empty bottles: k.m.(under construction)

by the light of the silv'ry moon - chapter 12

The Crescent Pack became a second home to Astrid over the decades. She had lost any ties to her true pack and had become a true friend to those such as Jackson Kenner and Hayley's parents, the Labonairs, often finding solitude in trips to the Bayou.

After creeping out of bed, she found herself sitting at the decking that overlooked a moonlit lake. A bottle of rum in hand, she took a gulp and sighed, 'Keep it together, Astrid' she spoke to herself as she relayed the events that she had to witness.

She had been taking these trips most nights since but what she didn't realise was that she had an audience. Jackson Kenner watched in the trees, still in wolf form.

The hybrid contemplated for a moment before getting up and walking towards the shack, finding her guitar that she had hidden under the bed in there before sitting back out opposite the lake. She began to strum quietly, the feeling of playing after all this time.

I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
And I fear no evil because I'm blind to it all

She grew in confidence, smiling to herself that one of her favourite songs came to her so easily.

And my mind and my gun they comfort me
Because I know I'll kill my enemies when they come

Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life
And I will dwell on this earth forevermore
Said, I walk beside the still waters and they restore my soul
But I can't walk on the path of the right because I'm wrong

Her hands drifted gracefully across the guitar strings as if it was a muscle reflex, she lost herself in the music - unaware that her husband was watching her performance. He walked towards her slowly, arms crossed and a small smile on his lips. He hadn't heard her play in so long and it brought back good memories.

Well, I came upon a man at the top of a hill
Called himself the savior of the human race
Said he come to save the world from destruction and pain
But I said, "How can you save the world from itself?"

He stood closer to her now but she still didn't notice his presence. Taking time to admire the scenery, his eyes drifted across the lake and he realised why she admired it so much.

Cause I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
And I fear no evil because I'm blind
Oh, and I walk beside the still waters and they restore my soul

Klaus stood next to her now, she felt him and her breath hitched as she finished, quietening down.

But I know when I die my soul is damned

'I never forgot how beautiful your voice was', she stood up as he spoke, her green eyes reflecting the moonlight as she faced a completely different look on Nik's face to how he looked the night he poisoned Davina. It reminded Astrid of the night they married. 'I could swear I used to hear it echo throughout the night in the years after I thought I lost you'

Jackson abandoned the concert as he noticed Astrid entranced by Nik's display of affection, her jaw dropped silently as he continued. 'It felt as if a piece of me was missing and yet I have been so reckless with your forgiveness.' Tears pricked in his eyes as Astrid stood still. 'I lost my best friend. My love.' Astrid stood closer to him and placed her hands on his arms, sensing he was holding back tears. 'Nik..'

'I left my soul here, with you.'

Astrid couldn't contain herself but she still managed Nik like a fragile doll. Holding his face in one hand, she wiped his tears and kissed him gently. They pulled away for a second before Nik pulled her back, latching on like vice and pulling on her clothes with a desperation, a need to feel her.