Disclaimer: I do not own Danny Phantom or the Chase Bank.
AN: This story contains sexual content, rape, and male sex. If this disturbs you, please do not read.
Chapter 16: Mind Games
I returned to History class to Sam and Tucker's relieved smiles. I actually made it through the class without a ghost attack but it came with a price. On my way to fifth period, I heard the clear sign of a ghost attack on the first floor. Honestly, I don't know which is better. I do know one thing though, I'd prefer the attacks to remain low-key. Once I began teaching Spanish, things became quieter. Lunch came about smoothly.
I looked around the lunchroom for my friends but I couldn't see them. There were several tables empty, including our usual spot, so it wasn't like they were pushed out. Not like that could happen anyway. I decided to skip the human way of locating people and taped into my ghost half, sensing for them. For all the times Sam and Tucker had to help me overcome the temptation of feeding from our fellow classmates, I know their distinct signatures.
Cocking my head to the side, I followed the trail to where my powers said they were. I exited the cafeteria to sure enough find Sam and Tucker sitting at the table we've been spending the last few days at. This isn't going to go well. I looked at my watch: eleven-ten. I don't have a lot of time.
"Guys," I said, walking over to them. Sam was shaking like a leaf and despite her coat sitting beneath her on the table, she still sat sleeveless. "Sam, you are going to get pneumonia if you keep this up!" I sat down beside her, wrapping my arms around her. She fell into my arms, soaking in my warmth like it was liquid and she were a sponge.
"She does it on purpose," Tucker snickered. "Anything to be in your arms!"
"Can it," Sam stuttered while I shot my best death-glare at him.
"Guys, you can't stay out here. I'm not staying for lunch," I told them.
"You're not," Sam said, still stuttering but managing to control herself. "Why not?"
"I have an appointment I need to get to," I answered briefly. "I just came to give you the cube. I forgot to give it to you in fourth period."
"What kind of appointment," Tucker asked me.
"Can you grab the cube, Tuck," I asked briskly. Tucker began walking towards me as I responded: "I'm meeting with a real estate agent. I want to check on something and I need to meet her in," I paused, looking at my watch, "four minutes."
"I so do not want to go in there," Sam grumbled. Tucker removed the cube from my backpack.
"Well, you can't stay out here," I commented. "It's too cold."
"And my personal space heater is leaving," Sam grumbled.
"Is that why you want to become half ghost," I asked. "Temperature immunity?"
"Don't be ridiculous," Sam chided, "That's just a bonus! I want to help. Be useful."
"You are useful," I said softly. "You guys mean more to me than you could ever imagine."
"We know that," Tucker replied. I heard the cube expand from behind me. "But things are different now that there's this huge gap in our profiles. We just want to be on the same playing field. It's like trying to play a vinyl record in a CD player. They may resemble each other, but obviously they're not compatible. We're no longer compatible with you."
"But you guys don't need to feel that you have to be compatible with me. I'm the vinyl record; I'm obsolete."
"Don't you ever call yourself obsolete," Sam declared. "You are every bit as needed now as you were before the accident, Danny."
I lowered my head, "I know that. I used the wrong word, Sam. I'm just trying to say that I'm the oddball. You guys are trying to mirror a junked unit. I'm busted up. I'm broken. Honestly, I should be thrown away and replaced with something new and undamaged," I commented, adding a weak smile, "but I'm one of those objects that has more meaning than what I'm purposed to do. I'm a busted up old toy truck!"
The smile didn't seem to lift their spirits. They just looked at me, their hearts and smiles sagging. I just want them to realize that what happened to me wasn't something that should be repeated. I'm a mistake and people don't repeat mistakes, they correct them. Sam stood up first, turning her head from me as she walked away. I couldn't see her, but I could hear her and I could 'taste' her. She was crying.
Tucker walked towards the cafeteria next, no pep in his walk and no smile on his face. He walked like a man on death row: the destination is nowhere good. I hoped the destination he was regretting reaching was the cafeteria and not the place he's found himself in. I had hurt Sam when I said that and there was nothing I could do to correct what I said. I'm the kind of person now that doesn't let my feelings escape their prison easily. For me to have said that, they know that I meant every word. I couldn't pull a fake recount. They're not that naive.
XXX
I didn't bother with goodbyes, triggering my rings and heading for the house in Elemerton. I pulled out the card the woman had given me yesterday. 866 Burnwell road. I'm not too familiar with Elemerton but I'm pretty sure I can locate the place. Finally, I came across the district that the house was in and I landed on the ground. Triggering the rings, I began jogging at my limitations. Burnwell road!
The road was long, very few houses on the old busted up asphalt. There were no sidewalks and the shoulders were dirt-clad. Mostly pickup trucks and SUVs sat parked in the driveways but more were vehicle-less and I took it as most were working. Streetlights sat on properties sparingly and snow piles lined the road. This was not a luxury neighborhood; most homes ranged in the price-range I had searched. The house I was looking at would not stand out, I'm certain.
Finally, the big number 866 stood out on one of the houses. It was simple: single floor, worn out siding, dirt driveway, a mailbox off the main road and most importantly, isolated. One look at the house and I knew the most I was paying for was the land. A large front yard, a sizeable backyard and an enormous side yard encircled the property. No fencing marked the boundaries and honestly I'm not sure how much of the property would be mine. Farther up the road, I could make out a tiny mailbox but it was at least 500 yards away.
I walked up the ice covered driveway a good 20 feet before I reached behind the realtor's vehicle. She had scraped the ice and snow leading from the front door to where my vehicle would have parked if I had rode with someone. I hadn't taken that into account. We're so close to the Ribaldry Forest, I'm sure she'll wonder how I made it out here without an escort. Oh, well, too late to worry about that.
I walked up to the front door, the porch a small concrete slab with steps. That will be the first to go when I buy this place. That's the one thing I wish I could change about Fentonworks. I hate our steps. There's no place for someone to sit out and enjoy the air. That's why, even before I got ghost powers, I would sit on the ops center. Just now, it's less dangerous.
I knocked gently on the door, a generous knock ringing through the empty front room. "Hello," I called, opening the rickety screen door. That sound vibrated through the room as well. "Is anyone here? I hope I'm at the right address."
"Mr. Masters," the girl called, walking from the kitchen. "I didn't hear a vehicle approaching. I'm sorry."
"That's all right," I commented, trying not to sound upset about being called Vlad's last name.
"But call me Danny. Mr. Masters' is my father's name."
"Danny," she said, taking my hand in hers. "Is your father here?"
"No," I remarked. "Dad had business today and couldn't accompany me. We may still proceed, correct?"
"Of course," the girl remarked. I just realized, I don't have a name for her. "We're not here for your father, after all. You were the one to schedule the appointment."
"Yes," I commented. "So, I hate not knowing your name. Please?"
"Oh," she blushed. "So many people look at the name plate. I'm always forgetting to introduce myself. Rebecca. Rebecca Holt."
"Nice to meet you, Rebecca," I said, smiling at her. "So far, I like the property."
"Really," Rebecca asked, surprise in her eyes. "With as much money as your family has, and you like this run down place?"
"Money is so overrated," I remarked, "I'd rather enjoy the simple things in life."
"Well, I'm not so sure this place is simple as much as it is a hassle. I'd like to sale it, of course, and I'd probably be in trouble for highlighting the reasons not to buy this place, but your family can certainly afford more places of luxury."
"When I see this place, I don't see what it is, I see what it can become. You're right, we can afford more attractive properties but we can also afford to make this an attractive property. That's what I'm looking into doing," I remarked.
