Stormbringer, Chapter Five: The Stars My Destination

>Leni enters her bedroom, followed shortly by Lori, closing the door behind her.
>Leni sits down on her bed, her hands carefully folded onto her lap, her feet weakly tapping against the carpet.
>Her eyes pointed straight down.
>Lori watches from the door for a moment.
>It's remarkable how quickly Leni's attitude has changed in the last ten minutes.
>Moments ago, she was willing to fight Lori over her choice of company.
>But now, after Luna stole Lin-
>No.
>Lori shakes her head.
>No, Luna took Lincoln to her room to keep him from them, for his sake.
>*Brrrhmm*
>A soft rumbling echoes outside.
>Lori can hear water start to hit the roof.
>Super.
>"Hf...hf, hf..."
>Her attention focuses on Leni again.
>She's sniffling, and Lori can see her bean-stained blouse starting to dampen with her tears.
>The older sister rubs her tired eyes.
>The fight's clearly out of both of them.
>With a sigh, she pushes away from the door and sits down beside her baby sister.
>Leni flinches at the mattress' shift in weight, but quickly leans into her big sister, her hands still tucked to her chest.
>Wrapping an arm around her and kissing her head, Lori gives Leni a moment to calm down.
>Despite all the stress of the last week, and the dreadful atmosphere, Lori's glad to have her sister back in her room.
>She...missed her.
>"Lori...?"

>Lori pets Leni's hair, rocking the pair gently as the younger tries to talk.
>"It's Ok, Leni," she whispers into her sister's hair. "I'm here."
>Leni accepts the hug, leaning into Lori's chest as she shivers.
>Lori can feel her blouse dampen.
>"I am so...so sorry," she chokes out.
>"It's not...it isn't your fault, Leni."
>"Y-yes it is!" she wheezes, worming an arm between them to return the hug.
>"I-I talked back to y-you! I almost h-hurt you. I...I hurt Linc-"
>"Lincoln's Ok!" Lori interrupts, reaching up to stroke Leni's cheek. "He's just resting in Luna's room. We'll talk to him when he's awake, we'll all sort this out."
>Lori reflects on the argument downstairs as Leni continues to cry.
>Leni saw them.
>In bed.
>On her knees.
>...On the ceiling.
>She winces at the last thought.
>She just wanted to toss him in the air.
>A harmless prank, that's all.
>Why did she throw him so hard?
>Pushing that aside, Lori continues rocking her distraught sister as she thinks further back.

>Lori thinks about the last week.
>Today, Lori tried to talk to Leni.
>That went well.
>Yesterday, she wanted to talk to her, but found she went to a party.
>The day before, she and the family came home.
>She was the only one to notice Leni and Lincoln together on the couch.
>She didn't take their positioning into account, chalking it up to Leni just being clingy.
>Then, two days earlier, Lori talked to Leni, explaining the road trip.
>Lori frowns.
>That was the first time she spoke to her sister in a week.
>Or even acknowledged her existence.
>She looked so...scared when Lori sat down on the couch.
>The pit in her stomach grows, the lurching emptiness making her feel sick.
>Then, before that...
>Before the silent treatment...
>Before kicking her Leni out of their room...
>"The game," Lori whispers to herself, pausing her ministrations.
>"Huh?" Leni whispers, pulling her head back to look at her sister.
>Lori gently pushes her away, staring at the floor, nowhere in particular.
>"This is all my fault," she says, deadpan.
>Dumbfounded.
>"I kicked you out after that stupid game in the basement," she continues, her vision starting to swim from her tears. "I wouldn't even look at you for a week...I...I told mom and dad to leave you and Lincoln home, alone..."
>She feels her sister wrap her arms around her shoulders.
>She doesn't resist being pulled into Leni's embrace.
>"This is all my fault," Lori chokes out.
>She whimpers when her little sister strokes her hair, humming quietly, tunelessly.
>"I am so, so sorry."
>And there go the water works.

