Chapter 1: It started with the full moon

It was another gloomy, quiet night at the convenience store. The store was dead silent, except for the constant humming of the fridges and buzzing of the light bulbs hanging above Brant.

Brant sat on his wooden stool with his body slumped forward on the counter. There hadn't been a customer for over an hour now. Fighting the boredom, he attempted to read a novel for the first time in forever. However, he gave up before even reaching the second chapter.

Brant slammed the book shut with a sigh and then glanced around the empty store. With no customers in sight for seemingly forever, Brant figured he could start cleaning up the store just before the end of his shift.

"Alright, time to start closing for the night."

Brant jumped out of his seat and then lazily made his way to the other side of the store towards where the bookshelves were located. As Brant kneeled down, he was met with a sudden sharp jolt of pain on his right knee.

"Shit!"

Perhaps it was his age finally keeping up with him. His various part-time jobs were finally reaching a toll on his body. Ever since Brant dropped out of college, he had been working nearly every day. At first, he had suffered persistent headaches, but now it seemed like his knees were failing him next. Who knew what was going to break down next?

Still kneeling down in pain, Brant hid the novel behind some antique magazines, carefully hidden away from plain sight. Using his left knee and arms as support, he lifted himself off the ground and then started making his way to the tables littered with food packing and other rubbish from the customers.

For Brant, all he's been thinking about was work. Living on paycheck to paycheck, he could barely save enough for himself. He hated living like this, but the only reason why he kept going was all because of his grandfather, who unfortunately was bedridden and unable to survive on his own. On his days off, Brant would cater to his needs and chat with him. He was everything to Brant. This was all to repay his love. Without him, he truly didn't have anything to live for.

As Brant tied up the rubbish bags, he suddenly heard the bells chiming from the front door.

"Great, we haven't had a customer all this time, and the last one comes in at the last minute." groaned Brant.

As Brant made his way around the aisle, he approached the last customer. It was an old man, with ragged clothing from head to toe, reeking of booze.

"Sorry, we're actually closing up soon."

The old man, clearly intoxicated, appeared to be in a cheery mood.

"Aww, sorry mate, I swear it'll be quick! I just need to grab a drink!"

The man clumsly hobbled towards the liquor section, grabbing a few bottles of beer from the fridge.

"Hey boy, you know what? I'm feeling quite generous today! This one's on me!"

Puzzled, Brant stared at the old man when he suddenly chucks a drink over in his direction. Luckily, his reflexes caught on and were able to catch it without making a mess.

Brant stared at the bottle, the weight of it bringing back memories of wasted nights - back when he still drank. All it reminded of him was the countless nights he had wasted with his shallow friendships during college. After all, it was one of the main reasons why he dropped out of college, along with his grandfather's deteriorating health. He couldn't keep affording to live like he had.

Reminded of his troubled past with alcohol, Brant initially wanted to refuse the drink but felt it was rude to turn down the old man's generousity.

"Thanks, man, I appreciate it."

As Brant took the old man's payment, the stranger made his way out of the store with a cackle.

Despite his troubled past with alcohol, Brant didn't hate the idea of taking it easy with a cold one tonight. With the built-up stress from work and the deteriorating health of his grandfather, he felt like he needed it.

                                                                              *

After locking the front door of the store, Brant nonchalantly strolled his way to the carpark, which was only a few minutes walk away. It had suddenly gotten colder overnight - winter was approaching the city.

Brant snuggly hugged onto his wooly, long coat, keeping him warm from the near-freezing cold. Normally, Brant would've driven straight back to his apartment complex to see his grandpops, but this week, the old man was staying in the hospital for a check-up supposedly lasting several days.

Glancing up, Brant noticed the full-moon. Despite the cold, the weather was clear without a cloud in sight. He was suddenly reminded of a vivid memory with his old man;

Carrying him on his grandfather's back up 'Hastings Hill' on an early night, Brant had cried after elementary school, as he had been bullied by his classmates for being an orphan. Brant was upset for being different from his peers. He didn't understand why they all had mothers and fathers except him.

He remembered his grandpa taking him off his back once they arrived, where Brant was awed with the beautiful view of the city below them, under the full-moon hanging high above them.

"Do you see the city below us? Isn't it beautiful?".

"Yes, Grandpa, the city looks pretty."

Grandpa kneels down at Brant's height, where he then gazed at the city together.

"All those different lights of the city. They're made from so many different people, yet together they're beautiful."

His grandpops then pointed up towards the sky, where Brant's gaze followed.

"See that moon up there? That moon's a lot like you, you know? Different from the rest, but just as important."

His grandpa patted his head and then gently carassed it, his usual way of showing affection.

"You're different, my boy, but just like that moon, I want you to keep shining bright so that everyone can see how amazing you truly are."

As Brant reached his car, he was filled with nostalgia and longingness. He felt a strong urge to see that view again tonight.