"Okay, we'll take a tour of the place and you can decide if this is a property you're interested in," Rebecca remarked, walking further into the house. "Would you care for anything? Water, coffee?"
"No, thank you," I denied politely.
"Well, the living room has a furnished fireplace, newly installed windows and a large living area. It also has poor insulation and narrow entry and exit areas."
"It looks like it has plenty of room for improvement," I replied, smiling at the area. I could open up the entrances and add a splash of color to the walls. The windows could be removed and updated. Even though she said that they have been recently installed, they appear to be the low quality kind. I could open them up further, making them more light and welcoming.
"Well, it certainly can. The windows aren't the best available and the room can certainly become drafty."
"I can buy an air purification system, deleting the drafty conditions. Also when I reinsulate the house, it will cancel out most of the draft. I like it. I can take this room in so many directions."
"Okay," she said, disappointed. I could taste it in the air. "Well, maybe I can talk you out of it in the kitchen. There are plenty of disappointments in there."
Lady, this place doesn't have any disappointments, I wanted to say. It's isolated, there are plenty of areas for improvement and it's simple. Those are the only places that could kill the place and they're not changing anytime soon. I'm almost certain I'm buying this place. I could say 'sold' right now.
XXX
"Are you sure," she asked me, her eyes sullen. She had tried everything to get me to walk away from this place. Now, as I'm saying 'I'll take it', she's in absolute shock.
"Yes," I declared, happily. "This place is a dream come true. It's perfect!"
"Are you just trying to tick your father off," she asked me, sighing in defeat. "That's it, isn't it. As soon as he's upset, you'll call and cancel the process."
"No," I replied simply, "I don't care what Dad thinks about this place. It's ours… I mean mine. I'm buying it."
"I just don't get it," Rebecca replied, devastated. "Your family is loaded. You'll probably pay for this in one installment. Why would you pick this place?"
"It's reality," I spoke simply. "The way my father likes his things is so removed from reality that it isn't even funny. This way, I can remind myself as to how things should be lived."
"You're like a preacher's child," she said, her eyes lighting. "You live the life of wealth so you'll do anything to experience poverty."
I cracked a smile at her observation, "You think that? I hadn't ever considered it before. I guess I am."
"Just so long as you're not pranking me, I guess I don't care," she replied. "But if this is some little rich brat's prank, I mean it, you will not get away with it."
"I'm not a rich brat," I objected, a smile on my lips. She had a playfulness in her threat that couldn't make it be taken serious. "I may come from a rich family, but I work for everything I get." And that isn't any lie. My parents are loaded and I've never eaten out of a silver spoon.
"Okay, so let's get the paperwork together. Is there a way for me to contact you? Using your father's listed contact?"
"No," I replied quickly. "I have another line, separate line."
"Okay," she replied, taking out a PDA. "Shoot!"
"One eight hundred seven four two six eight six six," I spat out my 1-800 number for our hunting team. It was the only phone I had at the moment and the only one that would remain untraced.
"One eight hundred number," she asked, quizzically after she jotted the number down. "I didn't expect that."
"I told you," I remarked, "I have my own business affairs separate from my father." Oh, I can't wait to stop calling that idiot my father.
"Any particular time you want me to call you," Rebecca asked me.
"After three," I remarked. "I have business until then. Also, not during my father's scheduled tour. I don't want to interrupt."
"Okay," she replied, adding the note. "That's at five, correct?"
"Correct," I answered.
"Okay, well I'll see you in the near future," she replied.
"Thank you," I replied. I ran out the door, hoping to get away before she caught on to I didn't have a ride. Maybe I can get away before she realizes.
XXX
I ran through the cafeteria and down the hall towards the gym. I couldn't be late to Mrs. Tetslaff's class. Unless there was a ghost attack, she would fry my bacon, as Technus would say, if I was late. I was zipping down the empty halls, praying against prayer I'd get there before that bell rang. Finally, the double doors of the gym came into sight, my two friends waiting impatiently by the entrance.
"Hurry, Danny," Tucker called. I added a boost of strength and we barely made it through the doors before that bell rang. I sucked in a deep breath, sighing in relief that I made it.
"What were you two doing," I finally demanded. "You were making no move to go inside! What if I hadn't made it?"
"We weren't going in without you," Tucker said, tossing me the cube. I forgot to grab it before I came in. I'm glad he did get it.
"You can't keep getting into trouble for me," I said softer than before.
"You worry about Danny, we'll worry about Sam and Tucker," Tucker remarked. I cracked a smile. He did that on purpose. He'd always worry about Sam before himself.
"We'll see you in a bit, Sam," I replied as I walked towards the boys' locker room.
"Okay," Sam called over her shoulder. Tuck and I walked into the locker room while a few of the nerds and unpopulars walked out. The popular students dressed late while the nerds dressed during lunch to prevent being tortured. Tuck and I didn't worry about that. The biggest concern about that was we may be spotted as being taunt and not wimpy.
While I stripped to get into my gym clothes, I looked down at my leg. I hadn't seen it since I got dressed this morning and I wondered how it was healing. My downcast gaze caught Tuck's attention and his eyes followed me.
"Is that where you got hurt," Tucker asked me quietly.
"Yeah," I replied back, my voice level with his. "It's healed."
"I'm surprised," Tucker remarked. "You haven't had a lot of sleep today."
"I've had enough," I commented, slipping my shorts over my underwear. "I don't need a whole lot. Ghosts only sleep when they need to reserve their powers."
"Yeah, but you're still human," Tucker grimaced.
"And it only physically appears," I tried to put his fears to ease. "I may look like hell but I'm not really that tired. It's just my human half struggling to keep up with my ghost half."
"It's not fair," Tucker remarked, slipping his gym shirt over his head. He dressed in reverse of my preferred order.
"That's what you guys want to do," I told him point blank. I kicked my shoes off, pulling my gym shoes out of my locker. "You'll be the same way."
"Well, yeah, but you'll have a relief system. You won't have as much strain on your shoulders as you do now. You'll have time to keep your human form rested up, then. You haven't slept since yesterday, Danny! That's because you are forced to do it alone!"
Actually, it's been since Saturday since I've slept last but Tuck doesn't need to know that. "Tucker," I answered softly, "you don't need to feel guilty. You have nothing to feel guilty about. 'I have no faults', remember," I replied, quoting a favorite phrase of his when Sam goes about blaming herself for the accident. Tucker feels equally as guilty as Sam does but that's just his way of trying to redirect the conversation. It usually works because when he says that, we usually laugh and forget about why we were fighting until next time. I pulled on my gym shoes, beginning to tie the laces.
"Danny, I had no faults in the role of the accident," Tucker grinned cheekily at me, but returned to being serious, "but every day I'm not half ghost, I'm responsible for everything that happens." Tucker took off his camo shorts, putting his street clothes away.
"No you're not," I replied strictly. "You need to stay you. You're perfect the way you are."
"I'll be perfect when I'm like you," Tucker remarked. He pulled on his gym shorts.
"What makes you think that," a squeaky voice chortled. "Fentina is a freak and you're a freak. You're already alike."
I slipped my street shirt over my head, ignoring Dash and put it away in my locker. I could taste the anger rolling off of Tucker. Shoot! "Tucker," I replied, grabbing my gym shirt. "Calm down!"
"He can get angry if he wants," Chris chuckled. "We can handle a fizzle!"
"Tucker, now," I ordered. He turned his attention from the jerks and put it on me.
"Come on, Danny. Just once!"
"What makes us any better?"
"We'll be motivating our fellow students!"
