Aseret Kitsune - Thanks so much for sticking with me! I would love it if your friend could review my story as well. This story is nearly done but here's another chapter to tide you over until the end. The story has taken a kind of angst turn but the words just flowed from me as I was typing. I did some minor editing and I hope it meets your expectations. The only spoiler I will give away is that Ryan and the military parents will get what they deserve in the end. Enjoy!
"Guardian Ghost"
By: Beloved Shadow
Ryan laughed as the sports car raced down the street, dodging between cars that were either in his way or even parked along the sidewalks. Police cars tried chasing him down but he seemed to be three feet ahead of them. Flying down a steep incline he did a sharp 360 degree turn, sending a parked car to flip and land with a screech of metal. The police were coming so fast they tried stopping but some didn't make it in time. They crashed into the car and pretty soon there was a five car pile up. It would take a good 2 hours if not more to get the street clear but those that didn't crash split up, taking side streets in hopes of catching up.
Maxine could hear it all and if she wasn't scared out of her mind she would be having a headache from hell. She was stuck in the passenger seat, the seatbelts crossed over her chest like an 'X' with another going over her hips. She could move her arms but she gave up trying to get the belts to release. She tried once more to open the door or roll down the window but again nothing was working.
"Why are you doing this?" she asked, running her hands frantically over the dash board and radio before grasping the gear stick and pulled. It, too, refused to move.
"Well let's see, you betrayed me when I needed you the most, your brother killed me, and you didn't die. I'd say that's reason enough," he laughed.
"You betrayed me, Ryan! I thought you cared about me but you were just using me! Tommy risked his life for mine because he actually cares about me and I went blind because of your selfish greed!" She grabbed the steering wheel and fought for the control, feeling the car swerve slightly.
"Knock it off, bitch!" he snapped, another seatbelt wrapped around her wrists and halfway to her elbows. Back in control he raced for the ridge. "You think being blind is bad? Try being dead! I still don't know how the hell he got out but I'm making sure you and I will spend eternity together. It'll be just like old times."
"No, let me go! I don't want to die!" she cried, struggling as the seatbelts rubbed her skin raw. She had to get out of this thing, she didn't want to die. "I hate you, Ryan! I wish I never meet you!" she wept bitterly as she tried breaking the passenger window.
"Too bad so sad. You know I'm a possessive person and when I get something, I don't let it go even when I'm tired of it," he laughed, taking a sharp turn as he crashed through the 'Road Close' sign.
The blind girl felt the impact and stopped her struggling. The road was rough; the car constantly hitting pot holes and the sound outside was quiet. She leaned closer to the window, trying to listen for the familiar sounds of the police or other cars but there was nothing. "Where are you taking me?" she asked fearfully.
"You remember how I died that day?"
"Yes…"
"You're about too experience the same thing I went through."
Her eyes went wide. "You can't!"
"Says who? The police are too stupid to follow me and your new friends aren't old enough to drive. Besides, who'd believe them?"
"Tommy will save me!"
"Yeah right! You're the reason he died in the first place! Why would he want to save someone who killed him?"
She didn't know what to say but the words cut through her like a dagger. Ryan was right, she was the reason her big brother was dead, she was the reason her parents got on her case, she was reasonable for everything. She had wished she had been the one who had died instead of him and now she was getting his wish. So why was she begging him not to kill her?
"I deserve to die," she whispered to herself as even more tears fell, dampening the black t-shirt. Ryan chuckled as he raced up the pot holed street.
-
Danny and Tommy flew as fast as they could but they knew they were not going to make it. They saw how the police were in the mist of getting the trashed cars out of the street and ambulances taking those who had been injured to the hospital but Ryan had a head start on them. But with odds against them they couldn't give up.
'We have to find a way to get there first but how?' the halfa though to himself but he realized something. Although they were ghost they were turning right left left left right, they were following the street. "Man I'm such an idiot! Tommy, can you go intangible?"
The jock looked at him with a confused look on his face. "Go what?"
