AN: I know this is very early, but this chapter came to me so easily, I belted out half of it in one night. We all have that moment where everything just flows out onto the computer screen like water, it's awesome when it happens. Anyway, enjoy and like the last chapter, this one contains references to depression, suicidal thoughts and self harm. Don't read on if that will offend you, thank you!
Much More Than Maternal
Chapter 10
The Promise
"I don't know. He hasn't been eating properly, only small bites every now and then."
"Not as far as I know, he hasn't been the same since Nicole left and I'm beginning to worry about him."
"You know I can't tell you why Nicole and I have separated, it's not exactly something I want everyone to know."
Darwin listened intently, his father's conversation over the phone intrigued the fish greatly. There was a long pause and Darwin could hear his father's slow breathing, there was a despondent sigh from the kitchen.
"Mom, I've tried talking to him. I may as well not even exist when I'm in the same room with him."
Anais tapped her brother on the shoulder and Darwin waved her hand away, he wanted to keep eavesdropping on his father.
"I've already told you, Gumball will not speak to anyone and that includes his brother and sister."
Again, Anais tapped Darwin on the shoulder and he waved her away again, not bothering to turn around when she hit him over the head with her doll.
"He stays in his room all day and night, the only time he comes out is to go to the bathroom or nibble on a biscuit," Richard's voice sounded shaky and Darwin frowned.
Richard quickly spoke up again, his voice mingled with anger. "Mom, I've already explained this to you! I will not tell you what Nicole did. It's too private. What? No, I didn't catch her in bed with another man. She'd...she would never do something like that to me."
Upstairs, a door opened then closed and a couple of seconds later, Darwin heard the shower running. Anais gave Darwin a hard push that sent him sprawling across the couch and he finally turned to her, frustrated at her lack of patience. She looked ready to burst into tears and Darwin's frustration evaporated in a heartbeat.
"What's the matter?," he said, he secretly willed his sister to tell him something positive but what she wanted to say was the complete opposite.
"Gumball is getting worse, Darwin. I'm scared for him," Anais said, she glanced up at the stairs, her eyes heavy with worry.
"Then we need to find Mrs. Mom as soon as we can. That means I need to get out there right away and start looking," Darwin said, his mind was already fraught with worry for his brother and Anais' news only deepened his burden.
Anais nodded, the idea of seeing her mother was still very raw to the young bunny but if it meant they'd help Gumball, she would aid Darwin without hesitation.
"I still need to apologize to him too."
"You will have to do that without me, Anais. I'm sorry but I need to concentrate on finding Mrs. Mom," Darwin hugged his sister for a second before jumping from the couch.
"Do you have an idea of where to start?"
"I'm going to go and ask around downtown. Maybe someone has seen her."
Anais nodded, she chewed her lip nervously. "Okay, I'll stay here and keep an eye on Gumball."
Darwin thanked his sister with another hug and as he left, he looked back at her with a smile on his face.
"We'll fix our family, Anais. I promise."
He was gone in a flash and Anais listened to him go, his fading footfalls were strangely soothing to her. From upstairs, the distinct sound of the shower running could still be heard and Anais patiently waited for her brother to finish up in the shower. The sound of running water finally stopped and as Anais looked at the clock, she noticed he had been in the bathroom for far longer than usual. The bathroom door opened, the hinges squeaking loudly for a split second as Gumball came out. Anais watched as Gumball disappeared back into his room without so much as a backwards glance. Anais padded softly upstairs, stopping when she saw Gumball had left the door ajar. She snuck up to the door, she wanted to know what he was up to and when she peered through at her brother, she frowned . From behind the door, she could only see the back of Gumball as he sat on his bed with his back to her.
It looked like he had his arms crossed in front of him until Gumball moved his left arm back, as if he was drawing a line across his other arm. He seemed to study his right arm, which was hidden from Anais' view, before he crossed his arms again. Curiosity overcame Anais as she found herself stepping into the room, she coughed awkwardly to get his attention and Gumball whirled to face her, a look of surprise on his face. Anais caught a momentary flash of crimson on her brother's right bicep before he covered it with his hand. He avoided her eyes and the room suddenly became uncomfortably silent until Anais took the initiative and began to talk.
