Spy Guy: Real quick update. Thanks to all of you who reviewed that show overdramatic prolog thing. Hopefully this will be much better.
Darkness covered the room, hiding its lone inhabitant in its shroud. Only a small amount of light peeked through closed blinds, enabling inky shadows to cast against the walls.
Resting on a large canopied bed, was a teenaged by, holding a piece of paper as he lounged on the mattress. The paper shielded his free hand from view as his fingers snapped sharply together. Concentration was apparent on his face as he continued the motion, repeating it over and over again with dogged determination.
There was a sharp snap, and for no more than a split second, his face was illuminated by a shining white light. The boy stared on with interest as the phenomenon repeated itself countless times, his smile growing with each one. The paper was forgotten instantly, cast aside as the light danced over the boy's outstretched hands, jumping over his arms. He laughed slightly, drawing the light into a tight ball that he gathered in his palms.
It was then that something caught his eye. It was a small shadow, moving slightly against the wall, swinging back and forth as if observing the boy's antics. The teen narrowed his eyes, watching it intently. He shifted the light into one hand, throwing it idly into the air, never tearing his attention from the menacing shadow.
"You might want to leave…" The boy hissed softly.
Something told him that another hiss would respond, cold and threatening. But no such noise greeted his ears. A reply came in the form of a soft mewl, and the shadow shifted again to show what had cast it.
A small white cat walked out of the gloom, a bell announcing her presence as it dangled off a jeweled purple collar. The creature padded over to the bed before gracefully leaping onto the mattress beside the boy.
"Maddie cat." He smiled, running his free hand over the white fur.
For once, his face was fully lit, revealing Daniel Fenton, now fifteen years old. Against all odds, he found himself here, in the home of Vladimir Masters, his adoptive father.
His room was his sanctuary, a place where he could be away from rules and laws. In the darkness, he could become stronger…
Maddie curled into his lap, forcing her head into his hand. The light vanished as Daniel began to gently massage the cat's body, listening to her appreciative purrs.
"Maddie cat. Maddie cat." Daniel chanted, running his long fingers over the silky short fur. Violet eyes met blue as the boy laughed, gently blowing a puff of air in the animal's ear. Maddie growled, swatting at her owner's nose with her paw. She missed as the boy drew back, laughing loudly.
Neither noticed the man standing in the doorway, glaring darkly at the spectacle.
In the doorway was Vlad, his arms crossed tightly, a frown lining his wrinkled face. He looked through small framed glasses at the two as they carried on, both oblivious to his presence. Daniel was now nursing a freshly bitten finger as Maddie licked her paws indignantly.
Finally, the man decided to speak.
"Daniel." He whispered sternly. The boy looked up, his messy black hair falling into his eyes. Surprise flitted across his face, before being replaced by shame.
"Yes sir?" He asked, still petting the cat nervously.
"Leave the animal alone." Vlad continued. "There is someone in the parlor to see you."
The man ran his eyes over the room, his frown growing larger every moment. His shoes made loud sounds against the wood floor as he walked toward the window. The man took the cord of the blinds in one hand and pulled down, allowing a wave of light flow into the room.
"Stupid boy." Vlad growled softly. "You know you're vulnerable in the dark."
"I know sir." Daniel mumbled, staring at the floor. He knew the shadows were invisible in the dark. They could creep up behind him, and their deed would done in a matter of seconds.
"You're going to get yourself killed." Vlad snarled, glaring at his charge.
"Maybe." The boy replied, getting to his feet. He held Maddie tight in his arms as he wilted beneath the older man's gaze.
"Hurry up and get dressed." Vlad demanded, heading for the door. "If you're not down in five minutes, I'll lock that cat up."
"Yes sir." Daniel replied, staring at the floor. The old man gave one more look of disapproval, before leaving the room, shutting the door behind him.
A few moments later, Daniel emerged from his room, desperately trying to smooth the wrinkles out of his crisp white dress shirt. He tucked it into his black pants as he walked, tightening a leather belt, checking to make sure his shoes were tied. Maddie padded behind him, looking just like a milky shadow.
