Hello. Welcome to my first Teen Wolf fan fiction! I hope you like it :)
Disclaimer: I do not own the show Teen Wolf, nor do I own the movie it was based on. I also do not own the song that's used in this chapter.
Beta Reader for this Chapter: Missbooradley.
Enjoy.
"Memories warm you up from the inside. But they also tear you apart."
~ Haruki Murakami, Kafka on the Shore
Ten-year-old Luna Griffith awoke to the sound of whispers coming from the other side of her door. She recognized the voice of her mother, father, and their friends - Michael, Marco, and Johnathon. She didn't know what they were saying, but the child knew it was important enough to be whispered.
Leaning up in her bed, Luna strained her ears to catch the conversation.
". . . now?!. . . just got here," said Mom.
". . .would if. . . could, Maryann. . . but. . . need to do this," answered Dad, his unique voice clearer than her mother's. "We have to talk to. . . . She'll know what to do."
"But the baby. . . be here any day now."
"Darling," said Dad. ". . . have to. . . be back. . . before you know it."
"We'll. . . back. . . end of. . . month," answered Marco
A long pause lingered in the air before Mom gave an audible sigh. "Alright. . . tell Luna good-bye. . . . be heartbroken. . . leave without. . . explanation."
Luna felt her body freeze. If her parents found her awake she'd be in big trouble. Acting fast, Luna buried her body underneath her blankets and closed her eyes. Not a moment later, her bedroom door slowly opened. The hall's light illuminated the room as footsteps creaked across the floorboards.
She felt a presence by her bedside as the visitor bent down on their knees and gently shook her arm. "Luna? Sweetheart? Are you awake?"
The girl opened a drowsy eye. "Yes, Daddy," she said tiredly. "I'm. . ." - a cheesy (but convincing) yawn escaped her rosebud lips - "awake."
A chuckle escaped her father's lips, humor sparkling in his blue gaze. He knew she wasn't as asleep as she led on. "Yes. I can see that. Listen. There's something I need to tell you, love. I know that I just got back, but I have to leave again. My friends and I will be gone for awhile."
"Oh," said Luna, a feeling of disappointment building up inside of her chest. "Okay."
Dad gave her a somber look. He wasn't pleased by the news, either.
A large, warm hand touched the side of Luna's face while a calloused thumb brushed across her temple. "Believe me, sweetheart. I don't want to leave you, or your mummy and unborn sibling, behind; but I have to. I'm doing this for you and your baby brother or sister's safety and future. This will help me achieve that. I'll be back before you know it."
"Your friends, too?" Luna asked in a hushed tone.
A bright smile graced her father's features, pride dancing in his eyes. "Yes. Our friends, too. I promise."
The man was caught off-guard when his daughter wrapped her short arms around him in a tight hug. There were moments when he couldn't believe that his child - his baby - was almost all grown-up. It wouldn't be long before she would become a beautiful young woman. But, during times like this, he could still see the innocent he'd watched grow and learn and play. She'd always be the infant he held for the first time all those years ago. His baby.
"I love you, Daddy," she breathed into his shoulder, tears falling from her eyes.
Her father fought back his own tears, not ready to let go. He did not know when he'd be able to experience something like this again.
The moment was put to a reluctant stop when he pulled away from her. Desperate, Luna called out, "Wait!" She didn't care how loud or pathetic she might have sounded. She just wasn't ready to say good-bye to her father yet. "Will you tuck me in, please?"
If there was one thing the ten-year-old loved what her father did most, it was when he helped her settle in for the night. Luna never felt safe from imaginary monsters unless he was the one who kissed her good-night.
Her father paused mid-stride as if what he'd heard was Earth-shattering news. For a frightening moment, Luna thought he'd tell her no and then leave for who knows how long. It was of great relief when he finally replied, "Yes. Of course."
Bending over Luna, he wrapped her up in a snug cocoon to make her feel comfortable and well protected. "There. All nice and tight." He kissed her forehead. "Sweet dreams, my moon. I love you."
Said moon kissed her father's whiskery cheek as fast as a viper striking its prey. "I love you, too, Daddy. Be safe."
"I'll try my best. Good-night, Luna."
"Good-night, Daddy."
With a colossal yawn, Luna closed her heavy eyelids, darkness immediately consuming her.
BOOM!
