I know, I know! It's been forever since my last update! I'm sorry :(
I hope you guys enjoy this chapter! I don't have lots of time on the computer right now, so I can't do it name by name, but thanks to everyone who reviewed the last chapter; I love reading your reviews and comments, so keep 'em up!
Enjoy chapter 4!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"So, have you started packing yet?" Judy asked Danny conversationally, taking the seat across from him at the table.
"Wow Judy, I didn't know you were that excited to get rid of me. The social worker hasn't even come over yet," Danny snorted, only half-joking.
John had gone out to work and Judy had taken the day off to stay with Danny. Of course, Danny'd had no say in the matter, and although he appreciated the action, he wasn't so sure he wanted company just then.
It took Judy a few moments to realize what Danny was talking about. She feigned an uncomfortable laugh before saying, "No silly, I didn't mean that! I meant are you packed for the wedding yet? You know you'll be leaving for Wisconsin in two days?"
Danny had completely forgotten about the wedding. To be honest though, he really didn't want to go anymore. He wouldn't be surprised if it was the subject of another fight with John.
"I've even done everything in my power to make sure he stays safe! Even in this new town!"
"I know that John! But what if he tracks you down? You know that's possible?"
What did John mean by 'even in this new town'? They had moved away since Danny was a child? Did that mean Danny was actually from that Amity place John was talking about? And just who exactly was going to try to track them down? Why was he in danger?
Danny's head spun around with these thoughts all afternoon. He felt so overwhelmed; it was as if his life had been turned upside down in a matter of hours. One day everything was going perfect, and the next, everything had changed. And the worst part was that he was so helpless. He couldn't do anything but yell and scream out of utter frustration.
The day dragged on lazily. Danny tried to distract himself with various activities: writing, reading, listening to music…nothing worked. Finally, out of sheer desperation, he took out his science exercise book and decided to try working on some problems.
He stared at a few problems, unable to concentrate. Unconsciously, he began doodling on the margins of the page. Even though he didn't usually doodle, something felt strange about the sketching… His hand felt tense and restricted, like it was being guided. It was almost as if someone else was controlling the pen, forcing him to draw what they wanted. Danny actually laughed a little at the silliness of the idea. Regardless, he let his hand flow with the pen, sketching random lines and squiggles.
Danny eventually grew tired of this and decided to go to his room and start packing. He'd never even packed a schoolbag or lunchbox before, let alone a travel bag. He figured he'd write a list of everything he needed.
Eventually, the boy began emptying his drawers, trying to find the items he'd put on the list. Just as he was deciding whether to pack his silver and green shirt or his red and white shirt, he heard a knock on the door. Correctly assuming it was Judy, he called, "Come in!"
"What are you up to?" Judy asked, walking in and taking a seat on the bed next to Danny's piles of clothing.
Danny gestured towards his piles in reply.
"Do you need any help?" she asked.
"No thanks," Danny said bluntly. He wasn't too keen on the idea of letting Judy pack his boxers for him.
"Are you okay?"
"Well, what do you think?" Danny replied moodily. He could've slapped himself right there and then for being so mean to Judy, but he couldn't control himself. If he didn't let out his anger somehow, he'd blow up.
"Oh sweetie, I know this is insane for you…Insanely unreal. And I'm sorry things are working out this way. John never meant for you to get hurt." Danny grunted in reply.
Well, he may not have meant for it to happen, but it happened anyways…"I just want you to know I'll always be here for you." She smiled as she rose to leave.
Unable to stop himself from smiling at the woman's kindness and gentleness, Danny muttered a small thank you before Judy closed the door. Even though she didn't turn around to say anything, Danny somehow knew she'd heard him anyways.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A few hours later, Danny heard the front door being unlocked.
"I'm home!" John called as he closed the door.
"Hi John. How was work?" Judy said sweetly.
"Oh you know, the usual. You know Lenny, the waiter? Well, he was telling me how-,"
Danny tuned out the conversation as he returned to folding his clothes and packing them in his bag. A few minutes later however, he heard his name being called.
"Yeah?" he yelled in response, sticking his head out the door.
"Come here!" John's firm voice ordered.
Danny bit back a retort. He quietly made his way to the couch outside.
"Yes?" he asked stiffly.
"What's this?" John asked, pointing to the small sketch that Danny had drawn on his notebook earlier.
"A drawing?" Danny raised an eyebrow.
"Why did you draw this?" John asked sternly, his eyes filled with concern, and the notebook in his hands shaking slightly.
"Oh, is this a crime now too?" Danny sighed exasperatedly, throwing his arms in the air and rolling his eyes. "Is it a criminal offense? I mean, I knew going out, having fun and having a life were all off-limits for me, but I guarantee you I was never informed that drawing was against the law too!"
Judy, who was in the kitchen cooking, seemed to have heard the commotion because she came rushing over.
"What's going on?" she asked hurriedly, afraid that Danny and John were fighting again.
John didn't answer, but replied by showing the woman the notebook.
Judy stared at it intently for a few moments, not quite understanding the problem. Suddenly, a few seconds later, she clapped her hand to her mouth as her eyes widened.
"Is that…?" she breathed, hardly daring to speak. John gave what seemed to be a small nod.
Okaaaay…this is getting really weird. What exactly is going on?Danny, now completely confused, took another look at his drawing to see just what was so terrifying about it. Upon taking a second look at it, he realized that he'd actually drawn something, not just a series of squiggly lines like he'd thought. The drawing was a bust of a muscular man in a tight long sleeved shirt and a greyish cape. He had strange flaming hair, almost like flames of fire, and his eyes were shaded so that they looked like they were glowing.
