Bloodmoon Heir

Shattered by the Night

Aria

The beeping was constant, like it was trying to pull me back from the edge of the void.

I had no clue where I was.

I couldn’t open my eyes, but I knew I was lying on something soft.

There were a few murmurs of voices. I tried to speak and move, but a groan tore from my throat as pain sliced through my head.

“Aria,” someone said softly. “You awake?”

I slowly began to open my eyes, but it was blinding.

I groaned again.

After a few attempts, I blinked away the blur and stared at a woman in a white coat.

She smiled gently.

“Aria,” she said. “I’m Doctor Jenna. You were in an accident. Do you know what happened?”

I shook my head, but that only made the pounding worse.

“Ah,” I said, pressing a hand to my skull, trying to figure out what was standing on it.

After a few seconds, I looked up at Doctor Jenna. She sighed. “You have a serious concussion, sweetheart,” she said. “You need to stop moving.”

I did as she said.

I kept staring at her.

Doctor Jenna gave me another kind smile.

I was alone. Where was Dad?

“Where’s my Dad?” I asked, locking eyes with her.

Doctor Jenna’s face shifted, but she didn’t speak. She glanced to the side of me.

I followed her gaze, and my breath caught.

My mum.

Why the hell was she here?

I stared at her, nausea rolling in my stomach.

Where was my Dad?

My mum stepped closer, but I recoiled. “What are you doing here? Where’s my Dad?” I demanded, turning back to Doctor Jenna.

She looked between us but still didn’t speak.

I glanced at both of them. My mum’s eyes were red. She’d been crying, but why?

I felt anger building inside me.

“Will someone please tell me what is going on?” I shouted. “I want my Daddy.”

My heart cracked open, desperate for answers. I only ever called him Daddy when I was scared, and I was terrified.

I wanted the man who tucked me in every night, who told me he loved me even when I pushed him away.

Doctor Jenna cleared her throat, drawing my attention. “Aria,” she said gently, “there’s no easy way to say this, but your father passed away due to the injuries he sustained in the crash.”

It felt like my heart stopped. Like someone had reached into my chest and yanked it out.

Tears poured down my face, unstoppable.

My Dad was gone.

I heard movement and turned toward my mum, who inched closer, but I backed away. I didn’t want her. I wanted him. Fury filled every vein as I turned to her.

“Get the f**k away from me!” I shouted. “I don’t want you. I want my Dad.”

I rolled to the side, facing the wall, sobs wracking through me.

There were whispers behind me, but I ignored them. I needed space. I needed to mourn the one person who had never left me.

I didn’t look at either of them. I heard the door open, then close. Doctor Jenna and my mum were gone.

As soon as it shut, I broke.

I cried like my soul had shattered.

I closed my eyes, but memories slammed into me; fast, brutal, uninvited.

Now I remember, we were in a car crash.

A car hit us. Not just from behind, but from all directions. I couldn’t count how many.

I remembered the argument about my mum. Why the hell was she even here? I didn’t want her.

And there was no way in hell I was going anywhere with her.

After sobbing for what felt like an hour, I passed out.

But sleep didn’t bring peace. The dream came hard and vicious, like a horror movie I couldn’t turn off. And I like horror movies.

In the dream, I was in the passenger seat. A man stood in the middle of the road. My father swerved, hit another car. The man came toward us as other vehicles slammed into our sides. He walked to my door and opened it.

I screamed and jolted awake, soaked in sweat. The stench of rotten eggs lingered like he’d been real.

“It was only a dream,” someone said, stepping closer.

I panted, hand on my chest, and turned toward the voice.

Her.

She was back.

My mum.

Why wouldn’t she leave me alone?

“Hi,” she said.

I didn’t respond.

“Aria, I—” she started, but I shook my head, instantly regretting it.

Pain tore through my skull. I shut my eyes, waiting for the throb to dull.

Damn.

“What are you doing here?” I hissed through clenched teeth. “I don’t want you here.”

My mum blinked at me, clearly stung. “Aria, I’m here to look after you. I thought your Dad told you we’d been talking again, and now that he’s gone, I—”

“What, you thought you could just take over?” I snapped, rage spiraling like wildfire.

No. That wasn’t happening.

“I’m not going anywhere with you,” I spat. “You haven’t called, written, or even looked for me in eight f*****g years. Why would I want you in my life now?”

She flinched.

“I’m staying with Bella. Her mum can take care of me. I’ve got one more month of school, and I am not going anywhere with you.”

My mum shifted uncomfortably. “Aria, you’re my daughter.”

“GET THE HELL OUT!” I screamed.

She stared, stunned. But I didn’t care. What did she think would happen? That I’d run into her arms like nothing happened?

Maybe if I were still the seven-year-old she walked away from.

But I’m seventeen now. And I haven’t thought of her in years.

“GET THE HELL OUT!” I shouted again, louder, harsher. “I don’t want you anywhere near me!”

She stepped forward, just as the door opened, and in walked Bella and her mum, Ashley.

My mum froze.

Ashley looked at me with soft eyes, then turned sharply to my mum. “I think you’ve done enough, don’t you?”

I held my breath.

Ashley knew everything. She and Dad had become close over the years; supportive, warm. She had helped raise me. She loved him, but he only ever saw her as a friend. She never acted on it.

I saw my mum’s fists tighten, her glare locking with Ashley’s.

Then I picked up movement behind Ashley. It was Bella, my best friend.

She came to my side, took my hand, and held on tight as we all watched our mothers stare each other down.

My mum looked at me again, this time defeated. “Fine,” she whispered and walked out of the room.

As the door clicked shut, I finally let out the breath I’d been holding.

Ashley came to my side and gave me a gentle smile. “You okay, sweetie?” she asked.

I stared at the door, praying I’d never see her again.

I looked at Ashley. “I’m okay,” I whispered. But the ache rushed back in, and I curled up, knees to chest, as tears slipped free again.

An image of my Dad filled my mind.

I needed him more than ever. But he was gone.

And I didn’t know how the hell I was supposed to live without him.