Blue Moon

“You want to what?”

“Sir, I understand this is highly unorthodox. But there is a serious emergency with… family. Back home. I need to attend to it, sir.”

The captain stared at the man in front of him. Private First Class Jacob Ross McNab. He liked the kid. A hard worker and a nice guy, but what he was asking was unheard of.

“McNab, I can’t just let you leave without any prior notice. You made a commitment here to the army. If I let you leave, that precedent might encourage some of the others to follow.”

“Captain Grey, sir. I understand. But a young girl very close to me just called me fearing for her safety. She needs my help.”

Captain Grey’s gaze was unwavering. He seemed to be watching for any break in McNab, looking for a marking that would make this into a lie.

“How old is she?”

“Eighteen, sir.”

Captain Grey sat silently, watching the man in front of him. Eventually, he shook his head and sighed.

“Fine.” Grey stood and walked over to one of his filing cabinets, pulling a piece of paper out of one of the drawers. He sat back down at his desk, writing a few things on it before signing it on the bottom. He handed the paper to McNab when he was done. “Give this to the guards at the gate. I’ll notify your platoon leader that you won’t be here to finish the exercise.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“McNab.” The captain stared at Jake. “Keep that girl safe.”

McNab nodded slowly.

“Yes, sir.”

“Jake?”

“Celestia. Hey. Is Luna at school?” Jake asked as he threw his duffel bag into the back seat of his car.

“Yeah, I just got home from dropping her off.”

“Alright. Any problems?”

“No. I don’t think she knows I’ve seen anything.” Celestia laughed darkly. “I’m talking about my sister like she’s some kind of mob boss. What the hell is going on.” Celestia sounded like she was nearing tears. “God. This is all my fault.”

“Hey, don’t say that.” Jake stopped before getting in his car. “You didn’t make her do this.”

“But I did make her! I wasn’t there for her when she needed me! I was so wrapped up with my friends I didn’t see when she started changing.” Jake was silent as he heard Celestia start to break down on the other side of the phone. “We used to be so close. When we were homeschooled and our parents were still together, we were inseparable.”

“Celestia, it’s alright.” Jake sighed as he leaned against the door to his car.

“No, it’s not. After our parents divorced and we ended up in public school, I was in high school when she was in middle school. I abandoned her to get with the popular kids because they made me feel important. I didn’t think Luna felt the same way. I let her down, Jake.”

“Celestia. I promise you, everything will be alright. You just need to stay positive.” Jake paused, hoping that his speech is giving her some confidence.

“Okay. Just… please hurry.”

“I will.” Jake relaxed as he got into the car. “Do you have class today?”

“...Yeah. I’ve got one class at noon.”

“Alright. Go to it. Keep your mind off things. I’ll be there soon. Okay?”

“Okay. Thanks, Jake.”

“You’re welcome, Celestia.”

Jake heard a click as she hung up, and he set the phone in the cupholder as he sighed tiredly to himself.

“McNab!” A voice called from outside the car.

Jake looked over to see Bowie coming up to the car. Jake rolled down the window as he walked up.

“Hey, Jake.” Bowie grinned. “I heard the news from Gale. You’re leaving?”

“Yeah, Bow. It’s Luna.”

Bow’s easy grin fell.

“Is she hurt?”

“No, the opposite. I think she’s the one doing the hurting.”

“What the hell are you talking about, Jake?” Bow shook his head in confusion. “Are we still talking about the girl that got hit by the water balloon?”

“Yeah, that’s her.”

“Jake, how in the hell is she fighting people? Where did you even hear this from?”

“Her sister called me. She saw her have a kid pinned down and then beat the hell out of him.”

Bowie’s eyes widened in surprise.

“She had him pinned down? As in by someone else?” McNab nodded. Bowie shook his head and whistled. “Damn. She must’ve learned how to punch real well to get that kind of support. Gotta say, though, I’d like to know where she learned that.” Bowie shook his head, laughing. He paused as he noticed Jake avoiding eye contact with him. Bowie cussed. “Aw hell, Jake. Don’t tell me you taught her how to punch.”

“I thought it would help her defend herself incase they started getting physical!”

“What’d you teach her?”

“I taught her to put weight from her shoulder, how to hold her fist, and then I… uh...” Jake hesitated, and Bow gestured impatiently for him to continue. Jake shook his head and sighed. “I taught her strikers.”

“Jesus Christ, Jake.” Bow ran his hands through his hair as he backed away from the car, starting to pace in the parking lot.

“Look, I didn’t think this was gonna happen, alright? How could I?”

