CHAPTER ONE

THE AIR WHISPERED WITH RENEWED GRACE and the wonderment and charms that spiraled in and out of it, seemed to breathe something of the beautiful to the world. She formed into that, which was of dreams and illusion but as tangible as the old oak to which she had fallen besides to begin her calling. It was in the still of night and all was hushed and calmness enveloped all and around as far as one could see. She brushed herself down and slowly gazed from left to right panning around, to see if there were any signs of life in the nearby vicinity. The girl was small in structure, darkish kissed skin, robust and alluringly attractive. Her aesthetic was unearthly and instantly captivating, though innocence seemed as a cloud following her every move. The girl decided to stroll out of the lightly wooded area. She was fully alert as would a young vulnerable fawn struggling with new given mortality. Her appearance was clean as she stepped out onto a country road that was completely desolate, standing motionless while clutching a tatty old green bag. She seemed to clutch the bag as you would a new born baby, close and under her chin, holding it as though her very life depended on it. She took a left and decided to walk.

The air was thick and still, life was asleep. There were still three or four hours to go until dawn broke. She walked very tentatively, one small step after another, constantly looking over her shoulder with the green bag clutched

close to her chest. There was light wooded area to the left and right of where she was, birdsong was gently rhythmically calling all around. Feeling vulnerable, wide eyed, but alert to all and everything that was around her, onward she went shuffling along, slightly dragging her left foot as she went. Suddenly, somewhere off to her right there was a gentle humming sound. It had to be a car. She stood motionless in the road again. She seemed to be in awe at all her surroundings, all the sounds and smells seemed to be smelt and heard by her for the first time. The humming noise was getting louder and more imminent. She muttered something to herself that was inaudible and incomprehensible. Distant, ever so distantly, headlights were murmuring towards her, it was a good half mile away. The girl seemed to reassure herself and get herself together. She focused hard as she stood in the road, focusing on the car. It was as though she was willing something. It was as though she was uttering some kind of strange magic towards the oncoming car. It all looked very peculiar as the car was now only a couple of hundred yards and approaching fast. The girl waved frantically as the car slowed and pulled up alongside her.

It was old, battered, and had a look that was of creepy nature. The window slowly was wound down to reveal a youngish looking girl, with long red ringlets and emerald green eyes, her gaze was fixed on the girl momentarily which seemed like an age as the silence rang loud until the driver spoke. “Hi there stranger, where are you heading?” Clutching her bag close to her chest, almost as though for some kind of protection, the girl uttered “Anywhere but here, I’m not from here. I’m looking for somewhere to stay, my name is Luna”. The driver looked startled as though she had been hit by a lightning bolt. “Amazing name, your parents must have been hippies, right?” Luna looked puzzled as if she had absolutely no idea what on earth she was talking about. “I’m not sure. I’m just looking for somewhere to stay. Can you help me

in anyway?” Luna got in the old blue battered car put on the seat belt and the driver smiled and pulled away in the car. “I’m Mandy by the way and guess what? I’m new to this area and have a spare room. You are more than welcome to crash at my place till tomorrow if you like”. Luna thought awhile and seemed to go inside herself with worry, looking ever the more perturbed as she did so. Her voice reduced to a whisper. “Well, if it’s not too much trouble I’d love to stay indefinitely, I hope”. Mandy interrupted abruptly. “Wait a minute, we’ll have to see how we get on, I mean, I don’t know you from Adam… we’ll have to take it moment by moment, ok?” There was a silent, but knowingly understanding between the two young women and it seemed to melt away all visible tensions between the two. Mandy put the acceleration paddle to the floor and sped off at fast speed, leaving Luna wide eyed and nervous clutching her green bag, close to her chest. Luna closed her eyes in terror as Mandy made her way home through the windy, creepy Lancashire village road. The car weaved its way to the small cottage in which Mandy lived.

