AN/: Okay guys i worked really hard to crank this one out so apperciate it! I have been so freaking busy lately. I have had so much crap to do so many peopel to see and a lot of places to go. don't expect another update for at least a week and a half becasue after i get back form this trip I'm going on it'll be the fourth of july and I have to march in a parade on the fifth and see family for that so don;t get your hopes up. Pearl, Remind me to message you I need to ask a couple of quetions before i post next chapter. Thank you to everyone who reviewed last chapter you will be getting that short I promised! yeah for you. Not yeh for me becasue I was stubborn and decided to crank it out in the past three hours so go check it out. It's called "Hey There Delilah" and i'm psoting it imediatly after i'm done with this. you all earned it. I relaly do love those reviews you guys. You all are too nice! Um what else what else... i cant realy think of anything else to say. For all you critics out there I want you to pay close attention to Danny's reaction and I want you to tell me if you think it was uncalled for. you'll knwo what i mean later. If you don;t and you want to know PM me or review and I will elt you know as soon as I can. Oh and just as a side note I really like the title to the chapter i think it's the best one so far!Ignore the horible spelling and gramar it's late i'm tired and you can sort of understand it so it doesnt; really matter!

Running to the Enemy's Arms

Chapter 10: Breakfast: the Most IMportant Meal of the Day

by: deadlydaisy8o8

Originaly Uploaded: Sunday, June 27, 2010, 12:44AM

Edited: Monday, July 5, 2010, 9:42PM (for really really bad grammar and weird formating)

Edited: Tuesday, November 6, 2012, 8:21PM

Danny's POV

"You will never be our son who could love a monster like you. Now get out of my house and away from my family you blood thirsty monster!" I blinked a couple of times coming out of my daydream. I lay awake in bed staring at the folds of the canopy above me. I had no more tears left to cry so I merely sighed and turned to look at the window to, hopefully, prevent myself from slipping into another daydream. However, just because my mind wasn't showing me vivid images of my parents' rejection didn't mean I could stop thinking about it. It was all I could think about.

For hours I had laid here and wrapped my mind around the concept. My parents did not love me. They hated me; they believed I was a monster and that I had kidnapped myself. Had Jazz said something to them? Did she try to convince them otherwise; to take me back?

I rolled over and looked at the door that led to the hallway. I had to do it in such a way that I didn't get tangled up in the pajamas Vlad had given me to wear. They were black silk and didn't stretch at all. I had already taken off the top and it was on the floor next to the bed. Unfortunately the task of flipping over was only a temporary distraction. My mind quickly went back to dwelling on my situation.

I still wasn't sure how I felt about Vlad. He hadn't reacted like I had expected him too. Half of me wanted to think he was just playing with me and trying to get me on his side, and the other half didn't care regardless. I wanted the attention. I wanted to feel like there was a least one person who cared if I existed. I debated over and over whether to let myself feel better because of Vlad even if he was faking, or if I should shove the comfort away and prevent myself from the pain it would cause later. As much as I wanted to try, shoving Vlad away was an impossible option. I couldn't really run away from him; I was living with him now. Plus I wanted what he was giving me with my entire soul. What he was giving me was a little reassurance. Vlad made things seem like they were going to be okay. He made it look like I would get through this. He made it seem like there was still one person that cared about me.

I was like a man in a room full of smoke clinging to an oxygen mask. I desperately did not want to give it up. I couldn't; I needed what Vlad was offering to give to me. I didn't have the will to shove it away, not anymore. Things had changed. Who did I have to fight for anymore? I guess I still had Jazz, but she would be stuck with our parents for a while. I had to do what was best for me right now. It was clear at least to me that maybe letting Vlad take care of me was what was going to acompolish that. I blinked a couple of times wetting my dry eyes, as my mind drifted to thinking of other things.

