Evolution

The following day, Carrie slipped out of the house before her dad woke up. She floated towards the bus stop, where the other students were waiting. She recalled the promise that she had made to herself the night before. Carrie scanned her group of friends, trying to determine who would be the most willing to listen. Her eyes fell on Masaka, the cloud. She probably wasn't the best first choice, but Carrie had to start somewhere.

"Hey Masaka, can I talk to you? It's something important."

"Sure thing, Carrie!"

"Good. 'Cause it's about my dad."

"Ugh. DADS! Tell me about it! You know, the other day I asked him if I could…"

Carrie tuned out Masaka's voice. Masaka was the pampered daughter of the Rainbow Factory owner. The worst thing that probably happened to her was her father refusing to buy her something. Carrie then noticed a large T-Rex sulking nearby. She was the school bully, and from what Carrie heard, bullies were usually troubled. It was worth a shot.

"What's the matter Tina?" Carrie tried to sound sympathetic, which she was not good at.

"Go. Away." Tina locked eyes with Carrie until she floated off. She decided to go to the one who was most likely to help: Penny.

Carrie hovered over to where Penny was standing. "Penny?"

The antlered peanut responded. "Yeah Carrie? What's up?" She seemed sincere.

"I need your help. You see, my dad-"

"Stop!" Penny held up a hand. "This is a family matter; you need to work it out with him. I'm sorry." With that, she boarded the bus that had arrived while they were talking. Carrie followed her on, then took a seat in the back. After the person most likely to help denied her, Carrie began crying in her seat.

By the time she got to school, she'd stopped crying. However, Carrie had by no means given up. She thought about it for the entire school day, and didn't get an idea until the end of it. But it was a risky move.

Gumball and Darwin were talking about nothing in particular when Carrie floated up to them. "Hey Darwin?"

"Yeah Carrie?" The goldfish's stupid smile shone bright.

"Can I talk to you?" Carrie's eyes drifted over Gumball. "…Alone?"

"Sure." Darwin turned to the blue cat. "Do you mind Gumball?"

"Not at all. Catch you later, Darwin!" Gumball turned and walked off.

"Now, what were you saying?" Darwin returned his attention to Carrie. She figured that Darwin was incredibly naïve, and a guy no less! He was both. Carrie counted on that fact. She just needed someone to talk at, not necessarily talk to.

"I-I don't know how to say this…"

"Just say it. I don't judge." Darwin kept smiling.

"Well, it's my dad. He… he does things to me." Carrie didn't notice Darwin's smile fade. "He touches me. In places I don't like being touched." Carrie's voice wavered as she said this.

"Carrie?" Darwin said, quite seriously.

"Hm?" Carrie supposed that Darwin was completely lost, and he was asking for her to repeat herself.

"I may be stupid…" Carrie felt a pang of guilt. "…but I know what rape is." This stopped Carrie's thoughts in their tracks. She didn't anticipate that he'd understand anything. "It's okay. I'll help you." Hearing this, Carrie broke down in the hallway, crying her eyes out. Darwin put his arms around the young ghost and allowed her to cry into his shoulder.

"I c-can't live w-with him a-anymore," Carrie sobbed. "I n-need your help D-Darwin!"

"I'll do everything I can to help you." Darwin patted her back affectionately. "You're coming to my house tonight."

Carrie looked up at him. "B-but –"

"No 'buts.' You're going to go home, pack your things, and leave a note. But don't specify where you'll be." Darwin's voice was commanding, but soft.

"I don't have anything to pack. I'm a ghost."

"Good point. Then just leave a note. Walk – er, hover to our house. I'll clear things with my mom. Alright?" Darwin locked eyes with Carrie.

"Y-yeah." She knew that Darwin would help, but she had yet to see how much…