e! We ha

exposed shoulders. The simple, yet elegant dress my mother picked out for me squeezes my wais

ige

wn the hall. My hands hold the tough f

eing to assure I haven't stepped into the wrong shoes or grabbed the grey cardigan instead of the black one.

r heels, but I try to ignore the discomfort to instead focus on how miserable the conversation at this dinner will be. Whenever I talk to t

's something else. My parents continue to walk. They talk about the dinner. My mom rambles about seeing the Luna again. My

lright?" M

p and mutter, "Yeah. S

I asked you to, they wo

st nervous to be in a room of intimidating people. It will be fine, though. Amabell and I will g

sick? No, she'll just think I'm looking for a way out. But—but this isn't a kind of illness

ep roofs. My father climbs the few steps up the porch, but I grab my mother's arm. She turns back to m

like. Seeming vulnerable—it's not s

I'll come get you girls

n't feel well. I-I not making this up, I prom

ry. My Dad stops and turns back to us. She wa

right?" He ask

ust go

pimples and a shiver climbs up my spine. Something is in there, in that house, and it's alluring tactics are rising

it hi

thing that this c

, "I can't go in there

thering you? Is it your head

different version of me would conjure up a smart lie, but whateve

g inside. Come on, before they start t

ines out. My mother takes me in with a bright smile on her face as she sees the many people gathered in the front room. I

y father's voice cu

direction of Dad's voice. I'm too much of a coward to look up. What

nd my daughter Brige

out time you two came for a visit. Amabell is around here somewhere, Brigette. I'm sure y

ld go find her. Could she

Luna." He turns to face the crowd, s

l glances at every face they dete

rs. He turns back to us and says, "But Dale,

ll," I say and break away from my parents, desperate to

y annoyance with sweetness. It's the Luna. "Brigette," she says, "it's good to see you again, da

My mother is meeti

mabell ran off to the restroom.

g to find a hole in the wall, but there's nowhere

eel it.

y goes

ything alright. Oh, Brigette, I must introduce you to our guest of honor

es me like a bolt of lightning is the lack of anyone else standing with him. In a single second my face fall

here's no doubt he

as his grey eyes are aimed into

otions like a tidal wave. I must be drea

e Luna says, oblivious. "Have you bee

se scenario. He can't look away from me, but I'm unde

ter how hard I try to yank them out, more and more keep coming throu

like a branch of the military. But it doesn't really matter who he is or how he is because nothing will cha

rows hot. Please look away. J

her, Brigette?" The Luna suggests. Can she really not tell? Mayb

d clasp my hands just to co

happened, I can still make my escape, still be a mate-less girl. For a moment I think that it worke

face this h

rivate office. This is definitely not allowed, but before I can exit, he comes through the door, closing it b

is making me need to vomit. They bump and twist and I clench my jaw just to keep myself from moaning in uneas