Bloody Moon

The ground cracked, exposing red abyss. Even the sky, clouds, trees, birds. All cracking and falling apart. Even my own reflection. Blood coming from the sharp shards as if someone caressed the edges carelessly. Then I looked down at my hands which started to burn like fire but feel numb at the same time. Red droplets starting to come out of my skin and snaps filled my ears as cracks formed on my hands. Traveling up my arms and down my legs, blood drops falling from every crack. Sharp pain compressed on my chest and stopped my breathing. Loud ringing filled my mind and I gasped for air. My vision blurred and I blinked to make it go away, only to have it not work. Then I closed my eyes as they too started to burn.
Everything went black.

Then coldness washed over me as if I stepped into a freezer. Finally I was able to open my eyes with some effort, looking up at the white ceiling. Beads of sweat were on my forehead, air filling my lungs and I was able to breath peacefully.
Slowly I sat up, looking over the edge of my fancy white metal bed frame and at the white wall. Mainly at the bookshelf that was against the wall. It had only some books and a few stuffed animals. A rabbit's beady black eyes staring back at me.
I sighed softly, pushing some of my hair behind my ear and turning to look out the large window which was mainly the whole wall next to my bed. A white sparkely curtain blocked the view but the full moon light flowed through it. Carefully I laid back down, recovering myself in the fluffy white blankets and burying my face in the lacy pillow. My arm bringing my stuffed bear closer.

The rooster sounded off it's morning call and sunlight flooded into the room. Carefully I opened my eyes flinching some at the morning glory. Bacon and egg scent went into my nostrils, making my mouth water and stomach growl. Cautiously I sat up and pushed down the blankets, turning to the side and then standing off the bed. The white lace nightgown fell to my ankles and hung off my skinny frame.
Stepping over to my old and fancy vanity stand, then sitting on the stool. My slender tannish hands grabbing the hand-carved brush and my sight focusing on the mirror. Soft and gentle green eyes stared back at me and walnut curly hair falling some past the shoulders. Heart-shaped lips and round face with highish cheekbones. I started to brush through my hair and looked over all physical features of myself that I see everyday. Each stroke through my hair caused curls to bounce, making me smile a little bit. Quickly I finished and walked over to my closet, pulling out the normal long brown skirt and baggy white shirt.
After pulling the shirt over my head, I pulled out my hair and ran my fingers through it. Looking down at my necklace and grabbing it with one hand. It was a skeleton key, meaning it opened every door in this old house. But it was beautiful made of dark grayish bronze color, with small vines and flowers molded onto it. A large green stone shining in the middle of the handle. My hand turned it towards the light, making it sparkle more. I flashed a smile and then ran out my bedroom door, into the long hallway and then turning to the stairs; flying down them.
"Aww Rosa, good morning." My mother greeted me as I came down the stairs, into the kitchen. She had finished putting the meal on the table and was now washing her hands. Quickly I sat down and picked up the fork as my stomach growled again.
"Is papa asleep?" I said after swallowing a large mouthful.
"No,no. He is getting the special tickets." Mom turned to me and smiled, her walnut hair swinging behind her. Everyone in my family looked alike. Walnut hair, tannish skin, green eyes, and a French accent.
"Oh." I remembered why he was gone. My parent's anniversary is tomorrow and my father was preparing everything, mainly the bus tickets.
"Could you please do his chores once you're done Rosa?"
"Sure!" I quickly cleaned my plate off of even the crumbs and ran out the front door. Open field was the front yard, while dense forest was the back. My bare feet moved through the short grass.
First chore, feed the chickens. They could live off all the bugs here, so that was taken care of. Next chore, find Bessie and milk her. That's the hardest chore since she loves to explore the forest but hates me. Bessie had come with this old victorian house once we moved in just a couple days ago.
I sighed and started to walk around the house. The chickens marched through the grass with me and clucked, picking at random insects. This would be the first time going into these trees for me. Slowly I walked into the forest, my feet landing on the cool floor.
"Bessie?" I yelled out silently, hoping to get an answer. Avoiding the sticks and twigs, everything was silent except for some bird calls. The old house fell far out of sight as I continued on. Who knew how far the dumb cow had gone in.
The trees started to get closer together, creaking and groaning at simple gusts of wind. A white lump was visible through the trees.
"Bessie you dumb cow!" I walked over to her and patted her rump. She ate little blades of grass that had grown alone, mooing from being disturbed of a meal. "You should already know not to come so...far..." My voice trailed off as I looked over Bessie at a small wooden shack. Father never said anything about a shack, especially way out here.
Cautiously I walked around the dairy cow and to the shack. It was rather light colored and had a four-panel window on the side facing me. There were vines covering it with some flowers and the door was made of large planks. My hand grabbed onto the metal handle that felt cool to the touch and had vines and flowers molded into it. The feeling was ice cold, making me shiver.
I turned the handle and pushed, but it stayed put. My other hand pushed on the door as I tried again, but again it stayed put. Slowly my hand left the door and my eyes examined the handle. There was a dark green stone right above the keyhole. Quickly I grabbed onto my necklace chain and pulled it over my head. Holding it up, the key twirled and the green stone on it glistened. Slowly I pushed it into the keyhole, turning it.
Then a click of the door unlocking echoed through the forest, making Bessie look up at me. Again I turned the handle and budged the door open. Dust shot up my nose, making me sneeze and cough. The bare soles of my feet stepped on a rough wooden floor. Not much light came in through the windows, only some came through the door.
Amazed at this shack, I stepped in further, covering my mouth and nose with my sleeve instead of just my hand. The shack was about thirteen steps wide and ten the other way it seemed. The ceiling was low enough for me to jump up and touch it. A small wooden desk was in the upper right corner and a bookcase full of books in the opposite corner. Stepping in further and looking some more into the door's wall, I could see a very old looking and small metal stove. A large wooden chest in the opposite corner.
Walking even further in and towards the desk, making it easier to see the carvings. Carefully I caressed the etchings of the swallow birds and morning glory flowers. It was smooth as if just finished yesterday.
As I put the necklace on again, I looked at some papers spread on the desk. They looked rather old and were written as recipes. The handwriting was to curvy and faded to read.
Bessie's bell snapped me out of thought. Chores were still to be done. Taking one last glance at the papers, I hurried outside.
"Alright Bessie, time to go home."

