Chapter 3: Worse than Autumn Air
Danny ran his hand over his shoulders, tracing the jagged scratches. They go from my back to my shoulders and stop just before my heart…It was unnerving to think that a ghost-demon-could attack him from a dream. It's unreal…He shook his head. Now I need to destroy them. They're already in the town…they can hurt anyone…His phone alarm went off and he jumped. Stupid thing…he grabbed it off of his desk and looked it over. Calendar event…shit. Halloween already? He was beginning to regret agreeing to Kwan's offer. Sam was right…it might be too dangerous. He bit his lip. Then again…it's only one night. What's the worst thing that can happen? He didn't allow himself to think of an answer to that.
It'll be fine…Tucker made copies of those devices and perfected them. Even if these Shadows persist…He couldn't shake that awful feeling off. Just don't think too much of it, Danny…we'll make it through this. Won't we?
Kwan sat across from Dash and Paulina in the Nasty Burger, sipping his drink loudly. "So, Danny and I get the woods where the little girl was murdered…you two get the bridge where that lady killed her kids, and Tucker and Sam get the old hospital?" He asked nonchalantly.
"That's right." Paulina replied. "Of course we'll all meet at Danny's house first…you did mention it to him, right?"
"Hmm? Oh, yeah…last night I messaged him and he agreed." Kwan shrugged, feigning indifference. "But if I can ask…why is it that Danny and I have the scariest?"
Dash rolled his eyes while Paulina replied: "Oh…I don't know. We just thought it would be most…beneficial to you." She smiled coyly while taking a sip from her water. "You figure it out."
Kwan blushed but chose to ignore the comment. "Whatever. You guys are just too scared."
"Bullshit." Dash replied haughtily. "I'm not scared of nothing." It was Paulina's turn to roll her eyes as she swatted her boyfriend's arm.
"Play nice you two."
Danny secured a jacket tightly over his frame, shuddering as another breeze blew through his house. He was grateful that his parents were out on ghost hunting missions (today was Halloween after all) and that Jazz was out with friends. That much less to explain. He hated how cold and quiet it was in his empty house. He could feel the evil in the air…I don't want to be alone anymore. It's only two in the afternoon and scared shitless! What's taking them so long? He thought, willing Tucker and Sam to hurry to get to his house. He had called them over fifteen minutes ago, and it never took them this long to get to his house.
A sudden knock at his door caused him to jump. Adrenaline pumped through his veins and his heart pounded uncomfortably. Calm down…it's just Sam and Tucker. Sam and Tucker. He chanted as he slowly made his way over to the door. Relief washed over him when it really was Sam and Tucker at the other end of the door. "I have never been so happy to see you guys." He sighed, dragging him into his house. "I swear…it's actually scary in here when you're alone."
His two friends nodded the second he finished his statement, already sensing the disturbance in the air. "Whoa." Tucker shuddered, gripping his own jacket around himself. "It's freezing in here…"
"And your ghost sense isn't going hay-wire?" Sam asked incredulously. "It must not work against Shadows…"
Danny nodded. "But with you two here…the pressure in the air has lessened." The trio stood in silence at his words.
"I wonder how long it'll last?" Tucker asked aloud.
"I wonder why." Sam questioned.
"I'd rather not think about it." Danny stated, laughing a little. "If groups make it safer…"
"Maybe we should call tonight off." Sam said. "I mean…look around us!"
"It's too late." Danny sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Don't ask me how I know. Just trust me."
"Like…we're destined to do this?" Tucker asked quietly. "Or that no matter what, our fate is sealed?"
Danny gave a brief nod, indicating the latter. "So…we might as well gain some knowledge of them…oh! That reminds me, did you fix up the tech my parents made?"
Despite the situation, Tucker grinned and pulled out three pairs of watches and flashlights. "The Fenton Shadow Vaporizer and Fenton Shadow Reflection!" He grinned. "I renamed them…their other names were so…bland." Danny returned Tucker's grin and grabbed one of each item.
"That's fine. So, each group gets one of each?" He asked, eyeing the equipment. "One gets the defense, and the other gets offense. Cool."
"I added extra features to each device, but I'll wait until the others get here until I explain…but, um, Danny? Sam and I do have a question…"
"And what would that be?" He asked, though he wasn't paying attention. The voice is here again…
"Hmm…this will work to your advantage. Don't screw it up…you just may be able to change your fate. My own as well…"
"..nny?"
"…anny?"
"Danny?"
He snapped out of his trance and stared at his friends. "I'm sorry…what did you say?" Both had 'worry' plastered on their face.
"You just zoned at…what's up?" Tucker asked.
"Did that thing try to contact you again?"
"It's…nothing. But what was your question?"
The two exchanged glances but dropped the subject. "Well, we wanted to know if you knew where exactly we're going."
"Come to think of it…no. I guess we'll find out tonight, right?" The trio didn't like the sound of that. It had an ominous feeling to it. And although none of them knew it, the three shared the same thought: I wonder if there will be a tomorrow?
