Magical Memories

[Herfefiny]

Awwwwww! How sad!
But it was a really good chapter and I really liked it! ^^

[Cheza-chan]

Chapter Seven: Conquering Your Fears

The sun blazed a path across the world, making the sky appear as the it were on fire and scorching all that lie below. It was on this particularly hot day that Luna, throwing in a Moonstone just the day previously, waited under a Mora tree until six. Then she stood, the hot sticky stillness of the air making everything move slower, even time it seemed, so that when she finally made it to the festival's gates, it was only five forty. Twenty minutes. Twenty minutes of waiting on the hot beach, the sand soaking up every inch of rays the sun threw down.

Twenty minutes later, and who walked onto the beach but no one other than Kurt. He clung to the edge of the festival, looking instead at the sand or the shells than the sweating people's faces. Following Kurt was Joe, then Jamie, then a few other less-than-eager citizens, all looking like they had just gone swimming, so drenched in sweat and drowning in their own thirst.

Twilight fell quickly.

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"Kurt! Luna! You haven't put in your flowers yet!" Everyone was leaving and quick to do so it seemed, tired from the day's work. Kurt, not wanting to be in the crowd, had hung back until he was left holding a drooping flower, less than magical in its limpness. He grimaced but nodded, walking toward the shoreline. Yet still he hesitated, glancing nervously at Luna, who was walking straight for him.

"Kurt..." Everyone had left. "What are you thanking your ancestors for?" He still held on to his flowers. Shrugging, he replied in a low voice,

"Everything I guess." Luna sat down in the sand, motioning for him to do so.

"Talk with me?"

"I don't like talking..." At this he gently knelt, placing his flower on the rolling ocean's waves, then walking off, leaving Luna sitting on the beach, all alone.

"I don't remember my ancestors. But whom ever you were..." she placed the flower next to Kurt's, which hadn't gone out to the ocean but instead lolled about the shoreline, "thank you." The two flowers sat together, occasionally getting hit by the curling waters.

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It was morning when the clouds rolled in. They were dark clouds, but welcome in the sun-soaked village. Everywhere shadows grew and everywhere things began to cool. A slight wind had picked up, not strong enough to move away the clouds but enough to bring a chill to all the animals.

"Firefly Festival" Luna crossed out on the calendar, looking for the next holiday marked. Fireworks Festival "I wish that'd come sooner. I wonder what you do... is it like a date? What should I wear?" She lay on her bed now, petting Skruskru behind his drooping ears, humming quietly. "I've always liked fireworks, although I can't recall when I've last seen them." She turned over and glanced at the clock. Noon. Lunchtime. The sun would be the strongest if it were showing its face, the day would be half-over if it hadn't just started. Luna hadn't left her house. There was nothing to tend to, nothing to water, no one to talk to. She had simply hid herself away, tucked inside a small house and lived out the day like a hermit. Finally deciding it was about time she moved, she decided to trudge to the mountains and collect items for meager money.

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It was the day she decided to climb to the top. The day she set her fingers onto the rough stone. The day she decided once and for all, she'd conquer the mountain. She took a deep breath and pulled herself up, looking for the next stone that would be her guide upward. Rock by rock, she gained height. The ground pulled away from her and the sky looked closer, almost as though she could reach up and tear the clouds down so as to wrap herself in their puffy darkness.
The wind picked up. She clung to the side, tears forming on her lashes as her strength waned. Small rocks skittered downward. Yet she held fast and, with another deep breath, placed her hand on the next rock.

If I fell, there'd be no one to catch me. She shoved the thought away much too late. I have to go back down! Yet she could see the ridge. A little further and her fingers would be wrapped around the edge of the mountain and the world would belong to her. A little further and...

a rock shifted beneath her foot. With a dull clunk, the entire rock that was her foothold fell away, clinking and flinging itself downward. Her foot flew wildly in the air as she tried to find anything to place it on. Straight, solid rock. No footing. She slid. Sliding downward, pain shooting through her backside, she screamed. A bloodcurdling, howling scream. One that lit through the entire body, a shriek so sharp it could've cracked the mountain in half.
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A mile away, a bit down the mountain, small animals perked up their ears. They were listening to something that human ears couldn't perceive at such a distance. Their tails twitched and they sat, on edge, listening to the sound. Then, with a final thud, all the animals ran, fleeting away and disappearing into the bushes.

