* * *
We went to the party, of course. I hadn’t been sure how I should go there. I guessed I should go with Billy. God knows Iluna couldn’t be relied on. One moment we were playing Primal Rage, the next…she was gone.
I came back around nine o’clock. Billy looked disappointed to see me alone, but he understood Iluna’s transient nature. “Maybe she’ll meet us there,” he said as we started down the road.
“Oh, I’m sure.” I gazed up at the moon, which shone as bright and prominent as I’d ever seen it.
We trotted along before Billy thought of something, stopped walking, and put his hand on my chest to stop me. “Wait a minute.” He looked at me cautiously. “What time is it?”
I looked at my watch.
“Nine twelve.”
Billy frowned, bit his lip, considering, and then shook his head. “Nah man, it’s
