A little late this afternoon, I know. This chapter starts off with Val finding an article on the possibility of halfas, the same article mentioned though not shown in Jack's Wish.

The next period was a free period, which was good for Valerie. She needed some time to think. It's not every day you find out you've been hunting your friend, who's actually the ghost you vowed to destroy. This makes no sense though, how can he be a ghost and a human at the same time? She had an idea and went to the teacher monitoring them. "Can I please go to the computer lab? I want to do some research on ghosts." The teacher gave her an odd look, but let her go anyways.

"Now, let's see what I can find out about ghost genes." She got onto the internet and did a search for websites on ghosts. After about half an hour, she found an interesting article.

A ghost in Wisconsin is believed to only be half dead, being able to have a human form as well. After a ghost attack on a nearby town, police officials found a glowing hair. After extensive research, the hair was found to contain human DNA as well as ghost DNA. The DNA, however, was so saturated with ghost DNA that it was impossible to find a positive match for it.

It is believed that said ghost is able to blend in with normal humans, but is easily distinguishable by the following signs:

-Showing up on ghost radar even in human mode

-Eyes that sometimes inexplicably change colors

-Getting nervous around ghost hunters

-Living in places with many ghost attacks

-Being able to get out of any physical situation fairly easily, like they're invisible.

In Ghost form, it is believed that the following signs can be seen:


-A human or humanoid appearance

-Emotions that seem human instead of ghost

-The ability to get to places even inside of ghost shields

-Unusual ghostly abilities.

It is estimated that there are between 1 and 10 "halfas" as they've been called by other ghosts living in the United States. Not much is known because they are rare and hide their identities well.

Valerie stared at the article before printing it off. She read over the signs a few more times. I don't know too much, but Danny does seem to have many of these signs. Though he's never nervous around his parents. Maybe he told them as well? Then he probably told Jazz too, she's so protective. She then glanced at the last paragraph.

It is unknown how ghost powers are acquired, though it is widely believed by experts in the field that a large amount of ectoplasmic energy is required.

Valerie gasped. Her mind raced back to a year ago, when Danny had been absent from school because of an accident in his parents' lab. It was rumored that he'd been struck by so much energy that he refused to leave bed for a few days. That would be it! It all fits together now! Danny got zapped, became half ghost, and is hiding it! Sam and Tucker were at the accident, so they know. There's no way Danny kept his secret from his parents this long, so they know. Jazz probably figured it out on her own like me. But is he good, or evil? On one hand, he's constantly saving lives, but on the other, he kidnapped the mayor and destroyed my dad's job.

She sat there, perplexed in her own thoughts until the bell rang to go to her next class. As she walked out of the lab, she ran right into Danny. "Sorry, didn't mean to…what's that?"

"I'm sorry, I can't tell you. You wouldn't understand." She quickly put the article in her backpack.

"I can't understand if you don't tell me either, Val. Something's been bothering you, and I want to know what it is."

"I'm sorry Danny, I want to tell you, but I can't. Maybe I'll be able to eventually, but not today." She walked past him, heading for her next class, art.

When she made it there, she learned they were painting a picture that symbolized an exciting moment they had that day. Like they can read my mind, almost. That's creepy. Still, she got started on her painting. It was a picture of a hallway, exactly the same on both sides. Rows upon rows of lockers, with nothing out of place. The only thing that made it unusual was her color choice. One side of the hallway was in light blues, and the other in vibrant greens. The border around the picture was a simple line, half white and half black.

"Miss Gray, what exciting moment have you painted?" The teacher asked. She glanced over at him, trying to think of something that wasn't the whole truth, but wasn't a lie either.

"When the ghost kidnapped Danny. I was scared." At least, that's what I thought it was until that moment. She looked at the picture, it was one of the best she'd ever done, for somebody not all that into art. Watercolors were one of her favorite art mediums, because it dried quickly and never smudged. It never ruined clothes and you could mix any color. She remembered the last time she'd done a painting in watercolors. It was shortly after her father's job was ruined. It was a picture of a ghost, done in reds and blacks. She had it in her room. Now, it doesn't seem as good as it did then. Now that I know my friend.

A short chapter, I know. Check back tomorrow!