//------------------------------// // Chapter 1 [EDITED] // Story: My Little Luna // by IAMCHEEZY //------------------------------// "Stupid country." I softly mumbled under my gruff breath. I had the right to, freedom of speech right? No, no... I wouldn't say that. Not in this god-forsaken place. I stepped through the back alleys of New York during the black of night. The stars were out, though no one could see them because of the light pollution this place radiates. The only sounds that were heard was the soft footsteps of an empty soul, and let-night traffic. This is called the city that never sleeps, the whole city was lit up at night. Well, almost. Strangely, in the back alleyways, nothing, absolutely nothing, is lit up. The only things that I could vaguely see was some black cat with glaring yellow eyes and a metal garbage can. I slowly make my way up to the animal and take a knee in front of it. "Poor little kitty." I say. "Huh, maybe I'm going insane but, would 'ja like to come home with me?" The cat looked up at me, came in closer to me, slowly reaching out its paw, screeched and ran off. I stood up frustrated, "Screw you too then..." Oh and I forgot to mention headlights coming at me. Headlights... wait... they are getting brighter. "LOOK OUT!" I hear a distinctly deep male voice call out, and instinctively jump out of the way. Also inadvertently into the trash can. Apparently some people have never heard of the word 'lid' before. An old Chevy Malibu comes screeching through the alley ways and pours into the main road. I feel the urge to flip him off, you know, for almost killing me. I sigh to myself saying, "It's New York get used to it." Ever since I got here, the place screwed me over. Stepping out of the garbage, I look down at my clothes, which it's really better if I don't describe the disgusting sludge for now. So I dust myself off, getting all the rotten banana peels, wrappers, and.... whatever this blue stuff is... "Better if don't know what this is" I noted to myself. After making myself semi- presentable, I trudged throughout the alleyways for a little longer, but eventually came across my apartment complex. Which, by the way, wasn't all that bad looking. Old brick structure, some rotten foundations, but upkeep usually finds this stuff out quickly. Brushing myself off a final time, I Stepped through the glass double-doors, following promptly was the smell of cleaning supplies invading my nose. The old cleaning maid, Joe Ann, who by the way didn't look a day over 72, was shining the service counter. In my opinion, this place looks more to be like a hotel. She looked up to see who was at the front door. She smiled at me, with those denture filled mouth of hers. She then proceeded to walk over to me. Besides all of the wrinkles concealing her face, she was in a picture of health. She was the one of three maids left in the building because of her experience, because of cuts to all the workers. That and probably they just wanted to go to a better part of the city. She is the only friend I have in this, God-forsaken place. "Hello Matthew. Good to see your okay." she said with a rather gleeful tone, taking a look at my clothes..."Oh dear Lord! What happened to your clot-" I cut her short," I'll be in my room. Or on the roof. Either way I really don't want to be disturbed." There was then a short awkward silence, with her frowning at my clothes. She nodded her frail old head," Oh alright... just make sure you clean up. Promise me okay, dear? "Alright." I added. She returned to her smiling demeanor. She gave me a quick hug and went back to work. I made my way to the elevator, almost slipping as I walk. "Wet floor!" Thanks for telling me now... I know she means well, but in her old age she's gotten... forgetful. She is, though, my only friend/loved one in my life as of late. She comforted me when my parents died in a house fire. She was there when my sister committed suicide soon after. I haven't told her about my brother being shot yet, but if I did tell her, I know she'd be there as well. Best not to think of my brother right now... I hear the trustworthy *Ding* of a not-so-trustworthy elevator, and the metal doors open shakily. Finally... I think to myself after the long wait. Walking into the old elevator, the smell of water damage was in the air. Oh well. I punch in my floor level, eight, right at the top as the doors close behind me. My mind went blank as I feel the elevator go up. *Ding* The doors open and I walk out. I sigh and walk to my familiar room number, 777. I chuckle to myself. "777 is supposed to be LUCKY," I mumbled to myself. I open my door... to find, my room. Empty as always. I set my backpack on the ground. Look at my watch shows the time to be 9:03pm. I always found time amusing. I take off my stinky clothes and throw them in the dirty laundry pile. Being only in my underwear, I pick out clothes for tomorrow. Some old Levi's, a plaid Tee, my grandfathers top-hat, socks, Fruit-of-the-Loom undies, and a grey sweatshirt. I step in the tub. I then turn the cold showerhead knob to the left. I let the hot water run over my body, trying to forget what happened today. I take a bar of soap and start scrubbing. I start singing too, not just because I want to, but because I have a gig at a bar tomorrow. So I practice in the shower, so what? Somebody to Love by Queen. Yeah... this isn't really helping. After I'm done taking my lovely shower, I put my Fruit-of-the-Loom on and my bathrobe, I quickly make a cup of tea and proceed to pour two spoonfuls of sugar and 4 sweeteners and mix it with the tea. I put on my pink slippers and open the front door to my apartment. I walk up the staircase and end up at a door which says ROOFTOP ACCESS. WARNING: