Chapter 11: Goodbye

The shadows danced lazily over the KFC parking lot, most of the overhead lights in need of replacement. Joed Bimm, the evening fry cook, wandered down to his Maverick regretting that he hadn't park closer to one of the working parking lights. He had had chills running up his spine for the last hour as he closed up the restaurant. It was as if someone was watching him. It was truly a foreboding feeling that made his steps rushed and his hands unstable as he pulled out his keys, trying to unlock the car door quickly. He didn't consider himself a paranoid soul, but tonight just felt different ... It was as if something was in the air. And he wasn't referring to the ash from the Fenton's house a few blocks over. That had settled weeks ago.

Crash! Meow!

Clink!

Joed dropped his keys in surprise and looked in the direction of the ruckus. In the alley flickered an unsteady lamppost giving the night a sinister look. Its ghostly glare brightened momentarily to reveal a cat that was now running from the scene. The fry cook sighed heavily and leaned down to get his keys … Unfortunately, they were gone. It was just empty cement.

He blinked twice trying to understand where they had gone.

Swallowing roughly, ignoring the chill running up his spine, Bimm grumbled to himself as he tried to clear his head. "Calm down. It was just a cat and the keys probably fell under the car."

Despite the choking feeling in his throat, Joed slowly got onto his knees and peered underneath the vehicle. There were his keys, blessedly, but there was something else. A blob of black as if there was a shadow under his car.

Squinting, hoping to god something hadn't fallen off again like the muffler, the cook resisted the urge to sob. He had had a long day. Why couldn't it just be over?

Releasing a breath, hating himself for not charging his phone properly, Joed got a minor reprieve when the normally dead parking lot light near his car flickered to life, illuminated the situation.

He immediately regretted it ... because the young man now could see just what was underneath the car. A choked scream immediately escaped Joed's lips as he fell backward onto the pavement, the cook crab-walking backward as the thing under his car met his gaze.

The dark bulk under the vehicle seemed amused by this. It even smiled with all its sharklike teeth. Then, as if it was throwing it limbs forward, it started crawling after Joed leaving an inky stain behind itself as clumps of charred skin and flesh slowly peeled off against the pavement. The thing's legs were apparently useless. Despite all this, the crawling figure chuckled, black blood trickling passed his lips.

Joed could only sit there on his ass, petrified. He couldn't move. He couldn't think! He could barely breathe. What was this thing?

The beast was finally close enough to reach a charred hand forward, grabbing Joed's ankle. The young man cried out in pain as flames suddenly bit at his flesh. The creature only laughed throatily at this and pulled itself above Joed, running a decaying hand over the young man's cheek. It smiled once more and spoke through gurgling black blood, "Youthfulness is wasted on you. I didn't want you, but you'll do for now."

"Wha … What are you?" whimpered the fry cook as the creature's blood sprinkled over his face.

A wicked smile spread across the disfigured face, the skin seemingly borrowed.

"What am I you ask?" It mocked as the monster's flesh started to melt and slide onto the ground in clumps, the flesh itself sizzling and burning seemingly from within. " … I'm your end."

A hollow scream erupted across the empty parking lot as the demon wrapped its hands around Joed's waist suddenly dragging him under the vehicle. The sound of ripping flesh and snapping bone soon escaped from under the vehicle as it rocked back and forth, gargled screams ending as quickly as they began. The silence was then restored, a pool of blood seeping from under the vehicle.

Then, once all was still, a blooded hand slapped out from underneath the car and slowly Joed emerged from under the metal machine. A huge, bloody hole now rested where the man's heart had been, broken rib revealed for all to see.

Gleefully, the injury apparently not hindering the body, the body of Bimm lifted his head and cackled, revealing his newly acquired shark-like teeth and cold, black eyes.

"Here I come, ghost child."

…

Vlad watched his godchild squirm in his sleep, whimpering softly.

"Must be another nightmare," whispered the billionaire as he halted his packing and walked over to the struggling teen. He looked down on his godchild's sweaty brow and flickering eyelids. He didn't want the youth suffering unnecessarily so he shook Danny's shoulder and spoke in a loud whisper. "Daniel, wake up."

The teenager merely squirmed away from his touch and whispered something about KFC.