>Lori and Leni take turns weeping and consoling each other.
>They take a brief pause to allow Leni to change her clothes.
>The beans were starting to dry, and Leni can't resist a need to keep herself clean.
>When the thunder starts crashing down on the house, Leni instinctively latches onto her sister.
>Lori eagerly accepts it, returning the hug as a fresh string of crying breaks out.
>The two sisters, the Daughters of Loud, reunited at last.
>Lori feels at ease with Leni's familiar weight against her.
>All the stress, anger and anxiety just melts away from the older Loud.
>As she kisses Leni's cheeks to stem her frightened hiccups, Lori can't help but think that this is the happiest she's been all month.
>*KRA-KOOOM*
>The sky's sudden explosion outside catches her flat-footed.
>The next few minutes are a blur.
>When she regains her bearings, she finds herself on the far corner of the bed, with Leni straddling her legs.
>Their arms wrapped around each other.
>Leni's lips firmly locked onto hers.
>Lori can't help but push her tongue into Leni's mouth, thrilling at the soft moan escaping their embrace.
>Leni pushes herself harder into Lori, their busts squishing together.
>She knows she should protest, push her away, say something.
>This is wrong.
>But she doesn't want to lose her Leni ag-
>*SHZZZ*
>Another deafening crash outside.
>Sounds like the tree took a hit.
>When Lori opens her eyes again, she finds herself under the sheets.
>She can feel Leni trembling against her belly, cowering from the storm outside.
>Blindly groping for her hair, Lori guides her sister's face back above the covers.
>Tucking her frightened sister into her shoulder, Lori quietly clears her throat.
>She's not as good a singer as Luna, but she knows what always calms her little sister down during a storm.

>"So lay down your weary head, try and sleep now," Lori sings, raising her voice just enough to be heard over the din outside.
>"Calm your shallow little breaths, be at peace now..."
>Pausing between lines to plant a soft kiss on her forehead, Lori sees a near-immediate response.
>Leni's terrified blubbering instantly snuffs out into a mere frightened whimpering.
>Her sniffling face isn't contorted in a mask of utter panic.
>Lori can feel Leni's hearbeat start to slow down.
>"Another day calls out for you make your own," Lori continues, pausing again to kiss her sister. "This one goes where all the other days have flown..."
>Eventually, Leni's whimpering cease, and soon after Lori can feel her breathing even out and her body relaxing.
>Aside from the odd sniff and mumble, Leni was completely asleep.
>Tucking her hair behind her ear, Lori settles back and watches Leni rest beside her.
>She knows they still need to talk.
>Hell, she still needs to finish talking to Bobby.
>But...another minute won't hurt, would it?
>Just her and Leni.
>Together again.
>Just a minute, that's all.
>Lori closes her eyes, shutting out the rain outside and focusing on Leni's steady heartbeat.
>She quickly finds her island of tranquility, and before long, Lori finds herself slipping into her own dreams.
>Leni mumbles in her sleep, fumbling to find Lori's hand.
>Lori shifts in her sleep as well, reaching out to grab Leni's hand.
>Leni squeezes.
>Lori squeezes back.
>A small, content smile grows on both sister's faces.

