Starlight

Chapter 4: Catching a Fallen Star

     The time was here. Midnight. I stood in the shadows of the hospital, out of sight from the immediate light and looking for Spitfire. I stood wrapped in black fabric and kept just on just enough so that I could still move around freely. It was completely quiet. Colder air swept passed me, which was greatly welcome with how warm the fabric made me. I sat down, patiently waiting for Spitfire.

     “Grass.” A voice whispered to me from around the corner of the building. I curiously walked over to the corner and walked around it. Spitfire was there. Upon seeing her, she crackled for a moment before bursting out laughing softly.

     “What’s so funny?” I asked, taking slight offense.

     “What are you wearing?” she asked, pointing at my clothing.

     “It’s all I had!”

     “Are those curtains?” she laughed.

     “Stop laughing!” I was starting to get ticked off. She told me to wear black. I did. She said nothing about actually needing it to be clothing. Besides, it would be suspicious to go into a store and buy a back jumpsuit. Spitfire eventually stopped laughing and pointed to a window up on the third level of the hospital.

     “That’s where we need to go.” Spitfire said.

     “Is that where Star’s room is?” I eyeballed the window, observing it.

     “I don’t know which room she’s in. I just know that it’s on the third level of the hospital.”

     “Fair enough. Let’s get this over with.” I started to fly up towards the window, staying close to the wall. Spitfire followed close by, smiling the entire time. Opening the window for Spitfire, I watched as she slyly flew in, pushing herself close to the wall when she entered. I did the same, closing the window gently behind me.

     Spitfire and I looked around. We were in the hallway of the hospital. I looked at Spitfire, who was checking to make sure the coast was clear.

     “You go right. I’ll go left.” Spitfire said. I nodded at her and turned my back, walking through the hospital and trying to keep calm but alert. I couldn’t believe I was really doing this. Sneaking into a hospital and committing a crime that I normally report on. I stopped for a moment, reality hitting me like a brick making me wonder if those ponies I reported on and got in trouble had the same problem as me. A tall tale that nopony would believe.

Hearing the pitter patter of hoofsteps, I pulled myself together. Somepony was walking through the halls. I saw a light, possibly from a flashlight, aiming in my direction. Quickly, I flew to the ceiling. As I looked down towards the source of the light, I saw one of the doctors walking through the hall, waving her flashlight left and right slowly, making sure the halls were clear. I guess I should take this time to thank Cloudsdale Security for not remembering that we’re all pegasi here and can just fly over everypony.

Waiting for the doctor to take a corner or continue far enough down the hall, I eventually lowered myself, landing once again on the cement floor. I looked cautiously around and poked my head around the corner, hoping to avoid more surprises like that. The longer I walked around the hospital, the more I felt tense. I had no idea where to even begin looking for Star.

I started to just go with the flow, walking wherever the hospital took me. I took corners, walked around and avoiding directions I hear hoofsteps in. Eventually, I came up to a series of offices. I had a feeling I was going in the wrong direction, but a single door caught my attention. The records of everypony born in Cloudsdale. It was too tempting for me. I walked over to the door and turned the knob, surprised to know it wasn’t locked. Inside the room was a series of drawers that were alphabetically organized. I found the M drawer and opened it, reading the names as they went by. I had no idea what I was doing. I knew I had to find Star Chaser but I just ended up here as if by fate.

I eventually found my folder and opened it, looking at my record. At first, it was exactly as I expected. Two names I never had recognized. However, inside was a note of family members present at the location. As I looked at it, my eyes widened and I dropped the folder on the floor, running out of the room and leaving the door wide open. I flew to avoid any footsteps, but I couldn’t see clearly until my name was whispered across one of the corridors.

I looked in the direction, seeing a silhouette of Spitfire walking towards me. I landed, slowly heading towards her. She put a hoof on each of my shoulders and looked at me, knowing I was upset about something.

