Ruby hated to see Salem and Alina go. Over the last nine days he had set them free, given them a safe place to be, killed their captors and gave them access to food and water.
Initially she had wanted to leave with Salem and Alina, but she felt she was needed as a leader in Oregon.
As she watched them leave, she thought of every little thing he had done for her. From fortifying their village, to teaching them how to make their first lean-tos, Salem had been a guardian angel.
Salem had given them freedom; a fact she would never forget.
Alina had done almost as much for all of them. She was the person who gave them their first meal that was free from their chains. It was her who helped build houses, helped others if they were struggling. But the thing she would miss most was their company.
Not their hardworking attitudes or their ability to provide. No, it was their company. It was how Salem would sit next to her in companionable silence, how Alina was always willing to talk, how Salem never stopped caring.
Now they were leaving, despite her trying to convince them otherwise. As she watched them go, Ruby felt her eyes start to water and sobs started building in her chest. She wanted to run to them and ask if she could go with. But she couldn't do that. She had duties to fulfill. She had to finish what Salem had started. She needed to protect those he had saved.
She tried to watch them go, but the tears in her eyes made it difficult to see their figures.
Through her tears, she saw Salem turn and give her one final wave, before turning and vanishing into the trees.
After they left she mechanically made her way to the house that Salem and Alina had helped her make.
She robotically opened the door and entered. Closing the door behind her, she finally let her tears go, along with the sobs that had been trapped inside her chest.