Just before she went to bed, Miyana's mother tapped on the door frame of her bedroom three times with her fingernail. “It would be a shame to sleep indoors when we could be out under the beautiful night sky. Don't you agree?” Her mother searched through the closet, looking for old patched-up blankets that were once used for camping. She placed her hand over the blanket, allowing her fingers to glide along with the patches. “Let us all spend the night outside under the stars tonight and enjoy the moonlight.” She sighed heavily.

At that moment, when she heard her mother speak about sleeping outdoors, these aged, obscure memories, of when she was a child, crept into her mind. It’s been forever since she had slept under the stars. As if she had heard the magic phrase that was meant to break her free from her gloominess, she jumped from the floorboards and ran to her mother to embrace her. She would want nothing more than to spend time with her before she needed to head out in five hours for work across the city.

Getting the things ready to attack the backyard with the necessary camping equipment. Miyana was promised by her mother that she will find time to take days off from work to go camping or fishing or both. “Just you, me, and your grandmother. Just like the good old days.” Her mother's words, which escaped from her lips, brought nothing but joy to Miya.

Miya's grandmother was seen hopping with a basket over her shoulder, half filled with homemade fruit candy and almond milk. It was definitely worth at least a week's worth of treats. Even if she was born without a right leg, she would never allow anyone to belittle her. She would always stand tall and carry her own weight. If anyone told her otherwise, she would chuck her steel shaft at them. “She’s a warrior, that one.” Her mother clarified.

When they had settled in, they chattered freely with each other around the campfire and shared their story. It was nice to all sit by the fire. They all knew that it would have been preferable if the ones missing were also here with them. As she grew older, her grandfather had an old tendency of attempting to tell horrifying ghost stories, even if they didn't truly seem terrifying. Her father taught her the basics of starting a fire or carving useful objects out of wood.

Miyana looked up at the round, glimmering moon, the excitement in her eyes reflecting its beauty. She couldn't suppress her happiness and giggled to herself. She was happy she was able to spend the whole day with her mother, even though her relatives looked at her strangely for it. Looking at them, they stared back confused at her, she lunged at them with her arms extended wide. “Just like the good old days.” She exclaimed. “With a few surprising guesses, keeping watch besides that gate.” Miyana pointed out, all while hearing a small commotion on the other side. She was unaware of how things could have ended up for her if she hadn’t been more aware of her surroundings.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

As the night progressed, her relatives approached the gate and handed the patrol ladies some refreshments that Miyana was not legally permitted to eat. As the patrol ladies ate more, they requested more. With each passing minute, their sentences got funnier. It was fortunate that they could laugh and keep each other company that night under the stars. Miyana thought to herself. Before she went to sleep, she snuggled up to her grandmother, who was stroking her hair while she sang.

----------------------------------------

Miyana could feel her body being lifted, and she could hear her mother and grandmother crying. She called out for them as she tried to open her eyes. She could only see a little, but she was able to make out two distinct figures. They were definitely there in front of her, they heard her calling to them. She looked around, it seemed as if she was placed inside her mother's blue truck. “Where are we going?” She huffed out. Her words seemed weighed down and difficult to let out. She put her hands over her throat and coughed in order to clear any mucus that may have gotten stuck.

She asked the same question again. This time, she was embraced by her grandmother. She looked at her, as she cleared Miyana’s eyes with her hands. She couldn't understand the words she was saying, they were all muffled. Her head was pounding and heavy. Not wanting to sleep, she fought to stay awake.

She heard the driver's door open and close behind her. With the engine already on, her grandmother shut the passenger side where Miyana sat. “Wait.” She struggled to speak with a weak voice, using all the strength she had. The truck started moving further and further away into the night as she watched from the winged door mirror. Her grandmother was doing her best to keep up with the truck, she didn’t want to see from leaving, and she didn’t want to let it go. “Wait.” She let out again.

As the distance between them increased, it became harder for her to see her grandmother. Before losing consciousness, she was able to notice that her grandmother had fallen to the ground, with her walking cane sliding away from her as well.

After a few hours on the road, Miya was able to fight off her sleep. It was already morning. It was the first time she had a difficult time waking up and didn't understand what happened. She wiped her eyes as she remembered her grandma doing the same. She then faced her mother, who was silently driving and weeping. “Where is my grandmother?” This time, her throat was clear and there was nothing obstructing it. She huffed out. Unintentionally, she yelled at her mother.

Miya found it queer that her mother wouldn't speak, all she did was cry, and never explain why she cried. It was beginning to irritate Miyana. Looking into the backseat, she noticed that the entire space was covered with boxes and suitcases filled with their belongings and preserved food that she had helped grow in her grandmother's garden, along with a few cans of food. However, no grandmother was in sight.

She needed to find out what had happened to her and the other ladies, as well as what had happened to her grandmother. However, she was aware that she wouldn't receive an answer from her mother at this time. Miyana was frustrated by her lack of understanding of what was happening. Instead of letting her anger out and making the situation worse, she bit her tongue and remained silent during the car ride.