Where No One Dares

Chapter 10: The Doctor and the Lie

Yes, Marco had promised to stay away.

Yes, he had promised to never forget her.

But...he missed her. He wanted her back. He wanted to know how she was doing.

And unfortunately, she wasn't doing great.

"I don't know what to do," Madame Moon whined to Toffee through her communicator. "She won't eat, she can't sleep, and she's still really sick. I thought this would help—taking her away from Echo Creek...and that boy—but it's not. Nothing's changing."

Star groaned and clutched her stomach as if to prove Madame Moon's point.

"You have to come see her," Madame whispered.

"No!" Star refused.

"We have no choice!"

"No! I won't. You can't make me!" Star shook her head and ran off, out of the tent and into the woods.

"Star, come back!" Madame Moon shouted after her. She tried to run after her in her heels, but Star was faster bare-footed.

She didn't stop running until it started raining. She took refuge under a tree and hugged her knees against her chest. She was cold in her thin dress, shivering as she tried to keep warm.

After a quick nap Star awoke with a start and wondered what time it was now. The rain had died down and there was no lightning. She got up and figured she should go back before she ended up getting even sicker. Only...which way was back?

She trudged aimlessly through the trees, squinting at her surroundings as if she would suddenly recognize something. All of a sudden, there was the sound of a snapping twig, and she gasped.

"...Hello?" a far away sounding voice called out. It sounded familiar, so Star ran towards it. She was met with a flashlight before it was lowered and she could see who it was.

"Star?" Marco frowned, his hair billowing in the wind. He was soaked like he'd been in the rain all night. "Is that you?" He wasn't sure, because the girl in front of him didn't have golden choppy hair. "What happened to your hair?"

"Marco," Star croaked, hugging herself. "...I shaved it. It's so I can look different. I know it's not pretty—"

"It's fine," Marco assured her, cracking a small smile. "I like it."

Star looked down to hide a smile and tapped her foot impatiently. "W-w...What are you doing here?" she stuttered, shivering some more.

Marco hesitated, before removing his coat and coming closer to drape it over her.

"...I...wanted to see how you were," he mumbled.

Star pulled the coat tighter against herself. "...Well, see," she said with a sigh. "Peachy."

Marco's eyes softened and he fought the urge to give her a hug. "We all miss you," he offered.

"I can't come back," Star said firmly. "You know that." Then she looked up and blinked tears out of her eyes. "And the worst part is, Echo Creek is the best place."

Marco nodded. "...Hey, Star. You never really told me much about your curse. Where does this all start?"

Star bit her lip and looked around anxiously. "My Mama and Papa died two years ago. Our family is very rich, but I don't like my other family, so I ran away before any of them could find me and take me. I don't care about money. I just want Mama and Papa," she murmured, kicking the mud and wriggling her toes in it. "I was always in trouble. It was tough, and I was about to go back...but then I came to a house, and I went inside to mess it up. It was a witch's house, and I destroyed her whole life's work. I didn't know. She cursed me. I've been everywhere, looking for her. But it won't take away the curse. It's not...the answer."

"What is the answer?" Marco narrowed his eyes.

She shrugged.

"Are you feeling any better?"

Star shook her head.

"So, I'm not really the problem?" His voice took on a hopeful tone.

"You are," Star said, and shattered his dreams. "Marco, I don't want to hurt you—"

"And I don't want to lose you." He grabbed her arm. Star gasped and looked up into his somber brown eyes. And her heart broke, knowing that he was serious.

"I want to do whatever it takes to fix you."

"It's not simple," Star whispered.

"Nothing is simple," Marco pointed out. "But I can't resist solving a problem."

"But you can't solve this." Star reached up and cupped his cheek, ignoring the lightheaded feeling that developed. "This is my fault. I have to do the right thing. Don't cry," she said softly, as tears spilled down his face. She wiped them away and offered a weak smile.

"How can you say that?" Marco hissed. "I knew there was something special about you from the moment you showed up. I'm not giving you up this easily."

Star pressed her lips into a line and glared up at Marco. "Danger," she murmured.

"Remember what I told you?" Marco asked. Star blushed at the memory. "You're fire. Irresistible. And I know I'll get burnt."

Star's lip quivered. "I don't understand...why. Why do you care so much about me?"

"I don't understand why you think you don't deserve it."

"I don't," Star insisted. "I'm not special. No one will notice when I'm gone."

Marco frowned. "I'll notice. Ferguson, Alfonzo, Jackie, and Jana. Madame Moon. My parents. The whole of Echo Creek. Okay, maybe not. But they should."

A ghost of a smile appeared on her face. "I chose to be a nobody."

Marco didn't say anything for a few seconds. "Can I kiss you?" he eventually asked.

Star's eyes widened before she looked away. "...Yes," she said in a small voice.

"Are you sure?" Marco checked. "You'll collapse again."

"...Yes," Star breathed.

Marco couldn't help smile, leaning in closer and cupping her cheek. Her eyelids fluttered closed as she felt his lips against her own. She slid her arms around his neck as she kissed him harder, making the most of the time she'd be conscious. And when it started burning, she had to let go before the fire might manifest. She staggered a little, then stumbled into Marco's waiting arms.

"...More. Give more. Give...sacrifice," she whispered before she went limp. Marco wondered what on earth she had just said, and picked her up bridal style. He looked down at her face. She looked rather peaceful, with a slight flush in her cheeks. He ran his hand over her head, feeling the texture of a scrubbing brush, and thinking it was cute.

"Star! Star...!" a voice shouted a way off from Marco. He saw the light of torches and realized Madame Moon must've been looking for her 'niece'.

He kissed her forehead and started walking towards the light. "You're somebody to me," he whispered.

A/N

Don't you just love romance, especially when it's this cute? I can't help fangirling (EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEH)

Anyway, what did Star mean in what she whispered?

And what are Marco and Star going to do about their current situation?

Make sure to stay tuned to find out!

Thanks for reading!

Sincerely, 

Chukwu