Sorry for the wait guys! Going to be honest here: this was a pain to write. I tried so hard to get the characters, uh, in character and I hope I did okay. Danny was especially difficult to get right. I've had to split it into two parts as well. This first chapter has mostly Anna-belle's POV, while the next one is pretty much all Vlad's and Danny's POV, and will be out by the weekend judging by my uni schedule.
Alright, alright. Lets get to it...
Breathing in deep and holding my breath, I pulled the string back and sighted down the length of the arrow. Moving the two fingers on my right hand, the arrow flew true and landed on the yellow. Pulling another arrow from the quiver on my hip, I set it carefully down on the basic bow. Wearing the navy blue dress that reaches to my knees – black ballet flats kicked off at the door – was probably not the best thing to wear while practising. Not wearing any safety equipment, leaving my sleeveless arms bare, is probably not a good idea either. Eh.
The house had been busy all day with people coming and going to set up for the college reunion tomorrow. Sebastian and Sage had been around making sure all of the needed rooms are prepared. Matthew had extra hands in the kitchen to help him prepare the meals for the two hundred or so guests. I had offered to help in the kitchen, however, due to past events, both Vlad and Matthew had adamantly declined my offer.
It wasn't my fault that the sugar and salt got switched when I made cookies.
Any way. Vlad hadn't told me much about the guests staying overnight. The only indication was the three guest rooms being prepared. So, maybe three people staying over. Or, six people. Eh, I'll just have to wait. I was planning of staying out of the way most of the weekend. Hence, why I'm here instead of out in the entranceway waiting for the guests. Releasing the arrow, it hits in the red. Pouting, I check the clock on the wall before picking another arrow.
It's getting close to dinner so they should be getting here any minute.
"Sir?" Sebastian's voice came through the door to the study.
"Yes?"
"Your guests have arrived."
"Thank you, Sebastian," I say finishing up some paperwork. This weekend will be fairly busy, so I had been doing most of it this afternoon. The only thing that I had been looking forward to in this whole weekend, is having Maddie around. It has been years since I have last caught up with either Maddie or Jack.
Oh, Butter Biscuits! I knew that I had forgotten something! I had planned to send the vultures out to kill that fat oaf. Alas, Anna-belle distracted me enough that I had completely forgotten! Hmm, perhaps I could just send them after him tonight.
Making my way to the entrance, I kept an eye out for Anna-belle. I did tell her that she should be around to greet our guests, although she didn't really seem to like the idea. It's a little odd. She gets nervous any time she meets new people, but then warms up to them quite quickly. As expected, she wasn't in the entrance. Most likely being in the archery range. She spends a ridiculous amount of time in there.
I stood in the doorway watching as the Fentons got out of their ridiculous looking vehicle. My eyes were practically glued to Maddie, the love of my life. I briefly glanced at their two children, Jasmine and Daniel, and barely bothered with the oaf Jack. Reigning in my emotions for now, I stepped out and greeted the family.
"Jack; And Maddie. You've never looked lovelier, my dear. Please, please, come in," I say ushering in Maddie and her children.
"Vladdie, my man. It's good t-" I cut Jack off as let the door slam shut on his face. Smirking to myself, I could hear him trying to get in. The three Fentons inside were currently looking around my grand entrance. Still no Anna-belle.
"What's with the green and gold? You're a billionaire. Surely you could afford an interior designer," the girl Jasmine observed.
"Jazz, hello? Football helmets, jerseys, cheese-heads. He's a Packer's fanatic," Daniel said happily showing off to his big sister.
"Oh, fanatic is such a negative word," I say ruffling the boy's raven black hair. "But yes."
"But I don't understand," the girl continued. "You have billions of dollars. Instead of buying this stuff, why don't you just buy the team?"
"Because the Packer's are owned by the city of Green Bay and they won't sell them to me," I say grumpily. Realising my outburst, I quickly straightened up and leaned to Maddie. "One of two things my wealth has not, as of yet, been able to acquire."
She just smiled meekly up at me as I heard the children talk with my enhanced hearing.
"Is he hitting on mom?" the boy asked dead on.
"As long as he has working toilets and mom says no, who cares," his sister brushed off.
"I, uh, better let Jack in," Maddie told me.
"Wow, cool!" Daniel said looking at a signed football.
