Welcome to another chapter! I'm sure it'll get pretty amazing. Not like I'll tell you, read to find out what I bring. :)

Enjoy the chapter!

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If he was going to start everything right, he had to fix himself first. Through the week, it had actually proven rather successful.

People were surprised by the sudden shift in character, noticing the cat's lack of "Gumball-isms" towards them, as well as sarcastic rude comments. Instead, it felt as if he was anew. It was a welcome surprise, as they too would greet back when he passed by, and share pleasant interactions in town. His smile and energy felt much more greater to be in.

Such progress, meant a step-up. Gumball knew this well.

It was time to make amends to those he truely hurt that day.

Admittedly, he had tried to avoid it, afraid to even touch any of it. However it was pretty inevitable. Whether he liked it or not, apologizes were needed. For the next day, he practiced with Darwin on what exactly he would say, and it turned out pretty well. His confidence was at a pretty safe level for the task.

If only it were that easy.

Sunlight poured from the sky, streaming down onto the surroundings with a peaceful atmosphere. The morning air was crisp, yet nice to be in as well. Unfortunately, this morning wouldn't be exactly what the weather displayed.

It felt just as bitter and dull to me as always.

The newspaper boy had come through by now, telling by the strung together articles sitting at my front step. Same old news. Robberies, contest winners, sports, it all felt jumbled together now. I stopped bothering to care for the paper years ago, not like it would really help my sour expression.

I never truely liked how silent the house was after my husband left, but.. It felt worse being completely alone.

Typical.

As I picked up my paper off the concrete, I heard the sound of something coming by. What was that wretched noise? It squeaked across the sidewalk, making little padded noises as it landed. Crutches, wasn't it? Probably some loser on a football team that tried too hard.

"Um.. Good morning Mrs. Parham."

The newspaper fell from my grip. No. No.

Of course, so the rumors had been true. I knew the police were truly incompetent, but this was pure idiocy. I thought I would never see this freak in my life again. I thought it would be over. Life gave me otherwise. Of course now here he is on my doorstep.

What more can he take from me now?

"Mrs. Parham?"

I snapped from my thoughts, glazing over at him. The sight sickened me. So he had been making that annoying noise. It only made sense, seems as if that horrid mother couldn't even bother to pay enough to amputate him.

I couldn't stay silent forever, less I keep this thing waiting all morning. "You have nothing left to kill here less it's me you're here for."

"What? Oh.. Right.. Um.." The cat shifted there. Nervousness perhaps? "..No. I'm not here to hurt any more people again. Trust me, I just needed to talk to you."

"About what?" I placed one hand over my hip, glaring him down. Rage was all I could think. "To remind me of that horrifying tragedy? The fact you murdered my only child?"

He seemed to freeze upon my response. Perfect, he'll be gone soon enough. "N-No it's just.. I'm sorry-"

"Sorry?! Is that all you have to say to me?!" I couldn't handle this any longer, it only felt best to snap. "BILLY IS DEAD AND ALL YOU HAVE TO SAY TO ME IS SORRY?! YOU THINK YOU CAN JUST SHOW UP HERE AND EXPECT ME TO BLINDLY FORGIVE YOU FOR RUINING MY LIFE?! HIS LIFE?!"

By this point I was breathing heavily with rage. I want him out. He doesn't deserve to be here in front of me. He doesn't deserve to be here in this town at all!

"..I..."

"You know what? Save it." I cut him off. "Don't give me excuses. Get off my property. I don't need the freak to smear it all back into my face. If you don't leave right now I'm going to call the authorities and get you properly arrested."

Finally, he had given up. He only slumped his shoulders, and turned away.

I watched him leave. The heartache throbbed in me, but I knew better than to cry. I had done it well enough.

When you're a year fresh out of high school, most tend to view it as the best of their life. Free to do what they wish, finally able to make something happen in the world.

I couldn't have such happiness.

It hardly feels like it happened seven years ago. Had it really been that long? Every day when I think of him, my heart only sheds tears. We could've had it all, but the fire snatched it from us. Snatched it from me.

What did it give me in return? A cramped apartment in a noisy street. Loneliness. Heartbreak. All the worst things you can ever think of.

I wish the fire could've been vanquished with my tears. Washed away to keep Jared in my arms. It only burned me. He only burned me.

There was a knock at the door, loud and banging through my mind. Oh, a visitor. I was lost in my thoughts yet again that week it seemed. Well, it's best to answer than keep whoever it is waiting.

"Yeah?" I opened my door with curiosity. Oh, what a mistake. It felt as if I stared at the fire once more, crackling and burning at those I loved. I thought it was gone from my view. A word hadn't escaped my mouth. All I could display was my sorrow and anger.

Him. Of course it was him, the one who started it all. Why wouldn't he leave me be? Why couldn't I grieve alone? I couldn't stand there. Before I could even stop myself, I pushed him down to the carpet floor of the floor hallway.

"DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT YOU PUT ME THROUGH?! I'VE BEEN SUFFERING ALL THIS TIME WITH ALL THIS BECAUSE OF YOU! YOU JUST DON'T KNOW WHEN TO LEAVE ANYONE ALONE DO YOU?!"

He said no words, but I knew I scared him. He only sat there on the floor. Weak. A dying flame. I preferred it that.

"You tore the love of my life away, you know that?! I'd rather you rot and DIE alone than ever show your face here again! You hear me?!"

I noticed his quick nod, the way he had haphazardly got up to his feet. Well, what seemed left of them. There were crutches from my view, which slightly overjoyed me. Good. Let him suffer for my pain. For Jared's pain. For every single person's pain that day.

He left just as soon as he came. Good, riddance.

What does one do when you know what you caused?

I've asked that for a while now. Years have since passed, I know, but.. I can't get it out of my mind. It feels like a burning image.. Oh, how ironic.. Burning..

So much burning.. It was.. My fault.

The guilt just won't leave. After that day, it seems nothing was the same. Some moved on, others didn't. I surely didn't. How could I, when friends and people I once laughed and talked to died right in front me? Some thought of me as horrible for setting it off, definitely didn't help my reputation much. I knew I was right about what I said.. I guess it just.. Came out wrong? I don't know.. There's no excuse for me..

Sometimes I forget how beautiful the sunset is out here. As I sat over the edge of this rocky cliff, legs dangling, thoughts just.. Kept coming. So many. There was only one thing left for me to do.

"Tobias!"

Oh. I guess I could stay longer. But why did that voice sound so familiar?

Heavy gaspy breathing appeared from behind my view, sounding as if they were dying or something. Wait. Is that?..

"Whew, I found you.." He looked down at me once he caught his breath. What does he want from me? Why is he here? "I've been looking for you everywhere dude.. I tried asking neighbors but they pointed to wrong directions-"

As he rambled on, I slowly tuned them out. He shouldn't of had to find me. Was he here to finish me off finally?

"Dude?"

I looked up, frowning. I couldn't disguise the utter guilt I felt now.

"It's.. It's okay, I'm not going to um.. hurt you.. I promise, I'm not like it anymore." He said, as if reassurance would cheer me up.

"They're still dead." I mutter, loud enough for him to hear. "I take it nobody told you how everyone felt afterwards. We all felt miserable Gumball. You can't just tell me everything's all peechy keen after what we've all gone through."

The cliff's edge felt welcoming, as I stood up from my place. I could see rocks from below. Hard, but it shouldn't hurt for long. I could tell he was looking at the same thing.

"Tobias please! You shouldn't throw your life away for all this.. I get it, you're upset.. But this won't make anything better-"

"HOW WOULD YOU KNOW?!" I snapped. "YOU'RE THE ONE THAT KILLED THEM ALL!"

He looked at me with surprise. All I could do was stand there silently, as he kept spewing out reassurances and comfort. I didn't care.

"Do you want me to apologize for what I said to you?" I backed away, closer and closer to it. "Is that all you want from me?"

"What? No I-"

"Forget it Gumball. Things aren't that great anymore, and we're not kids anymore. No happy ending is going to make me bett-"

Before I could finish, a rock caught on my shoe. As I fell below, I could see his horrified face watching me from above.

I'm sorry.

Devastation.

It was all Gumball could feel, as he looked at the horrific sight, paw over his mouth in shock. He could feel tears beginning to trickle down his face. Tobias is dead. Dead.

He hesitated. Would anyone believe him if he told what happened? No, he can't focus on that. In panic, he began to run to nearest store he could find. His crutches squeaked and slipped occasionally as he did so, as he slammed the door open that led to the gas station.

"LARRY!" The cat made his way to the counter, practically sobbing by now. He knew a few customers were watching but he couldn't bother caring.

"Woah woah hold on, Watterson what's going on?! Is something wrong?" Larry stumbled a bit, slightly startled as he handed the feline some tissues.

Gumball wiped a few tears, before continuing, trying to keep from crying once more. "Call 911! Please! T-Tobias he's h-he's dead! H-He fell over a cliff I-I was trying to t-talk with him a-and-"

He cried, trembling with dread and fear.

"Dead boy under a cliff you said?.. I'll call right away, don't worry, just hang tight, okay?" Larry quickly dialed into his phone, talking with the operator. "Hello? Yes this is Larry, the gas station by the road near the words. A boy fell to his death over a cliff nearby, we need help right away."

All the cat could do was watch everything happen. Paramedics arriving to the area, police recovering Tobias from the rocks, carrying him away into the stretcher, he felt terror as it went on. Why couldn't anything be right today? Why did everything have to suddenly turn on him?

He could only stand there, blankly staring ahead as his tears spilled. It felt overwhelming.

"Watterson."

Gumball blinked for a moment, slowly turning his head. He knew that voice, unfortunately. As if seeing him again would help anything. "Y-Yeah?"

