Jacob sneered at Murdoc. "You finally made a friend, isn't that sweet. And just before you die!" "I ent planing on dieing old man" murdoc growled, jacob raised a eyebrow "really? well we'll see" He raised the dagger. It's silver blade caught the light and shimmered. Murdoc's eyes widened. All he could do was watch. Then it came to him. He couldn't just die. He had to do something. But what? what exactally do you do to someone as old as jacob? he obviously wasnt open to attack, he was holding a dagar for gods sake He could easilly ingure Murdoc, let alone KILL him with one swipe of it. There wasn't time to think. Murdoc felt the blade across his chest, and knew it was all over. He could hear a door burst open, and people screaming, but all he could see was blurs. So he blacked out. "I knew i shouldnt've gone!" stuart cryed, running over to murdocs bedside, the nurses and doctors ran over and brushed stuart aside, while jacob tryed to slip out the door n "FREEZE!" yelled a doctor. Jacob paused, then dashed out the door without a word. The doctor was about to follow, but stopped as he noticed how bad of condition Murdoc was in. "i think you two should wait outside" the nurse sighed "he was going to be let out today too, such a shame" she shook her head and fetched the stitching equipment Stuart took one last look at the suffering teen, then left. He knew it would be better if he wasn't in the way. They waited outside for hours, whether it would be good news or bad neither of them knew, they both wanted him to be ok, then they realised, they had school and they where already a hour late "Stu, we have to go...we're going to be late..." Andrea stood up and headed out the door. Stuart sighed, then followed. School, it seemed like a daunting task, especially after what theyd been through the past few days, they walked into the classroom and acted like they where perfectly on time

"Mr. Tusspot!" snapped their theacher. Stuart cringed, then turned slowly. "yes?" he squeaked. He of course wasn't fond of getting yelled at, let alone, getting yelled at by an adult. "Why are you so late to class this pirticular morning?" "Sorry mrs, um, we had some stuff to sort out" stuart stammered, looking at the floor then back to the teacher "and you mrs jones?" the teachers glare imideatly snapped to andrea "uh! i was with him, at the hospital..we've been there all weekend" "Very well then." she allowed the two to take their seats before asking another question. "Where is that gloomy fellow? Murdoc, I think is his name..." "Stalking behind the it classrooms no less and skipping class" she sighed, re openened the book she was reading from "hes not skipping class mrs he.." stuart trailed off What would he say? He didn't know if Murdoc would like the entire class to know that he was ingured. "hes..sick" andrea chimmed, giving stuart a nudge "yea sick! he'll be in soon though" stuart grinned. he didnt know if muds would be ok though, especially after what jacob did or was going to do... The teacher looked a bit concerned, but decided she didn't want to ask any more questions. Stu pulled out what he needed that day for class and thought to himself, 'I hope Murdoc is okay..." School went by pretty slow, stuart had alot on his mind and andrea was busy helping with the orientation guide for the new students, stuart thought maybe he could ring the hospital or something just to see if Murdoc was okay. Things looked pretty bad when they'd left. Stuart waited until class was dissmissed and headed into the hallway. He sloutched against the lockers and pulled out his cellphone. He pressed a button and waited for the small screen to light up. After it did, he dialled the number. He paused on the last didgit. "Wot was the number again?" he muttered to himself. "owh shit!" stuart swore, throwing his cell the floor, andrea peeped round the corner and jumped on him from behind "whassup" she giggled. he smiled "noffin, i was jus gunna ring the hospital is all" he grinned "Oh, that's a good idea!" she bent down and picked up his cell phone. Andrea handed it to him. "One problem, luv..." "What's that?" Stuart sighed. "I don't know the number..."

