The walk to school was brutal.

The early morning air was crisp and it bit at Ruby's skin mercilessly.

She suddenly wished she would have worn a thicker sweater, hating the feeling of being cold.

She didn't live far from the high school, but by the time she reached the front doors, her bones felt stiff and her skin felt like ice.

She quietly made her way through the halls. It was still early and not many people had arrived yet. It was the perfect time to use the gym and track field.

She started with stretching, but soon she was running laps around the field, forgetting about the world around her.

Her legs burned and she knew she didn't have much time before first bell rang. She forced herself to slow, finally coming to a stop.

Ruby rushed to the gym showers, enjoying the cold water as it slithered it's way down her body. It cooled her burning skin and she sighed with relief.

When she was dry, she dressed quickly, finishing just as the bell rung for first period.

The halls were much more crowded now and Ruby squinted her eyes, looking for a familiar face.

"Ruby!" A voice screamed from behind her.

She turned, instantly making eye contact with her best friend, Addison.

"Hey!" She said, looping their arms through each other.

"Hi," Addison started, "Are you ready for the exam in science?"

Ruby huffed, "Of course not."

Addison snorted with amusement.

Ruby walked with her to class, mentally preparing herself for the test. She knew she hadn't studied properly and she was bound to fail. But that didn't stop her from hoping that for once the test would be easy.

All of her hope washed away as she read the first few questions. She forced herself to try though, guessing at everything.

Her mother would be disappointed but Ruby knew she would understand. It was a rare occurrence that Ruby failed.

Her day went by rather quickly and Ruby was thankful for when lunch came around.

She grabbed her tray of food, coming to sit down by Addison and their small group of friends.

"Ruby! I have a very important question!" Addison said, almost yelling as Ruby sat down.

Ruby raised a brow at her, "What?"

"Well a few of us are going to the park after school to watch the baseball team practice. We were wondering if you wanted to come?" A mischievous grin took over Addisons face causing Ruby to laugh.

"I wouldn't miss it."

Lunch came to an end and not long after so did the rest of the school day.

She ran through the halls, exiting the school and met Addison by her car. She slid into the passenger seat, quickly buckling her seatbelt.

Addison wasted no time getting in the car either and soon they were out of the parking lot.

"You won't believe what I found out today." Addison said, watching the road, "Caleb cheated on Mia."

Ruby gasped. She didn't know the couple personally but they were both popular around the school. "With who?" She demanded, suddenly interested.

"Natasha."

At this, Ruby rolled her eyes. Of course he had cheated with the head cheerleader.

The rest of the car ride was just pointless drama, but Ruby listened to her friend anyway, enjoying her company.

They pulled into the parks parking lot and could already see the baseball players practicing. They got out of the car and walked over to a nearby picnic table.

Not long after their arrival, their other friends showed up. Or well Addison's friends. Ruby only associated with them because she didn't want to distance herself from Addi.

She sat there listening to the same drama she had heard in the car over and over again until the sun finally began to set and the baseball players began leaving the field.

A few of Addison's friends had already left, but most of them remained. Tired of hearing the schools gossip, Ruby excused herself to the parks restroom.

She splashed water on her face, trying to drive away the sudden exhaustion. She just wanted to go home, lay in bed, and sleep.

She pulled out her phone as she left the restroom, to text her mom.

I'll be home soon.

She had just hit send when something pushed into her causing her to hit the ground hard.

She turned around and a man stared down at her. He wore a smile on his face, one that instantly creeped Ruby out. "Watch where you're going, sir."

He looked deranged, "I know exactly where I am going, my love."

Ruby didn't have time to scream as he brought his foot down on her head.

A terrible pain spread through her temples and she reached up feeling the blood ooze from her fresh wound.

She couldn't speak. She couldn't do anything as a cloth slid over her mouth. Chloroform, she thought, fear suddenly flooding her body.

Her eyes and limbs grew heavy. She fought to stay awake, but the darkness was quickly taking over. She just wanted to sleep. To rest. If only for a moment.

Her best friend would find her. Addison wouldn't let this man take her. Ruby would wake up in her own room soon enough. She would be safe.

But as she felt her body being dragged across the ground, that hope slowly started to vanish.