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Luna lay on the ground. The clouds grew thick and thunder boomed in the distance, an empty threat.

Luna lay on the ground.

Time clicked on, noon passed and soon, it was a new type of noon. A dark, brooding noon.

Midnight.

And Luna lay on the ground.

[Herfefiny]

*gasp*
Thats awful! How sad!
But it was a great chapter which counts.

[Cheza-chan]

Thanks!

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Chapter Eight: A Glint of Gold Among the Rumors
Rumors. Rumors had run themselves rampant throughout the small village, carried on through their legacies, heralded by secretive girls about other secretive girls, wrapped around themselves with their own twisted lies. Joe smokes on his days off. Dan has a secret sex life consisting of two other men. Kati enjoys the occasional drug hit and Ellen and Ann play strip poker on occasions. But the latest and hottest rumor consisted of Kurt leaving a mysterious new girl’s house early in the morning.

But these rumors didn’t find there way to Luna’s ears. Luna, who was lying on the mountain, eyes closed, blood pooling slowly around her.

That’s when a stranger approached. Dark hair falling over his caring eyes, he knelt next to her, gasping as the realization of what happened hit him. He looked up at the foreboding mountain, then down at the girl in his hands.

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Luna woke hours later, shaking. She couldn’t see out of one eye. A large bruise was forming an angry lump at the back of her skull. Little pieces of grit and small stones were lodged in her backside, which had been disinfected and wrapped tightly in a once-white gauze. She sat up, immediately wishing she hadn’t, sinking back down. Where am I?
“Ah, Luna, you’re conscious. Welcome back.” Luna's thoughts were abrubtly ended and she turned her vision around to face Alex. The doctor came over to her. “You fell, I’m guessing. Did you do it on purpose though?” Seeing her hesitation, he nodded. “Never mind- it isn’t important. Well, you’re better now. But you’re lucky I found you as soon as I did. I often go up there for herbs. I almost wasn’t going to go up there tonight… but... well… let’s not brood on that thought, eh?” He smiled politely and bowed. “Now if you’ll excuse me...” She nodded as he trailed out of the room, pulling out a notepad to scribble studiously about his subject. She glanced around for a brief moment, taking note of the pouch of blood handing above her, the IV leading it down into her arm. She felt her face, felt the white wrappings around her head, covering her eye and the large bruise. She felt each missed piece of stone jab itself into her sore skin. Trying to ignore her pain, she fell into a dismal sleep.

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“Luna?”
“Huh?” Luna blinked at the sunlight filtering into herroom. Alex stood at the other side of the room, checking suplies.

“You had visitors. They left a few hours ago but will be back tomorrow, or so they said, to check up on you. There was a fish too but that was... removed due to the ah... smell.” The doctor smiled and once more disappeared from her room, once again writing something haphazardly on his notepad, nodding.The fish... that must've been from Ray. She turned her attentionover to her bedside table. A bouquet of yellow flowers lay on the surface, along with a pouch, a card, and a small rock. She picked up the card first.

“Get well soon! I’ll take care of Skruskru for you, k? -Ellen”

She smiled and set the card back down. Then she carefully picked up the wild flowers, now drooping lazily, and noted a card tucked deep inside a blossoms.

“Hope you feel better soon so we can hang out more! -Joe”

“Thanks Joe.” She murmured with a grin. She set those down onto her lap, the scent wafting around the room and considerably livening up the room. Just like Joe. She laughed, excited now, to see what her next gift was. She picked up the small brown bag. It looked almost like it was made out of a rough leather, tied at the top. She carefully pulled the strings and gasped as the view of what was inside hit her.

"Dirt!" Dark, loamy soil filled the bag to the brim, a small tendril of green sticking out amidst its fertile abode. A plant? Dirt... Terry. She got slowly up, placing the plant by the window.

A breeze blew past the opening. Luna breathed deep. The cobblestones gleamed like fish scales under the blazing sunlight, the trees rustled in a soft wind as if to say "Come play with us". Luna took in the world before her, waiting for her to live in it, waiting for her to roll in the long reedy grasses, the soft petals, the cool river that always ran its course. She leaned on the window frame, her IV pulling her back into the room, her bumps and bruises making her want to crawl back to bed. She succumbed and walked carefully back, sitting at the edge of her bed, and picked up her last present.

