Luna's Descent

ruby bolted through the woods, her breath ragged, her limbs moving with an agility that both thrilled and terrified her. The forest was a blur of shadows and moonlight, her senses sharp and alien, as though she were in someone else's body. The ground was cold and damp beneath her feet no, not feet paws. Panic clawed at her chest, but she couldn't stop running, couldn't stop the desperate chase through the night.

"Find me... Find who you are..."

The voice echoed through her mind, not her ears, a haunting, ethereal whisper that seemed to come from everywhere at once. ruby's heart pounded with confusion and fear. What was happening? Was she still dreaming? This felt too real, too vivid to be a figment of her imagination.

"You're the only one who can save the pack."

Pack? ruby's thoughts spiraled. She had no pack. She wasn't some character from the fantasy books she devoured late at night. She was just a normal girl-or at least she had been, until tonight.

"Find me, ruby!"

The voice grew louder, more insistent, filling her with a strange mix of dread and urgency. Who was calling her? And why did it sound like her life no, something much bigger depended on it?

ruby tried to stop, to gather her thoughts, but her body had a mind of its own, driven by instincts she didn't understand. She pushed deeper into the forest, the voice pulling her toward something unknown, something that felt like destiny, yet completely foreign.

She had no idea what she was supposed to find or who she really was. But the fear of the unknown was eclipsed by a deeper, inexplicable need to keep running, to uncover the truth, no matter how impossible it seemed.

ruby jolted awake, her heart pounding as the shrieking sound of her alarm cut through the remnants of her nightmare. Her room, bathed in the soft, blue glow of early morning light, felt both familiar and alien. The vivid images of her dream a dark forest, the echo of a voice calling her name faded slowly, leaving her with a disconcerting mix of fear and confusion. She wiped the sweat from her forehead, surprised at how real the dream had felt despite the chill air from the air conditioner.

It had been 2 years since her sixteenth birthday, the milestone that seemed to have triggered these unsettling dreams. Her parents had dismissed her concerns with a shrug, attributing it to her obsession with paranormal novels. "It's just your imagination," they had said. "You read too many of those werewolf stories." Scarlett had laughed off their comments, her parents' laughter mingling with her own. They were probably right, she told herself. The idea of becoming a werewolf was just a fantastical notion, not meant to be taken seriously.

"Me, a wolf?" she mused aloud, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "That would be great." It was her way of downplaying the anxiety she felt, trying to convince herself it was just a ridiculous fantasy. Yet, the dream had felt too vivid, too urgent to dismiss entirely.

With a resigned sigh, ruby dragged herself out of bed, the covers falling away as she stood up. She stretched and yawned, her limbs heavy with the remnants of sleep. The bathroom called, offering a chance to wash away the lingering disquiet. She shuffled her way there, the cool tiles beneath her feet a stark contrast to the warm bed she had just left behind. A quick shower and a brush of her teeth were all it took to refresh her, preparing her for the day ahead.

In the bathroom mirror, her reflection showed a typical teenage girl no sign of the wolf from her dreams. She pulled on a casual outfit: jeans, a comfortable t-shirt, and her favorite sneakers. The daily routine was a comforting ritual, a way to anchor herself in normalcy.

As she finished dressing, ruby couldn't help but think, "Sometimes I wish school never existed. The only thing it does is ruin my sleep." It was a common complaint, one she voiced often. School seemed to intrude on her freedom, her sleep, and her dreams.

The smell of breakfast wafted up the stairs, signaling that her mom was already at work in the kitchen. "Breakfast is ready!" her mother's voice called out from downstairs.

"Aiit, Mom, I'm coming!" ruby responded, grabbing her backpack and phone before heading down the stairs. She could hear the clatter of dishes and the hum of morning chatter as she made her way to the kitchen.

