Jazz PoV
My brother Danny has been home for almost two weeks now, and yet, he hasn't.
The day he finally returned home, my parents had absolutely screamed with happiness. I remember everything from the moment our phone rang with Vlad bringing news that he 'found Danny' to the days of celebration my parents threw.
Mom sat on the couch, staring out the window with no expression. She looked older, worn out. Maybe it was because of the lone light from the lamp, but I could see every wrinkle in her face, each one drawn and sad. Dad was who-knows-where. Maybe he was outside, still searching, or maybe he was downstairs, staring at all the dusty lab equipment. I was waiting on pins and needles, knowing today was the day, the day Danny came home. It was already 2 o'clock. Where were they? Perhaps Danny was wrong. What if Vlad never intended to return him? What if he had tricked my brother and now Danny was locked away in-
The phone rang, shattering the hanging silence.
Mom instantly came alive, grabbing the receiver with brave hope raising within her eyes.
"Hello?" she asked quietly, teetering on the edge. I prayed it was who I thought it was, otherwise I don't think Mom could handle another let down.
"Vlad? What-"
Happiness and relief exploded in my chest. I couldn't stop the grin that prematurely stretched across my face. It was him! It was Danny! I watched as my mother gripped the receiver with both hands, knuckles turning white. Her eyes widened, her breathe was nonexistent.
"You-you found..."
Tears welled in her eyes as her old fire returned. My mom seemed to transform in front of my eyes, gone from a whisper of a women to the lioness she's always been.
"Jack! JACK!" she screamed, moving away from the receiver, "Vlad found Danny! He found Danny!"
I released my cry of happiness, hearing Dad clamber up the steps hastily. The lab door burst open, the handle putting a hole in the wall. His eyes were wide, mouth agape.
"Danny, Jack! Vlad found him!"
Tears were streaming down her face, she was practically jumping up and down on the couch. Dad finally came out of his stupor, punching the air ecstatically.
"Way to go Vladdie!" he boomed.
My mom quickly returned to the phone, talking so fast I could barely understand her. Dad bounded to her side, placing a hand on her shoulder and absolutely beaming. When Mom's voice fell to a whisper and she stopped breathing again, I knew she was talking to Danny.
"Danny?" she whispered, tears coming down in buckets now, her knuckles white once more.
She wasn't able to get much more out. I heard a few choking gasps as she tried to rein in her emotions, but it was a futile attempt.
"Yes, we'll see you soon sweetheart. I love you." she sniffed, smiling softly.
Slowly, she hung up the receiver, looking as calm and collected as she could with tears running down her face.
"He'll be here in about three hours." she said quietly.
The stillness that lingered in her words quickly vanished. Mom broke into fresh sobs again, jumping up and wrapping her arms around Dad. He clutched her tightly, sitting down and rubbing her back, whispering soft words in her ear. I couldn't erase the smile from my face, and was surprised when I realized I was weeping myself. Three more hours. Just three more hours.
They were the longest three hours of my life. I quickly called Sam and Tucker, telling them the news. They showed up on our doorstep in record time with matching expressions of elation.
"'Bout time he got here." Sam said to me quietly.
I nodded in agreement. We spent at least an hour pacing and glancing at the clock until Mom decided to make a feast to take her mind off the time. Everyone helped her cook, half to pass the time and half to make sure she didn't re-enact Frankenturkey. We filled the table with meatloaf and potatoes, lasagna and fruit salad, baked chicken and green beans. My mom, Sam, and I created a chocolate, fudge drizzled cake. The words 'Welcome home Danny!' were iced in green.
The fact that Sam, Tucker, and I had known all week that Danny was to return today didn't quell the impatience. Once all the food was finished, the clock said ten till five. Those ten minutes were torturous. Mom and I were cleaning the immaculate living room, steeling glances at the door every ten seconds. Dad was pacing in circles, mumbling to himself. Tucker was on his PDA, his hand moving rapidly around the screen. Sam was staring out the window, arms crossed and face expressionless. Only her reflected eyes betrayed her, the emotion in them easy to see.
