Dark Minutes
Control
"I believe that you control your destiny, that you can be what you want to be. You can also stop and say, No, I won't do it, I won't behave this way anymore. I'm lonely and I need people around me, maybe I have to change my methods of behaving and then you do it."
~Leo Buscaglia~
The English class was instantly quiet as I walked in. I guess they thought I was going to go crazy or something, but I just silently walked across the room and took a seat at my desk. Lancer looked up when the class had grown quiet and sent me an encouraging smile.
"It's good to see you, Daniel," he greeted as I headed to my desk. It was strange because no one was giving me mean looks or anything. They were quiet and giving me small smiles. It was odd because even Dash and Paulina were doing it. They weren't making snide comments or giving me dirty looks. They were just there.
Sam was seated next to me, and when I sat down, she gave me a small smile. I smiled back slightly before leaning back in my chair. Of course someone decided to throw a note on my desk. I looked up to see Tucker grinning like a nut case. Okay, I actually kind of missed that. They way we would always act like a bunch of immature teenagers when we had already been through so much together. I guess that since I was in that place alone, I couldn't do the immature part anymore. I was forced to grow up and deal with it.
I'm back now, but can I really go back to who I was before. I'm not innocent anymore. I've killed people and ghosts, but that doesn't mean I'm the same person I was before, right?
"…fictional places," Lancer stated and I realized I had actually wondered off into lalaland. It is the last week of school, so it shouldn't matter. I'll have to take summer classes in order to stay with my grade. I would rather stay with the people I know. I know the class below us is much bigger, and I really don't want more people than necessary around me. Especially ones I don't know all that well. "Can someone name me a place that's not real?" Dash raised his hand with a grin on his face.
"Narnia?" he asked and Lancer nodded.
"That's one. Now that we have our fictional place set up, what could happen in such a place if you knew nothing about it?" Lancer asked and looked at me. Almost asking if I could answer or do something in the class to help out. Either them or me, I don't think he cared. He just wanted me to open up more. I just looked at the paper not really wanting to answer. Sam raised her hand. She should have fun with this. She loves the fictional novels and characters. Even if no one else knows about what she really reads.
"You would have creatures that don't actually exist. I mean almost anything can happen and you can create entirely different worlds from it," she answered. "The characters could be set up in a way like the book where there was a definite villain and hero to the story. Then you could have that one who rides on that line." That kind reminds me of me. I'm supposed to be the hero, but I lost that the moment I killed my first ghost. I was not a hero then; I was a pawn to the villain behind it all.
"Very good, Ms. Manson," Lancer stated turning around. "Let's take a look at a city that is believed to be underwater somewhere. Although it is considered a fictional city, there are people who believe that it existed and something happened to where it was wiped out." I straighten up again. I remember this story, but I also know the truth behind it.
"Atlantis," I whispered and the entire class looked at me. Somehow I had said it loud enough that they all heard me. What, weren't they supposed to be paying attention to Lancer and not me?
"Danny, is something wrong?" Lancer asked seeing my tense state and probably the fear in my eyes. I don't want them to know that the place that they think is fake is actually where ghosts and human alike are sent for death. Although I highly doubt that it happens anymore. The Pits are gone. Or are they? We don't know that for sure yet.
"Just a memory," I whispered wrapping my arms around my chest hoping for something. He knew it was a lie just like everyone else, but no one called me out on it. I just stared out the window letting my mind wonder. I didn't realize when the bell rang or when the last class of the day was over. I was too busy trying to keep myself together. I never truly understood everything about the Pits. Or how its connection to Atlantis was. I had guesses from what I've been told, but I still don't understand the complexly of it.
I didn't want to.
"Mr. Fenton," Lancer called and I knew that he had probably called it several times considering he looked a little freaked. "Are you okay?"
"No," I whispered. "It's just that the Pits were once part of a city, and I was told that it was Atlantis by one of the workers there. I never found out the entire story. I was more worried about getting out of there."
"You didn't have to come back today," Lancer informed. I smiled at him.
"Why not? I would neither be here or trapped in my room because I wouldn't have the courage to actually get out and do something," I whispered. "I want to get better, and the more I'm around people, I don't feel as alone." Lancer smiled slightly.
"I'm glad that you decided to do that. I'm glad that you are trying to get better," Lancer smiled at me. It helped to know that they were still there to help me even when they know some of what I had gone though. The things I was forced to do. The lives I was forced to take.
"Thanks," I whispered not sure what else to say. That one ghost that liked poetry suddenly came to mind. The one I killed who enjoyed messing with my head using 'Nevermore' quotes from The Raven. Lovely set there, Danny.
"Anytime, Danny. I'm always here for you if you want to talk," Lancer encouraged. Even if I was alone, they were making sure that I didn't have to recover alone. They were all there, no matter how much they hated me; they were all going to help now that they knew something that I had gone though.
