Chapter 3

Danny came down for breakfast the next day and was surprised to see Keith and Laurie sitting at the table. Keith was reading the sports section of the paper, and drinking a cup of coffee. Laurie was munching a bowl of cold cereal while perusing the front page of the morning paper. Chris and Tracy had just left for school.

"What are you doing up? Shouldn't you be in bed?" Danny exclaimed.

"Uh...it's Monday, we usually go to school..." Keith replied, obviously baffled. He glanced at Laurie, who had looked up at Danny's little outburst. "Why should I be in bed?"

Ignoring Keith's question, Danny eyed his brother's throat. He was astonished to see that it was completely unmarred; no bandage, no wound, not even a scar.

Keith squirmed under his brother's surveillance and scowled at him. "What are you staring at?"

"Uh...nothing." Danny grabbed an apple from the large bowl on the table and made for the back door.

"Aren't you going to eat breakfast?" Laurie called after him.

"No. I'm not hungry. This will hold me over til lunchtime." The back door banged shut and he was gone.

Keith and Laurie exchanged puzzled glances.

"What in the world was that all about?" Laurie wondered out loud.

Keith shrugged and returned to the sports section. "I've no idea."

"Well, something's not right. Danny never skips meals."

Shirley walked into the kitchen and headed toward the sink, intent on taking care of the morning dishes. She hesitated in the middle of the room. "Where's Danny? I thought he came downstairs."

"He left for school already." Keith offered, his eyes still on the sports article.

Shirley frowned. "Without eating breakfast?"

"I know it's hard to believe, but no, he didn't have any breakfast. He sure was acting weird though." Laurie got up from the table, carrying her empty bowl and juice glass to the sink.

"Really?" Shirley inquired, as she continued her path to the sink and turned the hot water on.

Laurie turned, leaned against the counter, folded her arms across her chest and leveled her suspicious gaze at her older brother. "Yeah. I'd be willing to bet that Keith knows something more than he's telling."

"Me?" Keith looked up from the sports section. "Why would I know what's wrong with him?"

Laurie pushed herself away from the counter and approached the table. She stopped directly in front of him. "I'd say that it was the way he acted toward you. Like he didn't want to be in the same room with you. If I didn't know any better, I'd say that you two have had an argument of some kind."

"No." Keith denied.

"Well, he sure acted funny toward you. Didn't you notice?"

Exasperated, Keith folded the newspaper, got up from the table and pushed past her. He took his half full coffee cup and deposited it on the counter near Shirley, who was busy rinsing dishes and loading the dishwasher. "Danny always acts funny. It's when he acts normal, that I get worried." He glanced at the clock and scooped up his books from the counter. "If you're ready Miss Partridge, your chariot awaits you." He glared at her as he gestured toward the back door with an exaggerated sweep of his arm.

Laurie rolled her eyes as she picked up her purse and school books. She walked out the door without saying another word.

"Bye Mom." Keith smiled at her before following his sister out to the car.

"Bye kids, have a good day." Shirley called after them as she shut the dishwasher door. She didn't give the situation another thought as she began to plan her day.

During Study Hall, Danny sat by himself at a table near the back of the library. He had quite a few books open in front of him as he wrote furiously in his notebook.

Punky plopped down in the chair next to him.

"I'm bored. Whatcha doin'?" Punky whispered.

Danny visibly jumped, obviously startled. "Geez Punk!" He whispered vehemently. "Knock it off, you're gonna get us in trouble!"

"Sorry." Punky quickly apologized. He nodded toward the open books before Danny. "What are you doing?"

"What does it look like I'm doing?" Danny hissed. He was losing his patience. "I'm working on my book report. Something you should be doing too."

"Nah, I'll just copy something later on. What's your subject?"

"Dracula." Danny's reply was short.

Punky noticed Danny's attitude. "What's wrong with you?"

"Nothing." Danny sighed and put his pencil down.

"Sure. Okay." Punky sneered. "I don't believe you. C'mon, what gives?"

Danny looked at his friend for a few seconds. "There's something weird going on with Keith."

"Yeah?" Punky prodded. "Like what?"

"He's got this new girlfriend..."

Punky scoffed. "Sounds pretty normal to me!"

"I know, but...she's not normal." Danny's gaze went to the open book in front of him.

Punky's eyes followed Danny's and he laughed softly. "What? Are you tellin' me that she's a vampire or something?"

"No!" Danny's voice rose a notch. He cringed as he realized that they had caught the attention of the librarian. She was presently headed directly toward them. "Look, now you've gotten us in trouble. Just drop it, okay?"

"Okay, cool your jets Partridge. Sheesh." Punky moved away from Danny's table before the librarian got there, saving them an embarrassing confrontation.