Blood Moon

5 | Aftermath

The night went by silently. And a new day didn't bring any hope to us who are left behind. We paid tribute to the fallen, laid them in wooden beddings with woodland wildflowers and prayed to the gods for their souls. Their bodies are then engulfed in flames and the ashes placed in handmade urns made of clay. 

A designated area for our departed loved ones was arranged and their urns were safely placed there among beautiful flowers and their prized possessions. 

I stayed close with the twins after the funeral and gave comfort to their father. He would tell me stories of him and his wife and how beautiful she was. He would embrace his children tightly every time he would feel like crying. Their father was trying his best to be strong for all of them and it made me feel guilty of what I didn't do. 

Vida, Arlo, and Damon are rebuilding the treehouses that were torn and ruined by the Newborns. Gus, already wrapped up with medicinal herbs sits at his bed and fixes Jermaine's belongings which he keeps close to him. Ciro who is disappointed with himself sits in a corner by his treehouse, devising a plan to save mother Maia and Jermaine. 

No one ate. No one did what they would normally do in a typical day. No one could fathom the depth of the attack's aftermath. 

~

It was noon when Damon called us all to gather in the common area. 

"I know that last night was... unimaginable," says Damon, who rarely speaks in front of everybody but felt like he needed to. Ciro was too lost to lead from here, his goofy demeanor vanished and a darker side of him emerged. 

"We, the remaining hunters, will search for mother Maia and Jermaine." Damon continues. 

We all gasp at this announcement. No one in our group has ever ventured into the city undergrounds, even the elders who saw the dawn of the end never dared return to their original homes. 

"No, Damon." Ciro interrupts. "I go alone," he says. 

"What!? Are you out of your mind!?" shouts Vida. "You'll get killed!" 

"Then I'll go with him," I said firmly. 

Their eyes burrow onto me, unsure of how to react. 

"Yes, I'm the weakest among us but I do not want to let mother Maia down again." I insisted.

Please. Give me this chance. 

"We'll come with you," says Gus. "My girl is there with them. I've got to save her." His eyes starting to tear up again. 

"You're injured, Gus. You won't stand a chance out there," says Damon, concerned. 

"I'll go," says Vida with a serious tone, her hands resting by her hips. 

"Then no one will protect them!" I point out to the devastated family of the twins. "They need you guys." I pleaded. Pleaded that they let me go. "The lesser number to leave, the easier to enter the undergrounds unseen."

They look at each other, unable to think of any other excuse to reject my wishes. 

Gus who seems to still want to come knows that he is physically incapable of  - instead rested his hand on Ciro's shoulder and said "I'll protect our friends, go and save my girl. Tell her I love her and that I'm waiting." 

Ciro gently taps Gus' hand for affirmation. "Get back on your feet first." They both smiled. 

Ciro then looks at me.

"Selene," He paused, looking worried.

"I will not allow you to do this." 

"Who are you to tell me what to do!?" I snapped at him.

"You need a healer! And I am the only one left. Stop your arrogant nonsense and just let me come with you! You may be the strongest but I have the will and faith which is a hella lot more than others! So just this once, please, trust me that I can do it!" 

Let me prove that I truly care and that I'll do anything for this family. 

Ciro was taken aback by my strong response and fell silent. He looked at the others. They stared at us waiting for a full-blown argument. But instead, Ciro smirks and turns his back, while mustering:  "Then you better start packing".

~

Vida is helping me pack my essential items in my treehouse. 

"I didn't know you were so bold," she says with a smirk, glancing at me while placing the herbs in my satchel. 

I huffed and smiled, finishing up my packing. 

"I guess you didn't know me that well," I said playfully. 

Vida laughs and hugs me tightly. 

"Ugh, don't kill me before I even leave," I said holding her. 

She laughs nervously then releases me from her grasp and looks at me. "Here, have this," and she hands me her most prized dagger. The dagger that her mother gave her. 

I looked at her with tears forming at the corner of my eyes. "Vida, you don't have to." 

"But I want to," she says, also getting emotional. "Remember Selene, save them if you must but don't forget that your life is also important." 

We hugged each other again which now seems like forever and wiping each other's tears. This might be the last time we ever see each other. The thought is frightening. 

We didn't notice the boys who were already standing by the door looking at us hug. We were all emotional. 

"Group hug!" shouts Arlo and we lock ourselves in each other's arms. 

I looked at Ciro who is so serious. I'm not used to him being mature and all big brotherly but it brought me comfort. He looked back at me and I look away, blushing. 

We all let go of our friends and proceeded to get out of the treehouse. 

"Will you be back?" says Eloisa, approaching me. She seldom speaks. 

"Of course. Take care of your father and brother for me. Okay, brave girl?" 

She nods her head and says "Yes, Selene. I'll be as brave as you." 

I'm not that brave. 

I smiled, ignoring what she said and waved goodbye to her brother and father. 

"Take care, Selene. Thank you for comforting us" says their father. 

"Anything for family," I said. 

He smiled. 

Ciro lays his hand on my shoulder signaling me that we have to go before night falls. 

We walk into the woods, not knowing what will come for us. 

"Make sure you get back alive!" shouts Vida. 

We laugh and nod our heads. Ciro looks at me and smiles. I smile back. 

It's going to be a long trip.