The boy walked down the hall, jogged down two flights of stairs, and found himself entering the parlor in all of its crimson splendor. The entire room was red. The chairs, the carpet, the walls…
Daniel hated that room.
He spotted Vlad sitting in one of the red chairs, sipping tea slowly. The kettle rested on a stained cherry coffee table, along with an extra cup for him. Daniel picked it up gingerly in his hands, before he taking his own seat nearby. Maddie jumped up beside him, leaning over his arms and reaching out her paw to taste the drink herself. Vlad sternly cleared his throat, fixing the boy with his steely gaze. Daniel took the cue, and set Maddie on the floor, making a soft hissing sound to shoo her. The old man did not continue until the cat was out of the room.
"Daniel." He murmured. "Doctor Thomson is here for your monthly check-up. Say hello."
The boy stiffened as he noticed the other man in the room. Richard was also sipping tea, but his hand seemed to shake slightly, just as always. These visits were unnerving for them both; Richard fearful of the former patient's condition, Daniel afraid of going back.
"Hello, Daniel." The doctor smiled, nodding, and setting his cup aside. "My, you're looking much better. Did you get a tan?"
"Only a little one, sir." The boy replied. "I fell asleep in the yard."
"Tell me what you were doing, Daniel." Richard prodded.
"Mowing." The boy said. "But I got bored, and started looking at the clouds."
"You haven't seen anything strange, right?" The doctor asked. "No more monsters?"
"No more monsters." Daniel replied.
"That's great." Richard smiled weakly. He took another sip of his tea, blanching slightly at the strong taste. It was a while before he spoke again, his fake grin still plastered over his face. "You've made so much progress with him, Vlad. He looks like he's been eating well. Still somewhat skinny, but not too much. He's filled out nicely."
"The boy tries to eat me out of house and home." Vlad murmured. "Him and that cat are going to drive me to the poorhouse."
"Well, he'll be eighteen in a few years. Then he will be off your hands." Dr. Thomas continued, taking another sip, only to be reminded of the foulness of the liquid. For a final time, he set it aside, striking up conversation once more.
"How is his education going?" The man asked.
"Not so well." Vlad replied darkly. Daniel felt the man's eyes upon him, but did his best to look away.
"What happened?" Richard asked, sitting up in his chair. His palms began to sweat, a horrible habit they had always possessed. He waited for either of his hosts to reply, his breath held still in his throat.
"Well of course, after all this time," Vlad continued. "The tutor finally decided to read the boy's file, and he just now decided that it bothered him. And he also decided to tell everyone else in his stupid teaching clique about the 'un-teachable delusional crackpot'. Confound it; I'll never be able to find a half decent person to tutor him after this. He'll just have to grow up stupid."
Daniel was now looking nervously down at his shoes.
"Perhaps…" Richard replied softly. "But maybe it is time for Daniel to…go to a school."
"What?" Vlad demanded, setting his teacup down with a thud. "That's the most foolish thing I've ever heard you say. He's simply not ready."
"When will he be ready?" Richard asked, desperately trying to stand up against his former enemy. "It's been years, Vladimir. I don't think he's left your property since you brought him here."
"I'm trying to protect him." The man snarled. All the while, Daniel stared down at his feet, silent as the two men raged on around him. When they fought, it was like he didn't exist. To them, he was simply a stupid animal, incapable of making his own decisions.
In truth, he hadn't been outside the grounds. The fence around the estate was too high to climb, even though he had surely tried. A looming wall, built from solid concrete encircled the boy's entire world, cutting him off from the rest of civilization. Fondly, he recalled school. The loud raucous mass of kids had hidden every shadow from view. It had been a place of happiness in those days…
Now he found himself sitting in his chair, holding his empty teacup tightly. He longed to say what was on his mind, but found it impossible in the company of his guardian. Vlad was stern in his ways, but deep inside, he was truly a kind man, always protecting the boy from the strange people who called over the fence. He always bought him a multitude of gifts on his birthday and it had been their first Christmas together when Vlad brought home a small white kitten.
