“You heard me Lunette. No more clubs. From now on, you’ll come home and spend your time working for the store. I’m sure that will look good for a college resume.”

            “No! I’m going!” Lunette’s voice continued to grow in volume.

            Tatiana’s eyebrows hiked in response. “Excuse me? No, absolutely not. I’ve put up with this attitude you’ve been giving ever since we moved, but I’ve had enough Lunette. Enough!” Tatiana moved her arms and hands as she spoke, her body seeming to grow in stature.

            Lunette pressed her lips into a firm line, taking a sharp inhale. This was not the time to be ignoring her club. She needed to go to the Moore family for help even more than ever. Especially since school would be in winter break for a few weeks during December and January. “I’m going.”

            “No!”

            “Yes! Yes, I am. You want to know why I’ve had this attitude? It’s because of you and grandma.” Lunette seemed to spit her words. “You both took everything from me. My friends, my school, my future, even mom’s house! How am I supposed to be happy when I was forced to move to this stupid place that’s ruined my life.”

            “It hasn’t ruined your life Lunette, you’re being dramatic.”
            Heat continued to bubble within the young girl. “No, it has! You have no idea the amount of bullshit I’ve had to deal with after moving here.”

            Tatiana’s eyelids pulled back from the curse, anger forming within her body as well. “Well maybe we would know if you told us.”

            “Told you?” Lunette let out a small laugh. “You both hide everything from me. Don’t think I haven’t noticed.” Her eyes began to burn, tears waiting to break the dam. “You both treat me like a kid, I’m eighteen if you haven’t remembered. I’m already a year behind, a failure, and you’re keeping me back more.”

            “You’re not a failure Lunette.” This time Dalia’s voice entered the argument. Attracted to the yelling like a moth to a flame. Her face suddenly scrunched; a hand lifted to her nose. “Why do you smell like that.”

            The corner of Lunette’s lip rose. “What?” She then brought her nose to her elbow, then armpit. From what she could tell, she didn’t have a stench. She lifted her head to view Tatiana’s jaw drop, her face frozen with shock. “W-What?”

            “Where have you been Lunette?” Dalia questioned.

            “Yes, where have you been?” Tatiana followed. Both women continuously asking the same question, slowly approaching Lunette.

            Lunette kept darting between both family members, frightened by their sudden change in disposition. “L-leave me alone!” Beginning to panic, she could feel her heart wrenching within her chest. “Leave me alone!” She screamed again. The apartment shook, Tatiana and Dalia halting in their step. The overhead light grew brighter and brighter with an electrical hiss. When the bulb gave way with a loud pop, Lunette ran upstairs, leaving Dalia and Tatiana to stand in shock.

            Lunette slammed her bedroom door as hard as she could, the wood appearing to cry from the abuse. Tears had begun to rain down, itching at her cheeks and neck. Her body paced the room while her hands were busy with rubbing and grabbing at her scalp. How could they dare say what she was feeling was being overdramatic when they didn’t know a single thing? I don’t care if this stupid town goes down. Lunette thought to herself.

            A shiver ran down her spine and she stopped her pacing. She lifted her head to view herself in the mirror. A teary-eyed girl stood frightened in the reflection, a mess.

            Lunette sat herself down into the bed and rubbed her eyes. All she wanted to do was disappear. She didn’t want to fight with her family, become a witch, fight monsters, and live her entire life as a freak. The perfect life of returning to Louisiana and attending college like an average student seemed like a distant dream. Her old life, with her old friends, her old boyfriend, her old home, and even her own sanity seemed like the fantasy now.

Her heart continued to ache as she thought of her mother and sister, long gone and never coming back. Her hand gripped her necklace as tight as she could manage, like a child with a stuffed animal. She was alone. No one could understand the confusing position she was in but herself, and the company she wanted the most was gone.

“Lunette?”

The girl’s body flinched. “Silas?” She quickly turned her head away from him, her hands busy to wipe away the tears and snot that had accumulated. “W-what do you want, why are you here?

            Silas remained quiet as he began to enter her room from the window, finding no difficulty. “I heard you, you were calling very loudly.”

            Lunette shook her head from side to side slowly and continued to avoid eye contact as he approached. “I wasn’t.”

            “What’s wrong?”

            “Nothing.” Lunette flicked her head away from his gaze as he grew closer.

            “You’re crying.”

            “I’m not.” She continued to stubbornly ignore the state she was in. “I’m fine,” She tried to breath in through her nose, but an audible sniffle filled the air. “You can go.” Despite the request, Silas remained in the room, staring down at her, as if waiting for her to tell the truth.

            The two remained in silence as Lunette continued to recollect herself. Wiping away the last of her tears from her face and calming her breath. Though she continued to evade his stare and hung her head low, there was an ease to the atmosphere. Her hand traveled back to her necklace, turning it round and round between her fingers.

            The silence in the room seemed to mimic her mind. There were no longer erratic thoughts that continued to pile up. It was as if Lunette truly had ceased to exist. “Lunette?” A knock came to the door, signaling she was still present. “You okay?” Tatiana’s voice spoke softly past the wood.

            Lunette finally lifted her head, her eyelids puffy and red. Her gaze met Silas’ and he remained silent, waiting for her word. “Go away.” Lunette finally answered.

            “Can we talk?” Tatiana’s figure leaned further into the door. “Please?”

            Lunette stood up and stared to the cream door. It once was covered in claw marks from the wendigo attack, yet somehow restored to its previous state. Lunette eyed Silas, watching his patient figure, and then turned towards her closet, grabbing a bag. “No! Just, leave me alone.” She began stuffing it with a few articles of clothing.

            “Lunette,” Tatiana continued, oblivious to anything happening. “I think there’s something we need to talk about.”

            Lunette continued to pack the bag with anything she could find, having no rhyme or reason in the panic. “No. You’ve said enough.”

            Tatiana turned around and leaned her back against the door. “Lunette, listen. I know we both haven’t been honest with each other. I think it’s time we talk about things.” There was silence. “I know your mad, just…I’m sorry.” Tatiana admitted, still being met with stillness. She tilted her head against the door, thumping against it for a few times before straightening “Well, I’ll talk to you tomorrow then.” The tired woman walked away to her own room, unaware that she had been talking to no one for some time.