Finally, she screamed, causing everyones heart rate to accelerate even though we all froze. I forced my numb legs to move, getting closer to Sam's still form, her hands covering her mouth. A long black limo was in front of our house. I felt like I was disconnected from my body as I watched Danny get out of the car. He stared at the house with a numb expression, breaking it to glance back into the depths of the car and then look back at us. His face burst into a wide grin when he met our eyes, lighting up his features right down to the darkest point in his eyes.
Mom couldn't take it anymore and she ran to the door, throwing it open and looking down at her son in pure joy.
"Danny!"
Her shout broke the ice holding us all. Everyone followed her outside, stampeding down the steps. I watched as Mom and Danny ran into each others arms, falling into a tight embrace full of joyful cries. Dad ran to meet them, wrapping his arms around them both and hugging them close. I couldn't stop watching, the grin on my face never faltering. Danny hugged them close, happiness evident in his entire demeanor, reflected ten fold by Mom and Dad.
It was then that I noticed Vlad Masters by the limo, watching the touching scene with a gentle smile. That was the only time my grin fell, such fury coursing through me at the sight of him that I was a little shocked. How dare he smile like that? How dare he even stick around? This was all his fault anyways. He doesn't even have the right be here.
I tore my eyes away from him, pushing down my emotions to deal with later. I was just happy Danny was home. I wasn't about to let that fruitloop ruin it.
Danny pulled away from Mom and Dad, turning to me with a smile that I returned. The butterflies in my stomach began fluttering once more as I reached out to him, all negative feelings forgotten as I embraced my brother for the first time in two weeks.
"Thanks Jazz." he whispered in my ear, guilt in his voice.
I was unable to say your welcome because I had hated his choice from the beginning and had kept it from Mom and Dad reluctantly. But I held him tighter, telling him without words that I'd always be there for him no matter what his decisions are.
Reluctantly, I let him go, leaving him to laugh and hug his friends. Mom and Dad were at the bottom of the stairs, watching him with love in their eyes, their own hands clasped. I forced myself to look at Vlad, expecting him to be eying Mom with jealously, but I was surprised to see him still staring at Danny.
"Come on Danny," Mom reached out and pulled him into another hug, kissing his forehead. "We have tons of food waiting. You must be starving."
"Yeah, and Vlad can come too!" My Dad swung a large arm around Vlad's shoulders, finally bringing him into the picture.
"Of course! Please, come in Vlad." My mom implored, completely flooring me. Was she feeling okay?
"Oh no, I don't want to impose-"
"Nonsense! You found Danny for us, please, come in." she welcomed him graciously, all the while still hugging Danny close to her.
He stayed for dinner, unfortunately. Sam and Tucker shared my sentiments, but we all kept our thoughts to ourselves. None of us wanted to ruin this happy time with our stormy opinions of Vlad.
The evening was loud and full of celebration. Mom called everyone in the phone book, practically shouting the news. By morning the whole town would know that Danny was back. I took amusement in watching Vlad be forced to hold a conversation with my Dad, something he wasn't too excited about. Dad ate about half the food on the table, leaving everyone else the rest.
I kept a close eye on Vlad, but for some reason it felt like keeping a close eye on Danny. The two were never far apart, but I don't think any one else noticed. They sat next to each other at the table, stood next to each other as they talked, and even shared a joke or two. Any enmity that was once between them was obviously gone, and it worried me.
But Danny seemed happy and safe, even with Vlad standing behind him or sitting next to him. He was always smiling, completely relaxed. I decided not to worry about it, seeing as Danny wasn't worrying about it. Besides, Vlad hadn't even spared a glance at Mom all night, so I certainly wasn't complaining. Although he did stare at Danny quite a lot...
Once our stomaches were full and our elation had died down to a tolerable level, we all headed into the living room to relax and enjoy each others company, something I managed to do despite Vlad's presence. I was happy to see Danny sit between Mom and Dad instead of next to Vlad. My parents hugged him for the millionth time that evening and finally, questions were asked.
