Waiting to Exhale

By DannyTimmygirl327

A/N: I know everyone's heard of the movie title, right? Well, this is nothing like the movie, of course. No, this is about a boy, by the name of Daniel, who is a lowly servant and is hurt and abused by his master, Vlad. Unable to leave or even think about running away, Daniel's life isn't to be pitied on; no, he was born this way. With both his parents gone and nowhere to go, Daniel thought his life would turn for the better when the King of the royal palace in an unknown dimension of the world, Vlad Masters adopts him. But as soon as he's told what his duty was, he never believed that it was true. For years, Daniel's been working for him, day and night, with barely any rest, food or good health. When Vlad feels Daniel's done something wrong, he beats him continuously until the boy is broken and has finally learned his lesson. From then on, it was an everyday incident.

But a few months later, Vlad's niece, Samantha, comes for a visit with her parents. While the relatives spoke, Samantha sees Daniel, working in the kitchen. Like looking into a glass mirror, she sees him as the most beautiful boy she had ever laid eyes on. But when her uncle tells her about him, she becomes curious and wants to know even more. One day, she secretly asks him to meet her in his room and gives him the best hospitality he could ever hope for. But when a serious outbreak of war hits and their newly found friendship is slowly being torn apart by Vlad, can the two both save their homeland and still be together, or will everything fall apart?

Wow, that was a long summary XD. Okay, the pairing is, of course, DxS throughout most of the story and its rated T for violence, abuse, and some language. Also, some movie-like romance, Y'know… the ones with the pg-13 romance in it? Well, enjoy, read, review and everything! I don't own Danny Phantom or any of the show's characters. But I may own a few of the characters that I create. :D But some material may not be appropriate for children and teens under 14-15 (yeah, there's a part where Danny tells Sam about his past and mentions the horrible things Alyssa's husband did to him when she wasn't home that made him 'unclean'. If you don't know what 'unclean' means, then….. Don't know what to tell ya. :-(

Prologue: Fallen (Note: this is the only part of the story that will be in Danny's POV. Everything else will just be in third person. Also, throughout the entire story, Danny will refer to Vlad as 'Master' because that's what he must think of him as.)

I've never felt any kind of happiness in my heart.

I've never even felt joy or compassion in my soul.

It's like… something died inside me; something that may never return.

I'm sorry, and I've said those words about a million times in my life, but I never introduced myself. Perhaps, I shouldn't even bother, but I'll tell you anyway. After all, I'm just another wasted breath in this world, right?

My name is Daniel. Daniel James, in fact. No, I do not have a last name. If I did, I wouldn't subject myself to inferiority of my own existence, would I?

I think I'm 14 years old, but I'm not sure. I do not have a birthday, for it's a forbidden mention; you can't even say the date without half committing suicide to yourself in the process. But, if you should know, then so be it, but I warned you and tried to save you the trouble.

I'm probable that my birth date is April 14th, nineteen something. I was never told what year, exactly.

My life isn't like Hell, that'd be an understatement. I haven't been given permission to speak, but I'm soiling the walls and floors of my room with this story by using my own blood as ink and my fingers are the pen.

Wait- I'm running low- hold on, I'll just dip my hand in some on my arm. There we go.

So, anyway, I'm a lowly servant, or so my master calls me. I work for him and anyone accompanying him, that's it. I am to do what I'm told and if I screw something up… well, I know one thing- no food tonight, that's for sure. But, I don't need much, so what's it matter? After all, my previous bruises and injuries are numbed by the newer ones. By now, the blood from those injuries were either washed off or dried up by now.

Don't tell me that my mother doesn't allow this, because both my parents are gone. Yeah, they died in a fire and I was their only hope of the last whatever-my-last-name-was to carry on. I had a sister, but I have no idea where she is now. I just hope that she's not gone like the rest of them are.

I've been to about 20 foster homes. Not one of them wanted me. Probably because I was useless. One after another they misused me, discarded me and hurt me.

My first foster home has the kindest lady who ever lived. Her name was Alyssa Chapelton, but she preferred me to call her mother.

Anyway, she would always care for me. She fed me, washed me, tended to me when I was sick, helped me with my schoolwork, even tucked me in at night.

Yeah, she was a true angel from Heaven.

But her husband, yes, her husband.

He was a true bastard from Hell.

Little did she know, but when she'd go out and run errands for only a little while, he'd stay and 'take care of me'. Then, behind closed doors, he did the most ruthless, vile and terrible things to me both physically and mentally that I can't even repeat them.

Because of him, I am immune to pain.

Because of him, I was afraid of everyone and everything that day.

Because of him, I'm no longer 'clean', so to speak.

Because of him, I never saw Alyssa again.

Afterwards, they all hurt me. One by one, home by home, they didn't treat me like he did, but they hurt me bad.

