When Her Dreams Came True

~Chapter 9~

The four of them were sat at the table watching anime on Netflix, thoroughly enjoying the pizza Dan had ordered, when Christa asked a slightly awkward question. "So," she began, changing the course of the current conversation "How did you even get adopted by these dudes anyway?" Gabbie at Dan and Phil, A look of confusion and worry on her face. "What do you mean?" Phil asked, expecting the answer but not wanting to hear it. "You know," oblivious to the awkwardness around the table. "How did Gabbie become your child? You can't have has her yourselves as a baby!" Dan and Phil took Gabbie's hands underneath the table to secure her as she spoke. "My mum died about a month and a half ago. She was shot at King's Cross when we were waiting to get on our train home after a day trip to London. I was shot as well but got away alive." Gabbie's voice broke a little as she pulled up her shirt sleeve to reveal the massive, raised scar on her forearm, a constant reminder of that day. " I wandered the streets of London for a while then passed out. I guess Dan and Phil must have found me and taken me to hospital but I can't remember anything." She wiped a single tear from her cheek, took a deep breath and looked at her new friend almost expectantly. Christa was in a state of shock, leaned back in her chair and sighed audibly. "Wow," she said, clearly lost for words "well, you wouldn't be able to tell by looking at you." She laughed awkwardly, which made Gabbie smile. She apologised for ruining the mood with her questions but it was met with "Don't worry about it"s and "No problem"s Christa left a few hours later, leaving the Dan and Phil household silent and feeling empty.

"You ok?" Phil asked Gabbie when he was putting her to bed. "Yeah," she replied with a sigh, obviously dejected. "I was obviously gonna have to tell her someday, I just didn't expect it to be now." Phil half-smiled at her, kissed her on the forehead and left the room after saying goodnight. Gabbie browsed through Tumblr for a few hours then fell into a fitful sleep.

School for the next few weeks were as school was meant to be. Normal lessons, varied lunchtimes and only a couple of run-ins with Britney. Nothing out of the ordinary. She came home one Thursday afternoon and was met by a paler than usual Dan. "Hey! You ok? YOu're not looking too hot." she asked worried at his appearance. "I'm fine." he said, quickly brushing the question aside. " what do you want for dinner?" Gabbie was concerned at his dismissiveness but took no notice of it. "I'm thinking Mexican fajitas. I'll cook it!" she said rushing past him into the kitchen. "By the way, where's Phil?" Dan leaned against the door frame of the living room and wiped his unexpectedly sweaty brow. "He's um," he began, his mind racing to think of the simple answer. He found it. "He's at Boots. His hair straighteners broke and he's out buying new ones." Gabbie simply murmured an answer and started rummaging through the cabinets for the fajita kit. She was struggling to find it and, after practically emptying every cupboard, decided to ask Dan for some help. "Dan!" She called through the house to the living room. No answer. She pulled her hand of the can of spaghetti hoops she was holding and traisped carefully through the corridors. "Dan?" Suddenly there was a crash and her slow walk vanished and a sprint appeared in its place. Stopping herself on the door frame, she looked despairedly at the body lying on the floor. She ran over it, distressed and scared out of her mind.

"Dan! Dan come on please wake up! Dan!!"