"Gumball, what are you doing?," Anais asked, she took what she thought was a reassuring step forward and Gumball responded by shimmying back an inch.
He didn't answer her, which was to be expected, he hadn't spoken to anyone for days. Again, Anais stepped closer and Gumball moved away from her touch.
"Answer me, please. I want to help you."
He looked at her with disbelieving eyes, his torment clearly visible on his face and Anais felt her heart twist in pity at her brother. If he wasn't going to talk to her, then perhaps her brother would do the next best thing, he would listen.
"Gumball, I know this probably doesn't mean much of anything to you, but I wanted to apologize for going back on my promise," Anais carefully monitored Gumball as she spoke, his ears twitched, showing her he was listening and that was good enough for her.
"I only thought I was doing the right thing. But now, I clearly see that all I did was hurt you and Mom. I didn't want that to happen, I just wanted to protect you both. I'm not asking for your forgiveness, I just wanted to let you know how sorry I am for what I did," she managed a small smile and Gumball raised his eyes to hers.
"It's not your fault," he mumbled, the fact that he was speaking surprised his sister, who couldn't help feeling happy Gumball was finally talking to her.
Anais shook her head fiercely. "It is, Gumball. If I hadn't let Dad know about you two, Mom wouldn't have gotten kicked out."
Speaking of Nicole hurt Anais horribly, she drew in a deep breath to keep from crying as Gumball shook his head sadly.
"Anais, it isn't your fault," he repeated, he lowered his gaze to the floor again. "It's mine."
"I know you blame yourself, Darwin told me. But-wait, what's that?," Anais said, pointing at her brother's left hand, which was still covering his right bicep. There was a bright red liquid seeping out from between his fingers.
"It's nothing!," Gumball exclaimed, jerking his arm away when Anais reached out to him.
Anais moved closer and despite her brother's protests, grabbed Gumball by the wrist and proceeded to yank his hand off whatever he was concealing. He fought back valiantly, determined to hide his secret and he succeeded in getting his right hand between himself and his sister.
"Get off me!," he pleaded, he pushed into her belly but Anais wouldn't budge.
Anais grunted as he pressed harder into her stomach, the air was being forced from her lungs but she wasn't letting go. After a minute of intense struggling, she managed to pry a couple of fingers loose and peer at what he had attempted to hide from her. She gasped at what she saw, her hold on her brother softening enough for Gumball to snatch his wrist from her grasp. Underneath his hand were two, thin scratches about an inch and a half in length, both had obviously bled quite a bit and Anais looked her brother in the eyes, her shocked face made him look away.
"How did that happen?," she asked, her brother didn't even need to speak as the sudden realization struck Anais and sent her mind reeling.
She shook her head, she refused to believe that her brother would go to such extreme lengths but as she stared at him, the more convinced she became. Anais bit her tongue sharply, she tried to keep her cool and fight the urge to run to her father. In her mind, there was no doubt that if she told Richard about this, he would over-react and Gumball would only withdraw further into himself. She had to deal with this herself and Anais steeled herself for the inevitable pain it would bring. She spoke reluctantly, attempting to keep her voice steady and reassuring.
"Gumball, did you do this?"
He shook his head but his silence said more than anything could. He pulled his sleeve back down, hiding the cuts from sight. Anais blinked back tears as she grabbed the front of his sweater, her emotions were fighting to break out and for Anais, she was fighting a losing battle.
"Why did you do that to yourself?," she asked, she shook Gumball as she spoke.
Again, he refused to answer her and kept his eyes lowered to his lap where his hands rested, one of his claws had a small droplet of blood on it. She shook him again, her tears running freely now as she gave in to her raging torment.
"Why, Gumball? Why did you hurt yourself like that?," she said, she was angry at her brother despite the pity that also swirled within her.
When he didn't answer, Anais grabbed him by the back of the head and forcibly raised his face to hers. Their noses were practically touching and Gumball half-expected his sister would kiss him. Instead she shook him again, her tears growing stronger as she spoke.