They made my outlook on the world worse than what it really is.

Wow…. I've said more than 1,000 words. More than I'll ever speak again.

But one thing for sure: there's absolutely no proof of me loving every again.

I mean, I don't even know what the hell love means. I thought I did, but…. that was forever ago.

Shit, I'm running low again? Well, here we go again….

Do you know how are it is to write on the wall with nothing but your left hand and your own blood? Well, no one's had to go through what I did, so I guess not.

Wait- there's another reason why Master hates me so much… it's because I'm left-handed.

The people in this kingdom are very clichéd. They like their people with certain hair, eyes and body structure. Not to mention clothing and lifestyle has to be in order.

Well, my ebony black hair may have been in place, but my baby blue eyes, my thin, pathetic exterior, pale complexion and ability to write with only my left hand are extremely out of place.

I never asked for this. I wasn't born to be someone's freakin' servant. I wasn't created to obey anyone I didn't even care for. I wasn't put on this earth for that purpose.

So… why am I here?

Why am I writing my entire life's story on a wall with my bloodied hands?

Why am I obeying and doing everything for this man if I don't even care for him?

All I ask is- why?

"Daniel! Get the hell out here and clean the floor!" I heard master scream. I sighed and quickly wrote the rest of my prodigy on the wall.

I don't have much time. Whoever finds this: please don't because I've been through too much and finding me will make your life be the living hell I'm endearing.

I stood from the room and turned to the door, staring at my own writing. I closed the door behind me and locked it. I walked towards the kitchen, accidentally scratching a nail on my bare feet. I saw master in the kitchen, standing on the perfectly shiny floor. It was so shiny, in fact, that I could see my reflection: a pale, broken teenage boy, in serious need of a haircut and filthy, almost dingy skin. My clothing was nothing more than mere rags and the whites of my eyes were pink from fatigue.

"Y-yes, master?" I whispered, cupping my hands together to show him gratitude. I didn't understand why he wanted me to clean the floor when it was practically a perfect mirror.

Vlad stared at me for a moment before he did the unthinkable. He took a deep breath and right at my feet, spat on the floor. "That's why." He hissed with a satisfied smirk. He tossed me the mop and bucket filled with water. "Clean it and make this place spotless. Besides, we have company in a few hours," With that, Master left me alone.

I sighed and walked over to the kitchen sink, grabbing a dirty dishwashing rag and a bar of soap. I threw both in the bucket and got down on my knees. Just like every other day, I was scrubbing something else that didn't need to be cleaned, but I continue to play over and over in my mind again: "Thank God he's not Mr. Chapelton…" Hey, he may beat me over and over again until I almost bleed to death, but Master never did what he did to me….

My God, the first man that I ever lived with whom I was to call 'father' because I loved Alyssa like my 'mother'….

That damn, no good bastard…. He did the unspeakable.

He freakin' raped me.

Yes, you heard it right.

He did this to me.

I died that day.

I died inside…

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

A few hours later, the doorbell rang. At the time, I was cleaning the chimney, choking and coughing on black soot. By the time I was finished, my entire body was charcoal black. I wiped away the excessive dust. "Daniel! Clean yourself up, you worthless piece of crap! Our guests are here and I don't wanna see you looking like… yourself. Then, get the hell out here!" Master screamed from the hallway.

I put down the duster and walked carefully down to my room. I opened the door and closed it, seeing fresh clean clothes on the floor near my bed. I was about to head to the bathroom with my clothes, when I spotted the empty wall. I paused for a second, then wiped two of my fingers on an open gash followed by fresh soot and wrote on dark letters:

'Murder on my soul.'

I wiped my fingers on my pants, picked up my clothes and locked the door, walking to the bathroom to freshen up.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

"It's very difficult to find good help these days," I heard Master say from the dining room. I was polishing the windows in the living room, feeling the smell of the polish burn my eyes and nose. I was about to cough, but it'd be rude to interrupt Master's meeting. Besides, his instructions were clear: pretend you're not here.

I finally finished the polishing and carefully walked through the kitchen.

"Well, who do we have here?" A voice asked in an oddly cheerful manner. I looked up, seeing a large man with a bright and friendly smile on his face. His navy blue eyes gleamed with excitement, almost as if he expected me to answer.

"He's just the help here." Master waved me off and was about to continue his conversation when the man asked me again:

"What's your name, son?"

I was truly amazed. No one ever called me 'son' before. In fact, the only ones who called me other than my name are my real mother and Alyssa. My mother called me 'sweetie' and 'her little Danny' and Alyssa called me 'sweetheart' and 'joy from above' but that was it. No other man called me 'son' before. It felt strange, yet oddly good.

"Permission to speak, Master?" I whispered.

He sighed angrily and nodded.

"My name's…. Daniel. Daniel James, in fact." I replied, hoping the man didn't take me for weak and pathetic just like the rest of Master's visitors always did.

