Hey readers! Now, I know I promised this about a month ago. I really wanted to get this out long ago, but didn't get around to it til today!
Chapter 8
The next couple of days were riddled with tours and planned events, but it all paled in comparison to the experience Team Phantom had in Cherryfield. On the final day before they left, Aaron announced at breakfast that all the guests could have the day to themselves and be free to do whatever they wished. As they ate their meal, the Fentons, Tucker, and Sam all looked at each other mutually agreed about what they would do.
After Danny, Sam, and Tucker finished their schooling for the day, they all took a bus to Cherryfield, intending to pay their estranged "half-'quatch" friend a visit. They reached Catherine's Hill by about half past noon and found Catherine herself facing away from them. Well, facing isn't exactly the right way to describe it. Because she didn't have a head, and thus no face, but – You know what, not important.
She turned to face, no, look, wait, that's not right either. She turned to them and spoke. "Welcome back." Her voice was that of an adolescent female, yet it held a somewhat ominous melancholy. Because she didn't actually have a mouth, her voice just seemed to come from her general direction. "I assume you haven't returned to visit me."
Without waiting for an answer, Catherine floated off in the direction of the woods. The group followed her through the trees (not literally, since she actually just went through any trees in her path) until they arrived once again at the log cabin. Out in front sat Paul, reading a book with a rather worn cover. The half-'quatch looked up before taking off his reading glasses and staring at his visitors.
"I assumed you bein' city folk, ya'd be smart enough to listen the firs' time. Whadaya want?"
"You're the first of your kind that we've met, possibly the only one in the world!" Jazz replied, stepping forward. This was certainly a surprise.
"So?" Paul said. "Ya've come to gawk at me, then?"
"No," Maddie said, now standing beside her daughter. "We just wanted to, well, get to know you. Someone like you is bound to at least have a good story to tell. That is, if you want to tell it."
Paul eyed the group skeptically. He then laughed. "So, you want to hear my story? To know how someone like me came to be?"
"Yes," they replied in unison.
"Well, I'm sure it was the same as ya'll came into this world. 'Cept my pap was a big ol' quatch, so it was."
"Your father was Bigfoot?!" Tucker cried.
"Well, I assume he weren't the big man-creature himself. But he was definitely a sasquatch. My mother was a hybrid as well. A French-Penobscot woman who lived several centuries ago."
"You were born several centuries ago?!" Danny asked.
"Well, o'course!" Paul boomed. "Ya don' think I was born last week, do ya? I may look like a strapping man, albeit a bit large. But, I be a healthy two hundred twelve years!"
"I guess that would explain your accent," Sam said.
"What do you mean?" Jazz asked.
"She means how mah voice sounds like a Mainah, but also like a Frenchman."
Suddenly, a grumble ripped through the conversation, shaking the nearby trees. Everyone looked around and fixed their eyes on Jack. He smiled guiltly, but Paul nodded in understanding. "Seems my fellow "large fellow" has a stomach well-attuned to the time o' day. Since yer all here, how about sharin' my table? Figuratively, of course. Mah cabin ain't big enough for us all."
The afternoon sunlight dimly shone through the treetops as Team Phantom halped clean up after the meal. Danny, Sam, Jazz, and Tucker kneeled beside the fire, scrubbing and drying the dishes they'd used while Jack and Maddie reclined against a tree, the former working on his fifth piece of blueberry pie. Paul leaned back in his chair, picking his teeth and staring at his trespassers turned guests. He smiled, glad that he was once again able to hold company without scaring anyone off.
"You know, I haven't had supper guest since the Clints raised me in their home."
"The Clints?" Danny asked, wiping a plate and then setting it on a towel.
"An old family that lives in town. After mah parents died, they took me in. They were family friends. Raised me as their own, protected me from the folk who wanted to torch me like my mom and pap."
"Your parents were burned?!"
"Ya don't got ta be so s'prised by ev'rythin' I say. A'yuh, they came one night and torched the cabin. Took me mother and father from me. That's when I was takin' in. When I was old enough, I came and found the spot. Built a new cabin over the ashes. Sometimes I can still hear their screams in the dead of night, but that's trauma fer ya."
Team Phantom stared at him incredulously, especially Jazz, for his calmness about the matter. After a while, the dishes were done, and it was time to head back. They said their good-byes as Team Phantom made their way back with the guidance of Catherine once again. Upon arriving at the clearing, the ghost disappeared, leaving them to their lonesome as the trudged back into town. Within a few hours, they arrived back at the hotel in time for dinner.
After the meal, the six made their way to their respective rooms, too tired from the day's events to join in the last evening festivities. As Danny rested his head for the night, he could help but feel like something was going to happen.
Paul lay upon his bunk, uneasiness plaguing him to the point he couldn't find rest. He finally sat up and walked over to the window. He peered out into the night, wondering what could be watching him from the darkness. Behind him, two glowing red eyes appeared staring intently upon the large figure. He contemplated attacking him, but soon thought better of it. The half-ghost disappeared in a wisp of smoke, causing the half-'quatch to spin on his heels. Paul scratched his head before getting back into bed and falling asleep.
There ya go! I know this isn't worth your waiting, but I plan to get another chapter out really soon. I promise this time! Hopefully, we'll get to our next OC in less than seven chapters! XD Seriously though, I'm really sorry, you guys. Next chapter should be up this time next week, as long as I have the time. I had to change my availability at work, so the amount of time I'll have to work on it is up in the air for now.
But to Fanfic920, especially, keep an eye out for the next chapter! Your guy is up next, and it's off to the island! Please remember to fav, follow, and review everyone! I'll see you in the next chapter (hopefully that'll be sooner than later)!
