Sorry for what's been happening recently. Been wrestling over whether to delete this or not. In the end, I decided to completely restructure it, hoping that it will increase the quality. If it still doesn't work out, then I guess it's fate will be determined then. Either way, hope this one works out.


Chapter 9

Freshly-Plucked Luna

Admittedly, it wasn't that uncomfortable sleeping in the tub. A little cool, but her size was perfect for the bottom, and the drain only scratched a tad bit of her feet. By the time the sun began leaking over the house, she found herself surprisingly rested. Luna sat up, rubbing her temples in frustration.

"Dude, the whole point is to not sleep in the tub. Dang, gonna feel... yep, slept on the arm!"

She brought herself up, weakness pouring over her body. Grabbing hold of the curtain, she brought herself down to the calming floor below, steadying her breaths as the cool air of a September morning cradled her tenderly. Rubbing the back of her neck, she looked over at the mirror, a tad bit afraid of what she was about to see.

The past few hours with that... thing chasing her still rang perfectly in her head. A quivering breeze ran over her weakened arms, trying to reach that face of hers, knowing well that her eyes were shut tight. She felt like a coward standing there, knowing her reflection was on the other side the moment she brought her vision back. She should have no problem looking, but the moment that smug grin returned, the moment she knew she'd scream, and this time the whole family would hear.

But that was when she slumped her elbows against the sink, hiding her head within the palm of her hands. "You... are... better than this!" She proclaimed, before bringing her fingers to the faucet. She struggled to turn them, but once the water began to flow, she felt her mind slowly coming to an ease. Another deep breath brought her eyes open, at last allowing her to see her own body in such a decrepit state. Lanky, shortness of breath, clearly a victim of over sweating; she was a mess from the previous day; it was a miracle she was still human.

It wasn't her concern, of course. She pointed a finger at herself, cracking her neck with a sense of pride she was glad to reclaim. "Go ahead, say something! I dare you!" She leaned closer, nearly dropping herself into the bowl of water. "You literally made me sleep in the tub! Who does that? You made my family scared, and my girlfriend...," she turned her head, shaking away the doubt. "... No more, you hear? Even if you show up, I'm ignoring you!" She stepped away from herself, trying to make a smile of her own. With that hunger, it was a miracle she showed any teeth. "I'm done living like this! These past two days, brah! What the heck?"

A voice responded, but not one of chaos or evil. Rather, one that sounded genuinely like herself. "And what do you plan on doing, then? You gotta stop this, dude!"

"But how do I?"

"Well, how did this begin? You gotta dig fast, or you'll be buying your stairway to heaven!"

The image of her own stairwell down to the front door, looking as intimidating as any Hollywood monster, brought her nerves to a crawl. She still couldn't believe such a dark thought entered her head. It didn't, right? Maybe that part was just a dream. Things can get twisted during sleep. Still, the mere fact that it felt real made her skin boil with disturbing sensations she couldn't begin to describe.

Luna had to avoid those thoughts again at any cost. That was obvious. She rubbed her temples, reflecting back on that original question. How did her dark road begin? It didn't start long ago, so it shouldn't be difficult, right? Well, then why was her head foggy? That damn creature probably brought it up every five seconds, so there's no way she forgot it now.

"Oh, come on!" She yelled at herself, "You don't even remember why this happened? Then it isn't important!"

A knock on the door slammed her thoughts down to the carpet. "Hey, whoever's in there, get lost! I got a chipped nail, and I am not wasting any more time with it!"

The pleasant voice of one Lola Loud was always a delight to hear. Luna couldn't help but chuckle at her anger. At least it sounded like a real person, right? She steadied herself, hoping not to look like a diseased slub before her little sister. "Uh, be right out, little dudette! Uh, unless you want me to call you 'Glitter Queen'?"

Lola gasped louder than Luna's heaviest screams. "Who... you have no proof! Nadda!"

Luna opened the door. Whatever she looked like meant nothing to the little upstart princess, for all Lola did was glare at her older sister, before slamming the door behind her. A little strange, but whatever. A little sibling tussle like that was all the rocker needed. She... actually felt a little better standing in the hall that morning. No sense of pressure against her shoulders, nor the feeling that she was being watched.

Was the feeling gone? She shook her head. "No. Not until you figure it all out. You start doubting, that freak's showing up again!" She scratched her head. "So come on, it's obvious! It's been bugging you all day!"

She walked forward towards the stairs, still feeling a little uneasy staring down towards the door, but not as uneasy as she was looking at the fallen bowl and spilled milk beside her boot. Luna was developing a nasty habit with that phrase, wasn't she? The little meal her own brother and sister left her, dumped unceremoniously thanks to her freak out. The kernels were all dried up at this point, with a lone spider randomly claiming a few for his own. He gave her a strange stare, before quickly shuffling back over to Lucy's room. Made sense.

