It wasn't often that Ghostwriter interacted with humans, much less befriend them, it was a pretty big no-no in the ghost culture.

Which led to a surprise when the older ghost found himself forming a rather tight bond with the human boy, and a rather special boy, Ghostwriter proclaimed.

Danny sat on the couch across from him, a mug clutched tight in his arms. The ghostly author sat with a book on his lap, a matching mug beside him. Ghostwriter did enjoy the company, don't get him wrong, it was just the unusual timing of the boy that confused him. Contrary to belief, ghosts do need to sleep, if only for smaller amounts of time.

It was obvious to the ghost that something was troubling the younger, but he could only sit and wait until the teen spoke up. "What does it feel like? Being a..ghost," the teen asked a bit hesitant.

Ghostwriter raised his eyebrow. "I'm afraid you're going to have to be more specific."

Danny glanced up from his drink before ducking his head back down."I mean...you were once a human too, right?" He looked up at Ghostwriters nod and continued." How do you put up with, well, being dead. You all seem so-so happy. So sure of yourselves." He gazed into his swirling chocolate mix.

"I don't get it."

The older ghost absently rubbed his book, feeling the aged cover on his palm. "I don't quite understand what you don't get, Danny. Most of us ghost have started out human, but that was a long time ago I assure you. That is a lot of time to adjust to the realm, if that's what you're wondering."

Danny took a sip of his steaming drink, letting the liquid chase out the chills in his body. "Yeah, okay. That makes sense," he nodded.

"What brings such a question like that to mind?"

The teen shrugged and turned his gaze to the fire burning under the mantel, it's heat flowing around the lair.

"Are-are you not happy, Danny?"

That caught Danny's attention and he snapped his head back and forth. "No! No-nothing like that! I just," he set let out a breath and closed his eyes, "I'm a little confused, honestly."

Ghostwriter raised an eyebrow. "Care to elaborate?"

"Well," Danny shrugged, " everything's different now. Just last summer none of you existed! I mean, not in my head anyway. I'm still wrapping my thoughts around ghosts and realms and- and all this!"

By then Danny's hands were fisted around his mug. It was clear to Ghostwriter that the young boy was more lost than he had imagined.

Ghostwriter stood and started searching through his bookshelves with a determined face. Books after books after book. After a lot of muttering and searching Ghostwriter set a thick book on the table.

Danny traded his mug for the book, which was surprisingly light. "What is this?"

The author smiled. "This, my friend, the Ghost Zone." Ghostwriter took the book from his hands and flipped through a few pages. "Here," he pointed, "is my lair. Not too far away from you portal you see."

Danny gazed in awe as Ghostwriter flew through the pages. Hundreds of landmarks and lairs printed on each page. "So, this is like a map." The ghost nodded.

"It comes in handy for a long travel."

"Awesome." Danny took the book back and eagerly spotted out the few places he'd been. He turned to the back of the book and poked one eager finger in the middle of the page.

"What's this?" Ghostwriter bit his lip as the boy pointed to a familiar lair. It was fairly larger than most places in the Ghost Zone, not to mention very unique. Clocks surrounded most he the blue island, along with various pocket watches.

"That, Danny, is home to a very powerful ghost." He started, slightly hesitant. " You may have heard of him as the Time Master or Father Time. Around here he's known as Clockwork, someone highly respected and - some might say- feared."

Danny thought about that a moment. "Why is he feared?"

"Well, wouldn't you be weary of a spirit holding so much power? Of course you would. It is most natural."

"Alright, that makes sense." He said and closed the book. "So, he's a pretty big deal around here, huh."

"Most certainly. He's done your people more favors than you could imagine, and more harm than you would like to know. But that is a story for another time."

Danny huffed. "Fine. But, why are you showing me this? What good could it do giving me more free access to your realm?"

"Is it wrong for me to simply do you a favor. I thought you might enjoy having a map of your own, the Zone can be a tricky place after all."

"You mean I can keep this!" He exclaimed with unhindered excitement. Ghostwriter chuckled at his enthusiasm.

"Why not. I have plenty of copies." He waved his hand absently. " Think of this as a gift Danny. And an excuse for you to go home a study it."

Danny cringed, looking up at the clock on the wall. The time was a bit tricky in the realm, seeming to go either faster or slower than normal. Either way he knew it was late and only a matter of time before his parents work up. He could already imagine his parents blasting away at his empty bed, once again blaming ghost for his disappearance.

"Oh, yeah. I really should get going." He stood and let Ghostwriter lead him to the door.

"Thanks for listening and all."

"You know I don't mind Danny, a little company never hurt anybody. Be sure to stop by soon." He said as Danny left, jumping rock to rock in an effort to get home, pretty sure he was late for school.

He was so screwed.


Jazz sat on the couch staring at the television. The images soon growing fuzzy with her lack of concentration. She planned on spending her night studying and skip her first class, thankful that it was study hall.

Her night filled with hard work soon died down as her brain refused to cooperate with her. The last few hours were spent staring idly into the tv, her mind not quite comprehending what was being shown.

Frantic voices soon brought her attention back to the program, the news reporter looking rather distraught.

"...And we just caught news of another break in along downtown Amity, residences identify the figure as a humanoid being. Locals are being issued out of their developments and a full investigation is to be set within the new few hours. This is Lance Thunders coming to you from Amity Park."

Jazz was leaning forward in her seat as the camera clicked onto the news. This was the second ghost sighting in the past day. She began having doubt about her resentfulness toward her parent's work. She was surprised that school was still being held after such an incident, which, in her opinion, could have been any teenagers prank for a day free of school. The idea of ghosts was such an absurd idea, logically speaking it was near impossible. But leave it to her family to believe in the unbelievable.

Footsteps brought back her attention and her head snapped toward the lab door. With practiced stealth she moved her body to the side of the couch, her view only slightly obstructed. The heavy metal door was cracked open and a familiar mass of black hair slipped through. Jazz watching in disbelief as her younger brother crept up the stairs, oblivious of his watcher.

Jazz watched as he avoided any creaky step with practice and disappeared upstairs. If that whole experience didn't scream suspicious she didn't know what did. She slowly stood back up and waited before heading toward her room. A whole list of questions forming in her head.

She would figure out what her little brother was up to, that was for sure.


A/N: Oh, uh, hello there. Review for me?

Thanks for reading bbys 3