"Why are teenagers always hungry?" grumbled Vlad to himself, trying to remember if he dreamed of fried chicken when he was a teenager or not.

Danny merely groaned in reply before he twisted away from the touch again, a whisper about 'blood' escaping Danny's lips as he tangled into his blankets.

Vlad rolled his eyes at the reaction. Yeah, he was done with this. Teenagers will sleep forever if you let them. So, grabbing onto the blankets, the bachelor gave a mighty tug that nearly threw Danny out of bed like a lost Cheeto from a midnight snack.

The teenager barked in surprise, flailing for a moment before he asked in a frightened tone, "Where's Joed?"

"Joed?" questioned his godfather as he balled up the sheet he was holding. "Is he a nurse or something?"

"What? No! The fire demon –"

The teenager regretted the words as soon as they escaped him, his throat locking up. He had never mentioned the demon to Vlad. To think of it … why was he dreaming about that accursed monster? Danny threw a sideways glance at the bandages around his arm. Maybe Tucker was right. Maybe his arm was cursed.

Vlad watched carefully as Daniel shut down. Demon huh? That didn't sound good, especially with the multitude of dream-invading ghosts that existed. Vlad himself had had a run-in with one or two.

Throwing the sheet onto the spare chair, Vlad asked simply, "What was this demon you were speaking about? Should I be concerned?"

The teenager's head shot up in surprise, his eyes widening. Immediately, the teen wondered if he should tell Vlad. If he did, would his godfather believe him or would he just be enraged at his lack of skill in protecting his own family?

Danny swallowed. Given Vlad's reaction to the Tucker incident, he'd keep that information to himself. He didn't need anti-depressants and shrinks. He wasn't that unbalanced. So, Danny found himself lying, "It was a movie … The Demon Lord. Yeah … It must have given me a nightmare or something."

The youth finished his lie off with a rather tired smile, his insides feeling tight. Had he been around Vlad long enough that he was becoming a lair like the billionaire? Or had he always been a lair?

Vlad's eyes gained a cool glint. He knew Daniel was lying. There was no doubt about that. He was an expert at misdirection while Danny obviously wasn't. The real question though was why? Why lie about such a thing? Knowing that boy, he was probably embarrassed or too proud. Whatever the reason, Vlad supposed, he would find out in time if it was important. Danny wasn't very good at keeping secrets.

And so he put the first crack in the child's lie, saying simply, "When you want to tell me the truth. I will listen."

Vlad then walked to the nearby mirror and straightened his tie as if the conversation was ultimately meaningless. Danny could only stare at his godfather with a shocked expression, one thought in his mind: Vlad was just like Jazz. They both could seemingly read his mind.

Turning his back to his godfather, Danny swallowed heavily. He was going to spill about everything if Vlad started acting like Jazz all the time. Jazz had always known when he was lying which was followed up by some psychobabble. In fact, whenever he had held something from her she wouldn't pry too much. No, she'd do something even more horrible: she'd wait. She'd wait like a hawk ready to dive on its prey.

With a somber expression, Vlad continued to watch his godson in the reflection of the mirror. The child was fidgeting like a caged animal. Beside himself, Vlad couldn't help but smile. Daniel was so easy to play and Vlad did enjoy a good mind game from time to time. Why he hadn't thought of this sooner was beyond him, but from now on that would be his leverage. It wasn't like they could resort to battles anymore.

Danny twitched some more. He could just feel Vlad staring at this back, prying into his very soul. Ugh! He had to say something.

Turning around, ready to blurt out the first thing he thought of no matter how stupid, the youth stalled when he saw some luggage on the second bed. Unable to stop himself, the youth murmured, "Vlad what's with the suitcase?"

"We're leaving. You are stable enough to be released from the hospital," said the billionaire simply, feeling a bit put out by Danny's sudden change of conversation.

"… Oh, yes … I guess it was bound to happen," whispered Danny more to himself than his godfather, the teen suddenly looking like a half-drowned puppy.

Allowing a moment of silence to pass over the room, Masters nodded as he spoke in a business-like tone, "Yes, I'm sure you'll be happy to leave. Now, start getting dressed. I purchased some more clothes for you. They are in the luggage. And, if you want, we can go out for breakfast and then … we can go visit your family's graves. Does that sound alright to you?"

