Falling Star

Chapter 01 - Stranger

Red and blue lights flashed infront of her eyes, black and yellow letters surrounded around the crime. It's been a while since a car passed by, and found them around in a death sight. Sasha Cruiser layed her back by the lifter, her hands dangling on her sides.

"Can you hear me?" A woman asked her while they pushed her inside a car.

She wanted to answer, but cannot do such thing. Everything around her is a blur, with the flashes of light dancing around her eyes. And it's the only thing she knew about, before everything seemed to swirl like water.

                                                                                °°°

Sasha flattered her eyes open. Everything that happened flashed back through her mind, saddening her heart. She looked around ㅡ there is no one but her, in a room full of white. She twitched her left eye to test pain, which reacted too soon. Sasha winced loudly, together with the opening of the door. Her mother appeared in sight, the effect of depression plastered on her face.

"Mom..." She croaked, tears falling down her cheek.

Her mother looked up in surprise, and when realization clicked in, she rapidly sprinted toward her daughter. "Sarah!"

Her mother hugged her tightly, as if she'll lose her if she didn't. "You're safe now, honey ㅡ don't worry." She whispered, carresing Sasha's hair.

Sasha's eyebrows scrunched up together in confusion, thinking about what her mother had just called her. She didn't speak, though for she is afraid to tell her mother the truth. Sasha knew that she has to carry on, but it seems like her conscience is starting to kick in. She hugged her mother back, tightening her grip. Now it's clear to her, that everything has changed. The girl whose once named Sasha Cruiser ㅡ is now Sarah, her sister. Ironic, but Sasha wanted answers for the longing and thristy questions of hers.

"Mom..." Her voice was so hoarse that she almost didn't hear herself.

"What is it, hun?" She's mother asked, pure concern lacing in her tone.

"Da... Dad. Sasha..."

"Shh, shh, you're dad's fine ㅡ and Sasha..." Her mother's voice broke at the mention of her name.

All this time Sasha thought her mother had forgotten about her, but the tears that wettens her shoulder proved her wrong. Sasha silently rubbed her right hand at her mother's back up and down, trying to give comfort. But she's glad that her dad is safe, for he is the reason why Sasha's still alive. Back from the crime scene before the strange man came, Sasha and her father were talking at their kitchen like a typical night before bed time.

Then a suspicious knock came from the door, and when her dad opened it, the next thing she knew, she was already running. But not before his dad told her to.

"It's ㅡ my... Fault." She tried hard to speak, but her mother shushed her.

After several minutes of her mother crying, finally, the door opened and three policemen entered the room. Their faces were stoned, and one of those is her father's. He looked mad, and solemn at the same time.

Both women followed each of their moves as they trailed towards them. Her parents are divorced, giving the reason why Sasha and Sarah grew up separated with each other, Sasha on her father's side while Sarah on her mother's ㅡ but when they reached highschool, together until college, their parents allowed the twins to be with each other.

"Greg, what are..." Her mother trailed off, sounding shock.

Of course, she is, for Sasha's father had never showed up since the twins lived with their mother.

"You." Greg pointed an accusing finger towards Sasha. "Bitch, how could you?!"

Deep rage plastered on his face. Tears started to fall from his eyes, but he didn't mind. He didn't care, but not unless it has something to do with Sasha. She cried. She missed her father's face, voice ㅡ and everything, but now he's calling him "bitch".

"How could you? You should've been the one who died, not MY child! You let her die!" Greg was about to hit Sasha when his company stopped him.

He struggled, but they were strong enough to maintain his movements. They managed at let her father out, but not before saying...

"Thank you for you're time, Ms. Heffley." One of them said, before slamming the door.

Her mother's knees buckled together as the door closed shut with a loud bang. 

                                                                            °°° 

"Are you ready?" Her mother's voice boomed inside the empty room.

Sasha looked at the mirror carefully, for she couldn't believe how much she and her sister looked like. After ten days of recovery, her ill had been cured ㅡ but the doom of her life had come as the trauma inside her vanished. It was fast, which was a good sign. The news was spread like a whisper in a rushing wind through open ears whose souls were restless.

"Yes, I'm coming..." She barely whispered.

Red, short cocktail dress, dark red lipstick, curly brown hair, caked face filled with heavy foundation, red six inch high heels and black dark shades is out of her daily clothing ㅡ but in order to survive a life of a diva in front of the camera, Sasha has to do everything and pretend. She touched the expensive lace of white pearl on her neck, Sarah's first ever accessory. It was off limits from anyone, but now she's wearing it and it's all hers.

"Fight... Don't fright." Sasha said to herself, copying the quote from her dead sister before she proceeded on walking out of her empty hospital room, her red high heels clanking with the cold, hard tiles.  

Opening the door, thousands of camera lights flashed before her sunglasses ㅡ mics being pushed through her mouth. Reporters blabber questions all at the same time, defeaning her ears. Beefy hands pushed them away from the singer, a narrow path slowly forming for her. Her feet moved forwards, leading her toward a black limousine. The chaffeor opened the door for her while she entered as casually as she can.

"Sasha Cruiser, huh? As an exchange for her sister..." A voice almost made her jump as she took her seat. Her eyes travelled infront of a tall, pale man with formal wearing. "whatever disguise you do, still I will always find you." 

Shivers went up her spine. "Wh - Who are you?" Sasha asked, her voice hoarse.

The stranger gave her a mischivous smile. "Scared, are we?" 

Her breathing hitched. "N - No!" 

"Then why are your hands shaking?" He casually drank his red wine. "I am detective Loki, sorry for not introducing myself early. And I am here with you to discuss... Things."