Ruby stood there, her arms crossed, watching the smug smile plastered on Sam's face as he flaunted his so-called victory. His long curls shimmered in the sun light as he flipped them back with a dramatic flair, clearly enjoying the attention. The crowd had played their part well, feeding his ego by siding with him.
"One hundred gems," he said, savoring the number as if he could already feel the weight of them in his pocket. "And don't even think about running. Everyone here has witnessed the whole thing. Isn't that right?" His voice rose with confidence as he turned to the villagers, who nodded and mumbled in agreement, most of them eager to get on Sam's good side.
"Of course, Sam, we've witnessed everything," one of them chimed in, followed by a chorus of similar responses.
Ruby said nothing. She stood there calmly, the faintest trace of a smile on her lips. Her silence only seemed to irritate Sam more, but he tried to hold on to his arrogant aura. "I'll wait for you to pay," he sneered, as he dramatically flipped his hair again.
With that, the villagers began to scatter. Their earlier enthusiasm for the gossip quickly faded when they realized that Ruby might actually approach them for help—or worse, money. They didn't want to be burdened with someone else's problem, especially someone poor like Ruby.
"Such poor people," someone muttered under their breath as they disappeared into the mist. "All they do is cause trouble. Can't expect much from them."
Within moments, the once-curious crowd had all but vanished, leaving Ruby standing alone with Sam and a few stragglers who hadn't moved quickly enough.
Ruby's eyes drifted to the now-empty space around her before they settled back on Sam, her cold gaze piercing through him.
"You'll have your payment," she said simply, her voice as steady as ever. But there was something in her tone that sent a shiver down Sam's spine—something that made him regret pushing her as far as he had.
For the first time, Sam found himself wondering if maybe, just maybe, he had miscalculated who he was dealing with.
But what could this poor witch do? It wasn't as if he owed them anything. Who told them to steal his favorite ecto bike anyway? He had no interest in further conflict. Shaking three fingers in the air, he said, "Three days, Miss Witch. Three days. If you can't pay, be ready to bear the consequences." With that, he turned to the left, and the few others who had been watching silently followed suit and left.
As soon as Sam and the others walked away, Ruby turned to look at Karl—and instantly knew she'd made a mistake.
Karl stood there, eyes puffed up and swollen like a pair of ripe tomatoes. He had clearly been trying to hold back his tears for as long as possible, but the second Ruby's gaze landed on him, it was like a dam broke.
His face contorted dramatically, lips trembling like a child's, and then came the sound—a loud, exaggerated wail that could've been heard in the next village over. Ruby flinched as his voice echoed off the poor walls, likely shaking a few windows in the process.
"Stupid wife!!" Karl sobbed, his nose running like a faucet, hiccuping between each shaky breath. "I didn't break the bike! The bike was already broke when I woke up, I swear! Waaaaaah!"
And then, like a professional crybaby, he buried his face in his hands, shoulders shaking as his sobs turned even louder. His crying wasn't just any regular kind—it was full-blown theatrical, as though he was auditioning for the lead role in some tragic ghost opera. Every gasp for breath seemed like he was about to faint, and yet, somehow, he managed to keep wailing.
Ruby pinched the bridge of her nose, trying to keep herself calm.
"Stop that racket," she muttered.
But Karl wasn't having it. His face scrunched up even more as he sniffled loudly. "I—I didn't mean to steal it, Stupid wife! Honest! Waaaaah! i did that for you...wahhhh!" He threw himself onto the ground, rolling back and forth, arms flailing like he was having a full-on tantrum.
Adrian, leaning against the wall, couldn't help but snicker. "Karl, you're acting like a ghostling."
Milo, meanwhile, was torn between comforting Karl and bursting into laughter himself. He awkwardly patted Karl on the back, trying to console him, though his efforts didn't seem to make a dent in the flood of tears.
Ruby sighed, shaking her head. "Karl, for the last time, get up."
"I can't!" Karl wailed, now flopping his limbs like a fish out of water. "I'm a mess! Everything's a mess! Wahhhh!"
Ruby just stared at him, hands on her hips, while Milo finally gave in and started giggling quietly behind his hand. It was hard to take Karl seriously when he was rolling on the floor like a child who'd lost their candy.
"Get. Up." Ruby's voice was calm but firm, leaving no room for argument.
Finally, Karl slowly stopped his flailing, though he was still sniffling loudly, wiping his face with his sleeve. "I—I'll fix it, I swear!" he hiccupped, still looking pitiful but no longer crying loud enough to raise the dead.
Ruby let out a long-suffering sigh, crossing her arms. "Well, at least try not to drown the entire house in your tears before then."
Adrian chuckled from the side, and even Milo couldn't help but smile as Karl tried to pull himself together.
Ruby gave them all a final glance before turning away, shaking her head at the sheer ridiculousness of it all. It was going to be a long three days.
And how could she forget she had another debt hanging over her head—another one hundred gems in week? Goodness, was a little peace and quiet too much to ask?
Ruby grumbled inwardly as she stepped back inside the house, her mind spiraling through all the problems piling up. Just as she crossed the threshold, Julian, lost in his own thoughts, walked right into her.
"Ouch!" he yelped, stumbling back and rubbing his nose, which had turned a bright shade of red. Ruby quickly turned around to see him blinking up at her with those mossy green eyes, wide and watery like a confused puppy. His bright blue hair, silly and long, flopped over his face as he fumbled to adjust himself.
Glossary:
Ghostling; Young and Childlike
—To be continued...🪄