"Different Worlds" Chapter 1

Ruth smiled and opened her eyes as a bright ray of light roused her from her restful sleep. It had been years since she was brought to the Bright Land by Joshua and Ordell. She had become very accustomed to her life here and every day was a perfect joy. She still missed her mother and wondered how she was and if she was ever going to come. Her thoughts often drifted back to her childhood before coming to this paradise. The few that she had didn't seem like they were real at all... more like dreams.

Her earliest memory was of a place with a lot of people, colors and loud music. The music was always louder at night and there was always a feeling that she didn't belong there... or any of them for that matter. It seemed like such a depressing place.

A knock on her bedroom door shook her from her reminiscing. She jumped slightly and giggled at herself. She was perfectly safe here. "Come in Joshua!" she called as she threw the blanket off her and got out of bed. She walked over to her vanity as Joshua entered the room. "Good morning, Precious." he said and smiled brightly at her. She giggled and looked at him in the reflection of her mirror. "You haven't called me that since I was a child." she said and pulled her hair back with a barrette. He nodded. "I call you that on special days." he said as he pulled a box out from behind his back. "Happy birthday." he said and set it onto her bed.

She turned around and looked at him with a surprised look on her face. "It's my birthday? I guess I forgot. I've been doing so much thinking of my mom lately." she said and walked toward the bed. "Thank you Yesua." she said and hugged him. He smiled and returned her hug lovingly. He smiled and laughed. "You haven't called me that since you learned how to correctly say my name." She laughed. "No I guess not." she said and looked at the present. "What did you get me?" she asked. "You know I don't need anything" Joshua nodded. "I know but it's not every day you turn 18 is it?" he retorted and grinned. "Just open it."

Ruth nodded and tore off the top of the box without hesitation. Her breath caught in her lungs as she saw the most beautiful dress she'd ever seen. It was sky blue silk with golden flowers stitched into it in an elegant pattern. In the center of the flowers were opals reflecting their multitude of colors. The skirt was floor length and flowed gracefully as she moved.

She pulled it out and held it against her body. She looked in the mirror as tears welled in her eyes. "It's beautiful!" she told him and turned to face him. "Joshua, I can't accept this. It's too much." she said and looked up into his bright eyes.

"Of course you can. It's for your birthday party tonight." he said with a smile and hugged her. "I suggest you hang it up and get ready. Father and I have a full day planned for you." he told her and kissed her forehead tenderly. "I will see you at breakfast." He told her as he walked toward her bedroom door. "Don't take too long. Your omelet will get cold."

Ruth smiled and hugged the dress. "I'll be just a few minutes." she said and headed for her wardrobe that stood in the corner of her spacious room. She sighed as she put the dress on a hanger and into it's place. She grabbed some clothes and dressed quickly for what she assumed would be a great day. Joshua and Ordell had always made her birthdays so special.

After a quick look in the mirror she danced through the halls to the dining room where the older men were waiting. Ordell smiled and opened his arms wide to hug her. "Happy Birthday, my child." he said as embraced her in a loving hug. She hugged him with a wide smile. "Thank you. What do you two have planned for today?" she asked as the three of them sat down at the table. Ordell smiled as he started eating his breakfast. "We thought a nice horse ride would be appropriate, followed by a picnic. After you two get back we will start getting you ready for your party. Oh and before I forget..." he said and pulled out a small box handing it across the table. "I believe this is  in order." he said.

She took the box sheepishly. "Thank you. You really don't have to get me anything. You do so much for me already." she told him and smiled. He let out a slight laugh. "You are my child. I love you. This is something all my children receive." he told her. Ruth nodded and opened the box and gasped.

Inside the box was a opal ring made out of gold as her dress was and in the same floral pattern. She looked up at Ordell. "It's amazing. It matches my dress perfectly!" she said and put it on her finger. "More than that." Ordell said "It marks you as my child. You belong to my family and you are now entitled to all that comes with it." he said.

Tears welled in Ruth's eyes and she ran to Ordell nearly knocking him out of his chair with her hug. "Thank you. I can never repay you." she said. "There is no need. I do it because I love you." Ordell said and hugged her in return. "You've grown into a beautiful young woman." he whispered and smiled. "Now go get ready for your ride. Joshua will meet you at the stables. I have your party to attend to."


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At mid afternoon Ruth eased herself into a hot bubble bath. She breathed in the steam as she washed herself and reminisced on the day she'd had. Her and Joshua had gone on a long ride through the woods and meadows that the Bright Lands had. Riding horses had always been fun for her. She'd taken to it very quickly when she was brought here. The picnic had consisted of her favorite chocolate covered strawberries, soup and fresh made bread. It was simple but that's how she liked it. She wasn't born to all this glamour and she still wasn't fully used to it but Joshua and Ordell loved to spoil her. She smiled at that thought. Who thought that these two men would love her so unconditionally considering she was from... well she didn't really remember.

She sighed as she rinsed herself and thought of what was to come that night. Tonight wasn't only a birthday party. It was also her coming out party. Ordell was presenting her as ready for suitors. This was a big step for her and that alone made her nervous. She stood up and drained the bathtub as she dried herself with the soft towel. The party started in just a few hours and she still had to do her hair and makeup and... ugh she would never be done in time.

As she made her way into her bedroom she noticed her door half open and the lights on. "Hummm. I thought I closed that." she said to herself and shrugged it off. She often forgot to shut off her lights or shut the door when she was excited. She needed to get ready for her party so she wasn't too late. She dressed in a loose shirt and a pair of pants so she didn't risk hurting her gorgeous dress. She dried her hair and ran a brush through it and hummed to herself as she looked in her reflection. Behind her a shadow shifted but before she could scream a hand clamped a foul smelling rag over her mouth and nose. She fought against the strong arms holding her until the darkness overtook her.