According to Vlad, he'd been out walking this afternoon and had come across a confused Danny stumbling through the woods. Danny, apparently, couldn't remember what happened. He said he was only able to recall snap shots, flitting memories of the ghost zone. His guess was that he'd managed to free himself of the kidnapping ghosts and then came across a natural portal that led him to Wisconsin, where he wandered around for hours until Vlad found him.
It sounded like total crap to me, but that might be because I know it's total crap. However, Mom and Dad took it hook, line, and sinker, going on about how lucky it was that Vlad had spotted him and saying how happy they were that he was home.
As 11 o'clock rolled around, the evening finally came to an end with Vlad claiming he had business to attend to in the morning and Sam and Tucker getting a call from their parents. After another half hour of thank yous and good byes, Sam and Tucker left, promising to come by tomorrow. Vlad said one last good bye, giving Danny a significant glance that I couldn't decipher, and then taking his leave as well. I watched as Danny practically floated to the window, looking out the glass with a wistful expression. It was an expression that I would come to know very well in the coming weeks.
Now, two weeks later, Mom and Dad's elation still hasn't completely died really had been miserable without him, especially my mom. She would spend hours looking through old photo albums, lingering long enough to cry over every picture he was in. Dad would always come home late into the night from searching. Sometimes, when both my parents were out looking for him, they wouldn't come home at all, dragging themselves through the door the next day, looking lifeless.
It was moments like those that I really hated my brother's choice to stay with Vlad for an extra week, so much so that I was even angry with Danny sometimes. I had to keep reminding myself that it was for the best, that it was for protecting Dad. Danny said Vlad wouldn't attack Dad anymore, and I haven't heard a peep from the billionaire since he brought Danny home, so maybe Vlad was telling the truth.
But I still can't help but have a bad feeling. Something feels off.
I remember the day Danny told us he'd be staying with Vlad. At first, when Sam had called and told me Danny was at Tucker's house, I'd been ready to run through the house jumping for joy. I didn't even get nervous when she told me not to tell my parents and to just get over to Tucker's place. I hadn't thought anything of it because I'd been much too happy with the simple knowledge that Danny was back. No more depressed parents, no more spending agonizing hours analyzing every possible tragedy that could have happened to him, and no more sleepless nights. Danny was home and everyone would be happy again.
And then he told us he was going back.
I don't know what was worse for me, his first disappearance or the heartbreak of watching him go back. I didn't understand, and it infuriated me. Why on earth would he go back? Why would he want to go back? This was Vlad Masters we were talking about. It just didn't make any logical sense.
He told us it was because he thought he could turn Vlad's heart of stone into something kinder. It sounded fishy to me. Vlad kidnaps Danny and suddenly Danny wants to be his savior? I've only known Danny to despise Vlad. I remember when Danny came home from fights with him, he'd be an absolute wreck. He was always so furious and upset, not to mention beaten to a pulp. Sometimes, when he was feeling particularly upset, he'd talk to me, and a few times...he got pretty emotional, talking about how confused he was. It was what made me hate Vlad so much, the way he twisted with my brother's head.
So I couldn't wrap my mind around the reason Danny was willingly returning to Vlad, even if his goal was to keep the monster from trying to kill Dad. I don't see my brother doing something so drastic. There was a higher chance that it was impossible to break Vlad of his grudge, and my brother wouldn't spend an extra week with Plasmius on mere chance. He'd only do something so radical if he was absolutely sure Vlad wasn't going to kill Dad anymore...or if there was something else going on.
And then I saw the hickeys. I don't know what Danny takes me for, but I'm not an idiot. I knew those weren't cat bites on his neck, there was just no way. Yet, the alternative explanation was so horrible I didn't even want to consider it. Could Vlad have...? No. Impossible. Even he's not that much of a fruitloop. Right?
