Dark Moon

Dark Moon

Tuesday:

As the sun walks towards the other end of the earth to sleep, the world moves in common

fashion. People clock out of their 95.

They pick the kids up from daycare, groceries, dry

cleaning and anything else needed before they end at home. They prepare the family for dinner

and stories of their last 8 hours before. This is normal to most of the world. Those actions and

routine are like second nature and many don’t sway from it. However, somewhere in other

darker places the moon starts to creep in a faded window shade. The light almost fills the whole

room. A cluttered mess of clothes scattered across the floor around a small twin sized bed. The

clothes create a barrier of sort protecting the assailant who battles the night sky light as if it was

the sun. Pulling the covers over her face while letting out a deep exhausting sigh. Her arm finds

escape from the covers reaching and stretching. As her arm connects with a small table next to

the bed, her hand fumbles around until her prize is felt under her fingers. She grabs her phone

and pulls it and her arm back under the blanket of her covers. As a small light illuminates from

under she pops up and you are able to make out a form, a face. Such beauty composed to

create innocence as with every curve on her face you see pain sheltered and protected by her

skin. She proceeds to dial a number on her phone. Shit. Shit! Shit!! Come on, pick up.

Wednesday:

The night luminates so bright. Broad and Spring Garden is where she stands leaning against a

green lamp post. So cliche but so her reality. As cars drive by in a pace opposite from the

daytime norm with less urgency but they move way faster. Flying by to the point some cars are

unrecognizable. Broad street lights up complimenting the night sky as if it was Christmas and

the never ending sky were the decorations. As far as the eye could see white, yellow, red and

green lights fill the view. A small clutch purse just big enough to hold her cell phone, some

condoms and a small tube of lubricant. She dawns fashion ripped stockings with a black mini

skirt and a form fitting tan tank top. Her face is shielded with deep pink lipstick, caramel

foundation, blush, eyeliner and every other item of makeup which is used to try and enhance

her looks. Not knowing that those things only covered her true beauty, she wore them proudly. It

must work for her clientele. Hey sexy, come here. The stranger in the grey Lexus IS 250 calls

out. She walks over to the car and leans in through the passenger side window. How can I help

you? She replies. What’s your name? The guy in the car asked. She raises her head and her

eyes meet his. Caucasian male with salt and pepper hair and beard. She always looks at

everything and notices everything. His left hand was on the steering wheel showing an

indentation on his ring finger where he took off his wedding ring. In the back of the car 3

cheerios lay on the seat indicating he has little ones. So he probably put the car seat in the trunk

or in his wife's car. He was still in dress pants, grey shirt and a black tie. So his excuse to get

out the house could have been anything not far from the norm, store trip, a run back to the

office, etc… However, it was to get a piece of no obligations, no strings attached ass. He

wanted sex but not just regular sex. He wanted rough, nasty, angry sex. Something he couldn’t

achieve with his wife. He wanted to do things he felt ashamed doing to her. He wanted things

done to him he felt ashamed asking her to do. He wanted to be free from formities, routine and

she was his release from those bonds. My name is Fashion, she said as she smiled slightly.

Thursday:

As we change settings and locations, we find Fashion in a more subtle setting. Outside a brown

door she sits quietly along with almost 30 other folks or so. The sign beside the door reads

‘Financial Aid Office’. An older lady with short curly hair around 5’6 and heavyset opens the door

and yells out. Ms. Williams, she calls out. Fashion jumps up. That’s me she says softly. She

walks over to the Financial Aid lady. Fashion Williams? The lady asks. Fashion responds. Yes,

that's me. Please come in she says as the lady opens the door wider and motions her towards

the chair in front of her desk. Please have a seat Ms. Williams. The Financial Aid lady closes the

door and takes a seat. So, how can I help you today? This was a different Fashion as she spoke

her voice was soft and humble. Her movements were awkward as she sat in the chair. She

didn’t know what to do with her hands as they were folded across her lap, then on her knees.

The conversation went on as she motioned her head up and down to answer yes and side to

side to answer no. Fashion reached across the desk and handed the lady an envelope. The

lady stood up as well as Fashion and they shook hands. The lady walked around her desk to

open the door. Thank you Ms. Williams. Fashion nodded and proceeded to walk out the door. I

will have everything processed y next week the Financial Lady said as she let Fashion out.

Thank you Fashion replied.

Friday:

Even though it’s a different night the routine is the same. Fashion eludes the sun to wake up to

the moon light. She finds her cell phone and surrenders it under the covers again. Under the

blanket a small light goes in and out like lightning strikes in the sky. Three new messages were

displayed on her phone. ‘Where were you on Tuesday?’