"Morning, Mom! Morning, Dad!" she greeted cheerfully as she entered the kitchen. She pecked her mom on the cheek, a routine that had become second nature. Her dad was seated at the table, and Scarlett performed their usual handshake routine before pecking his cheek as well.

Her mom, Diana, rolled her eyes, playfully exasperated by their antics. "It doesn't suit you, Mom," Scarlett said with a grin, teasing her mother about her playful demeanor.

"Yeah, she's right," her dad, Chris, chimed in, giving Diana a wink.

Diana put her hands on her hips, striking a mock serious pose. "Aren't you supposed to be supporting me, Chris?" she demanded, though her eyes twinkled with amusement.

"Sorry, but I only support the truth," Chris retorted, winking back at her.

ruby chuckled, enjoying the familiar back-and-forth between her parents. It was a daily ritual, a source of laughter and warmth. "C'mon, guys, someone can't get to school late," she said, glancing at the clock on the wall.

Diana shot her a look of mock disapproval. "Says the girl who loves getting to school early," she quipped with a touch of irony.

"Thanks, Mrs. Greyson," Scarlett said with exaggerated politeness, bowing her head and raising an imaginary dress in a playful curtsy. "The pleasure is all mine."

Diana shook her head with a smile, clearly used to Scarlett's antics. "You're incorrigible."

"C'mon, Dad, let's hit the road. I'm running late," Scarlett said, checking her wristwatch as if it were a ticking time bomb.

"Alright, time to go," Chris agreed, gulping down the last of his tea. He stood up, ready to leave for the day.

"Bye, Mom! Don't forget to drop the key in its usual spot!" ruby called out, giving her mom another peck on the cheek.

Chris turned to Diana and gave her a quick kiss on the lips, a loving gesture that ruby had grown accustomed to. She pretended to gag, playfully mocking the display of affection.

"As if you don't do that with your boyfriend," Diana teased, wriggling her eyebrows at ruby

ruby blushed, feeling the heat rise to her cheeks. "Ugh, Mom!" she protested, though she couldn't help but smile at the playful banter. She grabbed her dad's arm, guiding him toward the door.

As they left the house and got into the car, ruby glanced back at the familiar sight of her home. The morning sunlight filtered through the trees, casting a warm glow on the quiet street. Despite her teasing and complaints, she felt a pang of affection for her family and the routine that grounded her.

The drive to school was filled with the usual small talk and laughter, a pleasant distraction from the lingering unease of her dreams. ruby tried to focus on the day ahead, pushing the unsettling thoughts about her dreams to the back of her mind. The nightmare was just a product of her imagination, she told herself. Nothing more.

Ruby arrived at school, stepping out of her dad's car with her backpack slung over one shoulder. The crisp morning air greeted her as she adjusted her jacket and glanced back at her father, Chris, still sitting behind the wheel.

"Don't forget to pay attention in class, don't skip lunch, and-"

Ruby cut him off with a knowing smile, finishing his sentence for him, "- say hi to Michelle for me and tell that blonde boyfriend of yours to be careful. I know, Dad. You tell me every day."

Chris smiled, shaking his head. "I just want you to be safe. I know you understand, but I can't help worrying about you." His voice softened as he looked at her.

She leaned into the open window, squeezing his hand gently. "I got this, Dad. You don't need to worry."

Chris nodded, clearly reluctant to let the conversation go but trusting her. "Alright, alright. Just remember"

"Handshake?" Ruby said, cutting him off again with a grin.

He laughed, reaching out to complete their signature handshake-a routine they'd done since she was little. The moment brought a familiar sense of comfort to both of them. "Love you, kid."

"Love you too, Dad."

With that, Chris pulled away from the curb, and Ruby watched as his car disappeared down the road before turning and making her way toward the entrance of the school.

Before she could even take more than a few steps inside, she felt a familiar hand smack her shoulder. "Hey, bitch!" a voice called out from behind her.

Ruby turned around with a laugh. "Hey, Mitch!" she said, greeting her best friend Michelle.

