For BriarLovesU
Someone in Amity dies and becomes a ghost. Danny has to help the ghost through their death. The other ghosts stop attacking to welcome and respect the moment. Meanwhile the town has to grapple with the idea that ghosts use to be human is finally clicking in their minds. (PR220)
The Lunch Lady runs a soup kitchen. (PR223)
This is hypothetically set post Face to Face, though specific knowledge of that story isn't needed. The important thing is, Danny's parents know about him being Phantom and fully accept him. His relationship with the ghost is pretty different from canon, much friendlier, since Jack and Maddie found out about him being half ghost before he's even seen another ghost and have been helping him figure out all this ghost stuff since.
Danny floated through the portal, a somber expression on his face. His heart was heavy but… he took an unnecessary breath, pausing at the edge of the island housing the portal. He could do this.
The boy's eyes drifted, taking in the Zone in front of him. It hadn't changed much since the first time he'd seen it. The same swirling green clouds, the same floating doors, the same abandoned rocks. Yeah, still pretty much the same except… the corner of his lips turned up…. One big addition.
With that, the half ghost flew forward, into the open air. There, not far in front of him, hung a large, rectangular building, suspended in space. Greenish-red brick, tall windows, and three stories high. Other than the altered color scheme, it was a perfect replica of Casper High.
Danny approached, quickly landing on the front steps. He opened the front double-doors and called. "Hey! Anyone here?"
A commotion rang out from somewhere down the hall, chattering voices, laughter, and music. The boy's ears twitched at the noises. He recognized that song.
Danny followed the voices, deeper into the building. He turned a corner, coming to the open doors of a library. He floated into the room.
"Hey Ember." He gave the rocker ghost a wave.
The fiery-haired teen looked up from where she was strumming. "Hey, Babypop." She acknowledged with a nod.
"Danny!" An excited voice called his name.
The half ghost turned, eyes lighting up. "Sidney!" He held his hand for a fist bump. "What's up?"
The monochrome ghost lifted his own hand, reciprocating the gesture. "Not much. I'm just working on the book you recommended." He held a copy of The Martian. "It's really great."
"I knew you'd like it." Danny teased.
Sidney shook his head. "Of course you did." Then he waggled his finger. "But you, buster, still have to read Out of the Silent Planet."
"I know, I know." The half ghost waved him off. "It's next on the list, I promise. School's just trying to kick my butt right now."
The full ghost's mouth ticked down slightly. "Oh yeah… I remember what that was like."
Danny gave him a sympathetic smile. "Hey don't worry. It's almost summer. Then I'll have plenty of time to dive into the mile-long book list you gave me."
That earned a chuckle from the other boy.
"Anyway." The half ghost continued. "I can't really hang around for that long so I should… uh… go ahead and deal with this." With nervous hands, he fumbled for the thermos on his belt. A pit grew in his stomach at the thought of the inhabitant.
Sidney must have picked up on the anxiety, his smile dimming. "Who'd you bring this time?"
"Oh, it's…a…." His voice quieted, tinged with sadness. "It's a little girl."
An hour earlier
Danny flew through the dark sky, a Fenton Phone in his ear.
"There's a ping about a block from you, sweetie." His mom said. "It's coming from the park, I think."
"Okay." He turned around a building, the grassy field and trees coming into view. He slowed as his ghost sense billowed out of his mouth. "I just sensed something too." His eyes flickered across the area, searching for the tell-tell glow of another ghost. His gaze fixed on… "There, in the playground."
"Can you see what it is?" His dad asked.
"Not yet." The boy drifted closer. "It doesn't feel very strong though. I'm gonna get closer."
"Be careful." Mom reminded.
Danny rolled his eyes. "I always am. Besides, this'll be easy. I'll just get it in the thermos and be home in ten…."
The boy trailed off, eyes widening. There, in front of him, was the ghost and… his mouth dried, heart sinking like a stone. There was a too long, too silent pause as he just watched. Then…
"What is it, sweetie?" The woman asked, concern leaking into her voice.
