Chapter 10: Dark Side of Fate
Night had fallen and everyone was gathered around the large dinner table. Smiles were seen all around, everyone was laughing and passing out food to each person. Dustin was starving, he grabbed a hand full of everything, talking and joking with Tori. Mr. Clarke coughed, raising his glass. Everyone stopped what they were doing, turning to give their full attention.
"Shall we say Grace?" He smiled, "Who wants to?"
Tori raised her hand, "I'll do it."
"Nah, I'll do it!" Shane spoke after, "Haven't done it for a while."
"Wait." Hunter leaned on the table, "I'll do it. I've never done it ever."
Dustin slowly raised his hand, "Um.. Eh can I do it?" He felt weird asking.
The three of them both turned and looked at him. Mrs Hanson had a bright smile on her face, she turned to Mr. Clarke and nodded. He laughed a bit and jiggled his glass.
"Be my guest Dustin."
He leaned back, placing the glass on the table. Everyone sat back and bowed their heads and placed their hands in their laps. Dustin pushed back the chair and stood up, he didn't want to bow and say it. He wanted to look in everyone of their faces, to see the smiles of everyone who didn't lose hope on him. Everyone raised their head, curious of what he was doing.
"These last couple of years had been the toughest for me." He began to speak, "And I honestly didn't think I would make it out of the tough state I was in. Not a single soul in this room gave up hope did they?" Everyone began to smile, "Realizing this, I had to give a chance and I am so happy that I did. I may have lost family, but I didn't lose everyone. You guys, are my family, my friends." He chuckled a bit, "And I couldn't have this any other way. Thank you for everything."
He sat down and dragged the chair in. Everyone just smiled, there was only silence. This time though, Dustin didn't feel awkward. He felt good.
"Lets eat!" Shane finally spoke, "Dig in everyone. Not every day you try my mom's godly food."
"Oh hush Shane." She laughed.
"It's true." Porter backed his little bro up, "She makes the best Mash Potatoes ever."
"Kelly." Tori turned to her, "Thanks for the present. I found it near the tree."
Kelly nodded, "Take good care of it. That surfboard is vintage."
"It was hard to get Tori out of the house just to get Kelly to sneak it in." Mrs Hanson laughed a little, "But we managed."
"I would have noticed." Tori grinned.
"Well Hunter and I like to say that we bought an apartment." Blake decided to change the subject, "Factory Blue Tour is over. So I'll be in the city more often."
"That's great!" Cam exclaimed, "Im sure Dad can give you work." He shifted his eye to his father.
Mr. Watanabe nodded, "I could use you again."
"That would be cool" Blake nodded.
"Oh you don't want to come back to Storm Chargers?" Kelly was unaware of what they were actually talking about, "I would have hired you again."
"I that be great also!" Blake added, "Uh I like working two jobs." He laughed sarcastically.
Dustin snickered a bit, Blake was being put on the spot and it was amusing him. He took few bites and a sip of his drink before turning to Shane, "I hear your transferring college."
"When was this?" Hunter arched his brows, "Sounds like news."
"That's cause the only person I told was Tori." Shane shifted his eye.
"When were you planning on telling us?" Mrs Clarke was most interested, "Is this a good college?"
Dustin laughed a little, "Sorry Dude, I thought they all knew. She told me sometime during the Monopoly game last night."
"Well I got accepted in University of California. There's an awesome skating park near by and Action Sports Magazine is near by so maybe I can get a few photo shots."
"Sounds interesting." Porter glanced at his parents, "Well, University of California is a very good school."
"That's wonderful." Mr. Clarke cheered, "That'll be great for your studies."
"Have you heard Cam's good news?" Marah leaned and took another bite of her food, "What his plans are?"
"No." Shane turned, "Do tell us."
Cam stopped eating and placed his fork down. He took a deep breath and turned to them, "Well, I was just recruited out East to a business company. They asked me to give a presentation to a new invention, and if I win, I get to be head of the project."
"That's awesome!" Ryan was surprised, "Heard you can make a great profit if you're chosen."
"So Tori." Hunter shifted his eyes towards the blonde, "Since everyone has said some good news. Do you want to share any news?"
She coughed a bit, "Uh." She looked at everyone, "Not really. Im going to try this Surfing Contest in the spring. That's really it."
"Yeah well im starving." Dustin laughed, "So if you don't mind me, im going to dig into more of these awesome mash potatoes!"
An hour or two had past and Dustin and Tori were walking up Shane's stairs to the second floor. She was holding tightly to his hand, stopping as they get half way down the partially lit hallway. She turned to him, looking down a sec before glancing at his eyes.
"I missed you so much." She whispered, "Don't ever do that again."
He pulled her close, kissing her on the head and hugging her tightly. They just stood there in silence, she didn't want to let go of the warm feeling. Backing away slowly, she looked up at him. The two of them kissed, it started out slow and then increased. The two of them backed towards Shane's room and slipped inside.
