Act on Instinct

A/N: This story is the first story that I have written in a couple of years. It feels odd to be posting stories again, but I thought I should do this for old time's sake. For starters, this is a short special Halloween story. I've had fun writing this and I hope you enjoy reading it too.

Chapter 1

"But please, Carrie."

"No, Gumball." Carrie bluntly stated.

"But why, Carrie? What's the worst that can happen?"

"Gumball, you and siblings nearly lost your lives last Halloween. In fact, if my dad had not come to the rescue, your sister would still be stuck in your body and you'd be stuck in Darwin's."

They remembered it all too well. The last Halloween is something that will never be forgotten, all because Gumball and Darwin went on a wild ghost spree after consuming too much of the potion Carrie gave them.

Gumball was persistent, however. He insisted that everything would be alright as long as he returns to his body on time. And since he now knows what to do now, the chances for things to go wrong were very slim. "Come on, Carrie. It's gonna make this Halloween so awesome."

"No Gumball. I'd get more than just a grounding. Just wear a costume this Halloween."

Gumball tried to continue arguing with her, but Carrie wanted nothing more to do with his plan. She disappeared to wherever, leaving Gumball alone in the hallways as other the other students prepare to exit the school to get ready for trick or treating.

Gumball and Darwin walked themselves home. Darwin could not help but notice Gumball grumbling about something. Darwin could obviously tell that Gumball's talk with Carrie did not work out as well as he'd thought. "She didn't give it to you, did she?"

Gumball sighed. "I told her I already know what to do. It's not like the same thing is gonna happen again."

"I don't know, Gumball. Last Halloween was pretty intense. I don't think I want to go through that again. I mean I never even wanted to join in the first place."

"You have to admit, it was fun."

"It was fun the first time, but I think I've had my fill."

They eventually passed by the arcade. Seeing as they are already there, they went inside to play a few arcade games.

A few hours have already passed by, Darwin finally had enough playing. "Hey dude. It's getting dark. We need to bail."

"Just a little more." Gumball said as he continued playing on.

"Come on, Gumball. You know how I feel about Halloween night."

"Alright, why don't you go ahead first? I'll catch up." Gumball replied.

Darwin was worried. He wanted to go early to avoid the Halloween night, but he did not want to go alone. Seeing as there was still a bit of light, he thought maybe it won't be so bad. "You sure?" Darwin asked.

"Yeah."

"Okay then. See ya' later." With that, Darwin left the arcade. Gumball was alone now. He continued to play on.

As the hours passed by, so did the quarters. When the lifted a quarter in his pocket, he realized it was the last one. Usually, Darwin would tell him that they've had enough video games, but Darwin had asked to leave earlier and did just so.

Gumball did not need to think. He kept the quarter in his pocket and left the arcade. Night had already fallen. The only lights that illuminated the road are the street lamps and some window lights from houses. People in costumes start appearing carrying baskets for their treats. Trick or treating is starting.

As he made his walk home, Gumball stumbles upon a small store. It sold antiques and all kinds of junk. "I've never seen this place before." Maybe it was because he was always preoccupied or maybe he was always in a hurry, but he could've sworn this place was new.

"They say curiosity killed the cat."

"Ahh…" Gumball stumbled in surprise. He had unknowingly entered the establishment. He slowly crawled backwards looking at the stranger approaching him.

The stranger wore black clothing and a pointy black hat. She had a pointy nose and held a broom on her right hand. Her skin is green. "What brings you in this here place, child?"

"Uhmm… I…" Gumball stumbled on his words.

"I don't usually receive guests, especially as young as you. But business usually jumps during this time of year."

"You open every Halloween." Gumball guessed, getting over his initial suspicion of the stranger.

"That's correct. I sell mostly Halloween costumes and 'specialty' items. Looks like you don't got no costume yet for Halloween night. Might I interest you in something?"

"Not… really?" Gumball replied unsure.

"Not… really?" The stranger sensed that there was more to his reply. There is something. "Tell me child, is there something you wish to do? Something that's special only for this night?"

Gumball thought about it. It's as if the stranger read his mind. There was something that he wanted to do for this Halloween. "Well, there is this one thing."

The stranger's smile widened. "What is it, my dear?"

"Well…" Gumball started. "I have this ghost friend that has a potion that could make you see ghosts with a drop. If you drank more than a drop, it would turn you into a ghost. She wouldn't share it with me though because of what happened last time."

The stranger shook her head. "Pity. I'll tell you what, I've got just the thing." She went behind the counter to a room that led to the backdoor.

From inside the shop, Gumball can hear the sound of bottles hitting each other. Eventually, the woman finally returned with something on her hand. "There are many varieties of ghost potions actually. This solution isn't quite the same as your friend's, but it works almost the same way. In a way, imagine they are two different brands of the same product. It allows you to leave your body for a temporary amount of time." She slowly reached the flask to Gumball, but before he could touch it, she pulled her hand back along with the flask. "It's yours for a small fee."

Gumball reached out both his pockets, both empty except for that last piece of quarter. "Sorry, I'm a little short-changed."

The stranger pondered on this dilemma for a moment. Soon enough, she had an idea. "How about a renegotiation? I'll let you borrow this potion. In exchange, I will keep your body for the time being, for insurance. What do you say?"

Gumball thought about this deal. It was clear that everything about this deal rang alarm bells. Something was really off about this deal and somehow, he would be at a disadvantage if something unexpected happens. If anything, his gut tells him that this is a bad idea.

Gumball sat on a chair while the potion sat in front of him on a table. The liquid inside was bubbly, just like a softdrink. He looked through the cup and saw his reflection. He then looked at the stranger with a bit of worry. "Maybe this isn't such a good idea."