But the entire time Danny was with us, and whenever he'd talk about him, it was like no one else in the world existed. And the way he talked about him, it was just...just...wrong. The Danny I knew before the spontaneous kidnapping wouldn't want to spend ten seconds in the same room as Plasmius, and then he comes home for a visit and tells us they've been taking swim lessons and going on walks together. At first I thought he'd been brainwashed. Actually, I'd hoped Danny had been brainwashed. But when we talked with Danny over the webcam and I noticed how much more defensive, even protective, of Vlad he'd become, I knew it couldn't be that simple.
Brainwashing involves a complex manipulation of the mind. Usually, the process is so grueling on the brain that all that's left is a mindless puppet at your fingers. There is no learning or developing, only existing for the brainwashings purpose. Vlad wouldn't want a mindless drone. He wouldn't see that as winning in his sick game of chess. I never truly believed Danny had been brainwashed, and as I witnessed him become more attached to Vlad, I knew it wasn't so.
This was quickly narrowing down my list of explanations. What could Vlad have done to suddenly turn Danny so close to him and still explain the unmistakable hickeys on his neck? Had Vlad messed with my brother's head so much that he'd somehow managed to turn Danny onto his side? But then what's with the hickeys?
Did...did Vlad rape Danny?
No way. Of course not. Seriously, it's ridiculous to even think about. He's crazy about Mom, not a fifteen year old. I mean, if that had been the case, then Danny would be fighting him tooth and nail.
Or...would he? Perhaps...perhaps whatever Vlad did...it finally broke my little brother and then Vlad managed to wrap him around his finger. I've read about cases where the victim becomes so attached to the offender that lines are blurred and reality is twisted for the one who was hurt. Did Danny create his own world where he actually believes Vlad...loves him? As a sort of defense against the harshness of reality? But if that's the case...then Vlad really did...
I couldn't let myself think like that. It was an absurd thought. Danny was back, the ghosts were attacking less, and Mom and Dad were happy. Just because Danny disappears for hours at a time during the week doesn't mean he's going off to Vlad's through the portal. I'm just being paranoid, like Danny said.
"Guys, it was one day."
"You promised you'd talk to us every night. Why didn't you call Thursday night? What happened?"
"Nothing happened! I just forgot, okay." He looked oddly flustered.
"We were worried sick! We thought Vlad-"
"Vlad didn't do anything! I'm home now, and I'm just fine. Jeez, would you all stop being so paranoid?"
At this point, Sam had practically blown up with fury, claiming we had every right to be paranoid. Danny got angry as well, once again trying to tell us that Vlad wasn't the person we thought he was. I'm sure Sam and Tucker still think Vlad managed to brainwash or trick my brother. I haven't told them what I suspect happened. They'd never believe me. I hardly believe me.
I was probably just getting all worked up over nothing. Danny's home and things are more or less returning to normal. My theories are unfounded, speculative at best. Besides, Danny wouldn't let something like that happen to him. I'm just being paranoid.
Everything is just fine.
"Sam! Tucker! Wait up!" I heard Danny call.
I looked over to the trio of friends as I walked toward my car, leaving the school. The last remnants of the bell were echoing off the grounds and teenagers were pouring out the front doors. I watched as Danny ran over to Sam and Tucker, lugging his backpack behind him. I could tell they were talking, but I was much to far to hear what they were saying. They started for the sidewalk, leaving the school behind at an easy stroll.
I turned back to my little red car and glanced at the sky. Summer was creeping up, bringing more sun and longer days. The engine coughed as usual, spluttering to a start. I pulled down the visor and drove out of the parking lot, taking my usual route home.
I passed Danny and his friends, waving hi like I always do. Danny waved hello back, like he normally does. It was as though he never left. Except for the random disappearances and the more floaty lift in his step. If I didn't know any better I'd say he had a girlfriend.
I looked in my rear view mirror, back at the trio. Predictably, Sam was casting Danny furtive looks and Danny was as oblivious as ever. It was easy to see even as I drove away. He's always been so clueless.
I pressed on the gas, rounding a corner. I could see the top of the Op-Center peaking over the roofs of normal buildings and couldn't repress an annoyed sigh. Soon enough I was parking in the empty lot next to us, pointedly ignoring the hulking RV.
