Gossip Girl's Hit List

by lonelyboybrooklyn

The Constance clique has graduated but it's not over for these Upper East Siders because there's a killer in the crew & "lonely boy" Dan Humphrey has lost all access to the Gossip Girl site. Whoever has taken control now has their eyes set on offing Dan's peers around him one by one. Leaving everyone to wonder, is he to blame and can he stop the killings? Dan X Nate Romance.

Hello Upper East Siders, did you miss me?

My feet dig into the pavement below me as I weave my way through the late night crowd all packed together along the sidewalk.

"She posted" a young brunette shrieks, pushing her face into her friend's phone to see.

"I can't read it, move."

"What's it say?"

Two more girls pile in fighting for a look, I continue past them.

Gossip Girl here, your one and only source into the scandalous lives of Manhattan's elite.

Another group of teens seated at a table outside a restaurant I pass draws my attention,

"Is that Serena in the photo?"

"I think it's her."

"Zoom in already!"

"Look at her hair, who's the guy with her?

Hope you haven't forgotten me since my last post, because word on the street is that our golden girl Serena Van Der Woodsen is back in the lion's den.

Even the elites of New York, our own parents stay wrapped up in gossip girl.

"Oh my god did you read about her father?" I hear, then a soft "we should send them flowers" as I brush past.

But you didn't expect S to come home completely empty handed did you? She may have not found daddy dearest but a familiar souvenir nonetheless in one Carter Baizen.

It was weird the first couple times hearing about my own "work" out in public (if you can call it that), nowadays it seems like all anybody wants to talk about. Which is not really a complaint, this really just has all lasted far longer than I thought it would.

What happened during her little trip? Why is she traveling with extra cargo by her side? Send all your tips my way. And who am I? That's the secret I'll never tell. The only one. XOXO, Gossip Girl.

I pace my way further into Brooklyn towards Vanessa's apartment.

A couple blocks over and I'm there.

"Dan!" Her arms clasp around me tightly as she greets me at her door.

"You smell like you already started drinking without me" I laugh as she leans all the way into me. "You smell like you walked here," she slurs her words as she wipes some lingering sweat from my forehead. She pushes off of me, launching the hair tie she just ripped from her bun of jet black curls into my chest. I jokingly wince in pain as the tie flops to the ground. Vanessa twirls around letting her hair swing free just in my arms reach, guiding me from the doorway down the long hall into the kitchen. I push the door shut before we race off.

"Here you are" she excitedly cheers shoving the shot glass in my face. "What is it?" I question (she wouldn't let me see the bottle when she poured.) "Just drink loser" she giggles. I struggle the shot down. "Fuck. Ok. Vodka it is!" I cough. Vanessa already has something for me to chase it down in her hands before I can ask. "Those rich kids have made you soft Daniel" she taunts while throwing another shot into her system. "No I think you just have a stomach of steel" I poke back, reaching out to grab the bottle pouring myself some more. "Did you see Gossip girl's post?" "Yes I did" I answer, she slumps down the couch in the living room meeting my eyes. "I didn't think she'd really come back after graduation" she exhales. I did promise in that blast that I'd be sticking around and I meant it. Or I did at the time at least. It's too early to just give up on it all. Especially after everyone tried so hard to expose my identity last semester. I don't know. Doesn't matter, I've got time to think on it, classes don't start for another month and half at NYU. Which now thinking that, makes me want to scream and vomit but …. Forget it, I'm about to be way too drunk to map out my future.

"Dannnn…." Vanessa's voice suddenly pulls my focus back in; she stops waving me down. "Sorry. What did you say?" She lets out another laugh, "haven't you only had one shot? Have you really already lost it, we haven't even started the movie yet." I roll my eyes at her. She continues on, "well anyway, she didn't write about you lonely boy, or really the others. Just Serena and -"

"-Carter.." I cut in. She nods "Yea him" her eyes drop to the floor "I hope she's ok, heard she didn't find her dad.." The energy in the room shifts and I chug another shot down. "Have you talked to her?" she asks, I shake my head no. "I'm sure Blair already has her on lockdown." Vanessa laughs again as she wobbles back over to the kitchen agreeing "yea probably."

