Revive

The Boy Under The Moon

Chapter I: The Boy Under The Moon

The wind blew through my hair as I watched the waves bash against the cliffside. The ocean reflected a deep but light gray that was present in the sky, as well as my own eyes. I turned back to the castle behind me, Home. I sighed, giving one last glance at the stone structure before turning towards the forest. Covering my night black hair, I pulled up my hood, some of the weight disappearing upon my pack. The stars and the moon lit the way in the dark dusk. Dusk was my favorite time. I preferred it more than the blinding daylight. It bothered some people but I wasn't planning on changing it anytime soon. My pale skin glowed in the moonlight, strands of black hair tinting blue. Soft ringlets escaped the ribbon that held the bundle of hair together, bouncing with each step taken. The trees towered over the grass and the further I walked, the less the moon comforted me through the leaves. I felt lost and cold, even from under my thick cloak.

The path started to fade and was replaced with crushed leaves leading the way through the forest. Silence overwhelmed me as I continued to walk, trying to not get too tired as night grew older. My silence was interrupted by the snap of the twig, either a curse or a blessing to stop the pressured quiet. I stopped dead in my tracks listening for any signs of life or threats.

"Who's there?" I called out into the dark.

"Er-, hello?" I called again before deciding to investigate. I drew closer to the source of the sound, soft anxious breaths growing louder as I got closer. A rare glimpse of moonlight reflected onto shiny locks of hair revealing someone hiding against the tree, terrified.

"Who are you?" I asked, continuing to stare at the shadow against the tree. Silence.

"I asked, who are you?" My tone changed into a demand.

"My name is Louis," the voice finally responded. I studied the boy in front of me through the moonlight, not caring that he was very well doing the same thing. He was taller than me, his pale skin shining in the moon. I admired his ginger hair and was reminded of the pumpkins that would grow in the fall along with the strawberries I used to eat in the summer. His eyes were soft brown that left chocolate at the tip of my tongue. He looked like the embodiment of sunlight and fire. Autumn yet summer at the same time. His lips were thin and straight but I couldn't help but imagine how sweet his smile would be.

"What are you doing out here?"

I couldn't think of any reason why anyone would be out here by choice, let alone me. I wanted to go back up to my room in the palace and lock myself in my room. At least it would be warm.

"Oh, only waiting to turn," Louis joked, pointing to the Moon. Out of instinct, I took a step back. Of course he was fibbing, but I wouldn't doubt anything in this world, especially when someone like me exists. Louis' voice filled my ears, soft and delicate to the touch of my eardrums.

"I'm only joking, of course. If I were a werewolf, I would have turned by now." he retorted at my natural response to his joke. I realized he had a point. It was well into the night now and the moon had been shining for about an hour. "Who are you?" He then asked back.

"My name is Kora. Now tell me, what are you really doing?" I asked, hoping for a real answer this time. Louis stayed quiet and looked down at his feet.

"I, uh- um, running, escaping." Louis finally responded, looking up from his shoes and at what was visible of my face in the dark.

"Oh, sorry to interrupt your running," I concluded before turning and walking on the path I originally was taking. I walked in peace for a couple seconds, until crunches of leaves sounded from behind my feet. Turning around, I noticed Louis catching up to me, explaining the noise.

"May I come with you?" Louis asked, but sounded more like pleading.

"No. I travel alone," I responded, not intending on company. I hadn't come up with a plan on where to go and what to do yet. It hadn't occurred to me that I would have to eventually choose somewhere to go. Traveling for the rest of my life had crossed my mind, but I knew that was far from ideal and would end up getting lonely.

"I promise not to get on your nerves too much," Louis stated, a chuckle lightly escaping his mouth.

"Fine, but keep the jokes to a minimum," I responded, finally caving in.

"Er-, I don't usually like making promises that I don't think I will keep, so I'll keep them to a medium." Louis responded, as I fought back to urge to roll my eyes. I turned back around again, my hood following and hair wisping along with the wind. We stayed in total silence, the only sounds being made were the leaves crushing and the breaths being taken in order to not pass out.

The night was getting colder the longer it grew. I rubbed my arms through my cloak hoping the friction would create warmth, but as expected, it didn't. I could hear Louis shivering to my side, his teeth starting to chatter. I looked back at him, realizing he wasn't wearing anything suitable for the cold. Stopping, I started rummaging through my pack, until at last, pulling out a spare cloak. Louis stood beside a confused look plastered on his face.

"Why did we stop?" Louis asked, looking around, continuing to shiver. Without a second thought, I threw the cloak at him when his head was turned, causing him to jump from being startled.

"What's this?" Louis questioned, unfolding the cloak. This time the urge to roll my eyes was stronger than the control.

"A cloak dimwit," I started, "if you stand outside in this weather for any longer, dressed the way you are, you'll surely freeze by the time dawn arrives." Louis no longer looked confused, but was taken aback by my sudden gesture of generosity paired with my usual sass.

"Er-  thanks, I guess." Louis said, draping the cloak around his shoulders and tying the ribbon to keep the cloak from falling off. In unison, we pulled the hoods over our heads, despite the wind blowing in our faces and pushing our hoods back to their original positions.

We continued to walk in silence, growing more comfortable the longer the night went on.

What am I even thinking? I just wish I could go back despite the consequences that would happen if I were to do so.

I continued drowning in my thoughts, letting a yawn escape my mouth before stopping.

"Maybe we should set up camp," I suggested before turning to face Louis.

"With what?" Louis snapped, his tired mood taking over.

"I mean we should sleep." I clarified before sitting against the tree. Pulling my hood over my hair, I watched as Louis did the same at a tree across from me. Yawning, I closed my eyes, embracing the dark.

"Good night," Louis wished before closing his own eyes.

"Mhmm," I hummed softly in response. I didn't bother counting numbers or trying to clear my mind, I let sleep consume me without thinking twice.