The homework load wasn't too bad. With Mom and Dad gone out shopping, I took advantage of the precious silence. I had my essays and Physics finished by the time Danny, Sam, and Tucker stumbled in an hour later, all three groaning for food.
"Meat! Please tell me you have meat!" Tucker gasped, a large smudge of dirt on his shirt that wasn't their after school.
Danny snorted, wisely steering clear of the fridge. I noticed a half healed cut across his forehead, peaking out from beneath his hair.
"Ghost hunting?" I asked sympathetically, looking up at him from my homework pile on the kitchen table.
"Yep." Danny pulled out three cans from the cabinet, glancing at the label before throwing one to Tucker who squealed in delight.
"Meat!"
"Tucker, that's Spam. Tofu counts as meat more than that garbage." Sam scrunched up her nose in disgust.
"Tofu is garbage."
"Tucker! So help me-"
"Hey Sam, we might have some celery in the fridge. And look," Danny swiftly pulled out a jar of peanut butter and drew out his voice. "We have crunchy, your favorite."
He tossed the jar over to his deflating friend, expertly extinguishing the fight brewing between the goth and the techno geek. Sam smiled at the jar of crunchy peanut butter, giving Tucker the cold shoulder as she approached the fridge.
"Who was it this time?" I asked Danny as he pulled out a bowl for cereal, ignoring the tamed squabble between his friends.
"Ember. Haven't seen her in a while." He commented, reaching into the fridge and pulling out a carton of milk. He tentatively sniffed the drink and then shrugged, pouring it in his cereal.
"Tucker, can you please take that outside where it belongs." Sam looked sick as Tucker cut the lid from the can, unleashing the foul smell.
"I could say the same thing about your rabbit food." He looked at her smartly, immediately inhaling the canned meat.
Danny, all too used to this argument, settled down with his Invader O's and munched away, staring out the window with that wistful expression again. I couldn't understand where that expression was coming from. I've often caught him staring out into space with a glazed look, sometimes with a secretive smile across his face. He's been doing that ever since he came home from Vlad's.
"Just because it's canned it doesn't mean it's not natural, right Danny?"
The raven haired teen continued to gaze out the window.
"Uh, Danny? Hello? Danny!"
"Huh?" He looked over at his friends, meeting their question marked stares.
"Um, I mean, right!" He looked a little sheepish, smiling too widely.
"See? Told you Sam!"
"Danny, do you even know what the question was?" Sam asked in an exasperated tone.
"Meat?"
"There. He knows exactly what were talking about." Tucker nodded confidently. Sam still looked unconvinced, but before she could argue against it, Danny spoke up.
"What time are Mom and Dad getting home?" He asked me.
"In about at hour, so enjoy the freedom while you still can." I advised.
"Yeah, no kidding." He muttered darkly.
Poor Danny's had hardly a minute to breathe since he got home. Mom and Dad are just starting to finally leave him alone and not follow him to the mall anymore. Their actions are understandable, what with Danny 'mysteriously' disappearing for two weeks, but I could tell they were suffocating him.
"Hopefully they'll loosen up a bit. I've been home for two weeks now." He grumbled.
"Hopefully. I'm getting tired of covering for you all the time." I said dryly, hoping he'd get the hint.
"Yeah." I wouldn't look me in the eye. "But, you know, ghost hunting." He shrugged half heartedly, totally lying.
It bothered me that Danny wouldn't tell me where he was really going, but I didn't push. I knew he wasn't ghost fighting. There had been a significantly lower number of ghost attacks since he returned from Vlad's, no where near enough to cover the hours he was randomly gone. I was worried about him, and if his disappearances were constant, I'm not ashamed to say I'd follow him to find out what he's doing. Unfortunately, they're all sporadic. One day he'll be here, the next day he won't.
I don't think Sam or Tucker have noticed Danny's odd absences either. Well, Tucker hasn't noticed. I get the feeling Sam realizes somethings up, but isn't saying anything.
"I got this sweet new demo of Doom 3. Who wants to check it out?" Tucker interrupted my thoughts and suddenly pulled a disc from his pocket, waving it tantalizingly in front of Danny and Sam.
