Madness by Midnight

A Full Moon Over the Mountaintop Café

The Full Moon Café sat atop a mountain. Jagged peaks rose above the coast like the spikes of a durian fruit. The moonlight glimmered over the undulating seas. Patrons came from far and wide just for this view.

“This is as close as we come to heaven,” whispered a young man to his girlfriend as they walked the moonlit path to the café hanging from an overlook upon the highest peak.

There was a slight chill in the air, one that a cup of tea would quickly warm up.

A gentle attendant came to take the couple’s order. Her smile made the couple feel warm and welcome.

“Ana, you left this dish out. I told you it must be cleaned,” said a voice that cut more deeply than the chill.

The friendly attendant shuddered.

“I’ll be back with your tea,” she smiled.

Just then the moon rose over the farthest peak.

The young man’s girlfriend gasped.

“That’s the biggest moon I’ve ever seen.”

The boyfriend held his girlfriend’s hand warmly as they admired the view.

“I told you, you must listen. There is no excuse, Ana. And when you’re done, sweep the patio. There will be more guests.”

That voice cut through the chill like a knife.

The friendly attendant appeared with two cups of warm tea.

“Here you are,” she said with a gentle smile, a tear wedged in the corner of her eye.

“A beautiful moon tonight,” she said to the couple.

“The most beautiful moon I’ve ever seen,” replied the girlfriend.

“Ana!” cried a voice from the back.

The attendant shuddered again.

“If only it wasn’t a full moon,” whispered the attendant to herself. “It brings out the wolves in some.”

“Ana!” cried out her mother. “Not again!”

A story by Pemba Umoja