Was the last chapter that bad or did yall just not realize it had been updated? Anyway...chapter six!
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Chapter Six: My Dad's Letter
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...why did I know one was my friend?
I hadn't left my room since the talk with Star and the mind toggling argument with myself. Not even for dinner. Different people kept knocking on my door and asking if I wanted anything to which I would reply, "I just wanna be by myself."
And that was part of the truth. I was beyond miserable. I had ran from a caring dad ten years ago because of a boy that was really a ghost that I had just convinced myself was still a friend and may even still like.
I didn't get it.
Ghosts were dead; therefore they shouldn't be able to feel or have emotions or anything like that, and I shouldn't be able to like one back. And even though Phantom had been accused of doing so many evil things if he could put up a front like Danny then he couldn't be all evil.
And my dad had thought all ghosts were evil when at the moment was helping one. He knew the boy I used to like wasn't who he really said he was and he still fought for his cause. What was it? Phantom's heroic stunt from nine years ago? Me leaving? Dad gone insane?
I didn't know, but if dad had sided with this guy, and dad was still the same guy I always knew and adored, there had to be a logical reason. A very logical and very good reason.
I had told Phantom I wasn't Valerie or Nicole; that I was a woman with cause. My cause ten years ago was to destroy every ghost that happened to set foot within a hundred yard radius of me. What was my cause now? To destroy the only protection this town had at the present time?
There! I'd just said it. I'd just told myself that Phantom was protecting the town. I had been telling myself all day that he would eventually uproot the town. But what would he really do? As mayor, he could've destroyed the town long before he spent all of his time and effort on protecting and building it.
I snapped my head to the side to peer at the digital clock on the bedside table. It read 10:00 P.M.
It was too late to do anything tonight, and I needed to tackle one problem at a time. I pushed my thoughts of Phantom to the back of my head for the time being and tore off a piece of paper from the beside table, pulled a pen from my purse, and went to work on a letter.
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"This is delicious," I commented taking another bite of the steak Sam had cooked for supper.
This day had stretched on forever. I had decided since I had come to a conclusion, at least for the present moment, that Phantom wasn't bent on destroying the town, that I'd ride around to see what all had changed.
Casper High had been renamed Phantom High; before Danny was elected mayor based on the inscribed date on the wall, and had been added onto a bit. I stopped by the park where the ceremony had been the previous day and explored it a little more. It had also been expanded and it was even more beautiful than ten years ago.
After the park I rode around town and stopped at different places I remembered or places that just looked cool or nice. That had taken up most of my day and, after eating at a low-budget fast food place because of my money situation, I headed back to the boarding house to start freshening up for dinner.
Then, I had called Sam, using the phone directory on the back of the bedroom door, and insisted I come over early to help with dinner.
So here I was, sitting in what I had called the enemy's home last night, eating supper with who I had called the enemy the night before. I had been a little surprised dad had not shown up. From what Sam had told me the day before I figured he'd be here for supper.
"Thanks," Sam replied. "But you cooked too."
"Yeah, these sorry excuses for a vegetable," I added holding up a burnt piece of shells and cheese with my fork. "I wasn't even positive you could burn these things."
"They're fine," Danny reassured me and he took another bite of his own shells and cheese. The conversation died down after that. Nothing but a casual remark here and there.
A few minutes later, I noticed that there was an extra steak on the plate. At first I figured Sam had cooked it for Danny or herself, but seeing as how dinner was beginning to die down and neither one was making any type of attempt of going after it I had to open my big mouth and ask,
"Who's that steak for?"
"Oh, Damon had told me he was coming over so I of course happily made another steak, but it looks as if something happened. Hopefully, he didn't get held up on the job," Sam answered taking her plate and the plate with the extra steak on it off the table.
I felt the color fade from my face, but not from worry about whether some kind of ghost had attacked or not. I knew what had most likely held him up. I felt Danny's eyes search my paled face. I knew he thought I was worried about dad.
Knock, knock.
Oh, perfect timing.
Danny stood up from the table and went to answer the door while I stood up from the table and placed my plate in the sink. He entered back into the dining room seconds later followed by an exasperated looking Damon Gray.
"What's wrong?" Sam asked upon seeing Damon.
Here it comes.
"I-I...Valerie! She wrote me a note. I was beginning to think she'd died or something after all these years without any contact," he muttered, excited.
Sam's eyes widened and Danny's head snapped my direction for an instant before he played the surprised role as well.
"I figured she was still alive, Damon," Sam stated. "I just didn't expect her to make contact with anyone."