"Talk to me! Why are you hurting yourself?," as the last word left Anais' mouth, Gumball pushed her back.
"Because I deserve it!," he shouted, Gumball started to cry and he buried his face in his hands, braying loud, healthy sobs.
"You don't deserve this!," Anais shouted back, her emotions were out of control and she wanted to strike her brother across the face, somehow she pushed the wild urge back.
Between his sobs, Gumball choked out a response. "That's where you're wrong, Anais. It's my fault Mom is gone, I need to be punished."
"No! You're wrong, Gumball! Why can't you see that?"
"I want the pain to stop, Anais. I want it to go away, even if I have to go too," his confession drove a shard of ice into Anais, her inhibitions fell away against the raging storm inside her.
Anais hurled herself at her brother, she struck him on the cheek with a weak fist as her sobbing wracked her small frame. Gumball was grateful his sister had closed the door when she had entered, their father was less likely to hear their cries. He allowed his sister to continue hitting him, she wasn't putting all her strength into her attacks and Gumball could only hope she would soon calm down. He turned out to be correct because after only two minutes, her sobbing was all but gone. She spoke suddenly and Gumball listened, despite not wanting to.
"How long have you felt this way?"
"Anais, this-."
"How long?," she repeated, finally looking him in the eyes.
He answered truthfully, it didn't seem necessary to lie. "A week."
"You should've come to me or Darwin. We want to help you."
"I don't want your help," he replied, his answer hurt but Anais pushed it away.
"Gumball, I know you want Mom, but Darwin and I can help too," she took his hand in hers, Gumball did not pull away.
"Anais, you have no idea how it feels to lose someone you care about, knowing you'll probably never see them again."
"I do, Gumball. I lost Mom too," his sister wiped a tear away as he looked on, surprised at her words.
"But-."
"I told Dad because I was scared of Mom and you being together. You and Mom being together was so strange and it scared me. I don't know why but it did," Gumball didn't answer and Anais continued talking.
"I didn't tell him because I wanted to hurt you, I did it to protect everyone. I was scared that if you and Mom broke up, the family would end up broken as well. But I didn't stop and think of the consequences, I'm sorry."
Gumball took his hand back and leaned forward. "Anais, if I hadn't told you-."
"Mom would still be here, I know," she finished and she shook her head.
"That doesn't excuse the fact I went behind your back and broke my promise. I've come to regret what I did and I want to help. Please Gumball, let me help you."
Gumball went to say no but he stopped when Anais wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him, her tears beginning to flow again.
"I don't want to lose my brother alongside my mother," she said softly and Gumball's guilt increased ten-fold, the twisting hate he had for himself tightened its hold over his aching heart.
"I just want to end the pain, Anais. I'm sick of hurting all the time."
"No!," she shouted, his sister grabbed his sweater with a vice-like grip.
"Anais, if I go, Mom can come back."
His sister looked Gumball dead in the eye. "You're not going anywhere!"
"I'm never going to see Mom again, what's the point?"
"The rest of your family, Gumball. We are still here even if it feels like we aren't."
Gumball shook his head, he had a hard time believing his sister. "You're just saying that."
"I'm here, arent I? I'm here and I'm trying to help you!"
"Really? Well, where's Darwin then?"
Anais pointed at the window behind her. "He's out there looking for Mom."
"Waste of time, there's no chance Mom is still in Elmore," Gumball said, the words he spoke stung at him deeply.
"No, she is still here, Darwin saw her."
"Yeah, he tried feeding me that story too. You're just saying it to make me feel better."
"Why would we lie to you about something that is so important to you?," Anais asked, her tears had finally stopped and she was completely focused on her brother.
"Like I said, to make me feel better," Gumball said, he gave the empty bowl beside him a cursory glance, his reflection stared back woefully.
"Wrong, we want to find Mom and bring her home. She belongs here...with you," her last sentence surprised Gumball greatly.
"You want us to be together?," he asked, his voice shaking with emotions that wanted to escape him.
