The drive was very long. It was strange to think that Ruby had originally lived in South Novle. She had no memory of it. Everything that she knew about this area she knew because she had read about it. Robert had also told her a few things about the area. But everything about this land felt unfamiliar. No memory came to Ruby’s mind as she looked around. The land was filled with towering mountains that seemed to touch the heavens above. There were a handful of larger cities scattered across the rocky, dry land.
She might have come from here, but Ruby decided very quickly that she didn’t like it here. It was as if all the color had been sucked out of the land. The grass, the sky, even the trees were a muddy grey color. As they drove on, the roads became narrower. Ruby also noticed fewer cars on the road. They passed by more and more horse-drawn carriages. That was something that she had expected to see. This was exactly what Robert had described to her. She could see the shift from technology to magic in the people around her. The cities looked drastically different from the cities of the North. Tall stone walls surrounded them. The houses appeared to be made of simple, natural materials such as wood and stone.
Ruby did actually think that the cities were very pretty. It was just the lifeless grey land around them that she hated. She turned her attention from the land around her to Charles. What should she say? There wasn’t much point in asking him where she was going. There was only one place that he could possibly be taking her to. But Ruby didn’t want to stay quiet. It felt pathetic to go out without a fight. Even if her efforts were useless, she wanted to make it very clear to Charles that this wasn’t what she wanted. It might not change the outcome. Yet Ruby felt like it was the right thing to do. Resisting made her feel more powerful. Ruby could choose to resist and she could choose how. That was something that she had control over. Any physical fight would be completely stupid. Charles could easily shatter her into a million pieces. So, Ruby attacked him in the cruelest way that she could.
“So, you’re taking me back to the Glass City, right? That is where Robert first found me,” she said. Charles didn’t answer her. His eyes remained on the road as his grip on the steering wheel tightened. “That is exactly the opposite of what Robert wanted. You do know that, right?” Ruby went on. Anger, then discomfort crossed over Charles’ face. “This was what he was afraid you would do,” she added. Now Charles turned to her with a glare on his face.
“You belong there. It’s simple as that.” That was all he said.
“So, you waited for him to die because you didn’t want him to stop you then?” Ruby kept her voice painfully calm and sweet. Her anger towards Charles was growing. Now it had outweighed her fear. Anger exploded across his face.
“He didn’t understand what was best for the world! Neither do you! This isn’t just about what he wanted,” Charles burst out. Wow, he wasn’t anything like Robert. At least when it came to self-control.
“Do you know what goes on in that city?” Ruby asked. Charles turned away again. Of course he did. He just didn’t care. Making Charles angry wasn’t going to get her anywhere. There was nothing she could do. Ruby knew this. It was time for her to accept her fate. He would take her to the glass city. Then the game would begin. Perhaps Ruby would regain some of her memories. That was a nice thought. It would also be nice to meet more of her own kind. That was something Ruby had often thought about.
It did feel a little unfair. Robert had taken care of her. Ruby had lived a good, safe life. But the people of her city were being tortured and shattered and abused every single day. Now she would join them in the games once again. At least she wouldn’t feel that guilt anymore. There was no telling what life in the city would be like. Now, it probably wouldn’t be amazing. But it might be a little nicer than the city that had filled Ruby’s nightmares.
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“Do you understand how much good has come from that city?” Charles said suddenly. “It has likely kept war at bay.” Ruby didn’t answer. He wasn’t going to change his mind. There was no point in arguing with him and there was no point in pointing out the truth. Had the Glass City kept war between the North and South at bay? It probably had. But it had nearly caused war several times. A sigh rose up from Ruby now. Strange emotions filled Ruby’s soul. She felt fear for the future, anger towards Charles and sadness about Robert.
At least she had gotten to spend time with Robert while he was still alive. Ruby would forever be grateful for the wonderful things that he had done for her. She wouldn’t forget him. The memory of her life with Robert couldn’t be burned out of her. Those were memories that she would cling to with every fiber of her glass being.
“We’re here,” Charles said. Ruby looked up to see the black dome rising up in front of them. At first, she had thought it was a mountain. The air here was heavy with magic. Ruby could feel it all around her and she could hear it prickling through the air around her. The car pulled to a stop in front of the wall. A group of people stood outside, waiting for her. They were all wearing the black and green uniforms that Robert had described to her. Teeth gritted, Ruby stepped out. Charles took hold of her arm and dragged her towards the group. For a split second, Ruby considered running. A part of her wanted to bolt for the forest. It was a foolish idea. She wouldn’t get far. Obviously, she would end up breaking or being caught.
“Well, this is little Ruby.” A young woman stepped forward from the main group. “She’s in excellent condition and I see you even have her key!” The lady took hold of the crystal that hung around her neck. “This is wonderful!”
“Thank you for bringing her back to us,” a man from the group added. “What you have done is truly amazing, Charles.” Charles just nodded and smiled. He didn’t bother sticking around for another minute. After a few more polite and painful remarks, he drove off. This was the beginning of Ruby’s new life. Or rather, this was Ruby’s return to her old life.
It was a life that she had no memory of. But it was a life she had never wanted back. Hopefully she would be allowed to keep her memories. Perhaps if she acted as harmless and confused as possible, they wouldn’t see her memories as a threat. Any trace of anger or fear faded from her face, and she replaced those looks with confusion and a dull, distant look. The woman who had spoken first took hold of Ruby’s hand with a shockingly strong grip.
“Welcome home, Ruby!” she exclaimed. “Are you ready to join the game?” Ruby despised that cheerful tone. But Ruby knew that it was probably wise to play along. So, she smiled and nodded as the woman led her into the black dome. The rest of the group followed behind her. “I’m Mary and I’m one of the main overseers of the city,” said the woman. An overseer. Ruby flinched at the sound of that word. Luckily Mary didn’t seem to have noticed. They made their way through a long dark hallway that was very narrow. There were no windows whatsoever. Ruby watched her step. She wished Mary would slow down. The last thing Ruby wanted right now was to fall and break. “First things first, we’ll have a look at your key. That will show us your stats and determine your place in the game!” said Mary.
Now Ruby did wonder about her place and her stats. If she really was the only doll who had ever escaped the city, how would that affect her place? She would likely have a very low place as a form of punishment. Robert had told her many things about the game. The dolls weren’t meant to win. That was the whole point of the game. It was a loop for that reason. Anyone who got too close to winning would be punished right away and then they would be forced to restart. That was also why Ruby’s escape hadn’t been made public. “Here we are!” Mary said as she flung open a green door and led Ruby into a new room. A gasp escaped Ruby. This was the first time that she had ever laid eyes on the Glass City. At least, it was the first time that she could remember. Ruby hadn’t known what to expect. But this was without a doubt the most beautiful place that she had ever seen.