The Last Moonshine

Episode2

"There's something wrong with this town. I can feel it in my bones."

The words slipped out before I could stop them. Mia looked up from her lunch tray, amused. "Wrong with it? It's boring. That's what's wrong."

"That's not what I mean. There's this feeling. Like something's watching. Like the air is heavier than it should be."

Cody snorted. "Too many horror novels."

"Maybe." I forced a smile. "Or maybe I'm just homesick."

It was a lie. I'd been homesick since we left our old house, but this was different—something that made the hairs on my neck stand up every time I walked through Millbrook High.

Three months I'd been here. Three months of hallways that felt too narrow, classrooms too closed in, a town holding its breath. I'd told myself it was anxiety. But deep down, I knew it was more.

Something was wrong with Millbrook. I just couldn't figure out what.

"You need to get out," Mia declared. "You spend all your time in the library. When's the last time you did something fun?"

"I read a good book yesterday."

"That doesn't count. I'm talking about real fun. A party. A movie. Anything without paper and ink."

Cody nodded. "You can't spend senior year hiding."

"Watch me," I muttered, but I was smiling.

Mia grinned. "I'm dragging you out of your shell if it's the last thing I do."

I laughed despite myself. But even as I laughed, the prickle lingered at my neck—that sense of being watched. I scanned the cafeteria. No one was looking at me. But I couldn't shake the feeling.

The rest of the day passed in a blur. By the final bell, exhaustion settled in my bones—the kind from constantly being on edge.

I walked home slowly. Millbrook's streets were quiet, lined with old houses and ancient trees that loomed like silent guardians. A pretty town. Picturesque.

But something hid beneath the surface. Something dark. Ancient.

I shook my head. I was being ridiculous.

Still, I walked faster, eyes scanning shadows. By the time I reached my apartment, my heart pounded, hands trembling.

Lilly waited by the door, her ferret nose twitching. I scooped her up, burying my face in her warmth.

"Something's wrong with this town, Lilly. I can feel it."

She chittered against my neck.

I sat on the couch, staring at the wall. The apartment was too quiet. Every sound seemed magnified. I reached for my emergency Skittles, popping a handful. The sweetness didn't help.

I kept thinking about the cheerleaders' laughter. Mrs. Patterson's kindness, which only made me feel more alone. And that feeling—the prickle, the sense of being watched.

My phone buzzed. Mia.

"Party at Jake's tonight. You're coming. No excuses."

I typed back: "I don't think so."

"I'm not asking. I'm telling. Eight. Wear something cute."

I groaned. There was no arguing with Mia.

I spent an hour searching for something to wear. My wardrobe was oversized sweaters and plain jeans—practical, forgettable. That was the point.

But Mia said cute, so I dug out a dark blue top I'd bought on a whim. Simple, but it fit well and made my eyes look darker.

I stared at the mirror, barely recognizing the girl looking back. She looked unafraid. Like someone who belonged.

I wished I could be her.

Mia arrived at eight, wild red hair and grin even wilder. "Look at you! Amazing! I knew there was a hottie under those sweaters."

I flushed. "I don't know—"

"Nope. No self-deprecation tonight. Tonight, you're going to forget about being invisible and just be yourself."

I wanted to tell her that being myself was the problem. But I just nodded and let her drag me out.

The party was in full swing. Jake's mansion screamed old money—music pulsing, lights glowing, people everywhere. My confidence wavered. This was a mistake.

But Mia pulled me inside. "Relax. It's just a party."

"Not like this."

"All the more reason to enjoy it."

We pushed through the crowd. I tried to make myself small, but too many bodies pressed against me. Mia found us drinks and dragged me to a corner.

"See?" she nudged me. "Not so bad."

I forced a smile. "Yeah. Not so bad."

It was a lie.

An hour passed. Then two. I'd avoided most people I didn't want to see, but my luck ran out.

On my way back from the bathroom, a hand grabbed my wrist.

"Hey, Tiny Tilly."

I froze. Derek—one of the jocks who'd mocked me since day one. Tall, broad-shouldered, with a smirk that made my skin crawl.

"Let go."

He laughed, tightening his grip. "Don't you want to hang out? I thought you'd be grateful for attention."

"I said let go." I tried to pull free, but he was too strong.

"I like feisty girls," he said, stepping closer. "Makes things interesting."

My heart raced. Trapped against the wall. Music too loud. No one around.

"Please," I whispered. "Let me go."

His smirk widened. "Say please again. I like the way—"

Before he finished, Derek was ripped away from me. One moment he loomed over me. The next, he was on the ground, a tall figure standing between us.

"You're done here," the figure said.

His voice was low and cold.

Derek scrambled up, pale. "Who the hell are you?"

"Someone who doesn't like bullies. Walk away. Before I change my mind."

Derek stared, anger shifting to fear. Then he fled into the crowd.

I stood frozen, heart pounding. The figure turned. He was tall—really tall—with dark hair and sharp, almost too-perfect features. His eyes were grey, silvery like moonlight. When they met mine, something flashed in them. Pain. Brief, sharp, gone.

"Are you okay?" His voice softened, gentler.

"I—yes. I think so."

He nodded, turning to leave. Without thinking, I grabbed his arm.

"Wait. Who are you?"

He looked back, eyes unreadable. "Someone in the right place at the right time. That's all."

Then he disappeared into the crowd like he'd never been there.

I stood there, hand still reaching out. Who was he? I'd never seen him before. He didn't look like he belonged here. He belonged somewhere darker. Dangerous.

I wanted to know his name. Why he'd helped me. Why there was pain in his eyes when he looked at me.

But he was gone.

Mia found me minutes later, panicked. "Brienne! Are you okay? You look like you've seen a ghost."

"Derek cornered me. Grabbed me."

Her eyes widened. "Where is he? I'll kill him!"

"Gone. Someone scared him off."

"Who?"

"Tall, dark hair, grey eyes. He just appeared."

Something flickered across Mia's face. "Grey eyes?"

"Yeah. Why?"

She shook her head. "Nothing. Are you okay? Want to go home?"

I nodded, desperate to leave. "Let's go home."