My five ghostly husbands

Ruby continued exploring the market, fascinated by the unfamiliar vegetables around her.

This part of the market was different—a crowding area filled with small, makeshift stalls tightly packed together, each just inches away from the next. The vendors had set up their tables and stands in neat rows, creating narrow pathways that wound through the market like a maze. The stalls were modest, many covered with simple cloth awnings or patched tarps, giving the area a crowded yet organized feel.

There were root vegetables that looked like potatoes, but they were a deep red and much smaller, with a slightly rough texture. These were commonly used in stews and soups, adding a unique flavor that Ruby couldn't quite place.

The leafy greens were also different from what she was used to—here, they were mostly shades of red and dark purple. She saw bunches of long, curly leaves that looked like a mix of kale and spinach, but all in red, according to her memory these vegetables were packed with nutrients and had a slightly bitter taste, similar to mustard greens, but with a hint of sweetness when cooked.

Ruby also noticed a squash-like vegetable, shaped like a gourd but with a pale lavender skin. It was soft to touch, and it was often used in sweet dishes because of its naturally sugary flavor.

Even the herbs were unique. Instead of the bright green parsley and cilantro she knew, the herbs here were dark and smoky-colored, with scents that were more earthy and musky, adding a deep aroma to dishes. It was clear that in this world, colors like red and purple represented health, and the foods were just as varied and strange as the ghosts and witches who lived here.

Ruby moved closer to one of the vegetable stalls, curious about the red potato-like vegetables on display. The vendor, a middle-aged witch with graying hair tied up messily, noticed her staring and gave a slight smirk. "Ah, looking at the blood tubers, huh? Only 3 coins a kilo, fresh from the fields," she said, her voice scratchy but loud.

Ruby nodded, picking up one of the red tubers and turning it in her hand. "These are used in soups, right?" she asked, trying to recall from the original owner's memories.

The vendor scoffed lightly, glancing at Ruby's worn clothes. "Of course. But they're best in stews if you got the skill to cook 'em right," she said, her tone dismissive, almost as if she doubted Ruby could afford anything.

Ruby put the vegetable back, her mind elsewhere, already calculating the cost of her upcoming plans. She didn't catch the vendor's sneer when she muttered under her breath, "Hmph, these drunks don't know anything 'bout cooking. Bet she's just here to waste time."

Another vendor selling red leafy greens leaned in, adding in a whisper Ruby could still hear, "Probably trying to get a free sniff of something fresh. Figures… just like the others in that slum." The vendor's eyes quickly darted away when Ruby glanced up, but the smirk stayed.

Ruby pretended not to hear their low insults, but her jaw tightened. She calmly picked up a bundle of the deep red leaves and examined them, acting as if their words didn't matter. The leafy greens were soft and smelled faintly bitter.

"Five coins for the lot," the vendor said, eyeing her skeptically.

Ruby placed the bundle of red leaves back on the stall with a faint, half-hearted nod. She wanted to buy them, but the harsh reality hit her—she didn't have even a single coin to spare, let alone enough to buy something just because it piqued her interest. The memory of the original Ruby enjoying these leaves played in her mind, how she used to find them delicious, savoring their unique bitterness in soups. But for Ruby now, those memories felt distant and disconnected, like trying to remember the taste of a dish from a memory.

"Too expensive?" the witch vendor taunted, raising an eyebrow as she leaned back, enjoying the moment. Ruby ignored her, choosing to save her energy for the race instead.

As Ruby walked away, she heard the faint grumbles of the vendors behind her. "This lowly poor witch, I heard she doesn't even have a house," one said with a snort.

"Really?" another replied, a hint of mock pity in her voice.

Ruby clenched her fists slightly but kept her head high, determined not to let their words drag her down. She had bigger plans—ones that wouldn't leave her at the mercy of anyone's low whispers. The sting of their insults only fueled her desire to win, earn those gems, and prove everyone wrong. She was done being the joke of Hollow Wood Village.

Ruby made her way back to the spot where she first saw the pamphlet and met Angeline. She glanced around, scanning the nearby stalls, until she found a small clock hanging in one of the shops. It was already 2:03. She quickened her pace, heading straight to the pamphlet's spot, her heart beating a little faster.

The market was quieter now, with fewer people around; most preferred to avoid shopping in the heat. Ruby felt the same—this scorching weather was the last place she wanted to be, but she didn't have much of a choice. She stopped by the pamphlet and started rereading it, making sure she hadn't missed any details.

Her forehead was damp with sweat, the heat almost unbearable. She paused, wiping her brow with the back of her hand, feeling the sun's relentless glare on her. She glanced up, squinting at the sky as the blinding light made her nearly close her eyes. The sun hung high and hot, turning the world into a shimmering, sweltering haze. It was like the sky itself was pressing down on her, reminding her just how relentless her situation was.

"Hey, you're early!" Ruby heard Angeline's cheerful voice. She turned to see Angeline approaching with a light blue scarf draped over her shoulder, her expression bright despite the heat.

—To be continued...🪄