Of The Moon

Chapter 1: Captive Audience

Eight years later....

"Angel, you can't eat all of them!" Sam whined from across the counter. "Sure I can! You can't stop me, old man", I replied. Sam dove over the counter trying to take the container from me. I sidestepped his swinging arms and began to run. "No running in the house! You both act like wild animals!" momma yelled. Instead of angering momma further, I ran out the front door and into the woods, still clutching the container of our aunts' delicious cookies. Aunt Tracy only made these cookies a few times a year. They were a coveted delight within the Whyte household. As I ran, I began to notice how quickly the dark was taking over the day. Slowly my surroundings changed. Before I could stop my full-fledged sprint, a cliff came into view. Slowing down, I struggled to maintain my footing on the rocky cliff. I was going too fast. As the gravel slid from under my feet, I reached for anything I could find to slow me down. There was nothing. I was going to plummet to my death. The ground no longer under my feet. The weightless feeling was taken over by the tug of gravity. Suddenly, I startled awake. Only to realize, it was just another dream of my family. I miss them so much.

Today I woke up to the same hell I've been in for the last several days. There's nothing new to see, just the same damp darkness as before. I went to sleep in my parents' cabin and woke up here. I was always protected. I have no idea how anyone could have gotten to me. These men won't tell me anything. I don't even know why I am here.

I'm not sure how long I've been here. I cannot tell the night from the day in this place. I've been in the same ten by ten cell since I woke up here. Darkness surrounds me. I have a small cot and an old metal toilet in the middle of my cell. The smell is horrific, old dried blood along with the smell of rotting flesh has long since burned my sensitive nostrils. I'm doing my best to breathe through my mouth to avoid the burning sensation in my nose.

The days all begin just like every other miserable day that I've been here. Heartbroken and lonely. I rolled off of my cot just to pace six steps one way and six steps back. There's nothing new to look at, absolutely nothing. Concrete and metal bars. Six more steps...and another six more. Ugh I'm so frustrated.

I've never had many friends, but I always had my family and Bay, my wolf. Gosh, I miss them. There's a void inside of me. I need them.

When I first arrived, I tried to count the days by the food they would bring to me. However, I found out pretty quickly that I wasn't fed on any type of schedule. Some days I would get a piece of stale bread and a cup of water. Other days I would have some slop resembling soup, maybe? My stomach didn't care what it looked like. My body just needed sustenance. I was so hungry. I sure wish I could have one of aunt Tracy's cookies right now! I've lost too much weight. My dirty pajamas are all but falling off. I've rolled them over and over again, just to keep them on me.

Back to why I'm here. There is absolutely no way they could have found out my secret. I have been so careful. Very few people know who and what I am. None of them would have betrayed me. I hope they are all okay. I miss my family so much. I bet they're worried sick. They will find me, I know they will. My brother, Sam, won't rest until he does.

Other than Bay, Sam is my best friend. He's seventeen years older than me but he never treated me like his bratty sister. I wish I could talk to him. He would be able to tell me how to get out of here. Sam, he would've already fashioned his own knife out of the springs in my cot, or something equally as threatening.

Typically it's quiet here. The occasional heavy footsteps above me are my only clue that I'm not alone. There's water dripping somewhere. Do you know how annoying the sound of dripping water is after a few days? That is the only constant sound. It seems to get louder every day, like a ticking clock.

Suddenly, the heavy metal door clanging loudly, grabbed my attention. I could hear what sounded like yelling. The guards were dragging someone. I couldn't see much outside of the cell I was kept in, but I could tell someone else was thrown in the cage next to mine. Blanketed in the darkness, I couldn't make out a figure. I just hoped whoever it was, was okay.

After the men left, I tried to speak to the figure, "are you okay?" I waited for an answer, silence. I tried again. " My name is Angeline. Most people call me Angel. I've been here for a few weeks, I think. Do you know where we are?" This time the figure began to turn in my direction. I wasn't ready to see this, I felt myself visibly wince. This woman had been badly beaten. Her lips were split and still bleeding, both eyes held deep bruises. I'm sure if there was enough light the sight would be even worse. She said, " My name is Claire, this is Fate. She is only 4" I gasped. I hadn't noticed the child. Wrapped up in a blanket in her lap, she revealed this beautiful little girl, who thankfully looked to be untouched. Fate was sleeping all curled up in Claire's lap with tear streaks down her cute little round cheeks. "She is beautiful" I said. Then for a moment we were silent once more. This little girl absolutely captivated me. It was as if I already knew her. I wasn't sure what to say. Why on earth are they here? Of what use is a small child to them? She spoke before I could process the entire scene. "..but I have finally made it to you! We don't have much time. The man that is keeping you." She visibly shivered, "he is a wizard. Nothing you see is real. He is going to try to break your mind so you will reveal yourself." How on earth would she know anything of me revealing myself? "We have to get out of here!" I whispered. She looked at me and gave me a small nod, "We will, soon. I am very tired right now. I need to rest. My whole body hurts. I cannot heal myself yet or he will know far too much, too soon." With a groan she tried to get to her cot, after a few minutes of struggling she finally got there and tried to wrap her body all the way around the still sleeping child. My heart broke again.

I watched them sleep for what seemed like an entire day. Honestly, it was probably only a few hours, but who would really know?

