Luna snuck out...

Luna snuck out of her room one night. She planned the escape well and headed for Asa’s place. She hoped he’d let her in. He did.

Asa was dressed for bed, shirtless and barefoot. His silk pants hung low on his waist. He smiled at Luna as she walked by. She sat on the couch.

Asa had a drink in his hand and a cigarette in the other. He sat beside her and smiled. He knew why she was there.

“Looking to get fucked tonight, are we?” he observed.

Luna nodded her head yes. Asa turned to set down his drink and that’s when Luna saw them, the hickeys.

She reached out to touch his neck. Asa quickly realized why. He snickered.

“You didn’t really think you were the only one, did you babe?”

Luna shoved him.

“Fuck you,” she said.

Luna got up from the couch and went to leave. Asa went after her. He tripped her and she fell to the floor. He forced her on her back then hovered over her. He still had a cigarette in his hand. Luna apologized.

Asa glared at her then walked away. He sat back down on the couch then spoke.

“Luna, if you cant handle the situation then leave. I’ll let you… but this time don’t leave like a coward, leave like a woman.”

Asa never used the term ‘woman’ around her before. Luna helped herself up then stood before him. She prepared to submit, but the sight of his neck upset her again.

She slapped him hard across the face.

Luna left and slammed the door.

Asa felt his cheek then sat back and smiled. He liked Luna this way and couldn’t wait to see her again.

Luna & the Lighthouse 2

Luna decided to build a fire inside the lighthouse. She wanted to illuminate the empty lantern room high above. She thought it would give her friend closure.

It took several days, but she got enough wood for a fire. Luna stole wooden chairs from the auditorium and stacked them high then filled the negative spaces with paper and twigs. The mountain of wood was taller than she was.

A storm was looming the night she decided to light it. The air was calm but the sky was not.

Luna wanted fuel for the fire and headed for a maintenance shed. The rain cut loose and drenched her on the way back.

She doused the kindling with fuel then set the container on the ground. She pulled out a book of matches and lit a piece of paper.

It flickered and the fire slowly grew.

The rain outside pounded loud and the wind picked up. Luna tried to pull her rain soaked dress off her body and watched intently.

The fuel began to accelerate the fire. She backed up.

The container of fuel she left on the ground caught fire. Luna gasped.

A gust of wind blew open the door. It entered the tower and swirled like a cyclone. It collected the fire and twisted through the room.

Luna was trapped. She couldn’t see the door. She pressed with her back against the wall and panicked. She screamed.

A voice yelled from outside. He told her to get out. She had no choice. She covered her face and ran through the flames.

Once outside Jordon threw her to the ground and smothered her. He got up slow and checked to see if she was alright.

The rain drowned them both, the lighthouse became fully engulfed behind them.

Jordon hauled her away.

Luna was lucky and escaped with minor burns. Her hair was singed and had to be cut. It upset her but nothing like the news she got later.

The fire caused too much damage. It destroyed the structure.

Michael had it demolished. He promised to build her a new one.

 And Luna never saw her little friend again.

Luna & the Lighthouse 1

It was late one night, Luna was on the balcony. She sat on the ground, barefoot in her dress and held the balusters like prison bars.

Alex came outside and spoke to her. She didn’t answer. He got upset then noticed the music in her ears. He nudged her. She ignored him.

He pulled up a chair beside her. She turned away. He took her music. She turned back and glared up at him.

“What’s wrong,” he asked.

“Nothing,” she answered. Luna held out her hand. She wanted her music back. Alex shook his head ’no’. She gave up and went back to staring.

Alex set her headphones down then went inside. He returned with another chair then took her music away one last time.

“Hop up here,” he said. Luna grumbled then crawled up into the chair. She tucked her toes beneath her dress.

“What’s wrong?” he asked again.

Luna hesitated.

“I’m lonely,” she said.

Alex paused.

“Do you want to talk to Michael?”

“No!” she said immediately, “I do not!”

Luna held a scowl on her face while Alex searched for something else to say.

“What do you want then.”

“I want to go see Asa,” she replied.

“FUCK. NO!” he replied.

Alex was not impressed. He kicked her chair.

“Why would you even ask me that?”

She got up to leave. Alex yarded her back in the chair then turned it to face him.

“Why are you still hung up on him? That guy’s a prick to you!”

Luna slumped in her chair then decided to test him.

“I’m going to go to the lighthouse then,” she said.

He vetoed it. Alex saw right through her. She sensed it and tried to cover.

“The lighthouse is right there. Just watch me.”

Alex wouldn’t give in.

“So tell me Luna, what’s so special about that little lighthouse?”

“Its empty,” she said, “but it’s still pretty.”

“Its infested and should be torn down,” he refuted.

His comment upset her. She kicked his chair.

“That was mean,” she said.

“Luna, that place is nasty.”

Alex pitied her.

“It’s a sad place and you don‘t belong there.”

Luna sighed.

“It’s not a sad place but someone did die in there.”

Alex looked at her.

“Someone died there?”

“Yes sir, a little girl died in there.”

Luna looked back at him, then hung her head. Alex pet her.

“What happened?” he asked.

“One night… the light in the top wouldn’t burn… and she burned instead.”

Alex was disturbed.

“That’s awful, sweetheart.”

“I know, and she’s still there, sir. She won’t leave.”

“Why not, dear?”

Luna looked at him and said, “Because she’s still waiting for the light to come on.”

Luna gazed out at the darkened structure… and just then… Luna came up with a horrible idea.

