The Ladies of Horror
Picture-Prompt Writing Challenge!

Ruby’s Rest
by Kim Richards 

Ruby sat hunched forward in the bathtub of a bed and breakfast she checked into late last night. It promised to be a quaint, peaceful place. Perfect for the rest she desperately needed. Rest denied her by her ex. He gave her pain and trepidation in every moment—waking or not. She never really slept. His twisted and snarling face invaded her dreams. That’s why she fled into a dark, rainy night.

The short woman who hosted the place grimaced when she saw the bruises on Ruby’s face and arms. She gingerly handed over the room key with a knowing nod.

“Rest, dear. You’ll be safe here.”

Ruby wept with each step of the staircase taken up to her second room floor.

~~

The muddy water in the tub contrasted sharply with the white ceramic. The air smelled of jasmine soap and earthy fresh dirt. So numb from it all, she couldn’t tell the water temperature. It just was. She cradled her head in her hands, wishing the throbbing pain to cease. Her awareness flitted back and forth between her head and a spot on the base of her neck, equally agonizing.

Ruby still had no idea what he hit her with; only that it felt hard and cold. A sharp jolt on the vertebrae where her head attached to her shoulders sent her stumbling. She dropped hard, hitting her head on one of the garden stones. Her world became a dark void.

When she awoke, it took a few moments to realize where she was. The stench of blood and soil smelled odd. She tried to move and realized she lay at the bottom of a hole with her limbs bound, elbows scraping on the earthy walls. Then the pain washed over her body and she moaned.

“Perfect,” said his voice.

Ruby looked up to see his angry face…lips curled into snarl and eyes narrowed. He stood at the pit edge, shovel in hand.

“You seeing me bury you alive makes this SO much better.”

She opened her mouth to scream but a shovelful of dirt slapped her face and filled her mouth. She choked and twisted her head, desperately spitting out what she could.

Another round of dirt pelted her head. Then a third. Her tears absorbed into the soil instantly.

A sharp crack echoed above. The dirt stopped falling. Then, once again, her world went dark.

~~

A soft rap on the bathroom door drew Ruby’s attention.

“Sweetie. Can I get you anything?” said the woman who checked her into the bed and breakfast. She opened the door a few inches and peered in.

“What…how?” Ruby stammered.

“No worries now. He won’t bother you ever. I told you this is a safe place. Take as long as you need. I put fresh towels on your bed. Breakfast is at eight.” Then she closed the door.

An hour later, Ruby crawled beneath the thick, soft bedcovers. Then she slept.

.

Fiction © Copyright Kim Richards
Image courtesy of Pixabay.com