Luna jolted up-right in her bed, a loud gasp escaping her mouth. A few minutes later, her heart began to slow to an average beat as she gained control of her frightened mind. Glancing out her window, she noticed that a storm was passing through.
It's alright, she assured herself. It's just thunder.
Eight years had passed since the night she and her father had said farewell. And almost every night since then she would dream of him. Since her father's disappearance, Ariel – Luna's younger sister – had been born. Her mother had taken, and completed, online college courses for a degree in Business. Mom had even opened her own weapons shop. Meanwhile, Luna had grown into a young adult who was to celebrate her coming of age two weeks from the current date.
It hurt knowing that her father broke his promise. This forced her to acknowledge how it had deeply affected her. Despite this, Mom didn't report that he was missing.
"Dad left us, and I don't know if or when he'll come back," Mom admitted when weeks turned into months and months into years.
She never understood why her mother didn't do everything she could to find her husband. She'd lost the love of her life, and she hadn't done a single thing. All she'd done was hope he'd return to them in one piece. This was one of the many things Luna would never be able to comprehend.
If I ever fall for someone, I'll never stop fighting for them.
Taking a deep breath, Luna plopped back down on her mattress. When she finally closed her eyes, she heard her door creak open. The light footsteps of a tiny person then padded across the floor.
Luna felt her pajama top's sleeve being pulled before a soft voice meekly whispered, "Luna?" Another pull of her sleeve. "Luna?"
Peeking open a tired eye, Luna asked, "What is it, sweetie?"
"I. . . I can't sleep," Ariel admitted timidly. "The storm's scaring me. Can I sleep with you? Mommy won't wake up."
Luna felt her heart melt for her sibling. She knew that Mom slept like a hibernating bear, completely absent to the world.
"Of course you can sleep with me, mermaid."
Helping Ariel get settled under the covers, Luna brought the brunette closer to her body. She closed her eyes, ready to go back to sleep. . . . but the trembling body pressed against hers made it hard to do so.
"Go to sleep, Ariel. The scary noises will stop frightening you if you do."
"But. . . but I can't," she squeaked.
"Yes. You can. Now, shhhhhh. Go to sleep," Luna slurred over a heavy tongue.
Ariel was silent for a few minutes before she asked, "Will you sing me a song, Moon Moon?"
Luna's chocolate-colored gaze shot wide open, not believing what she'd heard. "What?"
"A. . . a song."
"I'm not so sure about that, mermaid," Luna sighed.
"But I like it when you sing. Your voice is so pretty. The lullaby you sing to me when I'm frightened always makes me feel happy and a little braver."
"Are you kidding me?" snorted Luna. "My singing voice sounds like nails in a blender."
"Please?" Ariel pleaded. "I'll go right to sleep after you sing. Promise!"
When she saw the look on Ariel's face, an eager wanting, Luna gave in to her sister's request. "Alright. Fine. I'll sing. Happy?"
Ariel nodded enthusiastically, not having caught or understood Luna's use of sarcasm. "Very," the girl giggled, a toothy smile on her heart-shaped face.
Luna smiled, laughter clear as day upon her pale face. "Okay, then. What's the song you wanted me to sing, again?"
Ariel gave a bell-like laugh. "You're funny, Moon Moon. You know which song; the one from my favorite movie, Mighty Joe Young."
Luna gave her sibling a mock look of surprise. "I thought your favorite movie was The Wizard of Oz!"
Ariel shook her head, ringlets lightly banging against her head. "Nope. That's your favorite movie. Not mine."
"Oh! Right. How silly of me."
The seven-year-old giggled.
"Alright. Here I go." Taking in a practiced breath, Luna began the all too familiar song.
Sing a song
And for a moment
You will be visited by the wind
Sing a song
And for a moment
Dream sweetly of the wind
Sleep now until the night is dawn
The wind and the night song, they are there
However the song, my child, the song will go on forever.
When Luna finished the song, she realized that Ariel had fallen asleep while she sang. Smiling to herself, Luna kissed her sister's forehead and brought her closer to her body. "Love you, little one."
Burying her face into a sea of curly hair, she found herself surrounded by the smell of strawberries. The rain continued to tap against glass as Ariel's breath lulled her back to sleep.
Song title: Windsong. It's the English version of Imba Wimbo from the film Mighty Joe Young. It's Disney, so it's obviously good. Watch it if you haven't. You will not regret it.
And thus begins the beginning of me finally editing my work. Still not the best, but at least it's better than the original.
