Downward Spiral by SupremeDramaOverlord

Chapter 4 - A Broken Picture Paints a Thousand Words

Danny's POV ~

It took every last drop of self-control I owned to drag myself out of bed. Not only was this the most comfortable piece of furniture I've slept on in a long time, but I was still sleep deprived from the past week of endless ghost fighting. It didn't help that nearly every muscle in my body felt cramped and sore. I probably slept in a funny angle again.

With a regretful groan, I pushed aside the warmth the blankets promised and stepped onto the icy floor of the bathroom to get ready. My family and I were supposed to have breakfast downstairs with Vlad this morning. I cringed at my reflection. I looked like crap.

Dark bags were visible underneath my bloodshot eyes, visibly showing my sleep deprivation. I frowned when I realized I was getting alarmingly thinner since I hardly had any time to eat. When I wasn't fighting ghosts I was hopelessly struggling with my homework (Which was a losing battle).

I squinted. Was that a bruise? Leaning forward towards the mirror, I poked the tender purple lump on my left temple. When the heck did I get that? It was the size of a large marble and ignoring the hard sore feeling, I poked at it a few more times. I shrugged.

Oh, well. It wasn't as if this hasn't happened before. Over the past week, I'd find random bruises on my body and have no idea which ghost fight gave me them. I got better things to worry about than the results of a few skirmishes.

Once I changed into a pair of jeans and a clean T-shirt, I brushed my teeth and ran a comb (pointlessly) through my messy tangle of raven hair. I checked my reflection. My appearance somewhat improved, but I was still a far cry from looking impressive. Realizing that this was as good as it was going to get, I emerged from the guest bedroom and made my way through the maze of hallways and down a flight of stairs to the dining the room. It wasn't too difficult to find, I just had to follow the aroma of bacon and the sound of my dad's loud enthusiastic voice. Vlad was seated at the head of the table, my parents sat on one side together while Jazz sat on the other side with her head immersed in one of her psychology books. I was about to enter the room when I faltered. I realized what my dad was talking about.

"And then when we came home, it was working! Just like that!"

"Really?" Vlad inquired with interest lining his voice. "How interesting."

Trying to block out the traumatizing memory, I quietly took the only available seat which was between Vlad and Jazz. My sister, who was desperately pretending to be adopted, only briefly nodded to me when I sat beside her. I was surprised when Vlad beamed at me, and I shyly smiled politely in return.

"Good morning, Daniel." Vlad interrupted my dad when he paused to take a breath from rambling about the ghost portal. "I hope you slept well?"

"Uh, yeah, I did." I nodded awkwardly as I piled food onto my plate, "I slept great. Thanks, Mr. Masters."

"No need for formality, dear boy." He ruffled my already messy hair, "Please, call me Vlad."

I slowly put my fork down and glanced at Vlad. Something was different. Unlike yesterday, his eyes regarded me with an affectionate gleam, and the smile stretching from his lips wasn't artificial. Still, there was something off with this sudden mood change, and I wished he would stop smiling at me like that.

"Uh… Ok, Vlad." I forced myself to grin politely while I wished Jazz would trade seats. "But my name is Danny, not Daniel."

"So, V-man!" My dad cheerfully boomed from his seat, "What'd ya say you and I hunt down that Dairy King ghost like the good old days, huh?"

Vlad cringed from the volume of my dad's voice. "Actually, Jack, I have important business that has come up and it will require my attention."

Dad's posture deflated with disappointment, "Aw, that's a shame."

"How long will you be busy?" My mom inquired.

"Most likely the whole day. It must be done before the reunion tonight." Vlad abruptly turned his attention back to me. "So, Daniel, what do you enjoy doing in your free time?"

What was with the guy? He seemed much more friendly than he did yesterday. Although I don't really talk much to other people unless it was my friends, I didn't really want to be rude to my parents' college friend. The guy was probably just tired of the topic of ghosts and wanted to change the subject.

