Glimmer of Darkness

3rd Moon

25th Phase

20 AF

9:41 am

Why does the moon wane? Is it to become something else? Or is it to change into what it was never meant to be? Not even the stars hold the answer. And yet, though the fading light slips through our fingers, we still chase what was lost in the dark.

A crystalline dawn fractured the morning hills. They casted long accusing shadows, spreading across the field like memory blooming wildflowers. Tears. Traitorous diamonds refracting the harsh light, clung to my lashes as I watched my home shrink in the rearview mirror.

The locomotive's wail heralded our ruthless departure, the express train devouring the familiar landscape in hungry gulps. It's shroud of forgotten dreams obscured the fading greenery, hurling us towards the unforgiving north. Edinburgh, a granite fist clenched in the heart of Bogshire waited for me in sterile indifference.

My name is Jennifer Hawkins. I come from Holmestown, Victoria and I am seventeen years old. I was offered an internship to work for the Collective Detective Agency a private investigator. A momentous occasion where my heart yearned for the past. My mother however, not so much.

"Are you sure you are not interested in a career in writing?" my mother asked hesitantly, cleaning the kitchenware. "Why, with how wild your imagination is surely any press would publish your works. Your stories would do wonders for young children."

"There is a difference between a hobby and a career, mother. You know how much I loved hearing father's tales. It is all I could think of growing up."

She carefully washed her hands, her gaze lingering over our family photo. "I suppose so. But the real world is vastly different the simple stories Jennifer. Passion is a good thing. But being blinded by it can leave to rash decision. I would know."

Protective is an understatement. Being her only child and a widow, it can come off as natural why she spent those early years building walls around me. Even so, I never gave up on my dream. The apple does not fall far from the tree, so I pressed every chance I got in the hopes that I could change her mind.

A wistful night came. Unless you want a picture of the teacup that suffered from her wrath, saying she had snapped could be called an understatement. Her patience was gone. "How many times do I have to keep repeating myself, Jennifer? When will you start acting like an adult instead of filling your head with those... those childish fantasies!"

"Those aren't childish fantasies mother! They are my-"

"Haven't you learned anything from what happened to your father ten years ago?" she paused, reeling in her shaken breath. "Can you not see I cannot also lose my daughter after everything we've gone through?"

Dejection overwhelmed my sound spirit. I understood her... but she did not understand me. Yet even with the doubts that drowned my heart, a child-like voice implored me to speak my mind.

Mustering the words out of my mouth, an impulse came to me. "I understand mother. I... I really do. But... I am not a child anymore. I want to experience what he experienced. I want to do something not only that I enjoy but also something you both would be proud of. Why can you not see that?"

Glass shards fell from my delicate eyes. Though his death remained in the past, the impact of it still weighed my soul. What was once a household filled with hearts was now a vessel without the spirit that he offered it. Such was the distance mother, and I had.

In truth, my mother is not against the work field. Even though she found herself to be a traditional woman she always had a daring and resolved side to her personality, something one would consider not expected from a woman of Victoria.

Often, she would accompany father and his friends on his private investigations. Perhaps she saw a bit of her inside me, alongside that of my father.

She had always been well-respected among her contemporaries. Her education in medicine is second to none despite living by self-taught practices. And if that was not enough, she also did not possess an unpleasant appearance.

Despite her age of forty-three, her beauty is still intact. Her chestnut hair and her sun-kissed skin and gave evidence to that. But so was her warmth. She loved me more than anything in the world.

Out of love and compassion she sensed my heightened emotions. And with no hesitation her patience shone brightly, wrapping her arms around me as I bawled.

A napkin to my cheeks, the rolled tears stopped as she looked at me with a tired but conceded expression. "Focus on your exams," she whispered softly. "Only after you are done with your finals then we can talk about your endeavor."

//Is this a dream?//

My ears perked in astonishment. "D-do you mean?"

"Frankly, I knew this day would come. I secretly wished that you would go with something else, a means to keep you away from the same fate as your father. But the look you have... it is always illuminating just like his."

Looking towards the moon, a nostalgic smile adorned her smooth face. Her green eyes squinted in sadness while the glint of it never faded. Stealing a glance towards a portrait of my father, she chuckled to herself and looked with great interest to me.

"So, who am I to stop you from making your own decisions? The best I can do is give you my full unconditional support."

"Thank you so much-"

"However, I do expect you to pass your exams," she interjected sternly, checking me out. "And I expect you to dress well too. Nothing of that introverted boorish attire you go everywhere with."

"But I like my boorish clothes!"

"The least you can do is at least give some sort of respect to not only yourself but your family as well. Not to mention getting your act together."

"The negotiator strikes again..."

"What was that?

"Nothing!" I grinned awkwardly. "Thank you so much! I'll get started for the finals right away!"

Bubbled with happiness, I dashed towards my room upstairs after pecking her cheek. Unlike the footing that led me almost crashing down the stairs, I finally had control of my destiny.

Though embarrassed, her feelings of assurance were abundant as she looked at me with a gentle smile. Sighing out of content, she returned her look towards the familiar portrait of my father.

"Honestly John. Why'd you have to leave me with this stubborn daughter of yours. She has that same enthusiasm I had when I was young and your quiet determination you solemnly held like a brooch."

