Chapter 2

"Hey," I say softly, not wanting to scare her away. I glance around worriedly, looking for her parents or an adult. The area is completely deserted. "What are you doing out here on your own?" "I'm playing," the little girl replies light heartedly, shuffling away from the bin. The street lamp above her illuminates her features and I immediately breathe in sharply as I study her. She appears to be around four or five years old and dressed in a red knitted dress with a picture of a duck on the front. Despite the frostiness of the night air, she doesn't wear a coat or a hat to keep her warm. Her dark hair is wild and tangled but it's her face that causes me to freeze in awe. Her complexion is warm with full lips and high cheekbones. Even at such a young age, I know she'll grow up to be beautiful. Her eyes are dark in the night light, large and protected with thick black lashes. She stares at me so innocently as I study her features, realising how much she reminds me of Emily. The resemblance is truly shocking. I stand up off the swing and lower my hood off my head. My eyes never leave hers and the more I look, the more I feel drawn in and almost spun into a trance. "Who are you?" I murmur, taking a small step forward before crouching down so I'm eye level with her. It's freezing conditions out here, no place for a child. "I'm Ruby," she smiles at me, sitting cross legged on the floor in front of the bin. Her hands play with broken sticks in front of her. "Hi Ruby, I'm Jake." I smile at her, overwhelmed with sadness. I shake my head at the sight of her, wondering where her parents are and how they haven't noticed her missing. "Do you have a family Ruby? A home I can take you back to?" I ask. Ruby shakes her head, the smile never leaving her face. She draws circles in the mud by her feet and seems to be fascinated by them, her eyes following the action of her hand. "Do you have a family?" She suddenly asks me, dropping the stick and staring at me deeply, brown eyes shining in the dark. I blink and take a step back, feeling her words hit me straight in the gut. A deep lump lodges itself inside my throat and I nod slowly, feeling uneasiness settle upon me. She's now watching me, her head tilted to the side and I frown at the aura around her. . . Weird. Goosebumps erupt over my arms and I shudder, feeling like her gaze is staring deep inside my soul. I stand up, swallowing the lump in my throat and put some distance between Ruby and I. "What's wrong? Don't you like your family?" She asks me innocently, filling the silence between us. Her eyes are fixated on mine, never once blinking. My mind wander off to Emily and the baby she's carrying this very moment. Do I want this baby? Am I ready to be a father? Emily and I haven't spoken a word about a possible family together in the future. I know I definitely want kids but the thought of having one so soon makes it all too real for me. Emily's sweet face flashes through my mind, her large innocent brown eyes and full lips. The smile on her face as I make her laugh or blush. I smile at the image of her, still feeling the same excitement as when I first fell in love with her. I don't think I'd ever lose that feeling, it's too pure and rare to fade. "No, I do like my family," I murmur. We may not have been together for years but every day I spend with Emily, we grow closer. Quickly she became my family, someone I couldn't imagine life without. I've confided in her, told her all of my secrets and tore down my walls to show her my vulnerable side. I love her unconditionally and open myself to be loved by her. I'll always protect her fiercely no matter what. "So what's the problem?" Ruby replies, frowning as she can't understand the dilemma I'm facing. "I don't know if I'm ready," I reveal, the truth finally slapping me hard in the face. The little girl stands to her feet, dusting off her hands. Throughout her every move, her eyes never leave mine and I can't bring myself to look away either. Ruby gives me a small smile, large eyes sparkling brightly despite the darkness of the night — "You are ready." Her words are soft, warm. I frown as I realise she cant possibly have a clue what I'm talking about . . . So why does it feel like she does? I stare at her harder, my eyes studying her as I stand rooted to the spot. She seems to look amused at my reaction, her lips turning up further in a smile. "Merry Christmas Jake," she says before turning and walking away into the dark, disappearing right before my eyes. Moments pass and I finally snap out of my daze, realising I need to find her before the temperature drops any further. Small snowflakes begin falling from the sky and litter my shoulders, melting to water. "Ruby!" I yell out in the dark, following the path I saw her disappear down. It's completely deserted, no sign of a single soul. I feel my heart beat faster as I scan the area, desperately looking for the little girl who simply vanished into thin air. How can that be possible? Oddly I feel calm about the thoughts running through my head, my body relaxed and at peace. Ruby's words run through my mind as I eventually give up searching for her and walk home. I shake my head in confusion, feeling exhausted and drained from the day's events. There is no way in hell I'll ever forget this Christmas Eve.