"I...yes, I do. You're so miserable without Mom and you're not the only one that misses her. I want our family back together, even if it means you and her are with each other," Anais' words rung true and Gumball was lost for words.
"I don't know what to say," Gumball finally managed to choke out.
"You don't have to say anything, I want you to know that I am doing everything I can, and so is Darwin, to find Mom and bring her home."
"Are you sure you can find Mom?," Gumball asked, he sounded hopeful and that cheered Anais up considerably.
"I know my promises mean nothing to you after what I did, but I promise you that we will find Mom and you will be the first to know when we do."
Gumball began to cry but this time his tears were not ones of sadness, but of relief at the fact the burden he had carried for so long was finally lifting. Everything he'd been through since Nicole's departure now seemed so minuscule and he felt ashamed at the way he'd spoken to his family. He cried for his mother, he wanted to be in her arms again. He longed to fall asleep beside his mother again, to kiss her and show her how much he loved her. Gumball knew in his tormented heart that he would only be at peace if she was with him. And now, it seemed like that could be a reality once again for the young cat. He thought of Darwin, out there looking for his mother for him and Gumball cried even harder.
For the first time in weeks, Gumball was grateful for the love his family provided him, for the effort they put into helping him and of the unfaltering determination they showed in their quest to aid him as he drowned in his depression. His guilt slowly receded and Gumball found himself wishing he had listened to his brother and sister sooner, instead of pushing them away. And as Anais hugged him, Gumball could feel a small glimmer of happiness slowly begin to stir within the dark clouds that had obscured his heart for so long and it was good.
Darwin groaned, wiped the sweat from his forehead and kept running, ignoring the stitch that threatened to drop him to the hot pavement. He was nearly downtown, only a few more blocks and he'd be there. He looked up into the sky, cursing the sun with every safe swear word he knew. Why did the damn sun have to be so hot today?
He stopped to take in a couple of deep breaths, cursing the heat again as he looked at the smiling sun. The wind blew from behind, cooling the fish by a few degrees. Taking off again, Darwin turned a lonely corner and spotted the mall a good distance ahead. He was terribly thirsty, a drink wouldn't hurt and as his stomach growled, he supposed that a bite to eat wouldn't hurt either. He had to get there first and in this ungodly heat, it would be close to physical torture. But this was for Gumball and Darwin wasn't going to give up on his brother, no matter the cost. With a renewed sense of energy, Darwin ran for the mall as thoughts of Gumball filled his mind.
They acted as fuel, driving the fish to make it to the mall and before Darwin knew it, he was running into the car-park. He was so focused on making it to the front entrance, the exhausted fish ran right past a certain green car with wood paneling on its sides. You couldn't really blame him, the car was hidden behind a rather large SUV. Running inside, Darwin was nearly floored by the near solid cold air lingering just behind the automatic doors. The mall was a paradise of refreshment to the tired fish, who leaned against a wall to catch his breath.
When Darwin's breathing returned to its usual state, he went further inside in search of the food court. It wasn't difficult to locate, the succulent scent of cooking food was all the fish needed to follow and as Darwin turned a corner, he was overjoyed to see there was little to no lines at Joyful Burger. Darwin reached the empty counter in no time and ordered a rather large burger. Larry completed the order, leaving the counter to prepare Darwin's burger. As Darwin waited on Larry to finish, he took his time to stare around the mall to take in the sights and sounds of the many strange people around him. A little ways to his left, a family of soda cans were leaving a clothing store and Darwin couldn't help snickering to himself at that. He couldn't possibly see a can wearing a shirt and the mental image his mind conjured for him almost sent the fish into a bout of laughter.
Darwin became aware he was close to bursting out laughing in the middle of the mall, so he looked to his right to avoid embarrassing himself and what his eyes fell upon blew the image of a soda can in a shirt from his mind with the force of a hurricane. At the other end of the mall, going up the escalator was Nicole, who looked rather lonely. Without a second thought, Darwin abandoned his waiting order in pursuit of his mother. Larry came back with Darwin's now forgotten burger, he received no recognition when he called out to the retreating fish. As Darwin reached the bottom of the escalator, Nicole was stepping off at the top and Darwin shouted her name, hoping she would hear him. When Nicole did not reappear at the top, Darwin started up the escalator after her, groaning as he went. Darwin reached the top, his breath coming out in sharp gasps as he searched wildly for any indication as to where Nicole was headed. To his left, he caught a glimpse of his mother heading into the supermarket with a trolley and he shouted after her again.