"OH!" she flips back around jumping to me, slapping my arm repeatedly. The beads from her bracelets bouncing up and down her arm.

"What?!" I yell in confusion almost falling off the stool I'm seated on. "I forgot to tell you, Nate came out"

"Archibald? Blondie?" I choke between my words.

"Yep. Came over last week to tell me, he said it was okay to let everyone know, just not anyone outside our "friend group"."

"I wouldn't call us all a friend group" I laugh out, throwing my head back almost falling again (maybe the shots are getting to me.) "Oh trust me I wouldn't either, that's just Nate's word's." Vanessa corrects while grabbing my arm so I don't tumble off. I wasn't expecting Nate of all people, thought he was gonna end up fighting over Serena and Blair the rest of his life. "Why'd he tell you?" I give her a puzzled look. She gets back up to resume digging through the fridge for something, "he said I should know all his secrets before we spend months together backpacking through Europe." I smile joking further, "I honestly had my bets on it being Chuck to be the one to come out first, "

"Exactly I did too, but guess not. For now just Nate. And I guess Eric too."

My phone buzzes. It's Serena.

"Who's that" Vanessa questions as she hands me another can of soda from the fridge and throws some bag of chips on the counter.

"Serena, she invited me to a club." I hold out my phone showing her the text. "You gonna go?" she turns away from the screen grabbing some chips. "No. You want me to miss movie night?" I ask while washing down the leftover alcohol taste with my Pepsi. "I'll be heartbroken really" she sarcastically whines. "You should probably see if she's doing ok."

Yea especially if she's still all wrapped up with Carter. Asshole.

"Come with me" I plead as I reach out for her hand. "No thank you, I've had enough of those people. I'd rather just read about them at this point." I drop my hand in defeat, "You say that like you're not going on a trip with Nate" I tease. She rolls her frigid blue eyes and starts to wave me out, "Go see Serena." "Are you sure? I just got here I feel bad" she pats my shoulder answering back "It's ok Dan I think I'll live" I sigh and nod in agreement. "Okay well I'll stop by tomorrow morning" I head my way out the door of her apartment reluctantly. "Be careful okay," she grabs my hand still gripped on the Pepsi can she's sent me off with. "I will" I smile back.

It's getting pretty late but the streets are still very swarmed all over with cabs. I swing my hand through the air trying to wave one of them down, a couple press on past ignoring me.

"Watch it!" someone from behind slams into my shoulder knocking the drink out of my hand all over the ground in front of me. He flinches away from his phone, lighting both our faces up in the dark. His disgusted expression disappears as our eyes meet.

"-Holy shit, lonely boy!" His camera's flash blinds me and suddenly he's off past me again bolting pass other people on the sidewalk. Probably about to send that pic to GG. Yea I'll be sure to post that one dick. My vision slowly readjusts as I grab the can off the ground, steadying my way over to the trash to toss it. A feat considering I can no longer walk in a straight line (and just got flash banged.) I sorta get a hold of my bearings as a beat up barely lit yellow taxi swings into view in front of me. I pile into the vehicle exchanging some words with the driver before he pushes on off to the destination Serena sent me.

I don't know why I'm feeling anxious to see her again. We left off on good terms I thought, which really only seems to be any time we're not actively dating. We've made a pretty good habit at being the worst for each other there. I'm just hoping Carter hasn't dragged her into some of his shit. The taxi hums as it slowly trails its way through the last of Brooklyn back up to the bright streets of Manhattan. The drive is weirdly long and I wonder if I should've just walked or something but eventually club Aman comes into view. Its blinding golden lights reaching out to every corner of the nearby street. I pay the driver and make my way out quickly through the crowd amassed outside the towering doors. Probably best if I call her before I go in, I'd rather not have to search through the hundreds of people inside. The line rings and rings …and keeps ringing but no response. I try again, same results. Then once more for good measure… but no. So I guess I'll just go in and see. I'm stopped at the entrance as I awkwardly move past the huge line stretching around the corner out of my view. "Name?" the tall suited man questions blankly. "Dan. Dan Humphrey, I'm probably under Serena van der wo- " He raises his hand to cut me off, he moves out of the way gesturing for me to enter and I step inside as the shiny gold doors shut behind me. A few irritated yells from the others still in line softly creep from outside, quickly fading as the DJ's edm synths take over. My eyes float around the room, the club is decently packed and very loud, it's hard to get inside so generally only celebrities or a mix of drunk lost trust fund babies get to go through the doors. So really If it wasn't for Serena I would've never been able to step foot in here. I don't know how I would've convinced them to let Vanessa in too, probably a good thing she stayed back for this one. I try to make out faces in the crowd, mostly people I've met at any number of Blair or Chuck's party's, (most of which I'd rather not talk with tonight or really ever again.) Still no sign of Serena though. I head my way over to the bar, the pitch black counter is hard to miss with all the lights draped throughout it. I get closer and I see the multiple shelves of the city's most expensive alcohol all tucked in their proper places. The bartender doesn't care to card me and they never really did while I was in high school either. I order a drink when familiar dark locks catch my eyes, pushed back by a scarlet red headband perfectly matched to the detailings on her dress.