"It's… It's a kid." On the swing was a little girl with black pigtails, wearing flowery overalls. "She's… god… she's maybe six?"
Neither of his parents replied for several heartbeats. In that time, Danny just watched. The little girl swung silently, pumping her legs to lift herself higher. Her blue-tinted face wrinkled in displeasure, a far away look in her eyes.
His mom finally spoke. "Danny, do you want me and your dad to come? We can help."
Danny opened his mouth, wanting to say yes. His heart ached, threatening to break. Because… because this little girl was way too young to be… to be a ghost. He was used to dealing with animals and blobs and the occasional adult ghost. He'd even met other teens like him but… a literal child? How could… how could he do this? The boy took a breath, preparing to beg his parents to come and take over. But then…
The girl's expression shifted, clarity entering unfocused eyes. The swing's chain creaked, the movement slowing. She looked up, gaze meeting his.
Danny's core ached. There was… there was something familiar about her. "No. I can… I can help her." His voice quieted. "I need to."
"Alright, Danno." His dad replied, voice ringing with sadness despite the normally cheery nickname. "We'll be here if you need us."
"Yeah. Thanks." The boy said softly. With a nod that his parents didn't see, he moved to take out the earphone. "I…uh… I think I should… I mean, it'd be better if…"
"You don't want us in your ear?"
Danny sighed, relieved his dad picked up on what he was meaning. "Yeah."
"No problem." There was a click, his dad's line closing.
"Good luck, sweetie." Another click as his mom sighed out.
With that, Danny was alone with the little ghost girl. He straightened, feeling her eyes on him.
The boy stepped forward, offering his best attempt at a smile, despite his heavy heart. "Hey there. Can I join you?" He asked, motioning to the swing beside her.
The girl's eyes flickered from him to the empty seat. Then she nodded.
Danny took that as a yes. He carefully approached, coming to sit in the empty swing. Silence fell for a moment, the boy trying to put his thoughts in order. How did he even start trying to convince her to come with him?
He took a breath. "So, what are you doing out here so late?"
The little ghost shrugged, looking down.
"Well… I saw you swinging earlier. You were going really high, weren't you?"
That elicited a nod.
"I bet you really like the swings."
Another nod.
Danny bit his lip, nervousness flaring. He'd yet to get any words out of her. He kept trying. "I really like them too. My mom took me and my sister to this park all the time when we were little. The swings were my favorite when I was about your age." He glanced to her face. "How old are you?"
The girl opened her mouth but then closed it, looking down again.
"Come on. You can tell me." No response. "Alright, I'll guess then." Danny shrugged, forcing the corner of his mouth up. "You're… four." He guessed, deliberately low.
Her nose wrinkled in disgust.
The boy blinked, as if surprised. "I'm wrong? Is it higher or lower?" He waved a hand. "It must be higher so.. Four and a half? Or… Five?"
Danny let the words linger, his eyes brow raised, while the disgusted frown deepened.
Then, when the boy thought he'd have to try pushing again, the girl muttered. "I'm six."
The half ghost blinked, surprised. "So you do speak." He offered a teasing smile. "I was way wrong, huh?"
She crossed her arms, nodding fervently.
Danny sighed, taking pity. "I was just messing with you, ya know?" He lifted a hand to his face, rubbing his eyes. How was this so hard? They hadn't even gotten to any of the hard parts yet and he was already sucking. The boy took a breath. Maybe he should try something different. "It's just… I was worried. It's so late and I saw you out here by yourself. So… I wanted to make sure you're okay." It wasn't completely the truth but… it was a start.
The girl responded to the words, turning to look at him with tilted head. A pit started forming in the boy's stomach. He could have sworn he'd seen her before
Something in the girl's expression softened. "I'm waiting for someone."
The half ghost blinked, genuinely surprised. "Who?"
Her brow wrinkled in thought. "I don't…. I don't remember." A troubled look passed over her face.
Danny's own brow furrowed. "Do you remember how you got here?"