>Luna sighs, pausing her guitar-playing for a moment to rest her fingers.
>She looks back at Lincoln, sleeping on Luan's bed again.
>Luna gets off Mr. Beany, stepping closer to her brother to look at him.
>The bruise on his neck hasn't grown any bigger, thank God.
>And the light scratches on his face have stopped swelling.
>She can't help but marvel at the resilience the young boy has.
>Luna thinks back on the amount of damage the boy has sustained over the years.
>Lynn's exercises.
>Luan's jokes.
>Lucy's need for attention.
>Leni's impulse issues.
>Lori's temper.
>Gently kissing his warm cheek, Luna settles down on the floor, inspecting her brother's young, freckled face.
>She won't lie to herself.
>She's done stupid stuff to him herself.
>Even when you remove the music, she still joined in the bullying when they were all younger.
>One in particular stands out, even now.
>She and Lori were popping bubblewrap in the kitchen when a seven-year-old Lincoln walks in, asking for juice.
>Then he asked to play with some bubblewrap too.
>They took him to the backyard to "play."
>After mummifying him in close to thirty feet of bubblewrap.
>They used to have a seesaw in the backyard.
>Mr. Loud took it away after the two catapulted their brother into the air, causing him to bounce off of the garage roof.
>His hair changed colour after that.
>Luna pauses and thinks, struggling to concentrate.
>What was it before that...?
>"Muh...?"
>Luna jumps back in surprise, her focus squarely back on the white-haired kid.
>Lincoln groans again, his eyes cracking open as he wakes up.
>She already clutching his hand, hoping their connection as a lifeline would keep him conscious.
>"Luna? Why am I in your room?" he asks, rubbing his head.
>"Never mind that," she says, gently squeezing his hand. "How do you feel, luv?"
>"Truth or a lie?"
>"Lincoln."
>"...Not great," he admits, squeezing her hand back.

>Thunder can be heard rolling periodically outside.
>The rain's gotten heavier.
>It's a miracle they don't have a leaky basement.
>Lincoln's eyes widen when he realizes where he is.
>"Leni," he whispers urgently, shooing Luna's hand from his head.
>As he struggles to sit up, his sister can see him struggling to hide his pain.
>Resting her hand on his chest, Luna pushes down on Lincoln's collar bone, gently forcing back into lying down.
>"Easy there, soldier," she whispers. "You're not leaving this room until I say so."
>"B-but Leni-!" Lincoln protests.
>She shakes her head.
>"She'll be fine. I'm more worried about you now. Here."
>Reaching under the bed, she pulls out a small plastic flask.
>Taking a sip from it, she offers the small container to her brother.
>He stares at it, then her, then back to it.
>Luna rolls her eyes.
>"Take it easy, it's just apple juice."
>Bringing the flask under his nose, Lincoln can smell the sweetness of delicious apple.
>Taking it, Lincoln takes a tentative sip.
>Yep.
>Apple juice.
>Taking another sip, he passes it back to Luna.
>"You know, this is why people think you drink."
>"Shut it."

>After letting him finish her drink, Luna walks Lincoln to Mr. Beany.
>After he sits down, she follows suit, sitting right in front of him.
>"This might hurt, but I need you to do some things for me before I let you out," Luna says, stroking his hand. "Ok?"
>Lincoln looks over at the door, seeing it barricaded by the cabinet.
>Sighing, he nods.
>"Thanks, bro. Alright, can you lift your arms above your head for me?"
>Lincoln does so, ignoring the pins of irritation in his skin.
>"Good, now stretch them out to your sides."
>He follows the request, wincing slightly as he extends his left arm.
>"Alright, not bad. Now, I'm going to need you to lift-huh?"
>Luna's attention snaps to the door.
>Pressing a finger to her lip, she quietly gets up and walks over.
>She presses her ear to the door, narrowing her eyes, listening carefully.
>After a moment, she relaxes.
>"Ok, Lori and Leni went down downstairs. We've got some actual privacy now."
>Sitting back down, Luna sighs before speaking further.
>"I have to ask some...uncomfortable questions, Lincoln. Do you think you can answer them?"
>Seeing his nod, she cups his face and stares deeply into his eyes.
>Luna swallows, fighting back the urge to hug him.
>"Leni said some...serious things at lunch. Do you remember what she said?"
>The combination of the invasion to his personal space and seeing where this is going, a blush creeps onto the boy's face.
>Seeing his nod, Luna closes her eyes, tapping her forehead against his.
>"...Alright. These questions are going to suck, bro. But I do this because I care."
>Taking a deep breath, Luna opens here eyes again, her brown meeting his blue.