"We do!" They yelled in unison, jumping up from their chairs, food forgotten.
Like stampeding rhinos, they bolted out of the kitchen and up the stairs, leaving their mess behind them. I heard Danny's door slam shut and sighed, knowing I'd be the one cleaning this mess up. With little complaint, (Danny saves us daily from ghost attacks, I figured the least I could do was clean up after him once in a while) I gathered the dirty dishes, cringing when I threw Tucker's into the trash, spraying Lysol all over the spot he was sitting and the empty Spam can for good measure.
Maybe Danny is just going off and practicing his ghost powers by himself. He did say Vlad gave him a little training while he was at his mansion. But why would he keep that from me and his friends? It's not like that's anything worth hiding.
I scrubbed at the spotless bowl, getting lost in my determination to figure out what Danny was up to.
He's never come back hurt. Whenever he reappears he's in perfect condition, except maybe a little tired. The only difference is his mood. He's always happy when he comes back from where ever he goes, and much more floaty. Kinda like the day he returned home.
I put the dried bowl away, starting on some utensils.
Maybe he does have a secret girlfriend. I couldn't help but smirk to myself. Yeah right. Everyone knows he likes Sam. It's so funny how he won't admit it.
The soap clotted over the gleaming metal, looking like distorted snow.
I wonder if he's going to the ghost zone. I paused in my cleaning. But why would he go there? Perhaps to pay off some sort of debt or something? Is he doing something dangerous that would put us in harms way if we knew what it was? But if that was the case, then he wouldn't come home looking like a love struck school girl. Where could he possibly go in the ghost zone that would cause that reacti-
The dishes fell limp in my hands, the water pouring out of the faucet becoming deaf in my ears. The answer was so obvious. His portal is only ten minutes from ours. How could I have ignored it all this time?
He's going to Vlad's.
"Jazzy pants! Were home early! Where's Danny?" Dad busted through the door, looking around expectantly. I felt a burst of adrenaline punch through me as the silence was broken, feeling as though I'd been caught red handed.
"Jazz? Are you alright? You look a little pale." Mom wandered into the kitchen as Dad waddled up the steps, setting her many bags on the table and walking closer to me.
"I-I'm fine." I forced out, giving her a crooked smile and turning back to the dishes.
She hesitated.
"Well if you're sure..."
After a moment of nothing but the sound of dishes clinking and running water, Mom turned back to her stuff, leaving me to steady my rapid heart beat.
"Finally got a new set of foundation at the mall. Can't imagine where I put my original..." She trailed off again. I looked over my shoulder to see her inspecting a flesh colored tube of make up. She had lost her original one a week or so ago.
"He's upstairs Mads." Dad wandered back into the kitchen, ever informing us of Danny's current position. "Jazz! You wanna see what your mother and I bought?"
"Does it involve ghosts?" I asked, deadpanned.
"Yeah." He gave me a confused look, as though not understanding how it could be anything else.
"Then no." I swiftly dried the rest of the dishes and put them away.
Dad resembled something close to a deflated balloon, but almost immediately perked back up, jabbering on to Mom about the many different ideas he had for the new ghost equipment they bought. I quickly grabbed my unfinished homework from the table, knowing if I waited too long they'd be covered in green goop from some weird gun or something.
"Night Mom." I sneaked into Dad's monologue quietly, casting her a smile.
She raised an eyebrow at how early it was but said nothing, waving good bye with a smile. I know it was early, but I wasn't really up to company a the moment, my heart heavy. As I ascended the stairs I could hear the sounds of laser guns and explosions coming from my brothers room, along with three carefree laughs. Dad had left the door to Danny's room open and as I passed I sneaked in a look.
Danny was sitting at his computer, totally at ease. Sam and Tucker were on either side of him, shouting obscenities at the game they were playing. Was Danny going to Vlad's? I didn't exactly have proof. Maybe I'm just being paranoid again.
A loud explosion echoed around the room and all the teens yelled, throwing their arms in the air.
