Disclaimer: See Chapter 1

Note: I think that I've fixed all of the errors in the first chapter, and I hope that I've got all of them in this chapter.

--------------------

Agony
by Kalika

Chapter 2

--------------------

Danny woke to the incessant screaming of his alarm clock. He reached over to hit the snooze button before remembering that he actually needed to get up. With a tired groan he rolled onto his back in bed and shut the alarm off. After a few minutes of staring at the ceiling he forced himself to get up and dragged himself to the bathroom.

He happened to glance into the mirror as he was brushing his teeth and noticed that he was still dressed in the clothes that he had worn the day before. Albeit they were much more wrinkled now.

The young teen made his way back to his room slowly and pulled some new clothes out. He winced as he lifted his shirt over his head. His chest screamed in protest as he bent down to change his pants. He turned to his dresser mirror and sighed in relief when he saw that there were no visible bruises.

Pulling out his math books and setting them on the desk caused another burning pain to shoot through his chest. He swore under his breath and headed downstairs for a quick breakfast.

When Danny entered the kitchen he saw his father talking rather excitedly on the phone. Danny ignored him and dropped down at the table across from Jazz. He grunted a good morning to her and poured himself a bowl of the same cereal that she had and began to eat. He gave his mother a tired smile when she walked into the room.

That's great. That's absolutely great! We'll see you then. Jack Fenton's face was beaming as he hung up the phone. He turned to his family with a huge smile. Guess what you guys. We have a guest coming over today. He's a ghost hunter from California. He read about our family in Genius magazine, and figured that since we happen to be in a highly supernatural location he could probably learn some things from your mother and me. He wanted to drop by on his way back home from some convention. Isn't this great you guys? Another ghost hunter for us to bounce invention ideas off of.Oh great. Jazz hissed. More ghost hunters. Why can't my parents be normal? She turned to her father. You and mom could be doing so much good, and you just waste your time hunting ghosts.

Jack looked slightly hurt before turning to his son. So what do you say Danny? Want to meet this guy. He sounds really interesting. His name is Marcel and he just graduated from college.

Danny glared at his cereal. Great, another ghost hunter in town. Just one more thing for me to worry about.' He looked up into his father's expectant face. Sorry dad I can't. He saw his father's face fall and hurried to add. I've got a mid-term in math tomorrow and I really need to study. If you guys are going to be meeting here I should probably head to the library to study.

Jazz seemed to be very happy with his response. That sounds great Danny. I'll drive you to the library on my way to meet my friends.Um, good. Thanks. Danny felt his appetite disappear as he glanced at his fathers disappointed face. He put down his spoon with a sigh. I'll go get my books and be right back.

He made his way back to his room, mentally berating himself for upsetting his father. He knew that it couldn't be helped. He really did need to study. It just seemed that he was disappointing his parents with everything he did nowadays. He groaned as he lifted his books into his backpack. He was just about to leave the room when he hurried back to his desk. He unlocked the drawer and pulled out the Fenton Thermos. He shoved the thermos into the bottom of his bag and made his way downstairs and out into Jazz's waiting car.

Maddie watched her son and daughter drive away with a frown on her face. She turned to her husband. Does something seem wrong with Danny?What do you mean? Jack asked as he sat down to eat his breakfast.

Maybe it's my imagination, but he just doesn't seem happy most of the time. And he always looks tired. I'm starting to worry. Maybe he's depressed about something. I think we should sit down with him and talk when he gets home.

Jack nodded thoughtfully. I think you're right. It's probably better to be on the safe side.

----------

Mr. Fenton practically bounced up from the lab when he heard the doorbell ring. He ran to the front door and nearly threw it open.

There was a young brown haired man standing on their front stoop. Mister Jack Fenton? The man extended his hand. My name in Marcel Jacobs. How are you today?

Jack grabbed his hand in a friendly shake. Yes, yes I'm Jack Fenton. Please call me Jack. It's nice to meet you in person Marcel. Please come inside.

Marcel stepped inside and placed his bag beside the door. He took a quick look around what he could see and was less than impressed. He had expected to see ghost catching devices all around. As far as he could tell this home belonged to a normal, everyday family. Um, Jack. Where is all of your equipment? Jack looked where Marcel was staring. It's all in the lab in the basement. We would keep it up here, but it seems to upset our children. Well, mostly our daughter. She hates what we do. Our son Danny seems to be more open minded if not exactly thrilled about our line of work. My wife is waiting downstairs for us if you'd like to come down.

Marcel nodded, picked up his bag, and followed Mr. Fenton into the basement. He was slightly more impressed by what he saw downstairs. There seemed to be all kinds of devices sitting around in various states of completion. A figure, that had been bending over some miscellaneous equipment, straightened as they entered the laboratory.

You must be Mr. Jacobs. Maddie stated as she pulled down the hood of her lab suit. She reached out to shake his hand in greeting. My name is Maddie. Pleased to meet you.You as well, and please call me Marcel. He shook her hand quickly before turning his attention back to the various devices around the room. Upon closer inspection, he realized that the devices weren't as impressive as he had first thought. Most seemed to be completely worthless. What is all of this junk?

Jack's eye's narrowed at that. What do you mean junk? These are our ghost catching devices. I thought that this was why you came.Well yes but I had thought that you would at least be competent hunters. But this equipment, he picked up the Ghost Gabber and after a brief examination dropped it back onto the table, is a complete joke. I had assumed that since your son had managed to be written up in Genius Magazine that you, as his parents, would at least be as impressive as he is. But I guess I was wrong.

Jack looked like he was about to start yelling. Maddie put her hand on his arm to keep him quiet and turned to Marcel in anger. What exactly do you mean, Mr. Jacobs?
There was a definite edge to her voice.

Well, I would just like to know if there is anything here that actually works. The young ghost hunter took another skeptical look around the lab.

Jack couldn't take it anymore, I could use any of my equipment to catch a ghost faster than you could even find one.

Marcel scowled. Is that a challenge Fenton? Yeah. I think it is.Fine. I will not only find a ghost first, but I will capture it before you've even created another pathetic device that won't work in order to find one. Don't bother to show me to the door. I can let myself out. And with that Marcel stormed out of the lab. Both Fenton's jumped when they heard the front door slam.

----------

Marcel stormed down the front walk and climbed into his car. He pulled his beg into his lap and pulled out a very high tech handheld device. He activated it and watched the screen closely.

He then pulled out a map of the city. He figured his location and then worked out the exact distance from himself to the powerful ectoplasmic reading that his tracker was picking up. From what he could tell the readings were in the general vicinity of the city library.

Good luck, Fenton. Marcel hissed under his breath as he started his car and peeled away from the curb.

--------------------

To Be Continued