⚜️𝖃𝖊𝖓𝖆

                                    

                                          
The crickets' melodious chirping lasts late into the night. The temperature drops significantly, falling below freezing point. The magnificent full blue moon is surrounded by thousands of radiant stars in the night sky. Certain nocturnal creatures peer cautiously through the trees, their curious gazes searching for the strange presence that disturbs their peaceful surroundings.
A gentle gust of wind becomes a whisper.
"Alana.... Alana..." Alana gently raises her head, exhausted as never before. Silk blankets rustle on her skin. "Alana" repeats the voice. Alana blinks and opens her eyes. Margareth's kind expression appears. Her luscious lips are framed by a welcoming grin. 
"Mother?" Alana inquires, perplexed. Mother beams with delight. "My dear Alana," she says. Alana's eyes well up with tears. She encircles herself with her arms. Margareth brushes Alana's black hair away from her. Alana's hair is adorned with dried blood crusts. "Happy birthday, sweetie," Mother says softly. Alana smells Margareth's pleasant aroma. "I miss you so much," Alana says quietly. Mother's grin fades as the cool wind blows. Her face becomes paler. Her skin peels away from her skull. Her eyes become vacant, black holes. Her mouth and ears are dripping with blood. Margareth's clothing has a few rips here and there. The deteriorating clothing is stained with sand and filth. Alana's mouth falls wide open. Her heart is racing in her chest. "This isn't real," Alana exclaims as she steps back. "This is his job!" "Alana, don't leave! Margareth screams, "Help me!" Both Grandmother and Father's decaying bodies are next to her. "Save us," they all plead. "No" Alana whispers and steps back. Tears fall down her cheeks. Her abandoned bedroom trembles alarmingly, as if the structure is being ravaged by a powerful cyclone. "Alana," the three of them scream helplessly in unison. They extend their hands as the light goes away. Alana screams. "No!" She falls through the smashed glass pane as though in a tornado. Curtains flutter past her, but she is unable to grasp them. Alana plunges hundreds of meters down, if not kilometers.  Alana straightens her body as she screams. She is still riding Daydream. 
"Little one" calms Daydream. "I'm sorry" Alana gasps.  A triangular shard penetrates her palm. Her wrist is swollen and covered in blood. She moans as she pulls the glass from her flesh. "Alana," Daydream cautions, abruptly stopping his stride. Alana jerks her head upward. A young girl is hiding in the woods in front of her. Alana believes the youngster is between the ages of three and seven. "Alana, this girl is lost," suggests Daydream. Alana nods and exits the saddle. "Don't be afraid," Alana adds quietly. "Come, come closer." Alana extends her hand, and the girl approaches. Her honey-blonde hair is pulled back into two loose buns. Each bun is embellished with a vibrant blue paradise blossom. Her forehead is obscured by a midnight blue scarf with a white floral design. A few curls peek out from behind the scarf. Her white blouse is tucked into her long aqua-blue skirt. A coconut brown leather belt encircles her slim hips. A similar scarf is wrapped across her hips. The border of this scarf is embellished with gold bells. Two gold bracelets, identical to her anklets, are wrapped around her slim wrists. Her naked feet are caked in sand and grass. The girl's round ocean-blue eyes rest on Daydream. Her heart-shaped, peachy pink lips are cracked. Her big cheeks are glowing bright. She takes a cautious step towards Alana. "Where has your mother gone? Or your father? Are...Are you okay?" "I'm lost," she stammers. "Are you hungry?" Alana inquires, apprehensive. The young girl nods. "What is your name?" She stutters, "Luna." "Hello, my name is Alana. And this is... Daydream. Can I offer you an apple?" Luna takes her time approaching the stranger. "We have to bring this child home," Alana adds. She glances at Luna, who is devouring the apple in large bits. "We don't have time," Daydream complains. Alana lets out a sigh. "Where do you live"? She says "Gül" between bites. "That's not the way to go," Daydream complains. "How long will it take?" "Two hours west," Daydream says. Alana sighs once again. "How did you get here?" "The robbers took my daddy and I followed daddy," Luna tells. Alana's stomach rolls and twists. "I'll take you home," she assures her. Luna excitedly shouts. In contrast to Daydream. Luna throws her arms over Alana's stomach, satisfied. Her shattered ribs sting when touched. Alana clenches her teeth as she lifts Luna onto the saddle. Her muscles ache. Her skin has been ripped in various places. More blood flows down her body than she can conceive. Alana, on the other hand, cannot let Luna down. It's a kid!  
Alana's gaze is drawn to the beautiful blue moon. This nation has not seen blue moonlight in eighteen years. Is this a coincidence? Luna continues to speak as Alana's mind drifts. Luna reminds her so much of Katinka. She gets all emotional just thinking about her. Daydream drifts off to the captivating settlement of Gül. Miles pass them by as the terrain gradually transforms. The verdant highlands transform into arid sand mountains. Dense spruces become sparse oak trees. The ground turns barren... cold... lifeless...
"There," Luna roars. She painstakingly points into the distance. Luna's eagerness nearly causes her to fall off of the saddle. Alana rushes to get Luna out of the saddle. She looks into the darkness at the little settlement that has emerged from the dense fog. A metaphorical knot twists within her stomach.