Chapter 14: Death

Standing against the chill, Annia looked around for Danny. The haze that clouded her vision was not a good sign but Annia kept her spirits up. She had to find him. Death was an easy place to get lost so she didn't move to far away from the boarder of Life and Death. From where she was, Annia could also feel the sucking coming from the Fenton's portal. Shaking her head, Annia returned to the task at hand, finding Danny. But the sucking was a bad sign; it would attract the dead from even behind the Third Gate of either Heaven or Hell.

"Danny!" She called. She heard her voice bounce of the thick mist that had formed. This too was a bad sign.

"Danny!" She tried again. This time she heard footsteps, but heavy ones.

"I warned you Annia..." A voice said. The mist parted and Annia saw Takune holding Danny's soul in his arms.

"He's mine." The demon hissed. Suddenly, a hand gripped her shoulder and Annia was ripped back into life.

"Daemon!" Annia screamed as she abruptly sat up.

"Look." Was all Daemon said. Annia turned and found Danny, but changed. His outfit was different and his hair was white.

"Danny?" Annia whispered. Danny moaned and pushed himself up. He knelt on the floor, his head hanging between his arms and his hands pressed against the floor.

"What happened?" He asked, groaning as he did.

"You died." Annia said and stood. She felt her skin tingle and knew that Danny had been split. His human soul was in Death but his Ghost half stayed in Life. Danny shook his head and stood warily.

"Died?" He asked. As his eyes opened, Annia found his eyes to be green. She was lost for a second before a banging brought her around. All three of them turned and stared at the staircase. After a splintering sound, they knew what had happened; Danny's parents had broken down the door.

"Danny!" A pair of voices called, the sound was a mix of fear and anger. As they rounded the corner, they stopped. Annia took notice of the three people now gathered in the basement. The man, Danny's father she presumed, stared with his mouth open at the wreckage. The mother, a smaller woman, was staring the same way at the blood and cracks. The other girl, the only family member in the file, stared at them.

"Danny?" The girl, Jazz, asked. The parents finally registered that their son was down here and gasped. Danny looked down and realized he was in his ghost form.

"Why can't I go back?" He asked, bewildered.

"You're dead you twit." Daemon snorted, obviously annoyed.

"What?" Danny's parents asked in unison. Daemon flexed his wings, which caught their attention, and explained.

"Because of your meddling, a very powerful demon just waltzed through your portal. It killed the human half of your son and injured both my Mistress and myself. In about twenty-two hours, he'll be coming back. So I ask for assistance with my Mistress and that you leave the house before that deadline is up." He said. The mother fainted but the father caught her. They continued to stare until Jazz began ushering them up the stairs. The father carried his wife up while being followed by their daughter. When he was sure they had left, Daemon turned to Annia.

"You must rest Mistress." He said. Annia shook her head.

"I can't, I need to practice." She replied. Daemon sighed as he pressed his hand against her chest.

"Sleep." He ordered. Annia's eyes immediately shut and Daemon caught her as she fell. As he lay her down, Danny began to move.

"I'm dead." He said, his voice soft.

"And yet you walk among the living, congratulations," Daemon said sarcastically. "Welcome to Purgitory."