“Jake, that’s not the point here. You can’t teach those kinda things to teenagers. She coulda killed someone!”

“Look, I’m sorry, Bow. But I can’t do anything about that now.”

Bowie shook his head.

“No shit. Fine. You’re going back to deal with this?”

“Yeah.”

“Good. Jake, I don’t want to have to arrest a crime boss with a fuckin’ bedtime. So don’t screw this up, alright?”

Jake nodded. “Alright, Bowie. Thanks.”

“Good luck, Jake.”

Bowie tapped the roof of the car as he walked away, heading back through the base and returning to the yard where the rest of the company was. Jake backed the car out of the parking lot and drove out of the base, stopping only to clear the security gate. As he pulled onto the highway, he sighed to himself. It was gonna be a long day.

“Come on, Luna. Don’t do this.” A freshman girl said as she cowered into the corner under the stairs. “You’re not a bully.”

“You’re right. I’m not.” Luna nodded. “You are. Because you were the one who left me to Cole Sanford when things got bad. You could’ve helped, Rosebud. But you didn’t, did you?”

“Luna, I swear. I’m sorry. Please. I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

“But you did!” Luna screamed. Rosebud pressed herself onto the wall, trying to put as much distance between herself and Luna. “And now I’m gonna hurt you.”

“Please, Luna. Don’t do this.”

The two lackies next to Luna looked at each other, worry on both of their faces. Steel Armor glanced over at the girl in front of them before mouthing words to Sharp Tool.

She’s fuckin’ nuts.

Sharp Tool nodded, and mouthed words back.

What do we do?

Steel Armor shrugged.

Go along with it.

This isn’t right.

I know. We don’t have a choice.

Sharp Tool shook his head, facing forward.

“Save your breath, Rose.” Luna said. “I’ve made my decision.”

The two lackeys stepped forward to grab the girl.

“No, you two stay. I’ll do this, you just say something if someone is coming by.”

Steel Armor looked to Sharp tool and shrugged reluctantly. The two backed up and turned around, standing guard. They heard the sound of a girl sobbing in fear before hearing a sickening wumpf as a hit connected, and the girl cried out in pain. Both of the boys cringed as the sounds of the one-sided fight when on. Finally, all that was left was the sound of sobbing.

“Alright. Let’s go.” Luna called.

The two boys gave each other nervous glances before tagging along behind Luna. Sharp glanced to his right, and saw a brief glance of the young girl bleeding and crying on the ground. He recognized her, or so he thought. Under the blood, she looked a lot like the girl they’d helped from the junior Carve only a few days ago. Sharp shuddered and shook his head, staring forward. It didn’t do any good to think about that.

“Hey Celestia.”

“Hey Luna.” Celestia greeted, nervously checking the clock. Jake was late. “How was school?”

“It was fine. Didn’t really do much.” Luna crossed her arms and leaned back. Celestia noticed her knuckles were battered and bruised. She swallowed nervously and turned her attention forward.

“That can be nice.” Celestia pulled out of the school.

Luna looked over at her sister.

“Okay, you’ve been acting really weird since yesterday. What’s going on? Don’t just say it’s nothing or you’re tired, because we both know that’s not true.”

Celestia stared ahead, cursing herself for making it so obvious. She swallowed her fear and turned to Luna.

“I’ll tell you when we get home.”

Luna stared back, but nodded skeptically. The rest of the car ride was spent in an uncomfortable silence, Luna’s mind running over what could’ve happened, and Celestia kept telling herself that Luna wouldn’t do anything to her.

Where the hell are you, Jake?

They pulled into the driveway, and Luna followed Celestia inside. Luna went to the kitchen and set her bag down on the table. While her back was turned, Celestia reached over and hit record on the video camera sitting on the counter. Thankfully, the motor turning the tape inside was quiet enough that Luna didn’t notice.

“Alright, what’s going on?” Luna said as she turned around. Celestia took a deep breath.

“I saw you beat up a kid behind the school.” Celestia braced herself for Luna’s reaction.

Luna’s eyes widened in surprise.

“When?”

“When I picked you up yesterday. Those two guys pinned him down and you beat him up.” Celestia said. In her fear, she just kept stumbling over her words and talking. “You beat him up without even letting him fight back. You’re no better than those guys who bullied you in middle school.”

“Shut up!” Luna screamed. “You don’t have any right to talk about that! You didn’t have to deal with that! You were all up there with the ‘popular’ kids and you all thought you were so cool just because you played sports and were a bunch of idiots!”

“I’m not an idiot! Besides, how can you pin some kid down and beat him up without even giving a fair chance to fight back? That’s exactly what they did to you!”