Andrea giggled and punched in the number for him, hit the green phone button and handed it him, all within 10 seconds "thanks lov'" he winked, and waited for the receptionist to pick up. it was a long wait, he kept being re submitted to diferent wards and asked over and over who he was calling about. but eventually he got there "Hello, how may we help you" asked a calm voice. "Uhhh...I'm calling about a man named Murdoc Niccals...is he okay?" Stuart questioned, shifting his weight a bit. "hmm..Niccals..wait just a moment please ill put you on hold" the receptionist replyed in a sickly sweet tone "No No pleasee! not again!" stuart whined, he sat there for another 10 minutes, knowing this was seriously going to cut into his phone bill, and he was on contract, which he himself had scrimped and saved for 3 months. he knew it was worth it though to make sure his friend was okay. Soon Stuart could hear a gruff and slightly weak voice, that sounded fimillar. "Murdoc?" he practically yelled. People began to stare awkwardly at him. "Geez dullard, i just got up, if you shout any louder you wont need the phone" he growled, "Murdoc, oh Murdoc are you alright? does it hurt? are you ok?" Stuart babbled, his words mixing and slurring at the rate he was belting them out "yea yea, now waddya want?" Murdoc sighed,

"I jus' wanted ta make sure my best pal was okay!" Stuart smiled as if Murdoc was there and could see him. All was silent for a few seconds. "Murdoc? You still there?" Stuart questioned, staring at the phone. "...yeh..." Murdoc squeaked, he was trying to keep his voice as normal as possible "it really must hurt.." stuart replyed sympathetically "a little, and get that idea out your head!" "what ide-" "i ent your best pal, you helped me once an i owe ya, thats all" murdoc retorted gruffly "owh..okay. well. i hope your better" "theyre letting me out, later like" "oh! murdoc thats awsome! so ill see you tomorrow?" "if the old git doesnt see to it first i guess" stuart hung up the phone beaming from ear to ear Andrea smiled. "So he's okay?" she asked. Stuart nodded. "He sounded a lot better!" "Good!" "He'll be out tomorrow!" "Great!" "Yeah, maybe we could pick him up or something" stuart smiled, he had an idea, one he doubted murdoc would like but it was worth a try, he could ask his mom or something, with a explanation of course and ask if murdoc could stay with them for a while Maybe then Murdoc's life would go easier. Stuart hoped he could help. More then anything in the world, he wanted to make life better for his friend. At the end of school stuart ran outside but stopped immediatly at the gate, murdoc was waiting outside school, leaning on the gate with one foot up against it to suport himself, stuart bounded towards him "BOO!" He giggled, grabbing murdocs arm Murdoc was stunned at first, but calmed down as he reconized the annoying teen. "'ey Stu..." he muttered. "Your ok! your back yayayay!" stuart sang, skipping around like a little kid on a playground. "Hey murdoc" Andrea smiled "glad to see your better" "Yea..Thanks" He muttered, trying to figure out what he was going to do when it came to finding somewhere to stay "You're gonna stay wif us!" Stuart sang, still skipping. Murdoc's miss matched eyes widend. "I-I can't..." he mutterd, and took a step back. 2D stopped skipping. "Why not?" stuart questioned, he saw the look in murdocs eyes "you dont need to be like that, your dad cant hurt you if he cant find you" he sympathised "i know, but ive already got something sorted, so it doesnt matter" murdoc replyed bluntly Stuart frowned slightly. He was about to continue trying to persuade Murdoc to stay when the gloomy teen suddenly spun around and ran off."hes scared stu, and with good reson, let him be alright? im sure he'll be Fine tomorrow" andrea smiled sympathetically. stuart nodded. murdoc didnt know where he was going, all he knew was he had to keep running. no matter what Stuart turned to Andrea and forced a smile. "Yeah...he's probably just...worried...about somethin..." he mumbled, not sure why a person as dark and seemingly fearless would be so...scared. Stuart checked his watch and realized his mom would be waiting for him. he kissed andrea on and cheek and skipped off home. he wondered why his life was going so well when others were going so horribley wrong. he thought it was stupid of the hospital to discharge him so soon after the incident. Thoughts crowded his mind as he entered his home. His mother smiled and walked over to him. She gave him a loving kiss on the head after Stuart kneeling down a bit. "So how was school?" she questioned. "uhm..yeah it was good thanks mom" he grinned toothlessly. "thoes boys leaving you alone now" she mused, cutting up some potatoes "yea, but i got. other things on my mind" he smiled, throwing his bag down "Oh. Like what?" she asked and continued to cook dinner. Stuart's smile faded at this. He had no idea how to tell her about his tortured friend...and yet...how would he lie to her? He couldn't. This was his mother. He loved her. Stuart had never lied before. Would he just have to, not lie, but bend the truth? "Owh, nothing really, just something happened after school the other day.." he replyed. how could he do this! his mother led him into the living room by the hand at sat him on the couch "thats why you where away all weekend..isnt it?" she questioned Stuart nodded. He gulped slowly. She looked even more concerned now. He couln't leave her uncertain. "I was..at the hospital" he murmered, his mothers face turned from concern to shock "stuart! whatever where you doing there? is there something wrong!" she grabbed both his hands and pulled her son close. he was her only child and she loved him so dearly. stuart felt guilty. he couldnt lie to anymore, after all she could help"It's not me...I'm fine." His mother's grip on his hands loosend a bit as he said this. Stuart continued. "It's my pal...Murdoc.H-his dad abused him. Bad enough to make him 'ave ta go to the 'ospital." "oh...thats terrible" his mother muttered, though she was glad her little stuart wasnt in any danger "it wasnt abuse. more like reckless attack and motive to kill him" stuart contiued, his wild hair hanging over his dark eyes so his mother couldnt see he was trying to hold back tears She placed a hand on his shoulder and quietly pulled him into a hug. "That really must be awful for him...is he okay?" "he is now..i hope. b-but he hasnt got anywhere to go, and he wouldnt acsept any help. hes dissapointed in himself, because he had to go to hospital in the first place" he explained, stuarts mother nodded "he can always stay here, good lord id like to give his father a piece of my mind!" she paused to sigh. "But that wouldn't make anything better..." she whispered, not wanting to make things worse. Stuart didnt know what to say. he looked at his cell. how badly he wanted to ring murdoc but he wondered if he should or not "im going to look for him" he exclaimed, standing up she nodded, "Be back soon. Dinner's almost ready." she called as Stuart headed out the door. He thought for a while about where exactly Murdoc would go. He had no idea though. maybe he could call him and ask. no..that wouldnt work, murdoc would just lie or put the phone down