I swallowed a bite full of pancakes before answering a bit awkwardly, "Well, um, I really like astronomy. I'd kinda like to be an astronaut someday." Although thanks to my ghost half, that dream was now down the drain. There was no way I'd be able to pass blood tests without exposing myself. Not to mention the downward spiral my grades were going in.

Now that the topic of discussion was driven away from anything paranormal, Jazz had pleasantly put down her book to join in on the conversation. "Danny is terrific with astronomy! You can point at any random star and he can tell you the name and what constellation it's a part of."

I nervously glanced around the room as I failed to hold back an embarrassed blush at my sister's praise. As flattering as it was, I didn't really like being in the spotlight. "Jazz-"

"In fact," she sent mom and dad a pointed look, "We're hoping we can sign Danny up for space camp in a few weeks."

I sank back into my seat with disappointment. For three years, I've been asking mom and dad to send me to space camp. Even Jazz has been trying to convince them to let me go, saying it would be good for my 'psych' or whatever. But my parents couldn't afford to send me to camp and buy equipment for their inventions. Recently, however, Jazz got them to agree to it if I did well in my first year of high school. Ever since then I had worked hard to get great grades, but they started to go down thanks to fighting all the ghosts in Amity Park. I could kiss space camp goodbye.

Getting bored by the subject, Dad began to tell Vlad about a new invention that he and mom were working on. Vlad seemed slightly annoyed, Jazz dived back into the safety of her book while excusing herself from the table, and after taking the final bite of my breakfast I hurried after her.

Instead of heading back to the guest room, I headed outside where the RV was parked. It was locked and after making sure no one was looking, I phased inside.

Last night I had a horrible nightmare. If it was real, I'd be dead by now. But the vultures from a few nights ago were definitely real, and they had been after dad. I've been thinking that they might come back, and they might bring reinforcements. I had to be ready.

I opened a latch on the floor where a compartment containing some of my parents' ghost weapons was located. I admit those things still made me nervous to be around, but I was still learning how to control my ghost powers, and because of that I've had a lot of close calls in ghost fights. My parents' ecto-weapons were extremely dangerous. These would definitely give me an advantage.

The weapon compartment was almost empty since mom and dad took most of the ecto-weapons inside to look for the alleged, 'Dairy King ghost'. Thankfully there were still some good weapons left.

I strapped the Fenton wrist ray on my right wrist. Its appearance looked like something out of a happy meal, but it was capable of shooting powerful anti-ghost beams. And I know first hand, since mom did manage to hit my shoulder with it a few nights ago. It packed a powerful sting.

Next I pulled out the Fenton grappler. Smaller than a pistol, the device shoots out a ghost-proof net and ensnares ghosts. Dad almost got me with that one. I placed it in my back pocket.

The last two things I grabbed was their newer inventions, the Fenton anti-ghost sprayer, and the Fenton ghost taser. My mom told me that the Fenton anti-ghost sprayer was like pepper spray, but instead of peppers they used ground up blood blossoms. According to my dad, blood blossoms had anti-supernatural properties. I didn't know if they actually did or not, but I guess I would find out if anything tries to attack my family again. As for the Fenton ghost taser (which looked like a normal taser), mom designed it specifically to send 10 thousand volts of anti-ghost bolts into a specter's body. That would certainly hurt. A lot.

After I crammed the two weapons in my front pockets, I transformed into my ghost half, turned myself invisible and intangible and flew back into the guest bedroom. I didn't really want to risk the chance of mom or dad catching me making off with their weapons.

The rest of the day was uneventful. I spent most of it holed up in the guest bedroom, trying to catch up on the homework I had brought with me. But when it was almost time for the reunion, I regrettably changed into a black suit my mom made me bring. You know, the kind you would normally wear to a funeral.

I went downstairs and poked my head into Vlad's screening room where a few of the guests attending the reunion were watching a documentary about the Packers. I spotted the back of my sister's long carrot-red hair in the back row. I quietly walked over.

"Jazz," I whispered so I wouldn't disturb anyone, "Aren't you coming to the reunion?"