"Ugh, you look way too happy this morning. Jeremy, right?" Michelle teased, waggling her eyebrows.

Before Ruby could answer, she spotted Jeremy walking toward her with his easy smile, his tousled blond hair catching the morning sunlight. He reached her in a few strides, his hand sliding around her waist as he pulled her into a quick kiss.

"Morning, beautiful," he murmured against her lips.

Michelle rolled her eyes dramatically, arms crossed. "Seriously, get a room, you two."

Ruby felt her cheeks heat up, but she couldn't help but smile. She held onto Jeremy for a moment before they parted. "Good morning," she said softly, feeling a little shy under Michelle's teasing gaze.

Jeremy smirked at Michelle's comment. "Jealous much?"

"Oh, please," Michelle retorted, waving him off. "I don't need a boyfriend to roll my eyes at couples being all cute and gross in public."

Jeremy chuckled, planting one more kiss on Ruby's lips before pulling away. "I've gotta get to class. See you later, babe."

Ruby smiled up at him as he left, but Michelle was already tugging at her sleeve, pulling her toward the lockers. "Come on, lovebird, we've got to get to our lockers before the bell rings."

As they reached their lockers, Ruby stashed her backpack inside, her thoughts lingering on Jeremy's last kiss. She felt a hand nudge her side, pulling her back to the moment.

"Hey, what do we have first period today?" Ruby asked Michelle as she spun the combination lock on her locker.

"Social studies," Michelle answered nonchalantly, already walking away toward her classroom.

Ruby blinked, frowning. "Social studies? The last time we had that was in, like, third grade!"

"Well, you can find out when you get there," Michelle said over her shoulder, clearly amused.

Ruby opened her mouth to reply but stopped when the sharp, shrill sound of the school bell echoed down the hallway. "Shit," she muttered under her breath.

Panic set in as she rummaged through her locker, looking for her timetable. She had been sure it was in her bag, but now, of course, she couldn't find it. "Where the hell is it?" she mumbled, shuffling through the contents of her locker as quickly as she could.

There was a small victory when she finally grabbed the timetable from under a pile of notebooks, but she was already running late. She glanced at the clock on the wall and cursed again. "Great, just great," she sighed, slamming her locker shut and hurrying down the hall.

Ruby jogged past groups of students who were leisurely making their way to class, some giving her weird looks as she practically sprinted down the hall. She could feel her pulse quicken with every second, the anxiety building in her chest. She hated being late-especially on days like this when everything seemed to go wrong from the start.

Her footsteps echoed against the tiled floors, and she made a sharp turn around the corner, narrowly avoiding a collision with another student.

"Whoa, watch it!" the girl said, glaring at Ruby.

"Sorry!" Ruby called back without stopping. She turned another corner, finally spotting her classroom door up ahead.

Just as she was about to reach it, the door started closing. "No, wait!" Ruby yelled, picking up her pace, but it was too late. The door clicked shut.

Out of breath, Ruby groaned, slowing to a stop. She reached for the doorknob and hesitated for a moment, taking a deep breath before opening it. She stepped inside and felt the weight of the entire class turning their eyes toward her.

"Miss Greyson, you're late," her teacher, Mr. Collins, said, not looking up from the attendance sheet in his hand.

"Yeah, sorry, Mr. Collins," Ruby said, avoiding eye contact with the other students as she made her way to an empty seat near the back of the room.

Mr. Collins glanced at her briefly, his glasses perched low on his nose. "I hope this doesn't become a habit," he said, his voice dry.

Ruby gave a sheepish nod as she sat down, sinking into her chair and pulling out her notebook. Her heart was still racing from the dash across the school. The rest of the class had already settled into their seats, and Mr. Collins had moved on, addressing the topic on the board.

Ruby let out a small sigh of relief. She'd made it-barely. Glancing sideways, she noticed Michelle giving her a pointed look from the other side of the room.

