Notes:
Hi! I'm very thankful for all the comments received for the previous chapter as well as the favorites and alerts. It's nice to know that you're interested in this new story, so thank you very, very, very much. And now, here's chapter one… finally.
Chapter 1: The Calling
My back is leaning against a wall inside of the abandoned warehouse. I left the park to hide from the curious glances of the people who might've walked by if I stayed there. I also wanted to avoid any encounter with ghosts since they always seem to have awful timing.
To be honest, I can't even remember my exact actions or thoughts as I flew away from there. It was all so automatic and impulsive. I just knew I had to leave and take the ghost kid to a more secluded place. After all, I had millions of questions racing in my head.
Yeah. That creep is still unconscious. Whatever that device was, it sure knocked him out for a while. I know I should've just trapped him in a container or maybe even vanished him then and there. But I also know that I can't. Not until I find out what the heck he did to Danny.
I sigh as I watch him resting on the floor a couple of feet in front of me. He has a pair of handcuffs on his gloved wrists to short-circuit his powers and prevent him from escaping. They are exactly like the ones Skulker used on us a few months ago. I have to thank Mr. Masters later for designing those replicas for me.
Aside from the handcuffs, I also have my gun ready in case he's strong enough to break free from his restraints. When it comes to Phantom, I can never be too careful. That's why I also tied a special cord around his feet. It's a glowing string made out of a special fiber that stops ghosts from phasing through it. I am now sure that he won't be able to get away. At least not before he gives me some answers.
I've been keeping an eye on him for the past thirty minutes. I had time to carry him all the way from the park to this warehouse at the docks, and, as soon as we got here, I even made some calls hoping to find Danny.
His sister, Jazz, answered when I dialed the number for Fenton Works. She told me her brother wasn't there yet and that he usually hangs out with his friends every afternoon, so he was likely to arrive late. I then called Tucker to (again) ask for the boy I was so desperately trying to find. He hadn't seen him or talked to him either. The knot I've been building up in my stomach kept (and still is) tightening with concern.
I didn't call Sam for a couple of reasons: One, there's still a bit of rivalry left between us and I don't want her to think I'm acting like a possessive girlfriend instead of a worried friend; and two, I really don't have her number, so I asked Tucker to call her for me.
So, it seems that all the evidence is pointing to an obvious conclusion: Phantom kidnapped Danny Fenton. But, why would he take him? Where or how did he snatch my friend in the first place? And, most importantly, why the heck did the ghost kid have Danny's cell phone in his pocket?
I don't like being this vulnerable. I'm sick of this kind of sensation. That freak obviously did an excellent job trying to find a great way to weaken me. He probably knows how much I care about Fenton and I can't help but blame myself for all of this mess.
If I hadn't let Danny alone… if I hadn't let the ghost kid escape… if I hadn't been so careless and evident with my feelings…
If only… If only…
I could spend all night long trying to place the guilt on every single thing I did or didn't do, but I can't hold onto my past mistakes that long. I have to work on what's going on now.
I sure hope he wakes up already. Anxiety is also one of my least favorite sensations. The sooner he's conscious, the sooner I'll be able to find Danny and head back home.
A ringing sound suddenly startles me. As I reach for the source of the unforeseen noise, I realize it's just my mobile. I check the caller's ID: it's Dad. Hesitating for a moment, I pick up the call. "Hello?" I speak nervously.
"Valerie, where are you?" he asks in a demanding voice. I mentally slap myself since I was supposed to call him as soon as I left school.
Yeah, dad made a whole set of rules and restrictions after I returned from fighting the ghost kid in outer space. Fortunately, though, I convinced him to let me keep my suit. 'Just in case', I told him. I even promised I wouldn't continue with my job unless it was absolutely necessary.
Of course that's not entirely true, but he doesn't really know. At least I think he doesn't.
I try to keep my tone as serene as possible to answer my dad's question. "I- I'm… taking care of something".
