LONE AS MOON

On that night, as I walked aimlessly through the alleys with tears streaming down my face, I kept mumbling, “I hate my life, I hate my life, I hate my life.” I was so immersed in my self-wallow that I didn't realize how far I had wandered up the mountain until I tripped on a rock and landed on my right knee. “*Hissed* How do I walk back down limping?” I murmured into the silence, unsure of what to do next. Just as I was about to find my way back down, something caught my eye at the top of the mountain, just a few steps away from me. A flower was glowing there, radiant and mysterious, and I couldn't help but feel intrigued by its presence.



I limped towards it, ignoring the pain in my knee, my gaze fixed on the flower as if it held the answers to my troubles. As I stepped closer, I heard a rustling noise behind the bushes. “Hello, is someone there?” I called out gently, but deep down, I figured it was just a rabbit or something. My attention remained on the flower, its beauty ethereal, enhanced by the full moon hanging in the sky. Just then, I felt an odd sense of courage wash over me, and I decided to touch the flower. As my fingers made contact, I was unprepared for what happened next: the flower's glow transferred to me, slowly causing it to wither away.



“No, no, what did I do?” Panic surged through me as I tried to brush the glow off my body, but instead, it became even more blinding. Suddenly, I felt something leave me, and whoosh—I was lifted off the ground, emitting a fog-like glow as the world around me darkened. “*Gasp* Where am I?” I opened my eyes wide, darting them around in confusion, trying to make sense of everything. “Was it just a dream?” I wondered aloud, but everything looked so familiar; I found myself in my room, yet something felt profoundly different.



I stood up, intent on freshening up, but paused when I noticed my fingernails—they were ash-colored and longer than before. I didn’t remember getting a manicure, so what was happening? I pushed