The police car pulled into an apartment complex parking lot. The cop driving got out, walked around, and let out his passenger. "Here we are, Erin. Get out." And so, at those kind words, Erin did just that. They started to walk up to an apartment door, swinging a backpack over their sleeved arm, the cop following close behind.

When they arrived at the door, Erin knocked. A dog started to bark, and the two could hear the tap tap tap of dog feet against the hardwood. A few seconds later they heard a voice yell, "I'm coming hold up!" When the door opened, they were greeted with a woman about 60 years of age holding back a Siberian Husky. "Hello, come in, I'm so sorry about Zeus, he's been an ass lately."

The police officer, Jeff, dismissed the dog's actions and lightly pushed Erin into the house. "So you are Mrs Maddox, yes?" The older woman nodded her head as she grabbed the child's shoulders, pulling them under her arm. "Good, we've already made sure your house was safe for her to stay in, but don't hesitate to call the station if something happens, alright?"

Mrs Maddox looked up at the cop, "Alright, I will. Did they get their clothes from the house?"

Jeff nodded, answering the older woman's question. He said that he took Erin to the house, led "her" in a back way, while others checked out the murder scene. He blocked the sight from "her" eyes, like as if they hadn't seen it happen. He let Erin back clothes for about a week, take one extra thing with "her" and led them back to the car.

Erin doesn't remember any of this though. The only thing they remember is the smell of their father's blood staining the dark oak wood floors. They remember the yellow police tape surrounding the scene and the several people standing inside, taking pictures, recording and writing notes. They barely remember even walking to their room and grabbing belongings, or even the drive to the Maddox's house. All that was a blur.

Even now, as kind arms wrap around their shoulders, they couldn't think about anything else. They didn't notice the misgendering being done by Jeff the Cop, or the annoyed sighs or grunts, or apologetic whimpers coming from Mrs Maddox. It wasn't until the front door slammed closed after Jeff had bid them farewell, that they came back into reality.

Erin looked down at Mrs Maddox, being 6'2, they were taller than most people. Erin gave a smile to the small woman, giving her a hug. "How are you dear?" She asked, pulling away, her hands on Erin's cheeks. "You've been through a lot. I'm, I'm so sorry." Tears started to stream down her face.

Mrs Maddox was a small Korean woman with round features and a soft smile. She always had a mischievous look in her eyes, her rebellious demeanour having never left her as a child. Erin could recall the few times the old woman had played pranks on their father.

It wasn't until this moment they realized it wasn't just them that would miss Spencer. Their father was well known in this town. He was very social and always smiled, no matter what he was feeling. Erin knew he was friends with a lot of people.

Before they knew it, tears were streaming down their face, yet again.

Mrs Maddox had her arms wrapped around the young teen, patting their back. "Your father was a great man Erin, we are all going to miss him, but I don't think he'd want you to be this sad over his death, alright?" She slowly pulled away. "Now.... how about I help you set up your room? Alright?"

Two hours later, Erin had the guest room set up for them, their bag and two boxes had been unpacked in no time. And so the blonde 15-year-old was now laying on their bed. Staring at the glow in the dark stars on the ceiling. They remembered staying in that very room as a young child, staring at the stars. They remember being told that each star in the room, needed a name. So they would sit on that bed all night naming the stars with their friend, creating stories and backgrounds for each.

So that's what Erin did. They lay on the flannel-sheeted bed and counted each star. Before they could start naming half of them, they fell asleep.

When they opened their eyes again, they saw a blurry figure. At first, they suspected it was their God Mother, but after blinking a few times, a guy with brightly dyed hair started to come in focus.

Standing before them was a guy about 5'7, with grey-blue eyes and several piercings. He had electric blue hair and was wearing skinny jeans, converse, and a SlipKnot muscle T.

After staring for a good two minutes, Erin finally realised who this hunk with the dimples was.

"Dani?"

Dani smiled and hugged the blonde. Erin practically squeezed the kid out of his skin. "W-what are you doing here!! I thought you lived in Nevada!" They could feel the tears trying to fall from their eyes. There, standing right in front of them, was their best friend from their childhood. The one who was basically their neighbour, until he moved.

Dani stood and backed up a foot. Running a hand through their hair, they said, "I'm just here to gay up the place."