Danny looked up at him, trying to void his face of sorrow as he asked, "Can we go see Tucker and Sam as well?"

"Of course. Now get dressed. Panda pajamas might clash in a public setting," chuckled Vlad. He himself had bought those on a quick shopping trip that included much size guessing, and he was half surprised Danny actually wore them. Not that the teenager had much of a choice.

Danny blushed and looked down at his nightshirt: cute cuddly pandas abound. Danny looked up at the other halfa with a glare. It was dark last night and he hadn't even noticed. Vlad probably knew he wouldn't notice so that's why he bought them. A familiar but not so vengeful rage filled his stomach as he growled, "Vlad, you're a jerk! From this day forward I shall never wear anything you buy me again!"

"Then I hope you like going in the nude!" laughed Vlad as he left the room, calling back, "Also, everything in the suitcase is pastel. Good luck!"

Danny threw a spare shoe at the quickly closing door and vowed to himself, as he took off the panda shirt, that he'd take a second look at that revenge list of his. He probably wouldn't kill Vlad but petty revenge was in order. The teenager huffed and then stared at the nightshirt, a snort escaping him and then a hearty laugh.

It was kind of funny.

…

The weeping willow's branches grazed softly against Smith's cheeks as he sat amongst the tree's ancient branches like a haggard crow. He was watching Danny and Vlad get ready to depart from the hospital. He sighed and looked to the north. He was waiting.

Finally, as if answering a mental call, Gibgit came flying his way.

Once the eyeball had landed upon one of the branches, Smith spoke softly, "It seems our young phantom is on the move, and we still haven't figured out what our flaming fiend has planned for him. So …"

Smith halted and stared at the limo below them.

"So what Master?" asked the eyeball as he looked through the hospital window at the two figures.

"Get your bags packed. We're going on a little trip," murmured Smith as a coy smile spread over the lawyer's face, a plan forming in the back of his head.

"But I don't have any bags," whispered the eyeball as he watched Smith leap to the ground, the man jogging smoothly over to the limo.

…

"Good afternoon Mr. Masters. How are you feeling today?" asked the limo driver, his hat tipped over his eyes as he opened the limo's door. He then caught sight of Danny and smiled coyly, "And how about you, young sir?"

Danny promptly turned to the limo driver in front of him. He kind of looked familiar. Not that he could see the man's entire face but he just reminded Danny of someone he didn't quite trust. Yet, for some reason, he didn't feel compelled to really question the man.

And so they sat in the car, Danny taking a seat on the opposite side of the limo facing Vlad. The teenager rubbed his hands together nervously. This was the first time since the funeral that he had visited the graveyard. The juddering in his stomach was unnerving, but that was nothing compared to the chaos in his heart.

Vlad merely sat there silently watching his godchild struggle against his inner demons. He wanted to say something, but was there really anything he could say to make it better?

The billionaire closed his eyes and tried to think of something to say. The picture Daniel had found in the Fenton house rubble flashed before him. He knew what needed to be said and done.

"Daniel?"

The teenager took a nervous glance up from the floor. "Yeah?"

"A person should be remembered for how they lived their life … not how they died," said the man softly, opening his eyes. "I wish I could say more than that, but there is no greater truth about death. We live and we die. I wish that the pain that comes with it could be taken away, but if it wasn't painful then we'd never know how much we truly loved that person. Sorrow and love go hand in hand."

Vlad stared down at the unusually still teen and continued, "If you ever need to talk or just some company, I'll be there for you. I am your godfather after all."

Danny felt tears prickle at his eyes. Why was Vlad being so cordial? It had to be a trap or a test or something.

The bachelor got up from his seat and sat down beside Danny, handing him the hankie from his suit pocket. "What I'm trying to say is … that we should go to the Fenton house as well before they clear the lot. That's where they lived. It may help you say goodbye."

Danny said nothing. He just buried his head in his hands and whimpered. Vlad put a calming hand on the youth's shoulder in reaction and then called out to the driver, "Driver. Please go down this next street. Daniel and I need to say goodbye."

...

