To the Moon and Back

The sequel to (Working Title). Takes place about a year after.

A twist ending or surprise ending is usually defined as an unexpected conclusion or climax to a work of fiction, and which often contains irony or causes the audience to reevaluate the narrative or characters. Sometimes it can have an emotional reaction from the audience, any audience whether it be the reader, the watcher or the other character.

Gwen Matthews slammed onto a wall during her chase against her assailant. She picked herself up from the ground and saw the mask on the floor. When she looked up, her eyes widened in shock. Steven Grey was the Master Planner.

"You," she yelled. "You were the Master Planner all along? How could you?"

Grey smiled. "I told you before. I throw shapes. I set them up and watch them fall. You didn't really think I'd do anything unless I had a...master plan, did you?"

"That's not funny," she yelled. "We trusted you. But now...now you'll pay for what you've done."

Grey scoffed, "Yeah right, little girl. It's not like it matters anymore. Once you're out of the way, I'll make everything right again."

Sarah snapped back to reality when the TV was turned off.

"We have work to do," said a young woman with auburn hair. "So your boyfriend's little cartoon will have to wait."

"Ashley," she said. "Don't be that way." Both girls walked from the back room to the counter. "There's no one here. It's not like anyone's gonna notice I took a little break."

Ashley sat in front of the cash register and sighed. "So? I don't want to do this by myself."

"Well, what about Malory?"

Both girls turned to another girl sitting in a table next to the counter reading a magazine. "I'm on break," she said. "Anyways, what's been going on with you guys?"

"Nothing," Ashley said.

"What about you Sarah? How's your comic-book-manga-style-creator-gets-his-own-show boyfriend doing?"

Sarah leaned on the counter with her arms crossed. "I don't know."

Malory looked up from her magazine with a confused look. "You don't know?"

"I've haven't seen him for a few days. He's been so busy with work he can barely return my calls. I'm starting to get worried."

"Maybe he's seeing another woman," said Ashley. Sarah's fist slammed Ashley's arm, almost knocking her over. "Ah, you b***h. I was joking."

"Not. Helping." She sighed as she slumped forward onto the counter. "Now, what should I do?"

Malory flipped the pages of her magazine. "I don't know. Bring him some food?"

Sarah's face lit up for a second. For the first time in a while, her friend's advice was actually pretty good. It wasn't the best idea, but it would give her an excuse to go to his place. Not that she needed an excuse, or at least, she didn't think she did. Couldn't a girl just go and see how her boyfriend was doing?

***

Sarah walked down the hall of the apartment complex carrying a Tupperware container with dinner inside it. It was already dark by the time she got out of work, but there's was not much to worry about. Thanks to the success of his previous title, Jeff was able to afford an apartment in the nice side of town. Half the time Sarah felt better at his place than at her own. She kept looking at the doors between the white, brightly lit walls looking for his number. 405...406...407...

When she finally made to 410, she knocked on the door several times and called out to him. There was no response. "Hey," she said. "I'm coming in, okay?" She pulled out the spare key from her pocket and opened the door with a click. She opened to door to find all the lights off with the exception of the room in the far left with the door closed. It was Jeff's art room where he did all his work. Sarah wandered around to find a place to put the food. She called out to him with no answer. Music came humming from the room which was no surprise to her. He had always played music in order to help get the mood of the page he was working on. She went up to the door and knocked. "I'm coming in," she said.

She opened the door and saw him on the floor, slumped to one side. She ran to his side, shaking him and calling his name. His head was hot and drenched with sweat. She dragged him over to the mattress he had put in the room. She ran over to the bathroom and picked up whatever she could find in the medicine cabinet and grabbed a glass of water.

***

Jeff woke feeling wet from the neck up. He closed his eyes tight and shook a little.

"Hey, you awake?" said the only voice he wanted to hear.

He opened his eyes and searched around to see her sitting beside him. He was still in his art room with the drawing table off in the far corner and the mattress on the other side. He looked up to the Sarah. "Hey...how..."

"Easy," she said. "You've got a fever. Just relax, here." She handed him a glass of water and let him drink. "You weren't really returning my calls so I got worried."

Jeff stared at her. He kept looking at her until the medicine and cool water kicked in and his vision cleared. "Thank you...pages," he tried to sit up. "Three more need toning...two for shades...editor wants extra page for fans..."

"Hey easy. I just found you passed out on the floor. You've been working too hard. Just rest," she said. "That pop song you're playing isn't going to help either."

Jeff chuckled. "It's for the story...it's not like...I enjoy it or anything."

Sarah smiled. "Right, you keep telling me that."

"Shut up."

They both sat there staring at each other. She held his hand and squeezed it. "I wish...I could keep you," he said.

"We're kinda young to get married, aren't we?"

"Yeah, I know," he said. "Will you...move in with me?"

Sarah blinked. "I'll have to think about it." She leaned forward and kissed him. "Yes."

"I thought you said you had to think about it."

"I did."
 

Author's Note

Named after the song by Savage Garden
It's mentioned in the story