“Oh like you’d know what they did to me. You were so wrapped up in ‘college life’ that you didn’t even notice when your own sister came home with bruises and cuts.”

“I know, and I’m sorry Luna. But you need to stop this. This isn’t right!” Celestia pleaded.

Luna stared at her sister. After a few moments, she laughed. Celestia was confused. Luna laughed again.

“I see what’s going on here. I get it.”

“What?” Celestia asked.

“You’re trying to take away the only bit of power I’ve ever had so you can keep me down.”

“What?! No!”

“Don’t lie to me!” Luna screamed. Celestia backed away. Luna was beyond angry at this point, she was down right insane. “The one chance I’ve ever had to get a better life! The one time in my life I wasn’t scared! The one time I was even half as enabled at school as you and you want to shut me down. Just to save your reputation! Because you couldn’t stand being second to your sister!”

“Luna, that’s not what this is!”

“Yes it IS!” Luna screamed. “You always did this to me! You can’t just let me be happy for once, can you?!”

“Luna! I’m no-”

“SHUT UP!” Luna swung her arm wildly, her emotions causing her to forget everything Jake taught her. Luna’s fist caught Celestia’s cheek, and she fell back against the counter and to the ground. Celestia stared up at her little sister, terror keeping her from acknowledging the pain. Luna was breathing heavily, a fury overtaking her. “You got me! I beat up Cole Sanford and his dumbass friends started followed me around, doing whatever I wanted. But because of them, I get people beating up other people for me. I get money. I get respect. Something I never even got from you.”

Celestia’s eyes drifted from Luna’s, and focused on something behind her. Luna took notice of this.

“What are you looking at?” Luna yelled. Celestia didn’t answer.

Luna turned around slowly. Standing there, in the archway to the kitchen, was Jake McNab in his civilian clothes. He stared back at Luna, betrayal and hurt etched all over his face.

“Jake…” Luna said softly.

McNab shook his head, holding back tears. He didn’t speak, he just stared back at Luna. He turned to his side, avoiding her eyes. There were footsteps at the doorway, and he looked up and nodded. As he stepped back, a police officer stepped into the room from the front door.

“Luna Solaire. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law.” The police officer stepped forward, putting handcuffs on Luna. Luna complied quietly, the weight of the situation finally bearing down her. Her eyes met McNab’s, and she pleaded with him.

“Jake, please.” Luna said.

McNab shook his head, not speaking as he turned away from her.

“Come on.” The police officer said as he pushed her forward.

McNab stared at the ground as Luna was escorted out. Once she’d left the room, Jake looked up to Celestia. She was sitting on the ground holding her face where she’d been hit. Jake walked over to her and kneeled down.

“Are you alright?”

Celestia shook her head as she began to cry. McNab sighed as he pulled her into a hug.

“I’m so sorry, Celestia.”

The two stayed there, Celestia crying for a long time. Eventually, when Celestia couldn’t cry anymore, she just stayed there with McNab, comforted by his embrace. At some point he had gone from kneeling to sitting by her side, and the two were silent for a period. After awhile, McNab spoke softly.

“You’re gonna have to give a statement at the police station.”

Celestia nodded softly.

“I know.”

“We can go whenever you’re ready.” McNab said. “Just take your time.”

“No, I’m ready.”

“Are you sure?”

Celestia nodded.

“I just want to get it over with.”

McNab nodded softly, and let go of her as he stood. He reached down to help her up, and shook took his hand. As the two were stood there, she was surprised with how tall he was. That was when she realized something.

“This is the first time we’ve met in person, isn’t it?”

McNab nodded.

“I believe it is.” He stuck his hand out. “It’s good to meet you. Just wish it was under better circumstances.”

Celestia took his hand and nodded.

“Me too. I just… I want to thank you.”

McNab shrugged.

“For what? I didn’t do anything.”

“You did, though. You were there to support me. And while all this was happening, I realized something.” McNab tilted his head in confusion, and Celestia rubbed her arm as she continued. “I realized that she was right. I was more occupied with being accepted by people, that I didn’t stop to think if what I was doing was the right thing to do.”

McNab nodded, realization dawning. Celestia smiled.

“I’ve decided I’m gonna change. I’m gonna make friends for the right reasons. Friends who will like me for who I want to be, not for what they want me to be.” McNab smiled back as Celestia continued. “And I’m changing my major to education. I want to be a better teacher than those that let this all happened to Luna. There are more kids out there in the same situation. I want to be able to help them see there’s a better way.”

McNab nodded slowly.