"Thanks, Lancer," I whispered with a small smile. I knew that they wanted to help and hearing it was nice. I'm glad that now that they know a bit that they haven't seen me as the monster I truly was. They heard the story but they held on to who I was. The innocent teenager who wouldn't hurt anyone. They believed that I would be that same person after everything. I stood up from my desk and nodded to Lancer. "I'll see you tomorrow then."
"Tomorrow, Danny," Lancer smiled before I slipped out of the room. Now I wasn't fighting to get out the Pits, could I learn more about it though? Could I even handle doing that? This world won't have everything I would need to learn in order to figure out the truth. I could wait until the flashbacks stop and the pain. I turned down the hallway towards my locker when I heard a couple of the jocks talking. They were in the same English class together. The one kid hadn't taken the exam seriously and failed. I really didn't care. The exam is what helped me find a way out. It gave me a way to tell people about what had happened. I got to my locker and tried to be as quiet as possible which was almost dead silent. After all, I had trained myself to be a silent stalker in order to kill my opponent more efficiently. I got out everything I would need at home which was just my lunch bag and shut my locker. Unfortunately that made a loud enough noise in the quiet hallway to make them look at me.
"Well it looks like we have Dash's little toy here," the leader taunted. One grabbed his shoulder.
"Dude, that's Fenton. He was missing for two months and from what I heard he wasn't in a good place," the one informed. He was smart, but clearly their leader decided he would rather stalk me.
"Please I know the twerp. I was in school with him in second grade," he informed them with a cocky grin that actually got to me. It was one I had seen on the face of a killer. One I have worn, and one that killed a little boy who I couldn't save. I narrowed my eyes at him making the others behind him back up. "He's just another wimp."
"You haven't gone to school with the monster I am now," I whispered with a deadly tone in my voice. The leader clearly found it as a challenge. Of course the last challenge ended in blood. I let a smirk of my own flow on my face. Okay, I really am crazy because now I'm itching for a fight. I knew it was wrong, but it was like my common sense was gone right now. I let my bag drop to the floor.
"Fenton wants a fight," the leader smirked and that's when Dash appeared. His eyes widen when he took in the sight.
"Rob, don't," he warned pulling the jock back. "Trust me, in his fight you won't survive."
"You paid attention," I whispered picking my bag up as my common sense suddenly came back. I can't fight a defenseless human like this. Plus, maybe Dash would distract him long enough for me to get away, but did I really want to. I haven't had a good fight in such a long time.
Or was it blood I was looking for?
"Like you to tell me what to do," Rob informed pulling Dash away.
"Rob, he'll kill you if you get into a fight with him," Dash warned. Dash wasn't afraid of me but afraid of what I can do. He was afraid for me. Rob didn't seem to care either he pushed Dash to the ground before charging towards me. I reacted on instinct. I rolled away dropping my bag and landed in a crouch. Rob fell forwards after losing his balance. However, I was completely steady and already for the next strike. I was surprised when I realized that my blades didn't come out. I stood up from my crouch and looked at Rob like he wasn't worth my time because he truly wasn't. He just needed to know his place was, and he thinks it's on top.
I'm about to prove him wrong.
"I'm not the same teen I was at the beginning of the year," I explained. He seemed to pale because of how steady and deadly my voice sounded at the moment. It actually surprised me. Was I really turning into a monster? "While I was missing, I was placed in a prison in the Ghost zone where humans and ghosts alike are executed." They all seemed to pale when they realized a bit about why I wasn't going to fight. I leaned forward in his face. "I was the executioner at times."
"Please you couldn't hurt a fly," I heard Rob snort. Dash seemed to have backed off, giving up on getting through to the jock. I truly couldn't care less. I dropped back into my fighting stance and stayed completely still. Barely breathing.
I was going to put the jock in his place. I didn't even need to kill him to do it either.
He charged and I dodged by vaulting over him and delivering a sharp kick to his lower back. Temporarily paralyzing his legs from moving.
"I don't need to kill you," I whispered feeling empowered. The others looked scared but I didn't really care at the moment. "Where you are now is as vulnerable as I need you to slid this across your throat," I whispered letting an inch of blade come out but only letting him see it. "I am not being forced to kill you, but I would like you to know that I can even if I won't. However I am just getting over everything that has happened. I can lose control, and I will kill if that happens." I backed away and turned back around and grabbed my bag. "You'll be able to move your legs in about an hour." I left knowing that they were probably freaking out.
My conscience didn't hit me until I was walking home already. The police car wasn't there so they must be doing something else. I just walked home silently hoping what I had done didn't cause too much damage. I shouldn't have done any of that, but something got into me. Was it because I'm turning into a monster I had sworn never to become? Or was it because I'm tired of being seen as the little guy?
I didn't realize Dash had started walking beside me until he spoke. I jumped and slide to the side away from him. Really, I pick now to drop my guard around people.
"Fenton, he heard about your confession, and didn't believe it. He was mad because he wanted the coolest trauma story. Lancer failed him for it as well," Dash explained watching me carefully. I took in a deep breath. How would my story make his look weak? I'm sure Paulina's was better than his anyway. "And I just wanted to say that I was sorry." Dash looked down as I looked at him. It was surprising to see this side of him.
