No.

Come on, Dad, you can't be dead. You're all that I have left!

I mean, what the hell?

Sure, this is Suicide Slum but it's in Metropolis. Where the hell was Superman?

Shit. There's nothing that he, even with all of his powers, can do now.

Steel, who's from this spot in Metropolis, must have been busy. That makes me want to kick his ass. Why the hell wasn't he here?

I wipe my eyes. I'm an orphan now, at 15 years old. I hate that.

Hate that I couldn't do anything. I sure as hell can't do anything now either.

Well, Dad, I loved you but I can't bear to be around you anymore. I'm sorry that I can't help you. That I have to leave you.

I'll remember you though, okay? After all, among other things, you gave me a good name. It's...

"Star?"

Well, that would actually be my nickname.

I follow my ears to go and see who's calling me then come across a small crowd. "What the hell is going on anyway?"

A guy I recognize turns to me. "Well, well, if it isn't Parker's kid."

Don't you dare cry.

"Cut the crap, Eddie. He's dead."

This gets more people to turn around. All of them knew my Dad. He was that kind of guy.

I hate that I have to use the past tense for him now. It really sucks.

I ignore their concerned words for me. I don't want to hear the word orphan. I don't give anything even resembling a shit for how it sounds.

"Can you all tell me what the hell is going on now?"

Eddie laughs then points out a guy. "Some reporter came here looking for a story. He isn't from this part of the city, that's for sure."

I get closer to the new guy so I can listen to the way that he talks then roll my eyes. "Yeah, I can tell. He wasn't even born in Metropolis. No one from this city has that tone of voice."

No, it's not really a power telling me that. I was brought up by a musician. I have perfect pitch and that makes me sensitive to tones.

I want to get a better look at this guy. I make my way over to him on light feet.

I started learning to fight when I was 3, okay? Don't make a big deal out of it. I sure don't.

Anyway, this guy is on the tall side. He has black hair, blue eyes and glasses.

"Who the hell are you, newbie?"


Clark's P.O.V.


I came over to Suicide Slum in search of a story.

This is a rough neighborhood. What must it be like growing up here, knowing this part of Metropolis? It almost seems like Gotham.

It's definitely nothing like where I grew up. I don't know my way around here that well so John Henry Irons is showing me around.

A small crowd has gathered to get a look at me. They must be curious.

I hear a gunshot. Please let nobody have been hurt. I hate how there's nothing I can do.

Oh no. There was a girl.

She's been made an orphan.

I hear someone mention "Star" and "Parker's kid". I think that they're the same person. I decide to ask John for more information.

He laughs. "Parker is Parker Medley. Everyone in this part of Metropolis knows him. He's a good guy, raising his daughter as best as he can."

I raise one eyebrow. "By himself?"

He nods. "Guy lost his wife when his girl was 3. She doesn't remember her mother which is a damn shame. You'd have liked Skylark. Her death changed Parker. I don't think he ever got over it. He never remarried."

And now he never will.

"What about his daughter?"

He's about to answer when a girl shows up in front of me.

"Who the hell are you, newbie?"

I take a good look at her.

She's 5'5" with wavy black hair, blue-gray eyes and silver guitar shaped stud earrings. She's wearing an oversized sky blue hoodie, a black shirt with red letters that say Five Finger Death Punch, blue jeans and white tennis shoes with red laces that are decorated with musical notes.

She has to be a musician. I can see that her fingertips have calluses. Maybe Five Finger Death Punch is a band.

"I asked you a question, newbie. You gonna give me an answer or not?"

This girl must be tough.

John looks at her. "Starling Blossom Medley, where are your manners? This is Clark Kent. He's a good guy, like your Dad."

She sighs. "Yeah, only he's not dead."

John's eyes widen. "Star, you mean you're an orphan?"

Her eyes well up. "Damn it, why'd you have to say that word? The sound is all wrong, John. I need my guitar so I can drown it out."

So that's what she plays.

She angrily wipes her eyes. "Shit. I'm only 15, I don't wanna be an orphan but all I could do was watch him die."

She grits her teeth. "If Steel shows up, I'm gonna kick his ass."

He's right in front of you.

"I don't think that's very fair, Star. He hasn't been fighting since he was three."

I raise my eyebrows and my eyes widen.

She nods then, after taking her hoodie off and tying it around her waist, runs one hand through her waist length hair. "Yeah, he hasn't been fighting for twelve years. I don't think that he's been playing guitar for that long either. Guy wears a metal suit, I wonder how he'd smoke the frets."

John laughs. "We can't all be raised by musicians."

She must be talented if she's been playing for that long.

I smile at her. "Do you sing too?"

She nods. "I'm an alto. Got some original lyrics too."

John grins. "That's great. You Dad would like that."

She wipes her eyes again. "Damn it, John, don't make me cry."

John puts one hand on her right shoulder. "It's okay to, you know."

She pushes his hand away. "Yeah, but I don't want to. Hell, I don't even know what to do with myself now that he's gone." She curses, as if hating she said that.

My eyes fill with concern. "Do you have anywhere to go?"

She takes a key out of her pocket.

John tells her that she can't live alone.

She breathes out slowly. "Well, I don't know where the hell I'm gonna go. I don't think I can stay in this part of Metropolis unless...John, can I stay at your place?"

He shakes his head. "Sorry, but I don't have the space. I don't think that there's anyone in this part you know so well who does."

I can't help but feel concern. "I could take you in."

John looks at me. "Would you? You won't regret it. Like her Dad, Star's got a good heart."

She rolls her eyes. "John, he's not bullshitting you or me. I could hear that in the tone of his voice. You said so yourself, he's a good guy."

She must be sensitive to tone.

"Do you have perfect pitch?"

She rolls her eyes again. "Yeah, but I don't think this is 20 Questions."

I laugh.

John whispers to me to take good care of Star for him then looks at her. "I'll make the necessary arrangements for Parker on your behalf, okay?"

She gulps. "Make sure he's put next to Mom."

He nods then gives her a hug she returns and whispers a thank you in his ear. After telling her it's no problem, he lets go then heads off.

She looks at me then leads me away, saying that she needs some of her stuff.