Even if my parents did want me back I knew for sure that things would never be the same. My own father had come seconds away from taking the other half of my life. I had stared down the barrel of a gun and seen my father's face intent on killing me at the other end. They had shot at me before that, but it was never with such hate. The fire that burned behind his eyes, the absolute disgust he felt for my existence; that part was new. Even after I had showed him that I was his son he had only slightly hesitated before deciding that I wasn't a part of his family; that a ghost couldn't possibly be his son. He was so obviously revolted by the suggestion.

My insides decided to painfully constrict again. I curled up into a tight ball to try to ease the tension in my stomach. My mom's cries of despair echoed in my ears. She was horrified with me, with what I was, with what I represented. She had stood by and done nothing to stop dad as he pointed a gun in my face. She hated me too. She thought I was a monster and a killer. She didn't think I was myself anymore. I couldn't possibly be her son; she could never be a mother to such a creature.

Even if Jazz had convinced them that I was good, that it really was me, and that they should accept me, things would never be the same. I would never be able to look at my dad again without seeing that hate in his eyes. I wouldn't be able to listen to my mom without hearing the disgust in her voice. I couldn't forget what they had done to me, as much as I tried. They couldn't take it back. They had done something to me that I wasn't sure I would ever be able to forgive. I had seen the side of them they had kept hidden from me for so long: that absolute hate for ghosts that ran in their veins. It was like an angry monster that they had kept in a cage until that moment. And right then they had let it out in front of me and were about to let it kill me, despite everything I stood for, regardless of the things I'd done to help the town. They thought I was evil. They thought I deserved to die even after they knew what I was.

My eyes stayed unfocused and my stare blank as I turned the information over and over in my head; trying to figure out exactly what that meant. They would never hug me again; they would never tell me they loved me anymore. Even if they did they wouldn't mean it. Not like they had before they knew; nothing was the same. I couldn't call my house my home. I didn't have that love anymore. I didn't have a place to belong.

My eyes came into focus as I realized the door I was staring at was opening slowly. A man wearing a white oxford shirt, a pair of dress pants, and shiny black shoes stepped through the door holding a stack of clothes.

"Good morning little badger." I didn't reply, I didn't smile, or make any indication that I had heard him. I just stared into his eyes silently waiting. Vlad smiled sadly before he walked over towards me. I followed him with my eyes. He stopped when he was standing directly above my head.

"Come now Daniel, you're already awake. Sit up and show some common courtesy hm?" I continued to stare at him for a minute before I did what he said. Despite how freaking shitty I felt, being rude was really still a foreign concept to me. I felt weird when I was being rude, even if it was to Vlad, and I didn't need to feel any weirder that I already did. I scooted to a sitting position, leaned against the headboard, and stared at my lap, as a pile of clothes was set there.

"Here, these are your clothes for today. You know where the bathroom is. I'm going to have Douglas wait for you outside the bedroom door. I would like you to be ready and down to breakfast in twenty minutes. I will be leaving for work in an hour and we have some things to cover before I leave." I slowly brought my eyes up to meet Vlad's. He was acting like everything was normal, like I woke up here every day, and that I always wore silk pajamas. I wasn't sure how to feel about that. Half of me was grateful that he wasn't making a fuss over me. The other half was confused and a little suspicious.

I gave a small nod to let Vlad know I had heard him before I let my gaze fall back to the clothes in front of me. It was basically the same thing I had worn yesterday except the oxford was a light baby blue with some sort of white graphic design on it.

I didn't look over as Vlad walked back to the door he had come in from.

"Twenty minutes Daniel, don't be late." His tone was light but forceful. The door clicked shut and I just sat there for a minute. My mind was blank and I really didn't focus on anything. I was like a robot as I flung the covers off on my legs and swung my feet to the carpet.

I had to be down to breakfast in twenty minutes.

"My you look rather dashing this morning sir. If I could direct you this way to the dining room, I believe Mr. Masters has requested you be at breakfast." I mustered a meek smile for the butler as I was led down the hallway.

"Thanks." The butler however picked up on the fact that I wasn't happy and decided to ask about it.

