Phantoms of Amity Park

Chapter 1

The one who made me once described the Ghost Realm to me:

The Ghost Realm is like a glass bottle, containing layers of separated liquid inside. Where I live and where you have traveled makes up the middle two layers, intermingling with each other, free to travel in between as you wish. It is where Ghosts, the restless, and Spirits, their more powerful counterparts, reside.

At the very bottom, is a level where none are allowed to go and is quarantined by an impenetrable barrier, set in place hundreds of years ago, from which no one can enter and no one can exit. This is where the most powerful evil spirits live, plotting an escape that will never occur; know by man as Demons.

At the very top is the opposite, where the most holy and chastened of spirits call home; known by man as Angels. However, this section of the realm has also been quarantined, but not by any outside force, but by the Angels themselves. The exact reason for the self-exile has been lost to all inhabitants of the Ghost Realm, but many speculate it is because the Angels had lost their faith in the humans that they serve.

Danny Fenton sat at the breakfast table eating his cereal, black hair unbrushed, bags under his bright blue eyes. The kitchen TV behind him was turned on to the local news station. The first day of school was never his best day, especially when he had stayed out most of the night the night before chasing down Ghosts.

Two years ago, a freak accident turned Danny into something extraordinary, a half ghost, or halfa as the other ghosts that he came across almost immediately started calling him. Instead of hiding himself away, he took his new powers and ability to shift into a ghostly form and made the decision to protect his hometown of Amity Park. But after two years, Danny was beginning to resign himself to the normalcy of his not so normal life.

He was beginning his junior year at Casper High this year, he felt like it feel… different somehow. Over the last summer, Sam and his relationship had grown even more awkward; now he can't even look at her without feeling his cheeks heat up and worry that his face is turning red. Tucker teases him every moment he can about it… when he's not showing off some new gadget he got from that tech website he swears by; how he manages to afford all his gadgets, Danny still has no idea. Oh and he can't forget about his greatest annoyance, Vlad Masters, who seemed to have grown even more insufferable over the past few months then the past couple years put together.

"Now for today's news from the mayor's office," said the news caster on the TV.

Danny groaned, speak of the devil. But turned in his chair anyway to see was his nemesis was up to this time.

Instead on Vlad's face on the screen, however, next to the face of the news caster was the picture of a pretty 20-something year old girl with long reddish-orange hair put up in a ponytail, hairs that weren't quite long enough hanging loosely out of the hair tie, bangs feathering out to the side, and bright blue eyes. Danny had to blink the sleep out of his eyes to make sure he was seeing the screen right. This wasn't a story about Vlad?

"Due to the overflow of work in the Mayor's office, Mayor Vlad Master's has hired a secretary. Not much is known about this young lady except that she is 25 years old and her name is Anna Marie VanRatten." The news caster continued. "Also from the Mayor's desk, the ribbon cutting ceremony for Casper High's first indoor pool will be held after school hours today. All students are invited to attend and to sign up for the new Casper High swim team, signups will be available in the lunch room during regular lunch hours."

With that, the news caster went on to other news.

Gossip… of course, Danny turned back to his breakfast. Vlad hires a secretary and it makes the news. I do remember something about a pool being built at the school over the summer though. I think Sam had brought up when we had gone to the water park in July… Danny's cheeks blushed at the thought of Sam.

"Arg! What is wrong with me!" Danny haphazardly dropped his spoon into his bowl in order to slap his cheeks. All he really achieved was splashing milk and soggy cheerios all over himself.

School was about as good as Danny had expected, he had met up with Tucker and Sam before the homeroom bell, fighting back blush every time he met Sam's eyes. It had only been a day since had seen her! Danny yelled at himself to get a grip.

The bullies were all the same, only difference now was that Danny had grown a few inches over the summer, so he was up to their shoulder high now, making him not as easy as a target. Dash and his friend have not changed, however, still taking time out of their days to pick on him even though he wasn't a shrimp anymore.