The property was diminutive in its appearance and rather quaint. It looked like it needed good repair and the chimney was pulsing out smoke, but it felt homely so Luna thought, as the car came to a standstill. “Well, this is it, my humble abode, I hope you like it Luna. There’s no one else here but me. Come on! Let’s get going!” Luna stepped out of the car with deep trepidation as she looked up at the ominous building just off to her left. She still clutched the bag as if her life depended upon it and looked meek and mild as she approached the little cottage. There was silence as they walked across the gravely driveway a short distance toward the door. Mandy was all the time checking this mysterious character out. She felt her vulnerability oozing out of her and felt some kind of rapport with her, even though she did not know her she liked her immediately and was keen to get her inside and

find out more.

They stepped inside and Luna’s eyes widened as she saw the grandness of the interior. Luna took a good look around. There were beautiful ornate odd objects all over the living room. A trumpet on a ninety-five-degree angle on the west wall, a huge portrait of a noble looking gentleman, on the east wall and what looked like a beautiful tapestry of Moroccan descent, on the south facing wall leading to what looked like the kitchen. A medium sized golden ornate table was slap bang in the middle of the room. The carpet was deep maroon red and looked newish and luxurious in some way. There was just so much all over the place it was giving Luna a mild headache. “So what do you think?” Mandy said in a shrill voice. “Of what?” Luna mumbled. “This! All this!” Mandy yelled. Luna thought for a moment in deep introspective ways and mumbled again, “It’s rather ostentatious isn’t it? But I like it yes, I like it”. Mandy gestured for Luna to sit down. Tentatively she did, on an old leather brown sofa that looked well-worn and slightly out of place there in the old cottage attire. Luna sat clutching the old looking green bag and looked reluctant to put it down, for that matter she looked terrified like a girl on her first day at school. Mandy sat down in a relaxed manner and just observed her. She was fascinated by her beauty and innocent nature which to her, captured an injured quality and drew her closer to what appeared to her to be that of intrigue.

Mandy got up with a start and padded her way to the kitchen, shouting as she went, not looking over her shoulder she said. “So what brings you here, where are you from?” Luna clutched her bag ever closer and shyly uttered. “I’m in search of something, something of the proud”. A figureless answer came back from the kitchen in the form of laughter. “Ha-ha-ha, you really are something. We’re got to get along just fine”. Luna squirmed in her seat looking like she

was about to be executed in some way, she could not relax and pulled at her socks, pulling them up even though they did not need pulling. Suddenly, and for no apparent reason, the picture of the wall started to morph and shift, the image was in slow motion on a horse rearing up, the figure on the beast was motioning a hushed gesture and there was an eerie noise manifesting itself around the room. It seemed to get louder and louder, enough for Mandy to come romping back into the room with a start and with a bemused look upon her face. “What on earth was that noise? Did you hear it Luna? It was rather unearthly!” Luna looked mighty uncomfortable and started to fidget. “No, no, I heard nor saw anything Mandy. It must be your imagination running wild.” The clattering from the pots and pans stopped momentarily, than started again. “It must be me. I must be losing my mind. Ha-ha, I’m not all there you know”, Mandy yelled. Luna remained quiet as she was fixated at the picture on the wall that still remained in the fixed poise of the hushing gesture. Mandy made her way back to the ornate and quaint living area with two plates perilously balanced in each hand. “Here you go, eat what you can and leave what you cannot manage, ok?” Luna said nothing and immediately started to scoff all of what was in front of her.

Without it would seem knowing what the food actually was, it startled Mandy and she did an impromptu gulp just watching her eat. It took just over three minutes for Luna to eat all the food and it was an almost disturbing thing for Mandy to watch. Who was this creature? What was she about? Was she dangerous? All these things passed swiftly through Mandy’s mind. Mandy was a girl from money. She was a girl that had everything on a plate. She was naturally bright, but had struggled against her own will and pleasure seeking nature to enjoy life. She had had skirmishes with the law in the past and was extremely street wise. She had been adopted at birth and been brought up in a prosperous family and had all the expectations that came with that. Though

she felt neglected and left out in the cold, never living up to the brother and sister she had never identified with. Mandy was no push-over and no  gullible character, but this young woman she had picked up tonight made her want to protect her somehow. The want to help her was growing stronger and it felt like it was her duty to be at her aid, all the way, no matter what the cost or personal sacrifice. Mandy had to admit it, she was fascinated. She was captivated by this curious being that had just scoffed a whole plate full of food in the space of a matter of moments.

