Whispers Under The Moonlight

Chapter 1

Austin's Point of View

"Okay for the last week of our class, we will have an exam about our topic..."

Our professor is currently discussing in front of the class.

I'm listening at first but as time passes I started to get bored and started to lose focus. My mind is already on vacation mode, swimming at the beach or going on another adventure. I'm already listing all the possible places that I want to explore. Of course, just like what I did on my vacations for the past few years, I will travel alone. 

I don't have any close friends. My parents, mom and dad, is always busy at work, that's why I'm used to being alone.

It's better for me, I can think clearly without any distractions. Everytime I went on vacation, I always find a peace of mind, alone. 

Some of my classmate told me that I'm a loner, maybe they also realized that I really prefer to be alone most of the time. I don't even talk to other people if it's not needed. I only talked to my classmates if the topic concerned is about projects and other academic related stuffs. I just don't give a d*mn on their opinion about me, I don't really care. It's my life anyway. I can decide on my own. 

After the professor discussed what are the requirements for the last week of classes, he dismissed the class. I fixed my things that I used on the class, readying myself to go home when I overheard what my classmates are talking about. 

"Hey, by any chance  have you heard about a certain village far from here? Rumors says that the villagers living in that village are all crazy, like out of their mind," my female classmate said. She is talking with her two friends, a girl and a boy. 

"Huh? Why is the rumor like that?" the other girl asked her.

But even before the girl can answer her, the boy interrupted her by saying, "Wait, I think I heard about that rumor? It's the village called Clair de Lune right?"

"Yes! Yes that is the name of the village, Clair de Lune. Anyways, the reason why the tourists called the villagers crazy is that the villagers always says, and they firmly believe that the fairies are true, and they are even living together with them in that village."

Now, I'm curious. I stopped what I'm doing and listen to their conversation fully. I lean on my chair and slightly tilted my head towards their direction.

They are seated at the far back of the classroom while I'm currently at the middle portion of the room, that's why I needed to give my full attention or else I will not hear what they are talking about.

'Clair de Lune? Never heard that name before,' I thought to myself

"What? They are weird indeed. And what the h*ll? Even the elders living in that village believes that fairies really do exist?" the girl asked, clearly on disbelief. 

"Yes girl! In fact, the village become well known because of that fairy thingy. Look, just search the name of the village on line, you can find many vlogs and travel articles posted about that village."

The three of them become silent for a few second. Because of curiosity I turn around to find if they are done talking about Clair de Lune. I found out that they are just searching vlogs and articles about that mysterious village. 

"Oh look, I found one. According to this article, they already gone to investigate Clair de Lune. As they said, the moment they step inside the village, they already feel something weird, something mysterious is in that village. And there is something he can't point out about the people living in that village," she explained after reading the article. 

"Oh wait, I also found an article," the guy also said. "As stated here, whenever you asked the villagers about the fairies, they all answered it using a one weird phrase," he said, I could even hear confusion in his voice . 

"Weird right? My aunt already visited that village once, as she is fond of mysterious place and she considered Clair de Lune as one. And according to her, the rumor about that village is really true. Mysterious yet weird. She also stayed on Clair de Lune for one whole week and the villagers are hospitable enough on the travelers that's why they also enjoy their stay there. They even gave her and the other tourist a warm welcome also," she explained while the other two is intently listening to her. 

"I'm really curious about this village, but nah, I won't spend my vacation there. And another thing, this place is really far, like out of civilization, I think I will just waste half of my vacation days when I go there," said the other girl. 

"Oh right, speaking of vacation..." 

I stopped listening to what they are talking about and just focused my attention on fixing the things on my desk. I left the room while those three are still talking about their dream vacation this year. I walked directly outside the campus to go home because we are just half day today. 

I plan on preparing for the exam that was announced by some of our professor, also I am planning to write an itinerary for my travel vacation this year.

Every year, I'm looking for a place that is far from the city where I would spend two to three weeks of my two month long school vacation. And this year, the truth is I still haven't chosen any place.

I have a list in my dorm room but some of the places that was included in the list are too crowded while I already visited the other places on the list. 

I suddenly remember the conversion my classmates had earlier. Clair de Lune huh? Maybe I will do some research about that place, after all, I'm really curious. 

I first bought my lunch at a convenience store before I head home. I'm not in the mood to cook and I also don't want to fall in a very long line at the cafeteria inside the campus, that's why I just bought instant noodles and sandwiches at the convenience store.

I know it's not healthy, but since I am alone and no one get mad at me I guess I'm good with this kind of food.

After I paid, I go directly at my dorm where I am currently staying during this school year. It is just walking distance from the university I'm attending and it is not a hassle because I am alone at this dorm. Since our house is too far from the university I choose to stay at this dorm, far from home, and alone. 

When I got home at the dorm, I found out that there is no other people outside. Every single day, many students are hanging around in this area together with their friends and classmates, but not today. Well, it's just 10:30 in the morning, that's why, we are dismissed earlier than the other students. I think I'm just adjusting on the silence of this place. 

When I reached my room, I immediately prepared my instant noodles, while waiting for it to cooked, I opened my laptop and sat on the floor of the living room.