"This is my prize possession," I say picking up the ball.
Just as I'm about to explain it's significance, I hear, "Heads up V-man!" Jack then proceeds to tackle me to the ground. "I see you've still got the old moves."
Unable to hold in my anger I snatch the football out of his grasp and put it back as carefully as I could manage. "I never had any old moves! All those years in the hospital robbed me of that!"
The Fentons just looked stunned at my outburst. "Yes, well," I say gathering my composure yet again. "It gave me time to chart out a course for my life didn't it? Make some decisions to make me very wealthy, very quickly. And it's all thanks to you, Jack."
"Uh, yeah, maybe we should go," Maddie said glancing between me and her husband.
"No, no. You should stay here with me. It is why I'm having the reunion here in my castle. Just so I could reconnect with you Jack. I insist you stay."
Looking out the giant windows that frame the giant double doors in the entryway, I see an odd looking vehicle is pulled up just outside the castle, er, mansion? Still don't know what to call this place. The vehicle looks like something between a van and an RV. With a ton of extra gadgets on the sides and roof. Interesting. I guess the guests must be here then. Continuing, I make my way up the staircase to freshen up in my room.
I had to stifle a gasp and stopped halfway up the stairs as a boy was making his way down them. His red converse, blue jeans, and white tee barely registered in my mind. What did catch my attention is his raven black hair and bright blue eyes. Even down to the shape of his face as he gazed around the Packers decorated entryway.
It all reminds me of my brother.
"Uh, hey," he greets continuing down the stairs to meet me.
Realising that I had been staring at him, I averted my gaze to the suddenly very interesting banister, ears bright red.
"Are you Anna-belle?" he asks stopping next to me.
Glancing up at him, I nod. I can't seem to keep my eyes on one spot, they flick between the boy's face and the rest of the hall. Jeez, stop acting so weird. It's not like he is your brother, I tell myself.
"Mr Masters mentioned you when he took us to our rooms earlier. I'm Danny by the way," he says.
All I can think to do is smile and nod.
"Are you going to dinner?" Danny asks and I again nod. "So, why are you going upstairs?"
My eyes widen and I realise that I can't respond to him. Damn it. I wish dresses have pockets for my pen and paper. I end up shrugging and making my way upstairs again. If he follows, then I can explain it. If not, I'll just see him at dinner.
"I'll see you later," he sort of questions.
Looking over my shoulder, I give him a nod and a small smile. Rushing to my room, I clean up so that Vlad can't tell where I have been all afternoon – he probably already knows, but still. Once ready, I made my way back downstairs and straight to the dinning room.
The long table that can easily sit fourteen, and that is normally occupied by two, now has six places set out. Five of them which were already occupied. They all turned to look at me as I walked in, halting any of the previous chatter. Vlad and Danny were the only two of the people there that I knew – somewhat.
A girl with bright orange hair, black top, and turquoise eyes that matches her hair band and pants was another. She looks to be a year or two older than Danny, who I'm guessing is her brother. The other two are probably their parents, and they look to be Vlad's age. The big man has black hair that is starting to grey, and wears an orange jumpsuit. The woman has her own blue jumpsuit on and has short brown hair.
"Anna-belle, nice of you to make it," my uncle says bringing me out of my frozen state. Blushing and ducking my head at the attention, I make my way over to the empty seat between Vlad and the orange haired girl. Holding my free fist over the centre of my chest, I circle it twice in the sign for sorry. "No harm done. Anna-belle these are the Fentons; Maddie, Jack, Jasmine and Daniel. Fentons, this is Anna-belle, my niece."
"V-man! You never told me you had a niece," Jack, the one in the orange jumpsuit burst out.
"Nice to meet you, Anna-belle," the woman, Maddie says.
I reach to where I used to leave the pen and paper before I could sign to Vlad but, my hand touches the wooden table top instead. Crap! I thought I forgot something.
Sheepishly, I sign instead. "Nice to meet you too."
"Uh, Vlad?" Maddie says looking for a translation.
"She said it's nice to meet you too," my uncle fills in for me.
"Are you mute?" the girl beside me asks, and I nod in reply.
"What's a mute?" Jack asks.
"Someone who can't speak, Jack," Maddie fills in for him.
"Oh. So, Vladdie! Have you seen the Dairy King ghost around here?"
