Like Veins of Red Rubies (Most Precious Book 1)

By Nicolas Abel

When a man discovers an ancient tool while digging for rubies, he inspires his fellow bunker-dwellers to dig upward in hopes of living on the surface once again, but as they have life-threatening encounters with the tools they uncover, they begin to believe the surface may still be dangerous after all these years.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Nicolas Abel
• Release date: Sep 5, 2015
• ISBN: 9781311072566

Book preview

LIKE VEINS OF RED RUBIES

By Nicolas Abel

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Smashwords Edition

Like Veins of Red Rubies

Copyright © 2015 Nicolas Abel

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

The characters in all of the stories are fictional. They are not meant to represent any real persons living or dead.

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

CONTENTS

One

Two

Three

Four

Five

Six

Seven

Eight

Nine

Ten

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