"Is there anything wrong sir? Is there anything I can do for you?" I briefly sighed and closed my eyes. I laughed evilly in my head at the question, though the question put me nowhere near an actual laughing mood. Leave it to the universe to play its sick game when you least expected it.

"No there isn't anything anyone can do." Put off by my seriously depressing comment the butler straightened back out and didn't say anything else as we walked down to the dining room. I recognized some things and tried to memorize some more as we went along. Just out of boredom and out of habit. I really didn't like to be lost when I could help it.

The butler opened the pair of heavy doors to the dining room that Vlad had taken me to the day before. I paused briefly at all of the commotion. There were maids and butlers seemingly everywhere. One was holding a pair of ties for Vlad to choose from, another was reading the major headlines to him. A maid stood behind his chair and carefully combed his hair back into a ponytail. Another butler was on the floor and diligently shinning Vlad's shoes, and still another was refilling Vlad's cup of orange juice as he took a bite of sausage. Vlad himself had a cell phone pressed to his ear and was shouting into it.

"No! I said that those plans were strictly experimental! Who was the idiot who decided that they were ready for production! We have more kinks to work out and the product is not satisfactory to sell to the public in its current state! I want the person responsible in my office this afternoon, and the expenses of the wasted materials will be coming out of their paycheck!" Vlad abruptly snapped the phone shut. He mumbled a few incoherent things to himself and pinched the bridge of his nose.

The butler who led me to the dining room gently nudged me to move forward. I took a hesitant step towards all of the bustling people. The movement caught Vlad's attention.

"Daniel, you're early! Here, come, sit, have some breakfast. What is it that you like? You barely had any of the dinner I brought you last night." I was a little less hesitant and walked forward with Vlad's beckoning. I briefly wrestled with another butler who thought he was going to move my chair for me before I sat down. Vlad put down his fork and called to one of the maids who were moving around him.

"Tiffany, would you get Daniel his breakfast?" the maid perked up at being addressed and quickly sprung over to my side.

"Of course Mr. Masters," The cheery maid with bouncy brown curls turned to me, "What would you like sir?" I rubbed the back of my neck uncertainly.

"Um well, what do you have?" The maid gave me a nervous look and Vlad laughed lightly.

"Daniel, I have everything. Just pick something you want; pancakes, waffles, crepes, French toast, anything at all and Eduardo will make it for you." Vlad went back to his own breakfast thinking that the small dilemma had been solved. I stared at the empty plate in front of me.

I had no clue what I wanted for breakfast. How was I supposed to decide between all that stuff? I wasn't even really that hungry! The maid next to me started to shift a little apprehensively as she waited for me to answer her. I guess I could narrow it down a little bit. I didn't really want anything flakey, or too gooey, or…

"Daniel here," Vlad repositioned himself in his chair seeming a little annoyed with my indecision, "what do you usually have for breakfast?" I blushed and looked away from Vlad, taking a sudden interest in my plate. Oh god this was not where I wanted things to go. I quickly responded.

"No um it's okay; I'll just have whatever you're having." Vlad frowned and stopped the maid from going to tell Eduardo.

"Daniel you can have whatever you want, you don't have to have what I'm having if you don't want it. Now what is it that you usually have? Those "pop tarts" that seem to be so popular with kids your age? I have every flavor in the pantry for when I have business associates' families over and their children do not agree with whatever elaborate meal I have planned. I do have what you would call 'normal food' Daniel you can go ahead and ask for it." I stuttered a little before I responded.

"I-it's fine really, I'm sure it's-

"Daniel." Vlad said it in a flat tone of voice that clearly said I should tell him what I had for breakfast everyday or suffer the consequences. My face got redder as I realized I had only two options. Answer or don't answer; and I would be getting Vlad's wrath either way. I decided to suffer for giving him what he wanted, instead of refusing to answer. I sighed and braced myself. I spoke in a low tone of voice, under the notion that maybe if I said it quite enough Vlad wouldn't get mad at me.

