The Moon & The Star

The Moon was out and my soul ached to be freed. To be let out to bask in the deep bright moonlight, and walk the same paths as the night dwellers.

It was a late Friday night in my one-bedroom apartment, I was hanging out with my two best friends Cassidy and Frankie. A night at Silverlake's most exclusive nightclubs awaited us.

It had been an immensely stressing week, and a night out with the girls would ease my nerves of the past couple of days. I had a 4 hour job to keep up with my college lifestyle, and my classes at the college were getting more and more demanding. It was only my second year of college. Despite the stress I wasn't ready to quit.

My girlfriends thought it would be a good idea to go out and get drunk in an illustrious nightclub.

'I can't find my blue mascara, has anyone seen it?' Cass asked.

I didn't carry around much makeup, though Frankie did. We decided to go with short tight skirts and tiny colourful tops. I wore the pink one with a black skirt, Cass wore a red long sleeve half top with a blue skirt. Frankie wore a black skirt and purple top.

I was buzzing. It was my first time going to the Pentagon. It was the biggest club in Silverlake and the second most lavish in the world and not just anyone could get in.

'Here use mine. It makes your eyes pop out more anyway.' Frankie said, handing the stick to her.

Frankie was a makeup wizard or witch. She did my makeup all the time. If she wasn't busting her butt to become a doctor to please her parents then she would have been studying cosmetology.

'You're the best Frankie,' Cass replied.

Cassidy's a regular member at the Pentagon because of who her father is... he's an ex-politician turned global businessman. She and Frankie would go out together in high school almost every weekend.

My mom was overprotective of me in high school and throughout most of my life... she still was but not so much now that I've moved out of her house.

I'm going to be honest I was enjoying my new life and independence, but there were times I missed her. Life got too much for me to handle. I kind of left home on a bad note. We had a huge argument about college and I just packed up and left. I stayed with my boyfriend until the new school year started. It makes me sad to think about it. But I'd been out of the house for nearly two years. We saw each other from time to time.

'Let's go ladies!' Cass yelled out the window, her scream echoed the empty streets of Silverlake.

'Wait, do I look okay? Do I look... too exclusive?' I said, momentarily glancing at the mirror.

Cass and Frankie stopped and stared at me.

'I think you look fine,' Cass said then started for the door.

I sighed, feeling the nerves in my stomach.

'You look sexy babe. Now let's go we need a night out.' Frankie said.

'Let's go bitches!' Cass yelled from the hall.

Gosh, what do my neighbours think?

She parked her grey Subaru Impreza on the sidewalk of my building. It looked majestic and super expensive under the street lights. My rundown second hand car was parked three cars ahead of hers.

I couldn't wait to get the night started.

'I'm so ready. One night with my girls, no bullshit, no school and no boyfriends!!' Frankie yelled, grinning as she turned up the volume in the car.

Cass screamed in delight I just smiled at them.

'I can't relate to most of your problems Frankie, but yeah tonight's not for any bullshit so turn off your phones. We don't need Scooter calling us tonight.' Cass said taking a turn off Johnson street.

Frankie sighed and turned away.

'That means you too in the back seat. We don't need Rider calling to ask where you are either.'

I laughed as I pondered it, 'oh please Rider isn't like that Cass.'

Rider and I had been dating for nearly two years. We began dating in our last year of high school. Something I kept a secret from my family.

'Well, I know someone who does...' she whispered. She was talking about Scooter... he's not the most ideal person who'd want anyone you know to date. He's a jerk and spoiled child.

'Oh my gosh do you think Matt Leo will be at the Pentagon tonight I heard there was going to be a surprise guest.' Frankie said, trying to change the subject and lift darkening mood in the car.

I was happy to cooperate.

'Surprise guest?' I asked.

Cass drove down the oddly quiet streets, it was weird it was only nine o'clock on a Friday night. Which was abnormal for Silverlake, it was like Vegas sometimes.

