Eclipse Of The Moon ~ Book 1 of Aaron
Prologue
Or the birth of an unbreakable friendship

Monday 8 October 1990

"Aaron, Sweetheart... It's time to wake up..." 

The sweet and soft voice of the 47-year-old woman is slowly pulling her son out of his peaceful dreams, gently rubbing the back of her fingers on his smooth cheek.

Aaron is so cute and such an adorable little boy. One that she and her husband desired for so long. After giving birth to eight beautiful daughters, the little chap was more than welcome. He would either be the one to maintain the family name when he marries and has children or become a faithful priest.

Whichever fate God treasured for him.

Aaron would be their pride.

No, not pride. Pride is a terrible sin in God's eyes!

God already punished them once, calling back their first son among his angels. Honorina cannot afford to lose her second and only son, so she and Matthew have applied themselves to raise their dear son just as strictly as they have their eight daughters, in the purest Catholic rules. Their faith in God is endless and they strive to live and educate their children through the most pious beliefs and rituals of their religion.

Their devotion has worked well with their eldest daughters so far, and little Aaron, although he has proved a little more difficult to commit to the rites of prayers, masses and religious education, is on the right track to follow his sisters' steps. He seems to have gotten used to the routines and as soon as his mother's voice tears him from his slumber, he immediately joins Honorina on the floor, kneeling by the bedside and lacing his small fingers to start his habitual morning prayer.

His voice sounds sleepy and his eyes can barely stay open. Aaron could have used more sleep, but all these prayers – one when he wakes up, one before he can enjoy his breakfast and a last one to thank the Lord – take so much time. Not mentioning the usual and mandatory freshening up in the bathroom and the half-hour learning to read with his mother.

If anyone asked him, Aaron would say he doesn't really like all these activities. He doesn't understand all these principles related to church and just tries to fit into the mold his parents have designed for him. If his sisters have managed, why wouldn't he? If they seem happy around these conventions, why should he feel uncomfortable?

And yet...

And yet, he doesn't seem to fit. He tries hard, every day, because he's got a strong will for such a little buddy, a strong determination to please his parents and blend into his family, but it's not always easy. He's just like a lamb following the flock of sheep. Aaron doesn't know much about the outside world, but he is slowly discovering new horizons. New possibilities. Things he didn't know existed before. His family life looked rather normal to him before because he had never seen anything else.

However, things are changing.

After five years within the folds of his mother's skirts, coddled, mothered, overprotected and confined home, Aaron has finally been enrolled into the local school of his neighborhood. Of course, he knew what a school was from his sisters and was quite looking forward to finally meeting other pals his age and socialize.

At almost five, Aaron is a rather discreet kindergartner, or at least, this is what he looks like. In fact, the little chap is smarter than one would think, very perceptive and extremely attentive to his new surroundings. School never scared him, but since it was supposed to be a whole new world for him, he felt like he needed a certain time to get familiar with this novelty.

Aaron has spent his first month at school in a solitary way, isolating himself from the other boys and girls. Most of them have immediately tied friendships and formed groups. Some already knew each other from preschool, which must have helped, while others naturally mingled with them. This is the case for most of his classmates, but Aaron has also noticed two other boys who have remained estranged.

One is called Joshua. Taller than all the other kids, he looks like he can't find his place in this school.

From an adult's perspective, one might say that he is being obnoxious, arrogant and too proud to blend into middle-class children. The Pierces are said to be the wealthiest family in Collingswood and the school director was quite dumbfounded they chose his school rather than a private high-end institution for their son. This option would have sounded almost more logical but the boy's parents, to their credit, decided their son should also learn to live and meld among less-rich people so he could appreciate his own fortune. Little did they know that their decision might change the course of Joshua's life and his own objectivity.

In Aaron's eyes, Joshua looks a little stuck-up too, perhaps... He's not one to condemn – God forbid him! – but he has caught a few glares that he couldn't explain, almost disdain, and it has made him a bit uncomfortable around the dark-haired kid. Every day, he can see him being driven to and picked up from school in this beautiful and huge car, or by a nanny that he once heard him call Liz, while he and other children walk to school, so he wonders if he has some sort of privilege.

And yet, despite his relative coldness, the fact that he wears clothes that look different from the others', his apparent self-isolation has gotten the smart Aaron to question himself. Is it really because Joshua doesn't want to hang out with the other kids? Or does he have other motives? Does he feel out of place? Uncomfortable? Unaccepted? Has he heard harsh whispers about him? His deep blue eyes sometimes look hesitant despite the self-confidence he shows off, and somehow, this has touched Aaron's heart. He feels undeniably attracted to this kid, as if some eerie and powerful forces were dragging his soul to him. Could he become a friend?

