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?

She ponders your words carefully before reluctantly nodding her head. "Very well," she says at last, grudgingly accepting the idea of staying put for now. "But remember that I'm in charge here, and you will do as I say." There's a dangerous glint in her eye as she adds, "Understood?"

Ruby's heart skips a beat as you approach her and meet her gaze unflinchingly. Something about the way you look at her makes her feel... different somehow, like she isn't just some authority figure or elderly person anymore. She forces herself to maintain eye contact, even when all she really wants to do is look away and hide beneath the mask of control she normally wears so effortlessly. For a moment, there's silence between them as they stand mere inches apart, their breath mingling in the still air.

Then, before either one of them can say or do anything else, you reach out and gently brush a strand of hair from her face, tucking it behind her ear. It's an intimate gesture that takes her by surprise, leaving her momentarily speechless and reeling with conflicting emotions. She feels something warm spread through her chest as your touch sends shivers down her

As if in a daze, Ruby follows after you as you turn and lead the way out of the room. Part of her wants to pull away from this newfound closeness, to retreat back into the familiar world where she's in control and everyone else obeys her every command; but another part of her is drawn to the strange, unexpected tenderness you seem to exude, like a moth to a flame. She tries to focus on finding food, anything to distract herself from the way your touch lingers at the back of her neck, sending tingles down her spine.

When you finally stop at an abandoned grocery store, she quickly takes charge, ordering you to gather supplies while she secures the perimeter. The familiar routine helps ground her a little, allowing her to regain some semblance of control over the situation... but deep down, she knows that things will never be quite the same between them now.

Ruby looks at you warily as you offer her the gun and instruct her to stay put, but she reluctantly takes it anyway. "Don't forget what I said," she mutters under her breath, her eyes darting around the store nervously. "I'm in charge here." Even as she says the words, there's a small part of her that wonders if you're really going to come back... and whether maybe, just maybe, it wouldn't be such a bad idea for someone else to take control for once.

Ruby nods briskly and hurriedly follows after you, her eyes darting nervously between the stores and the approaching zombies as she moves quickly back to your hideout. "Thank you," she says curtly, relieved to be out of the danger zone for now. "Let's get this food stowed away and then we can plan our next move."

Once they're safely back in their hideout, she busies herself with divvying up the supplies while keeping an eye on the entrance and the monitors that display the outside world. She doesn't trust you entirely yet, but for now at least, she seems to have accepted your presence as a necessary evil... one that might just be more useful than she originally thought.

With a hesitant glance in your direction, Ruby carefully hands you the gun she took earlier, her fingers lingering on the grip for a moment longer than necessary before relinquishing their hold. "Here," she says stiffly, trying to maintain an air of dominance and control despite the situation. "You can have it back."

Once she's certain you have the gun in hand again, she turns away and focuses on her task at hand, unwilling to admit that part of her is relieved to have it back where it belongs... for now.

Ruby glares at you over her shoulder, her eyes narrowed in annoyance. "What did you expect?" she snaps irritably before turning back to her task. "I'm not some delicate flower that needs protection." Even as she says the words, there's a hint of desperation and defiance underlying them; an attempt to convince herself more than anything else.

She finishes organizing the supplies and looks up at you, waiting for your next command. Her body language is stiff and guarded, but there's something in her eyes that betrays her true feelings... confusion, uncertainty, perhaps even gratitude.

Ruby's face flushes with anger at your words, and for a moment she's tempted to lash out. But before she can respond, the sound of moaning zombies approaching draws her attention back to the monitors. She lets out an irritated sigh as she turns away from you and focuses on watching their progress. "We need to find a way to keep them from getting any closer," she mutters under her breath, trying to ignore the feelings of inadequacy that threaten to overwhelm her.

Ruby glances at you suspiciously as you speak, not entirely sure whether to believe your words. "Well, we should still be careful," she says slowly, eyeing the monitors warily. "Just because they might not see us now doesn't mean they won't try to find us later." With a final nod in agreement with herself, she turns away from you and returns her attention to the task at hand, still trying to convince herself that she has everything under control... even if she isn't entirely sure it's true.

Ruby pauses for a moment, considering your question, before nodding slightly. "Yes," she admits reluctantly. "I am rather hungry." Her stomach rumbles audibly at the admission, reminding her that despite all her bravado and dominance, she's still just as human as everyone else in this new world... and just as vulnerable to hunger and fatigue.

She watches you for a moment before speaking again. "Why do you ask?" There's an undercurrent of suspicion in her voice that doesn't quite mask the small spark of hope she feels at the thought of sharing food with someone else, even if that someone is you.

Ruby's eyes narrow at your question for a moment before she finally nods in agreement. "Yes, I can cook," she says slowly, not quite trusting you yet to accept this as fact. "Why do you ask?" Her tone is still cautious and wary, but there's a hint of curiosity beneath the surface now that has her wondering where this line of conversation might lead.

She pauses for a moment, studying your expression before adding, "Do you have something specific in mind?"

Ruby considers your request for a moment before nodding slowly in agreement. "Macaroni sounds good," she says, the hint of suspicion in her voice mostly replaced with curiosity now. She begins to gather the ingredients needed for the dish, carefully measuring each one as she goes and humming softly to herself under her breath. The simple act of cooking brings a brief sense of normalcy back into their world, if only for a few moments, and Ruby finds that she rather enjoys it.

"So," she says after a moment, glancing over at you as she stirs the pot on the stove. "Do you have any other skills besides... surviving?" Her voice holds an undertone of amusement as she asks, like she's testing the waters to see how much trust she can build with you.

Ruby raises an eyebrow at your comment as she continues stirring the macaroni, studying your form. While it's true that you don't seem overly muscular or imposing, there's a certain grace and agility to your movements that she can't help but admire. "I suppose," she says with a shrug, trying not to sound too impressed. "It's good to have physical strength in times like these."

The macaroni soon finishes cooking, and Ruby serves it onto two plates before joining you at the table. They eat in silence for a while, each lost in their own thoughts as they savor the familiar taste of the dish. After a few bites, she finally speaks up again. "So, what did you do before all this happened?"

Ruby glances at you appreciatively as she chews and swallows another mouthful of food, considering your words. "I suppose it does make sense," she says with a nod. "Being in shape would definitely give one an advantage in surviving situations like this." Her eyes meet yours again before looking away momentarily, feeling the heat creep into her cheeks once more.

"Well, I'm not really sure what I did before all this," she admits, sounding slightly embarrassed. "I suppose I was just living my life, you know? Working, going to the gym... being a typical young person." She pauses for a moment, realizing how little that must mean now. "But I guess none of that matters anymore, does it?"