The girl's frown deepened. "I think… I got hurt really bad." Her eyes widened slowly. "The crosswalk was green… so I could cross the street, like my teacher said. I stepped out and…" She flinched back, a pained expression suddenly marring her face. "I… the car was goin' so fast and… I hit my head. Someone yelled and… and…" She sniffled, bursting into tears. "It got so cold… It hurt so much."
The girl's chest shook with sobs, her small frame seeming to curl in on itself. The sight sent a stab of pain through Danny's heart. His own eyes threatened to water. He… he hated this. God… he was watching a little dead girl cry and…
Another sob. And… Danny wanted to reach out and comfort her. He… he should but…. Tentatively, he stood, stepping in front of her. He bent down slightly. "Hey, it's-"
The girl threw herself forward, wrapping her arms around his neck and sobbing into his shoulder. The boy stiffened momentarily, startled. Then, he carefully wrapped his arms around her, returning the hug.
"It's gonna be okay." He whispered, trying to sooth her. "You're safe now. You're going to be okay." The boy poured all the heart, all the belief that he could into the words. He wanted to believe it. He needed to but…
His own tears were threatening to well, because…He realized where he recognized her from. It was on the local news, a story about the tragic death of an elementary schooler. The images flashed through his mind. A little girl's smiling picture. Police tape. An officer asking the public for any information about the vehicle and the driver who'd hit the girl and ran.
Gracie Watkins. That was her name. Danny had just started middle school at the time. He hadn't known her before but…
A memorial, one he'd passed everyday for weeks on the way to and from school. A fence a block from the elementary, lined with candles and teddy bears and Gracie's picture. People stopping for a long moment to leave a memento, their faces sober, eyes watering. Bowed heads, mumbled prayers. And… one of his classmates falling to her knees, weeping.
Danny remembered standing there, awkward and confused. Then… eyes widened. Lizzy Watkins. The same dark hair as the picture, the same nose. She has a sister, right? Or… his stomach dropped. She had a sister.
The knowledge had left him feeling nauseous, a pain stabbing his heart. It hurt, seeing her cry. And yet.. He was ashamed to say he'd walked away instead of even trying to offer her comfort.
Soon after, Lizzy had disappeared. According to one of her friends, the family had moved away. They couldn't bear living in that house anymore, not with their Gracie gone. And yet…
Now, Gracie's ghost was in his arms, crying into his shoulder. How long had she been here? It had been almost four years. Had she lingered, invisible and immaterial the whole time? Or did she just manifest now? He hoped for her sake it was the latter.
The girl hiccupped on a sob and Danny hugged her tighter, more confident now. "You're going to be okay, I promise." No matter what, she was here and she needed him. The boy soothingly rubbed her back, just like his Mom did to him when he cried.
Slowly, so slowly, Gracie's tears ceased. She sniffled, the sounds of her sobs quieting. After a long moment, she pulled away from him.
"Better?" Danny gently asked.
The girl whipped her nose with her hand, looking down. She nodded.
The teen let out a relieved sigh. "I feel better after crying too. Sometimes you've gotta let it out so…" He trailed off, unsure how to proceed.
Gracie looking oddly at her hand made the decision for him. "It's glowing." She wiggled her finger, as if checking that the light was in fact coming from her skin. "I feel weird."
Danny frowned at the assessment, his stomach flopping. "You're…" He hesitated. Could he tell her this? Should he tell her this? But… how could he justify not? "You're… a ghost."
She nodded, as if that explained everything. Then… she looked up, taking him in with furrowed brow. "Are you a ghost too?"
Danny blinked once, surprised. Then he nodded. "Yeah, I am."
Gracie gave an understanding hum. Then she asked. "What's your name?"
Danny blushed, sudden embarrassment and shame washing over him. "It's Danny." He couldn't believe he's forgotten to tell her who he was… or to ask her own name. "What's yours?"
The girl opened and closed her mouth, her brow wrinkling in thought. A troubled pause passed over her. Then… "I don't know."