'Yeah, Val. It's the Pentagon! They're trying to break into top spot so they've got celebrities doing surprise shows every Friday. Last week it was Usher.' Cass said.

'I've always wanted to meet Matt Leo he's so cute. Do you think we can meet him Cass?' Frankie sounded like child outside a toy store.

Cass and I laughed. Cass has met celebrities before that's why she's massive on Instagram and was the most popular girl in high school.

Cass drove passed a red light but that didn't matter much at night especially in Silverlake. There's always some creep lurking about, ready to do just about anything. She got onto the highway and drove at 100 miles per hour.

So, the Pentagon was on a mountain, but not just any mountain it was on top of a cursed mountain. I know it sounds like a load of nonsense, but that's what the people of Silverlake believe. I personally didn't believe in cursed mountains or anything like that but I was getting a bit nervous there were so many rumours about Barren Mountain, the mountain where roses never bloom.

So many deaths, then again it could all be coincidental. It's a massive mountain ancient and creepy, but not enough to be cursed. It was always dark up there all the trees were tall and hallow, grass never grew on its soils.

Cass started up the road to the Pentagon, the road was rocky and dusty. Cass drove at 90 miles per hour, the car shook violently, throwing me from side to side.

'Damn Cass you drive like a maniac!' Frankie said, gripping her seat.

'A maniac that got us here in one piece,' Cass smiled to herself.

I felt like a child on Christmas day for some reason. There was a bouncer that stood in front of the open double doors, under the massive Pentagon shape sign that welcomed all night owls.

It was a massive three-story building, ancient looking, but still classy and rich. It was painted a deep brown colour, and huge Victorian windows from the top to the bottom floor. The lights were all on in each floor.

It kind of looked like a hotel or a mansion, but the huge Pentagon shape sign side otherwise. The place felt oddly too open, there were cars everywhere, but there was no fence or brick wall to protect them from outsiders. The Pentagon was surrounded by a thick forest, that sent chills throughout my body.

Cassidy flipped her blonde hair in the mirror before climbing out of the car. Frankie touched up her eyeliner to make sure her blue eyes popped. My brown eyes looked good in the minimal eyeliner and my silky curly hair bounced gracefully down my back.

We walked up to the entrance, 'Cassidy,' the bouncer said as we stepped inside. I thought he'd give us some trouble for a minute.

There was another door after the long hallway we'd walked through that was open and lead to a spiral staircase that took us down to the Pentagon. The loud music raged from the room to come. The Pentagon was full of people, filthy rich people and bodyguards lurking in the corners. Strippers who danced- barely dressed- on long silver poles in heels. My eyes bugged out at the bright red lights and armoury of liquor by the bar. I'd never been in a place like this.

Waitresses pranced around in black and red bikinis, serving old men in suits. There was a massive stage I guess that was for these surprise guest performances. A band performed some eye drum bursting heavy metal song.

'This is not all of it though!' Cass yelled through the loud music.

'There's more?!' I yelled back.

'So much more! To the bar!'

Cass screamed and through her hand in the air.

'Indeed!' Frankie agreed.

'Three vodka shots!' Cass ordered.

The male bartender with pale blue eyes and pitch-black hair nodded. He wore a decent suit, buttoned up.

'And the bottle please!' I added.

The guy came back with three small glasses and the whole vodka bottle. The shots were empty within seconds.

'Whoa,' I said. That went down quickly, it burned my throat on it rushed down.

'You'll get used to it,' Frankie whispered to me. She knew I wasn't accustomed to drinking. I'd only gotten drunk once in my entire life and my mom almost did a backflip.

After hours of throwing up and stupid words, she helped me sober up and when I did. She slapped me across the face for being so reckless and foolish. She warned me about ever taking alcohol again and about going out with Cassidy. She tried to break up our friendship at one point but that didn't work.

Cass and Frankie were my everything they were my two best friends, as I sat there by the bar watching them take more shots and giggle. I thought about how we'd been friends since we were kids and how far we'd come. When my dad vanished, they were my support system. When my mom trapped me in a cage, they helped me through it. We never manged sneak out nearly enough.

