Moon Child

Confession

- Selena Rhys -

It was hot. The scene in front of me burned bright red. People screamed for their lives leaving their burning homes. “mama, papa…” I searched the crowd as buildings around me collapsed. “mama!” I shouted again but no one answered. People were panicking while they ran past me as I fell down to the ground. “mama, papa…” I sobbed. I couldn’t breathe.

Memories of the past flashed before my eyes. I remember. Moments before the siege, I caught my parents talking as I peeked from the slightly ajar door to their quarters.

“We should get her out of here” my mother pleaded to my father

“Take her where?” he asked

“I don’t know… anywhere but here” she was crying now. I don’t know who they were talking about. Was it me?

“We can’t let them have her”

“They don’t know anything about her, we should remain calm and avoid any suspicion, if we take her away now they will notice. Don’t you see?” my father explained.

“But if we keep her here the only thing certain is her –“ my mother was cut off by a loud noise outside our home.

“They’re here! Selena!” she called out to me. “Mama!” I tried to answer but it felt like my voice was stuck in my throat. I gasped for air. The ground beneath me shook and I fell… and fell. I was still falling as I tried to grab at something. Anything. Until a warm hand took my hand, saving me. There was light from where he was standing. I squinted my eyes to get a look at his face but I suddenly awakened. Panting. I looked around and found myself in my room. I checked the clock at my side. 4:17 AM. I groaned. Why, why, why do I have to wake up at such a crucial time! It’s still so early, maybe if I sleep again, I would be able to see his face. I forced closed my eyes and tried to sleep - but couldn’t. Is this some kind of premonition? I have no idea. But whoever it was… I felt safe in his hands.

I reluctantly got up from my bed and put on my robe. I’m still really sleepy but I don’t want to forget my dream. Who was that mysterious man? And why did he save me. Was he someone I know? Or someone from my future? I’m really curious because honestly, the only man in my life right now is our cook and we barely even talked. He comes here every morning to prepare food for the whole day and leaves before I get to even chat with him. I have always stayed here in our little home in the woods. I don’t know exactly where I am. I have read hundreds of books, looked at several maps but my guardian refused to tell me where we are. It was to protect me she always said. “The less you know, the better”. My guardian, Dolores goes to the nearby town to buy things for me. She provides for everything that I need to survive. That includes my books and novels of course.

I opened the front door to go outside and I instantly sighed as I breathed in the landscape before me. Birds chirped as they passed by, the sound of the river gushed calmly. The sun was dawning and it was the most beautiful sight. If only I wake up at this hour regularly, I could soak in this beauty every day. I took out the book that I’m reading and sat beneath a tree. I tried to focus on the book in my hands, flipping the first page…

The History and Fall of the Southern Pack.

In memory of the late Southern Pack Alpha Maximus Beckett

His Luna Olivia Beckett

Daughters

Amelia and Avery Beckett

I still couldn’t get my head off from my dream though. I looked at my hand and stretched it, imagining the warmth I felt earlier. It felt so real. I closed my eyes and unknowingly fell into sleep. By the time I stirred and opened my eyes, the sun was already up and It took some time before I adjusted to its brightness.

“Selena, what are you doing sleeping outside?” I heard Dolores scold me from afar. She was carrying a basket and I’m sure I’m in for a treat. I stood up shakily and ran towards her, hugging her when we made contact.

“Dolores! I have so much to tell you! Where have you been? I haven’t seen you in ages!” I exclaimed as I took the basket from her hands. I rummaged through it like a child and it wasn’t long before I found what I was looking for - “You got me a new book! Thank you!”

“Selena, you will be coming of age soon, but you are still as curious as a child”

“I missed you too” I smiled at her and looked at her features. I noticed that she has more wrinkles now. From her eyes to her forehead... there were creases that wasn’t there when she left. Her hair that was a full shade of mahogany was now streaked with white. I have always wondered why she aged differently. Like… unusually fast.

We entered the dining room and I got a whiff of our lunch for today. Hmmm.. Roasted chicken with baked potatoes and rosemary dip. Mr. Cook, as I liked to call our chef, was already done preparing our meal. He placed the plates on the table with the roasted chicken at the center. It looked so delicious I felt hungry just by looking at it. He nodded at our direction before bidding his farewell.

Dolores and I took a seat and began to eat. I told her about my days while she was away. The books that I read. And I also told her about my dream.

“A man?” she queried

“Yes, a man! It’s odd, isn’t it?” I don’t know any man. Haven’t met one except my father from my childhood memories and Mr. Cook.

“Yes, it is” Dolores readily agreed. She tried to ask more questions about my dream but that’s all I can give her. I woke up just before I could see his face but his touch lingered in my hand like it was real. She called to me snapping me out of my trance. She was already in our library so I got up to follow her.

“Selena, there is something that I have been meaning to tell you…” she began.

Our library was a little room underground. There is a small staircase leading down here from the center of the hut. Wooden floors, wooden ceilings, and wooden walls filled with books. It is almost like you are inside a tree. The air here is thin as there is no window at all but that is also the reason why it is so silent here. A perfect place to get immersed in reading books. There’s a long table made of oak in the center of the room. I sat just across Dolores as she took out an old book from the wall shelves and handed it to me. I brushed at the dust built up on the book. It was heavy in my hands, the leather cover felt ancient and its pages looked like it would fall off if I try to turn them.

“The Great Divide” it read. Printed in small letters just beneath the title was this “The Rising of the Eight Werewolf Packs”

“I don’t understand Dolores, what’s so special about this book? And what does werewolves have to do with me?” I looked up to meet her gaze, trying to search for answers in her eyes. She smiled wearily at me and what she said next stunned my whole being.

“Because you are one of them…Selena”

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