There was some excitement during lunch, when the signup table for the swim team was finally open. There was a long line of boys at the table. One look however told Danny, Tucker, and Sam the real why. Vlad's new secretary was heading the recruitment for the swim team; wearing a whistle around her neck, hair still up in a ponytail, and a pair of dark sunglasses perched on top of her head. The picture the news caster had showed had not done her justice, she was prettier in person. Standing next to her was Mr. Lancer in a disturbing pair of Casper High colored swimming trunks and a white sleeveless shirt, also with a whistle around his neck; obviously having volunteered to be the coach of the team.

"That has to be one of the most disturbing things I've ever seen," Tucker said as they sat at a lunch table.

"No kidding," Sam said, "I hope he doesn't start wearing that every day."

Danny laughed and brandished his plastic utensil, "If he does, I'll take my eyes out with this spork."

The other two joined in the laughing and Tucker said, "I'll join you with that. At least Vlad's secretary is nice to look at though."

"I don't understand why the news made such a big deal about her," Sam said, stabbing a bit of lettuce with her spork.

"Cause that's all there is about her," Tucker answered.

"How?" Danny asked.

"Don't know," Tucker shrugged then noticed his friends' looks of surprise. "Hey! There are some things that I can't find! I looked up the name and all I got was some corrupted data from Georgia."

"Georgia?" Sam raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah, you remember that big virus that was all over the news a few weeks ago? Apparently it hit the State Census Office. From what I hear, hundreds of files were lost."

"Could explain why there's so little information on her," Danny said. "But still, the news didn't even say anything about where she was from, her schooling, anything! Wouldn't they interview her to find out the stuff they didn't know?"

"Apparently she's been too busy to take interviews," Tucker answered.

"Vlad going off to find new ways to destroy me and steal away mom must be piling up the work for her," Danny said flatly.

Sam sighed, "Guess I do feel sorry for her. It can't be easy working for a crazy man."

"I know I wouldn't want to work for him," Danny said.

"Well, that's obvious," Tucker laughed.

Danny looked back to look at the young lady named Anna Marie, accidently catching her eyes. She smiled at him before turning her attention to the next boy in line.

That was strange, Danny thought, turning back to his lunch. I have the feeling that she was watching me.

Danny decided to skip the ribbon cutting of the pool, telling Sam and Tucker to go ahead to the ceremony without him. He wasn't interested in being in the same room as Vlad after everything the man had pulled over the summer. Danny needed a break from the man, if for only a day or two.

Danny had his eyes on the floor, doing his best to weave his way around the students heading in the opposite direction, deciding that sticking close to the lockers was the best course of action. As he passed Mr. Lancer's office, however, he ran into someone coming out the doorway. Papers and folders flew to the ground, ruining whatever order they may have been in, the owner of the papers falling on her backside. Danny was jarred backwards.

Realizing what had happened; Danny shook the cobwebs out of his head and rushed to pick up the mess. "I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to…" Danny looked up to find himself face to face with Anna Marie VanRatten. "You're…"

"It's okay," She smiled warmly, moving to sit on her knees and pick up papers as well. "I'm a bit of a klutz myself. Mind off daydreaming and not paying attention to where my feet are taking me."

"I didn't say I was a klutz…" Danny's cheeks puffed in a childish pout.

Anna laughed, covering her mouth with a delicate left hand. Danny blinked, noticing the gold ring on her ring finger, a small expensive diamond perched purposefully on top. An engagement ring, like the kind his sister used to always stare at in jewelry store windows, the kind that cost hundreds of dollars.

"Sorry," She brought him out of his thoughts. "I didn't mean to insult you. My name is Anna Marie."

She held out her hand and, after a moment's hesitation, Danny took it and shook, "Danny Fenton. I heard about you on the news this morning. You're Vlad's new secretary."

"Oh… the news," Anna said with distaste. "They do like to talk, don't they?"

"When there's nothing more exciting to talk about, they like to spread the latest gossip," Danny shrugged with a sympathetic smile.

Anna sighed, starting to sort the papers back into their proper folders, "They wanted to interview me, can you believe that?!"

Danny shook his head with faked shock, for her benefit, handing her a stack of papers he had picked up.

