Author's Note: Heya! Sorry this took so long, I've been busy. So, yeah. Things are going to happen in this chapter, but don't scream at me yet. I have the rest of this story down, so it should be getting up... soon. So, here's ten! Oh, and by the way, I really like when you comment on my story. It makes me feel good inside. So please comment. I want to know how I'm doing. Still thinking about a sequel, but with the other fan fiction I'm writing, and maybe a new one in the future, I'm not so sure. I want to, I got an idea, but tell me you want it. I don't want to do it for no purpouse. Thanks and enjoy! :)
Disclaimer: I don't own Gorillaz.
Chapter 9: Repaying the Favor
I woke up in my bed, still in pain. I rubbed my head, trying to remember what happened. I closed my eyes to concentrate, and I heard her cry in pain.
"STAR!" I screamed. I wasn't going anywhere; the most I did was sit up and look around the room, freaking out. All I wanted was a response, just a sign that she was alright. But I wasn't getting one.
I was pushed back down, and although I struggled, the grip was forceful, and I wasn't getting anywhere. I eventually gave up, and managed to mumble, "Where is she?"
"Recovering," a gruff voice that I instantly recognized as Murdoc's replied, "the bullet just scraped her."
"You're not going to take her to a doctor?"
"Do you know of any doctors on this island?"
"Did you ever think of taking her off the island?"
"I can't."
"Why not?"
"I'm not going outside."
I propped myself up and looked him in the eyes, and I saw the pure fear lurking among his usual merciless stare.
"The Boogieman is out there. I'm not taking a step on that bloody beach."
"Murdoc..." I said, anger boiling inside me, "can you stop being the ass that you are and think about someone other than yourself for once?"
He sighed. "I don't need your back sass, Tusspot, she said she was fine."
"It's Pot, and you know it," I snapped. I was being a lot braver than usual. I guess the old saying is true: love causes you to do dumb things.
"Whatever. You know I don't really give a damn."
"Yeah, about anything," I snapped, "or anyone."
I now was strong enough to move myself into a sitting position, and I faced Murdoc with a cold stare, which he kindly returned.
"You're wrong," he growled. "Why do you think I saved your hide when Del came?"
"Because I make you money," I retorted, "and because my voice is better than any other voice you could find."
"There are a lot more voices out there, 2D," he snickered, "and a lot of them are better than yours."
"Yes, but I'm the only one with enough stamina to put up with you."
"Shut up!" he said, slapping me hard in the face. I winced and fell back into a laying position. Like I said before: Murdoc can hit.
"What's been the matter with you lately?" he yelled.
"I... don't know..." I whimpered, trying to sit up again.
Murdoc sighed and sat down on a chair he had most likely put it there to keep watch on me so I didn't do anything stupid. He put his head down and rubbed his temples.
"Okay, look, 2D," he muttered, "just shut the hell up. She's gonna be fine."
I gave up on sitting and lay down. "How do you know?"
"She's tough, and if you don't mind me saying this," he smiled a little, "she kinda reminds me of Noodle."
"No, it's fine. She kinda is a lot like her," I smiled, looking at the ceiling.
Star is a nice person to have around when you used to have someone just like her: full of energy and spirit. The only difference is that I never really had feelings for Noodle. There was a thirteen year age gap between us as well. I don't get why everyone thinks were together. I love Noodle, of course, but as a sister, and nothing more. And I'm pretty sure she feels the same.
"Do you truly think Noodle's dead?" I asked Murdoc. I always wondered how he felt on this issue. He never really talks about it, because losing her might've been partly his fault, but right now he didn't look in the mood to snap at me and not give me the answer. He just sighed.
"I believe that she could be dead," he started, "but probably isn't. If I know Noodle, she's out exploring the world, maybe learning more about her past."
"And Russel?"
"He's too tough to die easy," he smiled, "I bet he's alive somewhere, or maybe he could be dead. That letter did sound serious."
He gave another sigh and looked sad all of a sudden.
"I never gave him enough credit, 2D. He had wicked depression, was constantly possessed by demons and spirits, and on top of that, he had us to deal with. If I could get them both back here right now, I would apologize. Apologize for being an asshole. Apologize for their near death, if they are alive, and apologize for... everything else."
He then turned to me with a dark stare.
"None of what I just said," he wiped one eye and gave his hand a pure look of surprise and hatred, "or did, leaves this room. Got it, egg-face?"
"Sure, Muds," I smiled. I've never seen Murdoc emotional before. He was just stony-faced and pissed off at the windmill crash site while me and Russel cried, and when we got the letter from Russel, he showed no emotion whatsoever, while I read the paper over and over, holding back tears, searching for a "just kidding" or a "got you". I really don't mind crying. I believe holding it in too long will make you bitter and hard, sort of like Murdoc. But I guess the tears never leave. They stay, even if they aren't used frequently on people like him.
Suddenly, Cyborg Noodle came sprinting into the room, and she stood next to my bed, staring at me with emotionless eyes.
"2D, Murdoc," she gave him a swift nod and turned back to me, "I've scanned the whole island. And I can't find Star. She's gone missing."
We were outside searching in two minutes, and we scanned the whole beach. There was no Star anywhere. Eventually, I gave up and tried to hold back sobs while sitting on the dock. Murdoc soon walked over and stood near me. He shook his head, the answer I was afraid he would give. I felt like I was dying again inside. You can't lose three important people in your life in the course of eight years and be totally happy. No, at this moment, I felt happiness would never come again.
I stared at the sunset, hazy with clouds passing. It must have rained previously. Maybe that's why Cyborg Noodle didn't scan earlier. She is metal. And combined with water, metal rusts, and that wouldn't be good at all, especially since her rust-proof coat is gone now.
Then, Cyborg Noodle came running up the dock. I turned around and stood up to find her holding something, and she held it out to me.
"I found it in a bush," she said, "You might want to read it."
I opened the paper as carefully as I could, and Murdoc walked over to read over my shoulder. On the sheet of paper, there were only five words, but those words made my heart shatter into a thousand pieces.
I've repaid the favor.
-Star
TO BE CONTINUED
And, that's where the chapter ends. I'd like some new comments before I post the next one, please. :D But, I might anyway. You never know. :)
