The Future Luna

The man in a black coat heaved a sigh as he trudged into the winter wonderland with a little boy next to him. The boy's eyes sparkled as he waved his right hand in the air. He was drawn to the cinematic display of the snow. The Christmas light around the woods lightened up the atmosphere; it fought hard with the darkness, providing a sense of security and freedom. The overwhelming atmosphere filled the boy's heart with intermingling emotions of joy and excitement.

"We won't be out for long, son," the man clarified. "We don't want your mother to realize I let you out." He tittered.

The hike was long enough that they got to their destination. Fiercely, the cold air stung the boy's cheeks. As though the man had noticed his discomfort, he bent to his level, unwrapped the scarf around his neck and circled it around the boy’s face. The boy squealed, wrapping his hands around his father's waist. After, the boy bent to pick up some snow, swiveling, and attempting to make a snowball.

"Don't do it, son!" the man exclaimed as the boy raised his hand to throw the ball at him.

The boy ignored his father and applied more pressure to his hand, musing as it flew to his father's torso.

"I will get you, son!" The man smiled. He turned to make his own snowball, smiling and shivering. The beauty of the trees was concealed by the white powdery substance. Winter was always cold and frightening, but his little boy was mesmerized by the bizarre weather.

Suddenly, there was a deafening silence. The fresh, crisp air lingered in his nose, and the wind howling took him aback. He spun around, praying for his eyes to lock with a set of blue eyes. His hopes were immediately flushed down with the saliva that trailed down his throat as the realization hit him.

"Son!" the man yelled at the top of his voice, but there was no reply. The boy was obsessed with snowflakes. He couldn't have gotten that far.

He trudged ahead as different thoughts juggled in his mind. The distant part of the woods was dark and eerie.

"Dad…" There came a soft voice. It sounded frightened and shaky.

It was his son.

Immediately, the man ran in the direction of the voice. The boy was on the ground. He was weeping and pointing at something, but the man couldn't get a clear view of what it was. Despite the obscured view, the growl he heard was enough to put him in action.

A huge stone in the area caught his fearful gaze. He rooted it out of the snow and threw it at the mysterious creature. It growled and moved backwards, alerting the man's instinct. Swiftly, he bolted to the boy's direction and yelled.

"Run, son! Don't look back and keep running!" An avalanche of tears trailed down the boy’s cheeks as he glanced at his father.

"This is no time to cry." The man fought hard to smile despite the fretful moment. He stroked the boy’s cheeks slowly; it was the only way to keep him at ease. "I love you, and I will be right behind you," he assured.

The boy rose and picked up his pace. He stretched his muscles and moved his arms. The pain from the scratch the creature inflicted on him had subsided. The pain in his chest had managed to overshadow it. As he galloped further, the strange sound that had come from the creature became faint. His father's smile flashed across his face as he took a pause. His heart rose above his chest, and his breath heaved heavily. Despite the cold, his glands had produced sweats.