Free Like Veins of Red Rubies (Most Precious Book 1) by Nicolas Abel

ONE
     
    "Look at them, Victor. The
gems, they're lovely aren't they?"
    "Yes Ms. Emily," said
Victor. "They're quite the shiners."
    "I'll ask that you call me
Mrs. Barrett now."
    "Oh well of course, Mrs.
Barrett." Victor said. "Again, congratulations on the wedding. Stanley's
lucky to be with you. But if I may speak about my cousin, he's a genuine guy. I
do hope you keep him sane."
    "That's why I'm with
him."
    "My conscience is clear
then," said Victor. "See you around." He waved and walked away.
    "Did you show the ring to Victor?"
said a voice from within the domicile. A man in a clean, brown suit emerged.
    "Oh Stanley, everyone loves
this ring. I love it the most." Emily jumped and wrapped her arms around
him.
    Stanley caught her and held her
up. He smiled and whispered, "I'm glad you like it."
    Emily looked into Stanley's eyes
and said, "It's not just about the ring. It's great, but a ring's just a
ring. It's that we're finally able to be together in our own domicile."
    "Yes," said Stanley.
"Thank you for thinking like that, really." He stroked Emily's chin.
"Where in this entire bunker can I find a girl who's as thoughtful and
pretty as you are?"
    "I’m just as lucky to have
found you."
    Stanley smiled widely, creasing
the sides of his cheeks. "Let me tell you something, our babies are going
to be really adorable. And smart."
    Emily pecked Stanley's lips and
giggled.
    Stanley said, "Come on,
let's go get our pills." Stanley draped his coat over his shoulder and
held Emily's hand. As they walked down the domiciles, the lights along the
ceiling brightened. The metal wall panels changed from their black hue to a
light grey one. They reached the main chamber. People passed by, giving smiles
and some gasps when they saw Emily's ring.
    "That Stanley Barrett boy,
he's a man now," said Mr. Albertson, who was sitting on a bench with his
grandson. "Not that dreaming little boy who used to dash around the
streets, no. He's got a real heap of duties now."
    Stanley and Emily went up to the
end of the queue. They pecked at each other and swiped each other's noses. They
whispered into each other's ears and giggled and did this the whole time until
the line shrunk. They inserted their coins into the vending machine and
received their pills and cups of water. They went aside and swallowed their
pills then drank their water. Stanley picked a drop of water that hung off
Emily's lips and she giggled.
    The clock of town hall rang nine
times, signaling nine in the morning.
    "We've had our nutrition for
the day," said Stanley. "And we have the rest of it to ourselves. Do
you have any suggestions?"
    "We should visit your
sister; she wants to see the ring."
    Stanley crunched his nose.
"Okay," he said.
    "You don't seem too
excited."
    "I wanted to go somewhere
else."
    "Where in this small bunker
could we go?"
    "I'd say we should go to the
cave," said Stanley. "Let’s get away from everyone else."
    Emily smiled and bit her lips.
She placed her hand on Stanley's chest and leaned in. She whispered into
Stanley's ear, "I didn't really want to visit your sister. I was just
thinking about your family."
    "You know we're the closest
family now," said Stanley.
    "I'm so glad we can
communicate like this," said Emily. "I'll lead the way." With
both hands, she pulled Stanley away from the street and to the wall. They
walked along it until they reached an open part. A water pipe had broken five
years ago and the metal sheets had burst and folded to the side. The council
advised that no one should be near it, but Stanley and Emily would sneak in and
have private talks.
    They walked inside to a spacious
cavern. A small pool of water was at the far end, and the rocks had formed to
look like beautiful statues. Even the ceiling had jagged rocks that pointed
downward. Stanley and Emily would lie down and stare at them, talking and
letting their minds run amidst the grooves and curves of the intricate
outcroppings. Sometimes, the odd drop of water would fall and land