"Tucker," I groaned, "fighting doesn't solve anything. Haven't you learned anything from the past four months?"
"You're right," Tucker groaned after a minute. "But it would still be fun!" He finally pulled out his gym shoes.
"They'd get off," I replied. "We'd get in trouble."
"It'd be worth it," Tucker said, glancing up at the popular boys.
"You don't need his permission," Tommy taunted. "What is he, your master? Show us what you're worth!"
"He's my friend," Tucker retorted. "We respect each other! And when he's about to do something stupid, I stop him, too!"
"Sounds like he tells you what to do," Dash teased. "Is that how it is? Fentina orders you and Manson around."
Tucker laughed out loud while I chuckled with him, adding "Sam controls us all!" Tucker untied his working boots while I spoke. He slipped on his gym shoes, the lace still tied from yesterday.
"So Manson's the boss," Chris snickered, "That solves that problem."
I patted Tucker on the arm, "Let's go!"
"All right," Tucker smiled. We began walking out of the locker room, Tucker adding loud enough for them to hear: "Morons."
"What'd you say," Tommy yelled out obnoxiously. I groaned.
Tucker turned around, looking straight at them: "Morons," he said slowly. "I thought I spoke clearly enough!"
"You dare to say that to our faces," Chris said, glaring at Tucker.
"Why not," Tucker scoffed. "It's not like there's anyone around who can challenge us!"
"You little runt," Tommy roared. "I should tear you apart for that."
"You're welcome to try," Tucker smarted off. He turned his back to them, "I suggest to do it now. Otherwise, you won't even have a prayer."
"Come on, Tuck," I told him. "Stop playing around. Let's go before we're late to the court. Sam's waiting."
"I'm not stopping," Tucker said, walking towards the exit. "I mean it. If they want to try, they're welcome but I should at least give them a chance."
"Don't give them false hope," I laughed, heading for the door. I heard footsteps coming for us but they stopped abruptly.
"Don't make them eat their words," Dash interrupted.
"Talk about obeying every order," I retorted, my back still to them. "That's the true master!"
"At least I have a title," Dash retorted, trying to sound big. "They follow someone who matters."
"You're as important as a winter storm warning in summer," Tucker retorted, turning around to flash a cocky grin at Dash. "Danny on the other hand handles things of real importance."
"I run an entire town," Dash barked off, "What does Fentonio do?"
"Tucker," I demanded, "Hush!"
"So, what is it, Dweeb," Chris taunted. "What's the things of real importance that you do?"
"None of your business," I shot off. "Tucker, we do not discuss business around others."
"Admit it," Tommy taunted, earning chortling from the others. "You do absolutely nothing!"
"I do nothing," I shot off, pulling Tucker off. "Now it's an order! Let's go!"
"Danny," Tucker called being dragged off. "I wasn't going to mention that!"
"It may be the biggest thing we do now, but it is not the only thing I want to keep private," I demanded in a hushed voice as I dragged him out. Finally, I allowed him to walk himself. "You got a big head in there!"
"Danny, Tucker," Sam asked as we hit the court, "What took so long?"
"The jerks in the back," I answered as we came over. "They got under Tuck's skin and we might have shot off a little."
"Did you show them," Sam smiled at me.
"No," Tucker groaned. "He wouldn't let me prove how important he is!"
"Why would you even want to prove how important Danny is," Sam shrieked.
"Why do the both of you automatically assume I'd prove that," Tucker shot off, insulted. "I respect the secret just as much as you guys do!"
"Then what was the problem," Sam said, turning to me. "Sorry, Tuck," she added off-topic.
"I've kept this part of my life private for eight years," I retorted. "Just because there's a bigger secret now, I can't keep less important facts private?"
"I guess you have a point," Sam said, lowering her apprehension. "Tucker, it's Danny's choice."
"I know," Tucker groaned. "I'm sorry, D."
"I handled it badly," I said softly. "I should apologize to you. I'm sorry."
Tucker threw his hand out for me to smack it, "What are friends for?"
I smacked it back, "What are brothers for?"
XXX
Mrs. Tetslaff had dropped dodge ball today to play a game of volleyball. Oh, lord, have mercy. If you've ever smacked a volley ball, you know how easy it is to screw up the serve. I was never good at sports to begin with but now I'm having to fake being terrible at it. If I let out my true poorness in skill, then I could kill someone but if I truly play the game, then I could do something to give me away. Every time it was my turn to serve or the ball came my way, I said a prayer and swung. A few times that ball soared over everyone's heads, way too powerful for an average human.
Towards the end of class I felt the familiar chill and I knew it was time to go back to work. I let out a soft whistle, catching Sam and Tucker's attentions. They nodded upon understanding and I left my post.
"Daniel Fenton," Mrs. Tetslaff screamed angrily. "Get back to your post!"
"I need to run out for a bit," I called over my shoulder, not pausing for permission. I ran out the door, Mrs. Tetslaff's rage burning off of her like fog off the shore.
XXX
I walked back in the gym, planning on sitting on the bleachers until the end of class. There wasn't much time left and I didn't feel like making a minor mistake in the final six minutes of class that would cost me my secret. However, upon my return, Sam and Tucker quit the team, walking over to me. I shook my head, smiling at them. They will always be this way.
"Hey," Sam greeted me, sitting down beside me. "What happened?"
"Nothing," I responded, "Another nameless ghost wishing to 'expunge' the 'imposture' at 'his' class. Apparently, he use to teach that class. He interrupted computer class but he thought it was French."
"The computer lab sits where the French class use to in the original building," Tucker replied, "At least that's what I learned through the ordeal with Sidney. He probably died in the explosion."
"That's what I assumed," I remarked. "I could probably put a name to this ghost but I'd rather not. Maybe that's why I have so many of them that are reoccurring."
Sam laughed, "I doubt that has anything to do with it."
"Oh well," I chuckled, "Better safe than sorry."
A shadow fell over us and we all three looked up to see one seething Mrs. Tetslaff. "Who said you could leave?"
"I had to run out," I replied coolly.
"I say when you can leave and I did not say you could leave," Mrs. Tetslaff fumed. "And you two! Who said you could stop playing the game?"
"Oh, shut up," Sam said, turning her back to the wall of a woman. "Go back and blow on your whistle."
Tucker laughed.
"You think that's funny," Mrs. Tetslaff screamed. She put her whistle in her mouth and blew it in Sam's direction. I stifled a smile poorly.
Mrs. Tetslaff was still blowing on the whistle when Sam turned and pulled it out of her mouth, ripping the necktie from her neck. "Not in my face," Sam glared at her. She dropped the whistle on the bleacher where her feet rested, clomping her tennis shoe on the little piece of metal. If it had been her combat boot dropping like that, I imagine the wood would have broken. Instead, only the whistle met an early end. "Scram!"
"Manson," Mrs. Tetslaff roared.
"Samantha Manson," Sam glared at her, her voice low. "As in A-List Samantha Manson. Scram!"
Mrs. Tetslaff rectified herself, walking away in a huff. She didn't like it but she knew Sam had more control over the situation. I let out a deep laugh, unable to even pretend to be disappointed. Tucker began laughing next followed by Sam.
"Hit the showers," Mrs. Tetslaff screamed. The ball dropped without a moment's hesitation. The ball rolled over to where Mrs. Tetslaff stood and she kicked it, slamming it with not even a fourth of the exertion I'd accidently placed on it. We stood up and I jumped to the ground. Sam jumped from the third bleacher and I caught her, placing her on the ground. Tucker grumbled under his breath but I heard it. I smiled at him, knowing absolutely I would only do that for Sam.
