Crescent Moon

Crescent Moon

Ja’Cara McClinton

Copyright

Copyright © 2017 by Ja’Cara McClinton

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review or scholarly journal.

ISBN 978-1-365-81649-9

Lulu Press, Inc.

3101 Hillsborough St, Raleigh, NC 27607

www.lulu.com

No Human is Perfect, or Ever Will Be…Remember That!

Chapter One

We won Sweetie Pie! We won! yelled Bella my Mom full of excitement. We can finally leave this bad old city and live somewhere decent for once. Goodbye Chicago and hello New Orleans. she said while dancing with my Dad. His name is Phil by the way.

Pack your things because we’re moving out by the end of the week. So, get ready for a very long road trip. he said in a jokester tone. Which I found not very funny at the moment. My mother had filled out this application for a chance to win a free mansion-I know weird, right- and by her surprise and mine, she actual won. But because my mom can be kind of an airhead she didn’t read the fine print of this agreement. This award didn’t only come with a free mansion, but it was also in New Orleans-not Chicago- and came with an accompanied butler and last, two free new relator positions at an organization called Big Top Home Sales. I found this offer very strange and mysterious. I mean sure lots of people get lucky like this, but someone of our ethnics it would truly be a miracle.

So here we are now on this long car trip to a new state to start a new life. Crescent Moon is the name, a simple eighteen-year-old girl, with chocolate skin, hazel eyes, and medium-long black hair. And for my weird name well that’s all thanks to my parents because I was born on a rare blue glowing crescent moon, so they thought it would be cute. But that’s not what the kids in elementary or high school thought. So, when I finally graduated from high school you know I was very happy. But since college wasn’t in my future I knew I needed a job. My mom thought so too, but with this sudden win only two weeks after my graduation. I really didn’t have the time to search now.

I looked at the highway, watching cars speed by while listening to music on my iPad, but then I was tapped on by my mother.

Can you believe it Crescent we’re finally moving out of that old house? she askes with hype.

No. I can’t believe it Mom. rolling my eyes. I mean why now of all times do we have to finally win something when I’m supposed to be starting my adult life right now. I complained. I see my mother roll her eyes at my response and then turned around in the car.

You can start your new life once we get to New Orleans, but for right now try to be grateful and happy for once. she stated. She was right and I knew it. I mean all through my life we had to struggle and to get an offer like this was something to thank God about. And while living in Chicago, I only had one friend and she had gone off to college and we chat by phone well text now. So, I guess moving wasn’t such a bad idea and to see my parents happy wasn’t bad either.

Okay. Sorry, Mom, you’re right. I mean I never lived in a mansion before and now I get the chance too. I said. I looked over and seen my Dad smiling through the rearview mirror knowing he was going to say something funny.

This new life right here is going to be ‘finger-licking good’. he said. We all laughed.

Dad. It's 2020 now. No one says ‘finger-licking good’ anymore. I said. He chuckled making his wavy black hair move.

"Hey. At least I made you all laugh and there’s more to come as our one day drive continues." he said winking.

"Wait! A one-day drive!?" I screamed.

***

I felt like I was floating on clouds. Slowly observing the star-filled sky. Until I heard a noise come from a nearby bush, I walk through it to find a woman who looked exactly like me wearing a white gown and looking at me. We stepped closer towards each other, touching hand in hand. She smiled at me leaning closer to my ear.

"It’s your destiny to rule my throne and bring peace back to the land of Heaven and Under." she said. I looked at her strangely as she backed away. Turning to smoke and then wrapping around me, slowly going into my mouth. I coughed as I heard another noise come from behind. I turned around to see a growling wolf. It launched at me. I held my hands up in fear for the worse, as a white glow came about.

I awoke with sweat running down my face. I looked at my surroundings to see we were in a gas station. My Dad was asleep in the passenger’s seat while my Mom was filling up the tank. She got back in the car looking at me with worry.

Are you okay Sweetie? she asked.

Yeah, Mom. I’m fine just had a bad dream. So how long until we reach…um what’s the name of the street in New Orleans again? I asked.

It’s Natchitoches. she answered while buckling up and pulling off. Oh, and it’s only 4 hours left until we’re there..

Okay cool, I’ll just stay up with you until we get there. I said, not wanting to fall back to sleep.

We finally arrived at the manor which was located in the middle of a forest region with a town right up the block. This manor was huge about two stories high and was the shades of gray and black. Now, of course, this house would be scary if it was old looking but the manor was new and urban looking. The only old part was the pointy cones it had as a roof.