'Val we're here to get drunk! Grab your shot and meet us on the dance floor.' Frankie's loud voice pulled me out of my thoughts. Cass dragged her by the arm all the way to the dance floor.

I swayed to the music, dancing with my girls to a song called Without you by Gems, the soft slow song streamed through the speakers. The band was gone now and the DJ had taken over. I was actually having a good time, dancing and giggling.

I wanted another drink and slipped past grinding bodies to the front of the bar. I noticed a familiar face and. I grimaced. Shane Norman. No, he was not my ex, I doubted I'd ever get together with him.

He and I were enemies and would be until the end of time. The girls and I used to make fun of him as kids, but were just stupid little girls who didn't know better and he was and odd kid. So as revenge he made my life hell, not so much Frankie or Cass but me in particular. I was the more vulnerable one of the group. I guess I still was.

He looked different actually, cleaner and more masculine than high school. He'd dyed his hair silver and had gained some muscle. He's piercing blue eyes locked with mine and a cheeky smile spread across his face. I tore my eyes away from him.

'I don't even have to talk to him.' I said to myself.

Several drinks later I was feeling very light and free, we'd lost Cassidy to a group of men a few minutes ago. It was just Frankie and I now surrounded by some suspicious looking guys. I felt a little awkward since I had a boyfriend, but Frankie didn't seem to care because she let the guys get awfully close to her.

'I'm going to use the bathroom Frankie!' I spoke.

She continued to spin around. She'd more drinks than me.

I bummed people on the way to the bathroom which was up another set of spiral stairs. There were one or two people lingering the bathroom area smoking or making out. I was struggling to stay on my feet, maybe I did have a lot to drink.

When I stumbled out of the toilet there was a single man standing outside the toilet stall. I almost bumped into him.

'I'm sorry,' I murmured.

He just stood firm with his arms crossed in front of him, blocking my exit.

'If I could just get through...' I said.

Instead, his massive gloved hand collided with my face and I landed on the tiled restroom floor. Chlorine filled my nostrils. The floor was like ice. I gasped. My cheek throbbed as I lifted my face off the ground. I braced myself for more impact when the huge man march toward me. He had an eyepatch over his left eye and was covered in black leather clothing.

He picked me up by my arm. Was he going to kill me?! I screamed for help he only slammed his fist into my face again. I cried out in pain, cries no one could hear with all the loud music. Blood fell from my nose and landed on my pink top

'Shut up Avalon!' He demanded. I wondered how he knew my name, but what I was really concerned about was whether I was going to make it out alive.

He had a good kick out of me. He slammed me against the wall and drew blood from my face. My bones ached and my flesh cried out. I slid down the wall. I felt a surging force inside my gut. It tore me open, I screamed just before the man could punch me again a quick bright light manifested from nowhere and zapped the man. I covered my face.

I heard a loud thud and grunt and the man was lying motionless on the restroom floor.

'What was that?' I winced as I tried to get up. I expected someone to answer me but no one did.

He looked dead, his one good eye was stared into nothingness and his mouth ajar. Goosebumps spread across my body and my blood turned cold.

There was no one in the room but me.

They were going to blame me. But I didn't do anything. He tried to kill me. I stumbled backwards into a stall then regained control of myself and ran out of the bathroom. My body throbbed but I pushed myself to get down those stairs. The alcohol suddenly drained out of me like magic.

I very nearly tumbled down the stairs like an idiot. I just wanted to find my friends and get the hell out of here and never return.

I ran past people who were dancing to Rita Ora, she was performing on stage with backup dancers and props. I was so shaken I couldn't even be mesmerized.

'We have to leave,' I said and grabbed Frankie's arm, she stumbled forward and giggled.

'Where have you been? Rita Ora is here! We have to meet her where's Cassidy?! We have to meet Rita I'm a big fan!' Frankie was so drunk!