"Well, my name's Jack, Jack Fenton, but call me whatever, just don't call me big!" He let out a large chuckle that was so heartfelt, it was genuine.

I gave him a small smile as he shook my hand. I could feel Master's dark, Sapphire eyes glare upon me, but I didn't let myself be afraid for just this once.

"Well, Daniel, it seems like you're busy, so I'll leave you to your work." Jack said, patting me on the back. As he stood up, I wanted to beg, to plead him to take me wherever he was going because I was willing to leave with a stranger that I just met. Hell, he could be a mass murderer and I wouldn't care.

"Pleasure to meet you, sir," I called after him when he reached the door. Jack tipped his hat to me and kept the same sweet smile placed on his lips. He gave Master a handshake goodbye and exited the home.

As soon as Jack left, I ran for it. I knew he was after me, just because I disobeyed him. He told me to pretend I wasn't here and I couldn't even do that right.

I heard his boots pounding the floor, almost right on my heels. I forced my bare feet to run as fast as they could, not caring if they began to bleed and leave bloody footprints on the wooden floor. I'd have to clean it later, but what's the difference? I clean everything anyway.

I swung around a corner and tried to duck into the room, but I knew I wouldn't be fast enough so I pushed myself even further. My arms were pumping air and my feet were dying away, but I ran on.

"Damn it, Daniel! Get the hell back here, you filth!" Master shouted out. He grabbed at my shirt collar but he wasn't fast enough. I was younger and stronger.

Suddenly, I skidded on a rug and fell to the ground. Master grabbed me by my arm and twisted it behind my back so hard; I let out a pained cry. He slammed me into the wall so hard that I couldn't retain any air in my chest. I gasped and closed my eyes, feeling the enduring pain he was about to inflict on me.

He clutched his hand on my back. I swear, I felt his fingernails trying to pin into me, they stung so badly.

"Listen and listen well, if you ever disobey me again, I'll hurt you so bad, that you'll wish you were dead. Understand?" He hissed, his words being etched into my mind. I nodded, but that wasn't good enough for the man. Instead of releasing me, he turned me around and pinned my arms down. All of a sudden…

I screamed.

I had a sudden flashback of what Mr. Chapelton did to me. He grabbed me, punched me so hard in the chest that my fragile 4-year-old body went limp and dragged me into the bedroom. Then, he tossed me onto the bed, pinned my arms down-

And I screamed a high pitched scream, just like a little kid would do.

"Daniel! What-" Master was puzzled. Why was I screaming? He didn't know about my painful past. He didn't know what happened to me.

"Please! Don't! Don't do it again! I never wanted this! LET ME GO!" I screamed so loud, that I was thrashing against him. He was so afraid, in fact, that he let me go and I fell. I began crying.

Master slowly left the room. Before he left, he whispered, "Clean the floor later. I don't want blood staining the wood."

I cried softly, drowning in my own sorrow.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

Well…. You think you know me, right?

You're damn wrong.

I've been through everything known to man:

I've been raped at a young age,

I've tried to commit suicide when I was seven,

I've been beaten ever since my parents died,

I've been in 20 foster homes and never been adopted by a real loving family,

I've never even held money in my hands, I'm so poor,

I've almost committed murder when I was nine on my foster mother,

I've been cut with knives, burned with matches and shot with guns,

I've almost starved to death days on end,

I've not been asleep for more than four hours at a time,

I've received cuts and bruises on every inch of my body,

I've stolen from stores and cheated in school,

I've been in fights with people three times my size,

I've almost been murdered,

I've broken almost every bone in my body,

I've almost died in a fire,

I've almost died period,

And finally, I've never really been loved for nine years in my life nor did I choose to love again.

My name is Daniel James.

I'm fourteen years old.

And I've been through the worst possible hell in the world.

A/N: …wow. I mean… wow. I can't believe I wrote that. I mean, it's a start, right? Please don't flame, just good criticism. Again- major DxS, but not right now. It comes in later chapters, about chapter 5 or 6. But…. remember: read and review, please! :D By the way, even though Danny's been through torture like this, he doesn't know one thing: someone's still alive in his family can't reveal until later chapters! But, you'll know. See you guys on my next update! I wrote this on, like, Tuesday or Monday, but didn't finish until Friday. If I don't get a good report card, I really won't be updating for a while ; so, catch me before then! (BTW- The person that he meets isn't his father, if you're thinking about Jack, but someone else. No other hint.)

Danny: "Hey, why am I being tortured in your stories?? I thought you loved me!"

Me: "I do! I just like… writing tragic love stories about you and Sam!"

Danny: "Uh…. blushes

Me: "Ha! You like her, don't you?"

Danny: "I never said that!"

Me: "You're blushing! :D"

Danny: "Aw, darn."