MARKED BY MOONLIGHT by Jenifer Carson

The cry of a baby the best melody in the ears of a mother.

 My mother always told me I was her greatest gift.

“Look at her, George,” my mother whispered, her voice filled with affection. “Our little Rebecca is a gift from the heavens.”

“She’s perfect,” my father declared, his eyes locking on me. In that moment, everything felt just right. After a decade of hoping and waiting, the sound of a baby's cry filled the room, but not just any baby—their baby, their precious child. Things were finally taking a turn in their favor.

Maybe they spoke to soon

His footsteps echoed through the hallway, each thud announcing his arrival. The echoes weren’t just in the hallway but in the hearts of those within.

“Such a beautiful baby,” he remarked with a smirk, his voice sending chills down our spines. George, my father, tightened his grip on my mother protectively, meeting his gaze with silent defiance.

“You know I always liked you, Commander,” he continued, his words dripping with perverse amusement. “And the heavens decided to bless you by making us a family.” The mockery in his tone sent shivers down our collective spines, the realization of an unholy alliance tightening its grip on our joy.

Summoning a flicker of courage, my father stepped forward, desperation etched in his eyes. “Darius, she’s just a child,” he pleaded, his voice carrying the weight of a father’s desperate entreaty.

Darius, feigning surprise, opened his eyes wide, a façade of innocence. “I would never hurt a child, especially the one destined to bring an heir to my son,” he declared, his gaze shifting between me and my mother. But beneath the veneer of false reassurance, a sinister truth lingered.

Drawing closer, Darius leaned in, his voice a venomous whisper clawing at my father’s senses. “But you know a prophecy is a prophecy, and I will come back for her. I do hope you give her to me. I would hate to slash that beautiful throat of yours and Linda... in law,” he hissed, the subtle threat hanging heavy in the air. Just as he was about to leave, he turned to my mother with a bright smile on his face. “Congratulations, Linda,” and with that, he was gone, leaving the room steeped in tension.

***

The soft sand filled my legs as I ran around the playground, my favorite place to be. The sounds of birds and the laughter of children always made me feel safe. I turned around, and there stood my mother, watching me play. She smiled and waved, and I reciprocated. It was my sixth birthday, and my parents had planned a fun-filled day for me.

“Becca, come, let’s play on the swings!” my friend exclaimed, pulling me towards the swing set.

While my friends played on the swings, a man approached, holding a captivating flower. It had a rare, beautiful black color. I accepted it with a smile, and the stranger pointed ahead. There, a tall man stood with a powerful aura. He smiled at me. I couldn’t explain the uneasy feeling that washed over me, but the sight of him made me shiver in fear.

I quickly sought out my mother. “Mum, Mum, look at this,” I said, showing her the unique flower. “Where did you get this from?” she asked as she examined the flower.