"Like this." Closing his eyes his entire body went transparent so it was just his eyes that were visible. His entire body was outlined in white but he passed through a building with ease. "Like this we can go through stuff instead of around it!"
"And the shortest distance between two points is a straight line, of course!" Closing his eyes he did the same. Grinning they took out, flying as fast as they could but making sure they concentrated enough to keep this form up. They finally arrived at the close road, seeing the broken sign but instead of following the road they went into the small cliff side. It was strange to be flying through solid rock but neither complained. Once they hit the top they relaxed and turned visible.
Danny looked around but didn't see the black sports car. "Any sign of them?" he asked his partner.
"Not yet," Tommy said, looking around but quickly grabbed the half's sleeve. "Down there!"
The sports car was racing up to the top but its progress was going slow thanks to the trashed condition of the road. But how to stop him or at least distract him enough to get his sister out! "Danny, listen closely. I'm gonna try to distract him but you need to get my sister out of there ASAP."
"Okay but how are you gonna distract him? You're a ghost."
"By learning from him." Without giving him an explanation he flew down, turning intangible and flew into an old tow-truck that looked like it had been abandoned for years. It glowed and before Danny's eyes the rust peeled off to reveal an emerald green color with gold yellow trimming. The old flat tires patched over and began to inflate. The headlights glowed a dark green but once it looked good as new it took down the road, the hooked chain dangling behind.
"I didn't know he could do that! Oh d'uh! If I can possess people it means I can possess things too!" Hitting his forehead hr went invisible once more and followed the truck.
"Almost there," Ryan snickered. "When we reach the top I'll race back down but I'll hit the edge and-WTF!" The brakes hit the floor, tires screeching loudly the car swerved wildly before stopping but it began racing backwards.
"You won't get away that easily, Ryan!" Tommy bellowed as he chased after him. Behind him the chain began spinning like a lasso before it was let loose. It sailed through the air and went through the windshield. Of course Maxine screamed and raised her bound hands to cover her face but the chain didn't touch it. It hooked around the steering wheel so the truck slammed on its brakes and stopped the chain.
The sports car was jerked to a stop but the tires were still turning, the wheel turning to try to lose it but it was no use. He was getting no where and Tommy was not letting him go. From the outside it looked like the cars were having a fierce battle of tug-o-war.
Danny knew this had to be the distraction so he flew into the car and grabbed Maxine's arm. He quickly covered her mouth when she opened her mouth to scream but didn't dare try to calm her down just yet. First he had to get her out. He concentrated, turning her invisible and flew her out of the car. Landing several feet away from the truck he turned them solid and released her mouth.
"Maxine it's me, Danny!" he told her, holding her tightly by the shoulders so she wouldn't try to run away or do something drastic. He watched as she calmed and reached up to touch his face. He froze, blushing lightly but he didn't move. She blinked her eyes and before he could react, wrapped her arms around him in a tight embrace. His arms went around her tightly as she cried heavily on his shoulder. She was shaking very lightly, no doubt still in shock but she was alive. They had beaten Ryan.
Tommy could see the two young teenagers with his rearview mirror and smiled lightly. Turning his attention to Ryan he realized he had noticed that Maxine was gone. He watched as he swerved, trying to get rid of the chain he merely unhooked it from the steering wheel. The sports car lost its balance and crashed through the weak railing, sliding off the road and over the side.
"NNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" came the scream as the car went over. Tommy waited several moments before easing out of the broken down truck and cautiously stepped to the edge. No sign of the car but it was dark and he assumed it had already hit the ground. Turning he walked over to the two teens and waited.
Danny looked up at him and saw him nod. Ryan was gone and Maxine was safe. "It's okay Maxine, Ryan is gone and you're safe," he soothed.
She shook her head though and refused to let go. "No he was right, everything was my fault," she mumbled into his shoulder as her trembling began to cease.
"How is it your fault? Ryan was killed because he was reckless."
