Chapter 21

Luna's Decision

Three turned to four, and upon another ring, four transformed before Luna's eyes. Five in the morning. She really was up all night. Fall was around the bend, leaving only a little bit of light to shine through Lincoln's tiny window, but even that miniscule trace was enough to make her squint.

For hours on end, she sat on the floor, staring at those tickets, looking at them with disgusting intent. They were for her little brother, the very ones she loaned to him. That concert coming up will be awesome. A perfect party for a family loving the music being shown off.

For a family. For Lincoln.

Not her.

Where did she put her own set? She thought at first Lincoln hid them up there, but it seemed to just be his own. Does that mean she brought them back to her room? That's a surefire bet. She didn't destroy them yet.

She looked down to the floor below, closing her eyes for what felt like the first time in ages. "Destroy them... rip them up... toss them out the window..."

She opened her eyes once more. What was she saying? In her mind, she saw those tiny pieces of worthless paper, or was it plastic? Didn't matter. Those trinkets were the key to her dreams. That concert was something she built up for a whole year, perhaps even far longer. To think her mind would go so far as to want them gone from her life. Should she be scared of herself for reaching that far?

But the more fear she felt thinking that way, the more her brain started communicating with her heart. The holy tickets soon burned within her eyes, turning instead into a disgusting creature beloved by no one. A shackle that kept her chained to an abyss with no hope to ever climb out. An evil concoction she brought forth into this house, damning herself and her little brother, taking any poor soul that dared to walk beside them.

Those goddamn tickets. Those horrific tickets.

A gulp brought her back on her feet, standing still like a statue, both eyes bloodshot and begging to close for good. She realized how quiet it had become in Lincoln's room, her gaze falling on the boy's tiny closet. With a snort, she took a huge step towards it, and flung the door open. The demonic thing that antagonized her rested against her brother's pants, seemingly enjoying his left leg hole a little too much. For once, it appeared that the terrible creature was now the one in a bad position.

Luna's glare tore a hole through the wall. "Get up," she said coldly. No response. The rocker's face became redder than the random shirt Lincoln wore that special day last year. Gritting her teeth, she bashed her booted foot against the demon's back. "I said get up!"

With a jolt, the being was shaken back to consciousness, burning eyes looking up at Luna in shock. It grunted, before scratching their head. "Woah, hey, stop with the physicality, babe! Just tryna rest is all. You realize people need rest, right?"

"Get up," Luna replied coldly.

"Hey, how does that brat have a closet in this room, anyways? This is a cramped place. Jeez, I'm confused."

Luna's eye twitched. "Get... up."

A defeated sigh came from the demon, who shook her head as she finally did as told. "You do realize I'm the one who's doing the ordering around here, right? I'd watch that ugly tongue of yours, babe. I may have to cut it out, you know?"

By the time she said those last words, Luna was already heading to the door. Her hand was on the knob, though it never twisted. Instead, the rocker placed her ear against the wooden door, listening vaguely to the outside hallway. It was still plenty early, so most, if not all of her family should be snoozing away. In an hour, things would be different, but it seemed there was some info Luna had that others didn't.

The demon folded her arms, sitting on Lincoln's bed. "What? Afraid your fat feet will make sounds?"

Luna ignored the chide remark, and looked at the demon with ill intent. Her horrific accomplice would be lying if she said she wasn't unnerved. Shaking palms grabbed at the tickets resting against Lincoln's shelf. "These," she suddenly mentioned, waving them in front of the demon's face, "Where's mine?"

The demon groaned. "The hell am I supposed to know? I know everything you do, which isn't a lot, granted, but still." She looked at the tickets, before clicking her tongue. "By-the-by, I know I was resting and stuff, but were you... planning on ripping those up?"

Luna's heart cracked, but her face remained as still as ever. A simple shake of the head gave that answer clearly. "Not his. Mine." She placed her brother's tickets back down, and this time open the door, seemingly giving the world no worry as it slammed against the wall. Even the demon shook at the sudden diplay of strength.

"Uh, babe? I approve of the plan, but you sure you should be so loud? I know it's your family name, but I'm assuming if people find out they'll stop you. Stop being an idiot and actually think this plan through!"