"Our monitors detected paranormal activity near Casper High. You are not hunting ghosts again, are you?" I can hear how enraged he really is. Obviously, he has never liked my job. He even admitted his relief after my first suit was destroyed.
However, as soon as I got my new gear, I realized this was really my vocation, my calling. I was somehow meant to stop those ghastly abominations. That's why Mr. Masters has so much faith in me: he knows I'm meant for this.
My dad will never understand. I can't blame him, though. I am his only child; the only family he has left. He's just trying to protect me, but he has to realize that I'm growing up and I'm capable of taking care of myself.
Millions of excuses cross my mind as I try to find for a plausible way to explain the whole situation to him. I sigh in defeat and prepare to confess. "Yes," I reply. Before he can say anything, I keep on talking. "But, please, listen to me. I really need to take care of this one. I've got my reasons to believe that he's holding someone hostage," I explain, practically pleading him to understand.
"Valerie, you're just fifteen, for crying out loud! You should be at home, studying or even talking to your friends. I know you want to do the right thing, but you're risking your life with your ghost hunting. I want you to call the Fentons right now and take the ghost you captured to them! They'll take care of the situation and you will be free to go home to get seriously grounded!" The yelling fills my ears. He stressed every word with so much anger and concern at the same time that I'm even considering the idea of taking Phantom to the Fentons.
Take Phantom to the Fentons? Yeah, right. I shake my head, not really believing that I gave that idea a second thought. "Dad, you and I know that I'm a much better ghost hunter than they are," I explain tiredly. "Trust me, I have to do this".
"Valerie, if you don't call them right now and head home, you'll be in a world of trouble!"
I remain silent once again for almost a minute. I've never liked arguing with him. I weigh my options and think of the possible results to make my decision. I already know what I have to do.
"Then I guess I'll have to deal with the consequences," I say softly before I hang up, not even giving my dad a chance to say anything else.
Sighing again, I rest my head in my hands. A tear rolls down my cheek. The phone rings again but I don't answer. I know it's my dad again. It's a good thing I managed to change Danny's ring tone to a more silent one, otherwise I'd be crazy by now with all the noise made by the two infernal communicators since Jazz, Tucker, and Sam have been calling my missing friend at least ten times each. It's already getting annoying.
After a couple of minutes, the room is finally silent. That is, until I hear a weak grunt. I jerk my head up and notice Phantom's green eyes opening slowly.
"Huh?" he exclaims softly, clearly confused.
So, he's finally waking up. My gaze narrows as I watch my despised enemy taking his hand to rub his head. Apparently, he hasn't noticed me yet. I guess that fall at least gave him a painful headache. Good. He deserves that and so much more for what he has done.
Standing up, my feet take me next to the white-haired boy. "Wake up, ghost," I exclaim venomously. "You have a lot of explaining to do".
Phantom can't hide his bewilderment as he stares at me. "Valerie?" he asks in disbelief.
Again, using my name. That just adds more questions to the list as I try to figure out how he knew my identity in the first place. "You messed with the wrong person today, ghost kid," my tone is still cold and harsh.
He seems to finally have full awareness of his current state. He looks at my gun, his restraints, and the place we're in now. Fear and confusion cover his face. He tries to pull from the ghost-proof cord around his feet but, apparently, he felt pain while doing so. After watching him for half an hour before he woke up, I noticed each mark, scrape, cut, and bruise he gained during the battle, so I figured a while ago he would be wincing in pain every now and then.
"What are you going to do to me? Why am I even here?" he questions me trying to sound brave though I know he's fearful right now.
I glare in annoyance. "Don't play dumb, Phantom. You know why. After all, it was you who kidnapped Danny Fenton!"
His only reply was a wide-eyed look and a high-pitched "What?"
I don't really think he's going to cooperate from the sound of that (and knowing him). This might be a long day of interrogations. I just hope I can reach Danny in time.
Notes:
With homework and the usual complications to my daily routine, I never thought I would get this one out.
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed it. This is merely the beginning.
I'll try to post the next one within a week, savvy? (This time, I promise I will).
