Finally updating. This chapter is kinda short-ish. It features the song Wake Me Up When September Ends, by Green Day. By the way...I dodn't have anything better to name this chapter. He's only depressed for a short time.

Disclaimer: Do I even have to say anything?

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Chapter 9. Depression

The next morning Slinkman was allowed to leave the hospital, after he had his stitches removed. He was offered a ride by the doctor but Slinkman insisted he walk.

"It's five miles to the camp! Are you positive you want to walk?" the doctor asked.

Slinkman nodded and said in a slightly sad tone, "I have some things I need to think about." Then he added in a slightly happier tone, "Besides, I need the exercise. I've been in a hospital bed for six days."

The doctor shrugged as Slinkman left the room. But then he remembered the fight he had seen, thankfully right at the end, the day earlier. He realized why the poor little mollusk was walking home. "Poor guy."

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Slinkman walked through town, nodding a hello to those around him. Soon, he saw a young bear couple holding hands as he walked out of town. After he saw them he couldn't help think of Anna.

Summer has come and passed
the innocent can never last
wake me up when September ends

How could he have been so secretive towards Anna? She was a real friend to him. He felt like pond scum right now. No, he felt worse. He couldn't even use a strong simile to describe his feelings right now.

Like my fathers come to pass
seven years has gone so fast
wake me up when September ends

Why did he feel so low? I mean, sure your supposed to feel guilty when you treat your friend poorly, but this was a new level of low. He had never felt so bad in his entire life. Did he-no he couldn't? Could he?

Here comes the rain again
falling from the stars
drenched in my pain again
becoming who we are

Maybe he did like Anna more than for a friend. Wait, what's he talking about 'maybe'? Of course he thought this way. Every time he was near her his heart skipped a beat. He had to face the facts…he was in love with Anna Brye.

As my memory rests
but never forgets what I lost
wake me up when September ends

And now she was gone. She hated him, and he couldn't do anything about it.

Slinkman, being brought out of his thoughts from kids yelling with joy, noticed he was at Camp Kidney's front gate. Nothing had changed.

Summer has come and passed
the innocent can never last
wake me up when September ends

The first person to notice him was Starlight. She bounded up to him with her tail wagging. He smiled sadly when he saw her, and he tail drooped. Her ears lay back on her head, and she asked, "What's wrong? It's your first day back and you seem depressed. Didn't Anna visit you?"

Ring out the bells again
like we did when spring began
wake me up when September ends

Slinkman stopped in his tracks and looked her straight in the eyes, "Yes, she did." He then continued walking, as Starlight stayed behind, watching him go. He stopped at the end of the dock and sat down, gazing over the calm lake to Acorn Flats.

Here comes the rain again
falling from the stars
drenched in my pain again
becoming who we are

Suddenly he heard small, light footsteps behind him. He turned around to see Chogan walking up to him. But that wasn't all that he saw. He saw the whole camp on the beach, a small distance away, watching Chogan approach Slinkman. They had most likely sent Chogan over to see what was wrong with Slinkman.

As my memory rests
but never forgets what I lost
wake me up when September ends

"What's wrong?" Chogan asked, sitting down next to Slinkman. Slinkman gave a heavy sigh and said, "Anna doesn't like me anymore." Chogan stared at Slinkman was a wide-eyed expression. "Well, I won't ask you what you did, but did you tell her you're sorry?"

Summer has come and passed
the innocent can never last
wake me up when September ends

"I haven't gotten the chance yet. But, like she'll listen to what I have to say. The only way she'll listen is if I take a valuable possession and write 'I'm Sorry' on it." Slinkman then looked down into the water and stared at his reflection. Then a great idea popped into his head.

Like my father's come to pass
twenty years has gone so fast
wake me up when September ends
wake me up when September ends
wake me up when September ends

"I have a great idea. Chogan, where is my walking stick." Chogan looked at Slinkman with confusion in his eyes. "It's, uh, in your room, I think. Why?" Slinkman smiled and stood up, taking one last gaze before putting his plan into action.

"You'll see", he screamed as he took off towards his room in the Scoutmaster's Cabin.

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Okay, yea, I told you it was a small chapter. Next chapter will be longer. Please review.