Luna and the Camera

Michael made it clear, Asa was not to conduct any of his personal business from the mansion so when Luna caught his guards lugging a dead man down the hall, she took pictures.

With the lens cap back in place, she snickered until Asa cleared his throat behind her. Luna spun around with eyes wide open and punched him in the arm.

“Hey!” she complained, “That’s not fair! Where did you come from?” He didn’t answer her. He stole her camera, instead.

“What the hell are you doing here?” he asked.

“I came to show you my new camera,” she said pointing towards it.

“This one?” Asa replied, “Yes, I’ve seen it and I don’t like it!”

Luna tried to take it back. He stopped her then whistled for a guard. When Jordon appeared, Asa tossed him the camera.

“Destroy it,” he ordered. Jordon looked at Luna and rolled his eyes. Luna turned to Asa.

“Michael’s going to be pissed off you took my camera!” she said pushing him in the chest.

He disagreed and shoved her back, “No he won‘t because you’re going to tell him you lost it.”

Luna tried to blackmail him.

“I saw that dead guy in the hall, you know!”

Asa put is finger over her lips and said, “No you didn’t babe.”

He left his finger over her mouth for a moment, then finally left.

Luna vs. Asa 2

The next day, Alex had to leave the library for yet another emergency. Luna got suspicious. Alex did too. The water pipes in his place had failed and were creating a terrible mess.

He told Luna to study without him and left.

Asa showed up this time. It took Luna by surprise. His serpentine appearance must have caused a stir on his way through the library. She quickly left with him, concerned he would cause a scene.

No words were spoken until they were back at his place.

Asa shut the door then pushed Luna into it. He stood so close to her she could barely move. Eye-contact wasn't feasible. She turned her head to the side and listened.

"I didn't appreciate the way you left here yesterday, bitch. So, you want to be combative do you."

"No sir, I'm sorry," she whispered.

"I told you to back off, bitch, but that did not give you the right to ignore me when I talk to you."

"No sir, I'm sorry sir."

"It doesn't give you the right to disobey me either. Are we clear?"

"Yes sir, sorry."

Asa leaned in and whispered in her ear.

"More importantly Luna, it does not give you the right to look for attention from someone else. Is that clear?"

"Yes sir."

"If I catch you even thinking about getting fucked by another man, I'll kill him, especially Alex. Is that clear?"

Luna nodded.

"I didn't hear you," he said.

"Yes sir, I'm sorry ...sir."

"Good. Now go back to the library and keep your legs and your mouth shut!

Asa opened the door. Luna tried to leave but he grabbed her by the arm for one last comment.

"Don't forget what I said babe ...I'll kill him. I promise."

Luna vs. Asa 1

Luna made it the entire week without pissing off Alex.

No thanks to Asa. He wanted to see her one afternoon but she was in the library with Alex. Asa didn’t want to see Alex, however because he still wanted to kill him.

So, Asa paid a limo driver to back into Alex’s car.

Alex loved his car and the news didn’t go over well. He left Luna to check on the damage. One of Asa’s guards appeared and brought her back to his place.

Luna was excited to see him and jumped on his sofa. He was cold in return, and still sore from his stab wound. Asa sat on the coffee table in front of her and lit a cigarette. He offered her one but she declined.

“How’ve you been, babe?” he asked.

“Okay,” she said, “…except Alex took all my stuff.”

“I don’t want to talk about Alex, female. I asked about you.” Asa was perturbed.

“I’m fine,” she corrected herself, “What about you, sir? Are you okay? Does it still hurt?”

Asa took a drag then exhaled.

“Yes of course it still hurts Luna, you fucking stabbed me.”

“Sorry,” she offered.

“Do you want to see it?”

“No!”

“It was your fucking idea and I think you should see it.” Asa put his cigarette down and started to undo his shirt.

Luna stood to walk away but he grabbed her tight by the wrist.

“Sit back down,” he growled.

She plopped back down but he kept a hold of her wrist. He squeezed it harder until she complained, then he finally let go.

Asa finished undoing his shirt, then held it open.

“Look at it.” he demanded, but Luna looked down and rubbed her wrist.

Asa used a fistful of hair to reposition her face. She gave up and looked. The scar wasn’t gross like she feared. Much of the detail was lost in his tattoos.

Then Luna realized, one of his tattoos had taken a direct hit …to the face.

The demented tattoo of a woman she hated so much, was no longer discernable. The skin had pulled and fused in a way it caused the entire image to look awful. Luna wanted to smile but refrained.

“Oh, so you’re proud of it now,” Asa said nodding.

“No sir,” she cowered.

“Yes you are. You never liked that bitch.”

“I never told you that.”

“You never had to.”

Asa picked up his cigarette then started to button his shirt.

Luna wanted him to forgive her. She reached over to touch his knee.

“Get your fucking hand off of me,” he ordered. 

Luna backed off but wanted to know why.

“You didn’t mean what you said to Michael about us? Did you?”

Asa looked at her.

“You‘re damn right I did. I‘m not very happy with you, Luna.”

“I’m sorry,” she pled.

“Sorry, doesn’t cut it! You tried to kill me!”

“No, I just didn’t want you to leave.”

Asa hesitated in disbelief.

“That doesn’t even make sense, Luna!”

It made sense to her.

“If I decide to fuck you again, I’ll let you know,” he said, “until then, you need to grow up.”

Luna looked at Asa. He glared back at her. She ran from the room. Asa yelled for her to come back but wouldn‘t chase her.

Luna made it back to the library before Alex noticed her missing.