//------------------------------// // 01 - Goodnight Moon // Story: Under a new Moon // by OldTimer //------------------------------// Under a new Moon. by OldTimer It was a peaceful night, the kind of night where you can hear the sound of a falling needle from a distance of one mile. This night was the perfect night. Drew was walking towards the border of the city, off to the nearby countryside. He had patiently waited for the rest of his family to be asleep, when he was sure no one could hear him, he grabbed his guitar and a small backpack (it had been ready under his bed for a long time), then he carefully went out, paying attention not to make any sound. Now he was out of the city, the road lights slowly fading behind his back. It was truly a beautiful night, the full Moon shining up there, all the stars crowning its majesty. He didn't need more light, he walked that road countless times, every step familiar to him, his destination clearly in mind. After a good hour of walking, he finally arrived where he wanted to be: a very old oak tree, standing majestically on a small hill. That was his favorite place, the only place where he could feel safe, the only place where he could be alone. During the last two years, these night walks had become a habit for him. After losing all his money and properties (an unlucky mix of bad investments and a tricky accountant) he found himself broke and with a huge debt to pay. Without money and a place to live, he was forced to leave the city and come back to his family’s house. His present job in a local factory didn’t allow much hope either. He reckoned that he needed to work at least twenty-five years to repay all of his debt. Twenty-five years. That meant he would be 49 by the time he could plan something again. That was simply too much to bear. He couldn’t even think of it. Every day his mood was worse, he barely talked to anyone. Each day the same as the former, his future a dark mass of recurring days. His only relief from this awful life were these nights. Bits of freedom. But a man can’t feed on small bits. Following his usual routine, he sat by the tree, laying his back on the firm trunk. He took his guitar out of the case, a slight smile forming on his lips, these moments were his, and his only. He looked up in the sky, the full Moon radiating its pale light. “This is for you, White Lady” Fly me to the Moon Let me play among those stars Let me see what spring is like On Jupiter and Mars In other words, hold my hand In other words, baby, kiss me Fill my heart with song and Let me sing forever more You are all I long for All I worship and adore In other words, please be true In other words, I love you Fill my heart with song, and Let me sing forever more Because you are all I long for All I worship and I adore In other words In other words, I, love, you The last notes faded in the air, silence came again. He carefully put back the guitar, then he took the backpack. “It's time” He climbed the tree, quickly reaching  one of the biggest branches. Sitting on the branch he looked down: he was probably twenty feet high, perfect. He opened his backpack, grabbing the rope that was in it, then he tied one end at the tree branch. The other end was made into a noose. That's it. This is how my life will end. Once again, he looked in the sky, giving a last glimpse at the Moon. “Are you sure of this?” Said a small voice in the back of his head “Absolutely” He smiled. “I'll be here” The voice said again “Are you sure? Maybe it won't be pretty...” “I beg to differ” “Really? You have a plan of some sort?” “Maybe” This was starting to feel weird. He used to talk to the Moon in his nightly escapades, but this time was different. It was like the Moon was actually talking to him. With a big sigh he braced himself, ready to jump off the tree, his death awaiting him. “It's now or never” He jumped off, the rope quickly tightening around his neck. Peace, finally. His body shook from the backlash of the sudden stop, his lungs burning, screaming for some air. He felt his eyes bulging, almost bursting out from the stress of his own life being torn off him. His vision started to blur, and he knew the end was near... And then everything stopped. His body still, enveloped in a faint aura, his mind suddenly clear. As he opened his eyes, a flash of light forced him to shut them again. He carefully opened his eyes once more. In front of him was the most incredible being he ever saw. A unicorn. A winged unicorn. It was standing right in front of him, its coat a dark blue, its mane and tail made of stars. The head adorned with a small tiara, magnificent platinum sleepers on the hooves. Then the unicorn spoke to Drew. “I’ve been watching you, my friend” the same voice that talked to him one minute ago. A female voice, soft as silk. “Who are you?” “I’m Luna, princess of the Night” “Did you save me?” “Yes, my friend” “Why?” “Why, you ask? I’ve watched you come to this oak countless times, offering your songs to me. I’ve watched you sorrow for your unlucky fate. And then I’ve watched you trying to end your own life” “What do you want from me?” She smiled. “I want to give you what you’ve been longing these years” she paused “I want to give you freedom” Freedom. He let that word caress his ears. Luna slowly trotted towards him. She lifted one hoof, smiling. “Would you like to come with me?” Freedom. She was offering him freedom! He carefully took the hoof in his hand. Luna smiled again. She flapped elegantly her wings and in a second they were ascending to the stars. Drew still couldn’t believe his own eyes. Moments ago he was throwing away his life, now he was flying in the sky. He turned his head towards the ground, spotting the oak that had been his hideout for two years. A strange, limp figure was hanging from one of the branches. He smiled at the odd view, then he turned back, wondering where that blue angel was carrying him.