Chapter 2

"Is this place open? I saw the light – didn't see anybody inside, though…" the young man said nervously, rubbing the back of his neck.

Will blanched and then swallowed. "Oh…Oh yes, we're open. I'm the only one here, though," she said, trying to imply that he shouldn't order anything spectacular. She could make most of the items on the menu, but that was the cook's job, not hers.

"I see, I, um, I'm just passing through. Can I have some coffee?" he said quickly, making his way toward the counter.

"Of course," said Will. Coffee was the one thing she could make, no problem. "What would you like?"

"Oh, uh, black, caf, milk and two sugars," he said, sitting down.

Will nodded and went to the coffee making machine. She almost began making Mr. Harris's usual order, before remembering. She smiled. She just couldn't get Mr. Harris out of her head.

She brought the steaming cup of coffee back to the man who took it gratefully. She then stood awkwardly a couple of feet away to watch him drink it. The buzzing of the fluorescent lights seemed especially loud.

The silence was broken unexpectedly by the man himself. "Wilhelmina," he said. "That's a nice name."

"Everyone calls me Will."

The young man smiled. "Funny, my girlfriend's name is Samantha, but everyone calls her Sam."

Girlfriend. That was good, Will realized. She had been a bit apprehensive when the stranger had walked into the café at such dark hours and she had been completely alone.

"You're probably wondering why I'm out so late."

"Not really. This is Chicago, after all."

He sipped his coffee, thoughtfully. "Oh, yeah. Must be the small town in me talking."

"Where're you from?" Will asked, happy that she could make such polite conversation with a complete stranger.

"Amity Park. It's a few hours south of here."

"Amity Park!" she whispered, hoarsely. Everyone had heard of that place. She leaned on the table, curious. "Isn't that supposedly the most haunted place in the US?"

"Supposedly?" asked the man. "I take it you don't believe in ghosts?"

Will smiled shyly and looked away. "It's not – Well, it's just hard for me to believe in anything really paranormal. Plus, I can see how something like that could be easily hoaxed."

The man nodded. He was smiling, as if sharing some private joke with himself. "Why is it so hard for you?"

"Well, I guess it's because I've never been one for ghost stories. And I'm majoring in physics."

"Ah. Science and belief don't mix, I take it."

Will replied by frowning slightly.

"You're in college?" the man continued, taking another sip of his coffee.

"Grad school. That's why I'm here. I'm paying my way through."

"I see."

The silence took over for a few minutes.

"Have you ever seen a ghost?" Will asked, suddenly.

"I thought you didn't believe in them." He raised his eyebrows.

"I don't want to believe in them, but I don't want to believe a lie."

"Which is the lie? That ghosts exist or they don't?"

"I was hoping you could tell me."

The man sipped his coffee, thoughtfully. He licked his lips.

"My name's Danny."

"It's nice to meet you Danny." Will wondered vaguely why he was evading the question. It was then that she noticed that the temperature had dropped several degrees in the café. "Would you excuse me? I think the thermostat slipped or something."

"No, it's alright." He seemed sad, suddenly, as if the weight of the world was on his shoulders.

Will returned and leaned on the counter again. "So, come on, have you seen a ghost or haven't you?"

Danny smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Yes, I have. But whether you believe I have is another matter."

"Have you seen Danny Phantom?"

The man twisted to look at her, his eyes wide. "You've heard of him?"

"The whole world's heard of him! He's being called the biggest hoax since that yeti film."

"Hoax," he whispered. "Yes, I guess that's what people would think." He seemed to draw in upon himself a little bit. "What do you know about him?"

"Only what I've heard from the news and the internet. Isn't he supposed to fight ghosts? I saw a grainy video once, but it could have been someone throwing a pie plate in the air, for all I know."

"Maybe he just wants to stay out of sight."

"Maybe, but that's awfully convenient."

"I suppose." Danny finished his coffee. "Can I have some more?"

Will took the empty mug. "Are you sure you don't want decaf? You're going to be up all night."

"I'm up all night most of the time, anyway."

Will narrowed her eyes and went to make the coffee. She had never had such a long conversation with one of her customers before, and never about such an out-there topic. Will had always considered herself open-minded about these sorts of things, but there was a time when it became too much. Especially since she wanted to go into the sciences.

What did he mean he was up all night most of the time? Will realized she hadn't asked him what his job was. She finished making the coffee and returned to the counter.

"So, Danny, what do you do for a living?"

"Me? I'm a private investigator."

"A private eye, huh? That must be interesting."

"I've got a knack for being invisible when I need to be." He smirked, but Will didn't know why. "And you? What are you going to do with that physics degree?"

"I'm probably going to go into academia, but I'd really like to work at CERN laboratories."

"Smashing atoms, huh? That's a big dream."

"It's what I've always wanted. And no matter what happens, I'm going to work toward that goal."

"I always wanted to be an astronaut, you know. I spent years learning how I could get into the space program. Life will throw you some curve balls, though."

"Are you saying I shouldn't even try?"

"No, I'm saying you should never, ever give up. You've got to be confident, and roll with the punches. Literally, in some cases."

Will raised an eyebrow. "I think I've got a problem with confidence."

"Oh?"

"I can't even talk to the guy I like."

"Oh, I wouldn't be too – " Suddenly Danny was cut off by a blue mist leaving his mouth. Will was astonished.

"I'm sorry. I knew it was getting cold in here, but I didn't realize – "

"Be quiet." His voice was thick and firm. Instantly, Will shut up. Danny was getting up, quickly scanning the café for something. His mouth was set in a smooth, hard line. "Get under the counter. Don't. Make. A sound."

Will complied, even though she had no idea what was going on. She could hear Danny's footsteps walking away from the counter.

For a few precious seconds, there was nothing but silence.

Then there was a green flash, and the glass windows of the café exploded.