Her poor victim stood in the doorway, eyes peering off towards the bathroom on the other side. It was pitch-black, barely any light seeping through. Their carpet was always perfect at capturing any hope in seeing anything. It used to terrify her as a kid, this darkness, but right now, it gave her a strange sense of comfort. Though the demon couldn't see it, Luna was giving a sly smile.

"I overheard them. It was around midnight."

An eyebrow rose. "Eh? What the heck you spewing?"

It was true. As Luna sat on the ground, she heard them speaking. Not all of them, but most. Her parents, mixed with Lincoln and Luan, definitely. Anyone else was mere speculation, but definitely her roommate and brother were involved. Their voices were muffled, but she knew what their secret plan involved. Apparently at some point in the early morning, before she herself woke up, they would head to a nearby pharmacy that was actually opened, and get those pills she was prescribed.

As she explained, the demon nodded. "Ah. So in other words, they're making sure you can't stop them, and as such, they left to get them, right?"

"Yeah. They don't trust me, I guess."

"Tch, what else is new?" The demon stood up, stretching. "So I take it, then, that you heard them leave."

Luna's head lowered. "I think they said they're getting Sam too. Morale support, or something."

"Hah! Really? Didn't you break up with her? Sounded kinda harsh to me, at least."

The memory of the park haunted Luna like a murderer teasing their knife against her back. So much pain, and only one person responsible for it all. Even looking at Sam's face in her head brought the rocker nothing but pain. She loved her. She shouldn't. Sam deserved better. Much better.

And to start that, it was obvious what had to be done. "I think my tickets are in my room still. Either I never moved them, or Lincoln put them back. I honestly don't remember."

"Dude, how worthless are you? You can't even remember where you put the one thing you worked all summer for? Even if I didn't exist you'd be screwed! Now that's the essence of comedy, Luna! Maybe Luan can learn from ya!"

Maybe. At least then she would have some worth. Wasteful person; Wasteful life. That's all Luna saw in her mind. Waste. How descriptive. Waste, and worthless.

That's all she felt. Worthless. And knowing that, she grit her teeth harder, growing spiteful by the second.

The demon was growing impatient. "Well? What you gonna do? Just stand like a buffoon, or actually move and end it?"

Luna nodded. "Follow me."

She tip-toed her way back to her room, making sure not a single stir could be heard. Seems that most of her family remained in the house, tucked in and no doubt regretting the fact they had to wake up soon. After all, they would have to help her again, wouldn't they? Waste their life on someone so worthless? Is that what her family deserves?

Well, if it means giving them a good life, she had to rid herself of her goals. It only made sense. She didn't deserve it. A lone tear ran down her tired cheek.

Without hesitation, she opened her own bedroom door. Lincoln and Luan were nowhere to be found. They were probably on their way home by now. She had to hurry and get those tickets. Luna sighed, wiping sweat from her brow. "Let's end this," she told her demon. It smiled back at her.

"Gladly."

Outside, vanzilla returned after an early morning excursion. Out came Rita and Lynn Sr., who looked about to make sure nobody was watching. "Okay, kids, slowly now. Who knows what covert spies are doing at this hour!"

Rita's head accidentally hit her head against the wheel. "Lynn, for pete's sake, it's just picking up pills!"

"But it's so early! What if the police interrogate us? You know I can't handle myself under pressure. I can barely handle no pressure!"

Giving up on that argument, Rita turned to the five kids within the van. Immediately behind, Lincoln and Luan sat calmly, both making sure the pills needed for Luna were secured. She never before seen them so determined for anything in their life. Gotta say, it was touching to witness. Behind even them sat three individuals who were shockingly more than willing to wake up early and chase them down. The Moon Goats, as they called themselves.

Mazzy, Sully... and even Sam, who shared the same face Lincoln and Luan did. Once they hit the driveway, the blonde bassist was already one foot out the door. Luckily Rita's voice stopped her momentarily. "Hey, Sam?"

She turned to face the older woman. "Oh, uh... yes, Miss Rita?"

Rita loved that. It sounded so wonderful, but now was not the time for a power trip. "Thanks for being here. I know how tough this has been on you. Seriously, thank you."

Sam blushed, never losing that determination. "Of course. I'm not giving up on her. I never will."