When she did not stop, Darwin let out an exasperated grunt as he followed his mother, losing sight once again when Nicole turned into an aisle. He ran back and forth through every aisle, desperately wanting to see her. This was the closest Darwin had ever been to Nicole since she'd left, he wanted to hug her and talk to her. From three aisles down, there was a sigh and Darwin heard his mother say something to herself, her voice made his heart beat faster with anticipation. When he reached the aisle her voice originated from, he finally laid eyes on his mother. She was about halfway up the aisle, her back to him. Darwin uttered a squeak of joy and ran for his mother, shouting her name as he went.
Nicole paused, her ears perking up inquisitively at the sound of someone calling her name behind her. She could have sworn the voice sounded familiar and she turned, gasping when she recognized the person running to her. Nicole had no time to utter her adopted son's name as he threw himself into her arms, hugging her tightly. Despite feeling worried Richard would appear and see her, Nicole returned Darwin's hug without a second thought. Darwin pulled away, a smile on his face as he looked up at her.
"I've finally found you, Mrs. Mom!" he exclaimed happily, hugging her again.
"Darwin, it's wonderful to see you but I can't be seen talking to you," Nicole said, pain stabbed through her when Darwin frowned sadly.
"Why? If you're worried about Mr. Dad seeing you, don't be. I came here alone."
"Does that mean Gumball isn't with you?," Nicole felt relieved to hear her husband wasn't around.
Darwin shook his head. "No, he's at home. I've been looking for you ever since I saw you going to work a few days ago."
"I saw you too, gave me quite the fright."
Darwin's reply was another joyful hug and Nicole asked him the first question that entered her mind.
"How is Gumball?," Nicole asked, she couldn't help herself, she had to know.
"Not good, Mrs. Mom. He's been so unhappy without you and I think it's getting worse."
His answer was not what she wanted, her mind filled with all sorts of horrible scenarios her son could be in and she threw them from her mind viciously.
"Walk with me, sweetie, I need to get my shopping done."
Darwin didn't need to be told twice, he bounded after her happily as they passed through two aisles laden with other shoppers. He finally spoke when they found themselves in an empty aisle.
"Mrs. Mom, now that I've found you, will you come home?," his question hurt but Nicole hid her pain from him.
"I'm sorry, honey. You know I can't, your father wouldn't like that and no matter how much I love Gumball, I can't put my family through more pain," her eyes threatened to release their payload of tears but Nicole forced them back down.
"I can get Mr. Dad out of the house."
Nicole shook her head, her expression somber. "Thank you for offering but my answer is still no. It's too dangerous."
"But, we want you to come home. You belong there, with us," Darwin wiped his eyes and Nicole hated herself for hurting him.
"I'm sorry, Darwin, I really am," she hugged him and Darwin did not let her go.
"We miss you," he said softly, Nicole came close to crying and she forced her feelings back down again.
"I know how difficult this is for you, sweetie. I'm so sorry to hurt you like this, but I can't come home. It's for the best."
"No it isn't. What's best is you coming home, Gumball needs you," Darwin sniffed somberly.
"It hurts too much, Darwin. I love him but I can't put him through the pain of losing me again, even if it means I'll never see my son again."
"Mrs. Mom, he needs you. He says there's no reason to go on without you."
Nicole didn't like the sound of that, it sounded dangerous and she momentarily entertained the thought of going home, to see him. She wanted to be there for him, there was no doubt there, but if Richard caught them then there would be hell to pay. It was too risky for them too meet, Nicole understood what would befall her if they were caught. Darwin shook her gently, jostling his mother from her thoughts.
"If you won't come home, can I send Gumball to you?," he smiled hopefully at her.