XXX
Home Ec. got an attack about half way through the class while Music was attacked rather early. I handled both without incident, returning to Home Ec. but skipping music. When the end of the day came about, I walked to Mr. Lancer's classroom. Inside the classroom, Sam and Tucker waited for me. I had lost track of time and was on the opposite side of town when the bell rang. Going from Lake Summerset to the high school had given Sam and Tucker plenty of time to get to the classroom first.
"Hey," Tucker greeted me as Sam looked up at me worriedly.
"I skipped Music," I explained in a low voice. "I was at the lake."
"Did you fish any," Tucker asked me, his eyebrow cocked to the side.
"No," I denied, "The lake was frozen over. I just sat in the snow and enjoyed the cold temperatures."
"Did you feel it," Sam asked me.
"Just like normal," I replied, taking the seat Sam and Tucker pulled over for me. "When it's really cold out, I feel something akin to a chilly autumn evening. It's nowhere near what the real temperature is."
"I wished you could feel again," Sam said, her voice going low. "I'm so sorry."
"It's all right," I shook it off. I didn't want them to know how much that fact did impact my life. It was enough to make me consider some pretty radical options. I pulled out my homework and began to work on it. Sam and Tucker caught on to what I was doing and began to copy my actions.
"I'm glad you could join us today, Mr. Fenton," Mr. Lancer announced as he walked into the classroom.
"I really am sorry about missing yesterday's detention," I said slowly. Snap out of it, Fenton. No one has overcame Operation Big Foot before. Lancer won't either.
"Next time you need to leave for business, please let me know," Mr. Lancer replied, sitting down to his desk. "I'd rather there not be a repeat of this morning," Mr. Lancer said as he started working, not bothering to look up at me.
"Of course," I whispered. "Tuck just overreacted. I ran after him and Sam ran after me. It was really my fault."
"Just don't let it happen again," Mr. Lancer replied, still not looking in my direction.
"So he has absolutely no recollection of the fight with Skulker," Sam whispered. I saw Tucker squirming to hear her and she was right beside him. Wow, she's getting good at that!
"Nothing," I whispered. "He probably won't even think he saw a big foot. With all the ghost attacks, he'll probably think that scream was a ghost."
"As long as he don't remember the fight is all I care about," Sam said slightly louder. Tucker didn't squirm on that one but he still struggled to hear her. I'm impressed!
XXX
After dropping Sam and Tucker off at their own houses, I proceeded on home. I walked in the house and cursed the marines. They dropped Skulker's unit off at my house all right—in the freaking front room. I walked over to the unit and picked it up with one hand, walking towards the basement. I walked into the kitchen and Mom and Dad were in the room, Dad working on a project while Mom cooked lunch. Quickly, I dropped the suit to the ground and began tugging on it, feigning difficulty.
"Danny," Mom said behind my back, "What is that thing!"
"This," I asked, trying to sound like it was no big deal. "What do you think it is," I asked, a nervous laugh unknowingly accompanying it. Stupid, sound more realistic!
"I have no idea what it is or why the marines dropped it off for you. You are supposed to supply that information to this mystery."
"It's just something I ordered," I tried to come up with a plausible explanation.
"From where," Dad asked me, joining the conversation. "Ghosts 'r us?"
"Ghosts," I said, weakly, "You think it's ghost related."
"No," Mom said, her voice stern. I decided it was probably a good time to turn around though I desperately wanted to avoid their glares. Mom had her arms crossed across her chest. "We know it's ghost related. We checked it out with the scanners."
I knew I should have sucked Skulker into the thermos. If I had, their scanners wouldn't have come up with anything because the suit is one hundred percent human! I tried to come up with a response but nothing seemed to come to mind. Only self-belittlement and insults filled my mind. Think of something useful! The door in the living room opened and shut and it attracted my parents' attentions. Sam and Tucker came in from behind me.
"Hey, D-Danny," Tucker said, finding Skulker's suit where he expected to find me. He paused, his voice making a humming sound as he tried to come up with an excuse.
"Hey, the suit came in," Sam declared happily. "We've been waiting for this thing forever!"
"Really," Mom said, her voice amused but not sold.
"Yeah," Sam continued, "I ordered something that Tucker could train his PDA on. It's like your ghost program but for his PDA. He's been bored lately!"
"There's no way someone else could have created this," Dad declared. "Where did you order it from?"
"What do you mean," Sam laughed, sounding normal instead of forced. "We ordered it from the catalog. Couldn't someone else invent a computer module?"
"It's ghost related, Sam," Mom demanded, angrily. She hoped to make Sam slip up.
"No it's not," Sam said, cocking her head to the side. "At least not yet, anyway. We were going to infuse ectoplasm into its hydraulics to make it ghost related but they couldn't do that. That is something only you guys could invent."
"We done the test, Sam," Dad said, crossing his arms across his chest. "It's some kind of metallic ghost. I don't know why it'd need a metal suit, but I'm more interested in knowing how you three got your hands on it."
"It's not a ghost," Sam declared. "What kind of test did you do?"
"The ghost detectors," Mom supplied, "And don't try to say they're defunct because I know they're not."
"They're not defunct," Sam admitted, "but the suit has been contaminated. Do you know how many ghosts assault the shipping yards? Also, think about how the suit was shipped. Don't you believe the marines have access to ghost-related articles to contaminate the suit?"
"Yeah," I replied, catching onto her scheme. I needed to make this look natural. "I couldn't figure out why their detectors would pick up on ghost residue. Sam, you're a genius!"
"Of course," Sam said, coming to stand beside the suit. A few moments had passed when I heard a soft humming sound. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a blue beam penetrate the suit and the small signature I was receiving disappeared. "Do you have anything that could clean up the contamination? Rid the ghost residue?"
"We sure do," Mom said, her eyes glistening. "We can settle this here and now!"
"We sure can," Sam smiled, leaning against the suit and crossing her arms across her chest. I resisted the smile. Tucker hadn't caught on to what was going on.
"When she scans that suit again, she'll still pick up on Skulker," Tucker hissed.
"No she won't," Sam replied quietly. "Because Skulker's no longer in that suit to be detected. Danny, you need to give yourself ample room. When she picks up on your signature, you can't be that close. My explanation if she becomes suspicious won't be enough if she sees how much contamination you have."
My eyes widened and I felt the blood drain from my face. I backed away from the suit, standing more towards the table instead of the lab where Skulker's suit was located. Mom and Dad walked over towards us, carrying this spray bottle and five towels. "Here," Mom said, handing a towel each to Sam and Tucker. She tossed a towel in my direction. "Begin wiping!"
She sprayed the suit down, being sure to coat the entire object. Sam and Tucker began wiping the surface as I walked to his big arms. The cannons were deactivated so their busted up forms were not visible. I began to wipe his arms. Dad got his head and shoulders since he was the tallest of us all. He almost stood as tall as the suit itself but Dad was slightly shorter. That's a sentence I'm not sure I've ever said.
As soon as the entire surface had been cleaned, Mom took out the scanner and I backed away discreetly. Mom scanned Skulker's entire body but nothing came up on the radar. And just as it is with my luck, she turned in my direction. The beeper went off like crazy.
"That thing is still identifying Danny as a ghost," Dad asked, his eyebrow arched. "Why on Earth is it still malfunctioning when it works perfectly elsewhere?"
My throat constricted and I'm certain I was resembling a ghost by this point. After all, the only obvious distinction between ghosts and humans is the fact that ghost have no blood circulating to give them color. All ghost, with the exception of Vlad and alien race ghosts, are a pale discoloration of their human skin. I couldn't tell you if the alien race ghosts resemble their lives before they became ghosts or not. Vlad's pale blue skin puzzles me to this day.