“I’m glad to hear it. You’ll be great at it.” He was taken by surprise as Celestia embraced him again. He smiled and hugged her back. After a few moments, she let go.

“Alright.” She sighed, steeling herself. “Let’s go to the police station.”

Celestia didn’t like the police station. It made her uncomfortable. Everything was very utilitarian and was definitely a place funded by the government. The chairs were cheap and metal, and decorations were minimal. Grey seemed to be a common theme as well, since almost everything was that color. She shuddered as they walked up the wire-meshed windows of the desk. The lady behind the counter looked up, recognizing McNab next to Celestia.

“Hello, Jake. What can I do for you two?”

“Hey Nickie. We’re here to make a statement on the girl who just got brought in. Luna Solaire.”

The woman known as Nickie nodded, reaching over and pulling a file from the top of a stack. Opening it up, McNab saw that they’d already processed her, as her mugshot was paperclipped to an official looking document with her information on it. Nickie glanced over the page, noting the charge of assault. She glanced up at Celestia, her eyes falling on the bruise on her face. Nickie grabbed a form, and slid it through the slit in the bottom of the window. McNab grabbed it and started filling it out for Celestia. Nickie leaned forward, speaking softly.

“Is there anything we can do for you, sweetie? Anyone we can call?” She said to Celestia.

Celestia shook her head.

“I’m fine. Has anyone called our parents yet?”

“No, I don’t believe so. I can do that for you now if you’d like?”

“Please, if you would.”

“Of course.” Nickie reached for the phone next to her. Celestia gave her a phone number, and Nickie thanked her as the phone rang. McNab slid the now mostly empty form over to Celestia.

“Alright, just sign there at the bottom.” He said, sliding his own form under the glass to Nickie.

“Ms. Solaire.” A voice called. Celestia looked up, and a man in a suit walked up. “My name is Detective Carson. I’ll be taking you and Officer McNab’s statements, if you’d come this way.”

Celestia nodded.

“Of course.”

She slipped the signed document under the glass to Nickie, who pulled the phone away to thank her. Celestia thanked her back as she followed Detective Carson down the hall. He led the two to a conference room near a bunching of desks.

“Officer McNab, if you could wait out here while I get her statement.”

“Of course, Detective.” McNab said. Celestia looked over to him, and he smiled reassuringly. “Don’t worry. Detective Carson will take care of you. He’s the best we’ve got here.”

Celestia smiled back nervously.

“Alright. Thank you, Jake.”

The two of them stepped into the conference room, taking their seats around the large table after Carson shut the door. Jake fell into the bench outside, sighing tiredly. Looking up, he saw another suited detective enter a door on the far wall. A few moments later, Jake could see him through the glass window next to the door. It was an interrogation room. The members of the department dubbed it “The Looking Glass” due to the fact that there wasn’t the normal one-way glass in the window. After the third time a criminal shattered the glass back in 1991, the department gave up paying the money for the costly glass and just replaced it with a regular pane of glass. Jake could see a blue haired girl sitting at the table, crying. The detective tried to talk to her, but she wasn’t responding.

Jake stood up and walked over to the window of the room. He stared through the glass at Luna, the emotions from before resurfacing. He’d trusted her, pitied her, and put his own ass on the line. And she’d repaid him by beating up innocent kids for money. It was that moment that Luna looked up at him. She said something inaudible to Jake, but he didn’t care. He stared back without acknowledging her. She said something else, her eyes pleading with him. He didn’t respond. He just turned and walked away.

Luna’s heart fell as Jake ignored her. He hadn’t said a word to her since he’d gotten back. When he’d seen her hit Celestia. Luna fell back against her seat, her sobs returning in full force. The detective across from her sighed.

“Luna, we have video evidence of you not only admitting to the crimes, but also of you hitting your sister. Combine that with the testimonies from over a dozen of your classmates, you’re going down either way. But I might be able to offer you a deal if you work with me here.”

Luna shook her head.

“I’m already alone.” She said softly. The realization dawned on her that she really was completely alone. “I’ve got no one. I can’t even handle myself. I’m all alone.” She broke down sobbing again, and the detective shook his head.

“Look, I’m gonna give you some time to come to a decision. I’ve gotta go file some paperwork. When I get back, you decide if you want to work with us or not.” And with that, the detective stood up and left the room.

Luna pulled her arms close to her, rocking back and forth. The sound of the AC was deafening. Not even the sounds of the rest of the department made it through the walls. It was the mocking period to the end of her sentence to be alone for the rest of her life.

But what the detective said rang with her. Maybe if she took the offer, Jake would forgive her. It was worth a shot. She wiped the tears from her eyes. It was her only shot.