'Yes, let's find Cass.' I said trying to get her moving once I had all two of them, we would bolt out of here.

Cass was sitting on the lap of a man in his mid-thirties. She was playing with his tie and giggling.

'Bitches! Where have you beennnn!'

What if he wasn't alone? And the others were looking for me? But when I scanned the room there was no one suspicious looking around us. The bouncers stood by their posts and everyone danced to Rita Ora.

'Paul these are by bitches-'

'Cass, we need to leave,' I said quickly.

'Why Val? It's not even 2 a.m. yet.'

'I know but we just need to-' A blast cut me off.

People screamed and began to scatter. Then another loud blast and Rita Ora was ushered off the stage and Paul bolted from his seat and dumped Cassidy on the floor.

I helped her up to her feet.

'Let's get out of here, 'I said.

We made a mad dash out of there; three drunk girls were bound to fall in the midst of the chaos. We had to hold hands to make it out together.

We got out and stood outside of the massive nightclub, next to Cassidy's Subaru. I panted, trying to catch my breath as Frankie and Cass broke out in a fit out laughter.

'Are you guys seriously laughing?' I asked, dumbfounded.

'Yeah, that was so funny. Oh my gosh I lost a shoe.' Frankie said, leaning into the car, staring down at her naked left foot.

'It's okay Val it's the Pentagon things like that happen all the time.'

Patrons of the Pentagon fled into their cars and drove like maniacs down the mountain and into the streets. I didn't see any fire or smoke. So, I wasn't sure what those blasts could have been.

***

We were back at my dorm, I let Cass use my bed while Frankie and I camped on the floor. Frankie was out like a light. She didn't even bother changing. I was still shaken and in pain from being beaten by that man. I felt the burns and bruises on my body, but I just didn't want to know what I looked like. My friends hadn't mentioned it, they either were too drunk to notice it, or my injuries weren't as bad as I thought.

'Cass?' I started.

I wasn't sure if I could tell her what happened. I was terrified. How had I killed that man? Cass sat on my bed texting rapidly.

'Paul just texted me, such a douchebag.'

I wanted to keep my mouth shut forever and never utter a word to any living soul, but the guilt was eating me up inside. The horrible imagine of that man's wide eye and stare of death were just stuck in my mind.

'Cass?' I said again.

'Listen, Val...' she put her phone down for a second. 'Stuff like that happen all the time at the Pentagon, it was probably just a prank anyways. Not everything that happens at the Pentagon is legal, that's why people freaked out so much. There is nothing to worry about.'

'That's not what I wanted to talk to you about though,' I said.

'Take some water lots of it or else you'll have a horrible headache in the morning. Go to sleep Val.' She rolled over in my bed and turned off my tiny bedside lump.

I had a mini fridge in my room where I kept important stuff like water and chocolate bars and fruit and take out. I only drink bottled water because the water at Silverlake College wasn't exactly safe.

I drunk three whole bottles and by then my friends were dead asleep. No matter how hard I tired I couldn't fall asleep, the night was silent. The memories were making so much noise for me I couldn't sleep.

I pulled out my Samsung from under my pillow and dialled the only person who would listen to me at three in the morning and not get pissed at me.

He picked up the second ring.

'Ava?' His voice came out husky and deep.

'Yes, who else calls you this late?'

He chuckled the sound of his laughter always made me smile.

'Everything okay? I told you girls night was a bad idea.' He said, suddenly sounding more awake.

I thought about how great things were, how excited I was then I was nearly killed, or worse. There are worse things than death...

'Maybe you were right...' my voice broke.

I'd never been beaten like that before. Mom slapped me for being disobedient once in a while but never had I ever been battered like that.

'Do you want me to pick you up?' He offered.

'No, Rider I just needed to talk to someone.'

'Come on Ava let me pick you up, I know it's late-'

'I'll come to you.'

'No, please it's late and I'd never forgive myself if something happened to you on your way here. I'm already out of bed babe.'

