Welcome to Chapter 8!  I'm soooooooooooo sorry that it took me so long to get this out.  I have been so busy (not to mention kinda uninspired).  It seems that every thing likes happening at once:  Christmas, colds, school work, getting my drivers license.  But I have finally manage to get this chapter out  : )

Thanks to Panther Queen, Persephone, Ellen, and Sailor Bubs for reviewing for the last chapter.

Disclaimer: I don't own Sailor Moon

Dedication: To the men and women who serve in the US military.  (WE GOT SADAM!!!!!)

Enjoy!

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Book I Alone

Chapter VIII

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I don't know how long I stood starring angrily at the spot when the crimson-haired man had stood.  It could have been seconds, minutes, or even hours, but I wouldn't know; I had no concept of time.  My thoughts constantly alternated between anger and despair.  One moment I would feel nothing but hate at the man and the creatures that killed my oldest friend.  The next moment I would fall into depression at the thought of Molly and even Melvin being dead.  My gloomy reverie was broken by a timid voice:

"Are we safe for now?"

I turned my head to find the source of the voice.  The question came from a girl about my age who was cowering in the arms of her boyfriend.

"They are gone for now," I said to their relief.  But, their happiness was cut short by my next comment which I tried to keep as unemotional as I could:

"Call the police and report…report four deaths.  The dead are: Molly Heart, Melvin Keats," I paused as I tried to think of the names of the other couple who had died, "and Gina and Matthew McGuire.

The pair in front of me dumbly nodded their heads at my request.  Knowing that I couldn't stay a moment longer I sprang away and headed back towards the park.

'How did I know the names of those two people?  I've never seen them before in my entire life, but I know that I got their names right.'

Thoughts of that nature plagued my mind for the first half of my journey back to the park, but they were eventually replaced by memories of Molly.

I was so deep in thought that I failed to notice a dark hole open up near me.  It stayed opened for a few seconds allowing anyone who might have been watching to see lightning tear across it.  Then it closed just as quickly as it had appeared.

By the time that I reached the park, I could scarcely see through the tears which freely flowed from my eyes.  I threw myself down upon a soft patch of grass and cried myself to sleep.

I twisted and turned in my sleep.  In my dreams I could see the phantom images of those who died today, and I could hear the sound of the man's laughter.

I awoke to find myself facing a beautiful sunset.  I found it strange that I would note something like a sunset after the tragedy today.  I gazed at the setting sun deep in thought until only a slight glow remained in the sky.

'How the hell do you pretend like you don't know that your oldest friend is dead?  If I go home with the knowledge of Molly's death, then, people will get suspicious of me.  If I don't act like normal, then, my mother will think that I'm ill.  If I go straight to bed with no dinner, then, my entire family will know that something is wrong.  My life sucks!  Nothing is ever easy for me.'

The settling darkness made me realize that I was supposed to be home by dinner.  Knowing my mother, dinner was being set on the table right now.

'I'm late for dinner.  That's a first.'

"You're late.  I was starting to get worried," my mother commented as I walked into the dinning room.  I noted that my family had only just started eating.

"Mother, you really don't have to worry about me.  I'm a big girl.  I can take care of myself.  Beside the play is good so far; I didn't want to stop reading."

It was difficult keeping my voice even and nonchalant.  They were sitting and eating as if nothing was wrong, but I wanted to yell at them and tell them that everything was wrong.  Instead I just forced a smile and tried to eat dinner in my normal fashion. 

It was a painful task to inhale my supper like I normally did.  My throat was dry and I almost choked with every swallow.  I couldn't even taste what I was putting in my mouth.  I was trying to fight the memories of the day by listening to my father's work place anecdote of the day.  Lucky for me everyone was occupied by his story and didn't notice anything strange.

As soon as I finished my dinner I excused myself and headed upstairs to the bathroom.  I entered the room and went to close the door, but it wouldn't shut.  I turned to see Sammy stopping the door with his foot.

"Do you mind?"

"Umm…I was just checking to see if you were alright.  You were acting different during dinner."

