The Moon Knows How to Play

Chapter 15

Chapter 15

We were making our way down from the rooftop after the meteor shower, the night sky still glittering faintly through the glass ceiling of the mall. Inside, however, it was different—dark, hollow, and eerily quiet. The mall was deserted, every echo of our footsteps swallowed by the empty corridors.

Elunar slipped her hand into mine, her fingers trembling slightly as though the darkness itself unnerved her.

"It's okay if you're afraid," I murmured, squeezing her hand in reassurance. "I'm here."

I pulled my phone from my pocket and turned on the flashlight, its small beam cutting through the vast shadows as we descended the escalator. Only then did Cloud's warning echo in my head: The mall closes exactly at nine.

I froze. My chest tightened. I pulled up my screen. The time glared back at me: 9:43 PM.

"Damn it," I muttered under my breath. "The mall closed ages ago."

We hurried toward the main exit, and as soon as Elunar saw the heavy metal shutters drawn tight across the doors, she gasped. Her free hand flew to her lips. "We're locked in."

She turned wide, accusing eyes on me. "Didn't you say your cousin owns this mall? Call him!"

I nodded quickly and scrolled to Cloud's number. One call. Two calls. Three. Each one rang out into nothing. "Fuck! He's not answering."

Panic flickered in Elunar's eyes as she glanced around the dark halls. "Isn't there another exit? A fire escape? Or a guard on duty inside?" Her voice shook, thinner with each question.

I searched my contacts until I found Alison-Cloud's wife. With a breath, I hit dial.

"Hello?" Her voice was calm, light.

"Alison, hi. This is Thunder—Cloud's cousin. I... we have a bit of an emergency."

"Oh, it's you," she said casually. "But wait, if it's an emergency, shouldn't you be calling 911 instead of me?"

I nearly smacked my forehead. Of course she'd say that.

"Is Cloud with you?"

"Yes. He's feeding Chase with a bottle right now."

"Can you put him on, please?"

There was some shuffling on the line, then Cloud's familiar drawl came through. "I think I already know what your issue is."

"We're locked inside your mall," I admitted flatly.

Cloud burst out laughing. Loud, unrestrained laughter.

"It's not funny, Cloud," I growled, glaring into the shadows as if he could see me. Beside me, Elunar sank down onto the unmoving escalator, folding her arms, clearly exhausted.

"I told you, cousin, the mall shuts exactly at nine. And look... it's well past." He chuckled again, then softened. "Alright, I'll send a guard to open up for you. Thirty minutes tops. Then you'll be free. So... how was it? How was the proposal?"

My brows furrowed. "How did you—"

"I know you," he cut in smoothly. I could almost see his smug grin through the phone. "So? Was it a yes? Or did she reject you again?"

"Please. Nobody rejects me." I forced the words through clenched teeth. "Just tell your man to hurry, alright?"

I ended the call and looked back at Elunar. "We have to wait for about thirty minutes."

She nodded, shifting a little on the escalator step. I sat beside her, tilting my head back to stare at the vast ceiling of the mall, dark glass panes revealing slivers of stars outside.