I blushed at how protective he was off me, he'd gotten into a couple of fights back in high school, not because of me. Oh no, he just has a little temper. He once got into a fight, well they almost fought, but didn't get around to it. Rider almost beat-up Shane Norman - my arch rival - I had to break it up because I knew Rider was on his last warning.

It was an impulsive thing that could have landed one of their fists in my gut.

'I'll be fine. I don't think I can sit around and wait for you to get here. I need to get far away.' I said in a medium tone so not to wake my sleeping friends.

Rider was silent for a minute at the other end before he said, 'okay fine. Don't take more than 10 minutes to get here.'

I slipped into a pair of comfortable grey sweatpants and a yellow long sleeve top, no bra. I grabbed the keys to my rundown SUV that belonged to my late grandfather. He'd always joke about giving me his car, he'd say 'wait for me to die then you can have mine'. He was only sixty-three when he passed unexpectedly.

I made sure not to wake anyone on my way out. I walked past Cassidy's grey Subaru on my way to where I'd abandoned my scarred SUV. It was morning, but the night still lingered.

Silverlake isn't the safest place to be, day nor night time. But I grew up in these wild and mysterious streets, I knew them just like the back of my hand. I knew anything could happen at any time on any street. No matter how lavish and posh.

Silverlake spared no one that's what my Dad always told my Mom before he vanished anyway. Mom never let me say he left us, because according to her he didn't and he would never willingly leave us.

For some reason I found myself thinking about him, Caesar Carmichael, I only barely remember his face. I had so many questions and anger that I kept bottled up inside. I was born in Italy to a Mexican father and Indian American mother.

I had no reason to explode at the world. I packed up all my questions and frustrations, my insecurities about him leaving in a big old suitcase and tossed it in room that's located deep inside my mind. I often found myself in that room, it hasn't been easy to control myself I'm not going to lie.

Tears rolled down my cheeks and I felt pathetic, I wiped them away quickly, touching a bruise as well. It burned, but I still refused to see what that animal did to me.

Maybe he did deserve to die.

The guards at Riders house were used to me by now. I'd come here a million times. They knew my car well. They let me in, and I parked my car behind Rider's white Range Rover.

Rider lived alone. His parents lived in Europe and sent him money to sustain himself. I'd only met his mother who came around once in a while. She was a sweet woman who adored her son. I rang the doorbell twice because I was impatient.

He opened the door wearing his boxers and a plain vest. He looked sexy and sleepy. I dived into his arms and squeezed him tight. His enormous arms circled my waist and pulled me closer to him.

I sniffled, but at the same time I was taking in his masculine scent. His hair was all ruffled and I felt bad for waking him. I'd done it before never really felt bad about it. I was just so happy to see him. I felt safe to fall apart and I did.

I lost control and tears slowly fell down my face, then sobs escaped my mouth. I even shook from crying so hard, he just held me and ran his fingers down my hair.

Eventually he lifted me off the ground and into his arms and carried me into his bedroom where he laid me on his bed. He didn't say anything for a while. He waited for me to calm down before saying anything.

He turned on his bedside lamp and shifted to face me. Rider laid beside me staring into my eyes or at my bullied face.

'What the fuck happened?' He said in a gentle whisper.

I sighed, avoiding his gaze I relayed the events of the night except the part where a bright light came out of nowhere and zapped a man to death. I made up a small tale about narrowly getting away.

Someone will find him eventually and they'll find out you killed him Avalon...

'Son of a gun. Why the hell were you at the Pentagon anyway?' He sat up in the bed. I stayed down looking straight up at him.

'I didn't know it was a bad place Rider! Cassidy-'

'Cassidy, Cassidy, Cassidy! She's an irresponsible brat.' He spat.

I sat up surprised at his sudden rage and it was at the wrong person. If anyone was to blame for this it was me.

'That's not true. She couldn't have done anything to help me he was so massive-'

'You can say that but she should have at least had your back-'

I cut him off, 'not you too Rider please. You don't know what the girls mean to me.'