"At least try it, for his sake, Vladimir." Richard begged. "He needs an education."
"Why?" The man snapped. "It's not like he'll ever get a job."
That did it.
"Shut up." Daniel snarled, slamming his teacup hard onto the table beside his chair. This had gone far enough.
"I'm sitting right here." The boy continued. "If you guys want to talk about me like this, then I suggest you do it when I'm not around, 'cause I don't want to hear it anymore. I'm fifteen. I can make my own decisions."
"Daniel, stay out of this." Vlad growled.
"I'm fifteen." Daniel repeated, getting to his feet. "Normal kids are out there going to dances and parties, struggling with projects and homework, taking driver's training. What am I suppose to do when I get older? Sit here like a good little boy while you wait on me hand and foot?"
"Sit down, Daniel." The old man barked. The boy did so almost instantly, is face turning away from his guardian in heated rage.
"This is something you two are going to have to work out on your own." Richard said, quickly getting up. "I don't think you need me to help you. Daniel is in perfect health. I'll be off now."
"You started him on this, rat." Vlad grumbled. "Leave it to you to run away."
Richard didn't retort as he left the room, storming out, making sure to scuff his black shoes on the lavish wooden entryway. His feet carried him through the door, down the stairs, and into the safety of his little white car.
Far away from that prison.
"Sometimes that man is so incompetent." Vlad grumbled, getting to his feet and patting down the rumples in his white shirt. "Really now. A school? For you Daniel? That's ridiculous."
The boy growled slightly, watching as Vlad picked up all the plates and cups, setting them on the tray near the kettle.
"Be a dear, Daniel, and clean them up. Vincent is on vacation for the week. I expect you to tidy the kitchen in his absence."
Daniel said nothing as the tray was forcefully placed in his hands. He simply stared down at the empty cups, his fingers holding tight to the tray's edges. In the background, Vlad rambled off a list of chores for the boy to complete.
"Tonight you'll be preparing dinner." The man continued. "None of that horrid rice this time. I hate the stuff. Perhaps some chicken, or that ham Vincent's been saving. It'll spoil soon if he waits any longer."
The boy listened to his guardian's demands, his face growing hot with anger. Vlad was pretending that everything was still the same…
But it wasn't.
"I don't want to." Daniel replied suddenly. Vlad didn't even have time to react before the tray went plummeting to the floor with a crash. The man's eyes widened in shock as he stared down at the tiny fragments of glass scattered about the floor.
"I thought you liked cooking." Vlad snarled, still shocked by what had happened.
"I do." The boy replied. "But we're not done here. I want to talk about school."
"The longer we talk about it, the more disappointed you're going to be." Vlad spat. "I could strangle that stupid doctor for putting those ideas into your head. Do you know what would happen if people found out?"
"I don't care." Daniel snapped, trying hard to stand his ground. He knew he was only digging himself into an inescapable hole; burying himself in an abyss of punishment and loneliness. But something inside of him didn't really care anymore.
He was not going to be stupid.
"You say that now, Daniel, but you will care if it actually happens. The crackpot might say you're fine, but I know you still see things!"
By now, Vladl had seized the boy by his arm, his fingers digging deep into the white fabric of the dress shirt.
"Don't you realize that people will hurt you if they find out?" Vlad hissed. "Dr. Thomson will come and take you right back. I saved you, Daniel. Don't you remember?"
Daniel stared straight at his guardian, his mouth cracked slightly open, shocked by the desperate tones from the man's words. He did remember…He remembered everything…
But he didn't want to.
"I don't have time for this." Vlad snarled, pushing the boy away. "I have a business meeting to attend to. When I get back, I want dinner to be on the table, the dishes washed, and the kitchen swept and mopped. If it's not, I'll lock you in your room for a week. Do you hear me, Daniel?"
"Yes sir." The boy grumbled, staring hotly at the ground.
"Good." Vlad replied, heading for the exit. "Clean up the glass too. Don't want Maddie to cut up her paws."
Daniel didn't move an inch. He just stared down at the broken fragments around him, wondering if something shattered could be put back together again.