Morgan made sure that he would get all the sleep he needed, even going as far as tying himself to the bed to make sure he would not be sleepwalking and tiring himself before the day even started. As far as he knows, it worked, and he was able to wake up feeling well rested. He even managed to prepare breakfast and finish some chores before heading out. The team will win, he will do great, and most of all, he’ll get to ask Kira out on a 'may be' date afterwards.

Lawton High School's gymnasium is filled and roaring with excitement. Students from both schools are attending the event, cheering wildly for their teams, and the thundering noise, although muddled, is loud enough to reach the locker rooms. This is the first event of the school year, and after the grim start that they had, the school is hoping that a win will lift everyone's spirits. Everyone is going to be there, watching them.

Kira would be there watching too, and just the thought of her makes Morgan want to play his best. His excitement is so intense that butterflies are filling his stomach. A little too much for comfort, almost overwhelming enough that his breathing has started to become shallow. Not only that, his head was becoming lighter, as if he were being pulled away from his body. Cold sweats were running down from his forehead, and it was not good. This can’t be happening today, of all days.

"Are you okay?" Someone caught him from behind. Morgan did not even notice he was falling backward. Cedric sounded genuinely concerned. "You alright, man? Look, I know we’ve been picking on you this week, but, and I’ll deny saying this if you tell anyone, you’re good. We need you to win this game." It may be because of the lightheadedness, but Morgan cannot believe the words Cedric just said. "The game starts in less than an hour. Almost everyone's out for warm-up. Maybe go eat something and catch up to us."

"I thought this was a murder mystery. Now body snatchers are involved?" Matt appeared just as Cedric exited the locker room. "That was Cedric, right? Cedric Suico. The guy who’s been spitting venom at us since elementary. The a-grade a-hole who spread our children of the grave nickname. I thought we were going to put laxative on his drink, not fairy dust."

"So I wasn’t just hallucinating?" Morgan fixed himself up and put his things in his locker. "Where have you been? You disappeared after recess." He felt a tightening in his chest as Matt walked closer. A purple crystal Matt was wearing around his neck was the first thing he noticed. This was his lola’s good luck charm, the one Matt found inside the box of his lola's things. Looking at it just makes him feel more uneasy.

"You’d think since there’s still a murderer on the loose and that it was the principal’s granddaughter that was killed, the school would tighten its security even just a little bit, but no. The gate to the cemetery was left open. I didn't even have to use my keys." Matt sat down on the bench across Morgan. "I was just at the tombs passing the time. Everyone’s busy for the game, so it was a lot easier to sneak out. I don't think they even held any classes at all. How ‘bout you? You feeling good for the game?"

"Hell yeah." Morgan lied, of course, and Matt could easily tell. His head is light, and if Cedric hadn’t caught him in time earlier, he could have hit his head on the bench and passed out. Now that Cedric mentioned it, he does feel famished, which is weird since he had more than two platefuls during lunch to make sure he has energy for last-minute practices and the game. "Maybe three hotdog sandwiches and one extra large cola would do the trick," he told Matt, and so they headed for the canteen, which was on the other side of the school.

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

Thankfully, there was only a short line for last-minute snacks at the cafeteria. Most of everyone seems to be at the gymnasium already, and even from here, they could hear the crowd roaring in excitement with the announcer’s voice now rallying everyone into frenzy. They bought more than Morgan intended, unsure why his stomach was acting like an endless pit all of a sudden. He might just be able to finish all of it on their walk back.

"Here’s everything that you asked for." A man’s voice could be heard just around the corner, a voice they both recognized well. What was Kira’s uncle doing in school at this hour? Mouthed Matt. "How long are they planning to keep this? This will only slow down the investigation."

"Their investigation is pointless." It was a woman’s voice that responded, and it was familiar to both of them. It is the same voice that keeps hundreds of students quiet on Monday assemblies: the school's guidance counselor, Amelia Gutierrez. "It is not theirs to solve. It’ll be safer if we keep this here."

"We should go," Morgan whispered. "And keep that look off your face," he added, noticing the sparkle of curiosity in Matt’s eyes. "He’s just giving her a follow-up regarding the case, probably." Amelia Gutierrez is Sara's aunt, after all.

"I’m not sure about..." The hesitation in Keiron’s voice was odd, if not suspicious. He cannot even finish his sentence. Morgan could understand. The guidance counselor is a terrifying woman, and even without seeing her from where they are hiding, just hearing her voice is more than enough to make him nervous. "You know this is connected to that."

"This is how things are handled," she said. "The less they know, the safer it would be for them and for the town. What happened ten years ago needs to be broken." Morgan glanced at Matt, whose twinkling eyes were now burning with interest. "It's the only way to save them. It's the only way we can get what we want."

Matt was not budging at all. His eyes were fixed on space, but his ears were wide open. Even if they did not name the incident, Matt is sure to assume this has something to do with the incident at the Beacon Lodge with his parents. Morgan decided to pull his friend away before his mind churned out even more conspiracy theories.

They were exiting the south building to the gymnasium, both speechless, albeit for different reasons. Matt was still digesting everything. "You heard the same things I did, right?" Matt was waiting for his response, but Morgan could not form his words. Maybe he was just confused, or maybe it was because he was feeling lightheaded again. Truthfully, it didn’t feel like it left at all, but now he is feeling it much worse. This can’t be happening. The match is about to start. Morgan will not be able to forgive himself if he ends up not playing. He cannot win, and he will not be able to ask Kira out on a date. But as much as he wants to force himself, the strong winds accompanying the setting sun on this gusty afternoon may just be enough to knock him down. Dusk is settling quickly, pushing the sun away and bringing a bright full moon resting high above the night sky into full view.

Morgan laid his eyes upon it and stared at it as if this were the first time he had ever truly gazed upon the moon.

It was beautiful. The silver moon shines brightly against the darkening sky. It is so enchanting. Morgan could almost feel his feet leaving the ground, as if he were being lifted by an energy drawing him to the moon. His chest was tightening again, as if his soul were being pulled out of his mouth. His entire body began to tremble as a cold shiver showered him. It weakened him, and yet he knows the moon will not hurt him. It will only change him.