My earliest memory is a dream. In that dream, I met the most powerful person in the world. He was brilliant. His face was featureless, but it wasn't. A mouth and a pair of eyes watched me with interest, as if they saw my very soul and I remember being afraid. The man was so god-like, so bright, it terrified me. He was no more than six feet, yet, compared to my small frame, he was larger than life.

"Do not be afraid."

His voice was the utmost magnificent thing I had ever heard. Imagine a child's first laugh, infused with love and pure joy. Times that by a million, and you may come close. In that instant, I wasn't afraid anymore. All I wanted to do was curl up in his lap and be lulled to sleep by this mysterious man. A warm, inviting smile graced his lips. His suit, a suit made of thousands of stars, swirled and changed with this action. My small childlike eyes widened in wonder.

"Who are you?" I remember asking, my voice meek and timid. The man bent down in front of me, making the stars on his suit dance once more. He gently moved a strand of wild curly blonde hair from my face, and gave me another bright smile.

"Did you not wish for a friend young one?" At that answer, I was shocked. I had wished for one after being pushed down by Marissa once again at school. Even though the push was not bad, I hadn't been hurt; it was the fact that everyone laughed at me that made me so upset. Like many kids my age, I had not a friend in the world.

"Y-yes," I stuttered, a blush creeping on my pale cheeks. To think a man of this power had heard my silly little wish embarrassed me more than Marissa had. I looked away, unable to meet the man's eyes anymore.

"You see young one," While speaking, he placed a finger under my chin, pulling my gaze from the ground to his eyes, "I have not had a friend in many, many years."

"You haven't?" My voice came out in a whisper, not believing what he was saying. The man chuckled at my dumbfounded expression.

"Yes. And because of this, I wish to be yours." And with that, I became to bounce uncontrollably. For a moment, all I could do was smile. A smile that I hadn't smiled in far too long, a smile only a young child could smile.

"You will?!" I asked him, putting my hands together as if begging for him to say yes. He put a hand on my head, ruffling my curls and smiling with me.

"I could not think of a better friend than you, young one. You are special, very special." Throwing my arms around the man, I hugged him tightly. A small squeal left my lips, showing my excitement. He hugged me back, gently patting my back as he did so.

After calming me down, he untangled from my petite arms, flashing me another shining smile. His suit began to swirl and changed once again, entrancing me. I slowly traced the patterns with my fingers, making him laugh once more at my child-like antics.

"Young one," Stopping my game with the stars, I looked up at the man. His face had turned serious, but still glowed with warmth. I nodded at my new found friend, eager to hear. "I must warn you, being my friend is dangerous. There are things in this world that do not like me, and may try to hurt you because of that hatred." He paused, watching me for a moment. When I did not speak, he continued. "With this knowledge, do you still wish to be my friend?" For another moment, it was quiet. I regarded the man, looking deep into his eyes—noticing them to be a cross between silver and black. They seemed sad and tired, but most of all lonely. I knew the look well, seeing it in my own eyes when I looked in the mirror.

"Of course I want to be your friend!" I broke out in a large grin. The man's eyes began to sparkle like the stars on his suit. "You'll protect me from the big meanies, won't you?"

"Yes young one. I will protect you."

"Then no one will ever hurt me." He placed his hand on my head once again, making me scrunch up my nose in protest. At this, the man let out another musical laugh, making me smile. Then I gasped, my expression turning to horror. The man looked at me in confusion at the sudden change.

"I didn't introduce myself. Mummy says it's rude not to introduce yourself." He nodded, amusement seeping into his eyes. I put my hand out, looking up at my friend. "I'm Astraea Toz. It's very nice to meet you." The man extended his hand, taking my own and shaking it.

"I am the Man in the Moon. But you may call me MiM, or Manny. It is very nice to meet you Astraea."

That was ten years ago, when I was only six years old. And, even though many would believe it was a dream from an overactive child imagination, I knew it wasn't. If not for the necklace he gave me, a beautiful round locket with a crescent moon carving and a small man leaning on its edge, I might have believed it too. But I didn't, thus, starting the weirdest friendship known to mankind.

So, every night for the past ten years, I eagerly await nightfall. Every night, I clutch my necklace in my hands and close my eyes. Every night, I talk to my best friend, the only person in the world that truly—TRULY— knows me. And every night I let the moonlight stream into my windows so that, while I sleep, he can watch over me; shooing away bad dreams, and any fear that may find me.

But, you see, something was lurking in the darkness. It was gathering strength at a rapid pace, probing endlessly for his weakness.

And, unfortunately, that weakness was me.

Disclaimer: I do not own RoTG