A small rock. Light and rough around its edges. A rock? Now this is a difficult present to decipher... She rolled it in between her hands. That was when she noticed it. A small piece of the rock had flaked off into her scratched hand. Beneath the rough interior, a shimmer caught her attention. She began rubbing her fingers over the dusty surface, delight lighting up her face. I'm unwrapping a present! Clever! She was left holding a small gold nugget, the size of a Skittle.

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"Luna! You've got visitors!" The doctor called from a distant quarter. It was later now, six at night. Luna woke, eyelashes fluttering. The flowers still rest on her lap, the gold held tightly in her fist.
"Luna! We've fixed your coop. It got a bit mussed when the storm hit." It was Woody, holding her hand and patting the top of it fondly. "Would you like anything? Has the doctor been feeding you?" She laughed and nodded. I hardly know Woody... he's so friendly though...

"I'm sorry if I've worried you." She said, lowering her eyes.

"No matter, no matter. Now I'm going to talk to Alex. I need to know how to cure saw blade cuts..." Joe blushed and followed him out, large bandages wrapped tightly around his upper arm. He waved then continued out, still blushing crimson.

Kurt was left in the room, standing opposite her bed, staring down at the tiled floor.

"Thanks Kurt."

"Huh?"

"Thanks. For the present." She held up the gold and his eyes grew wide.

"How did you..." He trailed off, looking off into a corner. "I- I just..." He seemed like he was almost angry. His eyes were filled with a darkness that she couldn't quite grasp. She didn't need to though. He came out with it. "People are saying... people are saying I left from your house early." He glared at her. The small piece of gold felt heavy in her palm.

"Kurt... I-" I suppose it wouldn't be a good time to mention you did leave early? She gulped. "I- I didn't start that rumor- if that's what you think."

There was a moment of silence.

"No. Of course not." Then he simply left. He turned away from her, walking forward, not hesitating, and left the room. Left it just as it was. Empty and dark, save but a small glint of gold in the night.

[Herfefiny]

Great chapter Cheza! It's kind of sad about the whole "Rumors" thing though...
But, as always, it was a fantastic chapter! ;D

[Cheza-chan]

Thank you kindly! ^^

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Chapter Nine: Shall We Talk?
It was a few days later, the twenty-first of Summer. It was as though the sun sensed the ending of its reign, and so shone brighter and all the more furtively. The plants grew thin and tired, as though the sun were a tangible weight and lay heavily upon them. The clouds evaporated and the river sunk like the face of a cadaver. The world seemed to stop under the sun's spell, even the energy of the air stilled and slowed to stop. It was the most painful of summer days, the world on fire, screaming for the pain to stop.

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It was this day that Luna stood. The day that the doctor bid her farewell. The day that she left the hospital, gauze still wrapped around her back, eye still swollen shut, head still bruised. And yet these seemed to be the lightest of problems.
It was the rumors that hurt.
Kurt. I'm so sorry Kurt. Why am I so stupid? How could I have been so dumb? He had helped her. Now his reputation was destroyed. Torn down by a foolish girl and a dead bird. She kicked a stone which scattered down the path and abruptly stopped once it hit against a larger stone, like a small child eager to play but reluctantly sent inside by its elder. She slumped against a tree, trying her hardest to enjoy this searing day. A small rabbit hopped past her, ears hanging down around its weary face as its eyes skimmed the ground, looking for anything that might suggest being edible. It hopped away silently, only the rustle of the browning grass a hint that it had been there at all.

"Hi." Luna squinted against the sun. A figure had blocked the rays, not such a bad thing on this day, yet still making it rather hard to tell who was the owner of that voice.

"Um... hello."

"Do you mind if I sit?"

"Uh..." But the figure had already slumped down next to her, the face immediately becoming recognizable. Ellen smiled widely, but there was something beneath the large grin, a suggestive hint of nervousness.

"Um... well..."

"You can speak freely." Luna was pulling small pieces of grass out of the arid earth.

"Great. Phew..." Ellen let out a thin stream of air, blowing up her loose bangs revealing a sweat-soaked forehead. "Well... erm... I heard you uh..."