"Darwin, I appreciate your willingness to help your brother and I but it's too risky. If your father-," she stopped her explanation as a small group of people turned into their aisle.
"Maybe we should continue this somewhere else?," Darwin suggested and Nicole nodded, motioning for him to follow her.
The shopping was done quickly, Nicole was in a rush and Darwin kept up as best he could. At the counter, Nicole had dropped her purse and Darwin had seen how nervous she was, her eyes would dart in the direction of every sound. When they had hurried out to the car-park, Nicole seemed to relax, but she still seemed on edge. As his mother loaded her car up with her bags of groceries, Darwin kept a watchful eye on her. She caught his gaze and Darwin smiled, his smile stretched from ear to ear. With the last of the groceries loaded, Nicole shut the trunk with a thud and she turned to the waiting fish.
"Well, I suppose it's time for me to go," Darwin's smile vanished abruptly.
"Please, Mrs. Mom, Gumball needs to see you."
"Darwin, I've already explained this to you. It's too risky," she said, sighing.
"Mr. Dad does not need to know about it," he said hopefully, his mother shook her head again.
But before Nicole could speak, Darwin hugged her around the legs and cried into her skirt. Nicole glanced around, hoping they were alone. They were and she quickly wrapped the fish into a warm hug that calmed him with little difficulty. When Darwin had calmed down enough, Nicole patted him on the head lovingly.
"Darwin, I know how much I mean to you and Gumball but I can't come home, I know it hurts," she hugged him again before continuing.
"I miss you all, yes even Anais, so much and I want to be there with you again, but I can't and you need to accept that, sweetie."
Darwin shook his head, tears flew from his eyes and sizzled on the hot ground. He wasn't going to take no for an answer and if Nicole wasn't going to agree with him, then he would follow her to wherever she was staying.
"You need to come home, not for me but for Gumball," he said, his eyes pierced Nicole and her own eyes started to well with tears.
"I can't-."
"Stop! I know you want to be with him so stop pretending otherwise! Why are you denying your heart what it wants?"
Nicole's eyes opened like floodgates at his question and Darwin held his mother as she let out the torment she'd suppressed. She couldn't continue this charade anymore, Darwin was right, she wanted her son and damn whoever stood in her way. She longed for her son, to hold him and to have him by her side. It hurt too much to be apart, it felt like Nicole was missing a part of herself and nothing could ever fill that void, nothing except her son. After Nicole had managed to regain some of her composure, Darwin smiled at her with bright eyes.
"I can send Gumball to you, Mr. Dad will be told it's a sleepover at a friend's place," Nicole nodded at his suggestion as she wiped her teary eyes on her sleeve.
"Okay, I'll do it. I can't keep lying to myself, I want to see Gumball."
"You will, now tell me where you're staying and I'll send Gumball over as soon as I can."
Nicole hesitated, but Darwin's smile encouraged her to speak. "Downtown, in the old apartments. Number nine."
"You're staying there? That place is a dump!"
"I know, but it's all I can afford."
"Don't worry, Mrs. Mom! We'll have you home before you know it," Darwin sounded dead sure of himself and Nicole smiled for the first time in weeks.
"I know, sweetie. Thank you for helping," she hugged him to her, happy that Darwin had seen her.
"I care, Mrs. Mom. That's why I do all these things."
"Thank you, Darwin. Send Gumball to me when you're able to but please, make sure your father does not follow him," she said, looking into Darwin's eyes intently.
"I have Anais to help me, I think we'll manage."
Nicole was surprised at this. "Anais? how is she helping you?"
"She wants you to come home, she misses you," Darwin explained and he grinned at his mother when her eyes lit up.
"She wants me home? Does that mean she's come to terms with my feelings for Gumball?," Nicole could hardly believe what she was hearing.
Darwin nodded happily and Nicole felt a single, joyful tear fall from her cheek. She went to the driver door and opened it, the heat inside the car was like an oven. Nicole got one leg in before turning her eyes to Darwin.
"Thank you for finding me, Darwin. What you said means so much to me."