"I raged Tommy into it, I didn't listen to him and he died because of me. I should have been the one to die not him. I wish I could just say I'm sorry."
"But you can." Taking her hands he removed them from around his neck and gently, turned her around. Looking at Tommy he nodded and took a few steps back at the other ghost approached her.
Never did he think he would see his sister again but slowly, he took her hands and brought them to his face. He waited as she gently traced her fingers over his face, tracing his features repeatedly. They moved down his neck, fingering the collar of the letterman jacket but encountered the beaded chain around his neck. Blinking slowly she traced them down to the dog tags and very carefully, read the wording on one of them under her breathe. Her hand began to shake and she looked ready to run but slowly he brought his hands up to cup her face and leaned down until their foreheads were touching.
"It's really me, Maxy. I said I would always be there for you no matter what and I don't blame you or think any of this was your fault. We make mistakes but we also learn from them. Mom and dad have no right to blame you or treat you the way they did. I've been watching and you are better off without them." Kissing her forehead he pulled closer until she was against his chest and wrapped his arms around her shoulders tightly, just being there.
Slowly, her arms reached up and clutched the back of his jacket, closing her eyes as tears fell. It was him, it was Tommy. He was the only person to call her Maxy and he kept his promise. "I'm sorry… I'm sorry for everything," she whispered to him.
"I forgave you that same night we had the fight, Maxy. Let's go back to your friends, okay?"
She nodded and felt his hands gently wipe the tears away.
Danny had turned solid and came up behind, gently touching her shoulder. "Everything will be alright, Maxine. Sam and Tucker are trying to find your aunt so you can live with her even as we speak," he said trying to cheer her up.
"Mom and dad won't let me go so easily," she admitted.
"No but we aren't gonna let them win." Making sure the blind girl was in the middle the two boys headed down the street. What they never noticed was the rusted truck that Tommy had used began to transform. The tires inflated once more and the headlights changed to a red color but the chain was glowing a neon green color. Danny felt he temperature drop he turned and watched as the glowing chain headed straight for his friends.
"Watch out!" he yelled but it was too late. Everything seemed to run into slow motion as the chain wrapped around Maxine tightly, pulling her away from her friends. Tommy reached out for her and Danny was trying to go into Ghost Mode as fast as he could but they were too late. Ryan laughed as he backed the truck up so it went over the edge. They all cried out in panicked fear as they tried to grab her but she was too far. The truck went down and over but they could only watch as it went down, the blind girl's screams filling their ears. Danny was frozen on the spot but Tommy flew down though he was shaking pretty badly. It took him only a moment to follow but he was wishing he hadn't.
The sports car had hit a ledge and for some reason hadn't exploded but the entire nose back end had been smashed in. The truck had turned sideways on its way down and smashed into it, creating a mess of twisted metal and broken glass. They couldn't see where the young girl had landed but dropping down they saw her upper body lay very close to the edge of the ledge, the chains still wrapped around her body but the truck had was crushing down on her lower half of her body. She wasn't moving and she didn't look like she was breathing either. When they landed they could felt wetness coat the rock under her head and seeping from the truck.
"Oh no…" Danny had seen stuff like this in movies but this was real life. Tommy had wasted no time though as he gave up trying to move the metal and instead managed to turn them both intangible and pulled her out. Turning them solid he checked her over. She had a deep gash over her forehead, the chains had bruised her body and arms, but most of the blood was coming from her legs. They couldn't tell from the darkness and the black denim but gently running his hands over Tommy found that her legs were completely shattered and her pants had numerous tears all over. Her pulse was incredibly weak and her breathe was so shallow it was hard to tell that she was still alive.
"T-Tommy, we gotta get her to a hospital or an ambulance. Somewhere where she can get help," the halfa urged.
Tommy was silent but he refused to let go. "Ryan killed her… he killed my baby sister…" he said in a low voice like he was ready to break under all the stress.
"She's not dead look she's still breathing! If you want to save her we have to leave now! Now get up and follow me!" Danny ordered the other ghost. It was strange that the teenager had never ordered anyone around like that before but Tommy took to the air and followed.