Cool. I mumbled. My Mom shook my Dad to wake up, so we could start carrying out the luggage. We didn’t need our furniture because this place came fully packed with it. Getting out of the car, I stretched, and walk towards the trunk. Then suddenly I felt a shiver go down my spine and my hands begin to feel light and tingly. I turned to see a tall - if I had to guess 6ft2in - man standing behind me, wearing an all-black suit. He was slim yet muscular, had short spiky deep brown hair, light pale skin, and red brownish eyes. I was truly stunned by his features they seem so unreal.

Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Moon. My name is Alexander Woods and I will be your loyal butler for now on, while you live in this estate. he said with a British accent that was deep-toned. Letting out his hand, father and mother shook it gratefully.

Wow. They never said are butler would be so young and hot. she said giggling. My Dad gave her a stern look as she was pushing her short black hair vane out her face.

Bella! he said. Then he turned his attention back to Alexander. So how old are you son? he asked.

Well, I’m twenty-four sir. But please don’t let my age determine my work ethic. Whenever you need me, I’ll be there in a flash. Now may I help you with your luggage and show you to your rooms? he said. My Dad agreed and started handing him some luggage. As we were walking through the manor, I couldn’t help but feel his gaze as he walked behind me. I mean sure I would have given him a warm smile and a wink, but I was tired and really needed a shower, so all I could give him was a smirk.

The manor was beautiful from the outside-in. Once you walked in through the two doors you were greeted with a large and beautiful living room consisting of a flat-screen TV over the fireplace and lots of paintings and nice soft white sofas. Then through the hallway we walked passed a nice study room filled with books, a gorgeous bathroom, and towards the back a shining (literally) kitchen. Which mother screamed over, she loved to cook, so as soon as we enter the kitchen she told Alexander that the stove was hers. He shook his head ‘okay’. The kitchen was nice, but nothing could beat the backyard. It had a swimming pool and beach chairs to go with it and a nice big grill too. This truly was paradise and with New Orleans having such hot weather it was perfect. I saw my Dad look over at me.

I guess I know where you’ll be when we’re not home, huh. he said.

Yep. You already know. I said laughing. Now next was upstairs and beside the balcony at the end of the hallway. My room was the bee’s knees-oh great I’m sounding like my Dad now.

Enjoy. Alexander said. Leaving to show my parents to their room, which was about two doors down and across the way. Walking around, I see a queen size bed meant for two, maybe Alexander and me to be exact. A huge bay window going outward on the rim a seat way. Then over to my right was my closet-I mean walk-in closet- and over to the left was a study desk with a new laptop and stereo. No difference in the wall which was all the same color, grey. Now this was paradise, all except for the part where I eventually needed to unpack. But for now, it was early morning, four a.m. to be exact. So, I wanted a shower and a quick nap before I had to get to work on these clothes.

I walked out of my room looking up and down the hallway. I could hear my parents screaming over their new bedroom. I rolled my eyes as I entered the bathroom right next to my room. I looked in the towel closet but none were there. Then suddenly I felt a shiver run down my spine. I turned around with a jump, seeing Alexander standing right behind me holding a towel.

Sorry, for the scare Ms. Moon, but here is a towel. Since you all came from Chicago I kind of figured you would enter this room next. he stated.

Thanks. Oh, and you can just call me Crescent. Okay. I said giggling. I know it’s a weird name, but I rather have you call me that than Ms. Moon. It kind of makes me feel old when I’m only eighteen.

Oh, okay as you wish…Crescent he turned to walk away but stopped. And also, Crescent is a very beautiful name to me. he said. I felt my face start to burn as I closed the door.

The shower was wonderful, as I laid on my bed. Slowly drifting off to sleep. My head was fuzzy as I could feel a bright white light hit my eyes. I opened them to see a crescent moon staff inside a bubble and behind it was a red throne. I felt someone behind me and when I turned it was Alexander, but he didn’t quite look like himself. His eyes were a raging red along with his hair which was longer. He had small horns on his head, his skin was darker too, and he was wearing a black armor tank, showing off his muscular arms, with ripped black cargo pants and silver knee-high combat boots. A sword was around his waist.

My lady. We need to leave now! They are coming! he stated. I looked at him strangely.

Who is coming? I asked. But then suddenly a wall busted open and I saw the vicious