Wish upon a Star

Chapter 5

~Authors Note: Remember to read the previous part if you haven't ;). If you liked it, feel free to vote, and I hope you like this part.~

"That... was... the... worst... idea... ever..." Ellie panted. Both Tegan and Ellie had collapsed into a side alleyway approximately 500 meters away. To either side of them were two solid slabs of brick or concrete seemingly cascading all the way up past the clouds.

"What are you talking about? We just saved ourselves from getting caught." 

"And now what? We wait for the police to catch us?" Ellie took off her bag and flung herself down to the asphalt, leaning against the wall. "He has our faces Tegan."

"Okay... hold on. Is that what you're worried about?" Tegan looked at Ellie with a puzzled face. "You do realize: he doesn't even know we stole the card, he probably thinks we're pranksters trying to waste his time. Irregardless, he'll already be at the police station by the time he realizes he's lost the footage. By then, he's a dead man either way. Who's going to believe juvenile kids stopped him to try and help get a paper down, and then he gave them his bag, and then they stole the card." Tegan slumped down next to Ellie. "They'll just think he's trying to make excuses, we're safe for now."

Ellie paused and glared at Tegan her mind filling with questions. "How could you be so heartless, Tegan?! I've never seen you like this before. He's a person too, it's not only about ourselves, when will you realize that?" Ellie yelled.

"What do you not get?! This is not for me, and it's not for us. It's for Phil."

"That doesn't mean it's an excuse to ruin people's lives!"

"Whatever."

***

There was a cheap café two blocks away from the street which they were at that both Ellie and Tegan had seen before.The atmosphere was warm and filled with chatter as Ellie and Tegan walked into the capacity. The light was dim, and the air crisp, but it was still a break from the bitter cold outside. 

"I know you're not talking to me, but I have some money in my pocket, what do you want?" Tegan questioned snappily. 

Ellie sighed, "I'll just have a cookie, I guess, and also a coffee, no sugar." 

While Tegan immersed herself into the silent lines of people ordering their drinks, Ellie wandered around the area, looking for a quiet and hidden place to sit. She eventually chose a secluded table and sofa area decorated with plants and plaques describing the stores achievements. It wasn't much later when Tegan came back, and they drank in silence. 

Suddenly, the quiet musical tunes playing from the TV on the wall changed into a news report: "Breaking News! We have gotten reports of a missing child, 5 foot 4 inches, brunette..."

As Ellie was sipping her coffee, Tegan slapped at her elbow. "Ow! Why'd you do that?!" 

"Ellie. Be quiet, and keep your head down."

"Why?"

"Don't look back. Your face is plastered all over TV, your parents put you as a missing person." Tegan was right. Directly behind Ellie, on TV were photos of Ellie in various different ages, while the TV reporter continuously mumbled on and on, describing more details of her "disappearance". Sharp whispers could be heard, and there was no risking it.

"We need to go, I'll finish my coffee and run, follow me out."

"Fine."

***

As soon as Ellie took her last sip, she grabbed whatever scarves/jackets she had hiding in her bag and ran out, crashing the door behind her. Tegan, careful to wait a few seconds trudged over to the door and slowly walked out. She then ran across the turn to catch up to Ellie.

"Why did they do that? Why did they have to make it so hard for us?!" Ellie cried.

"Why did they do that? My parents don't even care if I'm missing for a week. Didn't you realize how long the sleepovers I'd have at your place would be. They would be glad if I ran out and never came back again. You're lucky you have a family who at least cares."

"Oh... I didn't know that." Ellie wrapped her arm around Tegan's shoulder, trying to console her. "Why didn't you ever tell me about this before?" 

Tegan frowned. "It's not exactly something to be proud of. While you were getting grounded for coming late and getting large portions of food, I'd have to pry money out of my parent's wallets for food, and hope that they at least cared."

"I'm sorry." They both sat cold, and scared, bitten by the cold frost of the evening. "But, this isn't the end of it. We need to find who killed Phil."