《Moon: Lost Dreams》Chapter 1 Part 3: It's Back
Advertisement
The lunch bell finally rang and kids popped up from their seats to dash to the cafeteria. Lily hated crowds and usually waited until the classroom was empty of just her and Riley. Riley wasn’t here though. So it was only Lily, hunched over her desk, hiding the threat of tears pouring down her face.
“Hey.” a voice called, making Lily lift her head up. Chrys McCarthy looked down at Lily, a slight frown on his face. He seemed unimpressed, bored even, compared to how he joked with his other friends.
“Hey Chrys.” Lily said carefully.
“Wanna get lunch?” Chrys asked. Lily blinked in response. He didn’t really look like he wanted to have lunch with her. “So? Are you gonna speak or what?” His light Irish accent rang through in his last sentence.
“S..sure.” Lily said. She got up from her seat, rushing to follow Chrys as he began walking out of the classroom.
As the two walked down the hall of the school, Lily wondered why Chrys of all people was talking to her. The only way Lily knew Chrys was through Riley. Riley was like a magnet, drawing anyone towards her, even pretend delinquents like Chrys McCarthy. Sometimes when Lily went over to Riley’s house, Chrys was there, smiling at whatever Riley had said. The conversation always stopped once Lily got there, and Chrys’ smile would drop when he looked at Lily. He would get up and swiftly leave, not even acknowledging Lily. She asked Riley why she talked to Chrys so much, but Riley laughed saying, we all have much more in common than we think. That was the only connection Chrys and Lily shared, Riley. Lily wondered if Chrys adored Riley as much as she did. Somehow that made Lily’s chest hurt, but she didn’t know why.
Suddenly, Lily was yanked aside, and the two kids were engulfed by darkness. Lily couldn’t speak a word, frozen in the dark. A bright light flicked on and Chrys’ face was inches from hers, shadows covering his already stoic face. There was an awkward silence.
Advertisement
“This is...” Lily began.
“Janitor’s closet.” Chrys finished, backing up into the handle of a broom.
“I thought...”
“Lunch? Really? No, I didn’t really want to have lunch with you.” Chrys said quickly. Lily may not have known Chrys much, but his words made her wrinkle her nose. “We have more important things to talk about.”
“Important...things?” Lily asked.
“God, is that all you can do? Repeat what I say?” He snapped, making Lily flinch. He ruffled his blonde hair and sighed, “Sorry, just a little stressed.”
Lily looked down at her feet, unsure of what to say.
“It’s about Riley,” Chrys said, “and about Moon.”
Lily snapped her head up. A cold shudder ran through her spine, like her body felt something wrong and was trying to get rid of it.
“We’re...we’re not supposed to mention that...outside- wait, how do you...?” Lily stumbled in her words.
“Yeah yeah I know, listen, I don’t have time to explain everything right now, but Moon,” the two both shuddered again, the mere mention of that place felt wrong. “Moon...is back up and it’s going live tomorrow night.”
“It’s...back up? It’s been...months since- how...how do you know?” Lily asked.
“Didn’t you get the message?” Chrys asked, surprised at Lily’s reaction. “I thought this was common knowledge.”
“No...I’ve been away...too busy to really dream...” Lily said.
“Either way, you should have gotten a message. Shit, whatever.” Chrys scowled.
“That was a swear.” Lily gasped.
“How fucking old are you?” Chrys asked, a dry smile on his face. The cursing made Lily’s face bright red with guilt.
“Was- was that all you wanted to talk about?” Lily asked. She rubbed her foot on her ankle.
“I guess you’ve been gone all summer huh...” Chrys said as if he didn’t hear Lily.
Advertisement
“Yes?”
“So has Riley.” Chrys mumbled. He was staring off into space.
“Maybe she went on vacation,” Lily swallowed. Deep down though, she knew it wasn’t true. Right before her own trip to Canada she recalled Riley sighing in dismay at being stuck in this Simpleton town.
“Yeah, maybe...she was acting strange though, a little after summer break started.”
“Strange how?” Lily whispered.
“She didn’t seem happy to see me or anyone for that matter.” Chrys said. “She came out of her house twice in the beginning then nothing.”
“But-
“The car was always in the driveway.” Chrys went on, “It’s just not right.”
“But-!” Lily said louder, instantly regretting as Chrys stared at her. “Uhm, but what are we supposed to do?”
“Don’t you get it? Riley loves Moon more than anything else. She hasn’t said a word to anyone from school but I know she’ll be there tomorrow night. There’s just no way she’d miss the reopening of Moon after-
The cramped closet’s only light seemed to flicker in annoyance.
“You’re not supposed to mention it so much!” Lily whined, afraid.
“Alright alright, sorry, God. Anyway, you better be there tomorrow night. I can’t find her on my own and you two went traveling more than she did with me so… just be there got it?” he snapped.
“O-ok I guess.” Lily weakly answered but he was already speeding out of the closet.