"Slept with Kurt?" Ellen looked over gratefully, but Luna was growing more and more pissed off by the passing seconds. "Of course that is the rumor."

"You mean it isn't true?" Ellen said, making a failed attempt at nonchalance.

"Did you ever think it could be?" Luna spat back. She stopped pulling out grass and glared at Ellen. "He hates me! He won't even talk to me! Why the hell would you think I slept with him?" Her voice had grown loud and shaky. "He hates me! And whoever the sh*t's starting these rumors better knock it off! They aren't true!"

It was sometime before a rather bemused Ellen was able to gather her thoughts and reply, her voice hoarse.

"I- I'm so sorry Luna. I just- saw him leave so early. What was he doing-"

"YOU STARTED IT?" Luna stared at her in disbelief. Then she stood up, taking a look at Ellen, deciding if her words would matter to her, then finally just shaking her head and leaving.

I've got to find Kurt.



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"Kurt's gone."

"WHAT?" Luna stood before Woody, who simply smiled at her, obviously missing the point. "Well... where'd he go? Why'd he leave?"

"He just apologized. Then he left. Joe went with him. I don't know where they are. If I were you, I'd talk to the mayor. Or Terry." He shrugged. "They usually are the first to know what goes on in this village." Luna stared at him. Then, with a final sigh, she bowed a 'Thank you' and left.

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"Mr. Uh... Mayor!" She knocked loudly at Theodore's door, using all the energy she had. "Please! I need to-! Oh." A girl had opened the door, eyes staring her down judgmentally before finally sarcastically stating: "Next time be a little louder. We didn't hear you." Then she turned, "Dad! There's someone here to uh... see you!" She turned back to Luna, those judging eyes still looking her over as the mayor walked up behind her.
"Ah yes, thank you Maria." The pudgy leader of the village patted his daughter's back and smiled at the frazzled Luna. "Good to see you! Can I get you some tea?"

"No, please. I came to ask you a question actually."

"Oh? Well first please, come in, take a load off." He said, gesturing to his living room. Maria was sitting down, her nose already buried in a book the size of a small country.

"No, it'll only take a second." The mayor nodded as if to tell her to continue. "Where's Kurt." She stated, more of a sentence than a question.

"Kurt? Why, I hadn't known he'd left." He chuckled, eyes half closed. "Ah but you would like to know where he is, wouldn't you?" He waved as if to dismiss this thought, almost like an apology. "Never mind I said anything. Sorry, I haven't got a clue where he is." He smiled politely before shutting the door on Luna's face.

Luna crumpled onto the hot cobblestones, tears welling in her eyes. "It's all my fault." Miserable, she remained on the scorching ground, wishing she could sink into the stones and stay forever, where people could walk on top of her without even knowing she was there.

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Luna's best friend sat on the edge of his bed, staring out at the stars. His spiky hair hung down over his face. His hands covered his eyes as he wept to the stars.
The stars that Luna was now staring up at. Two separate worlds, so closely linked yet so far apart, untouchable to the other, like complete and different dimensions in the same universe. Luna's hands clutched the grass tightly. As she listened to the night, the tittering of the darkest creatures seemed to be jeering at her from their places in the trees. Then she heard it. A crashing in the underbrush, a moan. Her hair stood on end. The nighttime swallowed and gulped at any sign of a faint light, making it impossible to see the thing that was crashing toward her.

Then it hit her. Like a brick, down it came. Falling on top of her, she could smell the reeking scent of too much sake on too dark a night.

"Luna...?"

"Kurt! You-you're drunk!"

"No. I'm not. That was Joe. He spilled sake on me... way too much sake." He rolled off her. "It kinda got in my eyes. We're camping up here and I tried to uh... find the river to wash off..."

"That's the most I think I've ever heard you talk." She saw his eyes glint in the darkness. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean anything by that. It-"

"It's fine. I better go back and-"

"Wait! Please stay!" Luna felt her heart go out to him, so secretive and elusive in his ways. She wanted to know him, wanted to dust off his rough exterior and see something golden on the inside. "Please, Kurt... can we talk?"

"I don't think-"

"Please?"

Silence fell between them until finally, grunting, Kurt settled himself down, still far away from her but still by her.

