Eclipse

Chapter 6

★Aruna★

I got ready to leave, knowing exactly what I wanted to do. Rya had previously given me permission to get money for a book. I also wanted to buy a cake because Rya's birthday is today. I smiled at the thought. She loves sweets, but she never gets them because she thinks we shouldn't spend money on things we don't desperately need. It's different when it comes to me, though.

She's turning 21 today and is three years older than me. My birthday was only a few weeks ago. I looked into the mirror, making sure that my mask and hood were on correctly before leaving the house. Rya was chopping wood outside. She loves carving things out of wood. She one time made a sculpture of me. It looked really good, but she eventually lost it.

I waved to Rya as I left the house. She waved back and I made my way to the kingdom. The walk was peaceful today, due to the air being thin and cold. I could hear birds high in the trees.

I eventually made it to the wall. I created a mist of darkness around me as I pushed the leaves and vines to the side and stepped through. I looked around me before I let the darkness disperse.

"Hey, Moon." A voice interrupted my thoughts and I immediately stopped walking. I whipped my head around, eyes immediately going to the rooftop to my left. Massimo.

On the roof, stood a crouching figure. The figure had long, brown braids that fell in front of, and behind, his figure. His eyes flashed green, and his skin was a bronze color. His jawline was noticeably sharp and defined. His muscles were masculine, definitely not that of a woman, despite what everyone else said. He looked nothing like a woman. His long-sleeved shirt was white and loose. Two out of three buttons on the top of his shirt were unbuttoned. His pants were black and baggy, and he wore long, black boots.

Massimo flashed a smile at me. "How often do you almost get caught?" He lazily rested his arms on his knees, still crouching. 

I crossed my arms and looked at him. "Never. What do you think I am? An amateur?"

Massimo raised his hands in defense. "Hey, it's not that often that I meet another rebel."

I scowled at him, despite the joy I felt in finally meeting him. "I am not a rebel. I just want to live."

Massimo kept his smile, but something in his eyes showed a different emotion than happiness. Like he understood. He nodded. "Yeah, I get it. That's what I'm doing."

I took a deep breath. "I want advice."

He smirked. "From me? The wanted criminal?"

I huffed. "No. From someone who wants to live freely as much as I do."

Finally, Massimo's smile faded. He looked at me with serious eyes. "Trust me, Moon. You don't want to live like me."

I shook my head. "I do. I want to stand up for my own life. How else am I going to prove that it's worth it for me to live? I don't want to be known as Moon, the coward who hides in the shadows." I paused before motioning to him. "I want to be like you, Massimo Stanton, the one who stands up for what he believes in."

Massimo smiled sadly. "There are many things wrong with what you just said. One, I am not known as Massimo. I'm known as Tora Stanton. And two, they say she when talking about me. So, no. They don't speak of me like I'd want them to."

I sighed. "Even so, I want to be known as the person that stands up for herself. Not the one that hides."

Massimo smiled brighter and nodded. "Okay, then. Meet me here tonight. After curfew."

I smiled. "Okay. I'll have to show up after 23:00, when my sister goes to sleep."

Massimo got ready to leave but stopped. "I'll see you later, Moon." Then, he turned and left, climbing across the rooftops to avoid being seen.