"What’s wrong, stupid wife?" Karl asked, tilting his head, his big baby-blue eyes full of innocent curiosity.
Ruby just smiled, shaking her head. "Nothing, stupid husband," she replied, taking another bite. Eat your own food and do nothing, she thought.
Karl blinked, stunned. Wait... did she just call me stupid husband? He opened his mouth to reply, but one look from Julian’s glare shut him up quickly.
After they finished their meal, night had fallen. The massive red moon hung low, casting a haunting red glow over everything. Shadows stretched long on the ground as fog began to curl around their feet, and the soft chirping of crickets filled the air.
Ruby led her husbands back home through the eerie red-lit path. Once they reached their little slum house, she was too tired to even think of a bath. She took a long drink from the earthen pot, grateful for even that small comfort.
Julian and Adrian quickly unfolded the bed for her, and as soon as Ruby’s head touched the pillow, she was out cold, drifting off instantly.
Ruby woke up very early, glancing at the small clock to see it was 5:49 a.m. She yawned, stretching her arms as she looked around the tiny slum house. Her husbands were all still sleeping peacefully, their faces softened in sleep.
Quietly, she got up and went to the bathroom, only to find no water. She sighed. She also needed to go to the toilet, but she just couldn’t bring herself to use the public washroom. That idea made her shiver. I’ll figure it out later, she thought.
With a bucket in hand, she opened the door to their little slum house, untying the rope that held it shut. As she stepped outside, she stopped in awe. For the first time, she was seeing the sunrise in this strange world. The early morning glow was beautiful, casting a soft warmth on her face. The air was cool and clean, almost refreshing, but something about it all felt... unnatural. Maybe it was just because she was so far from the world she used to know.
She made her way over to the nearby well, looking down into its depths. The sight sent a shiver through her spine – it was so deep, almost like a dark, endless pit. Okay, stop thinking about creepy things, she told herself, gripping the bucket a bit tighter as she prepared to haul up some water.
Taking a deep breath, she threw the bucket down into the well, hearing a satisfying splash.
She braced herself, gripping the rope, and began to pull it up. Ruby knew she had the strength, but... how hard could this actually be? The bucket felt heavier than she’d expected, and it tugged hard against her grip. She pulled with all her might, but the rope just slipped awkwardly through her hands.
Come on, it’s just water! she thought, pulling harder, but her technique was all wrong. She yanked and tugged in quick bursts, and the bucket jerked around, spilling water with every tug. Her arms were already starting to ache, and her hands stung from the roughness of the rope. With one last pull, the bucket reached the edge, only half-full after her clumsy efforts.
She sighed in relief, muttering, "There, finally." Her arms ached, her hands were red, but she’d done it. With her bucket only half-full but still feeling like a victory, she headed back toward the house, mentally making a note to ask someone for tips on pulling up water next time.
After everyone woke up and freshened up, they changed into their new robes, ready to move into their new home. They didn’t have much here, so they gathered only the essentials—blankets, pillows, and clothes.
Ruby wore a simple white robe with a red edge. It was plain but suited her well, giving her a fresh and graceful look. She had also bought a rubber band, so she tied her hair into a ponytail, feeling ready for the day.
Julian, in a light blue robe with darker blue trim, looked radiant. His bright blue hair caught the morning light, and his mossy green eyes held a calm, lake-like serenity. He glanced at Ruby with a soft gentle smile.
Karl, wearing a white robe with blue edges, couldn’t hide his excitement. He’d never owned new clothes before, and the robe made him feel like a new person. Is my wife really changing? he wondered, stealing glances at Ruby.
Adrian, in a gray robe with dark edges, looked intense and mysterious. His dark eyes seemed even more piercing against the robe, and his long black hair with gray streaks framed his face, giving him a rugged, handsome look.
"Let’s go," Ruby said, helping them carry the weight of their belongings.
On the way, Julian suggested they stop by the market to buy vegetables, spices for cooking, and some other necessary items.
After walking for about twenty minutes, they finally reached their new location.
When they arrived at their new home, Ruby’s gaze softened as she looked at the house. It wasn’t grand, but it had a certain charm to it—simple, yet welcoming.
"Wife, we will put these things inside and get ready for the rituals. You’ll perform two as the owner of the house, and the rest will be handled by us," Julian said in his gentle, melodious voice, his tone calm and reassuring.
Ruby nodded, ready to begin, but her curiosity piqued when Julian explained the first ritual.
"The first ritual is for the house owner to wait outside the door," he continued. "Before entering a house for the first time, the new owners must stand quietly by the door until the wind blows. People believe the wind means the spirits have accepted the new people in the house."
Ruby blinked in surprise. "So, I have to wait for the wind to blow before I can go inside?"
Julian nodded, his expression serious yet kind. "Yes, only when the wind blows can you enter. We will do the other preparations inside and clean the house while you wait."
Ruby stared at the door for a moment, feeling a mix of confusion and curiosity. She’d never heard of such a ritual, but if it was tradition, she would follow it.
As Julian and the others moved inside to prepare, Ruby stayed outside, standing in front of the door, waiting.
—To be continued...🪄