"You loose, Danny. Scoot over, it's my turn." Tucker practically pushed him out of the seat, eagerly starting a new game.
Danny grinned at his excited friend, but then his eyes glanced towards the door. He caught me staring and his grin faded into a guarded, suspicious look, one that I've been getting from him too much lately. I stared at him for a moment more, expressionless, and then walked away. I heard Danny close his bedroom door as I opened my own, that small click from making my heart heavier. He was shutting me out.
I closed my door as well, letting out a great sigh. I stood in the dark for a moment, clutching my sturdy books to my chest, wishing I knew what to do. Eventually, I flicked the light switch up, bringing my pink walls and multiple stuffed animals to life. I set my books on my desk and flopped onto the bed unceremoniously, disturbing the once perfect line of unicorns and rainbow colored teddy bears. Bearbert fell over with a flop, his over stuffed head hitting my pink comforter mutely.
I turned and gazed at my childhood friend for a while, wishing he could give me all the answers. Feeling a little silly, I picked him up and stared at his coal black eyes.
"Tell me Bearbert. What's Danny and Vlad up to?"
He didn't answer of course, I knew he wouldn't. He just gazed at me with those button eyes, a little string hanging from one of them and ominously reminding me of a tear. Frowning, I placed him back in his spot, straightening the rest of the animals.
The sun was still up, but I didn't feel like basking in its rays right now. I pulled the shade down and closed myself up in my room, looking to the pile of homework apathetically.
"Guess I should finish that."
I picked myself up and fell into the wooden desk chair, the silence starting to get to me. With the click of a few buttons on my stereo, I had Beethoven playing, the smooth violin echoing through the speakers. I had just recently found the CD, having lost it years ago. I was glad I found it; he's one of my favorite composers.
Calculus was a breeze, the long equations perfect for distracting my mind. I was sure to go as slow as possible, re-checking my work each time. All I had left to finish was a Psychology reading. By the time I got started on it the clock was approaching 7 o'clock. I worked slow again, reading the text book throughly. Too soon, I was completely done.
Luckily though, I had a couple new books to keep me distracted enough. Well, actually more like one book. I'm sure Danny only picked out The Psychology of Overbearing Sisters simply to taunt me. I closed up my homework and placed it neatly in my backpack. After kicking off my shoes and putting some light pajamas on, I fell onto my bed and grabbed The Workings Of The Misunderstood Mind, hearing the fresh spine crack as I opened it and bringing a smile to my face. I loved that sound.
Danny told us Vlad took him into town and he picked out gifts for each of us. Since I know Danny has no job, it was easy to guess that Vlad paid for them, but that didn't really bother me. I wasn't about to look a gift horse in the mouth, even if it was from a fruitloop. It was the thought that counts and the thought came from Danny, so I appreciated it just the same.
Taking a deep breathe and clearing my mind, I looked down at the small print and began to read.
"So you're living in a world where where no one understands you..."
I awoke with a jolt, complete and total silence pressing against my ear drums. No music was playing, my Beethoven CD long finished. Only the pale blue light of the moon slipped in through shades, the only glow in the pitch black room. Someone had turned my lights out.
I felt something heavy on my chest and looked down, finding my book open across my chest, already up to chapter six. My brain felt thick, like it always does when I wake up from reading. Blearily, I glanced at my clock, the bright 12:02am blinking green from my alarm. Why was I awake?
The call of nature tugged below my waist and I quickly understood. Repressing a groan, I pulled the book away and searched for a book mark, finding one in my bedside table and snuggling it between the pages. My lethargic body didn't want to move, but urinating on my bed was out of the question, so I forced myself up and stretched the sleepiness away for the moment.
One yawn later and I was shuffling down to the bathroom. The house was dead quiet and very dark. Shadows were resting on the floors and walls like spider webs, only the blue glow of the full moon lighting my way.
Once I reached the bathroom, it took little time to relieve myself. I forgot to brush my teeth, to I quickly took care of that, not forgetting to floss of course. I wanted to get back to my cozy bed, so I ambled back down the hall with the full intention of passing out the moment I got through my door way.
