Bad Moon

Chapter 1         I sat on a bench, in front of the library, watching the autumn leaves fall as I was waiting for my best friend Jazz to pick me up. There is a light breeze making the leaves dance and twirl around,  I get so lost in watching the beauty of the dance, I didn't notice the old woman who sat down next to me until she spoke, making me jump.  I look at her in confusion not hearing her words.          "OH! I'm so sorry. I didn't see you sit down or hear what you said. Would you mind repeating it for me?" I ask, giving her an apologetic smile. I noticed the wrinkles around her friendly steel grey eyes that held a sense of sadness and wisdom, first. Next I notice her long silvery hair, that looks as if made of silk, framing the delicate features of her heart shaped face. The sun gave her an almost angelic look with the way it was shining down upon her.         "It's alright my dear girl. I should have spoken sooner, so I take all the blame." She says patting my hand softly. "I knew I was late but in my old age it takes me longer to do the things I need too. After this my debt should be done." She shakes her head then looks at me. She must see the confusion on my face because she adds, "Excuse this old ladies rambles my dear. It happens to the best of us as we age." She smiles reassuringly at me but averts her eyes from mine quickly. " I know I'm a stranger to you but please heed my advice and be cautious of the bad moon. When the time comes, and you will know when, come find me." She looks me in the eye and I can see that she is serious which only confuses me more.         "Ok? Bu.." She cuts me off. "Not now child. No questions until the time is right. Besides, your ride is here." She nods looking down the street.  I follow her gaze to find the street empty. I turn to tell her that I didn't see anyone so she had to be mistaken but there was no sign of her. I'm still looking around in  confusion for the vanishing woman when a few seconds later Jazz screeches into the parking lot. "Hey June!" I hear Jazz call out of the window waving. I give up and get into the passenger side of Jazz's beat up dodge. " What's got you on a mumble streak?" She asks as soon as I'm buckled in.          “Well, I thought I saw someone but I guess I was just imagining them.” I tell my best friend not knowing myself if the conversation was real or imagined. It seemed real, she touched my hand and I felt it but she disappeared as if she was never there...  That's impossible. Isn't it? And that weird warning? What does ‘beware the bad moon.’ Mean anyways? Isn't that a Creedence Clearwater song or something? I think to myself.             “Ummm… Well, if you say so.” She says in a disbelieving tone. “So what do you wanna do?” She asks me, pulling out onto the street. “We could go to the mall or a movie?”          I think a minute and decide on the Mall. I’m not the shopping type but I know Jazz loves it and it will hopefully be a good distraction. “Mall. I need to get a few things before Friday.”             “Oh hell yeah! Now we’re talking.” Jazz replies with a huge smile. ”Let’s get this show on the road. We got things to date and boy’s to buy!” We laugh and she speeds up excitement taking her over.          Ten minutes later we pulled into the parking lot. Jazz had the engine off and was out of the car before I even knew we were parked. I jump out following her in laughing. She drags me store to store for about an hour before we finally slow down and I am able to look through a few outfits. That's when I spotted someone watching me. Then, POOF, they were gone.