"It wasn't me who started the rumor. It was..."

"Who?"

"It's not important." That silence again. Like a gap growing wider between them. She counted the seconds. When will he strike up a conversation? Why won't he talk with me? Why?

"I-" They both started at the same time.

"You go first." Luna silently pleaded him to speak. And finally, he spoke.

"I... can't stop... thi- uh..." She heard him gulp. "Wondering" nice word change Kurt. "about you and... I just... How'd you come to the village?"

"I don't know."

"Where's your home? Where's your family?"

"I... I don't know." Luna and Kurt fell equally silent at this.

"I should get back to Joe." Kurt said, moments later. He stood slowly. Luna stood with him.

"Can I... come?" Kurt just stood. Finally, as she squinted through the faint light, she saw him shaking his head, then finally disappearing into the night-time.

[Herfefiny]

Awwwwwwwww! How sad! poor Luna!
I just realized that I'm the only one who's leaving comments! more people should because this is a really great story! ^^
And that was a great chapter!

[Kayla]

Hehe... I've been reading it. It is really good! I can't wait to read more of it.

[Cheza-chan]

Chapter Ten: Flowers That Only Bloom at Night

Fireworks burst before her eyes. "Kurt..." She murmured, putting her head on his broad shoulder.

"Luna... please wake up."

"Huh? Kurt- please can't you just..."

"Please wake up..."

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Luna sat up with a cry. Sweat trickled down her brow, covers thrown off in fitful sleep. She swung her feet around a stole a glimpse at the clock. Of course, the face read 6 flat. She rubbed her hands across her face in frustration, then kicked off the wildly twisted sheets, standing up and taking a tentative stretch. It was the day of the Fireworks Festival, and all she could think about was Kurt. Why does he haunt my dreams? Why can't he cast his shadow over someone else's vision? She flopped back down onto the bed, her head starting to pound once more with oncoming thoughts.

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That night, she slowly made her way down to the beach, not knowing what was in store for her. She wanted nothing more than a life she had never known, a life that often taunted her in its vague appearances, a soft imprint on her mind. But today was a day to shove away those thoughts and let them sail across the ocean, just as they had sent wishes to the long dead a few weeks ago. Tonight was a night for the living. Tonight was a night for Luna.

The beach was crowded. Carl and Ellen sat at one corner. Ellen shot Luna an apologetic look. Luna couldn't help but return a glimmer of a smile, too small to say 'I forgive you' but enough so that Ellen knew she wasn't despised. Joe sat pointing at things and laughing while Kati, who clung to his side, chattered on of frosting types and the coolest cakes according to Carl. Blue sat alone, staring up at the sky as if he had never even seen it. Jamie stood at the far end, looking on with contempt at all the onlookers. The fireworks hadn't even started yet.

Luna made her way to the edge of the shore. Bob was poking around in the sand, casting shy glances at Gwen, who was animatedly chatting with Ann and Alex. Kurt was sitting, staring at the waves lapping against his shoes. She wanted to sit down next to him, didn't want him to be alone. But she herself was alone, and how could two lonely people ever find a way to bring themselves to another? Theodore entered the area, abruptly ending everyone's thoughts of dazzling fireworks or dancing starlight.

"Welcome to the-"

"EEHEHEHE! AH!" Gwen was now throwing fistfuls of sand at Ann, who ran, ducking and scooping sand, then aiming for Gwen. In their bout, a sand ball had accidentally gone astray and knocked straight into Alex, who let out a startled cry. Gwen blushed and laughed, and Ann apologized. Theodore cleared his throat and the pair settled down, an occasional chuckle escaping their blushing faces.

"To reiterate," The mayor said loudly, casting a cold glare, yet laughter sparkling in his eyes, "Welcome to the Fireworks Festival! Please enjoy!" He nodded and as he did, a shooting sound whirred through the sky and a brilliant light fell over the beach as the first firework resounded on the small beach.

Luna shifted to her right.

Kurt cast a look in her direction.

Luna made another small adjustment to her seating.

Kurt coughed and looked down.

Luna inched slowly towards the right again.

Kurt stood up and left the beach.

Looking over her shoulder, watching his exit, Luna's heart sunk to the ocean's floor. Yet she thought she saw something in his eyes.

