Chapter 5 – Journey

Sunday night, Danny told his mom and dad he wanted to go to bed early, to 'be well rested for school tomorrow'. He went to his room and lay down in bed. This was the time when he could concentrate and explore the ghost dimension. He looked at the clock. Eight o'clock. He closed his eyes and phased…

…space, in all directions. Nothing was below him or above him. The White Mountain was in the far distance ahead of him. He could feel the cold vacuum behind him. He turned his perspective around and tried looking for it again, but still could not see anything, like the last time. But he could sense it. Somehow, he felt Plasmius was connected to the unseen coldness. He didn't want to go in that direction yet. Not until he knew his way 'around'. He wanted to meet Plasmius prepared, if he was there.

Changing his perspective again, he launched himself towards the White Mountain. It must be very far away, because although he could feel himself traveling fast, faster than light, faster than anything, the White Mountain only slowly came closer. The last time he tried to reach it, he gave up after a long time. It felt like it had been hours and that he should phase back home. It had only been a minute! So this time…

…Hours? Days? Since he was only gone a minute last time, he thought he would ignore his normal time-sense, and go longer, trying to reach the mountain that called him. It radiated goodness and reward. And Love.

The White Mountain was getting a little closer, but still distant. For the first time, he began to notice lights around the mountain. Shimmering sparkles of different colors moved in an orbit around the summit of The Mountain.

As he got closer, he began to notice that instead of being an invisible thought, a body-less mind, he was beginning to shimmer and sparkle! He had no form, only light. He had to share this with Sam! He thought of her, and opened his vision to her.

Sam. You have to see this!

Danny?

Yes. Can you see The Mountain?

Yes! She had closed her eyes when he made contact, shutting out the last minute homework on her desk. Her desk clock said eight o'clock.

Danny, it is beautiful, but what is it?

I don't know. This is the closest I have ever come!

Danny, maybe it's dangerous…

No, I can feel it is safe, that it…cares. Can't you feel it?

No, I can see it, but I don't feel anything but you.

Now, like a tiger springing from a crouch, The Mountain suddenly loomed up. He had arrived!

The pinnacle of The Mountain had a bright sparkling light, brighter than the sun, but it did not hurt to look at it. Sam could see it too. Orbiting colors were circling, bobbing in and out, always coming close to the central brightness, but never reaching it, then withdrawing to the distance again.

Danny could feel it was safe. I am going to take a closer look.

Danny, what if you don't come back? What if you don't come back to me?

She had read about people who were near death, and had reported kind, loving bright lights that departed souls would enter. She was NOT ready for Danny to depart!

I don't think that will happen Sam. I feel like I am somehow safe. I think because I am a mutant, I can go where no other ghosts can go. I just know I will be ok. Watch!

Danny!

In Sam's bedroom, her heart stopped. She collapsed onto the floor.