We watched the sun dip low on the horizon, orange as it sank into the ocean. It had been a long day capped by the beauty of the sunset. We hadn’t noticed it but the moon was full. We didn’t notice the moon when the sun was full in the sky as its albedo was covered by the fury of fusion emanating from the surface of the sun. Now that the sun was gone we could make out the full circle of the moon in all its glory. The splendor at apogee was truly stunning. You could also make out each crater and discoloration on the surface. It was comforting to know the moon would watch over us when the sun was gone. Many were now looking up at the spot of comfort much higher on the horizon. I could sense wonder and excitement at the discovery of what was hidden just moments before. All of a sudden the hair on my neck started to tingle and I could feel a change in the temper of the mood. Something about the moon was creating a ripple of fear on the surface of the water. And as I looked down at my reflection I could see the same fear on my face. The others around me were sensing the change as well and it started to become tangible around us. A woman to my right shrieked in terror. I couldn’t see any reason for her horror and I looked to and fro to find it. I wanted to rescue her from the evil that menaced her. As I searched for the horror within her I noticed the same effect on others around me. It was spreading in all directions. Some gnashed their teeth and fled. Others allowed the waters to claim them. Some fell stricken and silent. I was panicked as well but was overcome by a sense to survive and my fear was abridged for the moment. I could sense the thread that held me to my sanity was starting to fray…eroded by the lunar tide and a realm of fear released by the setting of the sun. Not sure how I knew but I was certain it was the moon shine and the play over the water’s surface. The moon was now looming larger than it had—impossibly close to us. It had also assumed a sickly pale red hue. It was drawing our composure and sanity to itself and it was mixed with blood as we gave it to her. Drawing closer all the while—closer and closer to its prey. The fear was tangible now. The feeling of panic was overwhelming. I started to lose my own composure and was no longer trying to save others. I was in a desperate struggle to save myself. I sensed the cold waters before me and wondered at their ability to protect me from the draw to lunacy. I moved closer and closer to waters edge contemplating my watery demise over consumption by fear. It seemed so easy. Jump and drink the water or stay and drink the fear. I couldn’t do it. I dropped to my knees to stop myself from sacrificing my last moments to Poseidon’s domain. I could almost touch the moon now—it was that close. I felt drawn to touch it with my soul. To extend my essence and allow it to overlap with the sphere of fear before me. I was drawn in and lost. I couldn’t feel myself as being different from my surroundings. The duality of my nature was dissolved in the confluence of insanity and remorse. My friends who fell before me were here with me and I surrendered control to be with them. Not on our terms but together never the less. The chord to the world of the sane was severed and all was lost to the lunar machinations on this sullen day. It seemed like time stopped and the fear was permanent. It was getting dark and I could no longer sense being with my friends. The comfort I might have had was gone and I was alone with the fear that brought me here. Eternal fear and darkness after the setting of the sun. A juxtaposition to be sure…

I had a very strange dream last night. You were all there–each one of you. The dream was in black and white and the only color was seen in the sky–the clouds were dark blue and the sun was an amazingly bright yellow with dark orange swirling sun spots moving about the surface like a storm might in the Pacific Ocean. Also visible were solar flares that reached towards us like flames you’ve seen in a campfire. The flares licked the edges of the clouds and you could see the water vapor laden wisps vaporize at the gentle but destructive touch. There was a solar wind as well and I could see it play with each of your dark heads of hair. I was caught, mesmerized by the play of light in the sky and the movement of the wind through our hair. Some faces were locked in amazement and others had the look of fear. I wasn’t sure which was more appropriate until the rain started to fall. It seemed that the clouds wanted to give us their water before the sun vaporized it. The rain was hot–burning to the skin. I saw the drops hit cheeks and foreheads and I watched red welts take their place. We were all frightened now. The fiery drops of liquid torment were chasing us as we looked for cover in our black and white world. The trees even withdrew their leaves removing any protection we might have found. Some of you fell and became saturated by the terrible maelstrom. I watched many of you disappear in a violent conflaggeration of demonic drops. I was helpless and it was an awful feeling. Many of you stopped running–in shock from the terrible scenes. I tried to yell for you all to keep moving but I could find no voice to warn. We were helpless to the wrath set upon us. I watched you fall—each one of you. I was the last alive. Unable to move, unable to speak, unable to comprehend why the sun and the rain conspired our demise. Not able to understand how such collusion could spell our extermination. These thoughts passed through my mind quickly as I noticed a very large cloud settled over me. It was saturated with water and I could see it boiling and roiling above me. My end was near but it didn’t matter—you were all gone. It was my turn to go. To be bathed in the searing warmth of doom and destruction seemed a better alternative to lonely torment and sorrow. I welcomed the drops as the first touched my cheek. And again. I lost consciousness soon but I did remember how warm I felt. This had to be better than death by broken heart. It had to be…