"We might have an answer to that," Tucker spoke up. A thought crossed my mind, act natural. You don't know about our theory.
"We do," I said, my response not as strong as it should have been. Maybe it sounded more natural. Well done!
"Yeah," Sam spoke up, looking at me. It sounded really genuine. "That had been puzzling us and Tuck and I were discussing it one day. I'm not sure, because we're not the scientists, but I think what Tuck and I came up with sounds plausible."
"What is it," Mom asked.
"Well," Tucker said, beginning slowly. "The accident. Sure, it was really low volts that went through him but even a fraction of the portal's wattage was significant. I mean, it knocked Danny out and freaked me out. I thought he was dead, remember! Could it be that the electricity, although minimal, was enough to contaminate him with ghost residue?"
"Sam, Tucker," I cried out, absolutely no acting involved. What were they trying to do? Get Mom and Dad to draw blood from me to test their theory?
"I know it's a scary thought, Danny," Sam said, looking into my eyes, "but it's the only explanation. "
"That can't be it," Mom dejected their theory. "We took his blood when he fainted the other day, remember. There was nothing ghost related there?"
"Would it affect his blood stream," Tucker asked. "You've always told us that ghosts and humans can't exist together. It's been five months since the accident. Danny's alive and well!"
"I wouldn't say that," Mom remarked with a grimace, "but your point does make its mark. If Danny's blood had been contaminated with ectoplasm, he would have already been killed from the exposure. I guess it could affect him like radiation poising," Mom said, turning to Dad.
"The people present during the atomic bomb of Hiroshima were affected with radiation poising their entire lives," Dad paled. "If Danny has been poisoned with ectoplasm, he could experience debilitating effects the rest of his life!"
"Come on, guys," I said, trying to stop this insanity. What are they trying to do? My parents won't be like, 'oh, okay. Danny's been disabled with ectoplasm. No big deal!' They'll freak. They'll freak big time! Why don't we just go on and tell them that I've changed my DNA profile while we're at it. "I'm fine! You guys have been watching me since the accident. Mom even checked me out after the accident. I've not been poisoned!"
"I have been watching you," Mom said, her voice rising. "I've been watching you struggle with the simplest of tasks. You have been acting strange. You haven't been getting any sleep. You're moody. You're showing signs of something big going on here! I think Sam and Tucker might be on to something."
Come on, wake up. Let me be having another pathetic dream! I don't know what I hate most: waking up to a pathetic dream that I thought was real or staying awake through something that is straight out of my wildest dreams. "Mom, Dad, this in nonsense. Sam and Tucker are just overreacting. I'm fine!"
Sam put her arm on my shoulder, "I know this is scary. I know you don't want to face facts. But it might be a reality."
I shook her hand from my shoulder, "No! I've not been poisoned. I'm not sick! I'm fine!"
"How do we test for ectoplasmic poisoning," Mom asked Dad. I looked up. Mom was asking Dad how to do something.
"I have no idea," Dad said, looking sullen. "If it's not appearing in his blood, how else can we test? It's not like Sam and Tucker's theory have any easy solutions. At least with Vlad's ecto-acne we had the imbalance and the medical mysteries. Here, Danny appears to be fine! We have no way of determining if he's been poisoned. We're flying blind!"
I looked back at Sam and Tucker and their eyes were shinning in success. I smiled brightly for a few brief moments, realizing that in fact Sam and Tucker done their homework. There was no way—yet—that my parents could test this theory. It would remain a theory for a while. I mouthed I'm sorry to Sam for shrugging her hand off.
"Don't worry about it," softly made it to my ears.
"Oh, my baby boy," Mom wailed and it brought me back to the moment. There wasn't all reasons for celebration. My parents would be freaking out until they came up with a way to test this theory and until they could, I'd be under constant supervision. Mom threw her arms around me and I barely made it so she hugged my clothing and nothing else. With her suit and my shirt for added insulation, I believe I can escape this nightmare.
"It's okay, Mom," I said, keeping my hands to my side. I have to remember that despite Mom's hazmat suit being well insulated, my body temperature is a burning hot 200 degrees. Not even their suits could block that out. They can still feel the freezing cold so they'll be able to feel the burning hot.
"I promise you," Mom said, holding me out to look me in the eyes. I kept an eye on where she put her hands. They rested on my shoulders. "I will find a way to test this. And if it's proven, I will find a way to cure you. Oh, God, I just know that's what's wrong!"
"Mom," I tried to calm her down, "I'm okay, really. Maybe it is… I-I don't know but I'm okay. I'm still me, I'm just a little stressed."
"Danny," Dad said sternly, "You need to inform your mother and I into what's happening in your life. Can you sleep? Do you get hungry anymore? Have you been feeling sick? Maybe you feel weak around certain elements."
I sat up from Mom's contact, breaking it. "Well," I paused. I can tell them about the food. "Foods taste more muted. I have a difficult time eating because I can't taste it as sharply as I could before."
Mom removed a notebook, flipping it open and removing a pen. "Taste affected. You know," she said, looking up at me after she wrote the note, "I remember that one day when you came home and you were crying. You told me you had missed my cooking. Was that a part of it?"
"Sort of," I spoke slowly. "I mean, yeah, it kinda was. That day, I had been at the office over twelve hours. I came home and I noticed immediately that things were different. Then I tasted every flavor of your casserole. It was overpowering."
"What kind of differences did you notice," Dad asked me. "I know it's probably hard to know what you've lost and what you haven't. It's not something we're faced with every day so some things slip by unnoticed."
"The cold," I answered straight away. "I was freezing. Normally, the cold doesn't affect me but walking home from the office that night, I'd considered calling you guys on several instances. I actually felt the cold."
"Okay," Mom commented. "Temperature tolerance. Does that include heat as well? Do you get hot?"
"No," I answered. "I remain comfortable despite the temperature."
"That sounds like a gift," Sam chuckled, "not a side effect."
"It might sound that way," Mom commented, "but could you imagine putting your hand on a stove burner that was on and not being able to feel it. There are people out there that are diagnosed with an illness that effects their ability to feel pain. The biggest threat to them is getting hurt and not knowing it. They get infections and die from things they didn't even know they did."
Sam and Tucker paled while I inwardly chuckled. My ghostly antibodies were so fast that before the injury fully develops, they've killed all foreign cells. I couldn't possibly get sick. The only time I've come down with a bug was when Desiree attacked. Even that healed rapidly; I was cured two full days before Tucker. I'm not sure, but I think I was just so worried and stressed with Tucker that my immune system had a breach; just like with any normal person. Even ghost immune systems have flaws.
"Okay, what else," Dad asked me, getting my thoughts in order.
"I'm not sure if this has anything to do with it, but your ghost weapons. They shock me or go off around me… like the tracker. It's not the only thing," I replied. I hoped I wasn't cutting it too close.
"They're probably picking up on that contamination," Dad replied as Mom just stared at me. Oh, lord, don't let her figure it out.
"They're hurting you," Mom said, her eyes welling up with tears, "our inventions… are hurting you."
"Maddie," Dad said softly. Mom looked in his direction. "How do you think he got contaminated in the first place? Honey, he was shocked by the portal."
Mom dropped the book and pen, clasping her hands to her mouth. Slowly, I saw her trembling, her knees giving out. I reacted, catching her before she collapsed. I held her up as she began to cry.
"Mom," I spoke softly. "Don't cry. It's all right."
