Stars by the Shore

Chapter 1

Third person
--

Luke sat across from Mad on his couch, feet kicked out. Mad was staring down at her phone, scrolling mindlessly when Luke finally spoke up, "Y'know what pisses me off?"

Mad paused for a moment before grunting in response, "hm?"

"They don't go by a schedule. Why would they just sporadically commit crimes? Do they not plan it out?"

Mad looks up at her best friend, lips pressed together, "Luke, sweet girl, do you think they're trying to avoid you?"

Luke pressed her eyebrows together, "Why would they? Even still they can...-"

"Ah yes, why would they avoid the one group of people who want to take down their operation?"

"Normally villains don't do that shit. Our last group we had to take down had exact plans and schedules for us, and they never changed."

Mad paused for a moment, rolling her eyes before commenting, "and why do you think they're no longer our issue?"

"Cause we caught them?"

"Exactly."

Luke dropped her shoulders, "Oh. Okay yeah that makes sense. But it still pisses me off. I also just feel like they're everywhere."

"You know I love you, but please shut up." Mad looked back down to her phone, "You didn't sleep well last night."

"Why do you say that?"

"You cant process the most basic of equations. You only act this dumb when you're not sleeping."

Luke pushed the phone out of her hand, "are you not gonna ask why I can't sleep?"

Mad huffed a little, "no."

Luke huffed back, "why?"

Mad rolled her eyes and deadpanned to Luke, "You know I know you too well for that. You've been having nightmares about losing me.

"I haven't told you that..."

"You don't have to tell me, I notice." Mad grabbed her phone back, "its my job. Now go get some rest while you can. I'm right here, I'm safe."

Luke nodded and pushed herself off the couch, lazily striding towards her bedroom. As she collapsed on her bed, she almost instantly found herself asleep. 

★

A small nudge woke her from her sleep, "Luke.. Luke.. get up."

She stretched out and cracked her eyes open to access her surroundings, "hm?" As Luke opened her eyes, she jumped at the sight of Mad's face FAR too close for comfort. "oh what the FUCK?!"

Mad stepped back to avoid a swing from Luke, "Oops.."

"Whatttt" Luke grumbled, "do you need?"

"They called us, there's an issue in the city."

"Can't they just.. wait?" Luke groaned and sat up, rubbing her eyes.

Madz smiled, "some days I wonder how you're still the town hero, y'know that?"

"Me too." Luke laughed and threw her feet over the side of the bed, reaching to the night stand and grabbing her face mask. "alright, let's go."

★

Luke found herself strolling down the main street of the city. Mad was on the other side of the street, trying to figure out what was going on.

Sirens littered the surrounding area, cops had got there before she did. She was half-way grateful, she just wanted to relax today. She looked around and swiftly walked into the street to speak to an officer who was holding traffic.

"Ma'am, do we know what happened?"

She smiled, recognizing Luke's face, "oh hi, they actually won't give us much detail at all. All we know is that there's a new group in town and they're asking for trouble."

"Is there anything you can tell me? Did they manage to catch any of them? What did they do?"

"I really wish I could tell you more. I know that they managed to get one of the people responsible, but apparently they've been dead silent since they were put in cuffs."

Luke nods and turns her head towards Mad, who was now nowhere to be seen, "Mad? Mads?" She raised her voice, stepping to the side trying to spot her. Her eyes darted everywhere. When she started pacing the area, it got the attention of another officer in the area. "What's wrong?"

"Oh uhm.." she rubbed the back of her neck, "I don't know where my friend went.. I'm sure she's around here somewhere, though."

He flashes a fake smile and nods, "okay well, were here if you need anything."

She nods and continues pacing the street she was on.

Where the fuck is she?

The cops slowly started heading out after they finished various paperwork. Two officers were left remaining at the scene, who were now more focused on calming Luke.

"Where was the last place you saw her?"

Luke let out a silent sob, still trying to remain intact, "she was walking by the scene, just like I was."

"And you didn't see her walk with anyone? Or maybe step into an alley?"

"No. She wouldn't do that without telling me."

The quieter officer, An officer Luke was not familiar with, spoke up, "You and your friend are the toughest crime-fighting team I've seen in my entire career. I don't find it likely that she's in danger." She paused and made a sympathetic face, "Go home for now, see if she's home. Take a nap, and then if you're still worried, come back and we'll find her."

Luke nods slowly, disagreeing with her choice but knowing she's probably right, "thank you. I'll go check home. By the way, what's your name?"

"Ania. I'm new to this district."

"Mm, nice meeting you." Luke nodded and waved them off, turning back towards her house.

★

A painful walk landed Luke back at home, now finally able to let loose. When she stepped inside the house, she fell back against the closed door. She cried out for Mads, hoping she would hear a voice call back.

She slowly slipped down the door and ended in the fetal position, sobbing into her knees.

"Damnit Mad, where did you go?"

--
956 words

I really hope this chapter is alright, I always hate introducing characters.

PS. Having conflict at the very beginning of the story is my favorite way to piss off my readers lmfaooo
@/Doxa

anyways, I love y'all, sorry the first chapter took so long. I'm working on the second asap <3