or possibly get mad. This was to him none of Stuart's buissness. He cared though. This was his friend. He couldn't, shouldn't, and wouldn't let him go through all this on his own.

he wandered the streets for a good 10 minuets. Murdoc had snuck in through the back door. he knew jacob was out. hed be out all day spending everything they had on booze. he wandered around the house, there was the closet of which he had been forbid to ever enter. and now seemed like a good time to break that rule. he opened the closet quietly. something fell out. it looked like a guitar case or something. and attached to it was a tag with murdocs name scrawled on it Murdoc confusedly picked it up. "Huh?" he blurted out loud as he read the small note attatched. 'Dear murdoc. my son. i know when im gone, things might not be that good for you, but heres something to remeber me by. your mother..' he stared blankly at the note, he didnt question why they had hidden this from him. he knew why Tears filled his missmatched eyes. He missed his mother. He really did. Murdoc scanned over her neat cursive one last time. He was about to start crying right there, but held his emotion back. Murdoc turned and picked the case up carefully. He opened it slowly. Inside was a dark crimson and shining black colored bass guitar. Just the one he had seen in the window of a music store a long time ago.

(flashback) "Oooooooh! Look at that beautiful guitar!" exclaimed a young Murdoc as he pressed his face to the glass of the music store. His mom smiled at him. "You really like it...don't you?" she laughed heartidly. Murdoc looked up at her and nodded before returning to staring at it. "It's so neat..." he sighed as he saw the price. "Dont worry, as soon as your older, you'll learn bass. and youll be really good too" his mother smiled patting him on the head. He nodded egarly and hugged her He snuggled up closer to his mom. She wished dearly that she could buy that guitar for him right at that moment. But the cost...it was a little too expensive. "Murdoc, sweet heart?" she questioned. He looked up at her. "I will buy you it...for a present. You'll find it when you're ready." she smiled as she caught the hopeful look in her son's eyes. Murdoc shook his head, why was he remebering such childish things? he knew things didnt end like that, they didnt end happily not like in childhood storys, he remebered what happened a few days later.. she had died. His mom had left him in Jacob's grasp. Now his life had turned, crashed, and smoldered. Her death was not only a tragic one, but it affected his trust of home. He used to be happy...now...he was this A Dark sinister teen with no forseeable future. No one wanted him around, not even himself.