Athaliah: The Unknown Luna

Prologue “Mom, I plucked some flowers from the creek earlier,” Athaliah said with a big smile on her lips. Her mother turned to her in amusement. “Wow! They are beautiful, Athaliah,” she commented. “But make sure to stay away from the woods next time. I don't want you to get hurt.” “I know, Mom. Don't worry I won't,” she answered. It's always a reminder from her parents to stay away from the other side of the woods. They said it's dangerous out there. For a little girl like her, it is not safe to wander around alone. “There's some fish in the basin, Mom. I’ve caught it. I was with Yaxha earlier,” Athaliah announced. Mrs. Pendragon turned to her daughter. “Where? Really? How?” she asked, dumbfounded. She hadn't teached Athaliah to catch some fish. She's only eight years old. Athaliah nodded her head. “We were with Yaxha's brother. We helped him so he gave me some for dinner,” Athaliah answered happily. “Oh, you silly girl!” Mrs. Pendragon patted her daughter's head. “Good job, Athaliah. You can survive on your own now.” “Mom!” Athaliah protested. “What?” “Don't leave me,” Athaliah pleaded. “Oh, Darling. I am not leaving you, okay?” her mother said. Athaliah looked around. “Where's dad?” she asked, eager to know where her beloved father was. “Out. He’ll be here before dinner.” Before dusk, Athaliah’s father arrived with a basket full of fruits and vegetables. She was so happy she jumped out of her chair and greeted her dad at the door. “Daddy! How's your trip?” She hugged her fathers legs. “Careful!” her mom shouted from behind. Her father patted her head. “It's great, Darling. What did you do?” her father asked. Athaliah watched her dad kiss her mom on the cheeks before putting the basket on the table. Athaliah closed the door. “It was great, Dad. We have caught some fish at the creek earlier with Yaxha and her brother,” Athailah excitedly said. “Really? Is it for dinner?” her father inquired. “Yes! Yes!” Athaliah clapped her hand excitedly. “We helped him catch the fish so he gave me some. It's nice to help so I can have my share,” she added. “Easy, girl. It's not always like that,” her mother announced. Athaliah made a face. “I know.” THE NEXT DAY, Athaliah said her goodbyes to her parents before running to Yaxha's house. Yaxha is her only friend. She has dark hair and fair skin. Yaxha looks like a doe-eyed doll. Her eyes sparkle in the moonlight. “Yaxha!” Athaliah shouted at the top of her lungs. “Good morning, Mrs. Beautiful!'' She greeted Yaxha's mom who was piling some firewood. “Hey, Tal. Good morning,” the woman greeted her back. “Yaxha's still sleeping.” She knows what to do. She burst into the Xipil’s house and ran upstairs to Yaxha's room. She twisted the doorknob and found her asleep. Still covered with blankets. She walked to Yaxha's bed and jumped on the sleeping girl. Athaliah heard her groan. “Thaliah!” Yaxha moaned. “I'm still sleepy,” she hissed. “Come on! Get up! We need to gather firewood!” Athaliah cheered. Her best friend was still drowsy after getting up. Yaxha tied her hair into a bun without combing it. Athaliah helped her gather things and eat their breakfast. They were lively after eating. “We should go back to the creek,” Athaliah yelled. Yaxha was startled. She shook her head. “We can't, Thaliah. It's dangerous.” “No, it’s not. That's just rumors, Yaxha. Nothing wrong in that creek,” Athaliah insisted. “Come on, Yaxha. Don't be scared.” Athaliah led the way while Yaxha was tugging on her shirt. “Let's go! It is going to be so much fun!” Athaliah chanted enthusiastically. “Let's just gather some firewood, Athaliah. It's not safe here without an adult to supervise us,” Yaxha protested. “It’s okay. We won't take long,” Athaliah assured her hysterical companion. Yaxha's father is the Beta of Night Crest Pack while Athaliah’s father is the Alpha and her mother is the Luna. They grew up together and they were best of friends. Hours later, they were still in the creek, laughing and playing and being silly. They were only children. Athaliah stopped splashing Yaxha with the water when she heard a growl at a distance. “What was that?” she asked, confused. Yaxha made her way up and spun around to track the noise. “What was that noise, Athaliah? Now I am frightened,” Yaxha gave herself a hug. Athaliah rushed to her and squeezed Yaxha's tiny hands. They were just like hers. Soft, tiny, and fragile. They were just the hands of a child, trying to be happy. A loud thud erupted causing Athaliah to close her eyes. Yaxha was now crying. “We have to go back! Now!” Yaxha insisted. Athaliah went motionless. Yaxha tugged her shirt. “Come on! Something's happening!” Yaxha shouted at Athaliah’s ears. Athaliah sprinted leaving Yaxha behind. Her heart was pounding. She thought of her family, her father, her mother, her friends. What if they were attacked? Her tears stream down to her rosy cheek. Yaxha was far behind and at a distance she saw fires. The houses were on fire. Athaliah stopped on her track. She was confused. “W-What’s happening?” she asked. “Why?” “Mom, Dad,” Athaliah whispered. She was enraged, scared, and dumbfounded. She ran to a tree near their house. It was burning. Hot. “Oh, no!” she exclaimed before stopping herself. She stepped backwards as a shadow exited their home. It was a man, but not her father. He had a wound on his face and it was bleeding. Athaliah shook her head. She does not know what to do. The house can not be saved anymore. The cries for help echoed in her ears. “The Night Crest Alpha is now dead! Submit to me, or else, I will put an end to your life.” Athaliah heard him threaten the remaining Omegas and Betas in the Night Crest Pack. Yaxha stopped by her side, crying and hysterical. “My mom and dad and brother,” Yaxha whispered. “I know, Yaxha. We can’t go there. They will hurt us,” Athaliah whispered back. “It’s okay, Yaxha. We will wait until they are gone. I hope they're okay,” she said. But Yaxha managed to escape from her graps and plunged into the burning houses. Athaliah felt numb and motionless. She watched her best friends back until she succumbed by the fire. She had no choice but to flee for her own safety before anyone could track her smell. She was lost in the woods. What can an eight year old do to protect herself? Days and days she runs until she can no longer lift her feet. Eyes sweaty and her body is frail. Athaliah dropped to the ground. She needs rest. She’s hungry and thirsty. Days passed, though her body was weakened, Athaliah was glad she was still alive as she heard footsteps from a distance. She tried to move her fingers and they did. She smiles and closes her eyes again. Before she could open her eyes again, someone was shouting. She heard a commotion and all she heard was a woman yelling, and her body was being lifted from the ground. She heard voices. Athaliah moved her head and slightly opened her eyes, scanning the place she was in. She's not in the woods. A white ceiling and a big window on the roof. She looked to her right and there's a table with some children's books piled up in a small wooden rack. To her left side was a floor to ceiling window. Outside is a far and wide ocean. She was in bed, a comfortable one. Athaliah uttered a word. “Water.” Her voice was weak. Her words were almost a whisper. “Oh my God! She's awake!” a hysterical voice interrupted her wandering mind. A woman approached her. “Call the family doctor!” she demanded. Athaliah was dumbfounded. “W-Who are you?” she asked in a faint voice. “Don't talk. I need you to be okay,” the woman answered. Her eyes has a worried look. Athaliah nodded slowly, submitting to the woman who saved her. Maybe she was the one responsible for saving her life in the woods. Athaliah sighed as memories came rushing to her mind. A tear suddenly streaked to her ear. She misses home. She misses her family. She misses Yaxha. Athaliah’s head started spinning. She cried silently until she lost consciousness.