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Two more hours had past and everyone but Tori and Dustin were gathered in the living room. It was getting late and it was time for them to part. Everyone had a wonderful time, each one slowly standing up and yawning loudly. Saying their last jokes and goodbyes before calling it a night. Mrs. Hanson grabbed her coat and slipped it on, turning to look for oldest daughter.
"Tori?" She brushed her hair back, "Has anyone seen her?"
"I'll check upstairs!" Shane bolted up, "Be right back!"
He ran up the stairs and flicked the lights on in the hallway. Whistling, he looked in an open room.
"Tori? Dustin?"
He turned and noticed his door to his room closed. Turning the knob, he walked in and his eyes widen. With fast reflex, he instantly spun around and walked back out, closing the door. He heard footsteps and saw Blake walking up. He glanced around.
"Did you find them?"
Shane bolted forward and stopped at the edge of the stairs, looking at Blake, "There's sleeping. Under my covers." He whispered a bit loudly. Freaking out a bit.
"So go wake them up?" He pointed at the door.
"They're naked." He began walking down the steps, Blake went wide-eye, giving that 'oh' expression, "I don't see them up there." Shane's voice echoed, "I think they went out for a walk. I'll drive her home when they get back."
Blake turned and walked back down the stairs, standing on the last step. Mrs. Hanson nodded and turned to her husband. He was holding Lily, she was fast asleep in his arms.
"It's been great." He spoke, "Hope to see you all again."
"Merry Christmas!" Marah yelled.
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The next day had come and the sun was slowly rising through the window. The rays awoke Tori, who groaned and moved a bit. She snapped open and sat up, shaking Dustin. He groaned, being disturbed by his peaceful sleep. He hadn't had a warm bed in a long time and he wanted to savor every bit of the feeling.
"Dustin. Wake up, we fell asleep." She shook him quickly, "We fell asleep in Shane's bed!!"
Dustin sat up, realizing the words she was saying. The two of them quickly got dress, right when the door swung open. Shane popped his head in and noticed they were dressed finally. He entered and shook his head.
"My sheets." He extended his hands in awe, "My poor sheets."
"Shane!" She ran over and hit him, "Why didn't you wake us up!? My parents are going to kill me."
"I told them you went for a walk." He shrugged, "You should be thankful I was around. I had to try everything to convince my parents not to go in my room!"
"Eh sorry dude." Dustin scratched his head, "Lost track of time."
Shane shuddered, "Okay, well lets not talk about it." He patted Dustin on the back, "Glad you stuck around but you two should scram before my parents wake up."
"Bed was comfy." He laughed, "But we'll go. Thanks man, hope to see you later today."
"Hey, swing by later. I got another present from everyone."
"Really?" His face lit up with excitement, "You bet!"
Suddenly a door shattered in the halls and a sound of gun fire. Shane's jaw drop as the two of them ran out in the hallway to hear screaming and another round of gun shot.
"Mom!" Shane screamed, "Dad!!"
The three of them barged into the room and noticed a man in a leather coat. He was wearing a black ski mask, holding a pistol. He shot up and starred at the stunned teenagers. Tori screamed at the top of the lungs.
"You son of a...!" He began to charge.
The man held up his gun, "Not so fast." He shouted, "Stand back."
Shane stopped, Tori pulled him back, trying to hold onto him tightly. The masked man pulled off his ski mask, revealing a familiar face to Dustin. It was the guy from the Arena, the same guy who claimed that Dustin 'cheated.'
"Well Rotciv." He cocked the gun, "You said over your dead body. So I will kill you and your friends if you don't give me the money."
Tori glanced at Dustin, "What is he talking about? Who is he?"
"Nothing." He turned, "You can't have the money. I spent it all!" He lied, "So get the hell out of here."
The man wasted no time he screamed an, fired a shot right towards Dustin's upper right chest area. He spun and hit the wall before falling to the ground. The murderer let off another round at Dustin, Tori screamed even louder as Shane swiftly moved forward. The man moved and aimed his gun, firing a few more rounds at Shane. He hit the ground, a bullet had hit him in the shoulder. The man then turned the gun around and fired quickly, killing himself instantly. He wasn't about to let himself be locked away in jail for life. The sound of Tori continuing to scream surrounded the room, she fell to the ground, crawling over to Dustin. She tried to shake him, looking over to see Shane breathing heavily. He was looking up at the ceiling, holding onto his shoulder, no emotion on his face.
She felt a hand grab her shirt and she turned to look down at him, "Dustin? You still with me!?"
"I'm sorry." He whispered.
His grip on her shirt lightened and fell to the ground. She shook him, smacking him a bit on the face. He wasn't moving, she turned and saw the bullet wounds. The blood stains began to get bigger on his shirt, one near his chest and the other near the lower side. She held him tightly, she wasn't ready to lose him again...
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End Chapter. A Finale! Dun dun dun..