CHAPTER TWO

His legs hurt. Hell, his entire body hurt. He had been walking all day, and he still had yet to get anything to eat. He didn't want to stop, though. No matter how much his body screamed for a break, he continued to walk.
He had made it to the highway leading out of Quahog. It took him an entire day for him to get to that. How long was it going to take to get to New York? A week, three weeks? A month? He paused suddenly when he saw something in front of him. A hauntingly familiar figure dressed in a white shirt with a red tie. The white-blond hair that laid evenly on the man's head told Stewie it was but one person...Brian.
He knew the figure wasn't real, so why was he running up to it? As he got closer to "Brian", the figure began to fade away. By the time he had reached the spot where he had seen it, Brian was gone. Stewie stopped, out of breath, and leaned against a guard rail. Great.He thought. Now I'm actually having hallucinations about him. I must be crazy.
He sat against the guard rail, catching his breath and allowing his legs to have a small break. Fuck this.He thought. There's no way I can make it to New York. Not without a ride.He sat up and stuck out his thumb. Car after car passed by, giving the teen no notice whatsoever. He sighed as he continued to walk with his thumb out. Please, I just need a ride.
Suddenly, a small blue car slowed and Stewie instantly recognized it. The car pulled off to the side of the road and came to a stop. Stewie jogged over to the passenger side window as it rolled down to reveal Meg.

"Stewie, what the hell are you doing?" She asked him in shock.

"I don't want to talk about it right now." he answered. "Meg, is there any way you could give me a ride to New York. I'll pay you whatever you need."

"New York?! Why the hell are you wanting to go to New York?"

Stewie sighed, "Because I want out of here."

Meg studied his expression, attempting to get a read on his face. Eventually she gave up and unlocked her door. "Get in."

Stewie obliged and she pulled back onto the road. "Well before we go anywhere, we're going to stop somewhere and eat. I didn't have my lunch today." Meg stated.

"That sounds fine with me." Stewie replied.

_

They ended up stopping at a diner just outside of Quahog. As they both sat there and tried to decide what they wanted to eat, Stewie couldn't help but be impressed with how much better Meg looked than the last time he had seen her.
A couple of years ago, Meg had eventually became fed up with the way her family treated her and, in a much more civil way, left the family just as Stewie did. He'd heard word of her opening her own coffee and doughnut shop and that it was quite successful around the area.
Not only had she shed the weight she had when she was younger, leaving her looking surprisingly attractive; she also looked much happier. As if her former awkward and depressive self was a thing of the past.
Meg was the only person in that house that Stewie actually grew to like. Most of that was because they both shared the same resentment for their family; but also because they understood each other. He missed having someone around like that, and he was glad it was her who stopped to pick him up.
Meg lowered her menu to look at the teenager, "So, are you going to tell me why you are wanting to go to New York?"

Stewie sighed, "It's something I want to do. I need to get away from this place and start a life of my own. New York City is where I can start."

"To get into acting?"

Stewie nodded, "Exactly."

Meg stared at him quizzically. "Why didn't you ask mom or dad to take you or something?"

"Are you kidding me?" Stewie laughed. "From what I told Lois before I left, I doubt they'd do anything for me. Nor would I want them to."

"Told her what?"

"How I felt about them all these years." Stewie answered matter of factly. "I told her she took away Brian, the person that gave me something to live for. Therefore she was no mother to me."

Despite Lois being her mother, Meg couldn't help but smile. "Really? How'd she take it?"

"Not well."

Meg chuckled, "I wish I had the courage to tell her those things. After all the hell she and everyone else put us through, I think she deserved it."

"Yes, well I think she now sees the mistakes she's made over the years."

"Yeah." Meg agreed. "So what about Brian?"

Stewie frowned at her mentioning of the name. "What about him?"

"Did he ever call you?"

Stewie sighed as he propped his elbows on the table and rested his head in his hands. "No." he grumbled. "He didn't."

Meg reached across the table and took her brother's hand. "I'm sorry, Stewie. I know you were looking forward to that."

"All my life, I've waited." he whispered.

