In Plain Sight

Chapter Four

The air surrounding Luna was frigid, wrapping around her like a sheet of ice. She sat up, waiting to hear the sound of the heater rumble throughout the vents in the house. Twenty minutes passed before Luna sighed, bracing herself as her bare feet touched the bare wood floor.

"Oh goddammit!" Luna gasped, grabbing the nearest sweater near here. She was grateful when the oversized, black sweater covered her small frame. Luna made her way into a pair of jeans before pulling on her boots.

'Five a.m.!' Luna thought, lacing her shoes, 'My heater has to go out at five a.m.!'

Luna brushed her dark, brown hair before heading towards Harlow's bedroom. On her way, she attempted to turn on their living room light, discovering it wasn't only their heater that was out. Luna hung her head, her hand still flicking the light switch as she attempted not to cry from frustration.

"Harlow!" Luna called, knocking on her bedroom door, "Harlow, hon, get up, we have a problem."

"I know we have a damn problem! It's FREEZING!" Harlow yelled, throwing her door open.

Harlow's lay buried in a white hoodie, her Nike sweatpants covering her legs, her fuzzy boots already pulled all the way up to her knees. Luna couldn't help but attempt to hold back a smile. Harlow hated winter with a passion, and it seemed as though this season was going to push her over the edge.

"It's not the heater, so that's the good news," Luna spoke, watching as her breath appeared after each word, "The power's out. Which means we have to keep an eye on the shop, considering the last time we had a power outage someone tried to break in."

Harlow looked at Luna, her eyes beginning to well with tears. Luna rolled her own, telling Harlow she would meet her down in the store. She made her way back to her room, grabbing her backpack filling. She filled it with a few books and other objects to keep her busy throughout the day. Before leaving, she left a heat spell on each of her plants, ensuring they wouldn't die from the sudden, severe cold.

Luna began her descent on the staircase, Harlow following soon after. The pair walked in silence, making their way to the front of the store. Each of them made signs, explaining that they would be closed until the power came back on. As Luna made her way to one of the large windows of the front of the shop, she gasped looking on before her.

Luna looked on through a flurry of snowflakes, flowing together in one direction. They piled higher on the already disappearing sidewalk. They sparkled in different colors, perfectly reflecting the sunrise that surely stood no chance against the day's storm. The front door's path had already been blocked by at least three feet of snow. Judging from the look of the frozen streets, however, Luna wasn't worried about anyone coming by today.

"This," Luna spoke softly, her gaze steady. "This isn't normal."

"What do you mean? The weather has been awful this month." Harlow argued, pressing her face to the window.

"Exactly," Luna answered.

Harlow looked at her, asking her to explain to her what exactly was going on her mind. It was too early to be giving her these many problems to solve.

"When has New York ever seen this much snow? It's been storm after storm." Luna continued, "This is the work of a powerful witch, can't you feel it?"

Harlow shook her head as Luna sighed. She remembered how different Harlow was from her, at least magic wise.

"Look!" Harlow exclaimed, pointing out into the storm.

Luna looked, her eyes resting upon a silhouette, attempting to trudge through the thick snow. She pressed her face up onto the glass, allowing herself to get a better look at what appeared to be two men. One appeared to be leaning on the other, holding his side as he attempted to shield it from the snow.

"Come on," Luna said, unlocking the door, attempting to pry it open.

There was a way those two would make it a hospital on foot, and there would be zero open phone lines to call for help. Luna wasn't exactly sure what gave her the sudden urge to want to help two strangers, but she felt she must do something.

Harlow was quick to aid Luna, helping her pry open the door, feeling the mixture of wind and snow hit her face. The pair wiggled through the door, attempting to run towards the men only fifteen or so feet away.

The air seemed to thicken for Luna. The wind began to send her hair in different directions, whacking against her face. Luna could already feel her fingertips beginning to throb from the cold. If they didn't help these men quickly, Luna was going to be in need of help herself.

"Hey!" Luna shouted, waving her hands above her, "Hey! We can help!"

The two men waved weakly as they continued towards Luna and Harlow. They each walked towards one another, meeting halfway. Harlow helped carry the injured man towards and into the store. They settled the men down at a table before hastily closing and locking the front door.

"Move, please," one of the men spoke, shaking as he stood, walking towards the door.

Luna opened her mouth to protest before the man began to speak what sounded like an incantation. A white flash of the light washed over the front doors in a thick blanket before the man collapsed onto the tile beneath him.

Luna kneeled at the man's side, pushing his bronze hair away from his face. Luna gasped, pulling her hand away from his face as she found her feet. Of course, it was him. It had to be him.