Okay, so maybe it is a bit weird for a sketch…Danny thought. But it's nothing to faint about.
John's face was pallid as he quietly ordered Danny to go to his room.
"Why?" Danny challenged.
"Just…just go…please." It sounded more like a tired desperate plea than an order, so Danny decided he'd just leave. He was becoming a little worn out from the constant arguing anyways, and was glad to get away.
He returned to his packing, and eventually the two adults' voices outside began to grow faint.
Danny sighed and tightly shut his eyes as he fell on his back against his bed. He helplessly stared up at his white ceiling, wishing his life wasn't so complicated. Worn out from his own drenching misery, Danny eventually fell asleep.
What seemed like only a few minutes later, Danny found himself being shaken awake by Judy.
"Danny? Danny! Wake up! I need to talk to you!" she urged.
"Hmmmn?" Danny replied blearily. Rubbing his eyes, he forced himself up, using his elbows for support.
"What's wrong?" he asked hazily, slightly alarmed at the urgency in Judy's voice.
"Danny, I need to ask you about the picture-,"
"Mmm…picture?" Danny asked with a yawn.
"Yes! I need-,"
"Oh…that picture." Danny rolled his eyes sleepily. "What's the big deal Judy? It's just a sketch. It's not even obscene or anything. Let it go." Danny finished, pulling his covers on him and turning around.
"That's not the point!" Judy cried desperately, throwing the covers off him and causing him to turn around and face her. She sighed and then laid a hand on Danny's shoulder. "You don't know the whole story, so it's natural that you should be skeptical. I understand that. But could you please just answer a few things for me?" She used her most calm an understanding tone to say this.
Completely giving up on arguing or even understanding what the brunette was talking about, Danny nodded. Judy smiled in thanks and relief.
"Good. Now I need you to tell me what made you draw that picture."
Danny sat up and sighed before replying. "I was bored and I just started doodling lines, that's all. If it makes you feel any better, I didn't even notice what I was drew until just now, when you and John were freaking about it." Danny said, hoping this would help the situation.
"Wait, you didn't know what you were drawing?" Judy said, her expression unreadable.
Danny nodded in satisfaction, certain this would reassure Judy. After all, if the picture itself was the problem, then everything would be okay if the two adults knew he hadn't drawn it on purpose.
"Nope! It was almost as if someone else was controlling the pen!"
Unfortunately, this news only seemed to worry Judy more than before. She began muttering things like, "Oh no…this is really bad," and "It's worse than we thought…" under her breath.
But there was one thing in particular that really caught the boy's attention. "He was possessed."
Possessed?"Judy…what exactly is going on? Could you just tell me what big deal is?" Danny was going to mention something about her comment of him being possessed, but he was cut off.
"It's a sign. He's coming…it must be that…unless he hasn't found us…but he said he'd come when this happened…" Judy continued mumbling similar things for a few moments, speaking more to herself than to Danny.
She clenched her fists and let out a deep breath, almost as if to calm herself, and she rose to leave the room.
Danny sighed as the door creaked closed.
I just don't get it…I just don't…I mean, I drew a picture, and they act like I committed a crime…Is it what I drew? Is that the problem? Judy did say 'he was coming.' Maybe the 'he' is the same person I drew. But how is that possible? I've never seen this person before; how could draw someone who I didn't even know existed? And another thing, why did Judy say I was possessed?
Danny kept screaming these questions in his head.
Feeling helpless and powerless, Danny threw himself back onto the bed and cried. Not tears of sadness. Tears of anger and despair. It must've taken him at least a half hour to calm down. Finally deciding he needed a distraction from his troubles, Danny logged onto his computer, double-clicked the blue Internet icon and quickly typed a few words in the search bar.
Danny didn't go on the computer much; he didn't have e-mail or instant messaging or anything else of the sort. But there was one site he'd visit from time to time; it was an art site. He loved looking at all the different drawings submitted by other people. Depending on the emotion trying to be conveyed through the picture, it would sometimes help him deal with his own feelings.
Danny found it ironic that he was trying to soothe his anger by looking at art, when it was art's fault that he was angry in the first place.
No, it's not because of the drawing incident that I feel this way…I've had this coming a long time. I just didn't realize, that's all.
Danny stared at the screen in front of him, his vision blurring, to his surprise. He wasn't crying…why did the screen look so hazy then? Suddenly, Danny felt a sharp piercing sensation in his stomach, as if someone had just stabbed him. He let out a small yelp as another sharp blow came to him, this time in his shoulder. Danny's head began pounding vigorously as the pain in his stomach and shoulder increased. His world was blurring and he couldn't see straight. He tried to take in a breath to calm down, but ended up just choking on the air in his throat. Then, without even realized, he'd fallen off his chair. He was now lying on the floor motionless. Before he knew it, John and Judy had come running into the room.
His breaths became short and irregular, his chest moving up and down quickly. The world was spinning before him and he was feeling all sorts of pains all over his body.
"John, do something!" he managed to hear Judy squeal.
"He needs ice to cool down," John answered, trying to keep his voice as calm as possible.
"No!" Judy yelled, "He needs to get to a hospital! Now!"
"I can't take him! He doesn't have any form of identity papers or anything! If I take him then everyone will know! And what about his blood? It may've already happened you know!"
"I don't care John! Look at him! He needs medical attention now!"
Danny was now sweating, and he felt his face and neck grow hot. He heard one more distinct yell echo painfully in his ears before he drifted off into a dark and silent oblivion.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reviews please!
