Wow. Just . . . wow.
After I put the last chapter up and did some writing for my other story, I decided to check the stats for this story. It was then that I saw that this story now has over 1,000 views. That means a lot to me. Lately I've had some moments of wondering if I could ever be a writer people would actually like to read, and if my writing had any worth at all. To come on here and see that there have been over a thousand moments where someone decides to take a look at one of the chapters of this story feels incredible. You guys are the best!
And I am a total jerk for not putting up a new chapter for so long.
I'm really sorry, we have so many projects going on at my house now that we're basically moving. In addition, I started two writing-intensive classes and began prepping for the SAT. I haven't had much time to write lately, but I am not abandoning this story yet. It might not have as many chapters as I had said, but I will finish it. In fact, I'd like to have it wrapped up by the end of October - I'll start writing more once the SAT has passed. How awesome would that be? No more waiting weeks for chapters, at least, which should be a good thing, as we're approaching the climax.
I was going to apologize for a short chapter until I realized this is longer than the last few chapters I've given you. I'm used to putting up 2,000 word+ chapters for my other story, I guess. Anyways, enjoy the chapter!
I do not own Hanna is Not a Boy's Name or Danny Phantom.
Chapter Eleven - False Hope?
"No sightings," Conrad says.
"Nope," Toni agrees. Phantom hasn't shown up all day.
"So what are we supposed to do now that your brilliant plan failed?" Veser asks.
"I wouldn't say it's failed," Hanna says. "Maybe it didn't do as well as I'd thought, but I did overhear something rather interesting concerning Phantom."
"What, someone said, 'Hey, I know all of Phantom's secrets and I'm going to list them here in the middle of a crowded hallway'?" Veser asks.
"No," Hanna says. "But they did say something that makes it sound like they know Phantom - that Phantom can't ignore a ghost attack, and they're worried about us seeing him."
Silence. No cries of joy or exclamations of surprise. Just silence.
"Hanna, that doesn't mean that they know anything about Phantom," Toni finally says. "A lot of the kids at this school practically worship him. A passing mention like that probably isn't anything special."
"I agree," the zombie says.
"But we should still check it out," Hanna says. "What if they end up knowing something that can help us?"
Toni sighs. "I guess it could be worth a try. Who said the thing about Phantom?"
"I didn't see who it was," Hanna admits.
"Great. Just fucking great," Conrad says. "We drive out to this little town hoping for what, exactly? An easy case? Because that happens for us so fucking often. And then you pin your hopes on a little throwaway comment. Face it, we don't have a lead, we don't have a way to track this guy. We're wandering around blindly, trying to do the impossible and follow a ghost that can turn invisible, fly faster than we can even drive, and pass through walls."
Hanna can't deny this.
"I'm going back to the hotel," Conrad says.
"That's a good idea. I think I'm going to start packing," Toni says.
"Wha - You're ready to leave, just like that?" Hanna asks.
"Just like what? It's been days without anything to help us, this isn't something we'll solve any time soon," Toni says. "Maybe taking a break and going back home will give you a different perspective."
Could that be it? Does he just need a different perspective? Hanna isn't sure.
"Fine," Hanna says, reluctant to let the others leave when he feels so close he's almost there. "I'll meet you back there."
"If you can find the way," Veser mutters. Toni, Veser, and Conrad set out for the hotel, but the zombie stays behind.
"It's fine, Julius," Hanna says. "I just need some time to think."
"If that's what you want," the zombie says. He turns to follow the others, but stops.
"Phantom is tricky, but I think you'll be able to figure him out," he says, then begins walking to catch up to the others. Hanna smiles. At least someone still believes in him. He just hopes that belief isn't misguided.
He looks up at the school. What had he heard? " . . . can't just ignore a ghost attack, but what if they see Phantom and . . . "
Conrad was right, that isn't a lead. He hadn't even seen who'd said it, so he doesn't know who had such opinions about Phantom. It certainly isn't anything that will help them figure out where Phantom spends so much of his time. Still, there's something about what he heard that makes Hanna think that it might have more to do with finding Phantom than Conrad thinks.
It's the word but, Hanna decides. Like whoever was talking was weighing two options, ignoring a ghost attack and Phantom being seen, as if they had some influence in the decision. Like they could decide whether Phantom would respond to the attack or not. Of course, no one could have that much influence on a ghost. It wasn't as if they could stop Phantom from responding to an attack.
It wasn't the first thing he'd heard about Phantom that hadn't quite added up, though.
For example, the ghost, Technus, at the mall. "Your grades betray your ignorance, child." Why would a ghost have grades? He wouldn't, right? Unless he was still going to school. There was no way, it couldn't happen. Even if a ghost could go to school, why would he?
Who cares about motivation? That could be the solution, couldn't it? If Phantom was passing himself off as a student, both of the odd statements made sense. Phantom would be getting grades and deciding whether or not to respond to a ghost attack. That would even explain why the school was attacked so much - it was where Phantom was. He could be dressing up in normal clothes and phasing through them when he needed to fight - what the Fentons had told Hanna proved that he could be solid when he wanted to be. The white hair wouldn't be so easy to cover up, but a wig or thick hat could hide it.
The more he thinks through his idea, the more Hanna decides it makes sense. If Phantom disguises himself as a student, pretty much all questions are answered. The only problem will be finding which student is Phantom. He probably won't just admit it, especially to Hanna or his friends.
That shouldn't be too much of a problem after all, Hanna realizes. The kid in the hallway - Phantom - was talking to someone else, not himself. That means someone else knows his secret. Someone knows who Danny Phantom is. Hanna just has to find out who.
Ecstatic with the breakthrough, Hanna lets out an excited whoop before running towards the hotel. Wait until the others hear this.