"What?" Jazz stared at me as if I lost my mind. "And watch a bunch of old fossils pogo to new wave music? Pass." She turned back to the screen, "By the way, did you know the Packers won the very first Super Bowl?"

I shrugged, "Whatever."

Heading into the ballroom where the main party was, I walked over to where my parents stood.

My dad brightened and waved to someone from across the room, "HEY! HARRY!"

An Asian woman was sipping some punch with her back turned towards us, but at the sound of my dad's boisterous voice, her drink sprayed out of her mouth. Reluctantly, she turned around and walked over to us.

"Jack. Maddie." The woman visibly cringed and her voice was lined with sarcasm. "How nice."

"Danny, meet Harriet Chin." Dad introduced. "She's a big-shot reporter for the Milwaukee Journal, but back in our college days, she was just Harry. Ha! Harry Chin! Get it?"

Mom apologetically smiled at her friend, "I'm really sorry, Harriet."

"Sweetie, you married him. You should be."

A new song played and dad excitingly took mom by the hand, "Hey, my song! Come on, let's pogo!"

Mom didn't have time to protest as dad dragged her onto the dance floor, and they then began to excessively pogo.

I deadpanned. "Okay, I'm officially mortified."

Harriet folded her arms as she watched the spectacle, "What took so long?"

I opened my mouth to respond, but an icy sensation chilled up my spine and a wisp of blue mist puffed out of my mouth. I gasp as my eyes widened. I looked at Harriet. Thankfully she didn't notice, and after excusing myself, I rushed out of the ballroom and into the hallway. There was a ghost around, and I was beginning to wonder if Vlad wasn't joking about the Dairy King.

Ducking into a cleaning closet, I called forth the supernatural rings. Now in my ghostly persona, I turned intangible and invisible and flew into the main entryway where I had felt the paranormal presence. I floated above the last of the guests who were trickling through the front doors. My eyes narrowed.

The vultures were waiting.

All three of them were invisible and because I was invisible too, I could see them. It was a nice little perk that came in handy during ghost fights. When they noticed me, their beaks split into sinister smiles and then they flew through the ceiling. I followed.

Now floating above Vlad's mansion and away from private eyes, we all dropped invisibility.

"Ready for a rematch, Fancy-Pants ghost boy?" One of the old codgers sneered in a sick sort of way.

"That depends," I quipped as I sported a cocky smirk, "Are you ready to lose?"

"In your dreams, kid!"

I ducked as one of them dived over my head. One by one they would come at me, dodging my ecto-blasts and pushing me around when they got the chance. They had formed a circle around me, and while my attention was focused on aiming a blast at one, another would ram into me.

Reaching into my back pocket, I pulled out the Fenton grappler. Just as one of the vultures dived towards me, I aimed and fired. A green ghost-proof net shot out and trapped the vulture. He fell to the ground screaming profanities in Russian.

"Ha!" I smirked at the other two, "Take that, bird-brains!"

Unfortunately, this only angered them. Quicker than I could blink, one of them zoomed by me while slicing a talon across my back. Crying out in pain, I could feel a warm and sticky liquid ooze down my back. I faltered in the air and I briefly squeezed my eyes shut.

"V'hat are you doing?" One of the vultures had swooped down and torn the net off his comrade while scolding my attacker. "You v'ant to make the boss angry? V' v'eren't supposed to hurt the brat!"

"Wait, what?" I stared at them incredulously. "You're working for someone?"

The vulture who was now freed from the net slapped the one who spoke upside the head. "Shut yer beak, feather-head!"

My hands glowed with power as I charged them up for an attack, "Who are you working for?!"

Ignoring my question, all three began to circle me with supernatural speed. Remembering what happened last time, I tried to get out of the ring they formed around me. But they were too fast and I was getting tossed around like a ball. I wasn't able to get a clear shot, leaving my ecto-blasts sailing through the air past the intended targets. Reaching into my pocket, I pulled out the small cylinder container of Fenton anti-ghost spray. Aiming in my attackers' general direction, I pressed the top and a crimson-and-black mist sprayed out. The result was instant.