RISK OF FALLING. Well no shit... I feel the gentle breeze of New York slightly raising my reddish-brown hair a bit. I plop myself on a bench that has been worn out over the decades. I watch the New York skyline as the lights of cars below me looks like a colony of ants from here. "Aaaaaahhhh nothing like a cup of tea to sooth a young mans worries," I say aloud before having a large slurp from the little mug. Then it hit me. I'd never see him again. My brother... Being my only family member left, we've mourned the losses in our family together. Ever since my sister committed suicide we visited each other, had a good laugh, go over memories, stuff like that. Even that changed... It was a Saturday afternoon. I was having a late lunch with my bro. Turkey sandwiches with a side of tea were on the menu that day. I was sitting in my chair with my tea and my hand. I brought it to my lips and gave a little sip of the sweet liquid. My brother was seated next to me, with half of the sandwich stuffed in his mouth. He was always the funny one. I gave him a weak smile then returned to slowly sipping down the now luke-warm tea. He wrapped his arm around me. "What's got you so down?" "You know what." We both know of our parents deaths, and our sister's suicide promptly afterward. "Well..." he pondered his choice of words, "at least you have me right?" I laughed a bit "Yeah, I guess you're right." He took his arm off of me and looked to the spinning fan above our heads. "You know, there's always-" *DING DONG The doorbell rang. I rolled my eyes and was about to get up, but he insisted he get it as not to bother me. "You're not in the best of moods so I'll get it for ya." He stood up from his seat and shouted "I got it!" to the person behind the door. Those were his last words. If only I got up instead of him, maybe he'd still be alive. I would also like to mention that the person behind the door was a female cop. Not so sinister? We'll see. He opened the door, "Ye-" he began. Then I heard two gun shots. My heart stopped. My brother never owned a gun... so that must mean.... Knocking the table over with the rush of my body, I slung myself forward to the knife cabinet drawer and pulled out a silver steak knife. I ran to the doorway to find a woman in police garments standing over his still body. A smile was plastered over her sick, twisted face. Well, let me say this, it quickly disappeared when she saw an angered an with a knife in his hand. She squinted her eyes at me, and clicked the trigger to her gun again, this time to me. No more ammo. Her eyes went wide dropping it to the floor right there. She then proceeded to run off, I didn't bother to run after her as I ran up behind and held my brother in my arms instead. He had two bullet wounds in his chest. He was already gone... Two weeks later we were in court. "Has the jury reached a verdict?" "Yes your honor." They ruled me out as a suspect since no DNA on the gun, so that left her... "Guilty." I hope you rot- "Sentence: 10 years with parole." I stood there dumbfounded. She had fake tears running down her cheek. "Well then why don't you let all murders go then!" I yelled. "We made a decision. You will respect it." The judge sneered at me. "I shall not and will not!" From that day, I had no one to cry on, no one to tell my feelings to. They're all gone. However, one pair eyes looked at me with seething hatred and fury. One's I'll never forget. After the court trial I came out defeated. I couldn't believe it. Sure, ten years is a long time... but really. I remember the next day, I read the morning newspaper. "MAN SPITS PROFANITY AT JUDGE AND JURY. CITY SHOCKED." I also remember throwing it on the pavement. I think I'm going to do it. I set down my tea. Yes this will solve everything. I get up and scoot towards the edge of the building. No friends, dead family, I can end it all here. Just as I am making the decision whether to jump or to not to jump, the storm that has been rolling in finally sets off the first few lightning bolts. At least I'll go out with a bang. I take the final steps, and lightning strikes in front of me and I'm blasted back on my feet, to the ground. "HOW IN THE HELL DID I NOT-" I then saw a glowing dark blue orb in front of me. "Aliens?!" I screeched, as a picture of the crazy hair guy from Ancient Aliens popped into my head. Then silence soon followed, save for the constant beeping of horns below. I stumbled backwards a few steps. "Well... I'm just going to go if you don't mind me." Making a 180 degree turn, I position myself for a mad dash to the stairwell. Just about as I am about to high tale it outta there though, I hear a faint crying from the orb. I sigh, and wave my hands in the air. "Not just an alien, and alien BABY, as well?!" I spun around only to find another flash of light awaiting me. There is a figure sitting there. Curled up into a ball, I can't really see it's true features. My mind told me to get the hell out of there, in yet for some reason curiosity overcame me so I walked over. It's made of fur and... is that crying? Well, if it's deadly, it will do the job of killing me. I picked it up, and whatever it is silenced itself and recoiled in fear. "Shh. shh shh. Its okay." IT MOST CERTAINLY IS NOT. I'm comforting an ALIEN BABY! "I guess suicide will have to wait." I mumbled. I rush to the door to the stairwell, opening and slamming it behind me. The creature jumped a bit, but was silent still. I make my way to my apartment door. I dig around for my keys in my pocket. Ah, there it is. I open my door and softly close it behind me. I made my way to the couch and set it down. It unraveled itself. Now it was my time to recoil in shock. For in front of me, was a teary eyed, blue, baby Luna.