Chasing Stars

The Effects

BANG! John dropped to the ground, dark red blood immediately pooling around his torso. I shrieked, stumbling backward as the ground pitched and rolled. "What have I done?" I mumbled, my eyes falling on my brother and Race's dead bodies. Hot tears pricked the corners of my eyes and spilled down my face shortly after.

"It's okay," Mush muttered, pulling me into his chest and stroking my head.

"No, it's not!" I screamed, pulling away. "Mush, they're dead because of me!"

"There's nothing you could've done!" He fired back.

"If I hadn't stolen this stupid cigar, they'd both still be here!"

"Nothing would've been any different! You can't change the past, Luna!"

I stepped back, eyes wide. "Oh yeah? And what if it was you in one of their places or right there with them?" I choked on the words, another round of warm water welling up in my eyes.

"I would've happily given my life to keep you safe," he sighed. "They gave themselves up BECAUSE they loved you as a little sister. And I love-" Mush cut himself off, a few tears rolling down his cheeks.

"Mush, I-" I sighed, giving up the fight and sliding over to him, wiping the tears from his cheeks and pulling him into a hug. "We have ta tell the others."

"Ya," he agreed. We headed back, heads hung low.

"Where's Racer and Elmer?" Albert asked.

I placed Racetrack's cigar in the ginger's hand, "gone."

"Whaddya mean, gone?" Romeo's eyes widened.

"They....Someone my father knew killed them in the process of attempting killing me. I couldn't save them," I pulled my knees to my chest as soon as I sat down on the couch. A dark red-haired girl shrieked, her blue eyes wide in horror.

"You-you mean Race is...is dead?" She stammered.

I nodded, jumping when the vase she was holding shattered all over the floor. "And the killer?" Jack asked, a terrifying look in his eyes.

"Also dead," Mush replied.

"How?" The leader asked, his jaw clenched.

"I-I shot him, so he wouldn't hurt anyone else," I mumbled. Gasps went around the room, followed by Mush sitting beside me. "It's my fault they're gone," I admitted.

"Ya couldn't help it, Stars," Albert acknowledged, shooting Mush a look.

"I already told ya, it ain't your fault," Mush sighed, rubbing my shoulder.

"And I already told you that it IS my fault," I hissed, closing my eyes.

"C'mon, Stars. Ya don't need ta blame yourself. They put themselves in the way of those shots for a reason," Mush tried. I stood up abruptly, tears filling my eyes.

"I—I need some air," I sighed, going outside. The leaves of the trees were starting to turn into the beautiful fall colors I loved so much, and the sun was setting, lighting the leaves up. I kicked a trash can before sitting down on the stairs, warm liquid spilling down my cheeks.

Mush's POV:

"I—I need some air," Star sighed, rushing out the door.

A few seconds passed before we heard a loud crash. "Um, should someone go out and check on her?" Albert asked, concerned.

"Let's give her a little bit. She just lost her brother and friend AND THEN killed the guy who killed them. She's pretty overwhelmed," I reasoned, getting a few agreeing nods from the fellas.

A few minutes had passed and Stars hadn't come back, to be honest, I was getting worried, as were the others. "I'll go check on her," I stood up, heading outside to find the black-haired girl asleep on the steps. Her face had stains from crying and her jet black hair was blocking part of her pale face.

I smiled to myself, lifting her up bridal style and carrying her up to the room we used to share with Race and Elmer. Race and Elmer, I thought, almost tripping over my own two feet.  I gently placed Star on her bed, pulling the sheet over her shoulders and going back down. "She's asleep," I whispered.

"She should take the day off, tomorrow," Specs offered. "Y'know, to recover."

"Yeah," most of us agreed.

"We could split some of our day's keep with her, that way she still has some money," Jack suggested.

"Agreed," Albert said, pulling his hat off, wracking it on his leg before fastening it back to his head.

"Alright, we should all head to bed," I offered.

"Okay, but first, when are ya gonna ask her?" Crutchie arched a brow playfully.

"Ask who what?" I asked, playing dumb although I knew what the cripple meant.

"Ask Star ta be yer goil," Crutchie explained.

"Oh, uhh...She's goin' through a lot right now, I don't think it's a good idea," I rubbed the back of my neck, face getting hot. Crutchie elbowed Jack, whispering something to him.

"I think it'll take her mind off of loosing Race and Elmer," Jack decided.

"Uhm, she needs to recover and so do we. I mean, we all just lost two brothers and y'all are pesterin' me about askin' her to be my goil." We all hung our heads, some of us whispering a few words.

"I think you both need it," Albert pressed, getting at what Jack and Crutchie were saying.

"You guys are impossible," I chuckled, heading up to the room. Noticing Star had kicked her blankets off, I pulled them back onto her before going to my own bed.

The Next Morning:

I sat up to a chill sweeping through the room. Star was shivering, small tears rolling down her face. I went over, placing my blanket over hers, then over her shoulders. After she stopped shivering, I gently wiped the tears away from her face and pulled my second shirt and suspenders on.

I started to head out, but decided to write her a quick note. I then headed down as the circulation bell rang. "She asleep?" Crutchie asked as I met them at the gate. 

"Yeah. I wrote her a note as well, explaining why she wasn't woken up," I explained, waiting to collect my papers. 

"Well, I heard that Elmer and Racer died yesterday. And the little goil is skippin' work today, huh, Morris?" Oscar Delancey's annoying voice filled my ear, causing my to clench my fists. 

"Yeah, I heard she's leaving as soon as she gets the chance. Can't blame her, I wouldn't wanna be hangin' around these loosers either," Morris agreed, laughing. 

"I'll take a hundred," I hissed through gritted teeth. 

"Hundred for Mush. Where's the pretty lady?" Oscar purred, tossing my papers at me. 

"Not coming," I growled, walking away. 

"See, told ya! She's ditchin' these boys to be with people more her speed," Oscar bellowed, high fiving his brother. I promptly threw a rock at the two, Jack and Albert behind me. 

"She's never gonna go for either of ya. You're too self-centered," I claimed. 

"Oh yeah? What makes you any better?" A girl with blonde hair and an expensive looking dress walked in, giving both boys a hug. 

"Uhm, who are you?" Albert grimaced, readjusting his cap. 

"Delilah Delancey. And you three are: Jack Kelly, Mush, and Albert." The blonde grinned, looking me over. I rolled my eyes. 

"So, which one of these sewer rats are you with?" Jack asked, his voice gravelly. 

"I'm not theirs, silly. I'm their little sister," Delilah laughed, tossing her hair behind her shoulder. 

"Pfft. Shoulda guessed, y'all act and look the same, except for yer hair," Albert rolled his eyes. 

"Oscar said I could come down and pick one of ya to make mine," the blonde grinned, green eyes falling on me.