Chapter 11: The New Me

(Amber's POV)

BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! I woke up to the sound of Cato's alarm. I completely forgot that I slept with him last night. I hope I didn't say anything while I was asleep. I looked at my side but Cato wasn't there anymore. He must've gone downstairs. As I walked out of the room, I decided to go to Carrie's room first to check on the other two lovebirds. As I opened the door, I saw Carrie and Gumball hugging each other while sleeping. Just my luck, both of them woke up as I walked in. Both of them were blushing when they saw each other and then looked at me. All the more, Gumball wasn't wearing his shirt.

Carrie: Ah! Amber?!

Amber: Aww! So sweet!

Carrie: Grr! You're just the same, okay!

Amber: I know. I just like it when you do it with lil' Gummy over here.

Gumball: Gummy?

Amber: That's what she calls you everytime she dreams about you. She'd be like "Oh no. Please Gummy, come back" and all that.

Carrie: Get out! Go talk to your own boyfriend!

Amber: Okay. I was about to go anyway. Wanna give you two some privacy.

I shut the door and walked downstairs to find Cato. I looked around and Cato was nowhere to be seen. Then, I saw a note on the table in front of the TV which was from Cato. It said "Amber, I'm going out for a little while. Be back soon. Love, Cato". I wondered where would he go but I don't really have much time since it's almost time to get to the school bus. Gumball and Carrie got down right on time with an angry face on Carrie.

Carrie: We don't speak of this to anyone. Agreed?

Amber: Yeah, yeah. Whatever.

Gumball: Where's Cato?

Amber: He left a note saying he's going out for a little while. Don't know where though. We'll just head on first. Maybe he's at school already.

(School)

Cato lied. He ditched school cuz he wasn't in class the whole day. The problem is he never ditches school. I kept wondering what's going on. I was in my own world until the school bell rang.

Mr. Baxwell: Okay, everyone. Class is over. Make sure you finish that history homework by next week.

Gumball: So, Cato ditched?

Amber: I guess so. But he never ditch. Never. It's just so not like him.

Carrie: Then what do you think happened?

Amber: I dunno.

Gumball: Well that aside, me and Carrie are going to the mall. You wanna come?

Amber: Yeah, sure.

The three of us walked to my locker to put in my books and someone was waiting there. When I knew who it was, I got so furious.

Amber: Uh..Where have you been?

Cato: I could say the same to you. Why are you so slow?

Amber: Excuse me. You're the one who ditched.

Cato: Whatever. It's my life and I can do whatever I want with it.

Amber: By ditching school and getting your own girlfriend worried?! That's what you wanna do!

I turned around and crossed my arms feeling like I don't wanna talk to him anymore, until he hugged me from behind.

Cato: Okay, I'm sorry. I'll make it up to you.

Amber: Hmm..okay.

Cato: So I heard you guys going to the mall. Mind if I join?

Gumball: Uh...sure?

Cato: Sweet! Let's go.

Cato started walking away while I put back my books.

Gumball: Something's not right.

Carrie: Yeah, something's definitely off.

Amber: You guys notice it too?

Gumball: Yeah.

Amber: What's going on?

(Elmore Mall)

We hung out at the mall, grab some bites and bought some stuff. As we headed to the elevator, Cato suddenly froze in front of the door.

Gumball: Dude, what's wrong?

Cato: Uh..nothing, I guess.

He started to walk into the elevator. As we were waiting, Cato kept staring in the mirror. We got a bit worried and tried to snap him out.

Amber: Um..Cato? You okay?

Cato: No..no..don't. Don't do it! Don't!

Cato started freaking out, putting his hands over his head like he's being possessed. We started freaking out as well as soon as the elevator suddenly stopped. Cato fell on the ground mumbling stuff, the lights were flickering on and off, we had no idea what to do.

Gumball grabbed Cato and punched him in the face. Then, everything went back to normal, elevator was working, and Cato finally snapped out of it. As soon as the door opened, we dashed out of the elevator.

Cato: Shit. What happened?

Gumball: I dunno. You tell us. You looked like somebody trying to take control of your body from someone else.

Cato: What?

Carrie: You looked like someone possessed.

Cato: Oh, well, I need to wash my face a little. Be right back.

As he walked away, I started to get more and more worried about him.

Amber: Hey, Gumball. Mind following him for a sec?

Gumball: What for?

Amber: I'm getting kinda worried about him.

Gumball: Okay, if you say so.

(Cato's POV)

(Men's Room)

What the hell happened back there? All I know was I went into an elevator, I froze for a second and it suddenly turned into a madhouse. It felt like there's something inside me. I just don't know what.

I walked into the men's room and wanted to wash my face. As I walked towards the sink, I froze and felt afraid for the first time in years. I looked in the mirror and saw black smoke coursing around me, most of it gathering on my right side.

Cato: What? *sigh* Nah, I'm just seeing things. That fight last night really beat the shit outta me.

At least, that's what I thought it was. I washed my face for about three times and the smoke was gone, but something else came up. I looked to my right and I saw the black smoke turned into me, just with white eyes, black skin and with much of a creepy voice. Pretty much looks exactly like me, just black turns into white and white turns into black. I looked at my right but he wasn't there, he was just in the mirror. And then, he started talking to me.

Cato?: Afraid, I see?

Cato: Who the hell are you?

Cato?: Who am I? Why I'm you. Well, your phantom that is.

Cato: No, no way. I'm just dreaming. That's it.

Cato?: So now you think you're dreaming, eh? Haha, well we'll see if you're still going to feel that way later on.

Cato: Later on? What do you mean "later on"?

Cato?: You'll see. After all,...

I suddenly turned around and saw him staring right in front of me. He was right there in front of me in the men's room and not just in the mirror. I started to freak out.

Cato?: I'll take over very soon. Ahahaha.

The phantom suddenly disappeared and I saw Gumball standing at the door.

Gumball: Dude, you alright?

Cato: Did you see that?

Gumball: See what?

Cato: *sigh* Nothing. I guess I'm just seeing things.

Gumball: Well, I think that's enough walking around for you. It's time to head back.

Cato: Okay.

Gumball headed out first and I took one last look in the mirror and saw him standing beside me in the mirror. My phantom.

Cato?: Tick tock. Time's running out. The more you wait, the more you're gonna regret. Ahahaha.

He suddenly turned into a black smoke and disappeared.

Cato: What the hell's going on?

And that's all for now. Thanks so much for reading this chapter, comments down below always appreciated. Sorry it took awhile for me to post this one. I had a busy schedule throughout the entire month and I barely had enough time to do this before Ramadhan comes in. Anyway, be sure to fave, follow and comment down below on what you think. And I'll see you in the next chapter. Peace out!