Because of the circular pattern they flew in, the wind they created spread the spray to all three of them, and the air was filled with screams of agony. I watched in sick fascination as they withered and twisted in misery. An eerie red vapor was forming around their bodies and their shrieks only increased.

"V'HAT DID YOU DO TO US?!" One of them screeched.

"I don't - I don't know!" I stuttered. I was starting to panic. Even though they were my enemies, I never intended to do this to them! Their faces were twisted in torment, and they wretched and contorted in the air.

Some of the powder began to float towards me, causing my head to spin and my insides to twist with the urge to puke. I hurriedly backed away, putting some distance between me and the vapor.

"This isn't v'orth my pay grade." A vulture groaned as he violently jerked around while flying away. "Plasmius can deal with the brat himself!"

The other two didn't hesitate to follow their friend's retreating form. As I watched them turn invisible and listened to their beating wings fade away, a sense of confusion consumed me.

Someone named Plasmius hired them to attack my dad, and for tonight, me. Except they were told not to hurt me. But why? What was their goal if it wasn't to hurt me? Why come after me at all? It took me a moment, but it soon dawned upon me. A cold stone dropped into the pit of my stomach as my blood ran cold.

I was never the target.

They were just a distraction!

Frightened screams filled the night air, and I looked down to the sight of people rushing out of the front doors of the mansion. As my mind raced with horrible images, I turned intangible and rushed back inside and into the ballroom. Or at least, what was left of it.

The place was a disaster zone! Tables were overturned, food was splattered across the walls and floors, and people were flocking to the exits to get away from… Dad?

My jaw dropped as I watched the man who raised me go on an out-of-control rampage! Screaming like a maniac, he threw chairs, tables, and even poor Harriet Chin. I was mortified to see mom sprawled on top of a broken table on the other side of the room, evidence that dad must have thrown her too. What was wrong with him?

Willing myself invisible, I floated closer to him and froze. The irises of his eyes were tinged with red. I knew what that meant.

Last week I had to fight a ghost that was terrorizing the school. He would 'overshadow' people, taking complete control over their bodies. I managed to catch him by figuring out who he was possessing. Whenever he overshadowed someone, their eyes would have red-tinted irises.

Someone was possessing dad.

"If you live to tell the tale," My dad's voice yelled with morbid laughter as he punched some poor guy in the face, "Remember that big, fat Jack Fenton did this to you!"

Determination set in as I turned intangible and flew straight into dad, "Guess again!" I collided with the ghost, and gripping him tightly, I phased us through the wall and tumbling into Vlad's library. Instantly, I jumped into the air, settling into a fighting stance. I was temporarily shocked when I got a good look at my opponent. It was the very same specter that I had pegged off as a horrible nightmare. "You!"

The apparition appeared surprised at being unexpectedly tacked, surveying his surroundings in brief confusion before he spotted me.

I charged up my hands with ecto-energy and held myself in the most threatening posture I could manage. "You're Plasmius, aren't you? What do you want from my dad? Why are you trying to hurt him?"

He smirked and glanced at the wall where people were screaming from the other side in a panic. "My goal was to ruin Jack and Maddie's reputations and then destroy them. And judging by the sounds from the ballroom, I'd say I humiliated them with excellence."

I furiously fired ecto-blasts at the ghost, "Stay away from them!"

With a condescending grin, the ghost named Plasmius expertly deflected my blasts. Seemingly satisfied with the chaos he created, he disappeared in a puff of pink smoke.

I stared around disbelievingly, having never encountered a ghost doing that before. Landing safely on the floor, I morphed back into my human form. I was exhausted and my back was stinging from where the vulture clawed me.

I sprinted for the ballroom. When I got there everyone had cleared out except dad, mom, Harriet, and a hand full of people who were picking themselves off the floor. I ran up to my parents.

"Mom! Dad!" I ran to them and embraced them both. "Are you guys okay?" Mom was favoring her left leg and dad wore an expression of mortification.

"Yes, sweetie," Mom smiled weakly, "A ghost possessed your father, but it seems to have left."