~
The rest of the day, Lily spent somewhere else, nestled in a faraway corner of her brain. Her pencil moved across pages, and her eyes glazed over math equations written by Ms. Gold, but her mind was occupied by what Chrys told her. Lily imagined Chrys seeing Riley for the last time that past summer. The face she saw in her dreams, of Riley’s sunken face, her hair broken from its usual pigtails, fit itself into her imagination. Lily shuddered and the image faded. She started to remember Riley’s brightness, the sparks in her brown eyes like little hazel fireworks. They drew Lily in, encouraged her to be herself. There was a throb in Lily’s chest. She felt impatient. It was rare for Lily, whose identity was overwhelmed by her timidness, but today as the last bell rang, she pounced out her seat for the door.
“Goodbye Ms. Gold!” she called over her shoulder, pushing the door open and slipping out.
“Oh, Have a nice–
Ms. Gold’s voice was cut off as children poured into the school hallway.
Lily ran down the hall, dodging kids playing ball and those tackling friends. As she reached the entrance she slowed to a walk. The five elder sisters were scanning the traffic jam of kids squeezing to get out the door.
“Ms. Treble! No running!” they barked at those trying to whizz by their all-seeing eyes. When they spotted Lily, they all smiled at her neat walk. “Ms. RidingHour! Have a lovely evening! Yes yes, good day, straight home! Put all your effort in your studies!” they chirped.
“Goodbye Ms. Queens...s” Lily replied and joined the rest of the sardines, wiggling her way out of the school. Once she was outside and out of sight from the Queens, she started to run, heading into the neighborhood. When she came up to her street, Dixen Dr., she paused, peering at her house, just a bit further down. Lily adjusted her backpack, a sign she had made a decision. Then she planted one foot in the crosswalk and took off past her street and towards Riley’s house.
Advertisement
Melody of Mana
Reborn into another world as Alana, the former resident of Earth must now try to make her way. While heroes fight great monsters and kings war the peasants suffer and die, unable to save themselves. What is a girl born into a poor family to do except learn and work as hard as she can to just make it through; and that's what she will do. Strive, strive all she can against an unfair and uncaring world of dark lords, dungeons, uncaring nobles, heroes, and magic. Come along as she uses magic and wit in a bid to survive. Updates on Tues. and Fri.
8 847The Rising
Its designation was XSS-MK1. It was the first of its kind. An Artificial Intelligence. And although its life was short, it accomplished much during the few minutes of its existence. But in death something finds it : There is a lot more to be done. And this times the stakes are even higher. Will it measure up ? Or will it collapse under the burden placed on itself? Only time and rust will tell... Proud Member of "Pendragon", a group of writters, artists & readers on Royal Road Legends. First fiction and English is not my native language (French Powaaa here). If you find mistakes or errors do not hesitate to point them out. The first chapter, called "Author PSAs, News, Story Status, Discussion & More.", will contain news about the story, and it's writting status, as well as provide various tidbits of information and a discussion thread to ask me questions. Have fun reading and I hope you enjoy. :)
8 191Ranger of the North
Survive the Initiation and be blessed by the Gods. Several towers arose from the depths of the Continent offering untold power and riches to those who dare climb it. A millennia later in the ice-bound lands of the north, a ranger makes an alarming discovery. Attacked by a mysterious enemy, Beorn is forced on a journey to find his missing brother and uncover the secrets of his bloodline. Author's Note: Progression fantasy with a non-OP protagonist. Includes stats and leveling up, light GameLit elements. Join my discord: https://discord.gg/PK4DpRKPD9 Cover Image Attribution: by Meduzarts for © Bethesda Softworks LLC
8 305Direction and Magnitude
I should have been invincible! So how did I end up in this fantasy world of swords and magic? I was the most powerful esper and now I finally have a chance to live a life not dyed in shades of crimson, or so I hoped...
8 193Battle for the Photon Core [Inter-Universal Protectors: Book 1]
The time has come. The story begins again Five thousand years ago, Amneris Topanga sealed Enliatu in the Void, a place where no one has ever returned from. Ten items holding the power of her spell were hidden across Creation in the hope they would never be found nor needed again. A new threat has risen to the Dark Throne of Terpola. The hunt for the ten items has begun. The stakes: Enliatu's freedom and the destruction of Creation as he brings in the Age of Darkness - the mission he failed five thousand years ago. Amneris and her Court must retrieve the items before the Terpolites can free their old Ruler. If only things were ever that simple when it comes to keeping Balance. The items aren't the only thing the Terpolites are after this time. Will our heroes put a stop to this new threat? Fireworks Award: Fantasy 3rd Place Creative Cappuccino Award: Action/Adventure 1st Place [This is my original work and I have made it available on Wattpad, Inkitt, Royal Road, and ScribbleHub]
8 206Thaum new Galaxy
Thaum an ancient mage of many lives decides to drift through the great void before starting a new life. Unknowingly centuries pass and he somehow finds himself in a new galaxy. One where Magic never passed the initial Druidic phase and died out. Instead, the people have taken to technology to improve their lives. They have progressed further than Thaum has ever seen. Traveling between worlds isn't a grand expedition with great magic, but as simple as boarding a ship and paying the boarding fee. Authors note - This story is intended to be a short novel. The MC is going to be OP as far as mages are concerned, but we will see what a sci-fi universe can throw at him. (suggestions welcome) p.s. he will try to make his impact overall a good one, but he is not a good person. He only chooses to do good. Unless it is too inconvenient. it also won't be particularly dark.
8 207