"I want to see you happy, I don't care that Gumball is your son. If you're both happy, then that's all that counts," he turned to leave but not before he gave Nicole another hug.
"If I can, I will send Gumball tonight," he said and Nicole's smile grew wider.
"I'd like that, thank you," his mother said as she closed the car door.
Darwin watched her drive away, a smile stretched right across his face as her car disappeared. With the worlds largest smile on his face, Darwin raced home to his waiting siblings. And as he made his way back home, Darwin realized that their future was more brighter than ever.
Gumball rubbed at the pair of cuts under his sleeve, they were healing and were steadily becoming itchy. The urge to reopen the cuts hit him like a truck and Gumball almost left his room to act upon it but Anais' stone-like stare stopped him. She pointed at him while shaking her head.
"Stay there, I am not leaving you alone," she said, she cast an eye over the clock, they'd been cooped up in their room all day.
Darwin had been gone for hours and Anais hoped he'd found something helpful, but knowing their luck, he'd most likely found nothing. But Anais was holding out some hope that he had found something that would eventually lead them to Nicole and in turn, help their family heal. Gumball raised his sleeve to look at the two cuts and Anais cleared her throat.
"I'm not doing anything," he said hastily, he lowered his sleeve over his wound.
"Gumball, you should never have done that yourself," his sister said, her eyes burned into his.
He didn't answer, he had no answer, in fact. Gumball looked away from his sister's piercing gaze, he never wanted anyone to find out. It had started with just a small nick with his claw, nothing too serious but the pain had allowed him some small release. Afterwards, he had gone further, lengthening the cut, sometimes going deeper. It made him feel less pain, the more he hurt himself, the more pain he was able to release. He never expected he would get caught, he had gotten careless and it wouldn't happen again. He would just have to wait until he took a shower, he would have all the privacy he required then. Gumball went to his bed and sat on it, he was dreadfully tired and a small power nap wouldn't do much harm.
Sleep was his only solace from the crushing pain and despite Anais' reassuring words, he still felt incomplete. He rolled onto his left side so he wouldn't have to meet his sister's gaze and he closed his eyes, drifting off quite fast. Anais watched him sleep, she had an inkling that he was faking it and was perhaps waiting for her to leave so he could hurt himself again. Well, she wasn't going anywhere and when the front door opened downstairs, Anais gasped, maybe it was Darwin?
Right on cue, the loud thuds of someone running up the stairs came to her and Anais was pleased at this, Darwin was running so there was a good chance he'd found something about their mother. The fish came bursting in, a smile on his face and that smile put Anais' fears to rest. Darwin went to her and whispered, he had no intention of waking his brother, at least, not at that very moment.
"Anais, I have the best news ever!," he whispered, Anais' smile exploded across her face.
"You know where Mom is?"
"Yes! I found her at the mall and we were able to talk," as Darwin explained all of this to Anais, her fears of a broken family were fading fast.
"Will she come home?," she asked and Darwin frowned at her question.
"No, she says it's too risky, what with Mr. Dad and all. But she wants to see Gumball."
"How will she do that? It's not like she can come over here whenever she wants."
Darwin grinned a little. "She's told me where she is. I'm going to get you to send Gumball there, tonight."
"Why me? You found her."
"Yes, but I want you to take the credit for it. I want Gumball to trust you again and by doing this, I think you'll be well on your way to getting it back," Darwin said, his smile never faltered as he spoke.
"Darwin, I can't do that," Anais said, she didn't want to take all the credit, it was Darwin who had found Nicole after all.
Darwin waved her protests away. "Nonsense, I'm okay with it. Now tell him, I'll tell Mr. Dad Gumball is going to a sleepover. Mrs. Mom is staying in the old apartment block downtown, room number nine"
With that, the fish was gone, Anais listened to his heavy footfalls as they went down the stairs. She got to her feet unsteadily and slowly went to her sleeping brother, she truly had no desire to take all the credit. It was sweet of Darwin to do this for her, but she didn't do a thing to help find Nicole. It was all thanks to Darwin that she had finally been located. But before the bunny could stop herself, she was shaking her brother awake. Gumball groaned, he preferred the emptiness of his dreams to facing life without his mother.
