MoonLove: a mythological story

First day

-Lilith... LILITH! Wake up, and hear my voice... come to me, dear daughter, walk to my phantom arms and let me hug you in the edge of the windows,  let me feel you as my child, let me take your soul back to our world, let me be the mother you never had in the flesh...

The girl in the bed could listen to that sweet voice calling her, but she refused to follow it, she knew it was wrong to follow it.  That voice wanted for her to jump off the 10th floor where her dorm was and she knew that even if the moon was her mother that jump would end her life and her soul would be locked in limbo until her mother decided to take her off, but deep down she knew that she would never take her out of her misery. She opened her eyes just a little, just to be blinded by the same hard light that always appeared when her mother’s voice filled the room or at least her mind. The blinding pain she always felt when she saw that light came to her like a lightning, while her unconscious body fell back to the bed.

The night had been way too long, if is her semester had not begun yet. Her dreams (or what she thought was a dream) had been heavy and cold for which she had woken up in the middle of the night with headache, just to discover her mother looking at her, and her room full of a hard white light that always made her eyes ache. She fell to her back and let her mind get lost in all that happened until dawn appeared and she knew her mother had finally left her alone.

Lilith got out of bed as slowly as she could, imagining that all her sadness could be left aside, and all her pain was staying locked in the blankets she left on the bed. She felt tired and destroyed because of what happened the night before, but even knowing what she was going to find in her reflection she put herself in front of the gift she had received 3 years ago; a full length mirror. As she was expecting, she looked like a corpse just out of the coffin. She was paler than normal, her eyes were cloudy and her posture gave away something had happened; with a resigned sigh she kept going to the shower, maybe the hot water would make her look alive or at least make her feel somewhat better. Once under the hot water she began thinking about how much she hated her mother visiting her, especially inside her own bedroom, but her “sweet mother” apparently did not mind about her wishes or needs.

-          At least I can feel better by being locked down in here. - Lilith said to herself.

She decided to stay in there for the next 30 minutes, until she could see her fingers as raisins and her normally pale skin red because of the heat. Once put, she could feel her soul darkening, even if the sun was brighter than it had been when Lilith woke up.

She knew she should still feel happy, after all she was still on holiday; and even if she was not, it was Sunday. Lilith began wondering about her day to come, and the way she was probably going to be alone as she always was; but at least she would be able to enjoy one of her few pleasures. Reading.

She kept this thought like a warm embrace, so she was able to lighten up her mood, because that would be the only good part of her day ahead; nevertheless she knew she still looked like a dead body.

To try to seem alive, she decided to wear one of her violet dresses, her black heel boots and as a uniform for her, tie her longhair in a ponytail, so it did I not bother her while the day went along. Lilith s looked at her reflection on the looking glass in front of her, but now her image was completely unknown to her; that day she felt as if she had a costume on, instead of just normal diary clothes. Her gray eyes looked colder than normal and her red hair looked like a cheap wig. The only good part for her was her skin, she always liked her pale colour that make her look like vampire in some way; but this time it just helped her look more dressed up that she imagined it could happen.

-          Well as always, this is the best I can achieve. What a pity – Lilith said to her reflection, which seemed to agree with her.

She bowed to the image in front of her, and headed to her small study where she always left her things. She turned on her computer, her phone and her Tablet, just to check on them before going out, but as unexpected as it might have been, everything was empty, except for 10 messages, coming from her only friend.

Hey! Do you mind if we meet at 10 instead of 11am?

Oh, well that was not good at all, but Martha should know better than that,  Lilith never turned on her devices before 10 am, if she wanted to change the date or time she should have done it the day before,  after all she better than anyone know that she never went to sleep before midnight. Lilith began opening the rest of the messages, and as she expected, all of them were from Martha and went in the same way.

Where are you?

You are late!

LILITH!!... Are you coming?

Did you got my message?... I cannot wait here till 11!  Hurry up!

That moment, she was just about to call Martha when her phone on her hand rang, as if the person in the other side of the line knew she was about to call. It was her friend.

-          b****y hell!... what is wrong with you? I have been writing you the whole morning! - Screamed Martha on the other side.

-          Hello Martha! How are you this morning? Well darling as you know I never turn on my phone until 10 am every day, so you should have told me yesterday about the change of plans.

-          How could you do this to me! I had been waiting for you almost 30 minutes!

-          Did not you hear what I just said?!

-          That is not a reason to keep me here! You should have...

-          Ok, enough! – Lilith said in hard way to her friend – as I said you should have told me that when we spoke yesterday. Right now I am not in the mood to stand one of your idiotic scenes.

-          Oh, Lilith I am so sorry, I forgot about your schedule... you are right, I should have told you this before...

-          Ok, too late. I do not want to hear about it anymore, if you want to meet me I am going to the library. Otherwise we can meet in other moment.

-          Lilith, please listen to me... I am...

-          I do not want to listen to you. Bye.

Lilith did not know if there came a reply, because she hanged the phone. It was all that it was missing, even Martha was there bothering her! She was definitely not in the mood for it. She took her things, threw them in her purse, and went out of her dorm, feeling that the day was going from bad to worst.  

Once outside the college complex, with all the sun heating her bare skin she began to feel better and to see the world, or at least the day with new eyes. Her plans had change, she was not meeting her friend after all; which for some reason made her feel better, she had a bad feeling about that girl, but even so she was her only friend, for that reason she decided to close her eyes and avoid looking for her true intentions, because Lilith knew if she did, she was going to regret it.

