*Tobias's POV*

I watch the blood as it fills up the space beneath his body. I have seen this before. Except that it is not my mother this time, I am not the one sobbing next to the laying body. It is Ruby. I hear her sobs as they tear me apart. I get up to walk to her. Warm blood is dripping from my nose. "Sir, you're okay?" An officer comes to me saying. I watch Ruby as she pushes the officer away. I follow the officer outside into the night. My eyes catch him fighting the police officers. I walk up to him. I let my fist collide with his face. "You son of-" He is cut by the officer who pushes him inside the police car. "Tobias." I hear Elite's voice from a distance as she comes running. She throws her arms around my neck. "I am glad you're okay." She whispers to me. I don't hug her back. I barely feel her touch. I am in a shock. The memory of the blood around both my mother's body and the kid's body travels back to my head. Seeing the people you care about get hurt, is one of my life styles. I can't believe this little kid is dead. She pulls away from the hug. I feel her fingertips on my injured lips. "Come on, Let's get you home." She says. "I don't think so, Elite." Her father says. Mr Rudy Benne. His face seems more old than the last time I saw him. Five years ago. I wonder why are they back here. "But, why?" She asks as her hand grab a grip on my arm. "You're under arrest, Tobias Woods." He says. I excepted this. "Papa, he didn't do anything." She says. "Let go, Elite." I say slowly. She lets go off my arm. "I prefer Woods only." I say as he grabs my hands and place them behind my back. Elite watches us he walks me to the car. I catch a glimpse of Ruby. The officer is carrying her. She is unconscious. Her hair is falling beneath her as he walks with her. She looks tired. I really messed up her life. Mr Benne pushes me into the police car. I rest my head against the glass. I don't focus on Elite's fight with her father. I watch the officer place Ruby's unconscious body into the ambulance car. I shut my eyes shut as I hit my head into the glass. I really messed up.

I am sitting in a room. A bright light is pointed at my face. Officer Benne is standing by it. My hands are cuffed on the table. "You look so relaxed, Woods." He says as he sits in the seat in front of me. I struggle my shoulders off. "Ruby already told me everything. So, don't you dare lie." He says as he points a finger at my face. Told him everything? What did you say Ruby? "So, what were you doing at the Clark's house?" He asks. "I went by to help her escape. My father was coming for her." I say. "Why? Why her in particular?" He asks. "Because, he knows I love her." I say. I am not lying. I love Ruby. I am not embarrassed to admit in front of him. Or anyone else. I would love to tell the whole world that she changed me. She made me a better person. She's my home. And my family. "Why didn't you help then?" He asks. "I was too late. He came by." I say. "Did he have the gun or it was yours?" He asks. "I don't carry guns, sir." I say. "So it was his?" He asks. I nod. "Who killed Peter, Woods? Was it you?" He asks. "I won't hurt the kid." I say. "Why wouldn't you?" He asks. "He's my friend." I say. "Okay." He says with a sight. "You will father is going to be in court in two days. He's charged of murder. A murder of a kid." He says. "I won't come." I say. I thought maybe he's telling me this to join my father in court. But, that's what he deserves. He deserves to die. He deserved it long ago. "Okay, you're free to go, Woods." He says smiling. I nod to him as he opens up my handcuffs. I walk out of the room. I walk out of the police station. I notice Ash and Ruby. She looks a little better. Who am I kidding? I walk up to them while taking deep breaths. "Woods." Ash says as we shake hands. I stand in front of her. She looks at me with eyes full of sadness. I understand how she feels. I have felt it before. Losing someone you love deeply. "I will go get a bottle of water." Ash says as he leaves us both alone. "I am sorry for your loss." I say in a low voice. Her hair is braided. I notice the necklace is still resting on her neck. "I am glad you're out." She says. Her voice is sore. She is sore and numb. I just want to hold her between my arms. I also want to walk away from her. I don't think she deserves someone like me. She deserves much better. I have ruined enough for her. "The funeral is tomorrow. He would love it, if you came." She says. Her eyes are fixed on the ground. "Yes, of course." I say while nodding. "I am back." Ash says as he walks back to us. "Good to see you, Woods". She says as she walks to get into the car. I sight. "See you later, bro." Ash says as he gets into the car. I watch them as they drive away.

