To think that I could leave unscathed. That I would be safe in this…vampire night.
•§•
Synopsis: Sisters Cassidy and Brooklyn Rayner have always been close. Those who know them would say they're inseparable. However, when one sister wishes for an escape, the other wishes for her return; though Brooklyn wasn't expecting her escape to be in the form of Yuki Cross and Cassidy just wants to find her sister and go home without any distractions, like one certain Kaname Kuran seems to be. Only one thing is clear to them both, neither of them expected to be thrown into a world where creatures who feed on blood rule the night.
Disclaimer: I do not own Vampire Knight or any of its characters. I do, however, own my OCs and this plot and blah blah blah—On with the story!
Prologue
"Are we there yet?" Brooklyn asked for the umpteenth time. She only briefly glanced up from her phone to look at her sister, who was looking out the car window with her earbuds in. Figuring she couldn't hear her, Brooklyn shifted her legs that were already laying on her sister's lap and turned in order to poke her sister in the abdomen with her foot.
Repeating this action with more force until she got her sister's attention, she finally settled when she saw her sister turn to look at her as she took her earbuds out and shoot her a quick glare. "Ow, Brooke! What?"
"Are we there yet?" Brooklyn repeated, looking up from her phone to see her sister roll her eyes at her from across the backseat. "Oh, come on, Cass!"
Cassidy shrugged and then answered, "I don't know. I guess." She looked at her surroundings outside the window and said, "Maybe fifteen more minutes. Right, Mom?"
"Right, sweetheart."
Cassidy turned to her sister again. "And you couldn't've asked Mom or Dad?"
"I did, but every time I asked how long more they kept saying 'soon' or would just ignore me."
"That's because you wouldn't stop asking us every five minutes," Dad said, pausing to make a left turn. "Besides, there's no rush and we're making good time. We'll be at your aunt's soon enough."
As the car rounded a long path that led to an even longer driveway, Cassidy took in the familiar sight before her. No matter how many times she went to visit her aunt's beautiful home with her family, the view of all the flora and fauna that the Adirondacks had to offer never failed to take her breath away.
Her eyes lingered on the clear, blue lake behind the house as it seemed to sparkle in the sunlight. As the car rolled to a stop, Cassidy made sure to shrug her sister's legs off her as she made to grab her overnight bag off the floor. Not even two steps after she shut the car door did she feel two small bodies barreling into her as one set of arms wrapped around her torso while the other wrapped comfortably around her hips. She didn't even have a chance to speak before her little cousins bombarded her with questions.
"Hey, Cassie! How was your trip? Are you hungry? Dad's making lunch; we're about to have burgers. Do you want lemonade or iced tea? We even have pink lemonade if you want it. Mom's making a fruit salad for later and she also bought an ice cream cake so we can all share after dinner!"
"Cassie, will you go play in the lake with us? Dad just put up a tire swing but I haven't tried it out yet and I really want to. Ooh, you also have to see my room! I got a lot of new dresses for dance and more trophies! Did you hear that we won the competition? I even got my own solo and won!"
Cassidy looked between the two girls and bent down slightly to give them a better hug. She laughed as she did her best to answer them, "Well hello to you too guys—and that's great, Stephanie! I wish I could've danced as well as you when I was six. I'll go see your room later and we can go play after we eat." She looked up at the older girl who was still holding on to her as well. "Hey, Kayla. Where's your brother?"
"Oh, he's helping Dad with lunch," Kayla answered and Cassidy nodded, deciding she'd go say hi to him later.
After the two girls finally released Cassidy they ran over to her sister. As soon as she was free, she saw the girls' mother running out of the house wearing her bronze hair in her signature low bun, flyaways kissing her face.
"Hey guys, sorry about that. They were waiting at the door and were just so excited to see you," she said, a little out of breath. "Anyway, it's good to see you all. How's everything been? Marcela, you look amazing as usual." She went in to kiss the shorter woman on the cheek before going in to do the same to her brother. "No problems driving up here I hope."
