Moon Warriors

Scott’s car sped through the darkness in the early hours of the morning. Music was playing softly from the car’s speakers, humming Ciara’s favorite song, Hysteria.

Ciara hummed, singing each of the lyrics at random while looking out the window. The flickering trees only looked like shapeless shadows.

“I see you have memorized Def Leppard’s songs,” praised Scott.

Ciara turned to look at him, flinching slightly at the sound of his voice amidst the layers of silence that floated over this old song.

“Uh—yes.” She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and glanced at the dashboard, where a faint blue glow glowed from the dial. She couldn’t hide her nervousness, and he must have noticed it.

He reached out to hold her hand. “It’s gonna be fine.”

Ciara let the warmth of Scott’s hand soothe her. She lifted the hand pressed it to her cheek and closed her eyes. “I’m scared,” she whispered. “What if they reject me?”

“Don’t you already have a family in Silvercrest?”

Ciara opened her eyes and stare