"Just ignore my parents when they start talking about ghosts," Jasmine says to me.
I raise an eyebrow in a questioning manner.
"They're obsessed with ghosts," she says before turning to talk to her brother, leaving me to my own thoughts.
Ghosts? They exist? I know my brother believed in the supernatural when he was eight, but gave it up after a while. He never even touched on ghosts in that year. But for these parents to be obsessed with them, they must have some evidence. Either that or they are a little crazy.
Three of the people who had been helping in the kitchen brought our plates out. And we all dug into the meal of steak and salad. Not my favourite thing, but I can put up with it. The rest of the dinner past with the adults catching up with little input from the three of us. Well, Jasmine and Danny did talk to each other a bit. So I guess it was just me not being able to input much. Not that I minded.
Dessert was brought out and Jack was going on about some story of when they were in college. Vlad had been acting a little strange around him. Actually, both Jack and Maddie. It almost seemed like he was flirting with Maddie. And it seemed like he hated Jack. If I hadn't been around Vlad I would not have picked up on the subtle hints in his voice changing.
"May I be excused? I'm pretty tired," Jasmine said breaking the lull in the adults conversation.
"Sure you can. In fact we might all wrap this up now if that's okay?" Maddie asked Vlad.
"That's no trouble. You all must be exhausted from the trip. I will see you all tomorrow morning," Vlad said. We all got up and made our own way out and around the place. I made my way to my room, maybe to read until I'm tired. It is still fairly early after all.
"What are you going to do now?" Danny asked as we hiked our way up the main staircase.
I just shrugged.
"Well, what do you normally do around here?"
I woke to the sounds of...um...I'm not actually sure. It sounded like someone falling over and hitting the ground, over and over again. Groggily getting up out of bed, I somehow made it to the door. The clock on my table read 2:00am. Jeez, who is up at this hour?
BANG!
I jumped at least three feet off the ground.
That sounded like it was just down the hall. Opening my wooden door carefully, I peered out and looked down the hall. My eyes widened as I recognised a figure on the ground. The boy has a strange glow to him. Snow white hair and a strange black and white jumpsuit too. He is sprawled out on the ground unconscious.
Just as I was about to step out and go to the boy, another figure floated through the wall. I held my hands to my mouth to stop a gasp trying to escape. The tall figure looks just like a vampire. White suit, white cape, pointed back hair, blue complexion and glowing red eyes.
What are they? Clearly not human. Humans don't glow, float, or go through walls. Vampire? But I don't remember vampires being able to float through walls. What can float through walls? ...ghosts? Maybe. But I've never seen anything like this here before. Maybe they followed the Fentons? Jasmine did say her parents are ghost hunters.
The older one landed next to the unconscious one. Just as he did, a bright blue – nearly white – ring formed around the younger one's middle. They spread over the figure and his form changed leaving someone familiar in his place.
Danny?
Apparently I'm not the only one shocked here, as the older figure gasped too. I stopped breathing when another pair of black rings formed around the elders middle. My uncle was left in his place.
What the heck is going on?!
"The ghost boy, is Jack Fenton's son?" Vlad said. He then bent down and scooped Danny easily into his arms.
My brain finally decided to function again when I realised that they would be passing my door. I quickly moved away from it and closed it slightly. Trying to stop my breathing, that had gone from zero to hyperventilating, from being heard, I listened as his footsteps passed by the door and further down the hall. Poking my head out again, I watched as Vlad walked around the corner and out of sight.
Closing the door, I went to my desk and picked up my laptop. Moving to the couch, I got the throw and got comfortable. Opening my web browser, I started my research on ghosts. If that didn't bring up anything, I would keep looking until I found out exactly what I've been living with.
I wouldn't be sleeping at all tonight.
Okay, that's all you're getting out of me this time. Next chapter will be more, ah, ghostly, if you will.
Followers: Amis55, Atea1793, ZeroExia, mengekyo-byakugan.
Favourites: ZeroExia, mengekyo-byakugan.
BeckyStories: I've been seeing this from the very beginning of the series. I tried to get it to work for later on, but it just wouldn't happen. Hope this works for you anyway :)
Kman: Thank you, and next will be the reunion!
MeMeLaLa: Thank you!
Once again, thanks to everyone for reading and let me know what you think :)