                                                                            *

Brant jumped out of his shabby, barely-functioning sedan, locking it behind him. The night had gotten windier. Normally, Brant would be home by now drifting off to sleep, but tonight, Brant felt compelled to hike up Hastings Hill, as he had in the past.

Clenching his beer bottle, he started making his way inside the grove, where he followed the dirt tral leading to his destination. The path was illuminated with spots of moonlight piercing through the openings of the trees surrounding above him. With every step Brant took up the hill, he heard the crackling of the dead leaves crunching beneath his feet with the sounds of rustlings trees dancing along with the gust of wind. Brant closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He loved this tranquil moment with himself and the nature around him. Even if it was just for a moment, he was finding peace within his hectic life.

As Brant followed through the tortuous trail, he could feel a gust of wind from the other side, indicating that he had finally reached his destination. Coming out of the grove, he was immedately filled with nostalgia. It was just as he remembered as that same night, with the glamouring lights of the city and the moonlight illuminating its glow high-above the city.

Staring at the moon filled Brant with melancholy. The moon shone brighter than the city lights, but Brant's life paled in comparison. He felt as if he didn't live up to his grandpa's expectations.

As Brant let out a sigh, he decided to move closer to get a better view. However, before Brant was able to take his first step, he could hear a faint sobbing cry of a woman. Brant froze in place. He thought he was alone this whole time. It was coming from the same direction as the view. Who else could be here at such a place this late?

Following the sounds of the cry, Brant noticed a woman sitting on a bench, with her back turned towards him.

The woman had her head buried into her knees, wailing out with sorrow.

Brant was locked in place, feeling reluctant to confront the stranger. He wasn't sure whether he was in a position to console the woman himself. It was clear that the woman was suffering. Maybe she needed some time alone just as he did tonight?

Still unsure on what to do, Brant moved in closer towards the woman. The darkness made it difficult to recognize her features, but Brant could notice that the woman was barely wearing anything despite the chilling climate - a short sleeved dress shirt with long pants. It seemed like she was a working professional, possibly similar to his own age.

Suddenly, the woman stopped sobbing. The woman slowly lifted her head from her knees then started hobbling over towards the edge of the railing, where she began overlooking the view of the city. 

Maybe she was okay now.

Brant turned around, deciding it was time to leave. He didn't want to disturb the woman's alone time any longer. After all, seeing the view once was enough for Brant, he was just happy to relive his nostalgia of his grandpa.

As Brant made his way back to his car, he looked down at his beer bottle that he had completely forgotten about. On second thought, Brant figured he should quite alcohol for good - there was absolutely no good from drinking it anymore. As Brant headed towards the nearest rubbish bin, on his way back, he was suddenly disturbed by a sudden, loud clanking sound of the railing behind him.

Brant turned around. In front of him was the woman, slowly climbing on top of the railing.

Brant's heart skipped a beat. He couldn't believe what he was witnessing. Was this really happening?

"No......"

As the woman stood on top of the railing, she kicked off her loafers, landing right behind her.

"Fuck! Fuck! No, no no!"

In an instant, it all clicked for Brant, as to why she was crying, why she was alone in the freezing cold. 

Without hesitation, Brant dropped his beer bottle sprinting towards the woman.

However, as if God had cursed Brant at that very moment, his right knee had flared up with pain. This time, however, the pain was manyfolds more violent, causing him to trip onto the floor.

Brant, writhing in agonizing pain, groaned on the floor. He knew he had to get up now, but the pain was keeping him down, as if gravity had pinned him onto the ground.

Why was he trying so hard for a stranger? Would she do the same for him? Brant stared up to the woman standing a couple meters ahead of him. She had her arms spread wide open, entranced with her seemingly final moments.

Brant clenched his teeth, he was determined to save this woman. Even if she wouldn't do the same in his place, he was willing to give it his all in the moment.

Fighting through the intense, eye-gouging pain, Brant stood up limping himself to the woman. He needed to get the woman's attention. In desperation, Brant shouted on top of his lungs.

"Please! Don't do it!".

The woman quickly turned around. It looked like he had caught her attention. She locked eyes with Brant. He could see her surprised expression clearly under the moonlight as she locked eyes with Brant.

It was a young, freckled woman in her early twenties with red, puffy eyes. Her long-blonde frazzled hair partly covering her face, with light blue irises glistening from moonlight's reflection. She looked younger than himself, and yet she appeared in severe pain and misery.

Unfourtunately, despite Brant's determination, the sudden yell surprised the woman, as he started losing balance on top of the railing. The woman started beocming disorientated, screaming in desperation, attempting to cling onto anything around her. 

Brant was so close to the woman's grasp, yet he was still out of reach. He knew he wouldn't be able to make it in time.

Yelling with all his might, Brant lunged forward with his whole body, just so he could have a chance to grab onto her.

It was now or never. Brant had to do something otherwise.... she was going to die.