"Our inventions hurt you," Mom cried. "It's our faults. My fault!"
"No, Maddie," Dad said, walking over to her. He wrapped her free arm around his waist, holstering her up as I balanced her over my head on her other arm. "Wow, Danny, you're doing most of the work!" Dad said as soon as he took in her weight—there was none. Her entire weight was on my head, Mom's knees buckled beneath her. "Maddie, this is not your fault and it's not really ours either. We done everything we could to keep our kids safe. We have to trust them."
"Dad's right, Mom," I said from beneath her. "You guys told me to stay out of the lab that day. I knew better." More than you'll ever know. "I still done wrong. I should have obeyed you."
Tucker walked around me and pulled a chair around to us. He set it directly behind Mom, "Gently lower her back," Tucker ordered. I began lowering her back and Tucker held the chair in place so it wouldn't rock. He didn't need to worry about that, though, because I wasn't letting go for anything. Mom was shielded before I mentioned the weapons. I made her like this.
"There is one thing that we've observed," Sam spoke up. "I'll jot it down on the paper so you guys can study it when you're feeling better, Mrs. Fenton."
"What is it, Sam," Mom asked, her voice weak. "I need to know."
Sam picked up the pen and notebook and jotted down her mystery side effect. "Touch. If we sneak up on Danny and touch him without him knowing we're there, he won't feel it."
Touch—Sam's biggest worry now that I've filled her in, taste—Tucker's biggest worry, and weaponry and temperatures, my biggest concern and that puzzles me the most. We're telling the changes since the accident that worries us but we have no way of testing. If only I could ask them about my ghost half. I'd love to have some answers to that puzzle.
I glanced at my watch quickly, still staying in Mom's vicinity. The grade school would be releasing soon. I had to get rid of Sam and Tucker, not have Mom and Dad follow me around and get rid of the kids before five so I could go with Vlad. Of all the days to be booked on. And let's not forget about the ghosts. I don't exactly have an open book full of places to put all these demands. I'm still strapped for time ten million ways to Sunday.
Finally, I knelt down to look Mom in the eyes. "Mom," I spoke softly, "You don't need to worry about anything. I'm not a boy anymore. I know I need to take responsibility for my actions."
Mom reached her hand out to take my hand in hers. I resisted the urge to rip it out of her grasp, praying she wouldn't feel the high temperature. "You will always, always, be my baby," Mom said, looking me in the eye. "No matter how big, old, or distant you become. No matter what happens. No matter where you are. You will always be my baby boy!"
"I know," I smiled weakly. I could feel myself being choked up. I missed the constant contact I use to have with her. I missed the bond we used to share. I missed my mother more than anything that being half ghost has cost me. I missed my family. I hugged her tightly, "I love you, Mom. I love you so much."
Mom pulled me in, hugging me tightly. I allowed her to hold on to me, momentarily forgetting about the pressures hanging over my head. I just wanted to be her little boy again, if only for the length of a hug.
XXX
I managed to talk Sam and Tucker to go home, telling them that I wouldn't be going on patrol today because of a meeting related to the one at lunch. Sam didn't take kindly to it but she left anyhow. Of course I'd go on patrol today, but they were going to get the evening off. I didn't know when Vlad would release me, if he ever would, but if I did get away, I would hit the streets immediately. I probably wouldn't get any sleep tonight either.
The front door opened and about ten to fifteen children came through the door. Okay, I hadn't expected that many to show up. "Hey guys," I greeted.
"Hey, Danny," Courtney greeted. So I finally get to face the trouble maker.
"Follow me," I announced, walking upstairs. Small pitter patters followed me up the stairs. I activated my parent's shoot, loading three at a time until we were all in the ops center. "Okay, let's get this over with."
"How did you become half ghost," Courtney began.
"First," I interrupted. "An introduction."
"Okay," Courtney replied, quietly. "Well, you know our family. Emily, Victoria and Laura are here. Emily wanted to see you." Emily was only three years old so I knew she wouldn't be asking many questions.
"Hi," Emily smiled at me shyly.
"Hi," I said, a bit uncomfortable.
Emily started giggling, running behind Courtney. I took a shaky breath. Just great!
"Okay," Courtney laughed, "Then there's the reps. Two for each grade, one boy and one girl. For first grade, there is Bobby and Nora. Representing second grade is Trent and Micca. Third graders Howie and Willow. Fourth graders Jerome and Elaine. Fifth graders Craig and Gina. And finally sixth graders Davy and Trisha."
Sixteen children. I can do this. "Okay, I've seen the theme song so I'll compare it to that. It happened pretty much the same way. I didn't push the button," I pointed out, "I tripped. However, I'm glad they put that in there. I'm not sure if you guys can understand that."
"I don't get it," the boy from first grade cried. "Why would you get hurt by something you can't control?"
"Because, not all things in life are black and white," I tried to explain. "In a way, I did control it. I was told not to go to the lab but I disobeyed my parents. That was the creators' way of incorporating it."
"How did Sam and Tucker find out," Laura asked.
"They were there," I replied. "The theme song doesn't show them but they were there."
"Why is the schedule so far off," a young girl asked. I guess the naming them didn't help after all. I still don't know who's who.
"Well, the show began in April. How he got the show before it even happened I don't know but I do know that he doesn't know it's real."
"What are these dreams you talked about," Courtney asked me.
"One of my powers that the show doesn't say I have," I answered. "When I'm sleeping, sometimes I get these weird dreams. When I begin a dream, I can't wake up until the dream is finished. Some are crystal clear which means they have a good chance of coming true. If they're fuzzy, like a station with a poor signal, then they're less likely to occur."
"Do you have any other powers that the show doesn't include," a boy asked. He was older.
"I'm not familiar with the show," I replied, biting my lip. "I just know what Brit tells me."
"Who's Brit," Courtney asked.
"She's a friend of mine that now lives out of state," I answered. "We talk every night but the show doesn't include her."
"Anything else the show doesn't include," a girl asked. This one was younger.
I groaned, "I'm not that familiar with the show. Brit does say that they don't go into full detail about ghost hunting. They make it like my parents' are independent. My parents are actually members of the government. Mom actually leads this region and she's the second in command nationwide."
"If you don't know so much about the show, how can you know if there is any big differences," an older girl asked.
"I'd rather not watch the show," I replied with a grimace. "It's just weird to see me as a cartoon. I've watched a few videos that Brit's sent me but I try to ignore it."
"Okay," Courtney quipped. "You are going to watch some episodes with us!"
"No," I declared. "Absolutely not!"
"Danny," Courtney crossed her arms. "I'm not asking."
"Come on, Courtney," I whined. "It's just too weird!"
"Not caring," Courtney quipped. "We'll come over tomorrow at four to watch an episode with you."
"Guys," I finally replied, my voice soft. "I don't know if you understand this or not but I have things I need to do. I'm hunting ghosts almost all day! I still have schoolwork to complete. I have chores I need to do. I don't really have the time to do these things."
"Then we'll work on our homework while we're watching them," Courtney replied. "They're only thirty minutes long and there is only fifteen episodes. You can fit that in your schedule!"
"You'll give me time if I need it," I asked. Why am I agreeing to this?
"Of course," Courtney replied.
I sighed, "Okay. But I'll come over to your house. I can't allow anyone in my house to watch this."
"Will Sam and Tucker be joining us," a young girl asked.
"No," I answered. "They don't know about the series and I won't allow them to know about it."
"Okay," Courtney replied. "We'll see you tomorrow!"
"Four o'clock unless something comes up. If something does come up, I'll call you at your house."