"Fruitloops." There was a moment of silence as I braced for impact. I squeezed my eyes shut and gripped the edge of my chair. This was great, just great. This was exactly what I needed right now. I think the universe is just out to get me. I winced when I heard Vlad loudly exhale.

"Tiffany, he'll be having what I'm having." Besides the exasperated undertone Vlad had said it in, he was completely calm. My eyes shot open and I stared at the man sitting next to me. His face was carefully blank and he focused on eating his food. There was silence for a minute and I squirmed awkwardly in my seat.

Okay he hadn't exploded. So, what the heck was I supposed to do now? My answer clearly upset Vlad. Should I apologize? I didn't need Vlad upset right now he was the one giving me a roof over my head and food in my stomach. Even if it wasn't my fault, I couldn't hurt to say sorry. He got pissed off enough in our fights when I called him that. It wasn't a stretch of the imagination that I might be punished for the slip. I exhaled heavily and hung my head. I was about to start talking when Vlad cut me off.

"You were awake this morning when I came in, did you sleep well?" I was thrown off by the change in conversation. He was going to move on just like that? He didn't even let me say anything. What the heck was wrong with him? Why was he being so nice? Maybe he was a morning person. Jazz was always really awake and excited in the morning. I got my bearings back and responded.

"Yeah, I slept fine," I shifted my gaze back to my plate, "just a lot on my mind." Vlad ignored the slightly awkward and depressed tone in my voice and nodded slightly.

"Good, if anything were to your distaste we could make other arrangements until you pick a room to decorate and call your own." My gaze was torn from the plate of pancakes being lowered in front of me to stare at Vlad. What did he just say? He wanted me to pick a room. Like, for me? In his mansion? My mouth opened and closed, as I interlay battled with thanking him or throwing a fit. Vlad casually took a bite of pancakes and continued before I could get my mouth to function.

"Which brings me to one of the things I would like to discuss with you before I leave. I would like you to explore the mansion today Daniel. You may look around at your leisure. I would like you to look for a room to call your own. You don't have to decide immediately, though you can if you find a room today you particularly like. There are three rooms I would prefer you stay out of: my room, my private study, and the lab. They are the only three locked doors in the entire mansion so they should be easy enough to identify. I will know if you decide to enter any of those rooms Daniel, and I will not tolerate it. I will respect your privacy when you set your boundaries, I expect you to respect mine." Vlad lowered his gaze and gave me a glare so that he was certain I knew he was serious. My eyes just continued to bulge out of my head as my mouth remained open. I nodded my head slightly to indicate I had heard him. Vlad gave a confirming nod before he returned to his breakfast.

"Excellent. Then I'll inform you that my mansion is rather large and it is not impossible to get lost in it. Feel free to use any short cuts you might find convenient. Though you should remain out of the way of the staff, they have their jobs to do you understand?" Vlad brought his gaze back to mine to see if I had gotten his message. It took me a minute but I thought I got it. He was saying I should use my ghost powers to get around, right? I shoved a ton of food into my mouth to buy some time to come up with a way to covertly ask him if that's what he was asking. Finally an idea hit me and I swallowed what was in my mouth while I fingered the fork in my hand.

"So I can use any shortcuts?" As I turned the fork over in my hand I made it flicker briefly into invisibility. Not enough for anyone who wasn't paying attention to notice, but someone who was looking for it would. Hopefully, Vlad would get the message I was asking about ghost powers. I figured he got it when one of those creepy grins that usually meant I was going to get hurt appeared on his face. The look made me apprehensive as I unconsciously prepared myself to fight at the signal. I had the urge to get into an actual battle stance when his eyes flickered red as he responded.

"Yes, just so long as you're careful, and don't try anything too dangerous." I quickly tried to calm the warning bells that were blaring in my head. Vlad wasn't going to do anything. He was just communicating with me that was it. I rested my elbow on the table so I could put my head in my hand to hide myself from Vlad's view.

