Author's Note: I know you're all eager to see what happens next! And I'm happy to tell you that you won't have long to find out, because here's chapter seventeen!

I also finished writing this story, and will be uploading the following chapters in the next couple of days.

Lovesick

Chapter Seventeen

Danny shook his head. "I'm sorry, but I don't think I know you, miss."

Moon's smile faded slightly. "Of course not! Not yet, at least," she whispered seductively, walking away. Danny, as she had assumed, look confused. After a few steps, he followed her. Whether it was innocent curiosity, Moon didn't know. What she did know was that she was going to make sure Danny knew who she was. Then she would kill him. It was simple, and to her, it would be as easy as breathing.

Moon ended up leading them to a small, secluded alley. Cobwebs brushed the corners. Red-eyed rats watched them evilly from atop trashcans, following their every step. The old, tall buildings blocked out the sunlight. And any prying eyes.

"You might know my granddaughter, however. Sam," Moon said when she and Danny were deep enough into the alley.

Danny immediately stopped walking. "Sam...Manson?"

Moon resisted rolling her eyes. Good lord, this boy was dim-witted. How Sam could have fallen for him was beyond her.

"Yes, Samantha Manson," Moon said, grinning crookedly.

Danny shook his head, backing a few steps away. He stepped on an empty can, and the noise echoed in the hollow place.

Moon advanced on him, her smile never disappearing. Suddenly, with speed Danny wouldn't have believed, Moon had pinned him against the brick wall. She pressed her small body against his, brushing her lips lightly against Danny's neck. Danny shuddered.

"What's wrong, Danny? Aren't I as precious to you as your Sam? We're very much alike, you know," Moon whispered in his ear.

Danny squirmed and suddenly pushed Moon off. Moon tumbled backwards and crashed into the trashcans. Something silver dropped out of her hand. As she picked herself up, Danny noticed it was a large, silver blade. His breath caught in his throat and for a moment, he was frozen.

"You stupid boy!" Moon screamed, advancing on him with the blade. "It would have been over so quickly!"

Danny had a split-seconds warning to dive out of the way before Moon slashed the blade over empty air. Danny quickly turned around and ran, hoping Moon couldn't hear his thumping heart. He turned corners, overturning trashcans in the process. Up ahead, he could see the alley's opening. He ran into the bright sunlight and bent over, his hands on his knees, gasping. Moon screamed somewhere behind him. He urged his legs to keep running and took off down the street, praying to god Moon wasn't following.

Mon let out a scream of fury as Danny disappeared behind a corner. She threw the blade against the wall, causing the rats which were peering up at her from the darkness to squeak and scatter.

Moon sighed angrily and was just about to leave when she noticed something on the floor. She bent down and picked it up. It was a small bag. Moon opened it and found a small, black box with the words To Sam written across the top in fancy gold lettering. Intrigued, she opened the box. Inside was the most beautiful diamond ring she had ever seen.

Moon slipped the ring on, tossing the box into the trash. She smiled to herself. Maybe this would work to her advantage...

-DP-

Danny slammed the door shut, locking it behind him. Sam, who was sitting on the window ledge reading a book, jumped in surprise. She stared at Danny, who had slid down with his back against the door and was gasping harshly.

"Are you okay, Danny?" Sam asked, closing her book and walking over to him.

"I, well I just, no, I-" Danny sputtered, trying to catch his breath. "Sam, I just saw-" but his words were cut short when he noticed Sam had become very still. The book dropped out of her hand and fell to the floor.

"Sam?" Danny asked uncertainly, because Sam had focused her attention on his neck. He stood up slowly, but Sam shook her head and turned her face away, tears brimming on her eyes.

"Who is she?" Sam asked quietly.

"Wh, what?" Danny said, his breath finally evening out. He took a step towards Sam, but she backed away, tears now pouring down her cheeks.

"Who is she, Danny?" Sam repeated.

"What are you talking about?" Danny asked, completely bewildered.

Sam turned around. Danny took a step back in surprise. Sam's eyes had darkened to a deep plum color. Tears made wet trails from her eyes down her cheeks. Her mascara was ruined, running down alongside her tears.

Sam shook her head again, causing her hair to come out of its loose ponytail. She turned around and ran into the bathroom, slamming the door shut behind her. Danny heard her crying softly, and his heart seemed to break in half.

"Check your neck, Danny!" Sam said from the other side of the door. "I didn't do that!"

Danny spotted a mirror laying on the bed and seized it. His fingers trembled as he slowly lowered the mirror to his neck. He gasped. There, reflecting back at him, was a large love mark where Moon had practically ravaged him.

"Sam! Please, let me explain!" Danny said, throwing the mirror back on the bed. He moved across the room to the bathroom, calling out through the closed door. "This isn't what it looks like!"

Danny tried to open the door but it was locked. His voice came out in a frenzied panic. "Sam, please!"

"No! Leave me alone, Danny!"

Danny leaned against the door, his heart thumping madly again. Only this time, it was for an entirely different reason. What had he done?

Author's Note: Oh no! Moon took the ring! After she attacked Danny, of course. Eugh. What is she planning? Poor Danny. Sam won't hear him out. What will happen in the next chapter? You'll find out soon enough.