She stood, walked past the mayor who was far too entranced by the fireworks to notice her exit, let alone Kurt's, and walked off into the darkness.

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Kurt was waiting for her on Duck Bridge. He was looking over the water. He turned as she approached, a small frown on his face.
"Hi." Luna said shyly. She decided to be more silent. Kurt was the flower that bloomed in the night. When all the other flowers danced in the sunlight, he closed himself up, wrapping tightly into himself, shrugging away from the world. So Luna became the night, silent and still. And Kurt blossomed.

"Hi." He replied softly. "I'm sorry I've been" he scratched the back of his head. "aloof." Luna nodded. "I- I haven't been fair to you I guess." Another nod from Luna's side. Then, silence. Silence as dark as the night sky. They inhaled the sweet air, tepid with the slight breeze. Then he turned back to her from his stare across the river, his eyes lit with something, a memory perhaps, an idea.

"Come with me."

"Wha-?"

"Trust me."

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Kurt led her up the mountain, a quiet ascent. Then, he stopped, staring up at the looming mountain, the very one Luna had attempted to climb that day. A dark stain of blood residing on a rock made her shiver. He looked up at it though, and, not turning toward her, said, "I go here. I disappear and end up there. Way up there..." He seemed lost in the mountain's strength.

They began to climb. Luna tried not to appear shaken, not to appear tired. She struggled along behind him, the winds picking up. He climbed with pride and fortitude, never once looking back. She constantly glanced over her shoulder, a constant reminder of how far she still needed to go and how far she had gotten. She began to slip.

Instead of thoughts of death or of confusion, Kurt entered her mind. She took a deep breath, and climbed on.

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The top was beautiful. The fireworks were bigger, the world was smaller. They sat at nearly opposite ends, staring up at the sky. That was when he did it. A small, happy little chuckle. She turned her head, surprised.
Then silence.

She waited for him to bloom.

He did.

"I thought... maybe if you came with someone, you know... some company... that you'd make it up the mountain this time." He turned toward her, eyes alight. "I was right." He smiled and chuckled again, that jovial, nervous little laugh.

Luna smiled and soon she too was laughing.

"We should probably climb down now. Don't want to be up here all night."

"Kurt?" Then another silence fell, like twilight on a perfect day. "Can I ask you something?" He seemed resigned so she pushed on. "Do you... do you know what a Skittle is?"

And there that little chuckle came, like bells heralding a new day.

"It's funny but... I don't think I know what a 'Skittle' is and yet, hearing it... maybe I do now." He paused. "I think it's time I go." With that, he swung himself over the edge, not once looking back at the peak.

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Luna stayed long after he was gone, letting the silence surround her, letting the sun set on a perfect day, not sure if what had happened was good or bad, though both hoping and assuming it had been. She sighed and turned on to her side, smiling. She slept on top the mountain, the faint tinkling of bells ringing in her ears throughout the silent night.

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Thank you guys so much for the comments! It really does mean a lot ^^

[Herfefiny]

That was such a cute chapter! I loved it! I love this story so much! It's so sweet! Keep up the great work Cheza!

[Cheza-chan]

Chapter Eleven: An Impulsive Breakfast Leads to the Lake
Luna woke, the gentle light of the morning caressing her tender face. She sighed, stretching lightly and then reaching over to pet Skruskru, who lay on the foot of her bed. She looked out the window, eyes still clouded with sleep. For a moment, she thought she saw a goddess staring back at her, smiling at her, arms open. But it was only the large Mora tree that stood outside, like a kindhearted giant guarding its keep. She stood carefully from her bed, still aware of her wounds, and made her way to the fridge.

Empty. But what else could be expected from a poor farmer who felt no need to farm, day in, day out, munching on the food the wild animals themselves lived off of. Sighing, she shut the refrigerator door, stomach grumbling in protest. She sat on the edge of her bed and pulled out the money from her forages. 10, 20, 30... 697 gold pieces in total. Enough to buy me some breakfast. She was hesitant about spending the money at first but her decision was made by another loud rumble, courtesy of her aching stomach.

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"Hey! There's a new face!" Doug welcomed her in excitedly. Gwen stuck her head out from behind the doorway.
"Luna! Hi! Ellen's told me a lot about you." I bet she has.