"I told them I was too busy to sit for an interview," she continued, taking the papers. "Which is true, but it won't always be. I wonder how long I can get away with it if I keep telling them that."

"Wouldn't attempt it for too long," Danny shrugged up his shoulders. "They'll grow suspicious."

"Good point," She took a moment to scratch her head. "Ah! What am I going to do!? I don't want people digging into my business."

"I'm sure you'll figure something out," Danny laughed as Anna stood. He stood as well.

Anna adjusted the files in her arms, "Thanks for your help, Danny. Mind walking me out? I don't remember where the door is and I'm afraid I'll get lost."

"Sure!" Danny said and began leading Anna out. What am I doing? She's Vlad's secretary, isn't she? She could be sent by him to spy on me!

"I know this is kind of weird to say," Anna began, bringing Danny out of his thoughts again. "But I actually know a little about you too."

"Wha…?"

"Mr. Master's talks about you sometimes," Anna smiled, "Though, not always in the best tone of voice."

Danny rubbed the bridge of his nose in between his fingers, I'd bet.

"Talks about your mother too, a lot actually," Anna said thoughtfully. "Keeps using words like win over and get back."

"HE'S NOT GOING TO!" Danny's temper flared, his voice rising in response to the statements.

Anna stopped walking immediately, turning to look back at Danny, who had stopped a few paces behind. "Danny?"

The hallway had completely emptied by this point.

"Mom is happy with Dad, why can't he see that and be happy for her because of it?!" Danny said, the volume of his voice had lowered, but rage was still laced in every word. "Why does he have to be so selfish!?"

Anna didn't say anything at first, she waited till Danny's fists unclenched and then chose her next words carefully. "I'm sorry, Danny. I didn't mean to upset you. I won't bring it up again."

"Right!" Danny said, "How do I know I can trust you? You could be working for Vlad to help him take Mom away!"

"Not every adult is the enemy, Danny." Anna said bluntly, a sad look entering her eyes, taking Danny aback. "I'm trying to be your friend. Just because I work for someone you don't like doesn't automatically make me evil."

Danny took a step back, "I… I didn't…"

"Just think about that, okay?" Anna gave a small smile. "I can find my way from here. Have a good night, Danny."

Anna headed toward her car in the administrative parking lot of the school, but stopped momentarily when she noticed a large limousine parked next to her car, Vlad Master's leaning against her driver's side door.

He does like to make a show of things, doesn't he? Anna sighed then headed over.

Vlad was actively looking at his watch, his foot tapping against the pavement. He heard her approach and pushed himself off of her car.

"It took you long enough," he said impatiently.

"Sorry sir," she responded. "I had a bit of an accident. Here's the report and speech for the ceremony."

She handed him the folder on the top of her pile, which he snapped out her hands opened, quickly scanning over the contents.

She shifted awkwardly on the spot, glancing up at him and back down at her feet. He noticed.

"You have something you want to say?"

Anna shook her head, "No, not really. Well, I did run into Danny Fenton today."

Vlad let out a deep chuckle, closing the file. "Ungrateful child, isn't he? I offer him everything in the world for him, his mother, and his sister and what does he do? Practically spits in my face. He'll see it's for the best when I finally get Maddie on my side."

"I wonder though…" Anna said, making Vlad stop as he stepped around her and towards to school. "You love Danny's mother, don't you?"

"Of course I do!" Vlad turned toward Anna, brows knitted together. "You're point?"
"I was just thinking," Anna continued, "At your age, shouldn't it be more important to make the person you love happy, no matter what it means for you, instead of what you want?"

Vlad stood stunned, staring at the young woman he had hired not two weeks ago. He opened his mouth to chastise her, but was interrupted.

"Just a thought," She gave him a big smile. "Then again, what do I know? I'm only 25, right? And look at me! I'm just keeping you from the ceremony longer! You better go. I'll see you at the office tomorrow, Sir."

Without another word or giving the man a chance to respond, Anna got in her car and drove away, leaving Vlad in a stunned silence. Anna watched Vlad get smaller in her rearview mirror, heaving a deep sigh then looked down at her ring.

Victor…