Rue: Web of Deceit - Part 7

Freshly washed and dressed, their hair still slightly damp, Rue goes down the stairs for the second time that morning, less bothered about making any sound now that it’s closer to 7am. They head for the reception, hoping to score some breakfast.   They head downstairs, no doubt drawn slightly by the smell of exotic spices and pancakes that their powerful nose could detect, and notice that the foyer is devoid of people. After a moment however, they hear the instantly recognisable voices of Nadia and Rina emanating from the kitchen.   "Well, had you mentioned you had maths homework, you could've stayed in bed for an extra ten minutes," Nadia says, reprimanding her daughter.   "But Mum, I forgoooot!" Rani retorts, not exactly making a strong argument.   "If ifs and buts were candy and nuts, my dear, you'd have a lot more fillings," Nadia returns, almost musically before becoming suddenly sterner, "Now, head down, little Miss."

Rue knocks on the door to the kitchen, opening it slightly to peek in, ''I'm sorry,'' They start, looking at Nadia sheepishly. ''Are you serving breakfast?''

"Ah, good morning." Nadia says as Rani's head from the nearby kitchen table shoots around to see Rue.

"Rue!" she cries, waving at them, "Hi! I haven't seen you in days!"

"Well, it's clear that our guest here works nights or something, Rani," Nadia chimes in, ruffling the girl's hair and turning her head back to her work, "Breakfast we can do. What would you like?"

"Rue likes the pancakes, Mum!" Rani cries out again.

"Quiet, child," her Mum says, placing a finger over her lips to shush her, "It would appear in your brief stay with us, you've made quite the impression on my little Gudiya." She smiles with a maternal warmth that Rue doesn't remember ever seeing on her own mother's face, "Any friend of Rani's is a friend of the house. Please, sit. What can I get you?"

Rue gives a small wave back to Rani. They sit down, glancing over at the girl's homework sprawled out in front of her, ''If it's not too much trouble, some pancakes would be lovely.'' They request politely, fidgeting with the hem of their shirt, ''What's that?'' Rue asks Rani, nodding towards the book on the table.

"Of course, my dear," Nadia says, turning back towards the stove and keeping an eye on her daughter as the two interact.

"Algebra," Rani says, dejectedly, making a point not to look up for too long lest she incur her mother's wrath, "Mum says it's important but it all seems like a waste of time if you ask me."

Rue gives a noncommittal “hmm”, looking at the numbers on the page, trying to piece it together unsuccessfully. They continue to observe silently, listening to the hissing of the batter hitting the pan.

"I tried to bring you some more pancakes the other day," she says, looking away as she quietly continues, "You must've been sleeping or something... I hope I didn't make you mad or anything..."

Rue looks down at their hands guiltily, “You didn’t do anything wrong,” They reassure Rani. “I was very tired and not really hungry that day," They glance over at the girl nervously. “Maybe we can plan to make some of those pancakes together soon?”

"Ah that makes sense," she says, seemingly reassured, before looking up wide-eyed from her homework, "You wanna make pancakes with me?"

Rue nods in confirmation, their cheeks flushing slightly at the genuine excitement.

''If that's alright with you..''

"As long as you two don't make a huge mess, that is," Nadia chimes in, turning back to the pair with a plate of pancakes in hand, setting it down before Rue.

"We won't, Mum." Rani says, grinning and playing as innocent as a twelve-year-old can, "It'll be so much fun!"

Nadia smiles at Rani's playful exuberance and sits down behind her, checking her homework progress briefly before turning to Rue, "So how long are you planning on staying with us, Rue?" She asks, smiling.

The moment the plate is set in front of them, Rue picks up their fork and starts diving in. They take a moment to chew the mouthful, considering how long they're actually planning on staying in the meantime.

As much as they're enjoying the homemade breakfasts and clean room, they're mindful of the money that they're spending on it. They've got a good amount of cash stacked in small hiding spots for now, but perhaps it's better if they find an actual room to rent someplace.

''Maybe a couple more weeks,'' They guess, using their cutlery to stab the next bite of their pancakes. A thought crosses their mind, and they look up at Nadia nervously. ''If that's okay, at least? I just need to find a place to rent, then I'll be out of your hair.''