‘I really needed you’

‘I thought we were starting to build something, whatever’

Fashion looks at her phone in disbelief but before she could reply there was a knock at her

door. Who could be at my door this late, she thought. From under the covers she yells. Who is

it? UPS, I have a package for you. Her eyes widened with joy. She swung the covers from off of

her as if they were a cape unveiling a surprise under. She runs to the door passing canvas after

canvas of paintings on her walls. She opens the door. In amazement she sees a thin rectangle

shaped package wrapped in brown paper. Do I need to sign, she asked the UPS guy. He hands

her the electronic signature machine as he looks in amazement. Fashion ran to the door in her

panties and bra. A thin sculpted mold of desire. As she stood at the door she signed his

machine, with excitement she grabs the package. She notices the UPS guy staring with his

mouth wide open. Then and only then does she realize she only has on underwear. She looks

at him and looks down at herself pulls the package inside. She looks back up at the UPS guy

and says ‘Nice, I know right’ smiles and closes the door. Have a good day she yells from the

other side of the door. She runs back to her bed with the package and proceeds to open it. A

huge smile filled her face and she was reassured of what she was doing and why she was doing

it. She began to get ready.

Saturday:

The moon screams across the sky yelling at whatever stars can be found in the night. They

favor Fashion as the moon winks at her ever so slightly. The glitter on her body reflects like the

twinkle of hundreds of mini stars. However, she was there on Broad street in the midst of the

fast paced night and the ever moving city, she wasn’t focused. She wasn’t on her game as her

phone went off. She would pull it out of her clutch to look at it or reply. It was distracting her.

She didn’t notice the slight horn coming from the black pickup

truck on the corner. Once more

the horn sounds. She looks up to notice the vehicle and walks over to it. Damn sexy what are

you trying to get into tonight? You can hear her phone buzz as she answers. It depends on

what's out here to get into, she replies. He looks at her a little closer and his eyebrows

scrunched up in disbelief. She wasn’t focused, she didn’t notice his character. She didn’t read

his persona. She wanted to look at her phone. But he insisted for her to get in. Get in, unless

you have better things to do. She did. She had another agenda she just never opened it. She

got in the truck. Not having her head in the game she didn’t notice his brown boots in the back

of the vehicle. She didn’t notice the clear plastic bag covering his work uniform or the wire

hanger dawned with a white paper covering the hanger that read ‘We love() our customers’.

Although it was what was on the hanger under the plastic, one UPS uniform. I wish she had

looked at her last cell phone message. As he straddles on top of her his fist connects with her

face. Cracking such a perfect sculpture of beauty every hit chips the foundations. While her

hands are tied to the banister of the bed her face is bloody and her left eye swollen shut. He gets

off of her and walks around the damp and moldy motel room talking to himself. He lights a

cigarette. He mumbles mostly but only certain words are coherent. Tease...that …..bitch….I

know what I will do with her…….fuck. No you can’t have her he screams at himself. He throws

his lit cigarette on her exposed body. He circles the room as his hands are rubbing his

shoulders his head swinging back and forth as if he was possessed. Fashion coughs blood from

her mouth. He turns to her and yells, shut up! I have to shut her up. I know how to shut her up.

He turns his head as to speak to someone else in the room and says ‘No, I know how to shut

her up’. He goes around the room turning off all the lights and ensuring no light in entering the

room. He even covered the bottom of the door. With her right eye she could see the moon peek

through a crack in the drapes through the window until he walked over to it and closed the

drapes all the way. It was dark, completely dark. Fashion could no longer see the glow of the

moon. She heard the man say. ‘I will shut her up now’ But, she could no longer see him. It was

dark.

Sunday:

You hear birds chirping which gives you the indication it’s morning. You hear the rustling of keys

behind the motel door. It opens and the light rushes in the room as if it was there to rescue

someone or something. Covering the entire room from the floor to the ceiling as if it was looking,

searching for something. The cleaning lady pushes her cart in the room. Her head phones on

the as she walked over to the window and opened the drapes letting in more light. She removed

one of her earbuds out of her ear. The room was spotless as if no one was ever in it. She

checks her clip board to make sure she was suppose to clean this room. It was on there clear

as day. So she walks around with her duster. She goes in the bathroom, again as if it was never

occupied. She goes back to the main area. She hears a buzzing sound. She takes the other

earbud out her ear to listen better. It goes off again. She drops to her knees and looks under the

bed. A small clutch starts to vibrate on the floor. She grabs it and sits up on the floor against the

bed. She opens the clutch to see two condoms a small tube of lube and a phone. She pulls the

phone out. She presses the button on the phone. The screen displays ‘2 new messages’. She

swipes to open the phone. She clicks on the messages.