"Don't say it," Ruby mouthed to her.

Michelle smirked and whispered, "Social studies, huh?"

Ruby sank further into her seat as Mr. Collins continued writing on the board.

"Is there a problem, Miss Ruby?" Mr. Collins said without turning around, his voice sharp.

Ruby straightened up quickly. "No problem, sir," she replied, trying to sound as composed as possible.

From across the room, Ruby heard Michelle stifle a chuckle. She shot her best friend a warning look, but it was too late.

Mr. Collins turned around, his gaze landing squarely on Michelle. "Another word from you, Miss Michelle, and you'll be spending your afternoon in detention. You'll have plenty of time to chat with Miss Ruby there. Am I right?" His eyes gleamed with that familiar, dry sense of humor that left students uncertain whether to laugh or stay silent.

Ruby felt her stomach twist. "We apologize, sir," she said quickly, her voice joined by Michelle's as they both answered in unison.

"Good," Mr. Collins said with a curt nod before turning back to the board. "Now, as I was saying..."

Ruby threw a glare across the room at Michelle, who just shrugged nonchalantly, a smirk dancing on her lips as if the idea of detention was a mild inconvenience at best.

The rest of the class passed without much incident. Ruby tried her best to focus on the lesson, but her mind wandered to what Jeremy might be doing, and she kept casting glances at the clock. The day seemed to drag on forever.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, they reached their last class of the day. The classroom was buzzing with the quiet energy of students who were mentally already halfway out the door, waiting for the final bell to set them free.

Ruby tapped her pen against her notebook, not really listening to the teacher as she half-heartedly jotted down a few notes. Michelle was sitting beside her now, doodling on the corner of her paper, seemingly just as eager to leave.

And then it came-the sound they had all been waiting for. The bell rang, loud and clear, echoing through the halls.

Ruby let out a sigh of relief, quickly stuffing her books into her bag. Michelle was already on her feet, stretching as if she had just finished a marathon.

"Finally," Michelle said, rolling her neck. "I thought today would never end."

Ruby smiled as they gathered their things and joined the flow of students heading for the doors.

Ruby got a text from Jeremy, her boyfriend.

Hey babe, I've got basketball practice, the text read.

She quickly typed back, Would you like me to come and watch?

*No, don't worry about it. You need to rest, and it's gonna be a long practice,* Jeremy replied.

Ruby sighed, feeling a little disappointed. It had been a while since they'd spent time together, but she figured he was busy with his commitments. Just as she was about to put her phone away, Mitchell, her best friend, tugged at her sleeve.

"Ruby, I have to go home early. I feel kinda sick," Mitchell said, her voice sounding weaker than usual.

Ruby immediately placed a hand on Mitchell's forehead, her eyes filled with concern. "Are you fine? Do you need me to come with you?"

Mitchell shook her head lightly. "I'm fine, really. What about your man?"

"Oh, Jeremy's having basketball practice," Ruby replied, her tone slightly flat. "I was thinking of going, but he said it's going to be a long one, so I'll just head home."

"Okay," Mitchell murmured, her voice distant as they made their way to the bus stop.

They boarded the bus, and as it rolled along the city streets, Ruby couldn't help but feel something was off. She checked her phone again, hoping for another message from Jeremy, but her inbox was still empty. *He must have already started practice*, she thought, trying to push the nagging feeling aside.

"I'm so tired," Ruby groaned, leaning back in her seat. "I hate math, and I can't believe there's a test tomorrow."

Mitchell didn't respond. Instead, she was typing away on her phone, her eyes glued to the screen.

Ruby raised an eyebrow. "Who's the new guy?" she teased, trying to lighten the mood between them.

Mitchell quickly hid her phone, looking flustered. "Nobody important, and... not a guy," she stammered, clearly trying to avoid the topic.

Ruby pouted, eyeing her suspiciously. "You're stammering. That means you're hiding something."