-
"Any luck, Tucker?" Sam asked the techno geek asked.
"Not really. There are a few people with that name but I need more information," he frowned as he peered at the laptop's screen.
"What more do you need to know?"
"That's just it, I don't know. Unless we can get more information the best chance we have to call all these people."
"Yeah right." The Goth sighed and fell onto the bed. Since their home had been trashed his parents and grandmother were staying at a hotel until the construction could finish but Tucker had gone home with the Mansons to find out more about Maxine's aunt. She closed her eyes and didn't open them, even when the cell phone rang.
Tucker reached over and grabbed it, balancing it between his shoulder and head as he continued typing away. "Tucker Foley, techno genius speaking, who may I ask is calling?" he asked, secretly hoping it was a girl.
"Tucker, its Danny. Is Sam with you?" came the anxious voice.
"Danny? Yeah she's here, wait let me put you on speaker." Quickly going through his phone's menu he hit the speaker option and adjusted the volume. "Where are you?"
"At the hospital. Maxine is in really bad shape and the doctors don't think she's going to make it. I need you two to come right now."
"What happened, was she in an accident?" Sam asked with great worry in her eyes.
"I'll explain when you get here just hurry." There was a click but it wasn't heard. Sam and Tucker had left the room, racing down the hall and down the stairs. They could have waited for the elevator but it was taking too long. They ignored the front desk clerk as he yelled at them not to run in the hotel and outside. The Manson's black limo was waiting to the side Sam ran over and told the driver to take them to the hospital. He nodded and once they were inside drove off. Normally the Goth didn't like riding like this but this was an emergency and the life of their newest friend was on the line.
-
Tommy watched as the doctors worked on his sister. As soon as they had found the hospital Danny changed and ran inside, yelling that he needed a doctor and that his friend had been in an accident. He knew it was risky to enter but he didn't care as he followed. A nurse took one look at the unconscious girl and ordered that a stretcher be brought to the front. He lay her down and watched as the chaos increased. He knew they wouldn't let him follow so running outside he went invisible and flew inside.
Entering the emergency room he watched as they checked her vitals, made preparations and began to survey the damage done. Looking at the doors he watched as Danny made up a story as to what happened and what he knew. So far it looked like they believed him but he didn't care as he watched the doctors and nurse work.
A machine began to read the beat of her heart and a mask was placed over her mouth to get oxygen into her lungs. A nurse came up and handing some scissors to others they began to cut at her clothes, carefully peeling them away to remove the extent of the damage. His eyes grew hard and his fists shook with suppressed anger but tears slowly raced down his face. The gash on the side of her forehead was nothing when they found more gashes hidden by her hair. The chains had left dark bruising on the outside of her arms with some slightly red marks where he assumed the seatbelts had grabbed her earlier but her legs took the most damage. They were broken in more than one place but looked to be clean breaks. Gashes covered her legs as well but as they were being wiped down nurses began to reset the bones and bind them tightly in splints. It wasn't until the head surgery dressed in mint green surgery outfit complete with hat and mask, gently ran his hands along her chest.
"Broken ribs but I can't tell what they hit," he told his co-workers. He looked alarm though when Maxine began coughing very roughly, her body jerking that it took everyone to hold her down. They had to remove the mask though when blood spurted from her mouth and nose, slowing choking on her own blood. Quickly they turned her head to the side, ignoring the blood as it split past her lips to the floor. "Get her into surgery now. We have to push the ribs back into place and repair the damage."
Tommy couldn't take it anymore and ran out. He didn't care who saw him as he went solid and ran to the front desk. "Can you save her?" he asked the head nurse.
She looked startled but wasn't sure what to tell him. "I don't know but we'll try," she said finally.
"…" He didn't buy it but he couldn't do anything but take the paper work the lady was pushing at him. Going to the lobby he sat down and began to write down all the information he knew. No doubt they would call his parents but he didn't care. If they did come he would be right here waiting for them.
