1 chapter 1

blood was everywhere. On the sofa, the TV, the floor. on me. I couldn't really tell you what happened, because I don't really remember.

one minute I was at school and the next I was in a strangers house covered in blood. I looked out the window and knew that it was very late. the house reeked of death. it was dark and all I could really see was the blood.

lights shined in through the windows and I heard sirens somewhere in the distance. I knew they were coming here. I climbed over the sofa and ran straight out the back door into the frigid air.

I ran through the yard and hopped the fence into an alley. I ran and ran and ran. my lungs were heaving, my legs ached, and I was so tired. eventually, I Came across the orphanage I had been staying at for the last four months.

I could have kept running, but I had one last thing to do before I left. I went around the side until I saw the window with a rope dangling out of it. it was the ritual me and ruby had been doing for years. when I disappeared she would leave the same rope hanging out the window to let me back in.

I used whatever strength I had left and hefted myself up two stories until I could pull must self through the window. all the children in the room were asleep except the dainty blond one in the corner.

I went to her and grabbed the flask she kept waiting for me when I got back. I downed about half the flask before I wiped my mouth with my sleeve. I took ruby's hand and led her to the window. I went down first and the ruby followed.

once we were safely on the ground we grabbed the bags we kept hidden under a rock, for just this reason, and we ran.

who knew how long we ran until we tired and hid ourselves into in an alley. ruby curled into my side and I kissed the top of her head as we settled in.

"tell me a story?" ruby murmured.

"the one," I whispered back.

"that one. about the two murderous girls."