"Okay," Courtney replied. I lead them back outside and they disappeared down the road. I checked my clock and it read four-thirty. Shoot! It's almost time. I ran up to my room, grabbing my bank books from my desk drawer. I had enough in my savings for Team Phantom but I didn't have enough in my checking account. I hated transferring funds from my TP account but this was more important. I had plenty of money in my TP account so I knew it wouldn't affect the team.
I walked downstairs and picked up the phone. I dialed the number for the bank and listened to the options. Finally I was transferred to the right department.
"I'm needing to transfer a large amount of money from my savings account to my checking account," I informed the associate.
As the associate was going through all the steps, I kept picking up this strange feeling. I looked around the room but I couldn't pinpoint what I was sensing. "May I have your passphrase, please?"
I looked around the room again, stuffing the mystery away. "Froot Loop needs a cat. Capitol F r double o t Capitol L double o p needs a cat."
"Thank you, sir." I heard her typing on a keyboard. "Daniel Fenton," she asked.
"That is correct," I replied.
"Okay, how much funds would you like transferred?"
"One hundred thousand," I replied. I heard her voice catch for a moment but she proceeded. With as many ghosts as I've reported, all the bonuses I've accumulated and the few baseball cards I've sold, I have well over three hundred thousand in the account. I've been collecting this saving account since sixth grade.
"Okay, sir, the funds will be available immediately," she replied. "Thank you for calling Chase."
"Thank you," I replied. I hung up the phone and headed for my room to change. Ten minutes before Vlad will be here. Sitting in the living room watching television was Jazz. It was probably her that I had sensed earlier.
"Hey Danny," Jazz greeted me.
"Hey," I replied, my voice soft. I continued on to my room.
At four-fifty-eight a purple light exploded in my room. I was dressed in that stupid monkey suit but it seemed to please Vlad. Vlad put his hand on my shoulder and I took a deep breath. Vlad teleported us out. Outside of the apartment complex, Vlad straightened his tie and coat, "I assume you cancelled that appointment?"
"Assume all you want," I whispered, heading for the opening. This place was a far cry from the luxury Vlad was accustomed to but it was the nicest place in Elemerton. Of course, that wasn't saying much. Elemerton has been on a downward spiral for years. They claim they're 'getting better,' but they're only really getting better at lying to themselves.
"I had better be right about my assumption," Vlad lowered his voice.
"There's no point in lying to you," I retorted. "I went."
"Daniel," Vlad said, his voice going even deeper.
"Threaten me all you want," I said, heading for the elevator. I had no idea where I was going but most places were all the same anyhow. "What floor is this place on?"
"Five," Vlad answered.
I pushed the fifth floor's button, starting the elevator.
XXX
Vlad was not pleased with the place. He asked to view some more properties and to my 'delight', he ordered me to tag along. I couldn't talk him out of it so I accompanied him. At the real estate office, I ran into Rebecca. While Vlad was looking over the list again, I slipped to her desk.
"Everything's looking to be in order," Rebecca replied. "If you'd like, we can begin the process."
I looked over my shoulder, watching Vlad as he looked at all their available properties. "Let's do it!"
XXX
We weren't through with property viewing until seven o'clock and then I had some 'business' with Vlad. Once we were through there, I finally hit the streets. Ghost after ghost was everywhere and I didn't get a chance to get away until after four. Thankfully when I did make it home, my parent's had believed I was already asleep. When I came down for breakfast, I was surprised to be praised for making it home for curfew. School started like normal.
One ghost per class and two during lunch later, I was walking home with Sam and Tucker after detention. I was trying to explain to them that I still had business to take care of but they weren't letting it slide as easily this time. I stopped at Sam's house, looking to her, "I'll come pick you up for patrol. We will be going out tonight. I just need to take care of this."
"What are you doing," Sam asked me.
"It's not important. That's why I'm doing it now instead of during patrol. I'll see you at six. Don't go to my house. I won't be there," I replied.
"Okay," Sam resigned. "But you're telling me on patrol."
"Uh huh," I replied, not really meaning yes. As Sam disappeared in her house, I began walking Tucker home. "Same goes for you. I'll pick you up at six."
"Okay," Tucker said, a bit worried. "Be careful."
"Don't worry," I replied. I looked around and triggered my rings, hitting the air once the transformation was complete.
I landed in the snow covered front yard, triggering my rings as soon as my feet hit the white stuff. I walked towards the door, digging my keys Rebecca had given me out of my pocket. I unlocked the door, walking into my new property. I removed my backpack, closing the door with my free arm. Placing the pack on the floor softly, I unzipped it and removed a pad of paper. I started going through the house, listing everything I wanted to do to the property. I would need to make a good argument to Vlad to convince him this was a good idea.
XXX
Four o'clock came and I was touching down at the Adkin's residence. I knocked on the door and Leslie Adkins, the mother of seven girls, answered the door. "Danny," she greeted me happily. "I haven't seen you in ages."
"It has been too long," I replied, smiling softly. "How have you been?"
"I've been good," she replied. "How about you? The last thing I heard about you was your accident. Are you all right?"
"Oh yeah," I replied, brushing it off. "It wasn't really that big of a deal. Tucker just overreacted and upset Mom. It wasn't as big as everyone made it out to be."
"Star didn't even know you had an accident," Mrs. Adkins replied. "Didn't you tell anyone at school?"
"No," I admitted. "The few days I did take off to put Mom's fears at ease I explained by having the flu. I didn't want to… I mean… it looks bad, you know. I didn't want anyone to think… I mean, I did chose to go down there and my parents did tell me not to. I didn't want anyone to get the wrong idea."
Mrs. Adkins smiled softly. "No one would have thought that. But I understand. So, what brings you here?"
"The hooligans," I said, smiling at their nicknames.
"I believe you are the only one who can call them that," Mrs. Adkins smiled. "I scold Star all the time."
"Well, they're waiting for me. It was nice speaking to you, Mrs. Adkins."
"Likewise," she replied. "Goodbye Danny and take care."
"Same to you," I nodded. "Oh, and take care of that little one!"
"Oh no," Mrs. Adkins retorted. "Abigail is the last one!"
"I've heard that before," I kidded, walking up the stairs. I stopped at Courtney's room, the door ajar. I tapped on the door.
"Danny," she called, excited. "You made it!"
"Of course," I replied. I looked around the room but only the four girls, Jake and Dan were present. "Where's everyone else?"
"We didn't want to overload you," Victoria replied.
"Well, I appreciate that," I replied. "Dan, Jake. How are you boys doing?"
"We're fine," Dan replied, running at me. I braced myself as he leapt into my arms. The five year old was quite clingy. "This is the coolest moment of my life!"
"And why is that," I asked as I walked over to Courtney's bed.
"I get to watch Danny with Danny," he declared. "It's awesome!"
I chuckled as Courtney pulled out a VHS tape. I took a shaky breath. This is absolutely the last thing I've ever wanted to do. I've refused to watch it with Brit and now these little girls have worn me down. What can I say? There's something about a blonde.
I chuckled as I watched the most horrible rendition of my father ramble on as I battled the ectopusses. One, they were not green. Two, we did not make that much noise. It did get loud but not even my dad could miss that. However, Dad did say he'd keep on speaking. Sam and Tucker weren't shaking that bad but it was a close-enough reenactment.
I covered my face as the theme song played. He's going to catch them all because he's Danny Phantom?! What is this, pokemon? There were several little alterations, like how Tucker appeared to know nothing about Ultra-recyclo vegetarian food. Tucker knew about it, he was just making a point. However, those little points could be forgiven because Butch Hartman only had thirty minutes (actually less) to squeeze in a six-year-old friendship. Tuck and I have actually known each other for ten years.