"Oh... Gwen right?" She pretended this was the first time she met Gwen, yet she was so sure she had seen her somewhere before, even spoken to her. She couldn't name the time or place so there it was, a memory of Gwen that existed without her ever having known its residence. She sat at a table after ordering some Sunny Side-up eggs, matching the glorious sunshine outside. Her fingers tapped the smooth surface of the table, which gleamed back her own reflection. She hardly recognized herself. Her hair, usually so neatly tied into perfect pigtails, was mussed, her clothes in disarray, muddy in some spots, torn in others. Her nails, which she hadn't noticed before, had dirt caked beneath them, some chipped and others torn. She had a small slash of mud followed by a scratch written across her cheek and her pants had grass stains smeared across the faded fabric.

"Order up!" Gwen said, setting down a plate with a flourish.

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After eating, she decided to go for a swim. First she had to find somewhere private. Swimming in the local river or ocean was considered a travesty in the small village, so she made up her mind to visit Sunny Lake.
The air was cool and quiet, so different from the strong light seen around the town. Everything seemed considerably toned down here; the sounds were softer, the light was diminished, the wind temperate if blowing at all. Here, the water swirled and bubbled, the birds' song was light and airy, and the world seemed to calm even as she entered. Glancing around and realizing she had the entire space to herself, she slowly lowered herself into the water. Smiling, she dove under. Down, down, down. The light danced across the surface of the placid lake and even its newest inhabitant didn't disturb this docile nature. The fish didn't seem to note, or if they did, didn't mind, Luna's presence. The water engulfed her, absorbing her disruptive thoughts, and cleansing her entity.

She came up for air with a muted gasp as she surfaced.

"Didn't know I'd be catching Luna when I cast my line." She spun in the water and reddened. "Sorry!" Ray said with a good-natured laugh. "I didn't mean to frighten you. Or disturb you." He frowned at this. "Do you want to have a picnic? I bought sashimi!" His smile spread across his face as easily as honey over toast, sweet and warm.

"I..." still blushing, she swam to the edge, grabbing her shirt. "Uh... could you give me a moment?" At this a confused look crossed his face. She stared.

"OH right right! No problem!" He blushed a deep red and turned on his heels. Luna pulled herself out and dressed quickly, back turned to Ray.

"Ok." She told him after dressing. He hesitated, then turned.

"Right so uh... sorry."

"It's... ok..." He smiled nervously. That's when a snapping twig echoed throughout the quiet wood. Luna looked over Ray's shoulder, eyes growing in surprise.

"I would never have thought. Swimming with Ray? Now that's too low, even for you." It was Jamie. He stood like a dark tower, looking over Ray, who was shying away, mumbling something about a squid he'd seen the other day. Purple hair surrounded his face, hanging loosely over his ice blue eyes which stared coldly out between his bangs. "I thought you had your eye on Kurt? Or was it Joe? Could be Alex too, I wouldn't be surprised." A small tinge of pain lit in her leg and the back of her head seared with oncoming pain. Her fight or flight stress response was screaming in terror and confusion, every molecule shrieking for her to run. Run. Run run run. But she was powerless. She stood as he approached her, his hat off, wind tousling that wildly colored hair. "So which is it, I wonder?" As if reading her mind, he shot Luna straight where it hurt. "I think you like Kurt. But you know what? Kurt doesn't like you. Kurt doesn't like anyone. You know what Kurt likes? Nothing. Nothing but his tools and his silence. He'll never like you." He glared her down, then, with a cool laugh said, "You're shaking you know." He turned and slunk away, making his way straight for the heart of the town, his laugh still disturbing the tepid air.

[Herfefiny]

Jamie is so mean! I hate him.
Hes just jealous because everyone hates him!
That was a really good chapter! I love your description!

[Cheza-chan]

Chapter Twelve: The Darkest Day
The world trembled with the onslaught of rain, heavy dark sheets that overwhelmed the world as they plummeted from the angry heavens. In the first hour of rain, steam rose like a miasma from the sweltering stones, the sky growing darker in the passing of seconds.

Luna sat in the storm, staring up at the sky. She was all alone, sitting in the middle of the town. In her head, she listed everything that had brought her pain in the two-month existence of this town.