Luna bent down to her knees, sighing as she tried scooping it all up back into the bowl. "Dang, I really screwed that one up. Can't let them see this!" She looked up at her little bro's door. Still silent and shut; how heavy of a sleeper was he? She turned her head down towards her own room, and though it was ajar at the moment, she could hear Luan's adorable snores coming from a mile away. Aside from Lola, seems the coast was clear.

But to be fair, that didn't actually make her feel any better. They made this for her, and she essentially tossed it away like trash. That alone made her feel disgusted, and once the last kernel she could salvage was placed back in the bowl, she tried her best to remain calm. "You guys... whatever's happening with me, I'm not letting you both down. No way!" She stood to her feet, giving her brother an imaginary thumbs up. "We got a concert to get to, and I'm not ready to show myself to Mick looking like one of Lisa's inventions!"

"Lisa's invention? Oh no... no, I told her to stop making life!"

Well, it wasn't her demonic force speaking. Luna did a double-take as she stared down the stairs once more. Apparently it wasn't just her and Lola, for approaching them quickly was their dear father Lynn Senior. The old man looked so spry with life climbing up those steps, looking at his daughter with a mixture of dread and terrified exasperation. It was so potent, he didn't even smell the spilt milk against the carpet. She was safe for now.

Luna laughed sheepishly, the bowl shaking in her hand. "Oh, uh, nah. Sorry, Popstar! Just thinking to myself, is all." She looked at him cautiously. It was clear, based on the fact that he was already well-dressed and groomed, that he had been up for some time. How early or late was it? "Going to work early today?"

He threw his hand playfully at her. "What, me? Oh, I would be, but I guess you didn't hear the news last night!" He sounded so excited, it was enough to get her own blood pumping. "Sorry, Lun-Lun, but I bet you're ready for school this morning, right?"

Of course not. Not after yesterday. Best to humor him, at least. "Uh, yeah. Of course! Gotta, eh, get that education rocking, heh..."

"Oh, nice one! Well, sorry to disappoint ya, but school's called off!"

She jumped back in shock, nearly bringing the food down to the carpet. "Wait, seriously? What's the occasion?"

The old man did a twirl. "Apparently your janitors formed a union and won't clean the school unless paid, like, twenty salaries over their limit! I don't even know how it happened, but wow, was that amazing!" He tapped his foot against the carpet, allowing the floorboards below to squeak. Another wink brought him closer to his very-confused daughter. "Already told the rest, so once that sun gets his gears moving, get ready! We're doing something big! All of us together! Oh, I can't wait!"

This... might be the best thing she could've heard at the moment. A day from school to recollect her head, and even have the chance to hang out with her loved ones and set things straight. Maybe even avoid the commute and find Sam privately. Perfect. Luna couldn't help but smile, both at her own plans and the really grand show her father was displaying. He was an older man, correct? "Hey, sounds pretty rad, Popstar! I think this, er, rocker needs a little R&R, ya hear?"

She was happy, but in her head, she heard herself shouting. "Ask him! Tell him! Something! You need to stop this! Hurry!"

Luna gulped, before feeling her brain working ten times as fast. It's him; it was her father that started this. Those complaints about a deficit. She overheard his cries that music was to blame, and that kickstarted her horrific downfall in such quick succession. He wasn't to blame, but he could be the solution to her mess.

So, with a mighty gulp, she placed the bowl down and looked at the man determined. "Pops, uh... can we talk?"

Lynn Senior always made time for his giant family. One man was not enough for the job, but he always made sure to make it work. If he didn't, Luna wouldn't be the woman she is today. Still, he was far from perfect, as his daughters calls sadly fell to the wayside. He flipped his hand at her a few times, hoping his adorablly-pained smile would be enough to dissuade her. "Aw, sorry, Lunes. Gotta... answer natures call! Oh, why do I do this to myself?" He shot her a thumbs up before knocking on the bathroom door. "Oh, come on! No one's even awake!"

At least they'll be hanging out later, but would she make it then? Even when feeling calm, knowing that voice could return at any minute sent shivers down her spine. Still sensing her opportunity, she walked to her dad, keeping her own nerves secured. "Pop, it's... important. I just want to know-"

The bathroom door slammed open, with Lola walking out as if she owned the place. She was prepared to laugh at the upcoming occupant, but noticing her dad made her quickly adjust her attire and look like a little child again. For some reason, she looked kinda tense. "Uh oh... so, I just want to say that the glitter had nothing to do with-"

"No time! See ya in a little bit!"

Lynn pushed her away and slammed the door, locking it fast. Lola rolled her eyes, before checking her nails and walking her way back to her room. Luna shook her head, before sighing in defeat. Guess she wasn't resolving this fast, huh? "He'll be out soon. Even if he isn't, though, ya just gotta be ready." She picked the bowl back up and began walking down the stairs. Still scared her looking down, but the rising light outside at least gave it a friendly vibe. "There! Think like that, and today should go by smoothly!"

What did her family have planned for today? She couldn't wait, and with that ugly monster still missing, maybe she'll strike it lucky and never have to fear again.

She hoped, at least.