I groaned out in distaste as I saw the lunch lady. "What," Courtney asked me.
"She's not green," I cried. "She's black!" When Tucker's cartoon version quoted himself in the kitchen, I couldn't help but remark, "What, is his grandmother green?"
When the episode was finally over, I was barely alive. "You guys find this entertaining?"
"Very," Emily cried joyful.
"I'm glad my life is entertaining," I groaned. This show will never make it! "Most of it is accurate, some of it has been altered to fit the allowed time and then some of it has been cartooned. But, mostly, it's accurate."
"Thanks, Danny," Courtney smiled. "I know this is difficult. I guess if it was us, it'd be different. We go into fits when we see Jessica or Star in the background. We know how you feel."
I took a shaky breath, "I'm glad for your understanding."
"Dash is a big part of it," Dan replied. "I understand."
"And Kwan has been on a few episodes," Jake replied.
"We get it," Laura replied.
"Thanks," I replied again. I ruffled the boys' hair, kissed the girls' heads and said my goodbyes. I flew to the apartment Vlad was scheduled to see today. "Thanks for allowing me to meet you here."
"As long as you're here on time I don't care how you get here. If you still get sick like you use to with transporting, I'll allow you to meet me for all the appointments."
"I still get sick," I replied, smoothing out my shirt. Vlad's eyes trailed my normal clothes. "Sorry, I didn't have time to change."
"I'll permit it," Vlad said, a frown on his face. "But only this once."
"Yes, sir," I replied, my face mirroring his. I followed him inside today.
XXX
"Vlad," I whispered as six o'clock approached.
"What," Vlad turned to me, upset that I had interrupted.
"I have patrolling," I whispered. "I thought you'd be done by now."
Vlad groaned. "Fine. We'll pick this up tomorrow."
"I owe you one," I replied, turning to leave.
"Which you'll pay me back tonight," Vlad replied from behind me. I'll try but I haven't had any sleep in three days. I am swamped at night.
Make time, Vlad sent me telepathically. Like I said, I'll try.
XXX
I picked up Sam first and then Tucker, starting patrol five minutes late. Sam and Tucker had eaten at home so we hit the streets immediately. We stayed busy all evening long. Finally at nine-fifty-five, I sucked the ghost in the thermos, picked up Sam and Tucker with my mind, put up a shield and hit the sonic mark. I dropped Sam off, took Tucker home, ignored their objections and returned to fight the next ghost. Once I put him away, I hit the sonic mark again, powering down and returning home.
"I'm home," I called as I walked in the door. I didn't wait to be scolded for missing curfew. "I'm tired. I'm going to bed. Don't check in on me. I'm going to bed," I ran up the stairs, closed my door and flew out my window. I went after the next ghost.
At one o'clock Vlad showed up.
"Daniel," he addressed me from the ground as I fought the ghost in the sky.
"Not now," I cried down at him. "My ass is busy presently!"
The ghost took my moment of distraction to send me hurling into another building. I flew through it but smashed into another. Just great. Why can't they have more old buildings that no one wants around. I flew back to the fight.
"Daniel," Vlad said sternly. "It's not a choice!"
"Neither is this," I called back, fighting the ghost. It wasn't a very powerful ghost and that's what made it so challenging. It was pure evil but it's strength made it not much of a threat. One wrong move and this eleven could destroy him.
A red beam appeared below me and I watched in horror as the ghost blew up. The ghost let out a loud shriek as he was obliterated. I turned back in Vlad's direction, his human palm smoking. "You were thinking the solution!"
"Vlad," I cried. "You didn't have to do that!"
"I won't have anything interrupting us," Vlad replied coolly. I looked back to where the ghost was before. I done this. "Now, come on!"
I bit back the nausea and landed beside him. Maybe ghost hunting could wait. I'm not sure if there is another side besides the Ghost Zone. Did that ghost just face oblivion because I denied Vlad? My world swirled and my stomach lurched as Vlad teleported out with us.
XXX
I flew through my open window just before five. I powered down, my torn and shredded jumpsuit replaced with my human clothes. I walked over to my desk and opened my backpack. I didn't have a lot of time but I had to try to get the rest of it done.
I showered at six-thirty and bandaged up my few injuries. I needed sleep. My powers were weakening, my human half too weak to carry my ghost half. If I didn't get some sleep tonight, tomorrow when I go ghost hunting I'd really have a chance for getting hurt. Today, I was just sporting a few long gashes, some bruising and a couple fractured ribs. I released the ghosts I had captured in the last twenty-four hours after I finished my routine and went upstairs. I grabbed the cereal box, milk, spoon and bowl.
The minute Sam had me in her sights, she knew I didn't get any sleep. "Damn it, Danny," Sam cussed, something unusual for her. "You are going to kill yourself!"
"Don't worry," I replied, walking out her door. She followed behind me.
"Don't worry, don't worry," Sam retorted. "Damn it, I wouldn't worry if you gave me no reason to worry."
"I'll get some sleep today," I promised her.
"Is that before you're dead or after," Sam retorted.
"I'm not going to die," I declared. "I'm just a little tired."
"When you stop healing, you're more than just a little!"
XXX
Tucker had something a bit more to say about my appearance. "God damn it Danny, you are going back home!"
I winced, his voice cutting through my head like a hack saw. "I'm fine."
"The hell you are," Tucker retorted, "even Baxter could hurt you today!"
"I can't miss school," I declared.
"Then what are you going to do when you're dead," Tucker retorted. I must look really terrible. They're both suggesting I could kill over.
"I'm not going to die," I retorted, my voice rising.
"Danny, I bet I could knock you over," Tucker retorted himself.
"I'm not going back home," I replied, continuing walking.
"Don't make me call Mom," Tucker threatened.
I turned around, "Tucker, I'm in over my head here. There's not much I can do. If I'm over my head, what about this town? What are they going to do without me?"
"That's a question you're going to have to ask yourself," Sam replied. "If you continue down this road, we'll have to learn how to live without you. Danny, do you understand how bad you are?"
"Probably not," I admitted. "But I know I don't have a choice. With the news spreading like wildfire, the portal is even more active. I don't know what to do!"
"What we do is we sit down together and figure this out," Tucker replied. "There's nothing we can't do together."
I groaned. "Tonight. We'll go over some solutions at school today."
"No," Sam replied. "If you won't go home, you're sleeping in school today. You need to strengthen your human half. If a big ghost does show up today at school, then you're in trouble."
"Okay," I replied.
"We'll talk about it on patrol. We'll take the Fentonfones."
"Deal," I replied. We picked up our pace walking to school.
"Oh, Danny," Tucker replied. "I wanted to show you something."
"What," I asked, confused.
"I was on the internet day before yesterday when I came across this website. I done some research and the car lot have some in stock."
"Car lot," I asked, becoming more confused. "Tuck, we're just fourteen!"
"Trust me," Tucker replied. "We'll need to start saving now to afford it." Tucker started laughing after a moment and I joined along with him. Of course we could afford it now but he was just making a statement. I know what he's talking about.
AN: I received a review yesterday alerting me that while I have warned for the explicit sex, I didn't warn for rape. I have inserted warnings on every chapter now and that's why the story underwent a massive change yesterday. The content remains the same, I have just gave my new readers fair warning. Sorry for the inconvenience.
Drop me a line. All feedback is welcomed. Only one more chapter to go! Danny's Story, Part 2: New Beginnings begins Saturday! Stay tuned as the plot thickens!