“Grass Marks, what did you find?” she asked.

“The birth records… names of all family members present at my birth…” I told her.

“So? How does that help us?”

“It doesn’t… but I wanted to know who my parents were.”

“Did you find your answer?”

“Yes, but I didn’t recognize the names.” I looked around, making sure we were alone. “I only recognized one family member.” I stopped, clearing my mind and building tension.

“Who?”

“My boss, Money Bags, is my father’s brother. He’s my uncle.” I said, trying to believe it myself. The same pony who hired me out of pity for not having parents is my uncle. Somehow, it all seemed to make sense.

“Wow. What are the odds of that?”

“I don’t like it. But I guess knowing that I still have family makes me feel better.” I let out a smile and looked at Spitfire, who as soon as I finished my sentence, flew to the ceiling. I followed her, not sure of what she was doing. All of a sudden, another doctor passed by. A different one than before, but still carrying a flashlight by the mouth. She was making the same motions, moving left and right passed us. Spitfire and I moved in another direction, continuing around the ceiling until we took another corner and landed.

“So, did you find anything?” I asked.

“I found out what room she’s in.” Suddenly, I was filled with a lot of relief.

“What room?” I whispered excitedly.

“Room 2C. Let’s stick together and look now.” Spitfire said. I nodded, following her. We stayed close and stayed quiet enough to stay away from the doctors. Finally, we came up to the door. I looked at it, almost scared of what we’d find behind it. Spitfire was the one to open the door. She seemed so put together about this entire thing. Almost obligated to help out.

The room was a single-patient emergency room. Star Chaser was laying on the uncomfortable looking bed with a blanket over her and some wires taped to her, reading her brainwaves. I walked up to her, taking off the taped wires and holding her up straight.

“Star?” I asked, trying to get her to move. She shook, afraid of what was going on. “It’s me, Grass Marks.” After I said that, she grabbed onto me, hugging me tightly. “We’re going to get you out of here. You’re going to live, I promise.”

“Grass, be quick. I think more doctors are coming.” Spitfire said, holding the door open.

“Come here, Star. Hold onto me tightly.” I said, picking her up, her legs being supported by me holding onto her. She put a hoof around my neck to keep herself balanced but Spitfire pulled onto me.

“Now!” Spitfire said, bolting away. I followed her, trying to be careful of Star. We came up to a window and did the same maneuver as before, but trying to keep ourselves very wary of everything going on. Filled with great relief and accomplishment, Spitfire and I flew over to an open space in Cloudsdale and landed down.

Looking at Star, I saw that her life was fading. She was increasing exhausted, shivering now as well from the cold night air. She looked up at me, fear spread across her face. She was so worried and I could tell.

“Star…” I said, setting her down and looking up at the stars. “That’s where you belong. You can’t stay here any longer or you’ll die.” I looked at her as she looked back at me.

“But I love you… also,” she started. “the doctors told me that I’m… pregnant.” she finished. My body froze. I couldn’t believe what I just heard. I wanted to be here for my foal, but Star needed to live.

“Star Chaser, I love you with all my heart.” I said. I needed to convince her she had to leave. “Now you have more than a little piece of me with you. Please, I need you to leave. Live and raise our child…”

“I want to be with you and you can’t stop me!” she stomped her hoof. I didn’t say anything for a moment. I was too deep in thought and too surprised about what I was told. After a small time, I took off my necklace and put it around her neck.

“Now you will be with me. I want you to pass that on to my foal when he or she is born… please. For me.” A tear crossed my eye once more. She nodded, hugging me tightly and even starting to tear up herself.

“Grass Marks. She needs to leave before it’s too late.” Spitfire said, smiling at Star Chaser and even giving her a small hug. Not another word was said between us. Star looked at us one more time and then back at the good luck charm around her neck. Her beautiful sky blue wings opened up and she flew towards the sky until we could no longer see her.

“Goodbye, Star Chaser…” I said.