All of a sudden, a loud clang reverberated through the cells. It was so loud I covered my ears. I saw Claire and Fate begin to stir when their cell door was thrown open and this giant greasy man stepped inside with a wicked grin. He licked his lips and spoke, "wake up slut or ill wake you up my own way." I heard Claire choke down a whimper. Her eyes going wild. She clutched the child tightly to her chest, (close your eyes Angel, it's not real) I heard a woman speak in my head...but that isn't my wolf. (Who's there?) I haven't been able to hear Bay since I got here. I must be losing my mind. I've heard that happens to people in isolation. This is just the next step to madness, hearing voices in my head.

"Please don't hurt the child. Just leave her alone!" I heard Claire sob. This disgusting man laughed at her terrified face and stepped closer to her, "I'm not interested in children, I like women, she will remain unharmed. As long as you do as I say."

(This isn't real he's tricking you. Close your eyes) there was that voice again. I have to admit that she has a beautiful voice, if not irritating. (Tell me who you are and why you're in my head!) I'm getting frustrated. The scene in front of me is only getting worse (its not real. Close your eyes so we can talk.) He called "Guard, remove the child. Take her to the quiet cell. She doesn't need to see this yet." The guard walked over and ripped Fate from Claire's arms. She screamed and began shaking uncontrollably. " You said you wouldnt hu.." *slap* He's taking her away. For now, she will not be hurt, but you will not speak without permission, slave" he said and slapped her again. Poor Fate was screaming and clawing at the guard. My blood was boiling, "leave her alone! You piece of s**t!" He turned his attention to me and smiled. I wanted to puke. This man was gross. (Don't fall for it. It isn't real. Remember, Clair told you he was a wizard.) His dark skin was dirty and dry. He had shoulder-length black hair that looked as if it had never been washed, but his eyes were the worst part. They were so dark they looked like two pieces of coal. "You shut your pretty little mouth or you're next!" That simple sentence sent chills through me.

His attention was now back on Claire. She looks so scared. I don't know what to do. I cant protect her from here. Not with steel bars separating us. All I could do was watch as he stalked toward her.

He reached her still on her cot, pressing herself into the wall trying to get as far away as possible. "You can't run from me in here, ya know?" He chuckled as he snatched the blanket from her, causing her to cry out slightly. "Stand slave" she tried to stand on wobbly legs, absolute terror in her eyes. He reached up and ran his finger over her lips and down her jaw. She jerked her jaw away, "Looks like they worked you over pretty well, you must've put up a fight...good...I like when they fight. I wonder how long before you break." no no no I thought, no, just no. "Don't do this!" I screamed but it fell on deaf ears. Claire looked as though she could fall at any moment. Her legs would just fold from under her. My heart was pounding, my stomach wanted to wretch. I began to gag. I was going to be sick. He tore her shirt from her chest. "Oh they let you keep your bra, that won't do", he pulled a knife from his pocket and cut her bra right down the middle. Her breasts spilled out and I swear I heard him moan. Oh God I'm going to be sick. I was pacing this small cage. I'm helpless over here. "Now listen very carefully" he said, pinching one of her n*****s between his thumb and forefinger. "No one here will stop me. You will do as I say. I may not be interested in children, but some of my men wouldn't mind. If you choose to be difficult, I will have one of them take her in front of you. Do not push me!" He growled out the last part and any hope I had shattered at my feet.

(Close your eyes right now!) The voice yells at me this time. I closed my eyes. I cant watch any more of this any how. I will be sick for sure. (Good. Thank you! I didn't want to see them anymore either. Keep' em closed. He can't trick you if you don't give him your attention. Most of the stuff you thought you saw was him manipulating your mind. It wasn't real at all. But extremely disgusting none the less.) The voice says with slightly less venom. (Okay, so may I ask again, who are you? And how are you in my head?) I ask this new voice again. (I am of the moon my child. You are one of my closest descendants) I almost opened my eyes to the reality of what she just said. (Mood goddess?) I asked (Yes my dear child. This is what you have been taught to call me, but you Angel, at the very least, may call me Selene. There is so much for you to learn about yourself. That will happen soon enough. Claire will help you get out of here, but you must keep your eyes closed until he tires.) says the goddess of our flipping creation! For a moment, she let me feel her almost consuming presence. (Okay, I can do that. How will I know when he's done?) (You will know. You are of my child after all. Be calm Angeline, and listen to Claire and your wolf. They know the truth. Bay was a close friend once, even more so than most wolf spirits are to me.) I feel her go before I can respond. I haven't been able to talk to Bay since waking up here. Also, she had said "of my child," it wasn't really about what she had said, though. It was about how she had said it. I mean, she is also referred to as the mother of our species. So it wouldn't be a stretch to say she is my distant grandmother. That has to be it! She probably talks to all of us werewolves that way.

I wonder what Bay's life was like while she was with the moon goddess, or Selene. That's what she said I should call her. I wonder why? I'm just Angeline Whyte, average pack member to most. I've always been quiet. I decided a long time ago that the only thing special about me is Bay. There are half a dozen people in this life that know of her existence. She deserves to be seen. Bay is not only beautiful, she's smart, funny, powerful, and loyal to those she loves. I couldn't be more proud to be her human. I miss her so much. My head and heart feel empty without her giant personality taking up all the corners of my mind.

I hope Claire is ready to go soon. I hate to think about the parts of that mess that could have been real. I just want to go home before he tries this again. My heart can't handle any more of this. I need to get out of here. I cannot let this wizard find out my secret, too many people's safety depends on my anonymity. My family has had to give up far too much for me as it is. I will not allow anyone to get hurt for trying to protect me.