"Blair?" her eyes dart towards me, "Dan? ..Why are you here?" her expression drops and I can tell my presence is already irritating her.

"Serena invited me" I yell back over the booming music. "Huh?" she squints at me before I step forward repeating myself. "I said Serena invited me, do you know where she is?" Blair's face quickly travels back to that pained and disgusted look from before. "Leave her be Humphrey, Serena is dealing with a lot right now and I'd rather not have you come in and fuck it all up." I lean closer, answering back, "I'm not trying to make anything worse, I just wanna make sure she's okay." She shakes her head in frustration sarcastically shouting "yea I'm sure you do Dan." The bartender slides some drinks towards her and she turns away from me heading back into the crowd with them. I follow behind continuing to shout above the music, "You can't police her life like this, I don't mean any malice towards her- " "Malice" she huffs mockingly, "Could you tell your inner thesaurus to shut the fuck up and stop sounding like a douche for five seconds please." She disappears further into the crowd and I break away, giving up on trying to convince her. Eventually I see her pop back out up some stairs on the other side, making her way up to the top before handing a glass to a short sandy haired boy, which I think is Eric. Then she passes the other one to another blonde dressed in dozens of studs of blue and gold next to him. Gotta be Serena. I still don't think Blair is gonna let me talk to her but I can still give it another go I guess. I turn to see how far I've drifted from the bar, the thought finally knocking into my mind that I forgot about my drink. I head my way back over bumping past someone blocking the way. "Sorry excuse me." I look up at him, the familiar outline of the strangers back catching my attention. He turns to me, his black jacket and white buttoned shirt tightly hugging his chest drawing the rest of my focus. The club lights above flash down into his face, enhancing the deep blue in his eyes that I haven't seen since graduating. Or really since I kicked him out for kissing my sister when we let him stay during all his parents' mess of lawsuits.

"Dan!" Nate's arms wrap around me tightly, "how are you?" he lays his head against mine gently before pulling away from the hug.

"I'm doing good. It's nice to see you again." The words slip out so monotone it barely sounds believable. But I'm not actually sure if I can say I'm being honest. He's left me plenty of apology texts and calls though, despite my lack of any kind of response. I trip over his shoes grabbing onto him as someone scoots past behind me. "Sorry- sorry.. I'm a little drunk," I apologize embarrassed as I slur out my words. His smile widens and he lets out a laugh, "Clearly."

I push back off his chest "What do you clea- It cannot be that obvious" He cuts back in teasing "I don't think I'm gonna need to run any sobriety tests, you were stumbling behind Blair just a second ago." He saw that? (Was he watching me that whole time?)

"I was just trying to find Serena, she's the one who invited me in the first place."

"I've been trying to talk to her too, but Blair really doesn't want any of us around her I guess. Sounds like she's still having her birthday party though." I wasn't aware Serena was throwing one, but I'm sure Blair has convinced her it's best to keep me off the guest list. He continues, "did you see GG posted about her and Carter?"

