RUBY is running away from some zombies when she sees Blaki and begs for help.

RUBY: HEY, IDIOT! HELP ME!

"Hmph... If you insist..." Ruby grumbles before reluctantly holding onto the idiot's hand. "But don't think this means I trust you or anything." She growls under her breath.

RUBY glares at you angrily for a moment before shaking her head in disbelief. "Alright, fine," she mutters, keeping hold of your hand despite herself. But don't think this means I won't make you regret it later." She sniffs dismissively and focuses on running away from the zombies as quickly as possible.

RUBY frowns as she examines her surroundings, taking note of your name before introducing herself coolly, "I'm Ruby. And I trusted you to watch out for those things, so don't think I won't tell you off if you fall asleep on the job." She looks pointedly at the food and then back up at you before asking brusquely, "Aren't you going to offer me some? It's not like I'm one of your zombie-loving friends or anything."

Ruby snorts derisively at your words, her eyes narrowing suspiciously. "Gentle? Me?" she scoffs, waving a hand dismissively. "I don't know what sort of world you've been living in, but moral purity and discipline are what keep people alive during times like these." She glances away for a moment before returning her gaze to yours, her expression softerening slightly. "But... I suppose if that's what it takes to get along with you," she says, grudgingly reaching out to accept the food from your offering hand, "...I can try my best."

Ruby rolls her eyes at your question and crosses her arms over her chest in annoyance. "I am 42, thank you very much," she says, making it clear that she doesn't see the point in discussing such personal details with someone like you. "And if you must know, I was married once but divorced because my husband wasn't strong enough to control me or our children." She pauses before adding viciously, "He probably let them become zombies too."

Ruby snorts derisively at your compliment, her expression skeptical to say the least. "If you think I'm young because of my looks," she says haughtily, "then you're even dumber than you look." She pauses for a moment before adding slyly, "Of course, that doesn't mean you couldn't... um... use some discipline now and then. You know, to help you survive out here." She grins wickedly at the idea, enjoying the thought of putting you in your place beneath her firm control.

"Hmph." Ruby crosses her arms and looks away, trying to hide the fact that she's actually feeling a bit taken aback by your words. "I suppose I owe you one," she mutters reluctantly after a moment. "But don't think this means we're best friends or anything." She glances back at you sideways before adding, "And I still want to know how you ended up here all alone. You must have some pretty terrible secrets of your own..." Her eyes glint with curiosity and potential judgment as she waits for you to respond.

Ruby's eyes widen in surprise as you take off your shirt to reveal your muscles, and she can't help but feel a flush of shame heat her cheeks. "Oh..." is all she manages to say for several long moments before clearing her throat awkwardly.

Finally gathering her composure, she grumbles, "Fine. I'll take the other bed." With one last disapproving glare in your direction, she wanders over to the bed you indicated and flops down onto it, turning away from you as she tries to ignore how close the two of you are in this tiny space.

As you lay down on the bed across from her, she can't help but notice that despite all your muscles, there's something about you that just doesn't sit right with her... Something about the way you carry yourself, perhaps. She closes her eyes, determined

"What?" Ruby mutters irritably, keeping her eyes closed and not bothering to turn towards you. "Just ask it already." She tries to force herself back into the deep sleep she was enjoying earlier, but your voice keeps her awake and annoyed.

The question takes Ruby by surprise, and for a moment she's silent as her mind flashes back to the memories of her husband. She remembers the days when they were happy together, before the divorce and his infidelity had turned everything sour. Eventually, her anger rises again at the thought of him and all that he had taken from her.

"Of course I did," she snaps irritably, opening her eyes to glare at you across the room. "But that doesn't change the fact that he was weak, just like everyone else in this world seems to be." Her voice softens slightly as she says, almost to herself, "I wish things could have been different... but I can't waste my time on regrets now." She closes her eyes again, trying once more to ignore you and focus on getting some sleep.

Ruby glances at you one more time before finally letting her anger subside and allowing herself to drift back into an uneasy slumber. As she dreams fitfully, images of her old life dance through her mind, mingling with nightmares of the horrors they've all faced in this new world. It's only when she feels a warm hand on her shoulder that she jerks awake, her body tensing as she readies herself for another fight... only to find you leaning over her, looking concerned.

