To New Things?

Chapter 23: Taken.

Star stares up at the night sky. The day was pretty uneventful. She threw up at least 4 times with the unpleasant surprise of feeling nauseous the rest of the time, and with this new feeling of being completely wiped out, it feels like it's been a long day looking for Marco. Once everyone went home, she knew in her gut Marco was in Mewni, probably confronting Toffee. Hopefully winning. The thought made her itchy, so she scratched. And scratched and scratched.

"Star, honey?"

Her door creaks and she looks up from her bed. There stands her mother, holding a glass of milk and a plate of cookies. Star smiles and sits up.

"Hi mommy. Come in."

Moon walks in and sets the plate of cookies down on the bedside table. She hands Star the glass of milk and Star takes it happily.

"Thank you."

"How's the uh... the search coming?"

Star sighs.

"Not good. The only place left to think of is Mew... I-I mean.. out of town. We might searching again tomorrow."

"I'm sure you'll find him. And once you do, he'll be alright."

Moon pats Star's back, planting a warm kiss to her head.

"Get some rest dear. I'll bring you some ointment for that rash."

"Huh?"

Star looks down and notices her arm was red and scratched up. Ew. Moon walks out and closes the door. Everything was so messed up now. If only she hadn't run into Marco on the day they met. He'd be safe.. probably with another girl. Probably Jackie.

"Ugh... M-Maybe I should go look one more time."

She gets up, wrapping her blanket around her shoulders, and walks out of her room. She walks down the steps in her slippers, and quietly walks out the front door.

"Going somewhere?"

"Ah!"

She falls down on her butt, and winces in pain. Over her stood Tom. He laughs and claps his hands.

"Tom?! Argh! You scared the shit outta me!"

"I did? Ha, nice."

She gets back up and rubs her butt.

"What're you doing here, anyway?"

Tom shrugs and readjusts his bag on his shoulder.

"Came to hang with my number one girl. That ok?"

"Aw. Yeah. That's really ok. I could use the company. I'm just uh.. going to check the mail. I'll be back in a sec."

"Okay. Don't be too long, starship."

Tom walks inside and closes the door. Star walks down the street, following the street lights. She sighs, scratching her arm again. Her body aches but she tries to ignore it, soaking up the cool breeze that blew in her direction. She closes her eyes. Then, there was this noise. This tiny noise like... like someone was dragging a blade across the concrete of the sidewalk. Star stops dead in her tracks and looks around. The noise was getting closer.

"Wh-who's there? I swear Tom, if you're trying to scare me!"

Star yelps, holding her hands up.

"I-I know how to fight! My best friend taught me karate! I'll fight you!"

She smiles to herself as the sound stops.