Danny watched him, unsure what to say but he went and made a call at the payphone. By the time Tommy was done with the paper work Sam and Tucker had arrived. They quickly asked questions and in a low tone he told them the real story. They had no idea where Ryan went and right now that didn't matter. Hours whizzed by and before they knew it the head surgeon came in.
Tommy immediately stood and spoke with him in low tones. Whatever was said wasn't good though and it showed. The jock nodded and watched as the doctor walked off. He turned and went to them but didn't say anything. The group of three were unsure of what to do but Danny finally asked what the doctor had told him.
"… She's in a coma. Turns out her ribs broke and punctured her lungs but one went through and punctured through one of her heart's four chambers. They sewed it close but she lost a lot of blood and has a severe concussion. They don't think she's gonna make it even with blood bag they have her hooked with," he said in a low voice.
"Can we do anything to help?" Sam asked.
He shook his head and dropped his head. His shoulders shook as he cried silently, tears rolling down his face. It was an uncomfortable silence no one knew what to do or even say. Just as they were able to try and say something encouraging he lifted his head and quickly wiped the tears away. "I'm going to make Ryan pay for this!"
"Tommy wait!" Danny went after him as he made to storm out the front doors but stopped. At the front desk were his parents, still in their military garb. They were yelling at the head nurse and demanding answers, acting like arrogant fools. Tommy changed his pace and walking over to them, grabbing their shoulders and turned them around.
"Unhand me-" Matthew froze and never saw the fist coming as it flew right at him, landing in the middle of his face and smashing his nose. He hit the floor, hands clutching at his bloody nose but his wife didn't bother to help him but stared at the young man before them.
"Tommy? It can't be…" Victoria whispered.
"It is, mother. How dare you treat Maxine that way!" he hissed angrily.
"What are you talking about?" Matthew asked as he slowly stood.
"I'm talking about the abuse you've been giving her since that night! You blamed her for everything that happened, constantly belittle her, and tell her she's worthless. I was there was you slammed her just because she talked back to you," he practically growled.
The older man looked away but looked up. "It was her fault. We sent you to military school to become better people-"
"No you didn't! You only sent us there because you didn't want us around anymore! You hated the fact that your precious offspring didn't want to follow your dreams!" he accused loudly. "Even when we were little kids you always dumped us at some stupid Day Care and didn't pick us up until late in the evening. I practically raised Maxine because you two were too busy with your damn career to notice anything around you."
"We were bringing home money to buy your clothes and food you," Victoria finally snapped.
"That doesn't make you a good parent! Not once have you held us, kissed us good-night, didn't tell us how happy you were. All we ever heard was 'leave me alone', 'can't you see I'm doing something important?' or how about 'I wish you were never born'." By now everyone was watching the argument and the two military soldiers were pale and looking nervous but Tommy wasn't done.
"You know what really gets me? Every birthday Maxine was hopeful that you would at least say Happy Birthday but nothing, not even a card. Every damn year I had to watch as you two forget and just ignore us. She fell in love with Ryan because he was the only one to give her what she really wanted, love but in the end he betrayed her. I would have left years ago but I stayed because I love my baby sister." He calmed a bit but his fists were clenched so tightly they were turning white from the strain one could tell he wanted to hit them repeatedly. Instead he pointed to the front doors. "Get out."
They both blinked at him. "What?"
"Get out. Maxine is no longer your daughter and if I ever hear that you were within thirty feet of her, I'll make you wish you had never been born," he threatened.
"In case you're forgotten you can't take her with you," Victoria smirked smugly but held her face. Tommy backhanded her as hard as he could, rage in his eyes. She 'eep'ed but ran out as fast as she could. Matthew looked at him but ran out also but stopped at the doors and turned to them.
"I hope she dies then!" he yelled and ran.
