“I’m going to the beach,” I called out to my mum. She responded by saying, “Be home before it gets too dark.” Walking out of my house, I got to the beach. The sun was setting. Red, orange, and pink clouds, like cotton candy spread out across the sky.

I sat down on the end of the dock, water gently lapping against my feet. The reflection of the sunset onto the dark water comforted me. Leaning back and closing my eyes I felt the salty breeze waft over me. After a while, I stood up and decided to walk home. I felt lighter as if a weight I didn't realize was on my body was lifted.

Walking in through the door, I saw my mum on the couch. I bet she is tired with everything that has happened. Thinking to myself. I put a blanket over her and kissed her on her forehead, “Goodnight, Mum.” She felt slightly hot. “Mum?” I asked worriedly. “Mum?” I shook her, “Mum! Mum, wake up!” She was breathing fast. “Mum!” My heart dropped, “Mum, please answer me…” I started crying, “Please, Mum!” My heart pounding. I ran out of our house and started screaming for help, “Someone! Please help!” Amaria’s door opened as she rushed out, “Lunar! What’s wrong?” She looked up at me. “My mum…” I said crying. “Something is wrong.” She nodded at me and ran inside her house. A few moments later, Clara and Aria rushed out. “Honey, where is your mom?” pointing towards my house, I rushed to it.

Walking inside I paced by her. Aria and Clara right behind me. Aria put her hand on my shoulder comforting me, while Clara put the back of her hand on Mum's forehead.

Clara said, “She is burning up. We need to bring her to the herbalist.”

“What’s wrong with her!” I exclaimed, shaking.

“Your Mum is sick," Clara told me.

“W-what? Will she be okay?”

“Yeah, she will be fine!” Aria said, looking uncertain.

“Will the baby be okay?”

“The baby?” Aria and Clara said in unison.

“Y-yes, she told me she was pregnant.”

“Oh,” They said, looking at each other, concerned.

“What is it?” They picked her up and I followed near, Amaria trailing not far behind. “What’s wrong with her? Clara, Aria?!” I said, panicked. I followed them to the herbalist.

When we got there Hedra the herbalist told me to step away. Hesitantly I did. I started pacing back and forth. All of a sudden I felt a presence and I spun around quickly. What is that? Why is it floating? I questioned. I checked again and it was, “The Egg?” I said surprised. Slowly it came to a stop in my hands. I felt it relax and felt a bit safer at the moment. I sat down and slowed my breathing. The egg vibrated gently in my hands. I gently rubbed the smooth texture of their shell. I could feel its heartbeat. I decided to test my theory of the egg’s name, “Ambrose..?” The egg shook a bit and looked at me, “Is that your name?” The egg shook a bit., “Your name is Ambrose…” The egg shocked excitedly. Suddenly, I heard the door open of the herbalist. The egg ran. I stood up, Hedra came out,

“Oh, good you are here. I had thought that you left because I didn’t hear anything out here.”

“No, is my mum okay?”

“Ah, come with me,” My heart dropped. I went inside.

“My moonshine…” Mum called out to me, she seemed tired.

“Mum!” I ran up to her and hugged her. She weakly hugged me, “Thanks, Lunar…”

“Mum, are you okay?” I questioned, frightened.

“Yes, honey.” She whispered

“What’s wrong with her?” I asked.

“Your mum had a fainting spell,” Clara told me

“What does that mean?”

“She fainted, probably due to her pregnancy. She may have had a syncope attack. It’s caused when there is a sudden drop in blood pressure. The higher temperature may be caused by an infection,” responded Hedra.

“How is the baby? Is she going to be okay?” I asked, panicked.

“Yes, the baby is okay. We will be keeping a closer eye on her. Where is your father, Lunar?”

“H-he is at war.”

“Oh, so you are the man of the house?”

“Yeah, I guess you could say that…”

“My moonshine! You are the man of the house,” Mum called out. I gave her another hug. “Thanks,” I smiled at her. Hedra came up to me, “I think it’s best you go home and sleep-” he started. “What about my mum?”

“Well, I was going to tell you but you interrupted me,” he looked tired.

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

“No, it’s ok. What I was saying though, is your mum needs to be under close observation so, she will be spending the night.”

“When will she come home?”

“Most likely tomorrow, unless her condition doesn’t improve.”

“I don’t want to leave her… I don’t want to be left alone.”

“Hey, Lunar I will be fine. It's just a night,” Mum said weakly.

“What if he stays with us? Just for a night?” Amaria asked.

“Sure, why not,” Clara replied. Aria nodded, “Don’t see anything wrong with that.”

“Awesome!” Amaria exclaimed, “Come on Lunar! We can make a fort.” She grabbed my arm and dragged me towards her house and up to her room.

Getting to her room she starts throwing up some blankets using her shelves to put them up high enough. I looked around in awe, the theme of her room seemed to be nature. Real flowers were growing everywhere, especially in the bedroom corners. The blinds hung on her window kept up by the vines. The earthy green mood was intense.

“What are you staring at? Help me please,” Amaria begged.

“Ah, my bad I’m coming.”

“Thank you!” She breathed a sigh of relief.

“What are you even going for?” I looked at her curiously.

“Oh, since it's our first sleepover, I want to make what I used to make with my dad!” She said smiling, “We always would make nice forts! I don’t remember much other than making forts when Mum wasn’t around,” her bright smile turned into a frown suddenly.

“Oh,” I said, not knowing what else to say.

“Mhm!” She brightened up, “Almost finished.” I nodded at her. I watched a single tear go down her cheek and felt instantly protective of her. She wiped it off fast and stood up, “It’s big enough for both of us!” She went into the fort and laid down, “Goodnight, Lunar.” I climbed into it and faced the other way, “Goodnight, Amaria,” closing my eyes.