The other boy's name is Mark. Fat-Mark like he heard a few other kids rudely nickname him.

Aaron can't express what he feels each time he hears someone make fun of the chubby kid. Having been raised in a respectful and preserved environment, taught to never judge others and to support the weak, Aaron doesn't really know what verbal or physical violence is, and it has left him quite perplexed. This Mark-boy isn't even that fat. Sure, he's rounder than the other kids, but does it justify being made fun of? Does it justify all these jokes about him rolling down a hill or about the fact that his parents should stop feeding him all the leftovers at their restaurant? Not in Aaron's opinion.

Aaron can't explain all these emotions that fill him each time he sees tears flooding Mark's eyes; each time older kids start bullying him, even if it's an unknown concept to him; each time Mark goes to hide in a recess of the playground, fleeing the other kids' wickedness. He was told that anger is a sin, that he shall never yield to such emotions, but as the days and weeks pass, it has become harder to resist his urge to defend and protect the little Murray. Just as with Joshua, he feels undeniably appealed to the boy and would truly like to befriend him.

That Monday morning, after a tiring weekend that revolved around charity events at the church, Aaron is a little more reluctant than usual to get ready for school and takes his sweet time in the bathroom to brush his teeth and freshen up, which earns him a little scolding because his older sisters would like to use it too. Being the only boy of the family has given him one privilege: he has his own small bedroom while the seven remaining Cox daughters have to share two larger rooms, but it's always sort of a struggle to use the washroom.

"Ugh Aaron! Can't you clean your mess when you're done? Is it that hard to hang your pajamas instead of leaving everything on the floor?" Catherine, his twelve-year-old sister, complains as she rushes into the warm room, ready to pick up his night clothes.

"Sorry, Catherine..." Aaron mumbles, his heart constricting when he realizes that today of all days, he should have been cautious.

His small fingers are already balling into fists, the sharp nails seeking to dig into the flesh of his palms. Aaron is not exactly an anxious kid, rather a usually happy little chap, but certain things have a knack for making him angsty and he often copes by hurting himself, either using his teeth or nails.

"Oh my God..." the young teenager sighs with the pajamas in her hands. "Didn't mom see that you wet your bed again?"

"No... please don't say..." the little boy pleads as he reaches out to get his wet clothes back.

"Aaron, she's going to notice anyway," Catherine reasons softly, handing them to him. "She's the one doing the laundry, so you'd better tell her ahead. Besides, you'll have to confess a lie by omission to Father Joseph if you don't."

"I'll tell her, Catherine," Aaron agrees with a small voice before he heads downstairs, fearing for his backside since his father hasn't left to work yet.

And as Aaron dreaded, the confession of his little accident turns out a bit painful. His backside gets another taste of his father's large hand for a couple of spanks, but it could have been worse. For Matthew, who has always impressed his son with his huge above-six-feet-tall frame, discipline is no joking matter and he strongly believes in corporal punishments. The Cox's are not only a zealously religious family. They also seem to be coming from ancient times, living by archaic customs.

Little Aaron is a brave boy, though, and despite the pain reverberating through his backside, he doesn't cry. In fact, the few tears that brim his eyes are more a consequence of the shame he is feeling rather than the ache. He doesn't even mind the pain. On the contrary, it helps him, and to soothe himself further, he also digs his nails into the palms of his hands. As if he was peeing his bed on purpose... He knows he should try harder, because as his mother often told him, he shouldn't be wetting his bed any longer at this age, but sometimes, it's just too hard.

Once his mother has urged him to undo his bed sheets and take them to the washing machine, it is high time to go to school. Another of Aaron's nightmarish places.

As much as the little boy was looking forward to beginning school, he has been quite disappointed with the results so far. Oh, he does like afternoons in the playground. Even if he hasn't made friends yet, he enjoys the outdoor activities. However, what's with all these mornings spent in a classroom, saying the pledge of alliance, talking about the weather, or worse, learning to read a clock and to count. He naively thought that schools were places to play and have fun.

Aaron is a very attentive little chap and that morning, he doesn't miss the presence of a new kid. Once again, he immediately feels some sort of inexplicable pull toward the skinny boy who walks into the classroom with a sullen and dark scowl. His puny frame and his pale face make him almost look sick, but what catches Aaron's attention is the darkness filling his unusual gray eyes as he throws a wary look around the room.

Is this fear?

Of course, Aaron can't tell. At five, he is just smart enough to understand that the other boy doesn't look comfortable, probably like any kid joining a new school after the year has started would. Obviously, he can't know that there is so much more to the dark-haired chap, things that he will discover throughout the upcoming years.

"Children," the teacher calls out as she reaches out for the newcomer, gently pressing one of her hands to his back to lead further into the circle formed by all the kids on the floor.