Without noticing by being lost in her own thoughts, she had arrived to her final destination,  she was already I  the biggest bookstore she knew; she smiled to herself, that silent, book covered place always made her feel good and even against her will made her soul fly and her mind always got lost in the pages that place could offer.

Lilith had a particular routine in that place, she always began by walking through every single hall, and later picked up all the books she wanted, read little pieces of them to finally buy all of them she really wanted.

It was a known ritual to all the employees in that particular store, they knew she could be there hours just reading every single book name, or just walking around looking for something new that could make her heart lighten up, in the perspective of reading about true love or at least about what she had learnt about it through different author’s point of view.

-          Lilith! How are you this morning? I was not expecting to see you so soon – said the older employee.

-          Patrick! Is so good to see you, I could have been better, but thanks for asking. How is everything around here?

-          Actually better now that I see you.  I was about to call you when I saw you come in...

-          Really? What happened? – Lilith asked before looking in his eyes, she needed to be prepared to whatever news she was about to hear, but what she saw left he speechless – Do not tell me it is already here...

-          Precisely! The book you had been looking for already arrived but there is just one copy...

-          Do not care! Give it to me!

-          Ok, ok, no need for you to get like that, follow me...

Lilith was so happy, Patrick had given he the greater news he could have ever given her. For the first time she began looking truly to the man who was leading her to the book she had been looking for so long. Patrick was a very nice, bubbly man, he has always been since she can remember she knew him, he was somewhat old but not too much, if she should guess, she would say he was in his middle 40, his black hair with silver lines gave that up about him, and he had some more weight than he should but he was always gentle and polite to everyone, and actually that is what Lilith appreciated more about him.

The couple of minutes which took them both to reach their destiny had been to her almost like a century but it was worthy if she was able to have that precious book on her hands. Patrick opened the door and gave her what she had been looking for so long. There it was, the first edition of “the exorcist”, the same book her father had once given to her but her mother destroyed out in the name of “decency” as she had said.

She took the book to her heart and without being able to control herself, tears began running down her eyes. The moment was precious until that annoying voice came to the scene.

-          Lilith?... Lilith are you here?...

It was Martha, what an awful moment for her to appear. Lilith turned her head back to Patrick and gave him a desperate look, Patrick understood at once, what was expected from him and he proceeded.

-          Good morning young lady, how can I help you? – Patrick said with his signature smile.

-          Good morning, I am looking for Lilith have you seen her today?

-          Lilith? Sorry but would you mind to describe her? The name rings a bell but I am not completely sure about who she is – Patrick said,  it would have been too obvious if he said he did not know her, she practically lived there.

-          Oh, sorry... I just assumed you maybe... never mind... she is about 1,60, red head, pale skin...

-          Oh, I remember now, I saw her today yes, but she left about 10 minutes ago.

-          Did not she mention where she was going?

-          No she did not, I am sorry I cannot be of more help.

-          No problem, thanks for your help.

And with that Martha turned around and got out of the place.

Lilith sighed in relief when she heard her friend leave the place, which would have just ruined the perfect moment she was having.

-          Patrick, I owe you one! – Lilith said with a grateful voice.

-          No need child, I help you with pleasure.

Lilith felt so lucky to have someone like Patrick looking after her, she had never had that kind of grateful feeling for someone. But then it was time to get to the important thing, business.

-          Patrick, I want this book...

-          But Lilith a man already paid for...

-          Who did??... I will speak to him, I know he will understand if I explain him about the situation...

-          Lilith, listen to me, this man had been looking for it for a long time too...

-          But I am sure if I explain it to him, he would...

-          Ok, relax I do now want you crying here. I will call the man so you can speak to him, but please listen to me. I do not think he will give it too easily.

-          Thanks, really thanks...

The seller knew good enough that the girl in front of him was stubborn enough like to turn everyone mad when she wanted something; nevertheless he had seen her come to this same place week after week for 2 years looking for that particular piece, and now in his heart Patrick knew she should have at least that piece of happiness. With a knot in his stomach he took the phone and dialled to the number on his agenda.

-          Schneider!

-          Excuse me for bothering you Mr Schneider, but here is a girl who wants to speak to you about...

-          Let me guess it is about the book.

-          Yes, but please if you just explain her...

-          Ok, I will talk to her, but please, next time better leave me a message in my office.

-          I am so sorry, I will do as you wish next time.

Patrick handed the phone to a nervous Lilith who seemed to have lost her whole bravery, now that the relevant moment have come for her to speak to that stranger in the other side of the line.  She sighed again and took the phone that was being handed to her.

-          Hello... – Lilith said shyly

-          Lilith!!

-          Dad! Is it you? I cannot believe it! You are the secret buyer?

-          Secret buyer? Not at all my dearest, I have been looking for that same book since you told me your mother destroyed the one I already gave to you, you seemed to be so sad.

-          Oh dad, thanks...

-          No need sweetheart, I hope you enjoy it!

-          Thank you! I love you.

-          I love you too, now give the phone to the seller so I can give him some instructions.

-          Sure I will. Bye dad.

With that Lilith gave the phone back and smiled so wide that Patrick did not need to speak to Mr Schneider to know what the results were.

-          Mr Schneider...

-          Do not worry, give it to the young lady, she want it more than I do, I can always find another copy.

-          But what about the money? You paid a considerable amount for this particular piece.

-          Do not worry keep it, I am gifting the book to that girl. But please if you find another one let me know.

-          It will be done as you wish.

-          Thanks.

And with that the call was over.