Chapter 7
Disclaimer: I do not own Drop Dead Fred or any characters
I know last chapter said 'Chapter 7' but it was supposed to be 'Chapter 6'. Sorry, my mistake T_T
Anyway... I decided it was about time I got back to this story and attempted another chapter, hopefully to you guy's satisfaction :P
Remember; "Thoughts are written like this"
As Fred entered the room, the gravity of his current situation hit him like a freight train. From the outside of the room, Fred couldn't even begin to imagine just how enormous it would be. With grand tiered seating on one side, and a large podium-like bench at the front it reminded him of a courthouse. Everyone seated in the tiers had exasperated looks on their faces, which Fred found off putting until he took a good look at the three beings seated at the podium and realised they just looked down right annoyed. He could practically feel the tension and hostility radiating from them.
"Drop Dead Fred, how lovely to finally meet you", said the middle being, as he stood up and glared down at him. "We are all dying to hear about this new predicament you've managed to get yourself into. It's so unlike you to be one to create disaster", he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "So tell me, what is this all about?"
"Well", Fred began, "it all started when I was assig-"
"Hold up there, Freddy boy, I almost forgot to introduce myself and my fellow comrades here. How utterly rude of me. My name is Hades, ironic I know because I'm such a delightful person. This hideous thing on my left is Edgar, and Samara is on my right."
Edgar jumped up, but was quick to sit back down after a sharp glare from Samara.
"So Fred, before you continue with your newest problem, if you wouldn't mind enlightening me on the 'Jack-in-the-box Incident'?"
Gasps erupted from the tiers, but were quick to silence as Hades continued talking.
"As you may have realised during your short time back, you're pretty famous around here. It's not just me who wants to know all the juicy details", he said with a humourless laugh. "So go on then Fred, what are you waiting for?"
"For you to stop being such a dickhead"
Fred chuckled to himself before continuing on with the story.
"Okay well my first charge, Elizabeth, I was with her for around 2 years doing the usual, you know cheering up and pranks, of course. And the jack-in-the-box was just where I hid when Lizzie's parents, or Lizzie's Mum to be specific, would go on a rant at Lizzie over the smallest things. Then one day we were making a mud pie when Polly, yes the witch has a name, caught us and I hid. The way Lizzie was clutching the box and crying made Polly know that it had some special significance to Lizzie so she snatched it off her. The last thing I heard was Lizzie screaming, 'No, don't take him away from me', before I was plunged into complete darkness and I could no longer hear anything. Then 21 years later, I was freed from my prison by a now grown-up Elizabeth who now had new adult problems, which I had to help fix before I was able to move on to my next charge. So there, is that enough juicy details?", Fred spat that last part.
"Well, yes yes, I think we've heard quite enough. It's funny hearing the truth from you after the many different versions that spread like wildfire around here. Chinese whispers I tell you. So what seems to be the problem now then?", Hades asked. (It may have been a long shot, but Fred swore he heard the slightest hint of sympathy in his voice.)
"Well now, I'm with Natalie, but it only gets weirder from there. Natalie's father, Mickey, has been friends with Elizabeth since they were young, so naturally Lizzie often visits Mickey or even babysits Natalie. But recently, she dropped by and overheard Natalie mention my name, and she told her to 'give him my love'. Give him my love?! That means she remembers me, and I don't know much but I do know that imaginary friend charges are supposed to FORGET everything that happened, imaginary friend included!"
"Hmm, well I can see why you might be feeling slightly confused by this whole mess..."
"Slightly confused? SLIGHTLY CONFUSED?", Fred yelled, losing any last shred of calm he may have been holding onto.
"Okay, no need to get temperamental, you came to me for help and that attitude is not helping your already sorry case. This is just... I've just never heard of anything like this happening before. And why does it not surprise me that it would happen to you, of all people?", Hades muttered, and sighed audibly before continuing. "There's one thing I know for sure I'm going to need and that's time, at least a few days. Just go back to Natalie for now, and I'll give you a sign when I know something."
"Alright". Fred began to turn away before he remembered something. "Hang on, you said you've never heard of anything like this happening before? Well what about 'Joyful Jimmy' huh?", Fred questioned.
"Oh yes. Him", Hades groaned, "Well I'm not going to say much, only that he had serious problems, not unlike you, and now he's gone."
"Wait, is that all you're going to say?"
"Fred, please I need you to just trust us and understand me when I say we'll do our best to figure out your situation. I know how you feel about waiting, but it's what you must do at this point in time."
"But wh-, fine", Fred huffed, and turned around to leave. "Thank you", he murmured quietly. And with that Fred left the room and then Elflurus to return to the Bunz household.
When Fred arrived, it was night time, so he went up to Natalie's room and collapsed into the chair near her bed, exhausted
"A little nap won't hurt"
Fred was shaken awake the next morning by Natalie, taking a second to come to terms regarding where he was.
"Morning Natalie", he said groggily, standing up and stretching.
"You're back!", she shrieked, and threw her tiny arms around his waist.
Fred smiled slightly before the expression was replaced by one of disgust.
"Get off me! You're giving me girl germs! YUK!", Fred shouted, as he jumped out of her grasp and began tickling her, eliciting a squeal from the young girl.
"There is... no such thing as... girl germs Fred!", Natalie sputtered between fits of laughter.
"Well I wouldn't want to take any chances."
"Fred, where were you?", Natalie asked, after composing herself.
"Umm, that's a difficult question to answer. You know how you and Fartpants, I mean your Daddy, live in this house, your house?"
"Yes?"
"That's where I was. Where I lived before I met you or Lizzie."
"At your house?"
"Not quite, more like a whole lot of houses."
"Like a town?"
"Exactly, a town. And I just had to go there for a bit, but now I'm back here.", Fred explained and went to walk away thinking the conversation was over.
"Why?"
"Why what Nat?"
"Why did you go home?"
"Well, you know how I was Lizzie's friend before you? Well, I had to find out from some people why she still remembers me.", Fred said, choosing his words carefully as he knew he was already overstepping with what he'd disclosed so far.
"Is everything okay?"
"Well, not exactly. I don't know what's going to happen."
"So are you going to leave me?", Nat asked sadly.
"No. Maybe. I don't know.", Fred glanced at Natalie's downcast eyes before continuing, "Nat, please don't be upset. I need you to understand this is something I have to do not only for myself but for Lizzie."
"Will I ever see you again?", Natalie whimpered.
"If I do have to leave, I will try to visit you whenever I can. I promise."
"Promise?", Natalie said, holding up her pinkie.
"Promise.", Fred replied, linking their pinkies together in a binding commitment.
There we go guys! I hope I didn't disappoint, and you enjoyed this chapter. Review if you feel like, let me know what you hated, loved, anything you want! :P
I really love that there are people out there reading this, and sticking by me through my slack updates :3 THANK YOU! *mwah*