"As if!"

We turned around to see Harriet Chin stomping over to us, expressing a murderous scowl. Vlad had just entered the room looking affronted as he joined us.

"Jack Fenton!" Harriet shook with rage as a purple bruise formed across her forehead. "When I write about this, your reputation will be flushed down the drain! I wouldn't be surprised if Mr. Masters sued you!"

"I have half a mind too," Vlad's lip curled as he glared daggers at my parents, "You've physically harmed and terrorized my guests and destroyed my ballroom."

I worriedly watched the adults. Things weren't looking good for my family. I desperately wanted to tell Harriet and Vlad what really happened. That it wasn't my dad's fault, that an evil ghost was the one to blame. But who was going to believe any of this?

"However," Vlad spared a glance at my anxious expression, and I was surprised to see his features soften ever so slightly before facing my parents and hardening again. "I am willing to look the other way - just this once. I think Miss Chin's article will give you enough grief."

He sharply turned on his heel and walked away to check on the injured guests. Harriet stormed away while writing furiously on a notebook.

"Danny," Mom softly spoke as she leaned heavily on dad, "Go find your sister and meet us outside at the RV with your bags. I think we should go."

I nodded remorsefully, ashamed that I didn't get here in time. I carefully stepped over broken glass as I made my way to the exit, aware of the dirty glares people were giving my parents. Jazz was standing in the doorway, and judging by her expression, she had heard every word of the previous conversation.

"I'm guessing we won't be invited back." She quietly murmured as we walked together down the hall. We silently separated and entered our rooms to grab our luggage.

Before leaving the guest bedroom, I grabbed some jeans and a T-shirt and locked the bathroom door. Knowing it wasn't going to be a pretty sight, I took off the suit jacket and shirt and turned to the mirror. I hissed at the long ugly cut slashed down my back. Green ectoplasm and dark red blood covered the cut area. Some of it had trickled and oozed down my back, but had quickly dried. Grabbing a towel, I got it wet and tried my best to clean the blood off, but it proved to be challenging considering it was on my back. I tried to be quick about it and ignored the sting when I touched it. When I finished, I checked the mirror and was astonished to see ectoplasm steadily covering the wound before hardening into an unearthly emerald scab. That was new. Amazed, I poked it, and instead of feeling a burning sting, there was only a stiff, soreness.

Remembering that my family was probably waiting for me, I threw on my T-shirt and jeans and stuffed my suit in my duffle bag. Leaving the guest bedroom, I trudged down the hall dragging my bag behind me. If I had just been smarter, if I had just been stronger, I wouldn't have failed my family. If I didn't get there sooner, that ghost would have wasted my parents.

Before I reached the stairs, a familiar, uncomfortable icy sensation spread up my spine as a blue mist poured from my mouth.

I dropped my bag.

Aggressive and violent thoughts and ideas raced through my mind as I transformed. I willed myself invisible and intangible and sped off through the halls, determined to quickly get to the spot where I sensed the ghostly presence. I didn't care if it was those stupid vultures or that jerk Plasmius. I was going to make sure Harriet or Vlad see them and hopefully get them to believe my parents.

I briefly paused in front of the locked doors to Vlad's private study before charging in, knowing that was where I sensed a ghost. When I phased inside, I growled hatefully as my eyes burned with energy. The room was empty. No one was here!

On the floor rested a single, glowing green feather, the ghostly object slowly fading away. Those freaking vultures were right here and I missed them!

Infuriated, I turned to leave when something caught my eye. On the floor was a small broken picture frame with shards of glass scattered around it. With a sinking feeling, I landed on the ground and morphed back to my human form - too exhausted from the night's events to hold onto my ghost half.

I bent over and carefully removed the photo from the remains of the broken frame. There were three people in the picture. One of them looked like a much younger Vlad, but the other two were hard to make out. The second looked like a woman, but her face had been scratched out with a sharp object, and the head of the third person was torn out.

Wait a minute….

From my pocket, I pulled out the photo of dad that the vultures had dropped.

It was a perfect fit.