I think it's been almost a year since I published the last chapter. Unfortunately, I love to write but I have to be in the mood. Sorry for the lack of posting consistency. Hopefully I'll get back into writing this story though! I never forgot about it and continued to have new ideas for it, so here's hoping I stick with it!
I was laying back down on the couch when I heard Danny's soft footsteps approaching. He must have thought I had fallen back to sleep while he put back the leftover clothes. I kept my eyes shut, hoping sleep would take me into its realm again but a slight headache seemed to keep me from transcending to the other side of the barrier. I heard the dark haired boy whisper, "I'll be sitting in the armchair if you need me." His footsteps passed me and fabric rustled and then- quiet. We stayed in each other's presence for a good half hour, not speaking a word. My brain was awake now- and refused to let me fall back asleep. I could tell by Danny's breathing that he too was still awake. I decided that letting the silence continue was pointless and spoke.
"So how does a guy like you fit into all of this?" I rolled over on my other side, facing outwards into the living room where the large chair sat across from me. Danny looked half surprised that I was awake, and half confused by my question. I continued, "Well, you know. You just don't seem to have the same interest as your parents seem to have in the paranormal." He sighed, but a slight smile showed on his lips. "I'm definitely not like my parents, you're right. Their entire life is consumed with ghosts. However I wouldn't say I'm not interested in anything paranormal. It can be pretty interesting stuff. But since I have a choice in what I want to pursue, I'd like to be an astronaut. Or study space and make new discoveries… I suppose it's the unknown that interests me, honestly." By the end of his answer, an even wider smile spread onto his face. Although it was hard to tell if it was from excitement or embarrassment. "That's actually pretty cool, Danny. I'm kinda jealous. It seems like you already know exactly what you want."
"Do you not?" he asked. I shrugged. "Well in a dream world I'd love to be an artist. Probably go into illustration, maybe freelance. But it's not exactly guaranteed income. But otherwise I'm not entirely sure what else I could do. I'm not passionate about much else."
"Oh. Well unfortunately I don't know much about art. But I'm sure you're good enough that you wouldn't have any trouble." I could tell he was trying to be nice. Which was, again, kind of a weird feeling since I didn't usually get much kindness thrown my way. I raised an eyebrow and smirked. "I'm going to assume you're next question will be if you can see my drawings." Danny stammered, "I- I.. uh.. yeah, it was." I flashed him a grin, "Don't worry, it's no problem. I don't mind sharing. Where is my backpack?" My quickly-becoming-friend got up in response and shuffled over to the side of the couch where my head was just laying. Reaching down, he retrieved a black bag and placed it on the coffee table in front of me and proceeded to sit next to my feet.
We looked through my sketchbooks, and honestly at first I wasn't sure if he'd like any of them. Not to say I didn't have any talent- I think I have at least a little bit- but because everything I draw is dark and weird. Surreal, I suppose you could say. But Danny seemed to be enthralled with my artwork, giving me compliments every second he could. And soon later he batted his baby-blues at me in the most innocent and pitiful puppy-dog way possible, asking me to draw him and, well, I wouldn't admit that I am weak... but he definitely knows that I have a weakness for puppy-dog eyes, now. "Okay, fine, I'll draw you sometime when I'm feeling better. How's that sound?" I tried to sound annoyed, thinking maybe if I appeared to be that he wouldn't use that trick on me again, but he seemed to miss my tone completely. Danny smiled and pumped his fist in the air. "Aw yeah!" He seemed genuinely excited. I couldn't help but laugh at his ridiculous over-excitement.
Just as the mood was lightening, we both heard the lock on the front door click and felt a cool nighttime breeze rush inside. Danny glanced over at me for a second and then back to the doorway, where two adults quietly slid inside. It was dark in the house, but I was pretty sure that these people were the famous Fenton ghost hunters. Otherwise known as Danny's parents.
"Hey mom, hey dad. How was it?" The teenage boy asked. His parents looked over and realized we were sitting on the couch in the living room. "Oh hi Danny!" A woman who must have been Danny's mother smiled, and walked into the living room with her husband not far behind. "It went alright, I suppose. It was a bit of a tough one- kept trying to hang on. But eventually we got rid of it so, hopefully, it should be quiet for a while now." I looked up at her in astoundment. I'd never seen anyone dress quite like her. She had tons of necklaces on, all with different pendants and beads clicking against each other. I saw crosses and other religious symbols mixed in the mass of necklaces. On top of all the necklaces, she wore a large assortment of bracelets and rings. From a distance all I could see were unreadable carvings marking these pieces. Her auburn hair was lopped off in a medium bob, and her body was layered in many layers of dark cloth with leggings and boots that went up to her ankles. She reminded me of a gypsy, or even a fortune teller. I was dumbstruck, not expecting this to be the woman that was Danny's mom. She spotted me and began, "Hi Samantha, I'm Daniel's mother, Maddie. I'm really glad that you're awake and alert! You must be better off than I thought you were. Hopefully you're okay with spending some time here? You must know what we do now, and we just want to keep an eye on you for a little bit. Just to make sure you're okay!"
I was a little bit too distracted to respond immediately. Behind Maddie was a large man. He too was dressed oddly. He shared some of the necklaces as his wife did, though not nearly as many. A couple mysterious rings also adorned his fingers, one of which looked like a worn-in wedding band. He instead wore a brown leather overcoat that came to his knees, and a recurring theme of black- hair, shoes, pants, shirt. There was a slight glint of light on what appeared to be a glass bottle peeking out from the inside of his overcoat. "Sam? Oh I wonder if she hit her head harder than we thought…" I heard Maddie mumble. "Oh! Sorry, sorry. Just tired. Yes, thank you for helping me. I'm sure you'll take good care of me while I'm here." I responded, finally. I looked over to Danny who was still sitting next to me on the sofa. Immediately I saw how out of place he looked compared to his parents.
"Jack, aren't you going to introduce yourself?" Maddie nudged her husband lightly in the ribs. He let out a warm laugh and grinned at me. "Hello Samantha, I'm Jack. Maddie's husband. Daniel's dad. I hope Danny-boy here hasn't caused you too many problems while we were out…" He teased. Although it was dim in the room, I'm pretty sure his face turned a bit pink. He glanced away for a moment. "No no." I chimed in, "He has been really helpful and has been great company. I'm sure nobody could have done better." I put my hand on his shoulder as a sign of friendliness. Danny flashed me a grin and thanked me for the compliment. Seeming content with how things went tonight, Mr. and Mrs. Fenton told me that we would speak tomorrow about what happened and insisted for me to get some rest. They went upstairs to their bedroom and Danny decided on staying out in the living room with me for the remainder of the night. He found his spot back on the big cushioned chair and promptly fell asleep this time. And finally this long and crazy day ended and I felt relief as I too, drifted off into the world of slumber.