Ruby felt a sudden presence behind her and abruptly turned around, her heart pounding. But there was nothing—just the eerie crimson glow of the ghost world and the tall, twisted trees that surrounded her. She exhaled deeply, trying to calm her racing thoughts.
This is a ghost world where ghosts live like humans. Who dares to scare me? she mused, attempting to brush off her anxiety.
But as she turned back to continue walking, her heart nearly leaped out of her chest. A figure on an Ecto-bike was standing right in front of her, blocking her path.
The bike hummed softly, its lights casting an otherworldly glow around the rider.
Before she could react, she heard his voice, deep and smooth, grumbling just one word: "Trouble."
His dark eyes sparkled in the dim light, reflecting the eerie glow of the crimson surroundings. His hair, a deep shade of black with subtle streaks of gray, framed his face perfectly. The tall, straight bridge of his nose added to his strong, masculine profile, while his sharp jawline and well-defined facial features gave him an air of authority and danger.
He was draped in an old, long, dark robe that flowed around him, adding to his mysterious aura. The robe, though worn and simple, couldn't conceal the powerful build underneath. It clung slightly to his broad shoulders, hinting at the well-developed muscles beneath. His chest was solid, and even through the fabric, it was clear that his body was toned and strong.
However, stronger ghosts weren't favored by witches. Their strength, often seen as intimidating, made witches feel like their power was being challenged or insulted. Most witches preferred gentle, docile ghosts who would listen to them and never pose a threat.
As Ruby glanced at the Ecto bike, she couldn't help but be amazed. It was still daytime, and she hadn't realized that Ecto bikes had the ability to glow at night. This one seemed to have a faint, ethereal light, making it even more impressive and mysterious in the crimson surroundings.
Her memory of certain things only triggers when she sees them, as if the familiar sight unlocks hidden corners of her mind.
Ruby's eyes shifted to Adrian—her first husband. In her original memories, the previous Ruby hadn't liked him much at first. But now, as she stood there, she couldn't help but take him in. He looked even more striking than any world-famous actor she could think of. His features were chiseled and perfect, as if sculpted by an artist, and his body was something straight out of a magazine—like a male model or a character from a video game. He had broad shoulders, a toned chest, and a powerful stance that made him look both strong and graceful at the same time.
Adrian's eyes flashed with disgust as he looked at Ruby. He had never liked the idea of being married to her, or anyone for that matter. Since he had grown up, many witches had tried to use him, staring at him with lustful eyes, wanting to take advantage of his strength and good looks. But the moment he asked if they could take responsibility for him—truly commit—they all ran away, leaving him feeling nothing but contempt.
He found it revolting, how they would covet him for their own gain but flee the moment things got serious. And now, here was his so-called wife, standing before him. The thought of it made his stomach turn.
If it weren't for Milo crying and pleading with him to pick up this witch, he wouldn't have bothered. The thought of fetching her was annoying, especially since he didn't even like her and the whole situation left a bad taste in his mouth.
The only reason he had returned was because of milo's insistence, not because he cared. If it were up to him, she could have stayed lost forever.
"Don't stare at me like you've never seen a handsome ghost before," Adrian said, his voice laced with disgust. His gaze was cold, clearly annoyed by Ruby's gaze.
Ruby, taken aback, quickly nodded in agreement, trying to hide her surprise. The reaction was so sudden and unexpected that Adrian almost lost his balance on his Ecto-bike, teetering slightly before catching himself.
"What are you trying to do?" Adrian asked sharply, his eyes narrowing as he scrutinized her. Ruby felt a strange shift in the atmosphere; his gaze was intense, and his aura radiated a mix of annoyance and irritation.
Maybe it was because she wasn't drunk this time, or perhaps because she stood there looking bewildered, but Adrian chose not to react too much.
"Anyway, don't bother replying," he continued, rolling his eyes. "Just stand behind me. Thanks to you, I've already lost my precious sleep," he added, lowering his Ecto-bike to the ground with a dismissive gesture.
Ruby, feeling a flush of embarrassment, realized that perhaps her reaction had been too obvious. She couldn't help but feel that it was natural to react like that when encountering something—or someone—so strikingly beautiful.
Ruby climbed onto the Ecto-bike behind Adrian, her arms hesitantly wrapping around his waist for support. As he took off, soaring through the sky, she glanced down and was struck by the dark, empty expanse of the forest below. The twisted, skeletal trees looked foreboding and seemed to stretch endlessly. The thought of spending the night alone in that desolate place made her shudder with relief.
In no time, they arrived outside a slum house. The door, though resembling plastic, was made of some strange material she couldn't quite place. It looked flimsy, like it wouldn't hold up against much, giving her an uneasy feeling. The house didn't look safe at all, with its dark, empty surroundings and a sense of isolation.
As soon as they arrived, Milo limped out of the house, his excitement clear despite his limp. His eyes lit up as he saw Ruby, and he rushed forward without hesitation.
"Wifeeee!" he called out, wrapping his arms around her in a tight hug. Ruby's eyes widened in surprise at the sudden warmth. She wasn't used to such affection, and it felt strange, almost foreign to her.
Adrian rolled his eyes, clearly unimpressed, and followed them inside with a sigh.
As Ruby stepped inside, her eyes immediately fell on the bed in the center of the room. The first time she had come here and seen Julian sleeping on it, she hadn't realized it wasn't a bed at all. But now, she understood—it was just a foldable board, the kind that could easily be tucked away when not in use. It had been spread out across the entire floor, covered with a thin mattress that barely cushioned the hard surface beneath. The old, worn pillows were placed at one end, offering little comfort, but it was clear that this was the best they had.
In one corner of the bed, she noticed Karl and Julian curled up together, fast asleep, their expressions peaceful despite their surroundings. They were huddled close, as if sharing warmth, with the thin blanket barely covering them.
She turned to Milo, who was still beaming at her with his innocent face. "Why haven't you slept, Milo?" she asked, her voice softer now, as she met his eager gaze.
"I was waiting for you."
—To be continued...🪄