|
Many years ago, a seemingly abandoned ship drifted into Commencement Bay and ran aground. Curious locals gathered to watch as a few brave souls climbed aboard the unknown vessel. They were surprised to find it without a crew, but loaded with tons of gold, silver, and jewels. As they wandered from one section of the treasure trove to the next, one of the explorers was convinced he heard a child's laughter. Once they had reached the farthest depths of the ship's cargo hold, they found a small child playing with rubies the size of baseballs. The little girl couldn't (or wouldn't) speak, so they had no answers to their questions about who she was or how she came to be a stowaway on the abandoned craft. Because of the gems she was so fond of, they called her Ruby. A few local families cared for the girl until she was able to fend for herself. Perhaps because she was so young when she was separated from her parents, Ruby didn't seem to need the company of others to feel at home. She left the protection of her large adoptive family at the age of six. Ruby grew up on the docks, sleeping aboard ships or under piers. She became known for her fearlessness, climbing the tallest masts in high winds just to see the view from the top. Ruby learned all she needed by paying attention to the sights and sounds of the busy shipyards, so no one seemed to mind that she never did go to school, or do any of the typical things children do. Instead, she spent her days dreaming, and her nights wandering the docks and the wilderness nearby. One night, on one of her midnight strolls, Ruby's curiosity and fearlessness got in the way of reason and she decided to investigate an old railroad tunnel that was rumored to be both haunted and frequented by venomous snakes. However, it wasn't a ghost or a viper that got the best of her, but a bat. The bite turned out to be a blessing rather than a curse, because at that point, Ruby became one of the undead Trampires. And finally, she felt at home.
|
