Chapter 12: To Save Danny

"Vlad's in hiding?" Jazz repeated in surprise. She noticed the article dated back about a month ago, but how could that be? She saw Vlad yesterday, didn't she? Or had she somehow dreamt up the encounter. It was a whole lot easier to believe that her encounter the other day with the missing half-ghost was only a dream, but like when she discovered Danny's powers for the first time, the memory (as bazaar as it was) seemed too much too real to be a dream.

Jazz was tempted to reach in her pocket for her cellphone. If anyone knew anything about Vlad's disappearance, it would be her father. So how come Jack never said anything to them? Jazz didn't even have to ask. She knew the answer and it made her heart beat fast. Jack and Maddie were never the type of people to read tabloids or even big news stories like this. As weird as it was to admit, Jazz realized that she knew more about Jack's college buddy, than he or Maddie ever bothered to learn.

As soon as Danny was back at home, Jazz took off again, excusing herself by saying that she needed to pick something up from the library. Instead, however Jazz drove straight to the alleyway. She was over an hour late and almost certain that Vlad would have become tired of waiting and go home, but to her surprise, Vlad was in the alleyway when Jazz arrived.

"You're late." Vlad said coolly. He was still in his ghost form. Actually, ever since she and Vlad met up during Danny and her dad's ghost hunt, Jazz had never seen Vlad outside of his ghost-half.

"Sorry," Jazz replied while stepping out of the car and shutting the door behind her. "Anyways, before we begin, there's been something I've been meaning to ask?"

"What is it sweetie?" Vlad said, trying his best to muster the voice of a concerned parent.

"Well first off don't call me sweetie. It sounds kind of creepy coming from you. Also, why does the newspaper say you went into hiding last month?"

Vlad's expression changed. For a moment he looked frightened and Jazz didn't miss it, but just as fast as he changed to a look of worry, Vlad went back to a look of calm. "Uh... Don't worry about that. That's old news. Right now we're here to worry about Danny."

"Danny has been without powers for this long. He can wait a bit longer." Jazz said crossly.

"Okay, okay," Vlad said, raising his hands in surrender. "By the way, has anyone ever told you that you look like your mother when you're angry?"

"Really?" Jazz asked excitedly. "Well than-... Hey! You're not getting out of the conversation this easily! And don't even think about using your ghost powers on me because if you do, mom and dad will find out!"

"Alright Maddie." Vlad said dreamily. Jazz glared. "Sorry, I mean Jazz."

"So what's the story?"

Vlad shrugged. "Well when I heard about what happened to Danny I knew I just had to help. You see, you may not know this, but Daniel and I are really close. I'm like a second father to him."

"That's funny, because he never mentions you." Jazz said skeptically.

"We keep our friendship secret. You see, I taught him everything he knows about his ghost powers. So when this happened, I knew that I needed to help. As a result, I'd be spending a lot of time in Amity Park and didn't want the media following me around, so I disappeared."

"Interesting," Jazz said. She didn't fully believe Vlad's story, but he was willing to help Danny out and that was what mattered. "So how are we going to save Danny?"

"I'm glad you asked." Vlad said with a smile. "You see, there is a girl here in town whom I helped out once. I gave her ghost catching gear and told her to collect samples of ectoplasm just encase this occasion arose. I want you to tell her that Vlad wants the ghost-boy's sample."

"And who is this girl?"

"Her name is Valerie Gray."

~ phantom130 5 (November 2013)