"No problems at all, though I don't know if you'd count the headache that was brewing in the backseat," Thomas Rayner quipped, inclining his head toward his children. "You'd think with how often we make the drive up from Albany they'd've found some sort of arrangement by now," he said with a shake of his head.
"Hey!" Cassidy replied, "Brooklyn kept hogging up all the space and wouldn't make any room for me to lie down as well." She took a moment to stretch out her limbs from the two-hour drive before facing her aunt and bringing her in for a hug. "Hey, Aunt May. I'm glad to see you," Cassidy said, a smile forming on her lips.
Aunt May embraced her niece tightly before looking down at her, stroking her dark curls. "You too, Cassie. I'm happy that you're all able to stay for the night, and although he doesn't show it," she leaned in and whispered conspiratorially, "I think Jackson is the most excited," Aunt May finished with a chuckle.
Cassidy chuckled along with her at the thought of her little cousin. Though the ten-year-old liked to feign nonchalance, she knew that he was just as excited to see her as she was him. He was different from his twin in that respect: where Kayla was openly affectionate, Jackson was more reserved. Cassidy made a mental note to give him a big kiss on the cheek when she saw him.
Aunt May stepped back and clasped her hands together. "Well lunch is just about ready. How about you all get settled in then come back downstairs. Steve's grilling burgers and I know how eager the kids are to play with their cousins. I was just about to prepare the pot roast, so after lunch we can let them work up an appetite for dinner," she began as everyone was ushered inside.
"Oh, May, you don't have to go through all the trouble. You know that we would be fine with pizza or something," Marcela told her sister-in-law. "Though we're grateful."
May waved her off. "Nonsense! I'm happy to go through the trouble. Besides, I've been wanting to try this recipe out for a while now and I think you'll like it," she replied.
As Brooklyn brushed past her sister and mother to head up the stairs and go to her room, she couldn't help but mumble, "Like how you thought we'd enjoy your zucchini pizza casserole last time?"
Cassidy began to laugh but quickly covered it up with a cough. Her mother also opted for discretion and hissed in her sister's direction—"¡Silencio!"—before turning to Aunt May, "I'm sure we'll love it."
"So how are you liking your pot roast?" Cassidy teased her sister, chewing the meat off her fork and savoring every bite. Both girls had to admit, this was one of Aunt May's better dishes. Brooklyn was afraid her aunt would somehow botch the roast, but then presumed that was only the case with her more outlandish recipes.
"Not bad," she replied. "I can tell somebody's been watching their MasterChef."
Cassidy nodded her agreement before looking up at her aunt, who had just directed a question towards her.
"So, Cassidy, are you excited to start college in the fall?"
Cassidy wiped her mouth on a napkin before replying, "Oh yeah, and I'm curious to see what my roommates will be like."
Uncle Steve finished the last of his iced tea before he chimed in, "That sure is exciting. And aren't you doing the pre-med track as well?" At Cassidy's nod, he continued, "Well you sure got the brains for it, kiddo. I think you'll really enjoy it." He then turned his attention to the younger Rayner sibling. "And what about you, Brooke? Excited for senior year?"
Brooklyn nodded her answer, hoping to skim over talk of school, which, with her Uncle Steve, always ended up being career-talk. Unlike her sister, she didn't know what she wanted to be when she grew up. Sure, she had a vague idea—maybe something in which she could travel?—and she had good grades, but she was unsure where she wanted those things to lead her in life.
In the hopes of changing the subject she decided to notify her parents of her plans with Cassidy. "Mom, Dad. Cassidy and I are going to go for a walk after dessert. Is that all right?"
"Sure, that's all right, sweetheart," her father answered. "As long as you don't stay out too late or go too far, it's not a problem."
"Just be careful," her mother added. "I want at least one of you to carry a bag with extra flashlights and a portable charger in case your phones die on you." She paused to sip on her pink lemonade before continuing, "And don't forget to put on bug spray."
