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Chapter 1 : Recurring Fate
The room is cold.
The sheets did nothing to protect Luna from the bitter night that awaited her, but then again, what could? Her body remained still as she lay there, awaiting the haunt of what seems to be her eternal fate.
She wasn’t supposed to be on her bed tonight.
The same dream had haunted her every night- well if you even consider the damn thing to be a dream, she prefers not to speak of the topic though. It consisted of the same memory, over and over, never allowing her once to forget that fateful day.
Luna.
“Luna! Come on lets go play!’’ She blinked slowly, before taking in her surroundings. She was back home. Again. She hasn’t been here in years. Yet here she was, friends and family surrounding the area. People were chatting away as Pheobe asked Luna’s mother for permission to leave the house. Wait-Pheobe?
Pheobe.
Luna was interrupted from her thoughts as Ayaru nudged her, “Luna? Are you coming or not?” Luna looked over to see Ayaru, furrowed brows as she tried to decipher Luna's expression. However what seemed to be Ayaru's face was brutally smeared across. Almost as if a face on an unfinished painting was ruined from the single stroke of a brush.
Though before Luna could speak of the matter, she felt her body start to move without her own commands. The voice she had tried to use was silenced, muffled, even as she tried to speak yet again. Before she could question anything again, her mouth began to move and her voice started to work once more.
“Yeah! Sorry I just zoned out.” She smiled as Ayaru took in the information. Though Luna found herself remembering that this was just her memory, she wasn’t able to interact as much.
Like a puppet on strings.
“Okay..?” She waved around her hand before continuing her statement. “Well then what are we waiting for!” Luna- or rather the fragment of her mind responded simply by gesturing towards Pheobe. Ayaru threw her arms in an exaggeration, “Of course.” Luna shook her head slightly as she rolled her eyes.
They’d be stuck there a while.
Before she knew it, Luna was already at the playground. Waiting for Pheobe to find a spot to count down for their game.
Hide and Seek.
It was their favorite game growing up, they loved to play around the park in the evening. This time, Yuki had stayed home for her own reasons. Those days were long gone though. As Luna and Ayaru ran off, Pheobe began counting down from 10. “Okay, 10.”
9.
Luna ran off in the direction of the bushes, the only best spot there was. They weren’t much hidden from the other houses surrounding the playground, the bushes just off the side of the road.
8.
Ayaru was far from Luna's sight, probably hiding in the slide tubes. Pretty good spot, no one could see you there. You can’t really see outside of them either, that’s why Luna hadn’t chosen it. Unless some kid goes down it, you likely won’t get caught.
7.
Luna’s breathing slowed down, quieting herself as she made sure not to give away her spot. Last time she almost got caught because of her breathing, making a fuss about how quiet the park was.
6.
A faint noise was heard behind her, Luna turned to her side. Her eyes catching something but before registering it in time-
5.
She felt something placed over her mouth, more importantly her face. Something must have been drugged in the cloth, her mind began to fade.
4.
Slowly, she felt herself slipping. Someone had grabbed her, lifting her up as she could only see what was left of her vision. It was obvious that Pheobe wasn’t aware of what had happened because she would have immediately cried out for help.
3.
No one was out, no supervision to care for the children, yet even a house of birthday partygoers couldn’t spot that the very birthday girl was nowhere to be seen.
2.
Luna tried to yell, anything that could make some sort of sound. She opened her mouth, attempting to scream. Yet nothing came out.
1.
The world fades as her body was taken away, far from the playground, far from her house, the party. Everyone.
“Ready or not, here I come!” Pheobe’s voice could faintly be heard as Luna slowly began to slip away.
Then before she knew it darkness had completely drowned her out, leaving her stuck in an open void. She was granted her present body, not sure if that was a good thing though. As she looked around desperately trying to wake up, she tried to scream again. A futile attempt as she clawed at her throat in a vain attempt to grasp some sound.
Hm. As if there was something to grab. Weirdly enough this wasn’t part of her usual nightmare routine.
Was she even supposed to be having one right now?
The longer she clawed at her throat the longer it felt as if something was actually there. She tried to yell again, only the sounds of her choking were heard though. She takes in a gasp for air, yet it feels as if she foolishly took in water, a drowning sensation overcoming her.
As she felt around her neck, the sensation of something burning against her skin had made itself known. Almost like if it was slowly tied around her, like a snake coiling in on its prey. She tried to glance down to see what was around her throat. Was that?-
Rope.
A noose of rope tightening around her neck. Luna yelled as she scrambled to get it off, slowly feeling herself being lifted. Her arms flailed around as she tried to breathe. Soon it was silent, dark, lonely.
Void.
