The Story

Written by Princess T. Zafra

30th day of August

“ ...The ticking of the clock can be heard as its hand slowly goes down to the number three. The silvery moon shining up at the darkest sea glittered with diamonds while the winds howled lowly as it disturbs the creatures up on those gloomy trees. ”

“ In a little town inside a forest, all was quiet as townsfolk slept. The clock hand then struck at three, and in every second there came a ringing sound that disturbed many. One by one they tried to stop the ringing. One by one they all suddenly heard the sound of rustling. One by one they looked up at the glittering sky. One by one they all suddenly died... ”

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Present Times - 29th day of August

“ Mrs. Clinton! Why did the townspeople suddenly die? ” a curious voice of a teenager suddenly disrupt the gloomy atmosphere created by a folk story no one has known.

“ Who knows Jacob? Was it because of a creature? Was it because of something else? A curse? Well, no one knows for sure. ” Mrs. Clinton said as she smiled mysteriously and waved her hands. “All right, all right children. Let us stop the storytime and let's go back to study time! ” Groans then can be heard as some students plopped down on their desk.

With a hearty laugh coming from Mrs. Clinton, she gazed affectionately at her students and proceeded to teach with enthusiasm.

Jacob slowly looked outside their window and sighed as he thought of the story that was told. ‘ I wonder why there is such a story. Is it actually true? ’ Jacob's mind was running while he didn't notice Mrs. Clinton staring at him. A knowing smile then formed on her lips as she continued to teach, not minding if her students are not listening.

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When it was time for students to go back home, Jacob was suddenly informed that Mrs. Clinton was looking for him. With a delighted look, he then went to the teacher's room fast, ‘ An opportunity to ask her questions... ’ He thought as he ran across the dark hallway, the sun was slowly setting down in the background.

Arriving at a room full of teachers, Jacob then calmed himself and slowly walks to a table where Mrs. Clinton is sitting down. “ Mrs. Clinton, I am here.. What have you called me for? ” Jacob asked as he stood in front of the table. Looking up, Mrs. Clinton gave him a big grin as she slowly said. “ Are you interested in the story that I have told you in the classroom? Do you want to know more? ”

Jacob was flabbergasted when he heard what Mrs. Clinton said. Feeling weirded out, he then carefully asked, “ Is it fine to know more or... there will be consequences? ” Mrs. Clinton chuckled as she stood up and invited Jacob for a walk outside.

“ The story that I have told is actually true.. ” Jacob widened his eyes and wanted to ask but he stopped in surprise as he heard what Mrs. Clinton said next. “ Actually, it was more of a personal experience, Jacob. I was there on the night of August 30. ” Mrs. Clinton said with a hint of melancholy in her voice.

Jacob can't believe what he heard. At first, he only wanted to ask what truly happened but he didn't expect this kind of turn.

“ But.. But, Mrs. Clinton.. How did you survive? ” Mrs. Clinton smiled as she gazed at the youth. “ I was told to not look at the moon.. ”

Jacob looked surprised and tilted his head, thinking why would the moon suddenly get involved.

“ I know.. Why would the moon be involved in this situation? That is what you are thinking right? Well, it is still a riddle to the survivors, but all we know.. As soon as you look at the moon, you will be sent to somewhere good.. It is too good.. that you would choose to stay and never wake up.. Once you have chosen to stay.. another entity will take over your sleeping body and will commit suicide. In this way, you'll be sent to a hellish place.. You will forever be sinking in regret and depression.. If you continue to drag yourself down, the harsher the place will be. ” Mrs. Clinton narrated.

Jacob was then puzzled as to why Mrs. Clinton knew of this. “ But how did you know this? And are there any survivors left aside from you? ”

Mrs. Clinton shook her head no and looked down. “ Jacob, it is because every night, I will dream of the nightmarish experience of the townsfolk.. That is why, us survivors would rather die after we have passed on this message.. ” Jacob looked at Mrs. Clinton with wide eyes, “ You.. You mean.. You're passing it to me? But Mrs. Clinton! Why?! ”

Mrs. Clinton smiled sadly, “ Because you're the only one who treated it seriously and even with curiosity, so I grabbed the opportunity... I apologize, Jacob.. Please, don't look at the moon.. If there will be no survivors, our souls won't be resting in peace. ”

“ The time I will die with passing on the message, is the time where all the ones whose souls have been suffering will be then at peace.. That is the only reason I have survived. ” Jacob looked at Mrs. Clinton with awe, “ But what if I am not that much of a good-hearted person..”

“ I know Jacob, you have a good heart and mind of steel. ” Mrs. Clinton smiled and sighed. “ Be ready now, it will happen soon.. ”

She then turned away and walked, leaving a youth full of questions on his mind.

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Present Times - 30th day of August

It's 3am. Jacob's phone alert wakes him up. It says "Do not look at the moon." Simultaneously, you receive hundreds of messages. They say, "It's a beautiful night tonight. Look outside."

Jacob slowly puts his phone down as he listens to the ringing chaos happening around him. Soon, silence permeated through the air.

Jacob's room was then filled with sorrowful sobbing. His tears one by one escaped through his closed eyes and raced down. A tall and slender figure then suddenly stood in front of him. “ Let's look at the moon, little one. Your dream will come true as soon as you look at its silvery wonder. Your suffering will end.. Life will be now a joyful memory.. ”

Jacob slowly opened his eyes and slowly his anguished screams can be heard all around the place.

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Years later...

A roaming man was walking around a ghostly town. Looking around, he could feel the creepiness of the silence and he was about to turn around, but a dirty sleeping man caught his attention. He was on the ground, sleeping peacefully. He was then walking slowly towards the man, but then he saw him suddenly open his eyes and slowly turn his head to look at him.

“ Do you want to hear a story? ”