Almost all the inflictions against her stemmed from Jamie.

Thunder rolled against the sky, brooding at an unknown adversary. Lightening cried out in anguish, calling to her allies. And Luna sat in the middle of her universe, listening to the angry elements and feeling nothing but more pain encase her, swallowing her up like a livid sea against a broken ship. She stood, feeling energy course through her, an unknown sort of vigor from an anonymous source. She felt the wind sweep through her hair, felt the rain slap against her face.

I need to talk to someone. I need to talk to Jamie. To Kurt. Someone- anyone.

She flew through the din, rain roaring around her like an angry animal.

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She stood in front of the large farmland, animals tucked safely in their own places, bleating at the miserable weather. But Luna wasn't interested in the rain. She wanted Jamie.
She knocked on the door, unsure if she had been heard. Lightening crackled in the distance. She knocked again, throwing more force into her flying fists. She pressed her ear against the door.

Footsteps.

Thunder bellowed, calling to her.

The doorknob turned...

and Jamie pulled open the door.

"Why do you hate me?" Luna shouted against the wailing winds, sopping wet.

Jamie stared at her, shocked to silence. Luna took this as her cue to continue. "WHY? WHY!" She shouted in his face, ice eyes staring out at her, searching her face. "WHY? What have I done? WHY!" Thunder roared louder and lightening crashed against earth, its commanding presence screaming to be seen and heard.

Luna and Jamie both turned.

Luna and Jamie both saw what happened.

Luna ran. Jamie stood stock still, staring at the sight.

The wood surrounding Sunny Lake was on fire.

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Luna was sprinting, her heart and lungs crying out in protest. Tears clung to her eyes as she willed herself to go forward. Her entire body was fighting against her. Everything was against her in this one moment. But she had to. She had to stop the fire.
She reached it, lungs searing with burning heat despite the frigid air whirling around, guided by the howling winds. The very winds that spread the deadly fire, the timbers quickly catching fire, even as the slowing rain began to subside.

"WHY IS IT BURNING! WHY?" Terry had sunk to his knees, heart-wrenching sobs escaping his throat. "My beautiful trees... my beautiful TREES!" His hands were gesturing slowly around the trees, palms toward the heavens, almost as if to plead something, anything, to swoop down and save the trees he had grown up with. One tree had fallen onto another, its base blackened with the ferocity at which it was struck by the bolt of fire. The rains had stopped yet the thunder continued to roll in the sky, as if laughing at the world. The lightening danced, encouraging the winds to carry on her legacy as she danced and shrieked her way across the sky, illuminating the world with a hateful light.

The winds picked up the fire and soon, half the woods were alight with the crackling, malignant fire.

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Luna did the first thing she thought of. Grabbing Terry's shoulders, she pulled him away from a burning tree. Moments later, a branch came tumbling down, broken and burnt, screaming its way down to the earth.
"GO GET HELP!" Pushing him gently back toward the town square, it seemed all the life was draining out of Terry. But now he had a way to save his life. He nodded, eyes focusing themselves, turning away from their hazed stupor, and, taking one last glance at his burning home, raced off to find help.

Luna looked around, trying to get a plan. The left side was burning badly; she'd start there. Sweat pouring down her face as the wind picked up, she ran to the water's edge, looking down at the once placid lake, which now reflected the crimson flames. She tugged off her rucksack, pulling out an old iron watering can, dirt crusted around a corner, the handle slightly bent. She scooped it down into the suffering waters, pulling it out and facing the blazing trees.

As she worked, little by little, diminishing the furtive flames, smoke stung her eyes. Her lungs absorbed the toxins as tears streamed down her face. Ash swept across her body, creating little burn marks. Sparks flew off the charred remains, landing on her clothes, in her hair, on her arms.

She worked relentlessly.

She worked until the woods were down to their last few trees.

The last few trees were saved.

But Luna was not.

[Herfefiny]

Nooooooooo! How awful! How sad! How-
*stops random outburst of emotion*
That was such a great chapter! Threre was so much emotion! ^^ I can't wait until the next chapter to find out what happens! #shifty#

[Cheza-chan]

Thank you Herfefiny! You're practically the only one that comments ^^ lol!
I want to be in that main board thing that says "Suggested Reads" That'd be so cool >.<!!