Instincts were telling me to fight back, that there was a ghost nearby, and that I was in danger. I had to remind myself I was just being paranoid. His eyes only flickered because he was trying to tell me he got the message. He wasn't angry or coming up with any plans behind my back, it was strictly a signal. My heart rate thumped loudly in my head as I tried to convince myself I was not going to come into a world of hurt. I heard a polite cough and the clinking of silverware as Vlad set his fork down on his plate. I reluctantly turned my head to look back at him when he started to talk again.

"Besides that you may do as you please. Simply inform one of the staff when you are hungry and they will make you lunch. I will be home about seven to seven thirty. Diner will be served immediately upon my return. You may feel free to request any snack or drink if you find yourself feeling hungry." I nodded a little to let him know I understood what he said as I took another bite of my sausage. I tried my best to act casual. Maybe he didn't notice my weird reaction. I tried to act normal as Vlad talked to the butlers around him. I heard him get out of his chair and walk to stand at my side. I tried to keep my gaze awkwardly averted so I wouldn't chance freaking out more. I was still tense and on high alert. However any resemblance to normal I had been portraying was thrown out the window as Vlad put his hand on my shoulder.

I immediately froze and every muscle in my body contracted. I couldn't stop my body as it naturally prepared itself for attack. My heart rate accelerated and adrenaline was pumped through my system. My brain was screaming at me to move to get out from under Vlad's hand. Red sirens were blaring inside my head that I was in danger. It took every conscious fiber in my being not to get out of the chair and retaliate. He wasn't going to hurt me, he wasn't going to hurt me, he wasn't going to do anything. Then Vlad did the thing that would put me more on edge. Vlad squeezed my shoulder.

I couldn't hold myself back anymore, I flung myself out of my chair away from Vlad. I ducked into a roll and came out of it standing in a battle stance against the wall. All of my senses were on high alert and analyzing the room for any impending threat. All of the maids and butlers stopped and stared at me. There was an eerie silence as I scanned the room. Vlad looked at me with a frown on his face.

I finally snapped out of it and forced myself to stand up fully. I tried to keep my eyes from darting around without much success. My heart rate was still franticly pounding away in my ear. My gaze snapped to Vlad at an inhumane speed as he coughed politely. I noticed a piece of paper in his hand. Without taking his eyes off me Vlad continued like absolutely nothing had happened.

"This is a list of phone numbers for you to call in case of an emergency. If you run into anything Daniel I want you to call me, do you understand?" I gulped as I came down from my adrenaline high. I breathed a large breath and nodded my head as I responded.

"Yeah, I got it." Vlad nodded definitively and he grabbed a suitcase from a butler who was still frozen next to him. He brushed some invisible dust off of his suit jacket and turned back to me.

"I'm afraid I must be leaving for work now Daniel. Have a good day." I stuttered a little as I responded.

"Y-you too." I was mostly out of 'attack mode' now and was aware of everyone staring at me in either shock or curiosity. Vlad smiled. His footsteps sounded like bombs as he walked out of the disturbingly quite room. The door opened then closed and Vlad was gone, diverting any and all attention that had been focused of him, to me. I shuffled nervously and kept my gaze to the floor. Well this was awkward. With my still slightly heightened senses I realized the door Vlad had just exited had opened slightly again. Vlad stuck his upper half silently into the room before he spoke.

"You know it's rude to stare." All of the maids and butlers jumped in surprise before they started moving nervously towards the doors they had been frequenting. Vlad sent me another look before he shut the door behind him once again. Not long after all of the maids and butlers had scrambled out of one door or another, those too closed; leaving me in a very big empty room.

I sighed and moved back to my chair to sit down. I stared at my plate. The pancakes had soaked up most of the syrup by now. Vlad's plate was empty in the spot next to mine. I picked up my fork which had clattered to the table when I had jumped and stabbed a piece of pancake. I shoved the breakfast food in my mouth. They were now a little cold from being left out. Today was turning out to be such a great day.