Ever lasting hope

Chapter 5, Everlasting Hope

Ariala stood by Ruby's body, biting her lip so as to stop tears running
down her face. 'Dear, it wasn't your fault. I know it seems like it to
you, but deary you shouldn't blame yourself,' said the old social
worker. The social worker was sympathetic, but Ariala didn't want to
hear. Of course it was her fault! She had made Ruby walk about in the
freezing cold for four hours. She could have called then. It might have
saved Ruby's life.
Her thoughts were cut short by a policeman beckoning her into the
office. Ariala gloomily trudged to the door. Ten million hours of
questioning, courts, maybe prison....Ariala really did not want to
think about it. Not yet. The door to the office slammed shut behind
her, and the many weeks of questioning began.
Ariala was not found guilty of killing the young boy, or the small
black girl. The two hundred pounds was made up for by community
service. And after all the punishments, there came the startling
question, what were they going to do with her? Ariala felt guilty and
angry for a while, but she soon learnt how to cope without Slink, or
anybody familiar. She went to the local school, and caught up as best
as she could. She made friends. She was in a gang. She belonged. She
was happy.
Although she missed Ruby, she went to see her every Sunday, and put
flowers on her grave. She longed painfully for Cy, Oliver and Nathan,
because although the police tried and tried, they never did. As time
drew on, she missed them less and less but always remembered. Always
remembered.