Lunch came, but Danny still wasn't feeling any better. He felt as if his head were about to explode, and that there was nothing he could do about it. The food in front of his was similar to last night's dinner. But at least it didn't glow.
"Not hungry, Danny?" Sam asked. She was seated on his left, watching his expression with growing concern. "Are you feeling okay?"
"No," Danny groaned quietly. "I feel really sick."
But it wasn't exactly a sick feeling. It was as if something was inside him; an increasing power that was slowly destroying him. Danny hoped that it wouldn't get any worse.
Suddenly, he stood and looked around wildly, sending Sam reeling back. "I'll be back soon."
As Danny sprinted off, Tucker returned with his lunch.
"Ghost time?" he asked, placing his tray on the table.
Sam nodded. "I think so."
DPDPDPDP
Danny could feel it bubbling up. It was a burning sensation, but cold, like his ice powers. Similar to his ghost sense, only a long stronger.
The corridors were almost empty of students, thankfully. Danny stumbled through them, leaning on the lockers to keep his balance. The hall spun and the floor warped, just as it had the night before. Danny knew that he had to get to somewhere else, somewhere that no one would be able to see him.
The bathroom was up ahead. The pale green door was the only stable point in Danny's vision. He tripped against it and it fell open, the crash barely audible through Danny's jumbled thoughts. His body twitched on the cold, tiled floor, his breaths coming in ragged gasps. His hands formed claws that scrabbled along the walls, struggling to pull him up. One trembling hand latched onto the edge of the sink. His fingers splayed and a bright green flash of light hit the tap. It broke, spraying water across the room, soaking everything in its path. Danny pushed his wet hair out of his eyes and gritted his teeth. Shakily, he got to his feet, panting heavily. The jet of water ran steadily into his stomach, flattening the shirt he was wearing. Danny ignored it and just stared at his reflection.
"What's happening to me?" he whispered, watching the tears in his eyes roll down his cheeks. "Everything hurts."
His reflection stared back, unknowing, uncaring. Its face, while the same as his own, didn't give Danny the same sense of pain. Its twisted face showed so much emotion, but none of it was real.
With a sigh, Danny turned away from the damp and spotted mirror. The hiss of water flowing through the pipes echoed in his ears, but he did nothing about it. With the tap still flowing, Danny left.
DPDPDP
The sounds coming from the bathroom silenced as soon as the thick door swung shut behind him. Danny looked down at himself, vaguely, wondering what he would do about the water. With a slight smile, he went intangible, his clothes drying themselves. They still smelt faintly metallic, like the taps, but at least he wouldn't have to go home. Danny's shoes squeaked as he began to walk down the hall.
Several students had already left the cafeteria and were at their lockers, preparing for their next lesson. Danny sighed when he realised that his books were still at home. It wasn't worth the effort to go back, either.
"Danny!" he heard Sam and Tucker call. They were lightly jogging towards him.
Danny smiled, the motion automatic. "Hey, guys."
Tucker stopped beside him and glanced around carefully. "So did you catch them?" He whispered into Danny's ear.
"Catch who?"
"Wasn't there a ghost?"
"No," Danny frowned. "I just wasn't feeling that good."
In the back of his eye, Danny saw someone push open the bathroom door.
"C'mon," he said hurriedly, grabbing both of his friends' arms. "We should go somewhere else."
He twisted his head around and looked back. A few seconds later, a boy exploded into the hall, wet hair flying. His confused yells were enough to grab the attention of the few students that were still around.
Sam glanced to Danny expectantly. "Is there something you need to tell us?"
He shook his head violently. "No. But I do feel better."
"Fine," Sam sighed. She and Tucker slipped out of Danny's hands. "Just tell us if there's another problem, won't you?"
"Sure," Danny smiled gratefully at them both and then pointed behind him. "We'd better get to class. Who's our teacher this lesson?"
"Chances are that it's Lancer again," Tucker groaned. "He seems to be the only teacher we have, lately."
"True," Sam agreed. "But we can at least hope that it's someone different."
"'Hope,' says the Goth girl," Tucker sniggered.
Danny chuckled. This was better; just like it always was. For that moment, he was able to expel the memory of what had just happened. Of course, it would have to come back sometime.
DPDPDPDP
"Hey, Fenton," Dash sauntered into the chaotic classroom, arms crossed and a triumphant smirk plastered on his face. "Saw you in the cafeteria today. You left quick- did the meatloaf disagree with you or something?"
Danny spared a short glance up at the bully, then turned his head the other way and laid it on the table.
"Fenton," Dash walked up to him and punched his shoulder, getting no response. "I said-"
"I know what you said," Danny whispered. "Please leave me alone. I'm not feeling well again."
Dash turned back to his friends, who all grinned at his encouragingly. "See?" he asked them. "I told you he had to throw up!"
"That's not it."
"Sure it isn't," Dash sniggered. "Then why don't you tell-"
"Dash, that's enough," Sam interrupted sharply, danger in her voice. Danny squeezed his eyes shut and wished to be someplace else. If only he knew how to teleport.
"Oh, yeah?" The bully retorted. "And what could a Goth freak like you do to someone like me?"
Sam scoffed. "Someone like you? I usually don't bother with idiots, but this time I'll make an exception.
"What did you call me?" Dash yelled. Their argument was hurting Danny's head even more, making it feel as if railroad spikes were being forced into his brain.
"Stop it, please," Danny whispered, fingers trembling again from the pain.
"An idiot," Sam growled back. "And I have plenty more names where that came from."
Danny's hand formed a fist, his whole body feeling shaky and cold. "Don't fight," he said in a louder voice.
"Why don't you tell me some of them?" Dash taunted.
Danny stood up quickly, his head almost colliding with Dash's chin. "Stop talking, everyone!"
The class went silent. Even with his eyes closed, Danny could feel them all staring at him. With all of his energy spent, he collapsed back onto his desk, shaking harder than ever.
He didn't even notice when the teacher arrived and the lesson began, but he heard Sam's muttered curse.
"Lancer, again."
AN:
Hey! pale-blue11 here!
Wow, it's been a while O_O I blame Fullmetal Alchemist and my own laziness. FMA has kinda taken over my life right now, though- and deborahpflover can confirm that. If anyone here watches it, I would LOVE to talk since no one I know has seen past episode 2 of the first series. Brotherhood's better, in my opinion, so I can't wait for someone (Deborah) to see it. I promise to watch Supernatural!
Also, I think I mentioned the huge school project in the last chapter. I have done 30 000 of my 60 000 word goal! If all goes well, I'll finish the draft in about a month and then I'll have more time to write this. I already have the next chapter of this written (did it a few months ago), so it hopefully won't be too long before the next update. Maybe three or so weeks, depending on reviews.
And after that chapter, my writing style will probably change. I don't know if anyone will notice, though. I think it's better, but what do I know? So, yeah. Hopefully it will improve after chapter 5. You can tell me what you think. One thing's for sure- the chapters will be longer.
Well! Now that I've procrastinated for a few hours, I have to write 3 000 words of my school novel! I'm honestly enjoying it, but it's taken over my life.
I hope you all have a nice day!
pale-blue11