Brooklyn brushed a chocolate strand of hair out of her eyes before bringing another piece of the roast up to her lips. "Don't worry, Mom. We'll be fine," she replied before looking at her sister.
Cassidy's blue eyes locked with her sister's brown ones briefly before she looked over at her parents. "Yeah," she agreed. "We always are."
Cassidy closed the front door behind her and made her way off the porch and down the front steps with her sister.
The two began their usual trail, admiring the beautiful houses and even more beautiful plant life as they went. Cassidy thought it perfect, how everything was set up. Each house surrounded by nature, given enough privacy from neighbors, yet also not completely isolated from the world.
She and Brooklyn stopped once they reached a high vantage point overviewing the lake.
This, Cassidy thought, this is why I should go outside more.
The lake still seemed to sparkle in the gleam of the sunset, its glow casting everything in its pink and orange hue. From the rocks to the water and the trees, it all radiated a soft shine, its effect only doubled by the touch of the early summer breeze.
Cassidy brushed a spiral curl away as it fell in her face from the gentle wind, settling herself on top of an even rock beside her sister. "If only we had sunsets like this back in the city."
Brooklyn hummed in agreement, "Yeah," before shifting herself to lean on the trunk of a tree and bringing her knees up toward her chest.
Cassidy mirrored her image on the opposing tree, their bodies turned toward the other but their heads facing the scenic view, and rested her arm on her right knee.
"Cass?"
"Hmm?" Cassidy looked over at her sister, who seemed to be bothered by something.
"How often do you think you'll be able to visit when you leave?" Brooklyn inquired. They were close enough that Cassidy could see her playing with the hem of her shirt.
"Depends," she answered. "I'm out of state, but I'm definitely coming home for the holidays and breaks. I know schoolwork will most likely prohibit me from coming home more than that but…" she paused, "maybe I can come home for Halloween if I'm not swamped?"
"Yeah," Brooklyn nodded then let a small smirk appear on her face, "and who knows? Maybe by then you'll have found yourself a boyfriend to bring home."
Cassidy scoffed, "As if," but then relented, a small smile of her own playing on her lips at her sister's teasing. "We'll see. You know I'm not actively searching for a boyfriend right now, but if someone happens to come along and we click then… I guess I won't be so opposed to having one." Cassidy paused, musing out loud, "Though I don't think that'd be anytime soon."
"Probably not," Brooklyn added on. "You're too picky."
Cassidy pinned her sister with a look, though Brooklyn could tell she was still amused. "Call me what you want but I don't think I'm that picky; I just have a few standards. Plus I haven't met anyone I felt that way about yet and there's no rush."
Brooklyn rolled her eyes. "Yeah whatever, I guess," she paused to tuck her feet under her, sitting with her legs crossed. "Is Declan still trying to get with you?"
Cassidy took a moment before answering. "That boy," she muttered, "won't stop hitting me up! No matter how many times I show I'm not interested he just doesn't get the hint. I'm either going to have to be blunt with him or act like my line is constantly dead."
Brooklyn laughed and Cassidy joined in with her own chuckle. "Anyway Brooke, how are things between you and Kyle?" Cassidy questioned her when their laughter died down, knowing of her sister's on and off relationship with him.
"Meh, same as always. I'm done playing games with him; I think I'm just gonna cut him off soon," Brooklyn answered, and Cassidy could tell she was slightly annoyed at the thought of him.
"Yeah, you should." She gave a sharp nod, deciding to veer the conversation away from the opposite gender. "So tell me, when did you learn how to do a backflip in the lake?"
When both girls finally got up from their positions, the sky was dark and dotted with stars.
Cassidy checked her phone as Brooklyn hefted her bag over her shoulder. "I guess we should start heading back," Cassidy stated. "It's after ten."
"Yeah, I guess," Brooklyn replied. "But can we stop somewhere on the way back? I think I saw a clearing and I want to check it out."