Where were you on Tuesday?

I really needed you!!

I thought we were building something, whatever?

I got your painting

It was amazing

You are so good

So are you going to major in art?

Yes, but mom can’t afford that school.

They accepted me but she can’t pay for it.

Why did you miss my graduation?

It was crazy that day.

You know I’m a night person :0)

Fashion, Come home…

Please….please

Mom won’t have that

It’s been too long

Just ask her

She misses you too

Forget about that

Promise me you won’t ever stop painting

I won’t it makes me happy…

I will promise as long as you promise to

Never stop looking out for me big sis

Deal and I won’t ever stop looking out for you

It makes me happy :0)

Love you Fashion

Love you too Amber

…..

…..

(Later that night) Fashion texts her mom

Mom…

Yes Fashion, how are things?

I survive how about you?

Same here, so what's going on?

I wanted to ask you a question.

But never mind it’s silly

I let Amber get in my head

Fashion what is it I’m at work

?!?!?! Oh…..ok…...never mind

…5 minutes passed

…10

…15

…18

…21

…

Fashion??

Fashion you there??

I had to step away to do my rounds

…

Fashion look to be honest

I want you to home Amber misses you

We…..I miss you

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

Fashion

Look I know we have had our problems but think about it

Monday:

The doorbell rings. Amber grab the door please. Her mom yells from upstairs. Amber goes to

the door. Who is it? UPS, I have a delivery. He says from the other side of the door. Amber

opens the door and he hands her an express envelope. His knuckles were swollen and

inflamed. Can you sign here please he asks as he give her the machine. Amber signs. Thank

you ma'am he said as he turned and walked away. Amber stared a little as he walked to his truck

then she stepped out the door and looked around outside a little. She stepped back in closed

the door and headed to the living room where her mom just came down the stairs and entered.

Who was it Amber? UPS with a package for me. Ok miss important, open it. Were you

expecting anything her mom asked? No I wasn’t Amber replied. Amber pulled the tab on the

rectangular envelope to open the top. She put her hand in the opening and proceeded to pull

out a stack of papers. They were from the Art Institute. She removed the very first letter off the

pile that was in the envelope. ‘We are glad you decided to join our organization to further your

education in Art. Enclosed you will find a blank roster and course book. We ask that you select

the courses you would like to take your first semester. Also, contact your advisor if you have any

questions.’ Amber couldn’t believe what she was reading. Mom, what did you do? She said as

she turned and looked at her mother confused. I didn’t do anything. Her mother said with the

same confused look on her face. Amber we talked about this and we knew I couldn’t afford the

tuition. As Amber's mother kept going through the papers she noticed another letter in the pile

that stated. ‘Also, enclosed you will find a receipt for you tuition and a statement showing your

balance of funds available for books and supplies’.

Sincerely

Barbara Ann

Financial Aid Manager

2155551000

ext 123

Amber picks up her phone and dials the number. After about two rings some one answers.

Hello, this is Barbara Ann

Financial Aid how can I help. Amber put her phone on speaker. Hello,

my name is Amber Williams. I just received a package from your school. Yes Ms. Williams. I

handled your financial aid package personally. Wait, what package I wasn’t approved for

financial aid and my mom wasn’t able to pay. Amber stated in a concerned tone. Ms. Williams.

Barbara stated to speak. Fashion came into my office a couple of days ago and she paid your

tuition. She gave me a detailed plan for the money over the next four years. She laid out a plan

for books, supplies and even housing if you wanted it.

Amber drops the phone and begins to cry. She gets up off the couch and runs out the door. Ms.

Williams, hello? Amber's mother picks up the phone. I’m sorry Amber stepped away I’m her

mother please go on. Amber continued to run. She ran for what seemed like hours until she

reached the outside of Fashions building. Amber rushed inside and ran up two flights of steps to

the front of Fashions door. Amber ran up to the door and look at it for a moment as if time

slowed and a cold eerie wind passed through her body that gave her a chill. She started to

knock on the door.

Barbara how much did Fashion pay? Ma’am she paid the entire $123,000 plus an extra $32,000

for books and supplies. As Amber's mom grasped she started to cry. Mrs. Williams, are you ok?

It was that same cold eerie wind and it found it’s way to her as well.

Fashion open up, open up. I want you to come home. As Amber banged on the door to no avail

on the other side it was dark. There was no moon light, no beauty under the covers just dark.

Open up Fashion Amber yells. I want you to come home. Please come home. Amber said out of

breathe as she slid down to the floor. Exhausted and crying, I just want you to come home she

said softly. Just come home.