Nadia smiles at Rue as they dig into the meal before them, but her expression quickly changes as they explain themselves, "Please don't misunderstand, Rue. I was not trying to imply you should be moving along. You are welcome to stay as long as you like. We'd be happy to have you." Rani nods along as her mother speaks, "Honestly, as long as you don't try and steal from us like some of our other guests, you'll always be welcome."

At the mention of stealing, Rue looks a little embarrassed. Whilst they haven't taken anything from the hostel, they fully understand why some people might not have another choice - they have been that person almost daily the past year.

''Thank you..'' They mumble, the next bite tasting a little less sweet. They quickly finish their meal, neatly placing the fork on top and getting up from their seat. They pull some cash out of their pocket and place it on the table. ''I'll see you later, Rani.'' They turn to Nadia, not quite meeting her eyes. ''Thank you for the pancakes, they were delicious.''

"Oh. You're welcome." Nadia says, a little concerned by their sudden departure.

"Bye Rue." Rani chirps, but as Rue walks away they overhear her continue to her mother, "Why didn't you ask?"

"We'll ask next time, Gudiya," Nadia responds, "They've clearly got some important work to do. And as do you!"

The sound of domestic normality returns to the household as Rue steps out into the frigid winter morning air. The sun still had yet to rise, but was threatening to do so just over the horizon.

As if on autopilot, Rue makes their way to the Railyard, walking down the familiar paths between the train cars. Going over the morning’s conversation again, they feel a sense of urgency to find a new place to stay. Though Nadia had said that they were welcome for as long as they wanted, Rue couldn’t help but feel like, after what she’d said about people stealing, Nadia would want them gone if she ever found out about their… employment. Truth is, Rue wouldn’t blame them.

So they resolved to start looking for a place - one that, ideally, would accept cash and not ask any questions. It was still quite early, though, and so they would have to wait a while longer before anything would open up.

As they slip their hands into their pockets to protect them from the biting cold, their fingers touch something hard. Rue pulls the book out, looking at the worn spine. Finding a spot nearby, illuminated by the sun peeking over the horizon and between the buildings, they settle down on a low fence, flicking the book open to the first page.

The burgeoning sunlight acted as both reading light and radiator as Rue settled down to read the book, a small smile spreading over their lips as they read the first few lines.

Rue remembered reading this back in high school. Back when life was far simpler and they only had to worry about book reports and whether that cute boy from the class opposite theirs was going to ask them to prom. They'd only just about been able to fit in reading time between the gymnastics team and piano lessons, but the oldest child of some of Bathala's most influential entrepreneurs couldn't afford to be anything less than perfect.

Wait.

Something's not right.

Rue shakes their head in confusion. That really wasn’t right…

They pinch the bridge of their nose, and in a flash they can see the whiteboard at the front of the class, the teacher urging them to pay attention whilst they type out a text to their friend sat two seats behind them. They remember the assignment they had to submit, and how they’d stayed up late writing about the injustice done to Tom Robinson and the relationship between Scout, Jem, and Babs…

Rue shoots upright, their eyes opening wide as the book lands on the ground with a soft thud. They look at the inanimate object as if it might come to life, though they’re starting to wonder if perhaps it’s them who is haunted…

Their racing heartbeat slowly returns to normal and Rue takes up the book again with a tremor in their hands. They turn it over in their grip and nothing happens. It's just a book. Nevertheless, they're filled with a profound sense that there's more to this than meets the eye.

Unable to focus on reading any longer, they're almost relieved when they feel a buzzing in their pocket and see a message coming through; "Hey, it's Doug. Can you swing by the club when you get a chance? I'll be out front... as always."

Wondering if something happened when Doug reported back, they quickly type out a message saying “On my way,”.

They can’t help but feel a little wary after what just transpired, their fingers still trembling faintly. Despite the sunshine, Rue can feel a chill down to their core. As they walk, they pull the zipper of their hoodie all the way up, wrapping their arms around themself in an attempt to keep warm. Had it still been the middle of the night, they might have briefly used their powers to warm up the area, but with people already bustling about, they don’t want to risk it.

To be continued...