"I know." Meg replied. "Maybe you'll find him someday."

"What's the point?" Stewie sniffed. "He obviously doesn't care about me anymore."

"You don't know that for sure, Stewie. Just have some faith."

Stewie lifted his head and smiled at his sister. "Thanks, Meg."

Meg smiled and nodded.

_

After their meal, they stopped at the bank so Stewie could withdraw the money he's had saved. He counted over $4000. Should be more than enough to get him started. Stewie settled himself in his seat in an attempt to make himself comfortable. They had a three hour drive ahead of them.
Meg was talking about her coffee shop and how successful it became over the years. Stewie couldn't lie to himself, he considered just staying and working with her. It wouldn't be too bad. He got along with Meg well and he could get an apartment in Quahog. Yes it was something he could do. But how happy would I truly be? he asked himself. He knew the answer was not enough, so he didn't bother asking Meg about it.
Over the course of the drive, they talked about when they both lived at the Griffin's house. How they both suffered endlessly over the years of living there. As much as the family seemed stable and loving on the outside, and no matter how much the Griffins wanted to believe that. They were always destined to fall apart. With Peter and Lois being uncaring parents at best, and their kids all fucked up in their own ways. They were never going to last. Now, Lois and Peter only have Chris left. Everyone else in that family either was kicked out just for loving someone, or were the smart ones and left on their own accord. Stewie imagined how Lois must be feeling right now. He was actually quite surprised he hadn't tried calling him to apologize or make sure he was okay. Then again, I'm not.He thought. Lois never was as caring and thoughtful as she made herself out to be.
Though there were mostly bad events that happened at their old home, they also talked and laughed at some of the few good moments they shared. It was actually quite nice just sitting and talking to someone. He hadn't done that in years. Meg was the only person he could talk to about anything. At least that he could reach.
They were currently laughing about the time when Peter decided to try stunt driving and attempted to ramp over a line of parked cars. Instead, he wrecked and lost his license, and Meg had to be his chauffeur for a while. Once the laughing slowly died down, Meg turned her head briefly to look at Stewie. "You know, you don't have to do this, Stewie." She began. "I hope you realize that you will always have a place in my home, and I could even bring you on at the coffee shop as a manager. You don't have to run around New York trying to find meaning."

Stewie smiled. "Thanks, Meg, but we both know I have to do this."

Meg looked back onto the road. "Can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

Meg hesitated. "St-Stewie...are you sure you're doing this just because you want to act?"

Stewie turned his head towards her in confusion. "I don't quite know what you mean."

"Well, all I'm saying is that if Brian were to move anywhere, it would be New York City. You know how much he loved to write, and New York would be the place to start a career in it."

Stewie stared at her in silence as she continued. "I'm not trying to assume, Stewie; but if that is the case, just promise me you'll be careful. In cities like New York, you don't always find what you're looking for. In fact, it's known to be quite the opposite."

Stewie looked down at his knees. He never really thought about this. Maybe a part of the reason why he was doing this was to try and find Brian. Maybe a part of him hoped he would just run into him walking down the street. New York would be a likely place Brian would go, so Meg did have a point.

"I don't know, Meg." he responded quietly. "Maybe I am. Who knows anymore."

Meg glanced at him, a hint of worry in her voice as she said, "Just take care of yourself, okay?"

Stewie appreciated his sister's concern. After all, it's not like he received much of it back home. "I will." he replied.

_

Stewie felt a hand prod him in the side. He jumped awake and sat up in his seat.

"Hey, sleepy head. We're here."

Stewie looked around. All he saw were large skyscrapers, then traffic as far as the eye could see. He couldn't suppress the smile that quickly spread across his face. This is where I'm going to start anew.He thought.

"Is there a hotel I can drop you off at, or something?" he heard Meg ask.

He didn't take his eyes off of his surroundings as he answered, "N-no. Just pull off here." he pointed to a few parking spots available to the right.

Meg obliged and shifted the car in park. She turned toward her little brother and smiled. "Well, here we are."