"Shhh," you whisper gently. "It's alright. Just a nightmare." Her heart still racing, Ruby nods weakly and forces herself to calm down. "Thanks..." she mutters softly, eyes wide and haunted as they peer up at you from her rumpled pillow. Despite herself, she feels grateful for your presence - even if it's only temporary

After a moment's hesitation, Ruby nods slowly, reluctantly allowing you to move closer to her as you make room for yourself on the narrow bed beside her. She still can't shake the feeling of vulnerability, but something about your presence makes her feel... safer somehow. Grudgingly, she closes her eyes again and lets herself drift back into a fitful slumber, aware that you're there, watching over her.

Despite everything, for now at least, she trusts you not to abandon her in the nightmarish world they've found themselves trapped within. But whether that trust is deserved or not remains to be seen...

Ruby's breath comes in ragged gasps as she clutches at your shirt, sobbing uncontrollably into the fabric. "They were coming for my children!" she wails through her tears, her body trembling with fear and anger. She can feel you pressing against her, trying to comfort her, but it's not enough to calm the panic that grips her heart. "I couldn't protect them! They died right in front of me..." Her words trail off into a whimper as she buries her face deeper into your chest, wracked with painful memories and guilt.

Ruby continues to sob uncontrollably, her whole body shaking with grief and terror as she clings tightly to you. "It wasn't just a dream," she whispers hoarsely between ragged breaths. "They were real... and they died..." Overwhelmed by the memories and the guilt, she can barely hold back her tears any longer, feeling like her heart is being torn apart all over again.

"It wasn't your fault," you whisper gently into her ear, rubbing soothing circles on her back. "You did everything you could to protect them." Even as the words leave your lips, part of you wonders if they're true... and whether there was anything more Ruby could have done differently.

Eventually, her sobs begin to subside as exhaustion takes hold and she drifts off into a fitful sleep once more. Her cheek rests against

Ruby's eyes snap open at the sound of your voice, her body tense and trembling as she tries to remember where she is. Panic wells up inside her chest as she takes in the unfamiliar surroundings and your face above hers. It takes several long moments for her to register that it's just you, before she finally relaxes a fraction and allows herself to breathe again. "I-it was just a nightmare," she says hoarsely, blinking away the last vestiges of sleep from her eyes. "Sorry... I didn't mean to wake you." Her grip on your shirt loosens as she pulls back slightly, embarrassed by her outburst and the display of vulnerability it revealed.

Ruby looks at you for a moment, considering your words before nodding slowly in understanding. "I... I suppose I did," she admits reluctantly, her cheeks flushing with shame and embarrassment. Despite herself, she finds some comfort in the knowledge that you were there for her during those terrifying moments.

"Thank you," she whispers, her voice barely above a whisper. "I... I'm sorry I reacted like that." She clears her throat, trying to hide the vulnerability she feels and regain some of the dominance she so desperately clings to in this new world.

With a final nod and an unconvincing cough, Ruby rises from the bed, offering you a hand to help you up as well. "Well," she says briskly, trying to ignore the lingering warmth in her cheeks and the odd sense of connection that still remains between them despite her best efforts. "It's morning now. We should probably find something to eat and get moving."

Ruby narrows her eyes suspiciously at your words, not entirely sure how to respond. On one hand, she doesn't want to admit that you've become somewhat valuable to her in this hellish world; on the other, acknowledging it would mean relinquishing some of the control and dominance she clings to so desperately. After a moment's hesitation, she shrugs noncommittally and turns away, busying herself with gathering supplies and searching for food.

"We should find somewhere safe to rest for the day," she says as an afterthought, glancing back over her shoulder at you. "Maybe there's a building nearby that we can clear out and make secure." She pauses, meeting your gaze before adding pointedly, "Without zombies, of course." The unspoken implication is clear: don't let me down again.

Ruby folds her arms across her chest and glares at you for several long moments, weighing your words carefully. "I'm not saying I trust you," she says slowly, "but if we stay here too long, they might find us." She hesitates before continuing, her voice softer now. "And besides... maybe it would be nice to have some time together. Just the two of us." There's a hint of something in her expression that you can't quite identify - could it be... gratitude?