"Sure, but let's make it quick. I don't need Mom giving me an earful when we get back."
As Brooklyn led the way in their trail back to their aunt's, she stopped once she came across a small path among the brush. They followed the path that led deeper into the forest, only stopping when they saw a bewitching pond in the clearing. They both gasped at its beauty. Though small, the pond was glittering as it reflected the millions of stars in the sky. Brooklyn came to the edge and sat herself down as Cassidy followed suit.
With the bag situated in between them, Brooklyn moved to turn off her flashlight and put it in with the rest of the bag's contents since Cassidy still had hers out, but stopped when her fingers felt the fore edge of a book. They skimmed the unconnected pages as she brought it out from the confines of the bag, and she tried to make out the cover in the dim light.
Vampire Knight, it read back to her. Oh, she thought, I forgot I left this in here.
She had already finished reading the manga as well as seen the anime, but she had recently decided to reread the series—though it was more for nostalgia's sake than enjoyment. She wanted to revisit her time with Yuki, Kaname, and Zero—if only for a little bit. Brooklyn brought the first volume on the trip with her so she could begin reading in the car, but gave up on that idea when the first signs of nausea hit her about ten minutes into the drive. As she tried to discern the faces on the cover with the minimal lighting offered, she heard her sister's voice ask her a question.
"How come we've never seen this before? I mean, we've visited a thousand times but I don't recall ever seeing this. It's absolutely beautiful!"
"Beats me," Brooklyn shrugged, letting the book fall into her lap. "This is the first time I noticed the pathway on our way up." She looked up at the sky like her sister was currently doing and noted the absence of a certain celestial body. "Where's the moon?"
Cassidy shifted her gaze from the stars to the pond to finally landing on her sister. "Well you see," she began, "tonight's a new moon, so we won't be able to see the moon since the side facing the earth isn't receiving any sunlight and, as you know, the moon does not create light, but reflects sunlight."
Brooklyn rolled her eyes. "You know, you could've just stopped at 'tonight's a new moon,' Little Miss I Love Space," she mocked with a raise of her brows.
Cassidy just smiled at her. "But tonight's not just any new moon," she explained, leaning in close to her sister, "tonight's a new moon supermoon."
Brooklyn looked at her questioningly, "And what's a supermoon?"
Cassidy leaned back then glanced up at the sky and back at her sister. "It's just when the moon is at its closest point to Earth in its monthly orbit. Basically it's supposed to look bigger than it usually does." She picked a stray thread off her shorts and continued, "However, since this a new moon supermoon instead of a full moon supermoon and we can't see a new moon, we just know it's closer to the earth than it usually is." She paused, then added, "It's also why the stars appear to be shining brighter tonight; since the moon's light isn't taking away from theirs."
"Anything else, Galileo?"
Cassidy shrugged and plucked a few blades of grass from the ground. "Eh, well, you know how there are a slew of myths surrounding the moon?" Brooklyn just raised her hand and gave a one-shouldered shrug. "Well there are, and there's one about the supermoon." Cassidy halted in her defacement to the patch of earth to look at her sister. "Apparently if you make a wish on a supermoon, it's supposed to come true." She let her eyes wander back to the sky but didn't stop in her explanation. "I think people usually refer to full moon supermoons regarding that myth, but a supermoon nonetheless."
She closed her eyes as her head slightly tilted upwards in the direction of the sky, and it took a moment before she opened her eyes and turned to face her sister again.
"Okay, your turn," Cassidy stated.
"What?" Brooklyn replied.
"You heard me. It's your turn to make a wish," she answered. "Make a wish and then we'll head back to Aunt May's."
Brooklyn hesitated, but then thought it petty to argue with her. "Okay," she acquiesced. She mimicked her sister by closing her eyes and slightly tilted her head up. Okay. Wish, she thought. Shouldn't be too hard.
When nothing immediately came to her, she was just going to wish that the McDonald's by her house would finally fix the soft serve machine that they always claimed was broken until thoughts of what was currently bothering her came unbidden.
