Moon Tears

Chapter ♡ 12

A whole week until I see Seth again and my nights have changed.

With my blooming confidence, being able to wear a sexy dress, leave the house and desire a man – there's a dark flip side to my progress.

My weary brain is remembering more details every time I dream. The memories are now vivid feelings, abstractly connecting to my parent's horror at their finding out. The attack itself made me feel like I was going to die. My parents reactions made me feel like I deserved it. Even though logically I could argue against it, my heart felt the pain and shame.

And boom. Just like that. I'm back where I started.

I don't even leave my bedroom, while I process, I think about the art therapy session scheduled for next week. It's been 2 days, and I need to wait 3 more to see Seth again. I lied to Melody, said I caught the flu and was too sick to get out of bed.

The 3rd day has come and passed. Jack brought me a hot tea and asked if I was okay. I blankly listened to his week at school and then I gave him a hug and he went to bed.

"Jade just arrived," Melody comes into my room, speaking quietly, "She's going to babysit until we're back – rest up, hope you feel better soon. Just so you know, Seth dropped by earlier, wanted to see you, asked how you were feeling – I let him know you were ill. He really wanted to see you but I know you wouldn't want him to get sick too, so... yeah, just letting you know – he clearly senses that you're sick."

"Thanks for letting me know. I'm feeling a lot better than yesterday, just need a good sleep and I should be fine tomorrow," I whisper back, feeling terrible for lying, "Enjoy your date night together."

Melody smiles and is then on her way out with her husband.

The pain in my heart was too much.

This is the final straw.

I can't even help mind Melody's children, she had to call in outside help.

I was so fucking pathetic and useless, my own son had to bring me a hot tea and look after his own ill mother. I bring him no value at all. I'm a wreck of a woman.

The moment I hear Melody leave with Bryon, and I hear Jade looking after the kids – a tiny spark within makes me move.

I can lie down and think nonstop, barely eating – or I can do an action.

There's no thought. There's no reason. Other than help. I need help.

I walk to the window and I slam it open a little fast with my frantic movements, finding the whistle tucked under my pillow, I bring it to my lips and I use it to call Seth.

I had thought about texting him, but I didn't know what to say.

If I asked him to come over so late at night, he'd say I had to wait.

But this was me reaching out to the therapist in him.

Unfortunately, the moment I've blown into the whistle, I hear some of the kids react and yelp out from the other rooms.

I drop the whistle.

I realise I just disturbed all the werewolves in our household.

And probably the neighbourhood.

Plagued with embarrassment, I reach for the window and the curtains at the same time.

I'm about to shut both when I hear a rustle in the leaves in the thick brush of Melody's overgrown garden.

She loved having a wild backyard and side yard – now I witness a wolf that had been sleeping in the bush, standing up, hackles raised.

Seth was here the whole time?