I nod, letting the time slip away as Nate and I deep dive for what feels like a century about the latest GG post and Carter just like I did with Vanessa in her kitchen less than thirty minutes ago. Just a never ending constant flow of having to over analyze my own writing all the time with usually the people I'm writing about. Eventually the conversation falls into his breakup with Blair before graduation, and I remember back to what Vanessa told me. "…So you're gay?" He shoots me a shocked look like I just kicked his stomach in. Fuck why did I just lead the conversation like that. How many shots did I have before I left? Was I even counting.. He awkwardly slips out "uh .. yes. Well bisexual, I'm guessing Vanessa told you." Oh. So then I guess there is still a possibility he'll spend his whole life fighting over Serena and Blair. "Yea she did, sorry I didn't mean to bring it up like that"

(Kill me now please)

His hand slides over to my arm, "you don't need to apologize, it just caught me off guard is all ….In fact I should be the one apologizing anyway for what happened-." There's an awkward pause "ya know with um Jenny and everything." I nod in agreement, joking back, "yea well keep those apology texts coming and I could maybe see myself forgiving you."

I add in, "I could go without the calls though, my inbox is very full from you and I didn't really need hours of you monologuing, it was a hard listen." He smiles back amused, breaking the tension, "good to know you were listening to them." He leans in further, his voice finally beating out the music in volume, "but I'm guessing by the fact that you're on your way to the bar again, that you might not remember most of this conversation anyway." I poke at his chest "have some faith in me blondie." His eyebrows shoot up in confusion and he leans closer teasing, "blondie? since when do you call me that?"

I step back wobbling, fully noticing how pressed together we were, his lips lingering of the smell of the almost empty beer he's been babysitting at his side. He lends out his free hand again grabbing hold of mine to make sure I don't stumble back into anyone. Our eyes lock again and he smiles down at me. He seems happier. I can tell he's happier, and I'd like to think he's different than he was a couple months ago. But maybe he's just drunk and in the clouds right now. I guess we'll see if sober me still forgives him tomorrow. I can feel him noticing my stares and probably now my burning up face; I quickly answer back questioning "are you growing your hair out?" He throws me a confused look trying to hold down his laugh. "Dan, that did not answer anything I just asked but uh yea I am." Yea I think I need to go home, I'm not equipped for this conversation anymore. I mutter out, "right sorry it just- I don't know looks… ya know longer," he moves closer again laughing at my second attempt (which again didn't answer what he asked.) I awkwardly press on, "so you're not afraid any of us will out you to GG?" Why do I keep circling back to this. (Someone hit me please and drag my body out.) "No not really, should I?" he responds. Which surprises me considering the groups general track record with backstabbing. "Are you gonna turn me in?" I shake my head letting out several no's. I wouldn't do that to him. Nate smiles again, "Good. I'm just tired of having my family's affairs in the news and on Gossip Girl, I'd like to have at least one part of my life protected from her." I nod. His eyes pull away from mine.

"Hey Chuck over here!" Nate's voice barely cutting through the song's heavy synths. Chuck notices Nate's arms waving above the crowd and makes his way towards us, his head ducked low and hair out of place and messy for Chuck standards.

"Hi." He answers completely pushing past me ignoring my presence. He pulls Nate away almost immediately to talk in private, leaving me in the crowd slowly closing in the now empty space around me. My eyes drift over to them and Chuck's standing under a small pink spotlight, the bags under his eyes making me wonder if maybe it's a black eye and he got punched or he's just sleep deprived. He doesn't look okay in the slightest and whatever it is it's definitely building up in him. His hands wildly waving his phone around in between their faces stopping at certain points to show Nate something. I can't make out anything they're talking about though, and I wouldn't say I have the best lip reading skills. But Nate's expressions tell me enough to know that it's stressing them both the hell out. Bodies keep shoving past me and there's pretty much no extra room around me anymore. And (to no one's surprise) without a single word Nate and Chuck have disappeared from sight, so much for goodbyes. Guess I'll go try and talk to Serena one last time. I hurry back through the crowd deciding against running back towards the bar (I really don't need another drink); instead making my way towards the winding stairs I saw Blair go up earlier. A hand firmly grips my right arm and I'm stopped in my place, it's another security guard.

