Chapter 17
Ends of the Luna
Was the sky supposed to be purple? Or the grass a sickening shade of black? Maybe the answer lied in the coloring of the houses across the street, which were not only the shade of a very angry person ready to blow their top, but also shaking violently, with their windows apparently sweating up a storm too hard to even describe in detail.
These were all the sights Luna was exposed to upon lifting her head, finding her body completely wrapped in a blanket, almost to the point of pinning her directly to the mattress. Immediate confusion flooded her thoughts. It was hard to recall all the details, but shouldn't she be at the park, presumably lying harsh against the pavement after a... rather bad scene she was failing to ignore?
She groaned, happy at least her head fell back hard against a soft pillow. Staring up at the moving ceiling, her eyes darted back-and-forth, recalling the visions of her bandmates looking so troubled at what she'd become. Sam crying behind them, along with all those accusatory words flung at her like no tomorrow...
Hands found themselves covering her face, though they were not her own. Apparently the bedpost decided to offer aid to its master. Luna was relieved, even if a tad freaked out, looking back at her own bunk looking so calming like a mother should.
"Dry those tears, young grasshopper. You should sleep, not cry! A growing lady needs her rest."
Her blanket concurred, adjusting its monocle. "I do say young squire, it'll be a fine dandy to rest ye weary head upon thee pillow. Fine young lady of the moon, please keep your heart still and firm."
Freak out? Luna could, or, just accept this reality for now. At least they're kind. "I know brah. What happened? Why am I...," she looked about. It was her room all right. Mick was missing from the ceiling for some reason, but oh well. She rather not have her idol see her falling like this. "... What happened? Don't tell they carried me back."
Her bed had the perfect answer, but it was the kangaroo that hopped in that had the perfect explanation. Why it felt the need to wear Lucy's face is anyone's guess. "Sigh, you were a heavy burden carrying burdens against your burdened heart. Seeing your pain was a terrible sight. Cry. Cry indeed."
Poetic. At least changing species kept her hobbies in check. "Wait, you really carried me home? What, was I...?" Her eyes grew wide, and the sweat poured down her clammy skin. She nearly hopped down to the ground, but the blanket secured her tight, adjusting itself like a classy British man. "Where's Sam?" She asked, frustrated she couldn't move. "Please tell me she's okay! Please!"
Behind Lucy came another strange figure. It had the body of Lori, but for unknown reasons had two heads stacked upon its neck. Who else but the twins, with Lana rather impressed she got most of the figure for herself. "Cool, I'm an adult now!" She proclaimed, "Eat your heart out, parental locks!"
Lola gagged. "Don't listen to her. Yeah, Sam's crying and stuff, and we offered her a ride, but she just kinda ran... and stuff."
Lana looked up, annoyed that her twin got stuck to her hat. At least was just her head; she wasn't lugging Lola's body everywhere! "What? Nah, I mean, that kinda happened, but you also did spray glitter on her. What was that about?"
"I did not! That was the trees!"
"Nuh uh."
"Uh huh!"
Probably the best she was getting, which didn't succeed in calming Luna's nerves. The rocker rested again, another bout of tears welling up in her eyes. "So I... really screwed this up, huh?"
Her bed post shook its head. "Hey, I wouldn't go that far. I would say it's more like, well, you made a big mistake and really morally harmed a nice person!"
The blanket scoffed. "Good fellow, how is that supposed to aid?"
"I'm made of wood! I'm trying my best!"
Thank goodness Luan didn't show up, or else she'd say his performance was "wooden." Regardless, Nothing could stop the sorrow from infecting her badly. Sam ran off, probably crying, all while her band was caught between this whole mess of a psychotic breakdown. Luna gagged, before turning on the mattress, facing towards the wall.
"I... I suck...," she mumbled.
Would the kangaroo speak, or the fake Lori with the heads of her twin sisters? The post and the blanket fell strangely quiet, perhaps realizing they weren't really helping. Did she want help? Was it even worth it at this point?
Maybe. Maybe... She just wanted to hear Lincoln. Just hear what he would do. Younger than her, and yet somehow having enough of a mind to come up with schemes that are so hairbrained, they actually work rather well.
And when she heard those tiny footsteps approaching her door, she got a little excited. It sounded like his own, and knowing he was near gave her a sort of peace. Maybe being surrounded by so many sisters gave her an understanding of the boy. Maybe he could save her, or at the very least, knock this hell out for once.
She didn't wait for him to appear, shooting herself back up, trying to feign a smile. "Linky, hey! I'm so sorry-"
Her eyes didn't catch her brother. The kangaroo and fake Lori were nowhere to be seen, and even the rest of her room, which should include small bureaus and mirrors, were suddenly a distant memory. In their place, a giant hole emerged from the wall, showcasing a downward path leading into a hellish landscape of orange and brimstone.
Screams of the damned called out against the heavy fiery winds, and deep in the lava caverns, she swore she saw people strapped in chains dangling over the dangerous river. They struggled and pleaded, but there was nothing they could do against the harsh reality that swallowed them whole.
All of them, each and every one, shared the same trait, one that allowed the flames to lick Luna's heart. They were all her, all looking so damn pathetic and lost. Their hair was long since singed, but the faces were unmistakable. They looked to her with sinful eyes, but there was no hope for any salvation. They were long gone, doomed to an endless eternity of torture.
Luna's mouth grew dry. "Oh... Oh God..."
Far in the distance, the Devil emerged from the smoke, horns pointed high to the heavens above. He snarled and looked powerful, flicking his fingers against the dirt and grime as if he grew impatient with the torture.
"So," he spoke, "Do you want to find your true home? I'm right here young lady. I'll take good care of you. I promise."
Each word spewed fire from the river, which leaked into her room. The carpet below burned, but it was far from satisfied. It climbed its way towards Luan's bed, burning away the wood with relative ease. The poor post could only cry in anguish.
"No! Remember me for asking 'Wood you kindly'!"
It snaked its way up, delightfully chewing the walls and closet, burning away the memory that was once Luna's room.
And for the rocker, what was she to do? She felt the blanket scream as it fell into the lava, burning away while still remaining a gentleman. "My young lass, forgive me, but it's time for me to say my goodby-Yikes, this burns!" Well, almost a gentleman.
Luna huddled close to her knees, burying her burning tears deep against her own body. "Lincoln... help me..."
The Devil laughed. "That little runt? Hah! The only help he'll bring is making you suffer longer! A little pest, but I suppose for your family, that's normal!"
She glared at him. "Attack me, but never attack them. They're the best family I could ever ask for, and don't you dare hurt them!"
Another cackle, lava spewing up to her mattress. "And you? What are you, Luna Loud?"
"I'm... I'm..."
Her boots caught aflame. "Useless? Pathetic? The lamp of the family? The one that drags them down to my domain? Wasteful spender, heartless being, and above all else...," he flicked his fingers again, enjoying as Luna screamed, burning alive. "... A burden. Worthless. A worthless sack of human flesh. That's all you are, Luna Loud. That's all you ever will be!"
As it reached her neck, she found the strength to speak once more. One last plea, before she nearly gave herself up to the hellish landscape down below.
"I'm sorry... for being worthless..."
If she tried a little harder, she would've heard him. The boy trying so hard to get her to wake up. The boy that fought for her, and would never give up.
The boy that wanted to be her salvation.