>Luna doesn't want to do this.
>She very much doesn't want to do this.
>But she can't ignore something like this.
.She has to know what's been happening.
>Scooting closer until their knees are touching, Luna begins her interrogation.
>"Leni's been rooming with you for the last week, right?" She asks.
>"Yeah, but that's b-"
>"I know, the game," she cuts him off.
>Seeing him flinch, she sighs again.
>"Sorry, luv. I'll let you finish next time. Alright, um...Has Leni been sleeping with you in your bed?"
>"She was sl...I didn't want her to sleep on the floor anymore."
>Luna nods slowly.
>She knows how deep his altruism runs.
>He'd offer a kidney without being prompted if one of them needed it.
>That's what she loves so much about him.
>But it scares her too.
>His compassion will be the death of him.
>Luna swallows again, steeling herself for what's next.
>"Has Leni...has she t-touched you?"
>Lincoln stares blankly at her.
>"She...hugs me a lot when she's scared?"
>"No, I me-look. Has she grabbed you...around here?"
>She taps her finger against his thigh, close to his groin.
>Lincoln furrows his brow, thinking back now.
>"...Once, I think," he admits.
>Luna's heart sinks with the news.
>"But that was in her sleep," he adds. "And it was a quick, uh..."
>He brings a hand up, making a couple quick grabbing motions.
>"You know?"

>Luna sniffs, nodding her head.
>"Yeah, I...I getcha, luv."
>Taking a breath, she continues.
>"Leni said that you also...touched her back. Is that true?"
>Lincoln swallows hard, and Luna can feel him grow hot.
>He can't turn his head away, with her hands clutching his cheeks.
>The best he can do is look aside.
>"Am I...in trouble?" he asks softly.
>"No! No no nonono, you're not in trouble!"
>Scuttling closer, Luna rests her weight on his lap, being mindful of his sore muscles as she pulls him into a soft hug.
>Despite the stab of pain in his side from Leni's earlier crushing, Lincoln accepts the embrace, returning it with a squeeze of his own.
>He can't help but compare Luna to his other sisters.
>She doesn't grapple him like Leni, or dump her weight on him like Lori.
>She's not even as warm as the others.
>But she keeps most of her weight on her knees, and her cooler skin doesn't feel as smothering as her sisters.
>He can't help but notice that her chest is not as large as Lori or Leni's.
>However, as he rests his head against Luna's bust, he admits that it's still remarkably soft and relaxing to him.

>"I'm just worried, that's all," Luna reassures, tapping their heads together again.
>Lincoln coughs, clearing his throat before answering.
>"The night before you guys came home, Leni and I were hanging out on the couch. She freaked out when the power cut out, and I had to talk her down from...whatever," he admits.
>"I did what worked last time she got scared: Held her, rubbed her back and sides, told her I'm there for her. And I...I kissed her that time."
>Luna stares down at her little brother.
>"You kissed her?" she repeats.
>She can feel his cheek warm up again.
>"Y-yeah," he admits. "Just a peck on the lips, and I told her she was my favourite sister."
>"B-but only because she was still too scared!" he sputters, feeling her grip on him tighten.
>Resting her chin on his head, Luna shushes his worries while stroking his hair.
>"It's okay, bro. I understand. What happened next?"
>"Well," he pauses, rubbing his itchy nose against her shirt.
>She smells nice.
>"When I told her I loved her, that seemed to calm her down. Then she...kissed me back."
>Lincoln can feel her body quiver as she let's out a shaky breath.
>"...Okay. And?"
>"Well...you know how when you kiss someone, you do it for a second and let go?"
>"Yeah?"
>"She...Leni didn't let go."
>Luna swallows hard.
>"Y-yeah?"
>"Then she pulled me...on top of her, and put her legs behind me to keep me pressed against her."
>She closes her eyes, her hands absentmindedly rubbing his back.
>"Then she started rubbing her hands against me. My sides, my back, my arms. She grabbed my hair a few times. And then I...started getting into it."
>"A-and what did you do?" Luna whispers, fearful of the answer.