I researched about the places on my list, one by one. I also added the mysterious village, Clair de Lune on my choices and started reading articles when I heard my phone ringing. 

I looked at the caller and I immediately answered it when I saw mother's name on the screen.

"Hey, mom," I greeted her

"Hey, son! I know it is your lunch time that's why I call you, how are you baby?" she said to me, obviously full of energy. 

I hummed and talked to her, "I'm fine mom. I'm currently having my lunch here at the dorm since our professor dismissed us early and the afternoon classes are cancelled," I said while getting my cup noodles and started eating it while sitting on the floor. 

"Great! I hope that you are eating healthy foods and not junk foods or other easy to eat foods, alright?" I'm about to eat the cup noodles but stopped because of what she said. 

There was a few seconds of silence between the two of us. I suddenly gulped the lump on my throat because I know mom will scold me non stop. 

"Austin Louie Wellington!" I almost smack myself when mom shouted my full name. "Don't tell me you are still eating unhealthy foods? You brat!" she shouted.

I closed my eyes while moving the phone away from my ears. 

"Mom, don't shout. I just eat noodles and other junk foods occasionally, not everyday okay?" I said, reassuringly, for her to calm down, but it looks like she's not in the mood to let it pass. 

"So you're saying that you are really eating unhealthy foods Austin? How many times do I had to tell you that..." I just let her talk non-stop because I know I cannot do anything to calm her. 

After five minutes of non-stop lecture from mom, I got fed up and stopped her from talking.

"Alright mom, I get it. This will be the last time, I will not do it again okay?" I said with a soft voice, making sure that my convincing act would be effective. 

I heard her sigh as if she admitted her defeat. "Okay fine," she said

"By the way mom, why did you call? I know this is not just a simple 'how are you' call, I know you Mom," I said when I noticed that she's already calm on the other line.

"Someone told me that you’re still not making any friends," she started

I just sighed while shaking my head. This is my mother's issue every year. And every year I still gave her the same answer. 

"Mom how many times do I have to tell you that I don't want to have one? I feel contented and at ease when I'm alone. I've been telling you this for how many year now but you're still talking about this one," I stated

"Austin you don't have to dwell on your past! I'm sure if---"

I immediately stopped her because I know where this talk would lead to, a nonstop fight and debate. 

"Mom, let me decide on my own okay? Please, just this one, I already had enough of you making decisions for me," I beg her.

I heard her sigh again before saying, "Okay fine, I will not force you," she said clearly defeated "Oh by the way, I assume you already had a plan to travel this year?" she immediately changes the topic

I sat comfortably and smiled because of what she said. "Yes mom, in fact I already had a list of places that I want to visit, I'm just deciding what place I will visit this year," I said to her.

"Let's hear the places you want to visit then," she said.

I read the places on my list, one by one until I arrived at the final place on my list, Clair de Lune, and that immediately caught mom's attention.

"Clair de Lune huh?"

I perked up hoping that she knows something about it. 

"What about it mom? By any chance do you know this place?"

"Well son, I heard the name of that village before, in our office if I remember it correctly," she said.

"And?"

"They said that village is okay?" she said while thinking. "But whatever place you choose, it's alright with me and your Dad. And Austin, remember..." 

I'm the one who finishes what she is saying because I already memorize her lines. "To text to you and Dad the name of the place that I choose so that you'll know where to find me in case something happens," I said while smiling

She just laughed because of what I said. "Yes, I'm glad you remembered."

"Really mom? How many times you told me that reminder of yours? Don't worry, Im already twenty two years old. I can take care of myself. I assure you that I will not do anything that can harm myself," I told her. 

"You can't blame me son." There is a minute of silence on the other line right after she said thay.

I can hear that she's typing something on the keyboard that's why I decided to bid her goodbye

"It looks like you're busy Mom. So I'll hang up?" I asked her

"Okay, sorry Austin. Take care okay? I love you," I heard her jolly voice and so I smiled. 

"Bye mom, I love you too" I said before I cut the call.

I started to search about the places that is on my list but none of them really caught my attention. I want some place that is covered with mystery. Then I  suddenly remembered the last place on my list, Clair de Lune. I looked at my laptop and decided to search something about that village. 

Articles after articles, there is one thing that is written about that village. That Clair de Lune is a place full of mystery, that everytime you asked the villagers about that village, they will all answer the same thing:

"When a never ending darkness envelopes the once bright and shiny world, they will show their selves and will become our light to guide our paths."

I frowned and continued to read the articles that I've searched. I learn that the village is somewhat far from the city I currently living, but the good thing is you don't have to take different vehicles just to arrived at the village. I also learn that there are only a few people that is living in there. It was also stated in the article that the village is having a festival every month without a specific date. 

I frowned again because of that. Why would they conduct a festival without a specific date? A weird village indeed. Maybe there's something significant about the weird dates of their festival.

But there is one thing that is common and clearly mentioned on all the articles that I read, the possibilty that there are fairies in Clair de Lune. It is also stated that there is something mysterious in that village that they can't clearly point out. 

I leaned against the sofa that is behind me. It looks like I have decided where to go.

"Clair de Lune, huh?"