Aaron can't help frowning at the discreet grimace that briefly distorts the boy's thin features, but he's not the only one. As much as Joshua can't see anything because he's sitting on the opposite side of the round, Mark, who settled beside Aaron today, has also noticed the way their new classmate slightly lurched forward to escape the hand in his back.

"I would like to introduce you Camden," the teacher continues, oblivious to what just happened as her eyes were sweeping around all the other kids. "Camden's family moved in Collingswood last weekend, so this is his first day here and I would like you to welcome him warmly."

"Welcome to Collingswood, Camden!"

Despite the warm cheer, Camden's eyes remain guarded and cold, and there's even a bit of defiance in his expression. This little boy has already seen and experienced too many things that no kid should ever have. A brutal father. A careless mother who would rather drown her sorrow into strong liquors than face the reality of her life. Difficult month ends. Never enough to eat. Recurrent beatings. No friends. This was Camden's life in Pennsylvania, and sadly, this is going to be Camden's life in New Jersey.

Less the no friends. Because Camden doesn't know yet that he is about to meet three people who will help him to become the man he will be in the future and somehow save him from a potentially more tragic path.

* * *

The morning flew by with the usual activities. The kids sang a few songs, were taught a bit more of single digit additions and some rhyming, and a few more minutes were dedicated to writing their names. Nothing interesting according to our little Aaron who spent the best of his time glancing at his new classmate until the latter threw him one of the darkest scowls he was ever given to see.

Almost as scary as Daddy..., Aaron thought to himself before he decided to focus a little more on his work.

The kids are now having their lunch at the cafeteria, either enjoying a meal from there or the lunchboxes they brought from home, and Aaron manages to sneak to a table next to Camden. Despite his young age, his chest constricts when he realizes that his neighbor's box only holds a small sandwich and nothing else. Charity is a virtue that his parents have taught him, so without hesitation, he kindly offers half of his raw veggies and his apple.

"Why?" the new kid asks dryly, squinting suspiciously at the blushing boy, but as his stomach rumbles, he quickly accepts the gifts.

"Have too much, anyway..." Aaron mumbles with a shrug of his shoulders before he gets backs to the rest of his meal.

"Thanks."

The rest of their lunch occurs in silence and none of them utters another word until they are told to bring their boxes back to the classroom. Then, this is the kids' favorite moment: recess. While most of the other children hurry to the swings and slides or have fun playing basketball, Aaron goes to sit on a bench. Alone, as usual. After barely a few minutes observing the other kids, someone suddenly sits beside him. He offers Camden a shy smile but since the skinny boy doesn't return it, he resumes his previous activity, unsuccessfully looking for the Mark-boy.

Since he can't find him among the other boys and girls, Joshua gets his entire attention. His classmate is just strolling on his own, boringly kicking stones and wood sticks, but he suddenly stops in his tracks and Aaron notices his dark blue eyes squinting toward an isolated recess around the corner of the main building of the school, only a few feet away from the bench. The playground is extremely noisy with dozens of children screaming as they're playing and chasing each other, but some sort of muffled sound clearly reaches Aaron's ears all of a sudden.

"Did you hear that?" he breathes out, instinctively grasping Camden's wrist.

"Sounds like a fight..." the other boy replies, and Aaron can't explain the weird excitation in his voice.

He doesn't have time to dwell on this, though, as Camden springs to his feet and drags him toward the spot Joshua was staring at seconds ago. As a matter of fact, the young Pierce has also run to the recess and the three boys meet there, only to witness what looks like a terrible scene in their juvenile eyes.

Mark has cowered on the floor and against a wall, sobbing in his hands while three bigger kids have circled in front of him, effectively cornering the poor chap. These must be in second or third grade, so they are taller than Aaron and his classmates, but he couldn't care less. He doesn't like the way they are making fun of Mark and his overweight, occasionally kicking his legs or slapping his head.

Coincidentally, Father Joseph held a homily on sins and virtues yesterday at the mass, and although Aaron didn't understand everything he said, he is pretty sure about two things. One is that these three boys could be considered guilty of a mortal sin. The other is that he and his classmates should definitely come to help the victim.

"Hey! What's your problem with him?" Camden calls out, faster to react than Aaron.

The three taller kids immediately spin around to face Aaron, Joshua and Camden, offering them a wry smirk in answer. Aaron is biting his inner cheeks so badly that he can already taste a bit of blood in his mouth. It's painful but once again, it alleviates part of his distress in front of such unfairness.

"You guys are so brave to attack a smaller boy... three against one..." Joshua comments with irony as he strengthens his taller frame.

"So you can count to three, little baby?" one of the bullies reply through his laughter.

"We're not babies!"

