Fanon:Walkabout

Walkabout is the final installment in the Confused trilogy, written by AsherÉire. It follows Danny Pleasant and his plans to leave his new home.

Chapter 1:"I'm Off."
This is it. It's 11 at night. I've backed a small bag of food, and some other stuff I'll need. I'm leaving, and I'm not coming back, no way.

I quietly edge the door open and slip downstairs. If I get caught, I'm going to be in big trouble. They won't catch me though, not if I can help it. I creep to the front door. I turn the handle and pull it open.

The fresh air is blowing on my face. This is it- freedom. The last week has been hard. It's been like a prison, where I'm some kind of freak.

I've been lingering too long. Without further ado, I shake my head, close the door behind me, and slink off.

Chapter 2:"My Freedom"
Pleasantview is pretty at night. I can see downtown Pleasantview in the distance... It's so beautiful, it's all lit up. You know what? I'm heading there.

Walking past all these houses... makes me think of the life I could have had if we didn't crash. I would have met my grandparents with Mum and Dad by my side. Meet my new cousins with my parents.

It's not fair.

What else isn't fair- I haven't told Rachel I've run off. It was pretty selfish of me. If she finds me, she will rip into me.

If any of them find me, I'll be in big trouble, but they have no idea what I've been through.

Chapter 3: "So This Is The Heart Of Pleasantview?"
Downtown is further than I thought it was. I'm exhausted. Who's stupid idea was this?

Wait- Rachel said Ophelia had come down from Strangetown to see Ripp. She said they would be downtown... I don't really think these things through, do I?

Downtown has some shady areas, were all the thugs hang out and stuff. I'm really starting to have seconds thoughts- what if I run into those guys? I wouldn't stand a chance. I would probably be beaten to death before I could register what happened.

I really need to think my plans through next time.

Chapter 4:"This Really Was A Bad Idea"
"Hey!" someone shouts behind me. Well, what do you know? It's some loser picking a fight.

"Look, I'm not in the mood to fight, so just walk along OK?" I reason. He swings his fist and catches me in the side of the face. The metallic taste of blood fills my mouth. I take him on, and it's not a pretty sight when I've finished with him. He moves along, cursing under his breath.

I had a bad feeling about this. It's gotten worse. Somehow, I'm expecting something really, really bad.

Chapter 5:"To The Rescue"
So, this alleyway smells. I hear shouts in the distance. "You, green freaks!"

"Hey, who do you think- oh... please, don't hurt me or my family..."

I edge to the where the shouting was... it's Johnny and his family! Johnny's using his body to shield Ophelia and Rachel. The other guys got a gun! He's probably drunk or something.

"You!" he snaps "Lady, move, it's those two I want!" Is he going to kill them? This is racism! So what if they're green? They're still people.

"Please!" Johnny pleads. "Don't hurt my daughter! If you're going to kill me, go ahead! Just don't hurt her!"

The other guy's expecting this. "Fine..." he says as he raises the gun. "You asked for it."

Before I even think about what I'm doing, I yell "NO!" before throwing myself in front of Johnny.

A gunshot fills the air.

Chapter 6:"Never"
Danny felt a soft punch against his chest. He fell to the ground hard, but he didn't feel a thing. The man realised what he had done, and fled.

Johnny recovered from his shock to see Rachel crouched down by Danny, tears streaming down her face. "Danny! Danny! No!"

Ophelia pulled out her phone and hastily called the ambulance. Johnny knelt beside Rachel, unsure of what to do. Danny had risked his life to save him.

Danny's eyes slowly fluttered open. "Johnny..." he barely uttered "you're OK..."

"But you're not. You're going to hospital, and you're going to be OK." Johnny said, trying to keep the uncertainty from his voice. Danny smiled before closing his eyes again.

The next fifteen minutes was madness. Everyone on the ambulance was trying to ensure Danny would stay alive long enough to get proper help. It looked like things were going to be OK.

Danny was lying in a hospital bed, slowly recovering from his ordeal. Rachel was beside him, holding his hand.

"Rachel..." he whispered. "I know I never said this before, but I love you and there was no way I was gonna let anything happen to you."

Rachel smiled gently. "I know you did. You didn't need to say it. You saved my dad, for me."

"Of course." Silence. "Say, if anything happened to me, you won't forget me, right?"

"Never." Rachel stood up and gave Danny a light kiss. When all this is over, they'll be together forever.

"That's all I could ask for..." he drifted off, and gently closed his eyes.

"Danny?" Rachel quietly called his name. "Danny?!? DANNY!! HEY! SOMEONE HELP!"