New Moon Beginning

Silent darkness engulfed the room. I listened and heard the beat of a hundred terrified hearts. The night was bitterly cold and it was beginning to pierce the hall with its large radiators. The coldest night for over fifty years according to the weather reporter. The radiators clucked loudly as they tried to heat the room, a desperate attempt at the impossible. Moving through shadows, I moved forward, around the room. I manoeuvred myself in between couples clinging to each other trying to fight the harsh breeze that floated past. Mingling in amongst the people gave me a sense of power. I was in control. I could decide who lived, who died, who was warm, and who was cold. I floated up the steps at the side of the stage. The room was beginning to warm again now. I shuddered at the thought of heat. Still, the room was pitch black and nobody was moving for they feared bumping into the hidden force that had put them in this position. It was time for me to perform my works. How much I liked teasing those lesser than myself. I moved around the stage and gave the musicians my music, hissing that if they didn’t play the song’s in the order set, they would wish they had stayed home, bundled under a mass of thick blankets. I swished my dress around as I spun back towards the microp. I . I could make out the looks on their faces. Some were questioning others were looks of fear. Where was the heat? And why had the lights gone out? Still they were not my concern. They would be entertained shortly, even if they were freezing and scared. I stroked the microphone gently, letting my fingers sweep the side of the shaft and over the head. I flipped the switch to on and began to do my stuff. I looked at the light director’s seat at the back, noticing that Deangelo had taken his position. I gave him a small flick of my hand and the spot light hit the floor at the back, startling a group of close bystanders. It was joined by ano set set of lights aimed at the ceiling, giving it a starry look, as though the night had been brought inside for them to gaze as I performed. I signalled to the pianist to begin the base tune. Piercing high notes, moving lower down the piano keys to a high but sensible key for me to sing with, came through the darkness, floating around the room. The unexpected soothing sound wafted through the crowd as they all turned to look at the stage, trying to find out why the pianist had changed to a new tune. As the pianist reached the end of a second repeat the bass guitar began, adding a deep hollow sound, closely followed by the electric guitar playing the notes printed on the sheets in front of the musicians. The drums began beating along with the rest of the instruments, filling the hwithwith a haunting song, being echoed from the walls, like a bats cry. Waiting for my cue, Deangelo began to move the spotlight in and out of the crowd. I listened closely to the music being played and noted that my cue was now. I waited for the right note and began possibly the last form of entertainment a few of these people would ever have.

“The night comes like a wave, it washes over me, it holds back my fears, Now I’m awake…”

I sang into the microphone cradled in between my hands. I felt a rush of excitement as I continued.

“I can sense you are there, so I look, I wait, its you I fear” pau paused for a second as I waited for the chorus to be brought in by Lenore and Aurelia. They sighed their notes and I began again.

“Through the darkness I find your eyes, They pierce the night, They’re in my dreams, They’re haunting me”

I began my dance with the music pulsing through my body. It had been the first time I had performed in front of more than ten people. Of course Deangelo was there so I didn’t care. As long as he was there. Yes, only Deangelo mattered. I twisted and turned in no way I had before, bending and twisting like smoke in the night air. I danced with the music becoming part of me. I heard Aurelia begin her solo of high notes that would bring my chorus in again, and then my part would be mostly over. I spun around, straightening up as I did. Finding myself back in the middle of the stage, I look for Deangelo’s eyes in the back, trying to see if they were watching me.

“This is for you, my love.” I thought.

Listening for my cue, I notice something in the corner of my eye. I knew before it happened that I wouldn’t reach my chorus. Something would wreck our planning. I spun round and shot a look of panic to Lenore and Aurelia, then to Deangelo, and the others. We would not let it be spoilt by them. I moved away from the microphone and felt a rush of air behind me. I knew it had begun. I heard a scream from behind me, and noticed the music stop. I spun around just in time to see it. I saw it there feasting on the pianist, eating her from inside out.

“NO! WHY ARE YOU HERE TONIGHT? WHY ARE YOU SPOILING MY TURN?”

I heard the voice before I felt it coming out of my mouth. I knew I had caught they’re attention though, because the creature had dropped the pianists empty body, and make its way over to me. Now, most people would cower in fear if something that was black all over, had amber eyes more piercing than the sun, and amazing white teeth, now bloodstained. But not me. I had asked for them to come, but I was hoping that it wouldn’t be tonight. I felt its putrid breath on my face as it pulled itself up on its back legs. I could see that it was in need of our sacrifice more than I thought. Its skin was decaying so badly that I could see its muscle’s moving underneath.

“Chi ou theca ouch a?”

I understood this language. It was the native tongue of Saint Thermopolis. The native tongue of these creatures.

“Yes, I am she. I did call you. But you had NO RIGHT COMING IN HERE AND RUINING MY LAST EVER HUMAN DEED!” I calmed myself down and continued, my voice remaining steady and in monotones, “I asked you here to make me like them. I want that more than anything. We do, do, but you came at the wrong moment. Parting vows have been said.”

I knew they wouldn’t understand, but I had to try. The creature in front of me laughed and said;“ We“ Welcome little sister.”

Its voice was raspy and dead. It sounded as though the creature had been drinking acid for years. I closed my eyes and nodded to Lenore and Aurelia. They came and stood next to me. I felt Lenore take my right hand. I looked at her eyes and felt a pang deep inside. I loved her as much as I did Deangelo. But I couldn’t be with her. Not why we lived as we did. I could but my parents already wanted me to be locked up. They would have to go. I took Aurelia’s hand as well, and gave Lenore a smile to reassure her. I heard Deangelo, Gayle, Josiah, Irving and the twins, Serena and Jezebel, creep up behind us on stage.

“We are all here, my lord. Take us. All of us. We are yours.”

I felt Deangelo step up behind us as he spoke to the lord in front of us. I smiled gently as I knew how much he had wanted me to help him. I closed my eyes and breathed deeply, noting that my breath was distorted and full of fear. I clenched my eyes shut. Then I felt it. The pain was searing hot and I thought that my skin was being ripped from my body. I felt the tears forming behind my lids, and I tried to choke them back, but my lungs were flat. Oh the pain! It was awful. Then I heard it. Lenore whimpering. I gripped her hand tighter. We had to get through this together. Then I screamed, but it was drowned out by the scream of pleasure from the creature in front of me.