Chapter 1

A Ruby Red Light

Ruby's POV

"Mom, I'm home," I scream in as I enter the door.

"Ruby, how many times do I have to tell you to not yell in the house, Mrs. Lindberg, Mother says as she appear from the kitchen to the living room.

As I enter a fresh scent greeted me 'the smell of Mother's vegetable soup' I thought, even though I know the answer I asked anyway, " What are we having for dinner."

"You should have known that by now, and don't yell in the house," Mother

scolded as usual.

"Yes, Mother I know," I said causally, as I went into the kitchen to sit down for dinner. Mother was right, I should know since we had had the same dinner for ever, we would have different meals on special occasion, but that rarely happens. Anyway we aren't the most wealthy people around since, my dad left when I was small and my mom had to work over time to be able to feed us both and grandma.

Well how rude of me, my name is Ruby Lindberg, a twelve year old, and my mother is Jane Lindberg. My dad had left since I was little, which I was sure I had mention, and ever since mom had to work very hard. I know very little of my father, since Mother never talk about him, whenever I ask, Mother would just look away and said that he left when I was small. I never know why but there are so many things that Mother never talk to me about like, why I can't go in the attic, why dad left, and much more things. Even so, I am glad to be myself, although sometime I wish I could have a much more adventurous life. I mean I had friends and all , but sometime I just wish there was a little drama or adventure in my boring life.

Saying that I can't go into the attic just make me want to go there more and more each day, but I have to resist, since I don't want to upset Mother, and trust me, you do not want to see Mother mad or even gets her mad.

"Ruby, earth to Ruby,"

I shake my head to shake of my thoughts and reply to Mother, "Yes"

"You should eat your soup quickly before it gets cold," Mother instructed. I nodded my head in reply and eat up my soup, delicious as always, and I am surprise Mother could even grow these vegetables on the balcony of our apartment building and work so hard at work too, although I would have to give grandma some credit for that matter as well. Anyway I am always thankful to Mother for all she had done.

That night I heard a sound coming from the attic so I got out of bed, not bothering to get dress, and walk toward the attic. My room is just right across from the stairs to enter the attic, so as you can see it could be quite tempting to go in.

As I got closer I saw a light, a glowing red light, as if telling me to go in, I seem to not be able to resist but walked a few more step closer and closer. 'No you shouldn't' my good side told me, but my curious side says 'Go check what it is, Mother won't even know', sadly I listen to my curious side and open the door of the attic. I hesitated for a moment then thought of all the time I spent not knowing any thing because I was being a good girl. 'Just this once, that I would break the rules, so it should be okay' I told myself as I started walking up the attic stairs. But i didn't know how wrong a person could be and that this wasn't okay.

The stairs creaked under my step. Creak. Creak. Then for a while I thought I was going to faint, I felt a spider crawling up my arm and another up my leg.

I had to put my hand over my mouth to stop me from screaming. This might be weird but I am extremely terrified of spiders especially in creepy, dark places. Just before I faint I notice a light that I had never notice there before which gave me the courage to move my arms and legs to get closer to the object that was glowing red, the color of a ruby, maybe red fire.

I couldn't felt the spiders crawling on my skin any more, but what I saw made me gasp. A mirror glowing ruby red. 'Stop don't go any closer' my logic side whisper to me, but another part of me argue me to go forward, 'go just a little closer.' I hesitated again but somehow like I wasn't in control, my body moves forward. I keep telling myself to 'stop' but I just couldn't control my own body, before I knew it I was inches from the mirror. I then saw a spiral like shape in the mirror as if there was a hole that would take me away somewhere. Before I knew it I put my hand inside the spiral and to my surprise it went right through, then I moved closer and closer. Eventually I felt myself falling into the red light that soon turned to a white blinding light. Too late to cry out.