>"I tried to copy what Leni was doing with her kiss. She really liked that, I think."
>"Uh...uh huh?"
>Lincoln pauses for a second, gathering his thoughts.
>He can feel his sister's arms trembling.
>"And then I put my feet on the floor to push myself harder against her body, which made her pull me tighter against her."
>Luna hugs him tighter, ignoring his flinch.
>Sighing heavily, she motions him to continue.
>"Then...uh, then I moved my hands against her. I rubbed her sides, her hips, her thighs. Then I...I, uh..."
>Lincoln pauses to take a breath.
>He knows this isn't going to go well.
>"I got my hand under her sweater. Her skin was so soft and warm. She really liked feeling my hand go higher, against her belly."
>Luna then notices that she's pushed Lincoln down into Mr. Beany, draping herself against him.
>She doesn't pull away, though. She has to know how far this went.
>"I...I-I touched her b...I g-grabbed her b-b..."
>Luna rubs her cheek against his hair, trying to calm her brother.
>"Shhhh. I getcha, luv. Did anything else happen?"
>Lincoln thinks back, his hands shifting lower to grip his sister's hips.
>"Leni...Leni really liked that I did that, I think," he admits. "She stopped kissing me and just started gasping. But I still wanted to kiss her, so I just...I dunno, grabbed onto her neck?"
>Luna couldn't help but be a little impressed.
>Not even twelve, but already hitting second base?
>Girls will be throwing themselves at him when he hits middle school.

>"Did anything else happen?" Luna asks quietly.
>"No. The power came on, and Leni left to clean her makeup and put on some pyjamas. I reset the clocks in the kitchen, then we had a snack before going to back to the TV. You guys came home a few hours later."
>Luna stealthily wipes her eyes.
>She knows Lincoln wouldn't lie about something like this.
>But she has to ask.
>"Were you...were you scared when that happened? At all?"
>She feels his shoulder rise under her body in a shrug.
>"Not really? I mean, I was surprised when she started kissing me, but then I started liking it. It felt nice."
>...Okay.
>Okay, she can accept that.
>Just a moment of passion caused by conflicting emotions.
>Luna sighs, stopping herself from groaning as she sits up, leaving the warm little cocoon she made with her brother.
>"And what about Lori"? she asks, rubbing his shoulders. "Did she do anything to you? Did anything Leni say happen?"
>Lincoln furrows his brow, thinking deeply.
>"...No. No, I don't think so."
>"Well, what happened then?"
>"Lori came home and wanted to talk to Leni. She was gone, so I made her dinner and we hung out."
>He pauses to rub his cheek against her palm.
>Her cool skin is calming.
>"Then the rain started again, and we started arguing, and the power cut out again, and she threw herself at m-"
>"She did what?!" Luna snaps, grabbing his collar and pulling his face up to hers.
>She can feel his hands dig into her skirt in fear.
>"Sh-she th-threw herself at m-me!" her brother stammers. "She k-knocked me down and g-g-got on top of me! A-and she rolled into a little ball and c-cried until the p-power came b-back!"
>Luna blinks, letting his collar go.
>"O-oh. Uh, sorry bro..."
>She smooths his hair out, looking into his eyes again.
>"What else happened?"

>"She kept holding on to me even after the power came back and her movie was playing," Lincoln explains. "When I told her it was time for bed, she wouldn't do anything until I led her to her room."
>Luna rubs her eyes.
>This is getting ridiculous.
>Rolling her fingers, she motions him to continue.
>"She asked me to stay in her room," he says. "'I don't want to be alone', she told me. After we changed, I got into Leni's bed and fell asleep. I woke up to Lori crying again. She was still asleep, but she didn't look good."
>"So you went into her bed to help her relax?" Luna asks.
>He nods.
>"Yep. Lori stopped crying when she felt me hug her, and I fell back asleep after that."
>Then his face turns deadpans.
>"Then she threw me into the ceiling."
>"Th-the ceiling?" Luna balks.
>She can't help but laugh at the mental image.
>"Why on earth would she do that?"
>Lincoln shrugs, now annoyed.
>"I don't know! She thought it'd be funny or something?"
>He sighs, relaxing against Mr. Beany again.
>"Then she told me to go downstairs, and we had lunch."

