine, giving Ruby a sliver of hope that maybe she could get some answers.

"I'm not really sure," Ruby admitted, her voice trembling slightly. "Something happened, and I'm trying to figure it out myself."

Mabel's tone softened. "You know I'm here for you, right? Whatever it is, you can tell me."

For a moment, Ruby considered telling Mabel about the strange nightmare, about the peculiar things happening to her. But fear held her back. "I'll... I'll let you know if I figure it out. Thanks, Mabel."

"Anytime. Take care, okay?"

With a silent nod, Ruby hung up, feeling a mix of relief and guilt. The weight of her secret burdened her, leaving her feeling isolated and confused.

Alone in the quiet room, she wrapped herself in a towel, sinking onto the bed as she gazed at her phone. The night was far from over, and she was no closer to understanding the bizarre events that had unfolded. She needed answers, someone to confide in, but she couldn't risk exposing her hidden truth.

As the sun started to rise, shining its soft light through the window, Ruby sat in the quiet room, thinking deeply. She was really confused and wanted to understand what was happening, but everything felt so strange and puzzling.

As the morning light peeked through the window, Ruby felt the warmth of a new day. She was all set to start her new job, hoping yesterday's strange events wouldn't cast a shadow on today. Her mom walked in, noticing her enthusiasm.

"Ruby! You seem quite perky today!" Her mom smiled as she entered the room.

Ruby grinned, already dressed up and ready. "Yeah, it's my last day here. You're leaving, right?"

Her mom chuckled. "Yes, darling. I have some farm work. But I'll miss staying here with you."

Ruby pretended to be disappointed. Actually, she wanted her mom to leave before finding out about her secret. "I thought you'd stay longer."

"Got a lot to do back home," her mom said, straightening her dress.

Ruby agreed. "Okay, mom." She hugged her mom warmly. "Thanks for this week."

Her mom grinned. "Make sure you take care of yourself. I've seen those weeds in your yard. Don't want you getting pricked.' So learn to walk with caution when you're outside in the night."

They both laughed. "I'll be careful, Mom," Ruby assured her.

Her mom looked at her. "Want breakfast before work?"

Thinking about her time, Ruby said, "I still have time. Let's have breakfast together."

They went to the table, her mom having already prepared a delightful breakfast. "You were sneaky, setting this up to get me to eat with you," Ruby teased.

"A little persuasion never hurt," her mom giggled as they enjoyed the meal. The table was filled with joy and laughter, something Ruby cherished about her mom's breakfast time.

They both laughed, clinked cups to the new phase of her life, and talked about her sister, the family and many more things that came up at the breakfast table.

Checking the time, Ruby realized it was time to leave. "Mom, I have to go."

Surprised by Ruby's haste, her mom picked up her bag. "Sure, let's get you going. Bless you, my child."

"Mom, I'm going to miss you," Ruby thought audibly. And her mom could see how earnest she was. Her mom slowly came up to her, placed a hand on her cheek and smiled at her.

"Come on, you're a big girl, you're not supposed to be thinking of such. You can call me anytime, right?"

She nodded.

"And you can tell me anything that's been bothering you. I'll always be here to help."

Now, she suspected where her mom was going with this. Her mom wanted to know more. She still suspected her late nights out.

"Mom, there's nothing wrong, if there ever is, I'll surely tell you."

Her mother looked at her one more time before smiling, and pulling her hand away. "Okay, then, I believe you."

Ruby felt blessed by her mom's warm wishes. "Love you, Mom," she said, kissing her on the cheek before heading to the waiting cab.

They both waved at each other, as Ruby walked up the cab. The flashes of the wolves of last night kept darting in her mind, which made her a bit uncomfortable.

"Are you okay, dear?" her mom called.

Ruby turned, and wondered if she was behaving strange for her mom to ask.

"Yes, mom....I am," she stuttered, then briskly walked up to the car, so that her mom wouldn't suspect anything further.

In the cab, she took a deep breath and answered a sudden call from her sister, Ethel, who lived far away.

Ethel, Ruby's big sister who married a Duke and lived far away, didn't often call. Ruby was surprised by her call at this hour. She wondered if their mom had mentioned her new job, and Ethel was calling to congratulate her.

"Hey, your highness," Ruby teased.

"Stop it!" Ethel laughed.

"So, why the call?" Ruby asked. "It pretty much seems like a surprise if you ask me."

"Just checking on you, missed my little sister."

Ruby was happy for her sister's call. "Really needed a sisterly chat."

"Ruby!" Ethel chuckled. "So, how are you? Like, really?"

Ruby thought about her mom involving Ethel. "I'm okay, sis," she said, keeping things light.

Ethel sensed something. "You sure everything's okay?"

"Yep, all good here," Ruby replied, trying to steer the conversation away from her strange situation.

Ethel, who knew her sister well, continued chatting, trying to understand Ruby's feelings.

"Well, something tells me all is not well. I can sense it," she playfully said.

"Ethel, all is well. Did Mom put you up to this?" Ruby quickly asked, surprising Ethel.

"Uhm, no, why?"

"I don't know, I had to pass across that thought because it does seem you didn't call just to know how I'm feeling. Spit it out, Ethel," Ruby joked, and they both laughed.

"Come on, stop being a jerk. I called to check up on you, seriously. I miss my sister."

"Okay, then, if you did, I am fine."

"Nice to hear that," Ethel replied. "I really miss the U.S., wish to come back for a holiday."

"Why? Isn't Portugal your dreamland anymore?" Ruby asked as she pulled out her notepad to check her schedule for the day.

"It's a nice place, but there's something about the hustle and bustle of the U.S. I miss so much."

They both chuckled. "So, when am I coming to pay a visit to your castle?"

"Uhr?"

"I said, when am I coming to pay a visit to your castle? Don't you stay in a castle?"