"Gumball, wake up, I have something to tell you."
"Go away," was his curt reply.
"It's about Mom, I know where she is."
In spite of his disbelief at her words, Gumball sat up and faced his sister.
"Really? You know where Mom is?"
"Yes and you can go there."
"If what you say is true, then what am I going to tell Dad?," Gumball asked, shrugging at his sister.
"Don't worry about that, Darwin has you covered. You're going to a sleepover so play along with that."
"Anais, how did you find Mom?"
Anais dismissed his question with shake of her head. "Not important, what is important is you getting to Mom."
"Okay, where is she?," Gumball was filled with anxiety, he didn't know whether to believe his sister or not.
"Do you know the old apartment blocks downtown?"
"Uh, yeah, that place is a dump," he replied, nodding his head.
"Mom is there. In room nine."
"When can I go?," Anais could hear the eagerness in his voice.
"Now."
That was all Gumball needed and he was off in a flash, flying out the door before his father could even say goodbye. Darwin found Anais at their bedroom window, she was watching her brother run down the street. She sighed before she spoke to Darwin.
"I've never seen him run so fast before," she said, her chin resting on her hands.
"This is what he needed, Anais. Now we wait, things will get better," he replied, stepping closer to his sister.
"We have to convince Dad to let Mom come home, she belongs here."
"I know and we will but for now, let them spend some time together. They need it," Darwin replied, patting his sister on the shoulder as he joined her in watching the small blue dot that was their brother slowly disappear into the darkening streets.
Gumball gasped, his side was killing him but there was no way he was stopping now. Nicole was waiting for him and he was not going to leave her waiting any longer than what was necessary. He had reached downtown in record time, the apartment blocks were still quite the distance from him. The setting sun threw long, dark shadows around the young boy as he continued to run, his energy levels seemingly infinite. After the long run, the decrepit apartment block loomed before Gumball and he felt apprehensive as he looked the building up and down. There was no way his mother was in this hovel, he refused to believe it. But he had come this far and he would see this to the end. He entered the lobby and waited for his eyes to adjust to the dim light inside. The lobby was dirty with fine, hair-line cracks lining the faded stucco walls.
The only furniture in the whole room was a small couch, covered in an innumerable amount of stains. The elevator was broken, the doors refusing to open to allow Gumball in. He would have to take the stairs and he groaned, the stairs stunk of stale urine, he could smell it from the lobby. But his mother needed him and he wanted her, a hug from her was all he truly wanted and Gumball ran up the flight of stairs, ignoring the fetid stench that assailed him. He made it to the floor he wanted and stepped into a dimly lit hallway, lined with wallpaper that was peeling away like the skin from a sunburn. He went by every door, counting them as he went until he finally made it to a door with a brass number nine on it.
Gumball pressed his ear to the door, listening for the tell-tale sound of his mother. But, try as he might, he could not hear a single thing. He couldn't even hear a television. He hesitated with his hand braced to knock at the door, was he really going to knock on this door?
There could be anything or anyone behind that door and for all he knew, Anais probably lied to him to get him to leave. That thought stung deeply at him and Gumball lowered his hand from the door, yes, that's what they did. They lied so he would leave them, they didn't need him anymore and Gumball bowed his head in sadness. He turned away from the door and the secrets it held as he began walking back down the dark hallway. He had only taken two steps when someone said his name from behind him, the voice was calming and he spun, his eyes wide with surprise. Nicole stood before him, her arms out to him in an invitation and even in the dark hallway, Gumball could see her smile at him.
"Come here, sweetheart."
Gumball ran to his mother on legs that felt like they weren't attached and as she pulled him into her in a warm embrace, they both burst into tears. He buried his face into his mother's neck, his cries rivaling his mother's. And at that very moment, Gumball knew he was finally where he belonged.
AN: I know, happy ending! Yay! I hope you've enjoyed the story so far, and a big thank you to everyone's reviews. I do read them and your reviews help me to continue the story. Have a good weekend! Don't get too shit-faced!