>"And then Leni and Lori had that fight, and here we are," Luna concludes, rolling over to sit beside Lincoln.
>"And here we are," Lincoln agrees, pushing himself back to recline against Mr. Beany.
>The two siblings sat in silence, their legs the only connecting point.
>He looks out the window, at the grey sky outside.
>"You're not scared of thunder, huh?" he asks, breaking the silence.
>Luna looks out the window as well, as if just noticing the storm outside.
>"Well, I used to be," she answers, watching the water streak down the glass.
>"Used to be?"
>"Yeah. Mom thinks it might run in the family. Only ones not afraid, I think, are you, dad, and..."
>She pauses to think, narrowing her eyes as she stares at the lacework of white flash across the clouds.
>"I want to say Lynn, but it's hard to say with her."
>She gets up, dusting her skirt off before helping Lincoln up.
>She pulls him into a tight hug, patting his back and resting her cheek against his.
>"I'm glad you're Ok, bro," she says, hoisting him up and putting her back into the hug.
>Dropping him back down, Luna puts on a serious face.

>"Look. You'll have to leave eventually, and I know you're a smart kid. "
>She pauses, making sure Lincoln's paying attention.
>Happy that his focus is on her, she continues.
>"You have to understand that what Leni did during that freak out, it's not...I'm just worried about where this could go."
>"I know."
>"If they try any-"
>Luna stops talking.
>She looks down at her brother in her arms.
>He looks back.
>"You...know? What?"
>"I had sex-ed last year," Lincoln explains. "And after the outage, I looked up why I felt all weird."
>Luna stares blankly at him.
>"...Oh. And you're...cool with what happened?"
>Lincoln thinks for a second, then shrugs.
>"I guess? I mean, I liked it when Leni kissed me and held me with her legs, and if it doesn't hurt anyone, why not do more?"
>He cocks an eyebrow at her.
>"Are you?"

>"Yes. N-no. I mean, it's..."
>You can see the wheels spinning in Luna's mind.
>She's scrambling for a simple answer.
>Giving up, she sighs.
>"Let's sit down, Ok?" she says, letting go of Lincoln and walking to Luan's bed.
>Dropping down onto the mattress, she pats the spot beside her.
>She takes a deep breath, resting her chin on her hands.
>For a few moments, the only sound in the room is the ticking of the clock, and the howling wind outside.
>Luna doesn't look at Lincoln when she starts.
>"I'm...I'll be honest, bro," she says quietly. "I'm not okay with this. Leni's an innocent girl, but I-I feel like she's taking advantage of you."
>She's focusing on the closet across the room now, staring intently at the white slats on the opened door.
>"I trust you when you say Lori didn't do anything, but Leni's...Leni wouldn't lie about something like that. And I just can't let you...it doesn't feel right."
>"Luna, it's Ok."
>Lincoln wraps an arm around his sister, pulling her into a side hug.
>"Leni would never hurt me inten-."
>"Let me finish," she says, holding back a sob.
>Taking a breath, she lays her cards down.
>"I don't like it, and I feel like she's taking advantage of you without her knowing, but...but I feel like a hypocrite if I told you to stay away from her."
>"What? Why would you think that?"
>Luna scoffs, shifting herself closer to Lincoln.
>"I'm a musician, Lincoln. I have my eyes set on stardom. And Chunk's told me a lot of stories about the industry. The good, the bad, and the ugly sides of it."
>She puts an arm around his side now, returning the hug while resting her cheek on his head.
>"I'm not an idiot, bro. I know the dangers being a rocker has. But I love music so much."
>Luna coughs awkwardly.
>"'Sides, you'd be surprised at how many celebrities have plucked fruit from the family tree."
>"...Huh? What do you mean?"

