Stupid bloody alarm!
Sun had wanted to hire the shrieking device across the room. Smash it to smithereens by bashing it on the wall.
But then Sun remembered that the annoyingly shrill interruption came from a unit that cost too much money for the type of behaviour.
More technology and processing power than that which was required to get a rocket to the moon!
All in your pocket!
And for what?
Streaming retreads of old TV shows that upset people due to dodgy morals and casual isms. Thousands of autotuned songs that could be ‘sung’ by anyone.
Countless, endless videos of people doing things they should be ashamed of in a bid to become famous.
Far away bullies, hidden behind so-called anonymity, causing pain and suffering with nasty, narcissistic commentary on people they wanted to hurt and humiliate.
Sun lay in bed, wondering what was the point in getting up to shine a light on all this tedium and tawdry titillation.
Sun thought of Moon, and how Moon had covered the night shift in aa silvery glow. Sun though Moon had it easy. Shadow hid so much of the shady acts people got up too.
Under the cover of darkness.
Emboldened by not being seen.
But that was that anyone wanted anymore.
To be seen.
To be heard.
The screaming and the shouting never ceased.
Beamed through TV portals.
Lined up in algorithms and blue-toothed feeds.
Yeah, Moon, the easy shift! Less sociable, sure.
Quieter.
Peaceful.
Sun opened the curtains.
Saw the Stars and for the first time saw them for what they were.
Sun heard the gentle sobs.
Recognised the sounds.
Moon’s shoulders shook slightly. And tears fell from Moon’s face. Shining and sparkling as they found place in the night sky.
The inky black dotted with a million regrets.
Moon felt it all!
Moon saw the lonely people. Moon saw the flickering of light.
Of far too many TVs left on far too late at night.
Moon felt the fingers of endless swiping.
Scrolling.
Scrolling to find someone to be lonely with.
Angry at.
Searching for connections beyond those that the on-screen options allow.
And Moon sobbed.
Moon could do little to help.
Moon could only hang there above, patiently observing.
Helpless and hopeless.
‘It will be OK’, Sun called out.
Moon shrugged.
‘It will,’ Sun continued, ‘It will be better’.
‘You got them through the night’, Sun offered, hoping to reassure Moon.
‘Some have not slept’, Moon countered. ‘Some have dreams so bad, I can’t stand it. The things that come out when people think no one is watching....’ Moon shuddered once more. ‘I can’t take it anymore. I can’t!’
Sun reached out a hand, as night turned to morning.
Moon turned away, wiping their eyes.
Sun placed a hand on Moon’s shivering shoulders.
And they sat there together watching the world turn.