Another moment of silence remained, until eventually she had heard something. Thump, thump, thump. The sound of her unsteady heartbeat rang in her ear as she shot up from the bed, gasping for air as her hands held her neck. Her chest heaved until every bit of air was collected, taking it in until she suddenly felt nauseous.
She coughed brutally until her last bit of air was used, the only thing she had tried so hard to get. She took ragged breaths until her lungs finally had enough, before she could lose all her air again she tried to slow her breathing. Finally settling down, she looked around the bed, noticing the cold sweat she had awakened from.
She’s not dead.
Before the realization sunk in she heard a pounding sound on her door. “Luna! We have a new arrival.” She groaned as she found herself trying to get to the door. Her vision was hazy as she stood up so abruptly, she quickly stumbled over to the door and held herself up.
Assuming from the fact that Vesper had decided to knock on her door of all people, the arrival was probably around her age group, she sighed as she found herself opening the door to see Vesper standing there awkwardly, like he didn’t belong there.
To be fair, neither did she, Luna should be at home. With her family. She placed her arms behind her back, “Vesper?” she mentally slapped herself for sounding so dumbfounded, “What do you need from me.” rather than sounding very confused her tone was the complete opposite, she sounded tired and annoyed. Vesper gave her a glance before answering, “There’s a new arrival and she’s around your age so I thought you’d like some company.” He shifted around before placing a hand behind his neck, Luna waited for him to finish speaking. “Right now she’s in a separate room.. She has some.. mental issues.” Luna's face changed into something different, she seemed almost apologetic.
Vesper glanced around her room, noticing the small bundle of bandages on her table beside the bed. Call it a nightstand if you will. He then shifted his gaze onto her arms that were bent behind her back. Before he could speak of the matter Luna interrupted his thoughts, “Okay.. Well, I’m going to clean up.” She turns to close the door, her eyes locking with Vespers before shutting the door softly. If she had kept the door open any longer, she would have noticed the weary gaze he sent towards her neck.
She glanced at her arms before moving back to her bed, grabbing the sheets as she pulled it over her bed in one swift motion. The floor was a bit messy so she moved some things to her corner, an empty box sat there almost as if it was waiting for her. She shuffled the box as she placed her items inside, moving the box under her bed as she finished.
The floor was clean aside from the thick padding engulfing it, and seemed to be a bit dirty. Probably from the amount of times she had paced around the room.
Luna shifted around the room, unsure what else to do. She didn’t want to go out and meet the new victim, well she probably can’t anyway. Vesper did explain that she has something mental so she’s probably in isolation for now. Which brings the question, what exactly is wrong with her? Luna sat on her bed as she contemplated the question, letting it linger on her mind.
Vesper didn’t specify her name so that leaves her with another question, more interactions with Vesper. She groaned, tossing herself backwards on the bed, arms flailed out. She hated speaking with Vesper, sure he was ok but that was besides the point.
Still, as she laid there longer, letting more questions sink in, her mind began to wander. It wasn’t so bad to ask him. Well there was no time to think about that right now, she needed to go out. Pushing the thoughts to the back of her mind, allowing herself to think of something else as she went outside her room, she made her way outside.
The hallways were pretty slim considering the amount of people in this building. Wait- was it a building? Luna paused in her tracks, looking around the hallway as she scanned the area. To be honest, she had never thought about that. If it was a building, wouldn’t someone have seen it? Such a large building and no one thought to question its existence?
Luna shifted uncomfortably, it could be an abandoned factory. She looked around again.
It could.
...
Before she could get more ideas she decided to continue walking, quickening her pace as she made her way to the cafeteria. It wasn’t crowded but it wasn’t completely empty either, she noticed Bella talking in the corner of the room. Bella had made some friends ever since arriving, she was very social despite the fact that they were trapped in such a horrible place.
Luna found herself picking an apple, keeping her gaze on Bella. She sat down at the older kids table area, there weren't many of them so she was pretty much alone. Bella chatted away with her well deserved friends as Luna turned her attention to her apple.
She sighed before looking down to take a bite, before she could though she noticed something- her arms. She froze in her tracks as the realization sunk in, overshadowing the thoughts that had lingered in her mind before.
Had she really been so starstruck about the arrival that she really forgot to put her bandages on? She must have been disorientated as she sat there, because after a while she noticed that more people had entered the room. Luna looked around, making sure that nobody was sitting near her. She looked back at the apple and hid her other hand in between her legs, taking a hesitant bite out of the apple.
Her fangs sank deep into the apple as she bit down, leaving a scar in it. She chewed slowly as she kept her head down, trying not to draw attention to herself. At this point she should just eat in her room, no point in going out. Aside from being around others, Luna wasn’t too- fond of her modifications, especially her fangs.