>"Doesn't matter. Now listen."
>Luna gets off the bed, stepping in front of Lincoln.
>"Look at me."
>Getting on her knees, she cups his cheeks with her hands and stares into his eyes.
>"Lori and Leni are back in their room, so I'm going to let you out."
>What a beautiful shade of blue.
>"Go get some food, read a comic, whatever you do at this time."
>Lincoln places his his hands on her wrists.
>His hands are soft.
>"If you...if you want to see Leni, I won't stop you."
>She's struggling to keep her voice from cracking.
>"But if you get scared, if she hurts you, or-or she tries to make you do something you don't want to do..."
>Her eyes start to water up.
>"You get out of there. You understand me? You run away, and you come right back in here. I'll...I'll keep you safe, bro."
>His eyes look so innocent.
>"Ok?"
>Lincoln nods, reaching his hand over to pet her short hair.
>"Say it."
>"I promise I'll leave if something happens," he repeats.
>Smiling, Luna leans forward, pressing her lips gently against his.
>She feels Lincoln's hands maneuver to her waist, holding tight against her hips.
>Breaking the kiss, she looks with tears in her eyes at her blushing brother.
>"...Good. I love you, bro."
>Standing up, she yanks Lincoln off the bed and pushes him to the door.
>"Now git outta here you little bugger."
>Closing the door, she listens carefully for his footsteps.
>He's going to his room.
>Must be changing his shirt.
>Locking her door again, Luna sits down on Mr. Beany, her face oddly neutral.
>When a thunderous crash bellows outside the house, she buries her face in her hands.
>Weeping.

>Lincoln, with fresh clothes on, walks out of his parent's bathroom fully refreshed.
>Mom and dad normally forbid the use of their bathroom outside of emergencies.
>But mom and dad are normally home to enforce that rule.
>Going into the kitchen, he whips up a quick meal before going up to the living room.
>Settling down with a peanut butter and cheese whiz sandwich, he skims over an older issue of Ace Savvy while the TV plays a rerun in the background.
>As he reads how the Red Card lay in critical condition protecting the team from the Ironclad, Lincoln can't help but think about Luna.
>She's always been supportive of his decisions over the years.
>She's always skirted the rules when she can, just for the experience of living.
>But this...
>She was very upset about this.
>Why?
>Before he can think further, Lincoln catches a flash outside the window.
>Followed by a sonic boom.
>Then the lights flickering, then shutting off, then the house plunging into darkness.
>With the newfound silence, he can easily hear an anguished cry from upstairs.
>With a sigh, the boy finishes his sandwich, licking his fingers clean before getting up.
>Creeping upstairs, Lincoln tiptoes down the hall toward Leni and Lori's room.
>Although her door is closed, he can feel Luna's presence right behind it.
>She's listening for any sign of him.
>He taps on the door, and a second later she cracks it open.
>Through the darkness he can make out her face. She looks tired.
>"I'll be okay, Luna," he whispers, reaching through the doorway to touch her shoulder.
>She doesn't answer.
>She just stares at him with hooded eyes.
>Nudging his hand away, Luna closes the door, but not before saying something to him.
>"Remember your promise."
>Hearing the lock click, Lincoln crosses the hall to his oldest sister's room.
>He can hear muffled sobbing.
>He takes a breath.
>He knocks on the door.
>*Tp tp tp*
>"Leni? Lori?" Lincoln calls out quietly. "It's...it's me. Can I come in, please?"

>The crying stops, but nobody answers.
>For a time, nothing happens.
>"I'm not leaving," he states.
>Lincoln waits patiently for a response.
>More silence. Then, with an impatient sigh, he grabs the doorknob.
>He's surprised to find it unlocked.
>As he twists it, he looks back at Luna's room.
>It's still closed, and he can't sense her being near the door anymore.
>Turning around, he opens the door to his sisters' room, and steps through.
>Closing the door, Lincoln has to wait a minute for his eyes to adjust.
>The room is pitch-black, and he can only make out faint outlines in the darkness.
>He hears bedsheets moving, followed by a sniff.
>"...Lincoln?"

Chapter Five: The Stars My Destination.
~Fin~