It's nice outside. Despite the clouds sprawling overhead, they position themselves just perfectly enough that the moon can shine freely. The moon has always been beautiful—fascinating, really. It cycles through phases, waxes and wanes, yet despite these transformations it's still just the moon. It's like love, I think. Everyone loves the moon, but nobody ever sees the different or hidden sides of it. Humans fall for the front people put up, not the real them. At least that's what I believe. I haven't fallen in love, so I wouldn't know. At least I don't think I have.
My hands sink deeper into the pockets of my black hoodie, my attire blending seamlessly with the night. I've been walking for a while now. Glancing up at the street sign, it seems there are just two more blocks to go. The chilly night air sends shivers down my spine, but it isn't just from the cold. The distant hum of traffic blends with the soft, broken cries of a woman, creating a haunting symphony of despair.
"Hey, did you guys have a change of plans? Whatever you're trying to do now doesn't matter, but I need you to let go of her."
The trio of thugs loom over the woman like shadows, their tattoos glistening under the moonlight—testaments to their criminal pasts. The one licking the woman's face has a wild, unfocused look in his eyes. The second, seemingly unbothered, is sprawled on the ground. The last man stares me down, a smug smile plastered across his face. I've seen these three around a couple of times. They're not usually an issue. They were recently released from prison and were planning a drug deal here, but the woman pinned against the wall suggests otherwise.
"Stop with the whole…licking thing you got going on there. It's gross."
The smiling man pulls out a switchblade as he approaches me.
"Wow. Real dangerous weapon you got there." I throw my hands up in mock surrender.
He's not even the one pissing me off—it's the rapist. Why's he glancing at me while holding her? Does he really think I can't stop him? That I'm just going to stand here helplessly? Who does he think he is? Who gives him the right to touch her like that?
"You're slow. Looks like you lost your edge in prison."
He wasn't slow. In fact, his slash managed to put a slit in my hoodie. If I hadn't swayed back fast enough, my guts would be spilling out. Stay focused. I grip his wrist and with a simple twist...I catch the blade in my hand. Not bad. With a kick to his leg, I watch as he goes down.
Now why isn't mister rapist backing down? His smile grows as he places the woman in front of him. The sight causes me to smile as well. It's pathetic.
"Using a girl as a shield? Not cool, dude." I shake my head disapprovingly as I make my way closer. The woman is trembling, her eyes glued shut, mascara dripping. All I can make out are inaudible sounds coming from under her captor's hand. Poor woman.
"Don't cry, lady. You'll be fine."
I flash her a smile, but it doesn't offer any kind of reassurance—her arms suddenly wrap around me. He pushed her onto me? As she tucks her head into my chest, the barrel of his gun meets me at eye level.
This is new.
I slowly push the woman behind me and stare the man dead in the eyes. They're not alive. He's high…really high. His eyes are almost clouded. What's my move? I glance over at the man clutching his knee, then at the fat man who's out cold. The girl is trembling behind me; I can feel her blonde hair pressing against my back. I watch the man meticulously while slowly inching the knife to the tip of my fingers. Slow and steady…he's making incoherent noises and just pointing the gun, his eyes fixed on his target. The groove of the knife slides itself up my fingers and in a flash I throw it at the man's leg. I turn my body and grab the girl, bringing her down with me as I dive for the ground, my body shielding her from any possible bullets.
She's panting beneath me. I'm not bleeding.
I pull myself up to my feet. The gun lies inches away.
"They didn't do anything to you, did they?"
My eyes remain fixed on the man attempting to pull the knife out of his leg. I can't see blondie, but I'm guessing she was unscathed because the next thing I hear is scampering footsteps.
"Now you..."
Kneeling down, I pry his cold, rough fingers from the blade.
"I tolerated you doing drug deals for a while, but you just keep getting released, don't you?" My grip on his wrist tightens.
"You're being given so many chances and you're using them to rape women and carry guns?"
Is he…crying? He's making these babbling noises. He thinks he gets to cry, really? My left hand moves toward the knife again. What can I even do? Torture him?
"U…uaghh…!"
Why's he screaming?
"Oh." I pushed the knife deeper into his leg.
It's not like it will kill him, but…maybe he'll understand. Obviously prison isn't teaching him, so why don't I? I've given out lessons before. This is no different. This is for a better cause…for my cause.
"Every time you try to commit a crime—no—every time you commit a sin, remember this feeling."
His eyes are falling shut. He's passing out.
"Uaghh! F-fuck!"
That woke him up. The knife sits in my hand. I raise it to his eyes. Pulling the knife out usually hurts, but he took it like a champ. His hair pricks at my fingers once I grip his head. I want him to look at me, to understand what I'm trying to tell him. It's not his fault he's like this—everyone has their reasons for what they do. Even so...the knife inches closer to his stomach. If I can just teach him a little bit more…just a little—
And it's gone.
I stand up and turn around, letting the man drop. I'm met with warm eyes. Ones I know so well.
"Can I have the knife bac—"
"No."
We lock eyes in silence. I can tell when she's joking and when Luna is pissed. She's pissed. I manage to break from her gaze, glancing down at the unconscious man, then back to her.
"Pleas—"
"No."
Damn. I look down at her. She's not short, but the four-inch difference is clear to me. Her angry face is somehow still endearing. I can't help it—I start to smile, and laughter bubbles up.
"H-hey! What are you laughing at!?"
She's embarrassed. Really embarrassed. I can't get words out. The whole scene is too funny!
"Micheal, you're such a kid! I'm serious. I don't care if you find me intimidating or not—you were going to go overboard, weren't you?"
She shuts me up.
"Come on…you know I wouldn't do that. I have too much self-control—"
"Yeah. I just witnessed looots of self-control. What if I wasn't here?"
"Yeah, but you didn't want to—"
"Don't play stupid! I knew you were coming out here. Look, I've always helped you with your vigilante work, but you need a break sometimes."
Her smile begins to return, her tone sweetening.
"I know you better than you know yourself. I've been taking care of you your whole life."
I can't help but smile too, falling into my regular cocky tone.
"Weren't you the new girl on the block? Without me, you would've had no friends in elementary. I've been taking care of you, lady."
"Uh-huh, 'cause you're the popular one in school, right?"
She got me with that one.
"So what if I'm not popular? I'm still the coolest guy in school."
"Right…'cause you're so cool."
Why's she looking at me like that?
"Shut it, sidekick."
I manage to get her laughing at least.
"I'm not a sidekick!"
"Too bad. It's what you are."
She grins at me. The sound of our footsteps cuts through the silence of the night. I was so focused on our bantering that I forgot about the three lowlifes. Oh well. The cops will pick them up soon. I'll call it in.
"Fine. I'll be your sidekick as long as it stops you from doing anything stupid."
She beams up at the moon. Slowing my pace, I let the wind blow past my face. The breeze picks up her ponytail, swaying it back and forth. I watch her ethereal movements as she walks with hands clasped behind her back. The moonlight shines down on her like she's the only one in the world. She smiles at me before I feel her warm touch against my wrist, pointing my hand up at the moon.
"Isn't it cool how the clouds manage to move away just enough to leave room for the moon?"
I chuckle at the remark.
"It sure is amazing."
We walk the rest of the way back in silence, and that's fine with me. Strolling down the sidewalk with her, under the spotlight of the moon, is all I need. She's the only one I need. The only one in my life who knows the real me and doesn't resent it.