The boy's heart ached at the words. But he still offered reassurance. "That's okay. A lot of ghosts don't remember at first either." That was true, according to what Sidney and Ember had told him. "You can figure it out later… or even pick something different."
Either way, he wasn't going to share her name from the flyers, not with the pain and confusion it was likely to cause her. Anything related to their previous life was touchy for a lot of ghosts and if she was to remember her past, it should be on her own terms and in her own time.
The ghost girl nodded. "Okay." She looked up at him. "Did you pick out a different name?"
Again, another expected question. Danny let the corner of his lip rise in a bittersweet smile. "Yeah. Some of the other ghosts call me Phantom. It's like… a last name, I guess. But my friends still call me Danny."
The girl paused at the answer, a thoughtful look on her face before she looked up at him, a sad, desperate hope shining in her eyes. "Are you my friend?"
Danny's eyes softened. "Of course. I'll be your friend if you want me to."
"I want you to be my friend." She tentatively drifted forward before wrapping her arms around him again.
The boy's heart ached. He returned the hug. "Hey, it's okay. I know… I know how you feel." He swallowed. "I got really hurt and turned into a ghost, just like you. I was really scared and sad and confused too. But things got better. My best friends and family helped me. I made new friends too, with other ghosts who helped me figure stuff out." Danny comfortingly ruffled her hair. "Do you want to meet them, some of my ghost friends?"
The girl bit her lip. "I don't know…"
"I know they'll want to meet you. And we can help. Me and my friends made a place to help people who are hurt and lost, like you. It's called the Sanctuary."
She looked up. "Sanctuary?"
Danny nodded. "Yeah. It looks like a school. There's a library with so many books. Not as many as the Ghost Writer's library but it's a comfy place to read… or listen to Ember play guitar. There's a gym to play in. I like to play basketball with Johnny but I'm sure we can find some games and toys you like." The corner of his lip turned up. "The garden is really nice. There's a bunch of rooms to sleep and rest in too. And the cafeteria… the Lunch Lady makes the best soup and grilled cheese." He patted his stomach. "It makes me hungry just thinking about it."
"I like grilled cheese." The ghost girl said tentatively.
"Yeah!" The boy patted her on the back. "What do you say? We can go, you can meet everyone. And we'll get some grilled cheese and chicken noodle soup."
The girl still looked unsure. She let go of him, stepping back tentatively. "But… I'm supposed to wait for someone. What if… they come back and I'm gone?." There was just a hint of doubt in her voice.
The words squeezed Danny's heart. He bit his lip, debating. He wanted to convince her to go with him willingly, not just suck her up in the thermos. And if she was waiting for someone who wasn't coming….
He lowered himself to kneel in front of the girl, their eyes meeting. "You've been waiting long enough. Besides, you can't stay here. Let me take you somewhere safe."
The ghost girl's eyes fixed down, her arms wrapping around herself. "They're not coming, are they?"
The boy's shoulders fell. "No, I don't think so." It hurt to say but whoever this faceless person was, one of her parents, her sister, even a friend, they didn't know that their loved one had returned as a ghost. And the thought of them seeing her, when the girl herself couldn't remember them…
Danny took a breath. "So… will you come with me?"
Listlessly, the girl nodded.
The boy frowned, opening his arms to offer another hug. It was all the comfort he could give. She stepped forward. "I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry."
After briefly convincing Gracie's ghost to let him capture her in the thermos, Danny left the park. His heart felt like it was rippling itself apart. That was… that was horrible, awful. This was… a dead child. A little girl and.. One who'd lived in his town, who he could have met before. Sorrow and anger warred in him. She was too young, way too young to die. She'd been hit by a car, a hit and run, and to his knowledge, they never figured out who ran over her. There was no justice for her, not closure for her family. But now… her spirit was in the device at his hip. And she didn't even remember her name. It wasn't fair. None of this was fair. It shouldn't have happened.