Tommy made to go after him and pound him into a pulp but jumped when he heard someone yelling that was followed by a mess of doctors and nurses running down the hall. The head surgeon that had been working on Maxine ran by, looking worried. Just as Danny was about to ask what was wrong he felt the drop in temperature. A ghost was nearby but the only ghost around was Tommy. Unless-before he knew it he was running aft her doctors. He wasn't allowed in the room but he could hear what was going on from the outside.
"Code blue! She's not breathing!"
"She's flat lining."
"Give me some room!"
"Maxine…" he whispered but went stiff when he felt his ghost sense acting up once more. Looking around he barely noticed as something went up through the ceiling. Frowning he looked around and located a maintenance closet. Running up he found it locked but he wouldn't give up. Concentrating very hard managed to make his arm phase through and unlocked the door from the inside. Being as stealthy as he could he slipped inside and locked the door behind him. "I'm going ghost!" and so he did, quickly flying up and phasing through the ceiling until he reached the ceiling. "Hold it right there, Ryan!" he shouted at the struggling pair.
There were two ghosts and one of them was actually Maxine but the other was a teenager dressed in singed fatigues with jet black hair but his eyes were glowing a blood red. He currently had the girl's wrist in a very tight grip and looking up at him released a stream of fire. "Stay back!" he ordered.
"Whoa!" Danny flew out of the way but it was close to singe the bottom of his boots. "I can't do that. Wait, does that mean each ghost has different powers?"
"Let me go, Ryan! I'm not going with you anywhere!" the girl yelled, trying to pry his hand from her wrist she growled and kicked him as hard as she could between the legs. Even though they were ghosts and only certain things could hurt them you could still get hurt by another ghost. Ryan's knees buckled and he released her.
Danny actually felt pity for the guy but he had it coming. "Time for the Fenton Thermos!" he announced and brought his hands to his side but he didn't have the thermos. "I really have to get a strap for that."
The young man growled as he stood, glaring at the girl angrily. "You stupid--take this!" he yelled, hurling a fire ball at her.
"Maxine move it!" Danny yelled buts he was frozen to the spot. Flying quickly he tackled her to the side. The fireball blew up, leaving a black burnt mark where she had been standing moments ago. "That was close."
The girl blinked, finally realizing she could see with her own eyes she looked at the boy who saved her. He seemed so familiar without warning she reached a hand and gently touched his face. He looked at her and she gasped. "Danny?"
"Um-"
"It is you!"
"Yeah it's a long story but right now you gotta go back to your body!"
"My what?"
"She's not going back so bug off kid!" Another fireball was hurled but it fizzled out at the neon green shield. Growling he lunged at them but was met with a powerful attack of plasma energy that sent him crashing to the ceiling but he wasn't giving up so easily. He launched even more fireballs at the duo that there was no way Danny could get Maxine to her body.
"Think Danny where did you leave the Fenton Thermos?" he asked himself, letting loose another blast of plasma but it was burned away from the sudden shield of fire. "My locker!"
"Danny, he's getting closer!" Maxine yelled, grabbing his arm and pulling him to the side. "What are we going to do?"
"Get him to follow us."
"Are you crazy!"
"I don't see you coming up with anything!"
"Then give up!" Ryan yelled, his entire body looked like it was on fire. The two ghosts took one look at each before flying away as fast as they could. The young man stared at them dumbly before exploding. The fires around his body grew brighter and hotter he took off like a flaming comet, determined to make them pay.
-
The doctor sighed as he stepped back. "We lost her," he said in a depressed tone. He removed the paddles and shook his head. They had tried everything to get her heart to beat and they thought they had it but it went flat once more. This was part of the job that he hated the most. "Time of death?"
"11:47 pm," the nurse said as she wrote it on Maxine's file. They had worked so hard in the ER but failed. The machines were turned off and the sheet was pulled over her face. Some of them heard the argument with the parents and they were beyond mad. How a parent could say that about their child or even treat them like that was inexcusable. Everyone filed out until it was just the head surgeon and nurse in the room.
"Should I call the police?" she asked.
"Yes but ask for Officer Donaldson. I want him to come here so I can talk with him."
