"Th-they're not here, where did they go?" wondered Stuart.
They looked a bit around the now empty house, but there was no clue to where the Niccals went.
"Not surprised, probably had a run in with the cops and fled town to avoid getting arrested." said Murdoc.
Rachel shook her head to look at her husband.
"Now what do we do?' asked Rachel.
"Nothing we can do, he's gone so we can't confront him." said David, putting the gun away.
As Stuart's parents talk, the two boys head upstairs.
"Which room was yours?" asked Stuart.
"The one at the end, it's the only room with a lock on it." said Murdoc.
They reach the door to find that after five years, it remained locked. Murdoc stands back to kick the door in, easily breaking the lock.
Stuart peeks in to see posters, an old dusty mattress, tables made from boxes, and a radio.
"Still as I left it." said Murdoc, walking into the room.
He looked to see his old posters were worn down, covering in dust, spider webs, and some of the colors had faded. He frowns to himself to stare at his mattress.
He sees his younger self, sitting there covered in bruises and cuts with his headphones on blasting music. Then he saw himself just laying there, staring at the posters and dreaming of a better life.
One filled with music.
Finally his ten year old self rubbing at his neck after his father nearly strangled him to death. And him wondering if he was going to die here.
Murdoc shakes his head to look away, there wasn't one good memory here. But now his family was gone and he was truly free.
'Least till the system comes and gets me.' thought Murdoc.
He feels a hand on his shoulder and looks to see Stuart, offering a small smile. Murdoc returns it to wrap an arm around his friend's shoulder.
"No matter the outcome, you really are my best friend." said Murdoc.
"Ya, we've been through a lot, good times and bad times, can't get any better." laughed Stuart.
The Satanist nods to peek back at his room. Nothing but bad was here, he was lucky to get away when he did. Murdoc is again brought back as he finds himself getting a tight hug from Stuart.
"I don't want you to go, you need to stay." said Stuart sadly.
"Ya, I know Stu-pot, but you heard your folks, nothing can we done." said Murdoc.
He pats his friend's back when he pulls back. Stuart's eyes were wide and he gives a big grin.
"Ya, my parents always stick to what they say, and this time might be our advantage." grinned Stuart.
Murdoc blinks in confusion as Stuart leaves the room and he follows. They get back to the living room to see David and Rachel waiting for them.
"Come on you two, we're heading home, we have a call to make." sighed David sadly.
"No you don't, you can't call them." said Stuart.
Murdoc is confused as are his parents. What was the bluenette talking about?
"We have to Stuart, it's what's best." said Rachel.
"But you said you'd call AFTER you talked to Murdoc's father, but you didn't." pointed out Stuart.
Murdoc thinks back, Rachel and David DID say that.
"He's right, you said you would after, but you never talked to my dad, you aren't going to go back on your word, are you?" asked Murdoc.
Rachel's mouth was hung open and David stuttered his words a bit.
"That's not...that's not what we meant." said David.
"So you lied to us?" asked Stuart.
"No, we didn't lie, we already said we'd call." said David.
"After talking to my dad, yes, but you never talked to him." said Murdoc.
David was getting annoyed, when did Stuart turn to teenage sass?! He goes to yell but a hand grips his arm.
He looks to his wife, who has a smirk on her face. She was amused.
"They are right, we did say we'd call after talking to Sebastian, but we didn't, and it would teach Stuart how to get out of promises, which isn't good." said Rachel.
"Exactly, so Murdoc will stay with us, right?" asked Stuart.
"But, but we ca-" started David.
"He was already staying with us for the last five years, and besides, what's three more years, they'll be off to college after that." said Rachel.
Murdoc smiles at that, he really likes Rachel, why couldn't she be his Mom?! David is silent and looks to his son.
Stuart is pulling his best sad puppy look and it seemed to do the trick.
"Oh very well, Murdoc you can stay, but only till we can talk to your father." said David with his own smirk.
Murdoc lets out a small cheer as Stuart happily hugs his friend. He was staying!
The Tusspots leave the run down house and head home, the two were getting a day off from school.
"Murdoc, when we get back, I'll set up the guest room for you, it can be your room." said Rachel.
"Thanks, but I'm fine with staying in Stu's room." said Murdoc.
"I don't think so, Stuart's bed isn't exactly meant for two." said David.
The two look each other to nod, maybe it was time Murdoc slept in a bed of his own. They get back home and get started on setting up Murdoc's new room.
Murdoc smiles as he helps bring his stuff into the guest room. He was finally free of his father.
*~* GORILLAZ *~*
It was late and Stuart was sleeping quietly. For the first time in a long time, he has his bed all to himself.
He lets out little snores when his door starts opening a bit with a soft creek. This wakes the bluenette up a bit and he feels his bed dip a bit.
Someone was sitting on the edge.
Stuart turns his lamp on to see it was Murdoc.
"Mudsy, what are you doing up?" asked Stuart tiredly.
He sits up to look at his friend to pause. Murdoc's cheeks were glistening, he was crying.
"Murdoc, what's the matter, what happened?" asked Stuart with worry.
Murdoc was silent but with those words, he starts sniffling before the tears return.
"They left, they just left and didn't care if I was there." sobbed Murdoc.
The bluenette flinches at the sob and moves closer to hug his friend.
"I know they hated me, but didn't they care at least a little, at least enough to wonder where I was?!" demanded Murdoc, tears rolling down his cheeks to land on his pant legs.
Stuart just remains silent, letting Murdoc cry and petting the back of his head.
"I hate them, I hate them, I HATE THEM, THEY'VE GIVEN ME HELL SINCE I WAS BORN, BEATEN ME, BELITTLED ME, HUMILIATED ME, IGNORED ME, SO WHY...why do I feel like this." sobbed Murdoc harder.
Stuart hums softly, feeling the tears soak into his shirt.
"They might have been horrible people, but they're still you're family, and even if you hate them with all your being, a part will always care and love them." said Stuart.
Murdoc sobs more, choking on his tears to hold his friend closer.
"They don't deserve you Murdoc, you are amazing and talented, they just didn't see it so they don't deserve you, you have me and my parents, you are cared for and loved here." said Stuart.
Murdoc pulls back to look at his friend, a few tears falling and Stuart pats his cheek.
"I know that Stu, and it's stupid to be crying over those bastards, but still, it hurts so damn much." sniffled Murdoc.
"I know, Mudsy, and I wish I can help you but sadly I can't and I feel like shit because of it, but in time, you'll feel better, time heals all wounds, right?" asked Stuart.
Murdoc chuckles a bit to rub his hand in his friend's hair.
"Ya, I'll get over it one day, thanks for being here Stuart." said Murdoc.
"Anytime Mudsy." beamed Stuart. He hugs the Satanist again to look at him.
"Do you want to sleep here tonight?" asked Stuart.
"Hm, ya, that's make me feel better." admitted Murdoc.
Stuart scoots over and makes room for Murdoc, who climbs under the covers. He clicks the lamp off and the two fall asleep.
And come morning, that's how Rachel finds them before shutting the door again. She'll let them sleep in a bit more.
A/N: Thanks to the power of teenage sass, Murdoc gets to stay. Poor Mudsy, he hates his family but is hurt over them abandoning him. (I admit, I cried a bit writting that scene.) Least he has Stuart still. What is to happen next? Stay tuned and plz review.