Mitchell forced a smile and shook her head. "It's really no one, trust me. Gosh, I have a headache," she muttered, rubbing her temples.

Ruby stared at her for a moment, feeling the familiar unease grow. Something about Mitchell's behavior seemed off, but she didn't want to push it, especially if her best friend wasn't feeling well. Maybe Mitchell was just having a bad day, like everyone does sometimes.

"Oh, it's my stop," Mitchell said, getting up suddenly.

Ruby sighed. "I miss when we lived on the same street," she said, her voice wistful.

"Me too," Mitchell replied with a soft smile. "Byee, bitch!" she called out playfully as she stepped off the bus.

Ruby waved back, "See you tomorrow!"

As Mitchell disappeared into the crowd, Ruby plugged in her headphones and let the music drown out the thoughts spinning in her head. She stared out the bus window, watching the city blur by in the fading afternoon light. The gentle hum of the bus engine, the rhythm of the music, and the familiar sights of the neighborhood should have soothed her. But something still nagged at her.

She looked down at the seat next to her, and that's when she saw it-Mitchell's math notebook. Ruby blinked in surprise. She must've dropped it when she came in. Damn, Ruby thought to herself. The math test tomorrow was a big deal, and she knew Mitchell would need the notes to study.

"I'll get off at the next stop and head back to her place," Ruby mumbled to herself, knowing she couldn't just leave it behind. Even though she'd have to backtrack, it wasn't too far, and she knew how important this test was for both of them. Besides, returning the notebook might give her an excuse to check on Mitchell and make sure she was okay.

Ruby hit the button for the next stop and hopped off the bus. As she waited for the next one heading in the opposite direction, she couldn't shake the strange feeling that something more was going on with Mitchell. Her best friend had been acting a little weird lately, and while Ruby tried to brush it off, her instincts told her it was something more than just a headache or stress from school.

Finally, the bus arrived, and she boarded, making her way back toward Mitchell's stop. The bus ride felt longer than usual, and her mind wandered back to Jeremy. He hadn't responded to her text, which wasn't too unusual during practice, but with everything else going on, it added to her growing sense of unease. Why do I feel like something's off with everyone today? Ruby wondered, frowning at her reflection in the window.

When the bus reached Mitchell's stop, Ruby got off and started walking toward her friend's house, clutching the notebook tightly in her hand. The streets were quiet, with only a few people walking by and the faint sound of cars in the distance. As she approached Mitchell's house, Ruby noticed something odd. The lights were off. Usually, by this time, Mitchell's mom would be home, and the house would be lit up, especially if Mitchell wasn't feeling well.

Ruby hesitated at the gate, debating whether she should knock or just leave the notebook in the mailbox. But something pushed her forward, a gnawing curiosity or perhaps a need to make sure her friend was truly okay.

She rang the doorbell and waited. No answer. She rang it again, and after what felt like an eternity, the door creaked open just a crack.

Mitchell stood there, her face pale and her eyes red, as if she'd been crying. "Ruby, what are you doing here?" she asked, her voice hoarse.

Ruby held up the notebook. "You dropped this on the bus. I figured you'd need it for the test tomorrow."

"Oh... thanks," Mitchell said, taking the notebook without looking Ruby in the eye.

"Are you okay?" Ruby asked, her concern growing. "You don't look so good. Is something wrong?"

Mitchell shook her head, but her expression betrayed her. "It's nothing. Just a lot on my mind, you know?"

Ruby frowned, sensing that Mitchell wasn't telling the whole truth. But before she could press further, Mitchell forced a smile. "Thanks again for the notebook. I'll see you at school tomorrow, okay?"

Ruby nodded slowly, still unsure, but decided not to push her friend any further. "Okay. Just... take care, alright?"

As she walked away, Ruby couldn't shake the feeling that something bigger was going on. Between Jeremy being distant and Mitchell acting strangely, her mind was buzzing with unanswered questions.