The Other Language

III

Truth

Imagine if those scattered moondust from the skies are actually beacons of hope for all the lost souls. Those flickering and gleaming light upon the black sky. I repeated to think my heavy thoughts—am I one of the lost souls? It kept me awake all midnight. Before the flame of gold replaced the moon in its world tour, my vision got blurry. And went on, yet another day, without clarification.

Skies were plain cerulean blue; no other colors blending in. The swaying of trees and rustling of leaves could be heard but not seen. We didn't utter for a while while having breakfast. After Bob's preaching yesterday, I became distant to lick my wounds. Alli wasn't allowed to touch her art materials. I've been forbidden to go out and do what I want. Sneaking will be a new hobby temporarily.

It was pointless. Sitting with nothing to stare but a wall with chipped lavender paint was excruciatingly blunt. My foot tapped in rhythmic patterns as my cheeks felt tight. A hand clasped my neck and pouted. The muscle in my angular jaw twitched.

"I'm sorry, Madi. I really am." Her modulated voice said in sincerity.

I acknowledged, "The next time you call the police make sure you consult me. We will call the White House together instead."

She sealed me in a hug just when I clutched her arm and embraced it, "I want change too." I wholeheartedly said.

We shared our thoughts and stories. I told her I snuck out last night and I captured a spacecraft lurking in the vast shadows when the majority of the mass was asleep. She still doubts me for I might be fancying reality and fantasy at the same time. By my notable descriptions, she changed her mind and trusted me.

I have this need to figure what occurred on Astraea's case and what kind of message she likes to pass. Boggled in the mysteries, we teamed up on covering each other for the quest of revealing the truth. My tongue was false because I came back on her monument and read the information board as if a kid on a field trip. It says, she traveled to Europe, build a life there, and never came back. That is why it is a lie. She's been abducted.

I surfed the internet in hopes of finding the pieces. This mission is deadly and imitates a glass for the contentment after solving the problem is euphoric and cleansing. Except, the obstacles clogging the road are risky. The government may intervene.

Based on the research, Astraea courageously avenge the equal rights of women athwart the toxic masculinity of men that time. She was praised by her wits, fighting through the use of her talent in writing. The articles were revolutionary and satiric. She filed for mayor candidacy, yet in one fateful night she disappeared.

I searched for other missing persons in Arizona in the event they could be relevant. I found a juvenile named Stephen who was last seen in the woods doing rituals, vanishing in thin air. Then there is Jody, a boy  who was hospitalized after saving his sister from the scorching house. Gone without certain traces which made my screws rotate simultaneously. What for? I pondered.

Looking at the brick house where the Sheriff lives mocked my pride. He bit his lowered lip. Thank God with clothes at this hour.

He looked amused whatsoever seeing me right in the porch of their home, "Regret brought you home, sweet pea."

I folded the paper behind me. I can't let my annoyance get between the way. It would ruin my motives. I begged, "I need your help, Santiago."

Allison gave me the idea of asking help from the man since he has access to the private files in town. Of course, he will need to commit a crime in stealing the documents, but hey, this is for world peace so why should we care?