A warm scoff escaped her soft mouth, remembering the love his husband always had for us. "Just... please protect her, my love."

Weeks passed like a blur, filled with nothing but exams and studies. Though such a victory brought a moment of respite, my energy and excitement moved me to start sending my admission papers to the University of Victoria.

Diligent for two years, I finally graduated with an associate degree in criminal justice. The time for an internship came, and after a few months, my mother approached me with an invitation that arrived in the mail. From Edinburgh, Bogshire it came from the Collective Detective Agency.

And here we are today. Luggage in hand, messenger back tied hanging from my shoulder, my feet stood on the edge of the platform. Bystanders passed and went by as mother, and I waited for the next train to take me to my destination.

We waited in anticipation for the designated train to arrive. In a coarse voice, the announcer notified us of the next train arriving in ten minutes. Seeing that these were to be the last minutes between us, Mother reached in from her purse and withdrew from it a cream-colored newsie cap. It belonged to my late father.

"I meant to give you this early, but I just could not find the right time. He wanted to give you this when it was time to start your own life. So though belated, here is his sendoff gift."

Words could not suffice the thankfulness I had for her. Though my mother had more to share with me, the message came across with the warmest embrace I could give.

In the far distance, the sound of a bell rang throughout the station. Swarms of people approached the platform without consideration, rushing as if this was the last train of the day. Though excitement radiated from me at the thought of my new adventure, a gloomy smile radiated from her.

"Well... goodbye."

"Only for a little while!" she smirked. "I still got like fifty years left before I even begin to call it quits!"

"Ever so confident are you not, Mother?"

"Looks weren't the only reason your father fell for me."

"Neither was your inconsistent accent."

Chuckling at our typical bantering, the bullet train finally rested on the station, the rush of people shoving us from every side.

"Once I get to my apartment, I will make sure to let you know I arrived safe."

"You better or else you will not be hearing the end of me!" she giggled playfully. "Love you dear, stay safe."

And thus began my journey. Crossing over the plains of Victoria, the countryside presented itself to be gorgeous scenery. In dappled sunlight, the river showed the morning glory that I was to experience here. Gazing into it left nothing but a reflection of the young woman whose golden eyes, wavy blonde hair, and smooth buttery skin were nothing more than a mirage. What I looked like did not matter, for what mattered most to me was the saggy wrinkles and grey hair I would garner, tokens that would serve as evidence of the hard work that I would be doing in my life.

Arriving at the station, a retro-style wall was painted to express the city's inviting atmosphere. A pretty woman dressed in local clothes welcomed us to Edinburgh, the heart of Edinburgh. A bustling district, it offered a diverse crowd of people of different origins. At the apex of the New Age, many travelers settled in this advanced peak of the future. Be it for poverty, social or political reasons everyone travelled to this great city for a chance at a new life.

With the sea of people I had become introduced to, it became apparent the need to hail a cab quickly. I feared that if I were to stay longer at the entrance, I would be entranced to explore the different artisan stores outside the station. Shaking this feeling off, I headed eastbound to reach where I would be staying.

Having arrived, I fiddled around the mailbox to find the mail to where the key was attached. Together with some instructions for tomorrow, I spent the rest of the day making myself comfortable. Within an hour I was finally done, leaving a reactionary size.

"Finally," I mumbled tiredly. "It took a while, but I think things turned out alright. All that is left is to buy groceries and finally rest."

"Of course," I rubbed my chin. "I could take this opportunity to explore. Ah, decisions, decisions! I can't believe I am finally living on my own!"

Stretching my muscles far and wide, I took the free time to explore and grab all the necessities I needed. Strolling through the streets, a buzzing from my back pocket caught my attention. Mother checked in, yearning to know if her daughter arrived safely.

"I'm fine. The streets are packed but the places are so eye-catching. I am surprised they are using automatons more than in Victoria."

"Compared to Victoria's preservative nature everyone is starting to use them. All thanks to that Nexus apparatus," she grumbled as she wrote a prescription.

"Ha-ha, not a fan of the New Age?"

"More like not a fan of giving life to robots. I've already had bad experiences with that and I can assure you it is no fun."

//So old yet so young. You really don't play the part of a woman in her forties.//

"But never mind that. What are you up to? "

"Picking up a few things for my apartment."

"Alone?"

"I have this map they gave me at the station. So long as I avoid the places that are so neatly marked, I should be fine. And if that does not work then I will just unleash those moves you showed me when I was young."

"Okay," she rolled her eyes amusingly. "Be sure to remember to take your medicine as well seeing I am not there."

"Got it!"

"And put your alarm."

"Yup."

"And to have Mr. Snuffykins next to you for when you have a nightmare."

"Mother!" I dragged in embarrassment.

"Ha-ha all right. Just... stay safe love."

"I will. Take care, love you too."

Her adorable concern was too noticeable, becoming obvious that she had stayed away from writing prescriptions as she had heard back from me. But with pressing matters to get my necessities, I rushed to get this done before sundown.

Dusk settled and I was finally back home. The crescent moon rose to the heavens, the ever-present watcher looking over me by the window. Finally, my first steps into adulthood.

Happiness, concern, all those feelings whirled in like a storm. But the smile that crossed my earnest face lay flat on the table, as I zipped through my dreamscape with a pen in one hand and a map in the other.