The boy rubbed his face, coming to his street. At least he'd found her and was taking her to the Zone. But… guilt swirled. He'd done so horribly, trying to comfort her. He… he sucked at this. He'd convinced her to come but… did he really make things worse, just make her more scared and sad? His sister, even his parents would have done a better job. But he… he thought he could help. He thought he could make things better. Why… why wasn't he any good at this?
Letting out a sigh, Danny let his eyes drift to the driveway. There was the GAV; it looked like his parents were back. He invisibly phased into the living room before returning to visibility.
"Mom, Dad." Both adults looked up from where they were eating a post-patrol snack. He gently shook the thermos. "I've got her."
A pained expression crossed his mom's face. "How did it go?"
The boy shrugged sadly. "Okay, I guess. I…" He rubbed his face. "It was Gracie Watkins. I don't know if you remember but… the first grader who died in a hit and run four years ago."
Both his parents' eyes widened. Grieved looks passed over both their faces. "Oh, Danno, I'm so sorry, son." His dad tried to comfort.
The boy shook his head. "Just…it was a kid and… and someone who lived here. She didn't… she didn't even remember her name." He lowered himself in the air, now just floating just inches above the ground.
The woman reached out to hug him. "I'm glad you found her, then."
Danny's eyes fixed down. "Yeah." He lightly returned the hug before pulling away. He wiped his watering eyes. "I'm gonna take her to the Sanctuary. Hopefully I'll be back soon."
"Bye sweetie." "See you later son." Both of his parents offered parting words.
The boy waved listlessly. With that, he floated down the lab stairs and into the portal.
Back in the Sanctuary, Danny uncapped the thermos and pressed the release button. Blue light shot forth, leaving the pig-tailed ghost girl sprawled on the floor.
The half ghost floated forward, Sidney at his side. "Hey there."
The girl looked up, blinking as she took in her surroundings. "Where am I?"
"This is the Sanctuary." Danny asked, offering his hand. The ghost took it, letting herself be pulled to her feet. Danny then motioned to the glasses-wearing boy. "This is my friend, Sidney."
"Hello." The nerd smiled. "Danny said you're from Amity Park too."
The girl nodded, even if she sounded unsure. "I think so?"
Sidney gave her a sympathetic look. "It's still a little fuzzy, isn't it? That's alright. It takes a bit for things to come back. But I know you'll remember soon."
The little ghost seemed comforted by the words, her shoulders relaxing ever so slightly.
Danny let his own muscles untense at the reaction. He turned to Sidney. "Is the Lunch Lady here?"
The nerd nodded. "The last I checked, she was in the cafeteria, like always."
"Alright." The half ghost looked down, addressing the little girl. "What do you say we go get that grilled cheese I was talking about?"
The six-year old nodded. "We can get some soup too? And… can Mr. Sidney come?" She looked down, suddenly shy.
The monochrome teen chuckled. "Of course." He offered a hand which the girl took.
With that, the trio floated out of the library and down the hall, the younger between the teens and holding each of their hands. They passed a corner and the cafeteria came into view.
"Oh. Do you smell that?" Sidney said, eyes widening in excitement. "Someone's cooking up something special."
The little ghost perked up a little at the words, eyes drifting from the floor to the door. The two ghosts and half human passed over the threshold.
Danny's gaze flickered around the room, empty except for the Box Ghost, before landing on the kitchen window. "Lunch Lady?" He called, getting the ghost's attention.
She turned around from where she was cutting up vegetables. "Well, good afternoon, Phantom. Sidney." She gave a friendly greeting. Then, her eyes widened, expression softening. "Who do we have here?"
The half ghost's heart lurched at the question. "Uh… a new ghost. I found her in Amity."
Sadness flickered across her face for just a moment before the soft, friendly smile returned. "What's your name, little missy?" She asked.
The little ghost wrinkled her nose, shoulders falling. "Don't remember." She muttered.
The Lunch Lady floated closer to the window while the trio also approached. "Well that's just fine. You'll remember soon enough. Now," She bent down slightly, more at eyes level with the little girl. "What can I get you, sweetheart?"
"Grilled cheese?" The child asked, hopefully.