**/\\**
There was a sudden chill in the air. It wasn't ghostly cold…no, it was far worse. It was vile, corrupt: true horror. The trees danced in anticipation, the shadows stretching far beyond what would be considered normal at that time. Glowing eyes shone in the shadows of the forest; devilish smiles gleamed. They knew what was to happen. Tonight was the night they finally got to feed again. Another lost soul…it had been far too long since the last. The eyes trailed to the young ghost girl, still a decaying, rotting body. An eye rolled out of its socket while patches of skin fell off in chunks off of her face and body. Multiple wounds decorated her small body from that devastating axe. Her clothes were still bloody from that fateful night.
Her soul had refused to leave its body, making it unavailable to the Shadows to devour. Instead it fused-a remarkable ability. Still…knowing what they had done to her was delightful. Trapped in the world of the living while one was truly dead…what truer sorrow was there? The only downfall to their trick was that she kept others away…no one had dared to enter The Forest after what had happened to her…but today she failed. Today two would enter…two would become corrupt, two would never leave. Two would become the next meal of the Shadows.
And for that they stirred with excitement, ignoring the small smile that formed on the child's mouth.
**/\\**
I really hate this feeling. Kwan thought. It's more than the cold…it's fear laced with dread. He opened his car door and entered slowly. A quick prayer couldn't hurt…
All through the Lord's Prayer that he quietly recited, he felt someone watching him. No, it's worse than that. It's almost like they're…scorning me for saying it…He continued the prayer, and with each word the feeling intensified. When he had finally finished though, the feeling was gone. Weird. It's probably just my imagination…yeah, that's it. I'm freaking myself out. Not even he bought that. He gripped the rosary around his neck and sighed. Stop being a baby, Kwan. Look at the bright side! At least you get to be alone with Fenton…alone. Just the two of us…in the scariest fucking place in Amity Park. The Fear itself had taken any erotic fantasy out of his mind. The forest that no one has been in for ages…it's just a rumor. A myth…I mean, it's probably haunted…but it can't be…as evil as everyone says it is. I mean, if no one had been there since the incident happened…they can't possibly know. Right?
He did his best to push those thoughts from his mind as he drove over to Danny's house. He was ten minutes early, but he doubted it would matter. Better to be early than late, right? He pulled into the Fenton drive way and turned his car off. Pocketing his keys he walked up to Danny's door. He knocked a few times and waited patiently. The sun's almost gone…The last ray of light shone brightly, much brighter than usual, before quickly dying, leaving him in almost complete darkness. Frick…the aura here is worse than my house! He thought, hugging himself. A good time for a jacket…
The door opened and he was relieved to see Danny standing on the other side. The two shared a smile before Danny allowed the taller male entrance. "Hi Kwan…you're a little early."
"That's not a problem…is it?" Kwan asked jokingly, walking into the near freezing home. "Geeze, it's fucking cold in here…" He shivered involuntarily. This ain't the normal cold…Upon seeing Danny's discomfort he quickly changed the subject. "So, Danny Phantom hasn't been around lately…in fact, there's been so little ghost activity."
Danny nodded in agreement. "Yeah…so, that's why we wanted to tag along. I mean, if there are any ghosts…today would be the perfect time to view them, right?"
Kwan smiled. "Yeah. I'm really stoked that you guys could come."
"About that…where exactly are we-"
Just then another knock sounded, and Danny quickly opened it. "Dash, Paulina…" He greeted politely. "Come in…and we're all here." Kwan noted how put off Danny sounded. He doesn't like Dash, after all…
"So, are you finally going to reveal where it is we're going?" Sam drawled, leaning against a counter. Tucker stood beside her, looking nervous.
"Yeah, yeah. Don't get your panties in a bunch." Dash replied, rolling his eyes. "So this is how it's gonna go. You two," He pointed at Tucker and Sam, "Will investigate the old hospital. You know, the one where that doctor went psycho and killed most of the staff and patients…" Sam nodded while Tucker paled. "Paulina and I will take 'Baby's Bridge', the place where that lady murdered her kids." He paused for a moment for a dramatic effect. "And Kwan and Danny will take The Forest…Where that little girl was murdered."
Danny himself paled at Dash's words. The woods…that's where I'm going. That's where the Shadows are…He bit his lip and sneaked quick glances at Sam and Tucker. Both had tensed when Dash revealed the location Danny was to take. So it's all coming together. This is why my fate is sealed…
"Ask the boy to tell you my story. Use it to your advantage."
He tensed at her words. She's back again…why? Why are you only haunting me? What good will your story do me? Scare me?
"ASK."
The voice left, its presence no longer in his head. What harm could it do to know the background information, anyway?
"Dash? Tell me about The Forest…what makes it so haunted?"
"With pleasure, Fenton." Dash grinned, and Danny couldn't fight back the shudder he had been holding in for far too long.
There's chapter three! I hope you all enjoyed it…the good parts are coming up! Be prepared to be scared!