"What about her friends?"
"… I'll tell them but for now, just leave her alone."
"You did your best."
"But it wasn't enough." Silently they left the room and turned off the lights, closing the door behind them. Not even halfway down the hall they were bombard with questions from her friends but they took one look at his face and fell silent.
"I know saying sorry isn't enough… and we tried our best… but it wasn't enough," he said quietly, trying to pick the right words to say. "If you want, you can pay your last respects to your friend."
"Thank you," was all Tommy could manage to say before his throat closed on him.
"Would you like to call your parents in case they're worried?" the nurse asked Tucker and Sam. They nodded and she walked with them to the lobby, just trying to be some comfort for them. The doctor led Tommy to the room but left him alone.
It was hard to see his baby sister like this but no matter how hard he tried to wish it away. Maxine was dead and his parents didn't give a damn. He moved forward and pulled the sheet back from her face. She looked so peaceful, like Sleep Beauty or Snow White but he was no prince and a kiss wouldn't bring her back. He reached out, gently caressing her cheek but her skin was cool instead of warm. Pulling a chair up to the bed he sat down and took her hand in his own.
"I'm sorry Maxy, I failed you," he whispered to her. "I'm sorry I was so hard on you about Ryan. I'm sorry I never stood up to mom and dad until now. I'm sorry for leaving you alone but please, don't leave. Mom and dad will never hurt you again, you have great friends who care about you, you have a life!" Tears were falling steadily but he didn't care as he leaned over and gently kissed her forehead, still holding her hand tightly. "Please don't go."
-
Maxine grabbed her chest and fell, hitting the floor good and hard.
"Maxine!" Danny cried out in surprise and landed next to her. "What's wrong?"
"I-I don't know. All of a sudden I could feel this pain," she panted, sitting up with his help but lifting her hand she watched as it seemed to become even more transparent. "What's happening to me?"
"Try to focus on keeping your body!"
"I can't!"
"You have to just a little bit longer!"
She shook but she concentrated. Her hand grew solid but now her other hand was becoming transparent. "I'm scared, Danny!"
"Just wait here I have to go to my locker." Casper High School was closed for the day and it was dark but that was no problem for the two ghosts. They had just phased through the front doors when the girl turned solid and hit the floor. He flew down the halls, scanning the numbers before stopping at his locker. He didn't have time to spare so he quickly phased in and out with the high tech thermos in his hands. "Now to get Maxine back to the hospital."
"DANNY!" the scream echoed down the empty halls shrilly.
"Not again!" Turning intangible he flew through empty classrooms, heading straight for the entrance but he froze. The poor girl was fading away much quicker but what was worse was that Ryan had found them. The front doors had a huge melted hole but he was laughing in a crazed way. "Maxine! Concentrate!"
"I can't! Something is pulling me away!" she cried, her outline becoming hazy.
"Finally! Soon you and I will have our own little place in that host place!" Ryan laughed.
"I don't think so pal!" The halfa knew he was no much for this fire ghost but if he used the thermos on him he would suck in Maxine as well. He didn't want to risk her life but right now he had no choice. Hopefully, with her locked inside she could stay just a bit longer until he got to the hospital. "Maxine, I'm sorry but it's the only way!" Pulling off the cap he hit the button.
The gadget began to glow brightly and a bright light filled the hallway. At first nothing happened except for the light show but a very powerful suction formed and began to suck the two ghosts in. Ryan tried flying away and even threw fireballs but it was no use. With a scream of anger he vanished inside. Maxine was still trying to hold out but Danny couldn't let her suffer like this.
"You have to get inside!" the halfa yelled at her.
"No I don't ant to be with Ryan!" she cried.
"It's until I can get you back to your body! You have to trust me!"
She risked a look and whatever she saw in his eyes convinced her. She let herself be sucked inside willingly. Quickly the cap was placed on but time was not on anyone's side. Danny Phantom took off as fast as he could, phasing through buildings and cars. The life of his friend was one the line and there was no room for mistakes.