The old woman chuckled. "Of course." She leaned through the window, patting the girl's head. "Oh, you're a cheddar and provolone gal, I see. Golden brown bread. And… chicken soup." She hummed, eyes moving up to the two teens. "I'll get you boys some sandwiches too." She stood, waving them off. "Go sit down. I'll bring it to you."
Danny smiled, already drifting towards the table. "You're the best, Lunchy."
"I know. I know." She waved her hand again. "Now, shoo. I have work to do."
The trio of young ghosts floated through the chairs, quickly approaching a certain blue skinned ghost in the back of the room. Danny picked a seat, lowering into it and motioning the little girl to do the same.
She sat, before frowning up at him. "She touched my head and…. said how I like my grilled cheese. How did she know?"
"That's her gift." A man's voice said. Danny turned to find the Box Ghost moving from his table to theirs, taking the seat across from the youngest ghost. "The Lady makes the best food, 'cause she always knows exactly how someone likes their food. Like how they like their eggs or their favorite grilled cheese."
The little girl's eyes widened, slightly. "Really?" She asked, a little awed.
The man nodded enthusiastically. "She's the best cook in this part of the Zone. Getting to have her own kitchen here and feed folks makes her so happy."
Danny let the corner of his mouth turn up. "Yeah. I'm happy she's happy." Considering how badly things had gone in their first meeting, the half ghost was glad she agreed to work with him on The Sanctuary. "Plus, she does make the best food."
The statement just seemed to make the younger ghost more eager. She squirmed in her seat, glancing back at the kitchen window.
The half ghost decided to change the subject. "So Boxy, got any cool new boxes?"
That got the girl's attention. "Boxy?" She tilted her head at the blue-skinned man.
"Box Ghost." Sidney elaborated.
"That's the terrifying, fearsome Box Ghost to you." He lifted his hands, summoning boxes out of thin air. " My might is unparalleled! The world will tremble at its corrugated cardboard doom!" He curled his fingers as if they were claws, laughing faux evilly. "Beware!"
The two teens both chuckled. At the same time, the corner of the little girl's lips turned up.
"You laugh at I, the menacing Box Ghost?!" The overall-wearing ghost pointed at the two teens. "You'll face my cubical wrath!"
With a wave, Boxy sent boxes right into both of the boys. The empty cardboard lightly hit Danny's chest and the boy threw himself backwards, exaggeratedly falling out of his chair. He sprawled on the floor as more boxes landed on him.
The half ghost fought back a laugh. "I've been bested! Oh, truly horrifying Box Ghost, mercy! Have mercy!" He held up his hands, surrendering. A box landed squarely over his head. "Hey!"
The little girl let out a giggle. Danny's eyes widened. He quickly lifted the cardboard blocking his vision and his gaze fell on the youngest ghost. She was looking down, lips pressed closed but her cheeks quickly turning green in a blush.
The Box Ghost grinned. "Someone appreciates my magnificent cubes." He held up a finger. "I have just the box for you."
With another wave, he summoned a new box. This one was covered with brightly colored flowers and butterflies with a crank at the side. "I got this one from a ghost at the edge of the Barrens. Her name's Dolly. She collects, fixes, and makes toys. I traded a whole box of antique toy cars for this beauty." He rubbed the side of the box. "That's the incredible thing about boxes. Anything could be inside. Old toys, books, family photos, someone's insect collection. It's a mystery." The blue-skin ghost looked down at the little girl, his grin softening. "Do you wanna see what's inside?"
The young ghost nodded excitedly.
The Box Ghost turned the crank. A song started playing. Pop goes the Weasel, Danny realized. The music ramped up, happy and energetic. Boxy kept turning the handle, a quiet mechanical whirring just below the nursery rhyme. A soft hum sounded beside the half ghost.
"All around the mulberry bush," Danny turned to the side; Sidney was softly singing along.
The modern teen smiled, mouthing the words himself. "The monkey chased the weasel."
