"I've left you two some drinks on the bench if you get thirsty!" Called Mrs. Diaz.

"Thanks Mrs. Diaz!" Replied Star Butterfly, a wonderfully unique and optimistic fourteen year old.

"Yeah, thanks Mum!" (Sorry to all the Americans out there, we Aussies spell it mum not mom) echoed her karate-loving friend, Marco Diaz.

"Are you sure you'll be alright on your own?" She called, anxiously.

"Chill mum, we'll be fine!" Answered Marco.

"I still want the house in-tact by the time we get home!" Called Mr. Diaz, Marco's Hispanic father.

"Don't worry, I'm the 'Safe Kid', remember?" This had become a running joke in the household ever since Star arrived from Mewni.

"Bye!"

"Back to watching that movie, hey?" Asked Star excitedly.

"Yeah, I can't wait until you see the sequel, there's a pretty crazy twist."

"Don't spoil it!" Exclaimed Star, pushing Marco off the couch jokingly.

"Hey!" He said, getting back up. "Now that I'm up, how 'bout I get us those drinks?"

"Yeah!" She said.

~#~#~

"Quick you dipstick, he's coming!" Said Ludo.

"Yes boss." Replied BuffFrog.

~#~#~

"Here you go, Star." Said Marco.

"Mmm!" She said, looking at the smoothie as he handed it to her.

She took a sip, but there was a taste that was in no way want to be ther, the taste of blood.

"Marco don't drink that!" Exclaimed Star, knocking the drink out of his hand where it sizzled in the carpet.

"What the?!"

She got up and started pacing, coughing furiously. "That drink- *cough* was filled- *cough cough* with- *another cough* poison." She said, her voice getting hoarser with every word.

"POISON?! (*cough cough cough*) Wait, you've just been poisoned?!" He said, his face turning very pale.

She nodded.

"Marco, *cough* don't let- *cough* Ludo get the- the wand" her face was paling as well, her strength leaving her with every second that passed.

"Is there a cure?" He asked frantically.

"Yes," she wasn't coughing or pacing any more, but swaying on the spot, not a spot of colour on her face. "I have... Three days... Before I- I"

And with that, she fell to the floor, unconscious.

The word cough has lost all meaning.