But could I truly forgive him for all the pain he had put me though in the past. Even before I got into the mess with Walker, he was always picking on me.
Of course, how much pain have I caused?
"Okay," I whispered looking at the ground. Dash seemed to deflate a little knowing that I didn't quite forgive him. It would be a while before I could even forgive myself. I had bigger things to worry about, but I couldn't just forgive him.
There was too much he'd done to me that still haunts me from time to time. We walked together silently for a while until I stopped.
"You realize that even though you realize what you've done, it's not just me you have to say that too," I stated looking up at him. "If you really want me to forgive you for all that crap, maybe start sorry to Mikey or Nathan. Ones you were making fun of earlier today. They don't deserve it either." Dash looked down.
"You realize you're asking me to give up my title as king of Casper, right?" he started back at me. I glared at him.
"A king doesn't let his kingdom suffer to entertain his fellow folk. A king is willing to make sacrifices in order to protect his kingdom from becoming corrupt. You are not a very good king for you do not protect those who cannot protect themselves," I explained to him. He didn't realize what a king really is, and now that I've explained it, maybe he'll rethink everything. Dash looked down in the moment, and I could tell he was rethinking it now. "Being a king has nothing to do with power, but responsibility. If you're not willing to protect those from the masses, then you are not fit to lead. Think of that next time you call yourself King of Casper." I walked away. I didn't want to say anything else to him.
Although I know I may have started something big. Something that could very well change how the kids in the school worked. I just hoped he listened to me.
Maybe I can save the school from self destruction as I try to prevent myself from falling onto the same path?
I walked up to my house and seen Agent Collins standing by his car at the front door. He seemed slightly wary of me, but that was understandable.
"Hello, Danny. I was hoping I could talk to you," he informed as he held up a file. "I found a file about a girl named Rose. She was adopted by a couple that lived outside of the state. She had been in Amity Orphanage." I looked down. Well, that wouldn't raise any flags right away.
"So, why are you telling me this?" I asked wondering what more that they wanted from me. Why can't they just leave me alone to suffer? Haven't I done enough?
"We can't seem to get a hold of any of them. If this is the girl, then I may have a trail of other bodies. Other people who may have been taken by this same…ghost?" Collins stated seemingly unsure. I nodded as he held up a picture of the girl. Her eyes were bright and happy. Just like when she realized who you were.
I looked down. I couldn't do this.
"Yes, that's her," I whispered as I tried to keep myself together. I didn't understand why I was going along with this or why I was telling him. Maybe I could at least get some justice, or at least let some families get some kind of closure. I don't know what all they had. I had been having an okay day as well.
Well, so much for having a good day.
"Alright," Collins whispered looking extremely glum. Almost like he was hoping my answer would have been no. "You said that the place you were in was in the Ghost Zone?"
"Yes, and no I'm not going back, and you can't make me," I defended narrowing my eyes at him. I would fight to stay away from that place, and the Ghost Zone in general.
"I'm not saying that you had to. Hell, I probably don't even care, but I have a list of families who are looking for children who seemed to have been adopted by all the same people over a fifty year thing. It's really hard trying to understand how that when though the system unnoticed."
"I can't help you with that," I whispered and started to head towards my house.
"Actually, I was hoping you could help me with another thing," Collins stated making me stop and look at him. I didn't understand what he would want from me now. To call you a monster and arrest you.
"What?" I whispered knowing that this was probably going to end badly.
"I heard from your mother about what you wanted to be when you grew up and everything, but I was thinking that with everything you've been though, that you would want to at least do something to help others. I can make some calls and get you in a program that will help you in a career path in criminology. You seem like a smart kid, and I noticed that you have a violent streak." My breath caught in my throat. I didn't want to have any kind of violent anything. "I know the need for redemption. I would like to help if you're interested. I don't need an answer right away, but I would like you to think about it. Maybe give you something to look forward to."
I didn't know what to think anymore.
Danny: it's been a while...sorry...she's gotten into Supernatural...but that's not why its been so long.
Me: I've been having a hard time, and just being on my computer it getting more and more difficult. I will try to finish these stories as soon as I can, but I think I'm going to start writing some Supernatural ones to help ease some pain I'm in. I have serveral DP stories started, but I don't have them all posted and none of them are posted. Maybe at some other point in time I will, but not now unless you guys are interested in taking them over.
Danny: SHE IS A SHE BY THE WAY.
Me: Oh yeah, that made me laugh. I had a few reviewers think I was a guy. I'm female, just so you know. That was in a different story though...I think. I haven't been getting email from the site, and then I figured that no one liked my stories anymore, until I realized that everything was being sent to my spam box. I was so mad.
However, I will try to update, but I have computer issues and fandom switching issues. I will be starting some Supernatural stuff, so if you like that, then chances are you might like the story ideas that are popping up in my head...
See you some other time, and I hope to have this wrapped up within a couple more chapters.
