Chapter 5: Losses

(After school)

Everyone went out of the class walking together in a group like they always do. Once outside, they all split ways. Seeing Cato and Amber going in another direction, Gumball was a little bit confused.

Gumball: Why is Cato and Amber going that way?

Darwin: Oh, cuz they live with Carrie now.

Gumball: Really?

Dante: Yeah. When you ran away, they figured she might need some company.

Gumball: Oh okay.

Lexy: So, like, where were you the entire time, Gumball?

Gumball: What? The four years thing?

Lexy: Yeah.

Gumball: I was living at a gas station.

Darwin: A gas station? Seriously?

Gumball: Yeah, that was like the best place I could think off.

Dante: Anybody else notice that we're being followed by a wolf.

The four siblings turned around and saw Christine following them from behind.

Darwin: She's starting to become like Sarah.

Gumball: Oh come on. Cut her some slack, will ya? She's got nobody to hang out with.

Lexy: Do you think we should let her walk with us?

Dante: Don't see why not.

Gumball: Okay, then. Hey, Christine!

Christine saw them and thought that they knew she followed them. She walked up to them and they walked together.

Lexy: So, Christine, how old are you?

Christine: Um.. I'm 15.

Dante: Like the school?

Christine: Well, yeah. But I didn't make any friends so far. It was just Gumball and you guys, if I knew who were your names.

Lexy: I'm Lexy, and this is Darwin and Dante.

Darwin: Hello.

Christine: Hi, aren't you the cutest?

Christine complimented Darwin while pinching his cheek.

Darwin: Aww, thanks.

Gumball: Where's your house by the way?

Christine: Oh, it's just down this street. The pink house over there.

Dante: Well, that's really close by.

Christine: Yeah, but I'm going to get some food first.

Lexy: Food?

Christine: Yeah, eat at some restaurant or something.

Lexy: Oh, good.

Christine: Don't worry, I'm not the kind of wolf who likes to eat off of a living flesh.

Dante: Isn't that what wolves are?

Christine: Yeah, but I don't like killing people just for food.

Darwin: You should go to Joyful Burger sometime. They got some good cheeseburgers.

Christine: Okay, I will.

Gumball: I forgot to ask, why did you move to Elmore?

Christine: Well, mostly the reason was because we couldn't find my younger brother. He was taken away about a year ago and we felt like we couldn't live on thinking about him. Sometimes, I wish that I can see him again.

Gumball: Oh, sorry to hear that.

Christine: It's fine. I'm just here for a fresh start, y'know?

Dante: Kinda sounds like someone we know.

Darwin: Do we?

Dante: I dunno. I just felt like I've heard of that before.

Christine: I'm heading over this way. I know a restaurant over here. You guys wanna join?

Gumball: Thanks, but we gotta get home.

Christine: Okay, bye.

Christine walked down another street leaving just the siblings.

Gumball: I'm starting to wonder how Mom and Dad would react to me coming back.

Lexy: That's what we're all thinking right now.

(Wattersons' residence)

The same old family doing the same old routine. Richard was sitting on the sofa trying to pick a channel to watch some good TV show while Nicole was doing some housework. Then, Lexy, Darwin and Dante came through the door.

Lexy: We're back.

Nicole: Welcome home, kids. How's your day at school?

Dante: Really shocking to be honest.

Richard: Why? What happened?

Darwin: See for yourself.

And their long lost son stepped into the room.

Gumball: Mom. Dad.

Richard: Oh my God.

Nicole: Gumball!

The three of them hugged each other for a while crying.

Gumball: I'm sorry I ran away. I didn't know.

Nicole: No. It was our fault too. We should've been better parents.

Gumball: I love you guys.

Richard: We love you too, son.

Dante: Okay, so uh..

Lexy: Let's just give them time together.

Darwin: Prop Hunt?

Dante: Let's go.

(Evening)

Gumball settled in in his room and laid down on his old bed. But he can't help but feel like something was missing. It was his little sister, Anais.

Gumball: Um.. I just realised, where's Anais?

Darwin: She went into college last year.

Gumball: What, really? She's only like, what 8?

Dante: Yeah, but it's Elmore. Lots of weird and crazy things happen.

Gumball: Are we gonna let her know that I came back.

Dante: Don't think that would do anything.

Gumball: Why not?

Darwin: *sigh* You see..

(Flashback)

It was two years since Gumball left. Anais was six and depressed that his brother still hasn't returned. Her family did their best to look for them although it has been two years already, but there was no luck. One day, when Anais and Darwin were looking for clues at the Forest of Doom, she suddenly snapped.

Darwin: Hey, Anais. Let's go look at the factory area.

Anais: Why are we even doing this, Darwin? He's gone! For all we know, he could be dead by now!

Darwin: Hey, don't say that. He's gonna be fine and we'll find him.

Anais: No, it's not fine. I don't care anymore! What kind of a brother would leave his family behind?! Even if he's not dead now, he's still dead to me! Even if he ever comes back, to me, he's dead and gone! And nothing can change that!

Darwin: Anais! Do you even know what you're saying! ANAIS!

Anais ran home crying without looking back.

Darwin: And even if you came back, she'd still think you're dead.

Gumball: Ouch.

Dante: I know, even we felt hurt when we heard what happened.

Gumball: At least she won't be here to give me the cold shoulder.

Darwin: Carrie wasn't the only one who were depressed because you ran away. Lots of us were.

Gumball: I know. *sigh*

Dante: C'mon, let's go watch some TV.

Gumball: You guys go on ahead. I'll catch up later.

Dante: Alright.

Gumball: Oh, wait. One more thing.

Darwin: What?

Gumball: Do you have Carrie's phone number?

And that's it for now. Lots of crazy things happened so far, well not that many but you know what I mean. Anyway, hope you enjoyed this chapter. Make sure to fav and/or put a comment below on what you think of it. As always, I'll see you guys in the next chapter. Peace out!