“For everything you do in life, you must be prepared.” Luna’s mother had warned her.

But, there was one thing that she had never even thought of preparing for.

The sun had hidden itself behind the protection of the clouds, just like her mother was hidden behind the couch. Shattered glass covered the family room floor, as if representing the shattering of their family. Her mother held Luna close to her chest, tears staining her cheeks, hands trembling wildly against Luna’s shoulder. She could hear nothing but the roaring of her father, and the clattering of household objects being thrown to the floor.

“STOP!” Luna finally screamed, unveiling herself from behind the couch.

But her father didn’t listen. Instead, he closed the gap between them, gripped the back of her neck, and threw her to the other side of the room. As her skull collided with the wall, it felt like she was wrapped in a blanket of nails. The heaviness of Luna’s head was drowning out her senses.

“Sorry mum,” Luna whispered, “I was not prepared for this.”