“Detective!” She called out. “I did it! I did all of it!”

The door to the interrogation room opened, and the detective slowly walked in and sat across from her. He watched her with a reluctant gaze.

“Why the sudden change of heart?” He asked.

Luna looked out at Celestia and Jake who were seated outside of the conference room. She felt the familiar pang of jealousy, but pushed it aside.

“I’ve already let down somebody close to me. I don’t want to do it again.”

The detective followed her gaze and nodded slowly.

“Alright. Let’s get started.” He flipped open the file in his hands. “Tell me about Cole Sanford.”

“Jake, are you gonna be alright?” Celestia asked.

“Yeah. Eventually. Hopefully.” Jake sighed. “I should be asking you the same thing. You were the one who got hit.”

“That doesn’t mean you aren’t hurting too. You two were rather close. Closer than I’ve seen her with most people.”

Jake shook his head.

“You’re definitely gonna be a good teacher someday.” He laughed grimly. “Yeah. I’m mad. I’m disappointed. I’m…” He sighed, defeated. “I just feel so betrayed. I’ve never trusted anyone as much as her, and this is what I get.” Jake clenched and unclenched his fists. “I never should’ve let it get this far.”

“Jake… Just don’t do anything you’ll regret.” Celestia said. Jake nodded.

“Of course not.”

Jake’s phone rang in his pocket. He checked the number, it was Bowie.

“I’ve gotta take this. Are you gonna be alright?”

“I’ll be fine. My dad should be here soon.” Celestia smiled. Jake glanced over her shoulder.

“Looks like soon is now.”

Celestia turned around to see her father speaking to the woman at the desk.

“Dad!” She called. Her father looked up.

“Celestia.” He said. Celestia walked over to him and hugged him, their conversation inaudible to Jake.

Jake smiled at the two as he answered the phone.

“Hello?”

“Hey Jake. It’s Bowie. How are things down there?”

“As much as it pains me to say, she was right, Bow. Luna was running her own gang after beating up the original ringleader.”

“Damn. I was really hoping it was somethin’ else.”

“Me too. To make things worse, I saw her hit her sister. So did another officer who saw it through the window. Detective Carson is interrogating her right now.”

“How’s her sister holding up?”

“She’s a bit bruised, but nothing serious. It seems like Luna forgot what I taught her when she was hitting Celestia. It was just a wild swing that only grazed her face.”

“That’s good news, at least. How are you holding up?”

“I’m... “ Jake sighed tiredly. “I dunno, Bow. I’m just feeling a lot of things.”

“I get you, man. Don’t worry.” Bowie hesitated. “Listen, I’ve got some…well. News.”

“What’s up?” Jake grew worried.

“Have you been paying attention to the news recently? About all the stuff going on overseas?”

“Yeah, why?”

“How much do you know?”

Jake sighed.

“I dunno. Just a bunch of people arguing and some farmers flashing guns to look tough. Why?”

“An oilfield just got bombed by those ‘farmers flashing guns’.”

“Aw hell. Tell me it wasn’t one of ours.”

“I’m afraid it was.”

“Son of a bitch, Bow.” Jake cussed. “Well, what’s gonna happen next?”

“They’re putting boots on the ground.” Bowie said grimly.

Jake froze, his heart dropping.

“Bow… please tell me you’re not saying what I think you’re saying.”

“Jake. We’re being activated.”

Jake shook his head. He didn’t respond. How could he? He looked around the police station, his eyes falling on Celestia speaking with her father. She looked up, spotting the worry on his face. She started to stand to come talk to him, but McNab put on his best fake smile and waved her off. She reluctantly sat, and her turned back around, hiding his face from her. His fake smiled dropped like a rock.

“God dammit, Bow. When are we being deployed?”

“We’re getting shipped to training tomorrow.”

“That’s a pretty quick turn around.”

“Well they didn’t expect someone to not be here.”

“Fair enough.”Jake nodded slowly to himself. “Alright. I’ll get my loose ends tied up here… and I guess I’ll be there tonight.”

“Just make sure you make it by morning. Otherwise, you’re facing desertion.”

“Yeah, you really don’t need to remind me.”

“See you soon, Jake.”

“See you.”

McNab hung up, staring at the phone.

“Is everything alright, Jake?”

McNab looked up to see Celestia standing in front of him. He shook his head.

“No. It’s uh… It’s not.”

“What’s wrong?”

“My unit’s been activated.”

“...What does that mean?”

“Celestia… I’m getting shipped to Saddle Arabia.”