The policeman looked at him, a scowl on his face. "I hope what that employee had stated was true about the occurrence. Was it you that told him of such?"

"It's not a lie sir.." The feline replied, fearful of such accusation. "Tobias tripped and fell down the cliff I-"

"Watterson."

He shut up right away.

The officer kept his gaze. "I want you to go home. We'll contact you eventually."

Gumball quietly nodded, and turned to walk down a grassy slope on the side of the road. As he slowly made his way into town, he noticed a few old students in his path. Before he could try to avoid them, Carmen and Alan looked in his direction.

"Hey!"

He had no choice but to freeze, as they came closer, though not too close. He knew why.

Carmen looked rather curious, but panicked, as well as seeming angry. Alan shared her panic, but tried to keep composure. "What happened to Tobias?! Everyone is saying he died over the cliff!"

"H-He tripped over the rocks.." The cat felt uneasy in their presence, slightly twisting his crutch around. "Fell to his death.. I-It was an accident, I saw it with my own eyes-"

"What?!" Carmen ignored Alan's gestures to calm down. "You saw it?! Why didn't you stop him?!"

"I-"

"Wait a minute you caused it didn't you?! You just don't want to say it!"

"N-No it's not my fault! He tripped honest!" Gumball stepped closer, but quickly drew back seeing the cactus's rage spike.

"STAY BACK! If you hurt my boyfriend I swear to the skies above you'll suffer worse than prison!"

"Carmen please-" Alan was cut off.

"Forget it Alan! We're leaving." She stormed off, dragging the balloon with her.

Gumball watched them go, crying as not a word came out. Nobody believed him. They all thought he did it. They all thought he never changed. Thoughts were colliding with each other in his head, as he went straight for home.

The feline didn't even bother acknowledging his parents, as he came in and went right up the stairs, right into the bedroom. His sudden arrival startled his siblings for a moment, as they watched him slowly sit down onto the carpet with utter miserableness.

"Gumball are you okay?.." Darwin looked at him with worry, as he got up from the computer desk. "What happened?.."

"..I tried to contact the.. Ones who were hurt.." Gumball replied, his gaze on the floor in front of him. "..It didn't work out.. Half of them want me dead, apparently there's several restraining orders against me, and.."

His voice got quieter, nearly breaking into sobs. "..Tobias is dead. I tried to talk to him, but he wanted to.. End it all. He tripped on the rocks by accident and fell over the cliff and.. It was horrible.."

"Oh my gosh.." Darwin uttered.

"I-I went to the nearest store and Larry called 911.. They took him away.. But.." The cat gripped onto his legs, feeling emotions spiraling. "They thought I lied! T-The police didn't trust me and then I bumped into Carmen and Alan, and she went off on me about it and didn't believe me! I changed didn't I?! Why can't people see it?!"

He soon looked up, realizing there hadn't been movement. His brother had been standing there, sympathetic, practically seeming to yearn coming closer, but.. Didn't. Something about it seemed off and stand-offish. "..Are you afraid of me?"

"No! I uh.." Darwin fumbled with his words, looking rather nervous now, slowly backing away. It had been noticed. "You just looked.. Um.. Heated you know? Wait no that's probably a bad way to put it.."

Gumball stood up, utter hurt in his eyes. No. He changed. He shouldn't still be scary and unable to be touched. He needed comfort. He soon noticed Anais watching them from the top of the bunk bed. Her glare said it all.

You don't belong here.

The air felt colder. Before any other words could be said, the cat turned, slamming open the door and quietly, but quickly, limping out.

"Gumball honey what's wrong?" Nicole, as well as Richard, had turned around, hearing loud thuds coming from the stairs. She was about to come over, but the younger cat went out the door just as fast as he had arrived. "Gumball!"

Rain began to fall from the sky, as he fled down the wet muddy streets, tripping over himself as he did so, crutches squeaking with complaint. He knew some had noticed his panic. Could he even care? Did those who enjoyed his change go back to cynical because of the horrid news? Was all his hard work for nothing? He didn't know.

Finally, he stopped at a quiet area beside the forest, breath heavy and tired. All emotions let loose. The cat screamed, sobbing as he dropped to his knees in the muddy terrain. The rain was hardly distinguishable from such tears.

It's all his fault. He was thoroughly convinced now. Every misfortune and mistake was his. All his. All because of him. There was no way to fix anything now, or ever at all even. Nobody liked him. Nobody cared. They were scared. Scared and scarred by him. Forever until he croaks dead.

Everything will stay forever broken.

Very much still crying, Gumball moved over to underneath a tree, and hugged his knees as he watched the rain continue to downpour. It felt dark, yet calming, yet.. Somber. A few cars passed by on the road, but paid no attention to him. Perhaps they didn't want to. As he sat there, thoughts collided through his head, he knew only one thing at that moment, all that he could think about. He gripped onto his jeans.

He was just about as angry with himself as everyone else.