Mandy was just about to speak, when she noticed the portrait to her left. She stood up and screamed, pointing characteristically at the wall. “Look! Look! The image, it’s moved!!!?” she yelled. Luna started shaking, holding her by now crumpled bag so tight to her chest that it looked like it would absorb into her chest. Mandy saw Luna’s reaction to her manic outburst and seem to calm almost immediately, running over to Luna bending down and holding on to Luna’s knees… “You did this, didn’t you? I know I’m not crazy, and I know that you aren’t either. Luna, who are you? And where have you come from? Am I in danger? Or are you?” There was a long pause and Luna stood up in an animated way and started to pace the room slowly. Mandy suddenly felt an energy taking over her…calmness…serenity…peace. She could not explain it, it just happened. It seemed like a force had taken her and she was no longer in control of her own will. She was not scared or pensive, only at complete peace and no thoughts or actions were entering or exiting her mind. It was a completely surreal moment that almost broke Mandy out in tears. Luna spun to face Mandy and looked at her square in the face, than she spoke slowly. “I’m not sure who, or what I am, who does? I’m just a little girl lost in the universe, wanting to do good. I’m very much like you, I’m humble and peaceful and have a need, what that need is I’m unsure, but my purpose is beyond even my knowing. Please help me, forgive me, love me”. Mandy

seemed to be dumbfounded and numb in her body. The feeling to hold her seemed to be pulsing away and leaving her. Thoughts were beginning to come back to her and her rational self was oozing back into being. Tears streamed down her face as she looked motionless at Luna, fixed in her gaze.

As Mandy got more and more back to herself, she seemed to have complete understanding of the whole thing. It was as though through feeling she was beginning to understand it all…The moment passed. The room and air were completely still. Luna rushed to sit back down, right next to Mandy, sucking her thumb holding the bag close. Time was creeping on and both of them felt weary and tired. “Come and look at your room, come on. I’ll show you the ropes to the house… there’s only one rule here, no smoking!” Luna threw her head back and let out a huge bawdy laugh, it sounded so much like a man’s laugh it caught Mandy off guard. “Wow, you sure know how to laugh; I’ve never heard anything quite like it”. Mandy lead Luna off into a stark and bare bedroom. Luna stopped in her tracks and took it all in. The bed itself was slap bang in the middle of the room, it looked rather like an oddity there but looked deep and extremely comfortable to lie on. Luna instinctively ran up to the bed and flung herself on it. Mandy was quite amused by this and from that moment thought that they would become firm friends for sure. “Later I’m going to show you around the area, you’re going to find it quite quiet here, but you will love it and everyone is going to like you too…. I’m sure”. Luna stopped throwing herself round on the bed and the two of them locked eyes and smiled at the same time, it was looking like they we’re going to get on famously. With that, Mandy turned in a jokey pirouette and gently shut the door to leave Luna alone in her room to relax.

Luna felt at home. She for the first time put the mysterious bag down beside her on the bed and lay back to relax. It had been an eventful day and Mandy