He ran a frustrated hand through his hair. 'Ava, okay I get it Cassidy's amazing. You got hurt babe and she was getting wasted and high with some old bag.'

'You just have a problem with Cass,' I said.

'Maybe I do, but it was your first time there she should have at least-'

'I've heard enough Rider. I didn't come to fight with you. I really really need you right now and you trying to place blame on my best friend isn't helping.'

He sighed and kissed my forehead gently. He laid back down next to me, wrapping his arm around me as well.

'Don't go back there, okay?' He whispered into my hair. I nodded.

He didn't have to tell me twice.

***

Rider found all my bruises and cuts and cleaned them, he cursed while he was at it. He was so concerned and it warmed my heart. He wasn't mad at Cassidy anymore his anger then turned to the man that did this.

After I was cleaned Rider turned on me and instantly made my body surrender to his. We made love until the sun shone through the curtains. Our bodies tangled in his bed sheets that would surely need changing. He was the first guy I'd ever been with, and he made me feel really special.

I guess that's how it is with your first love. As I watched his chest rise and fall over the sunrise my heart settled and I fell asleep. I woke up with his hands playing with my curly black hair.

'Morning,' I murmured.

'Afternoon to you too.' He chuckled.

I stared up at him wide eyed.

'I'm only joking. You feeling any better?' He asked. I put my hand behind his neck and pulled him in for a good morning kiss.

'Much better.' I smiled.

Rider's room was large. It was painted a light shade of brown. He kept several ancient looking paintings in his room that were associated with the darkness of ancient Greece.

There were actually a few paintings like that around the house, particularly an Angels vs Demons landscape in the hallway. It always freaked me out. I've been here so many times I've just never gotten used to it

He had a massive king size bed that centred the room and a cute orange rug I handpicked to brighten up the place. Rider kept a picture of us on our anniversary by his bedside table next to a grey lava lamp.

Yeah, Rider wasn't one for bright colours. He looked great in white and grey which is what he wore most of the time.

Rider offered to make us breakfast and I blushed... how lucky could I get? Just a few months ago I was stuck with my mother in our two-bedroom apartment with my insane grandmother visiting once in a while. Mom and Grandma were great but most of the time they didn't agree sometimes on things I didn't understand.

I sighed, not wanting to think about unnecessary family drama. I slipped into one of Rider's shirts, one of his college t-shirts.

I found him in the kitchen trying to make eggs for me, I smiled at his cute attempts at cooking. I wrapped my arms around his waist and caught a glimpse the small flat screen tv above the counter.

'Are you watching the news?' I giggled.

'What?' He grinned.

'Since when do you watch the news babe?' I laughed a little.

'Well, you got to know what's going on in the world. Turn the volume up, will you?'

I found the remote on the kitchen isle and turned it up, nothing but politics, nothing that would spark my interest until news about the Pentagon came on. Then they had my full attention, Rider glanced at the tv for a second before going back to his eggs.

Must be some gossip, I thought.

'Last night at Silverlake's illustrious nightclub the Pentagon turned into a sense of pandemonium after reports of several minor bombs going off in the night club...'

'You didn't mention anything about any bombs Avalon.' His voice turned serious. I knew it was serious when he called me by my full name.

'I didn't know about any bombs,' I whispered.

'... there have been reports of injuries and one death. 19-year-old Skylar Dean was found dead in one of the bathrooms, her cause of death remains unclear. Yolanda Dale for Silverlake News.'

I gasped as a high school picture popped up on the small kitchen screen. A young girl with a beautiful smile and bright brown eyes and short black hair. That could have been me.

My mouth fell open, not because that could have been me, but because I knew that girl. The smell of burning eggs filled the kitchen. Moments later Riders arms wrapped around me from the behind.

I was in a state of shook, Skylar and I didn't just go to high school together, but she was Frankie's first cousin.

Oh my gosh, this is horrible.

That would have been me.