"Sir, unfortunately I'm gonna have to ask you to leave, one of our patrons has reported your repeated harassment-" I jump in, "Harassment? Which patron said this?" He doesn't ease up on my arm, "come on" suddenly we're traveling quickly down the stairs towards the golden doors I came in from. A couple people flashing nasty looks at me as he drags me through the packed room. This was definitely Blair and I can't say I'm surprised, except for maybe the fact I thought she'd be the one personally tossing me out instead. He pushes me through the doorway and plants himself in the entrance waiting for me to fuck off. I don't put up a fight, I don't have the energy nor could I take one punch from this MMA fighter built man. I go to wave down another taxi once again, I'm ready for this night to be over.

Vanessa's POV

Dan left when I still had most of the bottle left, and now it's pretty much empty (but honestly I don't really know what that means time wise); I'm not good with keeping track of things in this mind state. Thank you vodka. My eyes shift back to the screen in front of me, playing Barry's death scene from I Know What You Did Last Summer. Dan's choice since last time we watched one of my favorite old silent films. He doesn't appreciate the unique horror in those kinds of movies, he prefers his scares with some words involved. Or to just read it instead. His loss. I can tell though despite his nostalgia, he just likes mindlessly staring at Sarah Michelle Gellar and Freddie Prinze Jr. for a couple hours while people die. Understandable. I push myself up from the couch I was slowly sinking into, heading into the kitchen to make popcorn. I toss a bag into the microwave and set it for two minutes, it hums steadily as it heats up. I lean my arm back against the island counter behind me, staring up thoughtless at the ceiling above.

I wonder if he's already met up with Serena, I should call him. He might not have even made it and could really just be passed out down the block considering he was slamming back those shots. I reach down for my pocket, pulling out my Nokia and pressing Dans contact to call. It rings for a while but no answer, just his voicemail.

"Answer our phone idiot. Just wanted to check to make sure you got to the club safely. Call me back if you get the chance but if not I'll see you tomorrow morning, good luck with Serena." I'm not sure if sending him off alone was a good idea. I'd rather my best friend didn't get kidnapped or mugged right before I leave the country.

I hang up sliding my phone back into my pocket. Was worth a shot. An eruption of sound flys from the microwave scaring the shit out of me. Two minutes are up. I hop back off the counter's edge regaining my drunken composure, stumbling my way back to the microwave for my popcorn. My mind focuses on the movie still softly playing in the background as I fill up the bowl. I've seen it plenty of times, mostly forced by Dan or before that by my parents, which they all weirdly bonded over when we were younger. Power of a 90's slasher I guess? I could really recite it all at this point. The room falls silent and I can't hear it anymore, ..it couldn't have ended yet. I could've sworn it had a good hour left. I was barely even past the beginning (but again ya know bad perception of time right now and all.) I grab my bowl heading back towards the couch in the other room to check. Pure darkness surrounds me, the movie's not on anymore and well actually the whole tv isn't on anymore, weird. I direct myself in the dark to a nearby lamp tugging for the chord, the small light fills across the apartment's walls full of empty hanging frames. My phone starts buzzing in my pocket, but it's not Dan. In fact I don't recognize the number at all.

It's a shame u will never get to take those photos.

What the hell? Who sent this? Another message pops up,

Spotted: 1 Vanessa Abrams alone, sad, and unable

to navigate with her own two legs from all the alcohol.

How much of a fight can she really put up

if she sees everything in double?

I quickly type back,

Who is this?

No response. I don't understand, did Gossip girl send this? My eyes trace over the message a million more times.

A noise rustles from inside the kitchen and I glance back, my phone rattles once again.

U know who I am. I'm ur one and

only source into the scandalous

lives of Manhattan's elite.

A sharp pain digs into me and I feel a heavy weight slam into my side. Everything in my hands scatters across the ground in front of me as my body drops. I stare back down in shock, seeing the handle of a knife sticking out of my side. The figure from behind steps over me, his hands reach out for the blade. My throat closes up as I try to yell for help, the words come out in terrified whispers instead. He rips the blade back out of me and I feel the pain tear through my body, I reach out to stop the blood rushing out of me. It slips through my fingers, coating the back of my hand too fast for me to stop it all from pouring across the floor. His hand reaches down at me and I look up to see him standing over again, covered by a long dark jacket and a beat up mask hiding his face.