Stars shone through the night sky, a full moon up again. There I layed, on the couch eating a few peppermint candies. The TV lighting up my face with its black and white color. My eyelids were feeling droopy.
As they closed, some white light flashed and a man's voice murmured an announcement. But I was to tired to care. My mother and father would've warned me of anything before they left for their anniversary. Nothing to worry since they always pay attention to the news.
Then a loud crash came from the other side of the couch, making me jump awake in fright. Looking at the clock it clicked onto three at night.
The angry whispers of men then floated into my ears. Quickly I rolled off the couch and turned off the television. Quietly I snuck around the couch, heart leaping into my throat. My long nightgown caught on the couch as I passed it but came loose easily with a tug. Slowly my head peeked through the door frame to look into the kitchen.
Two figures moved about, exploring the cabinets and muttering to each other.
"I can't see a bloody thing," A raspy voice sounded through the darkness, "turn on the lights. No car is in so they're likely out."
"Alright." Another man said while moving more my way, towards the switch. This one sounded a little younger than the other.
To keep from being noticed, I turned and put my back against the wall. Footsteps got closer and my heartbeat grew louder; if only I could hush it. Then a click of the switch, light pouring through the doorway and past me. A shadow of a man moved back into the kitchen and I mouthed a sigh. They continued to talk amongst themselves for a couple more seconds but then seemed to stop.
"Eh? What's this?" Footsteps got closer and a shadow.
"A dress?" The younger voice suggested and got closer also.
My eyes glanced down and saw a piece of my nightgown shining in the light. Realizing this, I pushed off the wall to run. Only to be caught on the arm by a tight grip, being pulled into the light.
"Why its a pretty flower."
I blinked a couple of times at the sudden brightness. Two blurry blobs became the men. One rather old and tough looking, a wild black beard covering most of his face. The other looking like an early twenty year old, a brown mustache and baggy brown cap on. Both of them with raggedy and dirty clothes and bags already with things in them.
My mouth opened to scream, even though nobody would hear me, but the older man's large and rough hand covered it. His grip tightening on my arm making it pound painfully and pulled me over to the other man, pushing me into a chair.
"Now we have a witness." The young one grabbed my chin and examined my face. "What shall we do with her?"
"We can't risk having her escape and blab her mouth, you`know the drill." Black beard took more things out of the cabinets.
The response made the young man smile, his mustache also turning into a grin. They had obviously done this before. Mustache guy grabbed my wrists with the sick smile still on his face. I knew what might happen so I let out a high, long and loud scream. Also leaning forward to put it right in his ear.
Quickly he pushed me to the ground and yelped, covering his ears. My elbow landed first on the tile, sending a shock of pain throughout my arm. Instead of wallowing in the shock, I scrambled to my feet and rushed through the broken down door. The sound of the men following behind me made my heart race.
They had driven a truck in, old and rusty but it must still work. My pace broke out into a sprint as I made my way to the truck's door, trying to open it but nothing happened. Plus looking into it, the keys weren't even inside. A gunshot rang thorugh my ears and the glass window next to me shattered. Instantly I turned around to see them closing in, one with a smoking pistol pointing at me.
If they were going to kill me then I might as well make it a challenge. My arms pushed off the metal and I started to sprint around the house. The men yelled threats and swears but I ignored them and started into the forest.
Another gunshot sounded and hit the tree next to me. My pace quickened further, bare feet pounding against the dirt. Branches slashed against my body and cut my skin. The breaths coming out of my mouth turned raspy and all going in burned my lungs. Beads of sweat dripped from my gorhead and there were snaps far ebhind me. The small shack from before was coming into view, it was my last hope.
I ran into the door and grabbed the knob, it slipped against my sweaty hands and felt cool. Slamming my shoulder against the wood, it swung open so fast I almost fell down. Quickly My feet steadied themselves and I closed the door behind me. My hands fumbled while getting the chain from around my neck.
Putting the key into the hole so hard I thought it'd break, and then turning it. The click made a wave of relief wash over me, but not all of the fear was gone. Quickened, I went over to the chest and grabbed the corners, pulling it over and leaving it tight against the door. Letting out a sigh, I slid to one knee.
The men didn't come to the door. I couldn't even hear their yelling anymore. My heart pounded in the silence and breaths quickly slid in and out through my lips. But with the rest of the silence, my eyes closed and my breathing started to steady as I leaned against the wall.