Forgotten

She stared at her bloodstained hands as she backed away from the body "I'm sorry", she whispered silent tears running down her cheek "I'm so sorry........." Ruth woke up with a start in her bed, drenched in sweat her breath coming in sharp stabs, feeling as though she just ran a mile. After a while she sat up in her bed. Rubbing her chest gently, decreasing the nauseous feeling she felt after witnessing the same scene that had haunted her dreams many times before. She looked around her room which was in semi darkness. Only illuminated by the full moon peeking in from the heavy velvet curtains and reflected by the glass shards of the chandelier. Swinging her legs down the bed, she got up turned her side lamp on and took out her diary with a pen and wrapped herself in her blankets again. She slipped down the carpeted floor and begin writing her dream, sketching the details, the same face over and over again, stopping now and again trying to remember the details. After finishing, she flipped through the pages which contained the record of her dreams, one in particular which with time grew longer and longer as the details came in sharper focus. The clock chimed 6:00 am and Ruth went into the bathroom. After about half an hour, the car drove out of the Winterbourne mansion that stood tall, proud yet alone on the edge of a forest. Much like it's occupants. Ruth Winterbourne was the only offspring of the Rowan Winterbourne, who was the founder and CEO of WD financial. She was spoilt yet brought up well. Ruth moved out from the big city to the small and quaint little village in the middle of mountains on whose grounds stood one of the most prestigious university of the world. Through whose gates now entered her car. Staring out of her class room window, Ruth was drawing on her arms absent mindedly, unaware of the roll call taking place. "Ruth Winterbourne" This was the third time her name was being announced and now the whole class was staring at her but she still sat in oblivion. Edith, sitting next to her,  gave a slight nudge and as she turned her attention toward the class there was  some sniggering but she ignored it and slightly wincing raised her hand tried to pay attention but her thoughts kept trailing back towards the dream. After the lecture ended, Edith took Ruth by her arm and her to the hostel which was situated a little far from the main building. Its building was also of old greek inspired just the same as the entire building. They entered Edith's room where she lived alone. "What's gotten into you today?" "Nothing.. I'm fine" she said unconvincingly. "Really" Ruth sighed. "Is it the dream again?" She asked wearily. Without looking Ruth nodded. Edith flared up at once. "Why do these dreams effect you as such. I mean...... whatever they contain.... they're still dreams." Her voice trailed off. "Yeah thanks. Very helpful." She snapped. Before Edith could counter her argument, Ruth's phone started ringing. "It's Sybil." "Hey" Ruth entered the newspaper club room. It was a large and airy room, modernly furnished. A girl was sitting there.she had bright red hair and huge blue eyes, thick lashes and prominent features, she dressed in boho style and looked small for her age. "What brings you here" Sybil stared at Ruth in Surprise. "You called me" Ruth sighed, and sat in one of the plushies at one corner of the room. "Oh yeah .... Sorry" Sybil smiled and scrambled to her feet. "Miss Lora asked me to give you the list of the new transfer students that are arriving this weak. She wants you to help them settle in" she said while around the room for the list. She didn't notice Ruth's indignant expression . "Why me?" She asked in a shrill tone. The Sun was about to set when Ruth walked out of the university toward the parking lot looking worn out. Deep in thought, murmuring to herself she didn't even notice the pair of footsteps that followed hers. As she unlocked her car, a figure loomed in front of her causing her to stagger and move backwards. He was a tall pale guy with handsome features, deep black eyes and black hair. "Kenneth" Ruth scolded at him. He smiled at her and opened the car door of the passengers seat for her. "Like I'll let you drive my car." She rolled her eyes and sat on the driver's seat. Kenneth sat in the passengers seat chuckling. "So what's this about" Ruth said casually as they drove through the drive way of the university. It was on the side of a mountain, so the road to main town was uphill, a wide drive with trees on both sides. "I have something to tell you." He started slowly, choosing his words wisely, he paused. "Let's just get to the cafe first, then I'll tell you." Ruth's eyes narrowed as she looked at him. It wasn't like him to have difficulty in having a conversation about..... about well practically anything. But she held her tongue and drove silently. The star started to appear as they entered the tiny library cafe, they were a regular here and well acquainted with the owner, a frail old man. After ordering coffee, Ruth went straight to the topic. "So ..... what did you wanted to talk about." "I...... I wanted you to look at these" He said without looking up. He opened his bag and put a folder in front of her. Ruth took it, puzzled. "What's ...... this" she asked without opening. "See for yourself" he said gravely. She opened the folder. Inside were some pictures and old newspaper cutouts. As Ruth went through the pictures, the girl in them seemed vaguely familiar, she was a happy girl in her teens, seemingly ..... ordinary. She threw a quizzical look at Kenneth and picked up the newspapers cutouts, as she went through them, the colour drained as recognition dawned on her face. The pictures slipped through her fingers and she looked at Kenneth with reproach..... This girl....... She knew her........ How could she forget the face which haunted her dreams for so many years.