"What's the note say?" Danny asked.
Everyone piled behind dad and read it.
Dear dad,
I want to start by saying how sorry I am that I left. Now that I look back, it was a really stupid decision; especially now that I realize it would've been for the better to stay and face the problem rather than to run away from it, and now I see that it wasn't really a problem.
But I just had to let you know that I am safe. I'm sorry I didn't write or call or make any contact with you for ten years, but I had my reasons, which I really don't want to say. Anyway, I wanted to ease any worrying you might still be going through so I decided to write this note.
Just to fill you in on my current condition...first off, I know you're first question will be am I alright; which I've already answered that I am. Now, I'll bet you're second question would be if I'm married which I can reassure you that I'm not. As to where I've been living, I'm won't go into much detail; I'll just say that I live far off in a town that's probably not even on the map. Nowhere near as exciting as Amity Park. I don't think any place could beat that town.
And for a special surprise, why don't you stop by the heart of the park around ten tonight?
Love always,
Valerie
Nobody said a word. Nobody wanted to. I could feel Danny's eyes searching me once again but I didn't care. I only stared at the note so I wouldn't have to look anywhere else.
"Did she mail it?" Sam finally asked.
"No," Danny answered for dad. All eyes turned toward him. "Why would she want him to go to the park here in Amity if she was somewhere else?"
"And I found the note taped to my door. She's somewhere here," he paused to check his watch. "Eight; you still have some supper left?"
I smiled inside. Dad was happier; much happier. And after my surprise, he'd never be sad again.
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I pulled my jacket tighter as the wind picked up. I had decided to walk all the way to the park. I wasn't sure why I insisted upon wearing my legs out. It just felt better to walk.
It also gave me some thinking time. I hadn't really thought much of sitting and eating at the dinner table with Phantom; nothing like I would have the day before. Come to think of it, I rather enjoyed being with him today.
That led to my next problem. In my anger the day before, I'd promised myself that I wouldn't leave the city until I'd destroyed Phantom. And as long as I could remember I hadn't broken any promise I'd ever made. And I wasn't about to start now. Besides I didn't want to leave now.
So now I had an excuse to never set foot in Vina again. That meant no more annoying Harper or Jamie. And who's to say I couldn't just go back to Vina and get the rest of the little stuff I had?
So, let's say I decide to come back and live in Amity again. Should I tell Danny I know about his real self, or should I keep it a secret? After all, all of the town with the exception of a few, don't know about Phantom pulling the cover as their mayor, which I don't really think they'd mind. So, I didn't know if it would be for the best to spill the beans or not.
Maybe after some time. And maybe I'd tell them I'm Valerie after a while. But that'd probably be too much. Besides, everyone seems to like Nicole.
The sign above my head read, "Welcome to Amity Park's Central Park," in gold, curly letters. I entered and stayed on the trail which eventually lead to the center of the park which was a huge water fountain in the shape of three ghosts spurting water from their mouths. Yes, not angels as water fountains usually had; ghosts.
The park was absolutely beautiful. It was now fenced in on every side, with grass covering most of it. Trees were scattered throughout the park; so thick that when standing on one side you couldn't see the other side. There were lots of benches where people would come a sit, and lots of picnic tables. A play area was located near the middle and right in front of that was a stage set up for events like yesterday's.
The paved trail was coming to an end and the fountain was only paces away. I checked my watch; 9:55. Good, I was early, but not too early.
I heard a twig snap in the near distance. Dad wasn't too far away. I had to get into place.
I saw a shadowy figure form as I hid behind the fountain.
"Hello," he called out uncertainly. He most likely was not expecting an answer. I could tell he had his doubts there'd be anything or anyone here to welcome him; but he still called again, "Hello?"
I still didn't answer. It not like I wanted to prolong his misery or get his hopes up only to let them down.
"Is anyone here? Valerie, if you're here, I want to talk to you," dad tried once more.
I kept my mouth shut until his face dropped and he turned to walk away. It was all going according to plan. It wasn't time to talk to dad yet; it wasn't time for him to see me; it wasn't time for much, but it was time for something.
I opened my mouth, and began to sing.
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Don't ask me why she's singing; you'll find out in the next chapter.
Speaking of the next chapter—yall should be surprised I got this one up within a week, but I know for almost a certain positive fact that I won't have the next chappie up next weekend. If you want to know why, ask me in a review and I'll tell you but I'm not gonna give a whole big long explanation here.
Read and review please!