Chapter Two: Looking at Death's eyes

This is not fair... ;; I DON'T own Richie! -or any Static Shock chara-

HFH writes: And here I am again! Sorry x the short chap, the next ones will be longer, I promise!

Feline-Feral, Angel Reid, X3, Shadow-Spider, Kate Maxwell, Doc-dm and xThunderboltx0x : Thanks a lot for your reviews!!!

Kate Maxwell: You are right! I didn't mention a timeline at all. Well, I didn't watch too much episodes of the second season (Cartoon Network started to repeat episodes of the first season after "Time Zone") but I can tell you that this fic starts after Richie became Gear –I love that suit.... ;;;- Thank you!!  

All right, onto the fic!

A street near Richie's home

A turmoil. Virgil's mind was a turmoil. While he was trying to run as fast as he could, Virgil didn't noticed that he left his home without ask permission. He didn't notice that he'd arrive faster flying with the disc instead of running. He didn't... because his mind was focused on Richie. His best friend, his brother... the shoot. A shoot. Mrs. Hawkins lying on the floor. Mrs. Hawkins, local heroin. Gear, the superhero. Gear, Richie, Richie... lying on the floor, just like Mrs. Hawkins. Richie, leaving Virgil alone... just like Mrs. Hawkins did.

-Stop thinking like he's dead!- Static Shock yelled to himself. Virgil was desesperated, one question captured his atention. "Could I get there in time?"

"Richie, I'm coming. Resist, bro... please" the teenager begged.

Richie. Things became hard for him since his father suddenly got fired. His whole life changed, he was gloomy and silent. Sadness took away his smile. Virgil understood that his friend was going through a difficult moment, and he tried to cheer him up. Everyday he joked, bought Richie some comics and talked with him... when he wasn't dealing with Ebon and co. Gear wasn't able to help him, and Static Shock didn't ask him.

But Virgil didn't know that Richie wasn't sad because of Mr. Foley's fire, his family had some savings. Gear finally saw the lie he was living... when every night his father arrived half-drunk. When every silent dinner finished with Mr. Foley trowing away the dishes. When every day Richie answered the phone and a male voice (never the same voice) asked for his mother. When every morning Mrs. Foley walked away, murmuring excuses.

Richie understood his family was ruined, and he blamed himself... because he never noticed such an obvious thing.

Minutes later, Static Shock arrived to Richie's home. He didn't have to use his powers because the door was already open, showing nothing but darkness.

-RICHIE!

Virgil made a rush for the stairs, worried because of the silence. The dim light he followed belonged to Mrs and Mr. Foley's bedroom.

The woman was sit on the bed, her face was covered with bruises. She was breathing slowly, while her eyes were stuck on a red puddle. Virgil Hawkins approached her. Just as Static feared, a dead body was lying, covered with crimson. His eyes were open... that empty look only reflected Death.

To be continued...