Random one-page stories

Cast by moonlight

I sat in the car, watching the world fly past as I stared out the window. The stars glistened in the night sky as the moon shone brightly, lighting the dark like a dull flashlight. Gently tucked stray strands of my long wavy silver hair behind my ear, fiddling with the strings on my tie-dye hoodie as I let out a content sigh. Dad glanced back at me for a second before his attention was back on the road ahead, "we're going to pull up for the night soon Millie," he hummed, surprised that I hadn't succumbed to sleep yet. It was about ten at night, roads mostly empty and dark. I smiled, glancing at the luggage packed on the seats next to me, pillow leant up against the window with a blanket gently spread across my legs. "You seemed pretty fixated on something outside," dad chimes, snapping me out of my thoughts. "Just thinking," I respond, looking back out the window again.

Silence fell upon us, nothing but the sound of the car engine humming in my ears. Most people would argue that moving to a new house was intimidating, scary even, moving to a new place you don't know anything about. But dad and I thought of it as an opportunity to go somewhere new and meet new people. Besides, nothing could be that scary when you have the moon to watch over you in the dark nights. Wherever we went the moon followed, In the car, on long walks, it even watches over me and keeps me safe! I didn't need to believe in a god who created the world, because I had the moon. The moon was all I needed. The car pulled out of the main road, pulling into a small hotel. Dad stopped the engine, opened the front door, heading to the back seat, and helped me out of the cramped car as he held my hand and led me inside the office.

A lady sat at the desk, short chocolate brown hair just touching her shoulders and a neat outfit on. She glanced up at us as she heard the door open, a smile on her face. "Hello," she greeted, "would you like a room? It's just you two correct?" She asked as if she had said this more than once, she probably had the same lines engraved in her mind that she said to nearly every customer here. Dad nodded as he grabbed his wallet out of his pocket, "yes please, just for this night." The lady typed something down on a laptop as she nodded. "Alright, here's your key, room 13." I forgot what she said the price was, seeming to enter one ear and immediately left out the other. Dad paid and bid the lady goodnight, taking my hand once again as we headed to the room.

The door opened as dad took out the key, stepping into the room as a cool breeze hit us. I waddled my way to the heater and turned it on as dad flicked on the lights. "Alright, I'm going to park the car near our room and get a few things out okay?" I nodded, starting to investigate the small room we had been given. It was decent for a hotel, the usual dining area, couch and TV in the main area and two branching rooms that lead to a bedroom with a double and single bed and a bathroom. I headed to the bathroom, turning on the tap and splashed a bit of warm water on my face, letting out a tired breath as I went on my tiptoes to look at myself in the mirror. Bright blue eyes stared back at me all droopy, light freckles sprawled across my pale face like some sort of flick painting. Silver hair messily resting on my back and shoulders. I combed my fingers through the soft silver strands, catching a few knots between my fingers. It was nice, being out of the car after countless hours of sitting in a car seat with a seatbelt pulled across me uncomfortably. I had decided to wear my favourite hoodie the night we left, shades of blue and purple swirls acting almost like a galaxy matched with simple black sweatpants. My thoughts were interrupted by the front door opening with a click, tearing myself away from the mirror as I went to help dad haul a few things inside. It was mostly just a suitcase full of clothing and pillows so we didn't have to pack up much the next morning.

I brushed my teeth before I headed to the bedroom, climbed onto the single bed and slipping the covers over me. Dad soon came in and kissed me on the cheek, tucking me in. "Now, remember what I told you, if anyone asks about-" "it's white, not silver," I interrupted, knowing what he was going to say. I could have this written on the back of my hand by now due to the number of times I have said it. Dad says if people knew the truth they would try to sell me for lots of money, being the child with silver locks. Dad smiled at me sadly, gently pushing my hair out of my face. "We'll be at the new house tomorrow, I promise. No more car, no more sitting." I nodded as he pulled away from me, heading out of the room and turning off the light. As I sunk into the soft mattress, my eyes began to close for the night as the sweet release of sleep finally took me in with open arms.