"You're back." Tessa says as she hugs me tightly. She gets me inside. "Tobias!" Elite says as she runs up to me and hugs me. "I am tired." I say. "Okay, you can have a shower and lay down for a while until dinner." Tessa says. I nod at her. I walk into the bathroom. I stay in there for a while. I wish I can wash off my memory. Forget whatever happened yesterday. Forget what happened five years ago. I walk back into the room that Tessa made for me. I find a pair of freshly washed jeans and a t-shirt laying on the bed. I wear them on. I lay in bed. As fast as I close my eyes, my head goes to sleep.

I wake up as my body had enough sleep. I struggle as I get up from the bed. My head is heavy. I walk out of the room. I walk into the kitchen. Anne is sitting along with Elite on the small table that's in the middle of the kitchen. Tessa is standing by the oven. She gets a hot pan out of it. "Uncle Tobi!" Anne says as she comes running to me. "Anne, Uncle Tobi is tired." Tessa says as she walks our way. Anne reminds me of Peter. They were the same age. "Slept okay?" Elite asks as I sit next to her around the table. I nod without a word. "I am not hungry." I say as Tessa is about to put some food in the plate in front of me. "You have to eat something, Tobias." Elite says as she presses her hand to my back. I sight. "Anne, why don't you take your plate outside in front of the TV?" Tessa says to dismiss Anne. She nods while taking her plate outside. "The funeral is tomorrow." I mumble. "I can't believe that little kid is gone. He was a good one." Tessa says in a sad tone. "I am going." I say. "I will come with you." Tessa says. "Okay." I say as I get up. I walk back to the room. "I brought your car, along with a good suit." Elite says as she leans on the doorstep. I nod to her. She walks and sits right next to me on the bed. "It's not your fault." She whispers as she pats my shoulder softly. I look at her. Elite is a beautiful girl. I think she will also make a great wife to someone one day. She's always been there for me. But, I never felt about her the same way I feel about Ruby. I have never loved anyone as much as I love her. She is the best thing that ever happened to me. I just want to hold her right now. I might be the worst thing that ever happened to her.

I harden my tie around my neck. I walk to the door, where Tessa is standing along with Anne. She is wearing a black dress. As for Anne, she's wearing a black skirt along with a black blouse. Tessa nods to me as we walk to my car. "I will drive with my car." Tessa says. I nod. I am not in the mood for an argument. I park my car along with the pack of the cars. I watch Tessa as she takes Anne's hand into hers. I walk with them to where everyone is sitting. I sit in the back along with Tessa. A few prayers are being said. We all stand up. This reminds me of a lot.

*flashback*

We drive there with his car. He doesn't even wear a clean suit. He smells like beer. We walk out of the car. I am wearing a shirt along with a pair of pants. I know she would have called me handsome in those clothes. She liked it when I was all tidy. We stand in front of a coffin. Her coffin. She must be laying inside. All dressed up and clean or at least that's what everyone told me. My eyes hurt from all the crying. I spot Elite and her family. My grandparents won't come. They never visited since mother married father. They hated him. I know why now. They probably think she got what she deserved. I feel Elite's hands into mine. I cry silently. I wish she was here.

*meantime*

The memory fades. The memory of my mother's funeral. Everyone leaves. I spot the Clark's family. Ruby isn't with them. Mr and Miss Clark are walking away. Miss Clark's eyes are swollen. She is out of life. Louisa is walking while crying into Shane's shoulders. I sight. When everyone is gone, I can see her. She's standing right in front of the gravestone. I walk up to her. I stop next to her. I can hear her weeping. It hurts every inch of me. Her red hair is pulled back into a low bun. Her face is out of color, except for her red nose and puffed eyes. She's wearing a black knee length dress. It has lace sleeves. I look back at the stone.

Here lies Peter Ryan Clark
A loving brother and son
Rest In Peace

She looks at me. I look at her. Our eyes meet. It feels like we're having a conversation, only by staring into each other's eyes. "He liked you, a lot." She says as she sniffs. "I liked him as well." I say. I don't know what to say. It feels like we're strangers. Like I didn't spend the last seven months with her. I sight as she breaks the eye contact while walking away.