Luan looked back at her longingly. "You're amazing, Sam. With you guys, I know we'll get her back on her rocking feet!"

Beside Sam, Sully patted a thumb against his chest. "But of course! Besides, why haven't you guys told me your dad is into birds? Those feeders are perfect!"

Even when tense, the patriarch of the Louds couldn't help but gush over dweebish activities. "You think so? I was really worried the purple springer would be a bad fit on a tree."

"It seems that way, but in reality, it's the perfect device to get all the robins in the world. You can just see those feathers bellowing!"

Mazzy's hair nearly lifted off her head. "Less birds, more helping! Jeez, come on now!"

The group hopped out of the van and wandered into the front door (Lynn Sr. still stealthed it, much to Rita's chagrin). The house was still dark, though curiously, a small scuffle was heard as soon as they began making their way towards the stairs. Sam gulped, but kept a cool head. "So... how was last night? Was she okay? Please tell me she was. I didn't know if I should call, you know?"

Lincoln took the first step, hoping he was strong enough for this. "I let her sleep in my room. Don't ask, long story."

"No, I get it. She said you're her inspiration, little white, so I guess it makes sense she's comforted there."

They... talked about that stuff? Should he be embarrassed or not? Either way: "Uh, little white?"

"Oh, that's your nickname, buddy!" Mazzy spoke up. "Hated calling you her little bro, so we thought up a few choices, and that won out. Better than Sully's idea, if anything."

"Hey, I thought fuzzy-wuzzy was creative!"

Rita was ready to destroy the room. "Guys, focus!"

But focusing wasn't truly necessary as soon as they reached the hallway. All their feet hit the floor at once, and though Lincoln's gaze fell on his own room, that wasn't the correct place to be. Luan jumped at the sight of Luna emerging from her own room. "Uh... guys? Luna's over there. Uh, guess it would make sense, but..."

Everyone gasped in shock at the rocker closing the door, eyes bloodshot, body clammy. She knew her family was staring back at her, and she didn't care. In her hand, she had exactly what she wanted. Her goal was accomplished. Well, half of it, as she soon surmised. She sighed, and turned to face them all. In Lincoln's hand, the damn pills dangled in a small pharmaceutical bag. She gulped at what they could even look like.

Not that she would need to find out.

Lincoln, meanwhile, remained tough. "Lunes... I don't know what you're doing, but we're here to help you. Correctly."

Sam jumped beside him. "All of us, Lunes. We want you happy again. I promise!"

Luan didn't need to speak; her tears were enough. Before, Luna would've broken down at the sight of this. Look at them; they were angels, consorting with a demonic, worthless creature that masqueraded herself as a teenager. Luna's face remained still, and any further tear dried up before long. She wanted to hug them all so badly.

It would never arrive.

Luna slowly approached Lincoln, and in a bizarre move, gave him a grin. It should've made him feel good, but instead he shook. This didn't look right. "L-Luna?" He asked hesitantly. It was then he noticed the tickets in her hand. Her tickets. He suddenly grew pale. "Why do you have those?"

Her smile became more carefree. "You guys are the best. Sam, Luan, my bandmates, my folks... and you, little bro. Always so good to me, even when I'm not returning the love."

Sam joined Lincoln. "Luna... don't do this...," she only recently joined this scene, and already she knew what was about to happen. Everyone grew tense.

With a happy glow emanating from the rocker, Luna handed the tickets to Lincoln, letting them drop on the bag. "You guys are so great. Lincoln, I hope you enjoy it. That show will be so awesome, just like you. I bet Clyde would love it, too."

Rita screamed, accidentally waking up the rest of her daughters. "Luna, stop!"

Luan didn't hide her tears any further, and she lunged at her sister. "Don't! Why are you doing this?"

But she never hit her mark. Luan was blocked by Luna's hand, whose face never changed from that smile. "Thank you for everything. I know you'll all be happy."

Lincoln wanted to faint. "Don't... catch her!" He yelled. He saw her eyes. He knew what she was planning. It wasn't just handing over the tickets, was it? Of course it wouldn't be. She knew what she was doing.

His heart shattered when she confirmed his fears.

Before anyone could do anything, Luna charged them, pushing her way through them all as that smile never left. Everyone looked on with shock as she broke through the front door, vanishing in the early morning light.