seemed to be ever gracious to the mercurial Luna. Time cape drifted and so did the ever so tired Luna. She drifted away into that eluded reason itself. Clouds and angels seemed to whirl around out of nowhere and fly right through Luna, as she too seemed to be one of these celestial beings herself flying in awe of something. Something of the profound, some unearthly being wrapped itself around her naked body and took her away. It took her over proud hills and mountains capes circling all around with twists and arcs, performing great aerial feats of courage and excellence. Ahead it seemed to be an orb of brilliance, an opening of some kind. It was drawing them both closer and closer to it. Luna felt immense tension. Unbeknownst to her, she was actually thrashing around, hovering just inches above her bed, light was emanating out of her body, she was rotating around and round anti-clockwise in a devilish fashion and a light breeze murmured all around. Mandy was in the adjacent room lying down with headphones on listening to music. She was totally unaware of the spectacle that was going on next door. Luna meanwhile was thrashing and convulsing around seemingly terrified as in her dream was this constant pull of will, to get away from whatever was drawing her closer to this hypnotic yet beautiful light. Suddenly and for no reason as she was about to get absorbed into whatever it was, she awoke and fell onto the bed with a gentle thump. Luna instantly stirred and made a grab for her green bag sitting with her knees to her chin shivering seemingly not knowing what had just happened. Luna quickly calmed and regained composure, taking in deep breaths, as if automatically hushing her body back to calmness, stillness.

Everything was silent again as she lay motionless on the bed, she smiled to herself thinking of Mandy and how kind and gentle she was. It all made good sense to be here and here she would stay until she could fathom what on earth all this was about. Luna passed slowly into a dreamless light sleep, still with a gleam of a smile on her face, clutching her ever familiar bag close as if for

security. Mandy too was falling asleep and was dreaming about a mysterious figure in light, wooing her closer and closer. Thick storm clouds were evident and a peek-a-booing moon was coming in and out of eclipse. Mandy was thrashing around with her arms outstretched wanting so much to go into the light and be with this mysterious figure. She wanted to be there, feel it, know it, be with it. It was a deep spiritual intoxication that seemed to override all consciousness and sub consciousness. It was stuff of the profound, like an opiate of dreams. Mandy let out a small groan as she woke with a start, wide eyed and forgetting all that had just happened. She sat upright and thought for a minute, feeling queasy and it padded her way to the bathroom. Mandy was naked and her body was colourless and translucent with natural beauty. For some reason, she decided to pop her head in the bedroom of where Luna was, just to check all was well.

The door to her surprise was already ajar. With a creek, it opened and there was Luna, sound asleep and dead to the world. Mandy smiled and for the first time in her young life felt contentment, a kind of knowing and understanding, that everything was going to be alright. She could not put her finger on it, but she felt an urgency to protect this vulnerable young creature she had become to befriend and she would protect her at all costs. Mandy closed the door and padded her way back to her room and got into bed. Sleep took her quickly as they both drifted into a sound world of nothingness. Luna woke with a start. Mandy walked in all gregarious and full of vitality and totally caught Luna by surprise. “Come, let’s go. The world has just been born and the day is new!” Luna was totally bleary eyed and not at all with it. She whispered in a slow lazy fashion. “Why? Where are we going?” Mandy did a little pirouette and pointed at Luna… “We’re going to the local market to have a browse and see life… You’ll love it!” Luna seemed very unimpressed, squinting her eyes as Mandy drew the curtains revealing the strong winter sunshine. Luna felt

grumpy and felt not at all like getting into action and doing things. “Do you mind if I have a quick bath? I shall be swift and with you in a moment. I promise!” Mandy seemed a bit disappointed but went along with it, because nothing was going to spoil this moment, or this day. “Alright, but we haven’t got all day… Come on chop-chop”. Luna collapsed.

Falling back in bed, Luna’s head made a soft thud. She had so much to do, but was uncertain at what it was she was supposed to be doing. What about the dream? What on earth did that all mean? Without warning Luna got up and got into motion. To Mandy’s horror she was still fully clothed and looked terrible. “We got to sort you out with some new clothes. In fact, a completely new makeover”, Mandy said firmly. Within half an hour they were dressed and out in the rickety old car weaving their way through the winding roads and cutting through into the heart of the village. The scenery was breath taking. Woven hills and proud churches dotted around, the odd person threw an exaggerated wave towards them. Luna figured that Mandy was a well- known character in the village and smiled to herself feeling ever more at ease and wonderful. There was a steep upward drive and up ahead Luna could catch the sight of activity. There was bunting and marquees everywhere. It was like the circus was in town. Mandy seemed a skilled driver, though drove a touch too fast. They arrived at the market safe and sound. The car came to a grinding halt. “Here we are Luna! We are here! We made it! Stick by me the whole time, just so that you don’t get lost and we’ll be just fine…Alright?” Luna looked perplexed as though Mandy had been talking Chinese or something like that but responded “Yes, sure”.