She thought about how, with senior year approaching, she was unsure what she wanted to do with her life and where she even wanted to go to school when senior year ended. She thought about her rocky relationship with Kyle and how it wasn't even a relationship at all. And finally, she thought about how her sister was leaving. Her sister was leaving to go to college while she was going to stay home. Her sister, her other half, was going to go away and start studying for a career she knew she wanted when she was only eight years old.
Brooklyn could feel all her worries building up inside her when her hands suddenly rested against the book in her lap. Her eyes were still closed and her head was still tilted toward the sky, but she closed her hands around the sides of the manga and thought of the faces that she was trying to discern in the dark only minutes ago.
I wish, she began, I wish I knew what I wanted. I'm like Yuki; I can't make a decision. The way she couldn't decide between Zero and Kaname, I can't decide what underwear I'm going to wear tomorrow, never mind what I want to do with the rest of my life. I also wish I can find someone who'll love me as much as Zero and Kaname loved Yuki. And lastly, she gripped the manga tighter, I wish that I can still go to school with my sister. I don't want to be apart from her, even if it's just for the school year. I'll miss her too much, and I don't know what I'll do without her.
Brooklyn eased her hold on the book in her hands before opening her eyes and looking at her sister, whose gaze was fixed on the little incandescent bodies of light that shone bright against the darkness that was night sky.
She put the manga back in her bag before retrieving her flashlight and checking her phone. "Yikes," she said. "Mom's not gonna be too happy with us."
Cassidy sighed, "I know. I already checked my phone and she sent me like twenty messages. Only when I texted her back saying we were on the way did she finally ease up." She stood and pulled Brooklyn up along with her. "Alright, I guess we should really be heading back this time."
Brooklyn nodded and let go of her sister's hand. "Yeah," she agreed. "Let's head back."
As Brooklyn got ready for bed that night, she didn't fully realize how tired she was until her head hit the soft satin of the pillow.
Admittedly, she was more tired than she originally thought she would be. Yeah, she had a long day filled with driving and playing with her cousins and hiking with her sister, but she was used to staying up later than this. She could feel the fatigue creeping up on her as soon as she and Cassidy left the clearing, but it hit her like a freight train when they reached the house. She was only able to avoid her mother's scolding by quickly excusing herself, saying she was tired, and her mother acceded when she saw the weariness in her eyes with the promise to pick up where they left off in the morning.
The last thing Brooklyn remembered was the memory of her stargazing with her sister before she entered the deepest sleep of her life.
Yuki awoke with a start.
She jumped and gasped before quickly slapping her hand against her mouth, cautious not to wake Sayori.
She looked around the familiar setting of her room. The same wooden paneling with the same nightstand, dresser, and twin beds. She eyed the lamp atop her nightstand to her right. Nothing had changed.
Then why did it feel so different all of a sudden?
It felt different because she sensed more than just her and Yori's presence in the room. When she woke, she could've sworn that they weren't alone, that someone else was with them. However, unless her eyes were deceiving her, she and her roommate were the only two people in the room.
Her eyes landed on the clock on the wall and Yuki had to hold back a groan. She wished her eyes were deceiving her when she saw the time. Only two more hours until she was supposed to wake up at 7:30, and she barely got enough sleep that night to begin with since Aido could never just stay in class.
She laid down and hoped she'd be able to fall back asleep quickly, pulling the covers up to her chin, as it was only getting colder. It was when her head started throbbing that she knew, sleep was going to escape her yet again that night.
A/N: WOW, I'm pumped. I'm happy to get the ball rolling because, honestly, this story's been swirling around my head for a while now.
Anyway, I hope you guys enjoyed the first installment of Secrets of the Moon. From this point on I will be writing this story in first person POV from Cassidy's perspective. I'll still write from other perspectives, but anyone other than Cassidy will be written in the third person.
Let me know your thoughts!
P.S. Silencio = Be quiet