The Fenton house soon loomed over them, already piled neatly and half-cleared. Danny's wet eyes stared with desperation as the ashes blew over his new shoes. Inside he was a hurricane of different feelings, but he refused to make a sound. Instead, he bowed his head and whispered, "I'd like a moment alone … If you wouldn't mind."

Vlad looked at his godchild, raising a brow at the cold tone. Nonetheless, he said, "Of course. When you're ready, I'll be waiting by the limo."

The godfather then walked away, using all his self-restraint not to comfort his godson. The boy needed to be alone to say his own goodbyes. Vlad had already said his. It was Daniel's turn.

The billionaire took one more look at the rubble and the teenager that stood before it. He sighed and opened the door, whispering to himself, "What really happened here? One day you will tell me, Daniel. I know there is more than a lab fire behind this."

Vlad expected no reply to his whisper. So he nearly jumped when someone replied, "That probably is true, but the bigger question is if you need to know?"

Immediately, Masters straightened up his spine and turned to look at the open driver's window. It was the limo driver that had spoken to him. For some reason, the driver's name was escaping him. It was as if he didn't remember hiring him.

Pushing away from the strange feeling, Vlad stating simply, "You are not being paid to eavesdrop."

"No, I'm not," said the driver simply. "I just thought you'd like some friendly advice. I'm sure he'll tell you if you need to know."

Vlad now glared at the driver but said nothing as he looked back at his godson. He hoped the boy wouldn't be so hopelessly broken forever. He had so much potential.

Danny, of course, didn't care what Vlad thought. He merely stood there before the rubble, feeling tremors run up and down his spine. There were so many things he wanted to say and do, but he couldn't think of one. So, instead, he just swallowed all those feelings. Right now there was only one thing he could do and even that felt hollow, "Goodbye."

The word seemly floated on the wind, hopefully going where it needed to.

Danny took one more longing look at his burnt home. This was his past. This was him. He could only pray his future wasn't to become Dan. So far … things weren't matching up. It was months after the event at the Nasty Burger. He also didn't have any powers and his arm wasn't supposed to be cursed.

He might survive this without becoming Dan.

Hopefully.

Giving a forlorn smile to his old home, Danny turned and looked at the limo. This was his future now no matter how much he wanted the old life back. He'd just have to learn to put up with old Vlad.

Wiping a lone tear from his cheek, the teenager walked over to the limo, sat down, and closed the door without saying a word.

"Are you ready to go to Maple Woods Cemetery?" asked Vlad, feeling the tension in the air as he sat down as well, the car engine starting.

"No … I've already said my goodbyes," hoarsely replied Danny as he looked up at his godfather, tears streaming down his face noiselessly. "I'm ready to go home. Wherever that is now."

Vlad nodded in acceptance and told the driver their new route. The two of them had their differences, but they were all each other had. They were family now.

Meanwhile, watching the conversation in the rear mirror, the limo driver pushed the silver button which brought up a privacy window between them, giving the two halfas some personal time. It was rude to intrude in other's sorrow.

"This is going well so far," whispered the driver to seemingly himself. "Vlad Masters will hopefully protect that kid with his very life as if Danny was his own son. Wouldn't you agree Gibgit?"

"Yes master," whimpered the small eyeball as it peered from under a black jacket in the passenger seat, "I would agree."

The limo driver tilted his hat revealing the features of Smith.

"Things are going well so far. Let's just hope that no one unpleasant follows, but I've known our flaming friend too long. He just doesn't give up without a chase."

…

Joed's body held no breath and his flesh had taken on a sickening yellow color. And yet his black eyes glistened hungrily as he watched the limo drive away from the Fenton's ruins.

The demon, as if amused, parted its lips and grinned, "Where do you think you're going, ghost child? Because wherever you go, I'll be there to knock you down."

The sinister being chuckled wickedly and brought his bony digits forward. A semi engine roared to life, bloody keys swinging back and forth in the ignition. He then grabbed the '# 1 trucker' cap off the corpse beside him and with a lurch, the semi started after its prey.

Nothing is better than a chase after all.

XXX

Paw07: Sorry if it was a bit slow, but angst. Anyway, the next chapter should be fun.

Edit: Added about 600 words to this chapter. Not much was changed. Details were merely added.

(Revisions September 2020)