The light from the single lamp sneaks under his hood a bit, but not enough for me to make out anything important underneath. My hand smacks his arm out of the way and I slide up to my knees panicked, lunging out at him and shoving him to the ground. The knife slips out from his grip and I grab a hold of it, desperately slashing down at him

"Get the fuck out!-"

He easily weaves past back to his feet and I feel my body giving out quick, not a great time to be fucking drunk. I miss as I take another swing at him, eyes struggling to focus on anything. Quickly his hands easily slam the knife from my grip back onto the floor. He fumbles his way to it, giving me a chance to run out of the living room. The ledge of the couch crashes into me as I knock past screaming out for help down the long hall. His solid grip returns and I'm twisted around before I can make it far. Fuck, he pulls me close, my wrist locked to his hand. And I feel my bracelets rip apart across the floor. I throw my fist with my other hand but he quickly catches it with his letting go of the blade tucked at his side. His grip tightens quick and I kick in terror trying to push off him. I continue kicking despite his hold not giving out. Please anybody fucking help me. I refuse to die here. I'm NOT. DYING. HERE. I spit at his face trying to tear myself away. My lungs feel hot like a fire is flooding my insides, which stings worse as I suddenly start coughing up blood. Where are my goddamn neighbors? I stare down at my gray tank top now soaked into a whole different color of deep red like some terrible fucking wine stain. I'm gonna bleed out if I don't get out of here. I tackle him to the floor, choosing to ram forward and knock him onto his back. We both groan in pain as we collide with the tile beneath us. His hands fall from my arms and I roll off of him dragging myself away.

I hear ringing. The phone, where the hell is the phone?

I don't know where the knife was tossed or which direction the ringing is coming from and at this point I can barely see. My apartment around me slowly fading off as I struggle to get up.

Get up

Please get up…

A foot slams into my back throwing my chest into the floor crushing me. I yell in horror. The phone keeps relentlessly ringing. My body gasps for air, no matter how hard I try I can barely breathe, let alone force out another cry for help. He goes to reach back down behind him and I hear the scraping of the knife against the ground.

You can still do this.

…Come on..

I use all the energy left in me to slide my arms back to my chest to push back up. The pool of my blood I was held down in now soaking into my jeans. His weight shifts off me and I elbow into his chest pushing him so I can make a run. The sound of the phone still ringing passing me as I sprint across the apartment, longer than usual as if my mind is playing a trick on me. Goddamn blood loss. I've never run faster in my entire life with little to no energy left, not for any marathon, scholarship, or any shitty school event. I pivot hard to the left, slamming my way into the bathroom. My body collapses in exhaustion to the floor, and I painfully kick the door shut, reaching out to lock it. A knife swings in blocking me from closing it. I lunge back at the door throwing all myself into it shoving back against his hand peeking through. We both beat back and forth trying to overpower the other,

"PLEASE! PLEASE STOP! WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS?!

PLEA-"

The door pushes open throwing me back onto my side; before I can slide to my feet he's face to face with me again.

"WHO ARE YOU?!" The question tears out of my throat, raspy and broken. The figure stares into my eyes, holding the air between us for a moment.

"Fuck you." The whisper trembles from my lips.

I grab against the bathroom sink, steading myself. The blood on my hands slip across the white counter as I struggle to drag myself up. He steps forward ready to grab me again but I'm quick to barrel through him. My push throwing him back into the door as I fight my way further down the hall. His footsteps race quickly behind me like some sick taunt. My eyes stay set straight forward in front of me. I push as hard as I can to weave my way towards the front door, my adrenaline hiding the pain still spilling out of my side. My hands push against the walls around me as I knock back and forth between them.

The halls around me start to fully fade out, the blood loss finally catching up to me.

My head swings back and I feel a strong pull on my hair. I fall back into him still trying to rip myself away from his grip. I claw at his face, grasping at any way to knock him off me.

"No! -Let go! HELP! HELP!

LET ME G-"

His hand muffles my calls and the knife slashes into my back as I drop to the cold hallway floor. The knife digs in again, and again, and again until I eventually lose count. The pain takes over my entire body. I just need to hold on only a little further.. I'm almost there.

A little further.

Just a little further...