He braced, excitingly watching the little ghost girl for her reaction to the next part. But…
'The mon..key… thought…' Danny's mind supplied the words, even as the tone wound down instead of up. 'it was aw…fully fun…'
The song whirled to the stop. Danny looked to Sidney, both's brows starting to wrinkle. Then-
"POP!" Something fuzzy sprung out of the box.
Both teens and the girl flinched back at the surprise. Then, the little ghost burst out laughing.
"Goes the Weasel!" Boxy sang the last part, loud and off key. The girl just giggled harder.
The Box Ghost beamed proudly. "Isn't it great?" He held the box out to her. "You don't see many unicorns in the box, huh?"
The girl took the toy, rubbing the stuffed animal with one hand. "It's so pretty. And soft."
The Box Ghost gently patted her on the back. "Why don't you give it a try?"
The girl lowered the lid, slowly turning the crank. The song played and… Pop! She giggled as the unicorn popped up again.
"Sounds like someone's having fun." The Lunch Lady's voice interrupted the scene.
"Look!" The little girl held up the Unicorn-in-the-Box. "Boxy gave it to me."
The older woman looked at the Box Ghost proudly. "That's a beautiful find, Charlie."
"Not a beautiful as you, Ms. Georgia." Boxy (the apparently named Charlie?) said fondly.
The Lunch Lady blushed. "You spoil me, hon." She bent down, placing the tray on the table. She motioned to the pot of soup as she spoke right next to Boxy's ear. "This has those blue-sparkly carrots you brought me. I still can't believe you found a delicacy like that and brought it to little old me."
"Of course, I did. You deserve the best." The man answered, eyes still soft and fond.
Lunchy blushed again, sitting down. She leaned to the side, giving him a peck on the cheek. "Well, thank you, dear."
Danny just stared at the exchange, blinking. He slowly looked at Sidney, pointing at the couple(?). "How long have they…"
The ghost nerd shrugged, looking just as surprised as Danny.
"Stop gawking, you two." Lunchy (Georgia?) chastised. "Let's eat."
She passed out bowls, giving a square one to Charlie who grinned at the dish. Grilled cheese sandwiches were handed out as well and the group ate in quiet discussion.
"Favorite food?" Charlie asked.
The little ghost stared at her half eaten sandwich, stars in her eyes. "This is the best thing ever."
Georgia laughed, bopping her on the nose. "Well, I did make it just for you, little Missy."
The girl wolfed down the rest of the sandwich, eagerly starting on the soup.
"Slow down." The man chastised, even still chuckling.
The youngest ghost lowered the bowl, nodding in answer. Soup spilled down her chin.
Georgia clicked her tongue, wiping the girl's face with her apron. "And that's why you slow down."
The two adults asked the little girl other questions. About her favorite color, animal, toys. Any topic they seemed to think off. Danny stayed for what was probably far too long, asking his own questions but mainly watching and listening. He smiled softly at the interactions.
The girl's head nodded, eyes blinking tiredly.
"Someone's getting sleepy." Charlie said.
"Na, 'm not." She muttered.
Georgia chuckled. "Sure you're not, sleepyhead."
Charlie stood, gently picking up the little ghost. And Danny's heart squeezed again, but for a more pleasant reason than it had earlier.
"Let's get you to bed, Missy." Lunchy said, patting the child on the back.
"Missy?" The girl muttered. "Tat'sa name, right? I like it."
Boxy ruffled her hair. "Well, talk about it in the morning."
The two adults floated off, carrying the girl off. Georgia lingered in the doorway of the cafeteria, looking back as the two teens. "Thank you for bringing her here." She smiled softly. "Now, you should be home, sonny. I'm sure your folks are worried."
With that, the woman disappeared. Danny stared after for a long moment, his eyes starting to water again but for a different reason. Maybe it was exhaustion. It was late and it had been a hard day. But… he breathed out, a knot of worry uncurling in his chest.
His friend floated forward, putting a comforting arm around him in a side hug. "I think she's gonna be okay."
Danny turned to Sidney, a relieved, hopeful light in his eyes. "Yeah, I think so too."