There was hustle and bustle everywhere; the place was truly full with life. Luna held hands instinctively with Mandy and had her green bag in the other hand. The market was quaint and rather small, but there was a lot crammed in

and everyone seemed jovial enough. A young woman about eighteen bounded over catching Luna by surprise and quickly introduced herself. “Hi I’m Maddy, what’s your name?” Maddy had he right arm outstretched and offered her hand to shake Luna’s. Luna cowered behind Mandy and felt very intimidated by this brazen redheaded girl. Mandy could see the awkwardness of the situation and so said. “Oh, this is Luna, my newest and dearest friend. You’ll have to excuse her. She’s very shy, new here and does not know a soul. We’ll catch up with you later Maddy, ok?”. Maddy stood motionless and just stared at Luna. She thought that Luna looked like she was in a trance like state, and the moment drew on for longer than was natural. Maddy felt woozy sensation throughout her whole being; almost exhilarated elation. Like a realization of some sort. “Wow, you’re incredible”, Maddy said. “Wow I feel you, I understand you even though I’ve never met you… Wow”. Mandy was watching in disbelief as all this was going on and could not believe it. “Alright Maddy enough of this tomfoolery, we’ll see you later, ok?” With that Maddy went on her way, seemingly happier that what she was before.

They continued to walk around the market. Luna kept tight hold of Mandy’s hand and kept bumping (unwittingly) into people, gently nudging them as she went. The place was busy by all stretches of the imagination. Mandy had an easy attitude today. All was going to be alright. She had her new friend and she would keep her beady eye on her, just to make sure she did not get into any trouble. They had just arrived there and already it was starting to cloud over. It looked like snow or some kind of blustery weather. There was also a chill in the air, a cruel deep kind of chill that made Luna visibly shiver. Anyway, the village fete was in full swing and Mandy pulled Luna over to the coconut shy and yelled “c’mon, let’s have a go at this! Have you ever done this before Luna?” Luna looked nervous as ever and shook her head in a fashion that had an element of excitement about it. “No, I haven’t, but I’m willing to

try. What do I have to do?” Mandy smiled. “Well, you have to knock down these, stupid coconuts like this. Look, I’ll show you.” Mandy walked up to the counter and paid for four goes each for herself and Luna. “Watch and learn kiddo”. Mandy picked up one of the hard balls from the nicely weaved basket and took a stance and suddenly looked deadly serious. Luna noticed Mandy closing one eye as she threw with venom the first shot. The ball swerved through the air at great speed just missing two of the coconuts hitting the soft netting behind. “Damn it! I was so close; I can’t believe how close I was… Here Luna, you try. It’s harder than you think”. Luna approached the coconut shy and looked nervous, she hated anything like this, but she would give it a go… She picked three balls out of the basket and like a baseball pitcher threw hard and fast at the coconuts. Mandy’s eyes nearly fell out of her head. The speed and accuracy of how Luna knocked three out of three down looked like phenomena. It was sight to behold. Mandy screamed “Wow, that’s extraordinary, I’ve never seen anything like that before. You go girl!” Luna seemed as surprised as how Mandy seemed to be. All three coconuts had fallen. In fact, Luna had hit them so hard she smashed all three to smithereens. The small diminutive man at the stall looked completely stunned and reluctantly gave Luna three gifts; two cuddly toys and a big bar of chocolate. Luna couldn’t believe it and immediately looked overjoyed and overcome with emotion. She automatically gave the gifts to Mandy, as though she was her mother of some kind. Mandy was still in deep awe at how good Luna had done and just couldn’t get over it.

