Skills for Success in Life

by animal-luver8153

There are 23 skills for success in life and Danny has them. Told from the POV of friends, family, and enemies. 23 prompts with 500 words or less. A challenge I created and am in the process of completing. Rated T for safety. First three chapters: Work Ethic, Compassion, and Courage. Now Up: Common Sense, Jack's POV.

4. Self-Control

~~Self-Control~~

Spectra POV, Words: 425

"Nervous, freak?" I sneered, trying to think of an exit strategy. Phantom had found me too soon, I hadn't even gotten ten middle schoolers depressed when he came swooping in to wreck everything. Bertrand hadn't even been able to buy me ten minutes to run.

He responded sooner than I expected, "A little. I hope that the kids got out of here all right, I know what a killjoy you can be."

Decent comeback, "The kids might be gone, but whose fault is it that they're in danger in the first place? I mean, you are the reason why all ghosts are here."

When his eyebrows rose slightly, I took my window of opportunity and attacked with a glowing right hook, only to be blocked and pushed back toward the desks. I recovered quickly, but Phantom didn't seem to be looking for an opening.

"Nice one, Spectra. But we both know that's only half of the truth. The ghost portal would have worked eventually. Thinking about it, I kinda like the idea of me having the power to make things right."

Oh, barf. There goes that hero's complex again. What else have I got?

"Power is right, all for the price of your humanity. Face it kid, you're becoming more ghost than human by the day. It's only a matter of time before-"

I took the chance of throwing an ecto disk at him while he was distracted. Big mistake. He shielded himself while at the same time firing at me. The ecto blast hit my shoulder. His leg kicked me to the back wall. Through the daze I saw him leering at me from the spot he had been standing in the whole time.

I admit I lost my temper.

"How are you doing this?! You're supposed to be breaking! You're supposed to at least cringe! These are your insecurities, your FEARS! Why aren't you afraid? Why do you have this much control?!"

Phantom laughed, "Bullies, my parents, you."

The sound of his footsteps echoed in the silence of the empty room as he drew closer. Before today I had never feared the halfa, but the look on his face sent a wave of unease through me. He stopping a mere arm's length away, leaning over me ever so slightly, "Penelope Spectra, I'm afraid your services are no longer required."

There was a flash of blue light and the familiar pull of the ghost thermos and I knew that he was right. Phantom had learned self-control. I had no power over him now.