I smiled for my brother's sake and told him that actually doing school work was starting to stress me out.  He looked at me through doubtful eyes, but he left me to myself without saying too much more to me.

'Wonderful!  I really didn't need this.  All of my friends have died.  I need to get smart.  I need to improve my fighting skills.  And I need to make sure that nobody realizes that I'm Sailor Moon.  I really don't need Sammy suddenly getting observant and brotherly.

He knew that I was lying; I could tell by the look in his eyes.  I just hope that he won't try and pry or follow me or something else.  He's a quick kid; if I'm not careful he might be able to find out my secret identity.  Things could get bad.'

I let out a deep sigh and glanced at myself in the mirror.  I dropped my fake mask of happiness and content.  Now, my true appearance stared back at me.  The girl in the mirror was haggard, sad, and hardened.

I could feel my eyes getting misty from the warm tears that threatened to spill from my eyes.

'No!  I'm only going to cry once more.  I don't know how many more tears I can shed.  I have to cry for Molly when I'm told that she has died.  I just hope that I'll be able to.'

With the firm resolution in my mind, I got ready for bed in a hurry.

I didn't even bother to say goodnight to anyone in my house.  I just ran from the bathroom to my bedroom.  I settled myself into my soft, warm bed. 

'Why am I so anxious to sleep?  My dreams will only be nightmares and that evil laugh will plague my mind.  Yet, even with the horrors that I know will come in my sleep I would still rather be in that world.  I would rather be in a horrible delusion than in this awful reality.'

Content with the prospect of a phony world, I drifted off into a deep, horrific slumber.

I awoke the next with that damn laughter ringing in my ears. 

'Will he ever be silent?  I must hurry and kill the bastard.  Maybe the laughter will die with him.'

I rolled out of bed and dressed myself for school.  I had just finished putting my uniform on when I heard a knock at my door.  Without bothering to wait for my answer my mother let herself into my room.

'I need to invest in a lock.'

"Serena, honey, we need to talk," my mother said a barely a whisper.  She pulled me over to my bed and sat me down on it.

"Umm…I don't know how to tell you this," she stuttered and looked nervous and heartbroken, "on the news last night after you went to be they did a story about a tragedy at Lover's Getaway.  A monster attacked there yesterday and there were four people killed," she paused to look at me and I tried to look as curious as I could, "Molly and her boyfriend were at the park yesterday.  Neither of them made through the attack.  Molly died yesterday."

Last night I didn't know if I'd be able to cry, but hearing the news told to me by my mother made me break down into tears.  My mother held my tightly in her arms and cried with me. 

Molly had been like a daughter to her.  She had watched her grow for almost as long as she had watched me.  I hadn't thought how it would affect her. 

I don't know how long my mother and I sat crying together, but I knew it had to have been at least an hour.  Finally I ran out of tears so I gently pulled away for my mother.

Her nose was red and eyes were puffy.  I could see a huge wet spot on her shirt from my tears.

"Serena…why don't you change into something dry?  You don't have to be in your uniform; you don't have to go to school today.  Change back into your pajamas or something."  She quickly left me so I could change.

I realized that I couldn't put my pajamas on as my mother had expected.  I had a visit to pay today.  I had to visit Mrs. Heart.  I could only imagine how she was holding up.  She had lost her husband nine years ago and almost fell into permanent state of depression.  Now that she had lost Molly, I didn't know what would happen to her.

I threw on some dry clothes and left for Molly's house.  My mother understood that I had to go over there.  I was also glad that she didn't make me eat anything – I think that I would have thrown it up. 

This visit would be one of the hardest and saddest visits that I will ever make.

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You like?  Drop me a line and tell me what you thought about this chapter.  I apologize again for taking so long to get this thing out.  I hope to get another chapter out soon (schedule allowing).  If you have any thoughts about what you would like to see in the next few chapters let me know – it might help inspire me.  I know where I want to go with this story but I'm not quite sure right now exactly how I'm going to get there.  Ta ta for now!

-The Golden Lady