Mandy was quickly beginning to feel that Luna was some sort of star child or light worker. She felt crazy for thinking it, but it seemed like it could be true! Mandy gestured over to the right of the stall. “Look!” she yelled “It’s one of my best friends. He’s called Monty, c’mon let’s go and say hello”. They both playfully ran over to a food bar thirty or forty yards away from them, to where

Monty was. He looked startled as Mandy jumped on his back piggy-back style... Monty looked deeply handsome, he had thick black eyebrows and beautifully chiseled face with an open smile. He was tall, about six foot and Mandy had always had a bit of a crush on him. Monty was twenty and the whole community knew him because his father was the local GP. He was incredible to look at and Luna instantly found him interesting. There was a lot of expectation on Monty’s shoulders and he knew it. There was talk that he was going to join the SAS and become some kind of war hero. But there were also rumors about wild late night parties and about his sexuality, but to Mandy, this was all so seductive and exciting. Mandy had wanted Monty so hard and for so long, she felt like one day, maybe one day, they could be lovers. Who knows?!

Monty outstretched his hand and had made eye contact for the first time with the shy Luna… He was captivated by her beauty, he thought she was natural looking and even unconventionally beautiful. He went into a trance. He drifted away. Far away into the realms of beauty and the eternal, light flashed and angels swirled, laughed and danced and imagery and all things of the ethereal seemed just to pass through him as he soared and flew through time itself. A strange figure was at the center of it and a vacuum of light was pulling him in. It had such brilliancy that he felt it deemed a miracle. Meanwhile, Monty’s grip on Luna’s hand had tightened and it was hurting her. She pulled her hand away swiftly and hid behind Mandy acting rather like a child would. Monty snapped out of the trance. “I feel like I know you…Like I’ve seen you before, I don’t know what just happened to me… I can’t remember. It’s all so bizarre. I can’t put my finger on it. Anyway strange child it’s nice to meet you, I didn’t mean to hurt your delicate hand. Welcome to Middletown. You’re in good hands with Mandy. She’s the greatest!”. Mandy felt a rush of jealousy fill all her being, but no sooner was it there, then it was

gone and all was back to normality and serenity. There was a slight pause till Mandy spoke and broke the silence. “Luna is very shy but she’s quite harmless and pure, she’s my new best friend. She doesn’t say much, but she’s delightful. It sure is nice to see you Monty you’re looking very well. We’ll catch up with you later. We are just taking a look around. You should have seen her on the coconut shy, she was sensational! Why don’t you pop around later for dinner about six o’clock? It would be great to catch up”. Monty couldn’t get his words out quick enough. “Yes, yes of course, see you at six”. Monty’s eyes were firmly fixed on Luna with an almost hypnotic like stare, it was obvious that he fancied her and it did not go unnoticed. “Come on Luna, let’s look around some more before the weather turns, it looks like rain”. With that, they left Monty doe eyed and went on their way.

Mandy and Luna linked arms as they walked away. They looked like cute young sisters. Mandy whispered, leaning into Luna’s ear. “He likes you. I think he finds you attractive. You know, he’s a tough nut to crack and you’ve done it in five seconds, I’m terribly jealous Luna, how dare you…” They both giggled and went on their way both looking over their shoulder at Monty, Mandy waving as they went. They went about their way, talking to people and a lot of heads turned as folk were trying to figure out who on earth this new character was with Mandy. She knew that they would be the talk of the town for the next few days and she loved it. Mandy loved it all,so what if they talked, she thought. It was all mildly amusing and that they could all go to hell if they did not accept the beautiful Luna. There was something deeply special about her and she would die before anyone was to get in the way of her and her cute magical new friend. Light rain began to fall and darkness fell fast over the whole park. Swiftly the two girls made their way back to the car just as it was getting to become very heavy rainfall. They were soaked as they flew in the car to sit down giggling like teenagers. Both of them were thinking of

Monty and how beautiful he looked. It was as though both of them knew what each of them was thinking and they looked at each other, bursting out laughing as the car made its way home, back to the cottage.