Chapter 4: Breakdown

'Oh no, oh no, oh no, ^oh no!^ I do not need my archenemy and secret crush snooping around right now!'

It was hard to pin down when exactly I started crushing on Vlad, but I guess the saying is true, there's a thin line between love and hate.

"Danny?" Jazz knocked on my door, peeking her head through, and I paused in my pacing,

"Y-yes?" I gave a small flinch at my stutter, and Jazz noticed.

"You know you can talk to me about anything, alright? No matter what's bothering you, I'm your sister, and I love you." She gives me a small smile,

I forcibly push down the sudden urge to cry, and give her a small, hesitant smile in return. She pulls her head back into the hallway, and the moment she has shut my door and I no longer hear her footsteps, I break down.

'YOU DON'T DESERVE HER LOVE, FREAK! FAGGOT! YOU THINK YOU EVEN HAVE A CHANCE WITH VLAD?! HE'S A BILLIONAIRE! AND YOU'RE JUST SOME DUMB KID!'

Tears flow heavily, and I try and stifle my sobs. Despite having only last cut half an hour ago, I dash into my bathroom, swiping my pocket knife off my desk on the way.

Vlad POV

According to Skulker, Daniel acted differently last time he was "hunted," so I went to the Fenton's to check up on him... To make sure there have been no changes that could mess up my plans. Definitely not because I find Daniel positively adorable and was concerned, nope.

When I arrive, I am greeted by Jack, no surprise there, and am promptly given a bone-crushing hug. I turn to hear footfalls on the stairway, no doubt Daniel coming to investigate the ruckus, probably very shortly after his "ghost sense" went off.

The boy I see on the stairs... Is not my little badger, that much is clear. His hair is limp, eyes dull, and he is looking a noticeable amount thinner. I feel my mask slip, a bit of concern showing through, before Jack slaps me on the back hard, probably enough to have left me breathless if it not for me being a halfa, and I shift my face to show irritation as I hear Daniel retreat back upstairs. Running from me? The badger I know would glare, the 'what are you doing?' Written clearly across his face.

I need to investigate this further...