"Kindergartners are babies, now get out of here!"

"We're not letting you bother him!" Aaron chips in, feeling a little stronger between Joshua and Camden.

"Oh yeah?" another boy huffs, and this one is larger than the other two.

So large that Aaron wonders how he dares to make fun of Mark, but it's not a time for questions. A fat fist suddenly makes contact with his jaw, causing him to fall as a warm and metal-tasting substance begins to fill his mouth. He can feel the thick fluid run down his chin but he doesn't care. His classmates are standing up for him in the form of a common brawl erupting between all the boys, and even Mark has joined the fight.

The altercation is mostly about kicks, slaps, hair-pulling and skin-scratching between eight-year-olds and five-year-olds, and although it gets quickly interrupted by the teachers, it was enough time to create a nice little mess of bruises and torn clothes. The seven boys are soon taken to the small sick room where scratches and bleeding lips are tended to, which leads to a few squeaks and whimpers, but nothing as bad as they might expect from the impressive director.

Camden, Aaron, Joshua and Mark are instructed to sit in the corridor while Mr. Jameson first listens to the older boys, and they meekly comply, settling in this precise order on the floor.

Aaron winces a little from his bruised lip and the scratches on his hands, and yet, he inexplicably feels happy. He does feel guilty for having fought, but he is proud he helped a weaker boy. Hopefully, his parents will understand and think the same, but as his eyes lower to his lap, doubt fills him. His trousers now bear the marks of the fight with a big hole on his right knee and the tips of his new shoes are all scraped. This will certainly earn him further sanctions at home, but does he mind?

Not at all.

Aaron is just too happy. A small smile even draws on his lips as he feels his classmates' warmth infiltrate his own body. As his left hand shyly reaches for Camden's, the right one slowly shifts to grab Joshua's, their little fingers lacing naturally, and when he gets to see Joshua's other hand seize Mark's further to his right, he quietly reclines against the wall with a sigh of content.

"Let's be friends?"

Aaron's voice is low, barely a murmur, but his words are full of promises.

Promises that Joshua, Camden and Mark immediately accept with a sincere yes, and Aaron's smile broadens across his face.

Yes, it looks like the beginning of a long, long, long story. And an even longer friendship.

An unbreakable friendship.

Published on 28 January 2019

Exactly three years ago, after about two months making some research and defining characters, plots and detailed chapter plans, I opened a Word file and wrote the first words of I Was Shooting For The Moon, I Hit Two Stars. It's weird how it feels like yesterday and yet, so much has happened in three years. Five books fully written, four of which are published, and four more to come. and a whole bunch of great readers! I never thought that the Black Moon series would go that far, but I'm glad it did and I hope to share some more with you in the future.

Now it's time for Aaron's story!

So, here you go with a "real" prologue for once, one that is set way before the story begins and tells you how the guys really met. This is only my second attempt at writing in the third-person POV (the first one was a little part at the end of Nos Amours Echouées for those who read this short-story) and I still don't like this... However, it was easier to use a narrator for this chapter than to try to be in a five-year-old's head, right? Anyway, remember that these boys and the teenagers you'll meet in further chapters are far from the four Doms you already from the previous books ;) Even if some of their personalities began to show in their early years or even during their adolescence, Aaron, Camden, Joshua and Mark aren't then men we met in 2014/2015.

I hope you still enjoyed this rather long prologue and I'll see you soon with Chapter 0. Yes, Chapter 0 because it's not really the beginning of the story, more like an introduction to Aaron's past, and to help you a bit with the timeline, know that it is set on the day that Camden visits Aaron at his loft in August 2015 and Aaron (who is quite depressed because Jeremy is still missing) tells him he wants to sell his clubs. If you need a refresher, you can reread chapter 84 of Twisted Moon.

As a reminder, there's no precise schedule of publishing for Aaron's book for now (at least not until I'm done writing his three books) and I don't know when the next one will come up.

I have now amended all the L.A. chapters in book 1, which is good because that will leave me little editing and some proofreading before I publish. Now it's time to go back to the first chapters of book 1 and all the religious stuff. And after three weeks on those L.A. chapters, I can also finally get back to writing book 2. A busy bee I am :)

Also, as you may have noticed, there are new book covers that I made thanks to @EsraaElKhashab who made me discover a super app. So we finally have the new Shannon and Alex models on the cover of I Was Shooting For The Moon, I Hit Two Stars, the new Noah on the cover of Twisted Moon (though I haven't changed the pictures in the chapters' headers yet, but it's not a problem since the new model kind of looks like the old one). Here again, I'd like to thank @DragonFlames32 for his huge help and advice, which explains why the covers have changed again this morning :)

That's it for now, I wish you all a nice start to the week and see you soon!