But I was stopped, however, by a sound from Danny's room.
I'd just passed his open door, glancing into the empty room and thinking nothing of it, expecting he was out ghost fighting, when a bright flash of light alerted me to his presence. It washed the walls as it escaped his room and I heard a relaxed sigh come from him. I was about to go in and see if he was alright when I heard him mutter something that stopped me dead in my tracks.
"Dammit Vlad, would it have killed you to be a little gentler?"
All the sleep from my body instantly vanished, my heart beat beginning to beat against my ribcage. I was frozen against the wall, unable to move.
I heard Danny wince quietly, little sounds of discomfort sneaking past the door frame. I had to know what was wrong. What was he doing at Vlad's mansion in the middle of the night?
Carefully, I moved closer to the door, my heart pumping madly now. I peaked a single eye past the door frame, gazing into Danny's room.
My little brother was gently pulling his shirt off, wincing when the fabric touched his back. My growing horror washed over me in waves as he finally managed to get the shirt over his head, throwing it to the ground.
Long red scratch marks ran up and down his pale back. It wouldn't take a genius to figure out those weren't from ghost fighting. He was looking in a mirror, an annoyed expression on his face. I could clearly see the deep red dots littering his chest, bite marks along his shoulders. Purple, finger sized bruises stood out against the skin on his hips, the perfect size for adult hands; they matched the hand sized bruises grabbing his arms.
My breath caught in my throat, my mind was imploding. I had to press my hands over my mouth to stop my heavy breathing from being detected, had to lean against the wall to keep from collapsing.
Danny continued to inspect himself, his annoyed expression slowly turning into a pleased one, almost satisfied. A smirk that had settled on his face expanded into a grin when he spied his back, a low chuckle rumbling in his chest.
"Have a little fun, Vladdie?"
Shaking his head, he moved up to his shoulders again, looking at the bites on his neck and shoulders with a frown.
"Ugh. Now I gotta wear that stupid make-up tomorrow." he mumbled.
I felt like such an idiot, such a complete and total idiot. He reached into the wall and pulled out Mom's missing tube of foundation, inspecting the amount left. I felt my head shaking in denial, wanting to refuse to believe what I was seeing. I couldn't watch any more and I tip-toed back to my room as best as I could on weak, shaky legs, still keeping my hands pressed over my mouth, eyes still frozen wide.
I didn't stop when I entered the safety of my room, stumbling to my bed and digging under the covers as fast as I could, dragging them practically over my head. My heart was still going a mile a minute, my breath still too shallow. I felt on the verge of hyperventilating as I trembled under the sheets, waiting for the shock to pass.
The silence of the house was now broken by the minute sounds coming from Danny's room, my ears some how picking up every scuffle he made. It seemed to take an eternity for him to go to bed. I don't know how long I laid there, brain buzzing and eyes wide. Finally, I heard the rustle of sheets and then no more, the silence of the house returning.
I didn't sleep all night, too busy being shocked, horrified, too busy denying. How could this happen? How could Danny not say anything? How...how could Vlad...Danny's fifteen for God's sake! Actually, even worse, he's technically fourteen!
Slowly, hot tears obscured my vision. I clutched my blankets tighter, feeling them fall, each one for my little brother. How could I have ignored all the signs? Those disappearances, the wistful expressions, the defensiveness. Mom's missing make-up. I should have protected him better. I shouldn't have let him go back to his place again. I should have stopped this.
God, how-no, why did this happen? What on earth happened to Vlad liking my mother? He's always been crazy about her. Why the sudden change? It doesn't make any logical sense! How dare he do this!
I sniffed quietly, feeling anger rapidly swell within me. I couldn't let this go on. I had to save my little brother. After all theses months he's protected us, I let Vlad get to him, and now I have to fix it. I don't know how much damage Vlad has done, and I know, with how much that monster has Danny wrapped around his finger, Danny won't like it at first. But it's for his own good. I can't let him live in that lie.
I have to put a stop to it.
*cackling evilly* And so it begins!