Stewie went to reach into his back pocket to retrieve his wallet. Meg put her hand on his arm in an attempt to stop him. He paused and looked at her in confusion. "No payment necessary." She said.

"But you drove me all this wa-"

"The least I could do for my little brother."

Stewie smiled warmly and reached to pull his sister into a hug. She returned the gesture, then slowly pulled away. "Good luck, Stewie; and take care of yourself. Be sure to call me whenever you get settled."

"I will Meg." Stewie replied. "Thank you so much...for everything."

He opened the car door and stepped out. As he shut the door, Meg waved goodbye. He did so as well, and she slowly pulled away. Stewie watched her go with a sad feeling that it would probably be a very long time before he would be able to see her again. He slung his bag over his head and began walking down the street. He took in his surroundings and took a deep breath. So this is what it feels like to be in New York City.He thought with excitement.
He continued to walk down the sidewalk until he came by some newspaper stands. He grabbed a small map and unfolded it. He looked at the legend off to the side for any kind of Broadway Theater. He found one, but it was four miles away. He slipped the map into his pocket and hailed an incoming taxi. He got in the car and informed the driver of his destination. "Ah." The driver exclaimed in a heavy New York accent. "Going to try and get on as an actor?"

"Actually, yes." Stewie replied beaming. "I came a long way to do it too."

"Where ya coming from?"

"Quahog, Rhode Island."

"Rhode Island." The driver repeated. "You did come a little ways."

About forty minutes later, they arrived. Stewie paid and thanked the driver. He got out of the car and gazed upon the large building that stood before him. "So this is Broadway." he murmured to himself. He stood there in a trance for a good five minutes before coming back to his senses.
He didn't even know what to do. Do I even come here to audition?And what will they say? What do I do to audition? Oh god, now I'm freaking out.He took a deep breath in an attempt to calm himself. He partially regained his composure and wandered into the building.

_

Stewie dragged his feet along the edge of the sidewalk. They didn't want him. He auditioned for three different theaters and all of them told him that he wasn't what they were looking for. In other words, I suck.He thought miserably to himself.
Stewie sighed as he trekked along the many businesses that sat along the side of him. He considered just finding a hotel and staying there until he could sum up enough money to get himself an apartment. What was the point, though. No theater wanted him, that was the only reason why he even came to New York.
Stewie was so lost in thought, he didn't hear footsteps quickly coming up from behind him. He suddenly lurched forward as a man bumped into him. "Excuse me!" the man spoke quickly, and continued to run off at a fast pace. Stewie was suspicious as he had heard of how people got robbed all the time in New York, so ran his hand along his back pocket. It was empty. Fuck!
"Wait!" Stewie shouted desperately. "Someone stop that man! I've been robbed!"

A few people looked on but did nothing. Stewie attempted to run after the man, but he was too far behind. The thief was long from his sight. Stewie gave up and sat on the edge of the sidewalk. He buried his face in his knees as he thought, What do I do now? I have no money for anything. No place to stay, no food. No way back home.
Stewie lifted his cell phone from his pocket and attempted to call Meg. He was answered with a message letting him know that his bill was past due.

"FUCK!" Stewie slammed the phone on the pavement in front of him, resulting in the phone breaking into many pieces. The teenager broke into sobs. He was screwed. Beyond screwed. It was a mistake coming here.He thought hopelessly. He knew what was coming, and he didn't have the strength to stop it this time.

Fuck it.

Ooooh. What's he talking about? XD Yep, more angst in this chapter. Well, other than the Meg parts which I enjoyed writing for some reason. Maybe it's because I had a similar relationship with my own sister. Who knows. :P Anyways, the angst doesn't end here. Like I said before, Stewie needs to work out his problems with depression before he can truly be happy, so there's going to be a lot of parts like this in the next chapter or two. Anyways, I hope you all enjoyed. As always, review, review review! Chapter Four will be released next Sunday!

Ah yes, please check out my LiveJournal for news on upcoming chapters and One Shots I have planned.

www . dawnascendance . livejournal . com

*just take out the spaces*

Regards,
DawnAscendance
Austin