The Day the Moon Fell

It was late at night and all was quiet at the suburban district of Saint-Quentin, France. Abruptly, the
siren rang. Its screech resonated down the whole streets, and not long later the first bomb fell on a
post office, exploding with a huge ear-splitting thunder.

It was the Second World War, and the Germans had launched an attack on the southern district of
London.

Olivia woke up from the racket, knowing all too well what had happened. They are safe in their
bunker. For now. Hands shaking, she stood up and went for the wired telephone and dialled her
friend. “What?” her voiced raised as she spoke into the telephone. “The Germans are advancing?
And they say I have to do this? Hold on… let me digest this a bit.” Olivia gradually sat down on the
floor, eyes almost red and teary. “It can’t be…do I have to…?” she murmured, voice too shaky to be
comprehended.

Before Olivia could have any second thought, she was already packing the things up for her daughter
and they waited intently, still inside the bunker. Olivia sat in a chair, trying desperately not to cry.

She’d known the sound of the knock coming far before it happened. And she wanted to be strong for
her sweet daughter. Make her think the new life that awaits her was a good thing. Already a tide of
sorrow is surging against her wall of restraint. Her daughter sat next to her, quiet. Unmoving. Only a
child, but she seemed to know that everything will never be the same again.

Their visitor tapped on the door 5 times. She went for the door and slowly pulled it open. One man
and an elderly women stepped inside the small bunker.

“I can see you’re ready,” the elderly woman said. “Don’t worry, I will take great care of her and make
sure she grows up to be a beautiful young woman just like you. I promise, this war will be over in no
time, and all will return back to normal. You will be with your daughter again. I give you my word.”

Olivia gave a nod to her. If she tried to speak, all would come out: Her pain, her fear, her anger.
However, she must stay strong for her daughter. So, she kept it all in, a dam against the raging river.
When she left, she’d cry a river’s worth until the madness made her forget.

The daughter looked up at her mother. She jumped to her feet and hugged Olivia, shattering her
heart again to a million times over. She squeezed her back. “You will grow up well, my sweet Luna,”
She whispered, keeping herself under control. “I love you.”

The lady was all business. “Come,” she said as she held out a hand. “I’m very sorry, but we have a
tight schedule.”

“Go on now,” she told her daughter “Be brave.”

The daughter pulled back, her eyes slightly red. She nodded, comforting Olivia she’ll be fine in the
end. “Bye,” she said as she walked out. “I love you too.” With her daughter, the visitors left.

When the door closed, the woman collapsed back into her chair, finally letting the tears come.

It was the night her daughter left. The night the moon fell and left the night devoid of any love and
hope.