The Lies of the Moon

14

Fiona set up her laptop to join the call with Marie. Every bone in her body was telling her that she wasn't ready. She doesn't have a choice; this is something she has to do.

As she signed onto the call, she saw Marie holding Road, the last kitten she rescued.

"Wow, he has gotten so big," Fiona said with a smile. Marie chuckled as the kitten pawed her face.

"He misses you ma amie," Marie started, "just like me." Fiona frowned.

"Marie.." She looked at her sadly.

"It's alright, sweetheart. I'm not mad at you," She said, setting down the kitten.

There was a beat of silence in the air. Uncomfortable silence passed through the energy of the call.

"I'm sure this is a not right question, but how have you been?" Marie asked. Fiona tilted her head.

"I don't know, honestly. You?" Fiona responded, running her hands through her hair.

"I'm alright, honey, but this isn't about me. It's about you. Now, talk to me. You know I don't judge." Marie said.

Tears welled near her eyes. "Would it be weird to say I feel broken? As if I was a complete lie? As if the world didn't turn it's back on me, but shove me into a whole new world. I just don't know how to feel. And everything that happened in Remington."

"It wouldn't be weird, kid." Marie commented.

"What if I were to tell you a huge secret Marie. Something you could never tell anyone else. Could you keep it?"

"Cross my heart," Marie said.

"My Dad.. hes involved in some not so legal activities. Not in a bad way? It's hard to explain. But he told me the truth. I never knew, because amnesia. I have a twin brother, there was another whole life a whole lie, Marie. I just don't know how to process that almost 10 years of my life were a lie. He lied. My own father. And I forgave him. Was I stupid, maybe?"

"I have no words." Marie said. Mounts of pity and sadness arose for the child she considered her own.

Fiona froze. Anxiety blossomed through her body, pressing itself against her fingers. Everything was so confusing and depressing. She felt depressing. There was nothing truly defining her besides her loss of emotion. Lost of feelings. Tears gargled at the edge of her eyes.

"Fiona, you aren't what happened to you, kid. You have to understand that. You couldn't control what your father has done or anyone else." Marie said. Over the phone anxiety to hug her and hold her and take her pain away.

"How can you say that, Marie? I have NOTHING left. I have nothing! I lost everything the moment that he raped me. I lost everything the moment I didn't fight. I thought I was strong but I'm weak! I have nothing going for me." Fiona screamed. Word vomit. Words poured through her. Anger frustration.

The story Fiona had recited before began exiting her system. Ashlynn died, remember her? Jayden hated her guts and wanted her to be Ashlynn. She tried to kill herself and was pregnant. It began to drag on her. Her father, Jayden, Ashlynn, the town called Remington. It was crushing the weight was to much to handle.

"AND I MIGHT FUCKING DO IT AGAIN! What the fuck is going to stop me, Marie. Nothing. I am nothing. There's nothing more tempting then swoallowing hundreds of tiny tablets and letting them destroy me. Take apart my system and lay all of this shit to rest. I'M SO OVER FEELING NEGATIVE! I want this to be over." An explosion escaped her.

Unrelentless sobs met her face. Her hands couldn't grasp onto anything following the rapid beating of her heart. Marie had her eyes closed and a tear flew down her face. Fiona with her eyes widened soul exposed. Frantic breathing, shaking.

"I love you." Marie said. "I understand you're going through a lot. Please, kid. Think about what you're saying. You don't want to die. You're in pain and it only takes time. Stay here. You have a brother to get to know. Your father wants to spend time with you. New friends to meet. You have so much left to do. I love you."

"You said 'I love you twice'. Fiona stated. Centering herself back into her cage of protection. "I'm sorry I just don't know what to do anymore." She said.

"You'll find your path Fiona. I will always repat to the fact that I love you. Because I do. You are worth so much please don't forget that." Marie starred at the young woman across the screen. Frowning at the sight.

"I love you too old lady." Fiona smiled slightly barley lifting the corners of her mouth. "Go take care of the cats, Marie. You open soon." She added. Marie waved and the screen changed to emptiness.

A few contacts sat in a list but there wasn't much. Ashlynn's name shined brighter then the rest. Fiona just sat there numb. Glaring at the name. It angered her that she had to be here and she was just dead. Shouldn't she be dead too? Away from all of this negativity.

"I fucking hate you. You goddamn coward. Dying on me?" She mumbled to the computer screen. Aggression dripped itself through her veins. She brought her hand up and wacked the water bottle, sending it flying.

"This is all your fault you dumb bitch." She said under her breath. Fiona stumbled to the corner of the room sobbing into her knees. Compressing back into the box of saftey. Everything hurt, but keeping it inside was the safest option.

"Fuck you, Ashlynn." She said.

Tomasso was shook at the last words he heard. Wrong place, wrong time. He had heard everything.