In the corner of her eye she saw Vesper enter the cafeteria, looking around the room. Fuck! What was he doing here?! Luna quickly stood up and threw out the apple, planning to head back to her room. Unfortunately Vesper was already standing in the entrance of the cafeteria, blocking her only way out of the area. He quickly noticed her stand up and went over to talk to her.
Great. Just great.
He stopped a few inches away, giving her some space as she seems to need it.
“Luna! I was just about to look for you.” She smiled awkwardly, “That’s just great.” Her tone lacked sympathy and it was clear she didn’t want to talk to him. Especially right after just seeing him.
His expression faltered slightly, he probably felt the opposite when it came to conversations with Luna.
“Hah, right..” He shook his head, “Anyway, Alice seems to have been feeling better since arriving.” Luna perked up at this, “Alice?” Vesper returned her confused expression with one of his, “Have I not told you?” She blinked slowly before responding, “No? You only told me about her arrival.” He seemed to take in the news quite well, “Ohhh okay, sorry about that.” Luna rolled her eyes.
“So what’s up?” She crossed her arms. He looked over his shoulder, “I told her about you and she wants to see you.” He looked back at Luna, met with a glare that would pierce him in a second if possible.
“What did you tell her.” Vesper seemed to notice the tension that laid underneath her tone, that sentence was more than enough to show her unease.
“I only told her your name and age, nothing else.” Luna seemed to tense slightly, “Are you sure that was it?” Vesper hesitated before nodding, “Yeah, but I think she’ll be out soon.” Luna grumbled in response.
Great, now she actually needs to have a conversation with someone.
She sighed, “When should I see her.” Vesper didn’t seem to notice her tone and continued his rambling, “I think a little later, she’s probably asleep in her newer room.” Luna nodded, “Ok then I’ll just be in my room.” She walked towards the exit before pausing, she turned to look at Vesper.
“Hey uh- Vesper?” He turned to face her, eager to answer her question. “Yeah? What’s up?” Luna shifted uncomfortably for a moment, trying not to show her vulnerability.
A long moment was drawn out, she contemplated the question.
“Is this place.. a building?” Vesper’s expression became far too unreadable for Luna’s liking. A long moment of silence stood between them before Vesper looked away.
“That’s enough questions for today now Luna, head back to your room.”
The monotone that came from him was foreign to her, she wasn’t used to hearing him be so dull. He walked away from her, leaving Luna to her overshadowing thoughts as her mind completely wandered.
She stood there for a moment before slowly walking away, she was unconsciously walking to her room. Her mind remained a state of blankness as her face remained expressionless. She entered the area as she closed the door behind her, standing completely still. Her mind raced as she processed the conversation that she just had.
What. Was that.
Luna swayed at an unsettling pace, she could feel her body giving out. Before she could do anything to stop herself, her body already hit the ground with a thud. She laid there on her side, letting the darkness of the room nearly consume her entirely.
How could she have been so foolish to believe that he would answer her question? She wrapped her arms around her body, clinging onto her last bit of sanity before the darkness could lull her away. Her heartbeat rang in her ear, blocking out the sounds of her ragged gasps for breath. She could see the darkness creeping in, her vision blurring as it did so.
Her mind wandered for some time until she was abruptly pulled away, realizing that she had stopped taking in air. She shot up from her side, her hands firm on the ground as she took in the air she had lost.
Gasping, she collected the air once more, letting it settle in her lungs. It felt almost like a cooling sensation, like if a blanket of frost and snow were to envelop her lungs in a comforting way. She let her body melt into the ground, placing her hands below her head to support it.
The floor felt warm, it was easy to fall asleep there. Her eyes drooped slightly, shutting slowly as she let her body relax. The bed was right there, awaiting her presence, yet she chose to stay on the ground.
As she lay there, her mind drifted off into the inky void. After a long while, she heard something. She was pulled out of her thoughts as she tried to register the sound. It took her a full minute to gather her thoughts again to try and fully understand what she heard. How long had she been laying there? Who knows, who cares.
Knocking. Someone had been knocking on the door.
Looking over her shoulder, trying to get a view of the door, she confirmed that someone was actually there. Given the shadow below the door and how she wasn’t being yelled at, it was clear that it wasn’t Vesper. She grunted as her arms shifted below her to help her get up, how long had she been there?
Pushing aside her thoughts she tried to get up, best to answer the door instead of being all collapsed on the floor. She tried to pick herself up, failing miserably as she did so.
She winced as her knee hit the floor. Placing a hand on the bedframe, she pushed herself up. Her legs trembled as she tried to stand, stumbling over to the door. She caught herself on the door, bumping into it as she did. Her breath hitched, taking in a ragged gasp for air.
Placing her hand on the knob, she let out a breath that she hadn’t known how long she had been holding. Finally turning the knob, she opened the door.
To be met with her future.