"Come on, child. It's only for a night. You have nothing to lose, but you get the experience of a lifetime."

Gumball continued to stare at the cup.

"It's only a sip away." The female replied.

Eventually, Gumball got over his initial fear and slowly drank the potion. When he consumed significant quantities, he put the cup back to his table and slowly waited for the effects to take place. It wasn't long before he found himself drowsy. Soon he found his head slowly leaning forward, until he fell and hit his face to the ground.

"Ouch!"

Gumball picked himself up and talked to address the stranger. "That didn't work."

"Don't be so sure, dear." The stranger pointed her finger right behind Gumball.

Gumball slowly turned his head, much to his surprise. His body was still seated on the chair. His arms were on the arm rest, his feet relaxed on the ground and his head leaning forward. He looked on to his head to see that his eyes were still open, and yet they looked unfocused. It was a little creepy for him though that his body seemed to look like it was awake. As the saying goes, the lights are home yet nobody's home. It was starting to dawn on him. It was true. He was literally a ghost again.

"Wait a minute?" Gumball thought. "How is it that you can still see me?"

"Well duh. I'm a witch. I can cast spells that allow me to see ghosts."

"That explains a lot actually." Gumball floated near the witch.

The witch pulled her sleeve, revealing a watch. "It's 8:32 p.m. You have until midnight to return. I don't need to remind you of what's going to happen if you don't return before midnight."

Gumball nodded. He was already excited, thinking up of many new ways to prank his friends.

Darwin stayed home for the night. Halloween was never his thing really. He thought he would spend the rest of the way watching TV until bedtime.

"Sweetie, has Gumball returned yet? It's getting late."

"No Mrs. Mom." He looked at the time. It was already pass 9 o'clock. He then looked out the window. Groups of people in costume came by but no blue cat. He began to worry. Where is Gumball? Shouldn't he be here by now?

Outside, Gumball's ghost floated in front of the lawn of his own home. He had already pranked a number of people and redid that thing he did with Tina, again with minimal success.

He wondered if he could scare-off her family. Mom is out of the question and Anais is out trick or treating with dad. That leaves only Darwin and he had the perfect plan.

Nicole continued to wash the dishes when the window opened and brought the chill of the outside in. She paid no attention to it. She was about finish with the dishes, and then… nothing.

In the living room, Darwin continued watching TV. He would normally hear Mrs. Mom in the kitchen doing some cleaning, but tonight was a bit off. The kitchen was silent. She would not be done so quick, he thought. He got out of the sofa to check on Mrs. Mom, only to realize that upon entering, Mrs. Mom is nowhere to be seen. What set the alarm bells was when he noticed that the faucet was still on. His curiosity turned to worry almost immediately. He found it strange.

"Mrs. Mom?"

He then heard footsteps. It sounded like it came from the living room although it sounded as if it was heading to the second floor. Darwin followed the footsteps carefully. He slowly made his way to the living room, then up to the second floor through the stairs. Strangely, no one was on the second floor.

Darwin.

Or so he thought.

Darwin heard a door close, and it sounded like it came from their room. Darwin gulped. This was getting pretty intense. He slowly made his way in front of their room. "MMMrs. MMMom?" He called a final time.

There was no answer.

Darwin entered pass the door. The room was dark. The only lights inside were from the hallway and the faint glow from the window. More importantly, no one is here.

He looked through the window. Halloween night still had a long way to finish, though the crowd was starting to thin. "Where is he?"

I'm right here. Suddenly, the door closed behind him.

Darwin could've sworn all the colors in his body had left, as his body turned pale white. He was jittery as he faced the would-be attacker.

"Boo!"

Darwin was scared out of his wits. He raced toward the closet and closed the door without giving any thought. He stayed inside thinking it to be safe, until he came to his senses.

"Help?" Apparently, he locked himself in.

On the other end of the door, he could hear laughter. But it was laughter from a familiar someone. He thought of the first person that came to mind. "Mrs. Mom?"

"Oh man! You should've seen the look on your face."

That did not sound like something Mrs. Mom would say. Only then, Darwin knew who was at the other end. "That wasn't funny Gumball!"

"It was hilarious."

"Yeah. Whatever, now get me out of here!"

"Alright. Calm down. Sheesh."

Darwin noticed the door knob turning. The door opened, revealing something that he was not expecting. In front of him was Mrs. Mom?

"Mrs. Mom? Where's Gumball?"

"I'm over here dude." She replied.

This time, Darwin was confused. Why was Mrs. Mom acting so different? Why would Mrs. Mom call herself Gumball? Where is Gumball? "I'm not sure I follow. Is this still a trick?"

"No dude. It's real. Remember when you left me at the arcade. When I was done, I stumbled on a witch who owned this old antique store. He let me be a ghost for just a quarter."

Okay, this was definitely Gumball… sort of. "Well, if you're a ghost, where is your body?"

"Back at the store."

"And you're not worried something bad will happen?"

" As long as I return to my body before midnight, I'll be fine."

Back at the store, Gumball's body remained still as the witch finished up on him. "Just a few more and I'll be done."

She grabbed a couple of cork-sealed flasks and went to the back room to store them. Gumball was all alone now, until moments later, when a mouse appeared from a mouse hole. The mouse stopped in front of the cat frightened, as if it had seen a ghost. When the cat did not move, the mouse was relieved and continued on his way.

Unaware, the mouse's scent was beginning to circle the room. It reached Gumball's nostrils. The scent was strong enough to wake something inside. Gumball's eyes blinked, revealing a pair of slit eyes.

A/N: Chapter 2, which is the last chapter, already has direction and is almost complete. It will go public somewhere on Oct. 31.