The Lost Daughter (On Hold)

Chapter One

I put the last box into the moving truck and let it sink in that I'm leaving Kansas, and mom puts her hand on my shoulder. She kisses my forehead and sighs, "I know it's going to be a big change, but I know you'll make the best of it, Luna." "I love you, mum," I say hugging her, and she smiles. Dad smiles saying, "We love you too, mikró polemistí mou (my little warrior)." I pull away from the hug and hop into my car to follow the moving truck. Putting on my seatbelt, I hand my phone to my sister, Selene, then turn the car on. I take a deep breath turning up the radio as I start driving feeling the wind in my hair.

As the sky grows dark, I scan the sky of dazzling stars for the moon. The moon at only half keeps me at ease. My parents aren't prepared for a full moon on the road. I hear a howl in the distance that makes my hair stand on end. I look through my wolf eyes glancing at my surroundings then in my mirrors finding nothing but my red eyes and my sister's gold ones glowing back at me. I take sip of my water as my eyes turn back to their normal blue grey when a gas station glows in the distance catches my attention. Mom quickly pulls into the parking lot with her car then dad follows with the moving truck, and I park by a gas pump.

I turn off the car stepping out and look out into the distance in either direction. "Honey, what's up," dad asks expressing concern, "You look like you've seen a ghost." "It's nothing," I shake my head then scratch the back of my head, "Did you hear the howling?" "Yeah, we did," mom answers then shivers, "It sounded haunting and broken." "I'm going to run to the lou," I say abruptly then walk past Melanie and Selene, who look at me as though I am insane, going inside without another word. I go straight into the restroom and lock the door looking into the mirror. "That howl sounded so familiar," I think to myself and turn on the tap splashing the cold water on my face. Drying my face with a paper towel, I take a deep breath trying to push her out of my head.

I grab another water bottle and a bag of chips setting them on the counter. The scruffy man behind the counter looks bored out of mind as he speaks with a gritty monotone voice, "Is this all for you?" "Yes, this is all," I say pulling out my wallet. He smiles a little, "Are you from London?" "I was born in Gloucester," I say handing him a five dollar bill. He furrows his eyebrows in confusion, "Massachusetts?" "No, South West England," I say looking at him amused. He shakes his head, "Gloucester is in Massachusetts." I furrow my eyebrows slightly irritated grabbing my water and chips, "Keep the change." "Thank you," he says then smiles to himself like he had just won an argument. I shake my head walking out to the car, and the smell of the ocean and pine trees fills my nostrils causing me to stop in my tracks. I look around searching for him, and sorrow settles in my chest. "He left you when you were five, Luna," I internally scold myself, "If he was going to come back for you, he would have already."

I get into the passenger seat of my car wiping my hand over my face head and giving my keys to Melanie before I sit up taking a drink of water. I grab the locket around my neck kissing it before Melanie follows our parents out of the parking lot and onto the road once again. I sing quietly with the music until dad slams on his brakes causing Mel to slam on ours. Two deer run across the road, and I tell Melanie to put the car in park before getting out of the car and walking up to the truck. "Are you hurt, dad," I ask looking into his window, and he shakes his head. I rush up to mom's car, "Mum, are you alright?" "Yeah, I'm just a little shaken," she says holding her chest, "Give me a second." "Alright," I sigh in relief then jog back to my car. I zip up jacket before buckling and watch the scenery peacefully pass by.

I had fallen asleep to be woken up by the bright sun shining on my face and Selene shaking me softly, "Sis, it's your turn to drive the truck." "Alright," I yawn and stretch getting out of the car. I look around to see Las Vegas buzzing like it was the middle of the night, and I climb into the truck next to snoring Lukas laying in a position that doesn't seem comfortable. Shaking my head and chuckling, I start the engine with a turn of the keys. I effortlessly follow dad out of the rest stop as Selene follows me a little bit too close because she thinks she'll lose. "Selene, you're going to okay. Please, back up from my rear-end," I say, and she nods in the mirror visibly calming down and grows the distance between us appropriately. I glance around feeling eyes on me, and a set of red eyes meet mine. The man is quite large with brown hair and a lightly tanned complexion. I go to glance at him again, but he is gone as fast as I saw him. "We might have company," I say to Selene. She replies, "Giant with glowing red eyes. I'll keep an eye out for any other unusual characters." "I will too," I sigh, "Mel and Luke are asleep, so it's up to us to stay alert." "Alright," she sighs in frustration.