Chapter 6: part 3

~~~SARALYN'S POV~~~

The castle was so gloomy, like those haunted mansions you see in horror movies. It was the perfect place for Rudy to be hiding.

"Are you sure that Danny is here?" Tucker asked as the three got out of the Spector Speeder.

"Positive." I said.

"Wow." Carmen said, looking up at the castle. "I would not want to be the princess of this castle."

When we reached the door, we tried to open it, but it wouldn't budge.

"Stand back." I said.

The others scurried around behind a tree. My hands started glowing. I formed a giant ecto ball in my hands and I threw it at the door. It hit and the door burst open, spitting pieces of wood debris everywhere. I gestured to the others. When we ran inside, it was Door-Palooza.

"It will take forever to find Danny this way!" Sam said. "There could be a trap behind every door, and I do not plan on dying until I'm at least 80!"

"He's behind here." I said, walking to one of the doors.

"Are you sure?" Carmen said, putting a hand on my shoulder. I nodded. I opened the door. Inside was a long staircase.

"Oh, you've GOT to be kidding me!" Tucker whined.

"Come on!" I said.

I grabbed their arms and flew up. Halfway through, I set them down and we climbed on foot. At the top of the staircase was a rickety old door that was locked. I turned invisible and phased through the door.

"Danny!" I said. As I ran closer to him, something stood in my way.

"Sara!" Danny cried.

"Hey!" I cried. "MOVE IT!"

I looked up at the thing in front of me. It was a ghost alright. However, it was... different. I've never seen him before. He reminded me of Skulker.

"Who the heck are you?" I asked the ghost.

"I am RUDY!" the ghost cried. I snickered.

"Rudy?" I said, "You know I was expecting something more intimidating..."

"Yes, I know! I've already gone through that!" Rudy said.

"Well, who ever you are, RUDY, let my friend go!" I said. My eyes glowed.

"You think I'm going to let you free your "friend" that easily?!" Rudy chuckled. "I was sent for a reason."

"What? What are you talking about?" I said.

"I was sent by Master Vlad to destroy your little friend. Your strength."

"My... strength?" I said. "Not on my watch! I won't let you hurt Danny!" Rudy laughed evilly. A familiar burning ignited in my chest.

"Let. Him. GO!" I said.

I raised my hands up. Rudy froze. I scanned the wall and I found the release button. I let out an angry grunt and threw my arms to the side. Rudy's body followed that direction and slammed into the wall. The button was pressed and Danny rolled off of the table onto his hands and knees. My eyes trailed back to Rudy. My eyes felt like they would disintegrate any minute from how brightly and furiously they were glowing. Rudy whipped around and glared at me. I shot out my hand towards him. My hand tensed and I curved my fingers inward like I was squeezing something. Rudy's eyes widened and a choking sound escaped from his lips. He grabbed his throat and fell to his knees.

"Sara, stop!" Danny cried. "You're hurting him!"

I grit my teeth and continued squeezing. The only thing I could hear was the blood pounding in my ears.

"Sara, STOP!" Danny said. "STOP!"

But I couldn't. Even if I wanted to, I knew I couldn't. Rudy hurt Danny. He must suffer.

Danny came over to me and grabbed my wrist. He moved my arm, but that only resulted in Rudy being thrown against the floor. His eyes were almost bulging out of his head as he struggled for breath.

"Saralyn, look at me." Danny said. "Look at me. I'm fine, see? I'm okay. Please, stop."

I looked at him. His face was calm and his grip on my wrist was soft.

He was also standing really close. I could feel his breath on my cheek.

I looked back at Rudy and I could fully see him squirming on the ground. He was in pain because of me. If I didn't stop now, he would be dead because of me.

I sucked in a breath and my hand relaxed as it fell to my side. Rudy gasped for breath. Tears fell down my face and my legs collapsed underneath me. I fell down to my knees, taking Danny down with me. He wrapped his arms around me and I sobbed into his shoulder. Rudy laid there. He wasn't moving, but he was breathing. Thank goodness he was breathing.

"Danny, I'm so glad you're okay." I said.

"Yeah, but are YOU okay?" Danny said. "I... I've never seen you this way before."

"I... I don't know." I said. Danny stroked my hair.

The door flew open and we jumped away from each other. I quickly wiped my face of any tear residue. Tucker, Sam, and Carmen came running into the room.

"Danny!" Tucker and Sam cried as they tackled him into a hug. Danny's eyes stayed on me.

"Come on, let's get out of here before-" Danny said.

A roar echoed in the room that sent everlasting chills up my spine. We turned to see Rudy standing there. He was awake and angrier than ever. His eyes and clenched fists glowed.

"RUN!" I cried and we dashed out the door. As we left the castle, Rudy was right behind us. Tucker, Sam, and Carmen piled into the Spector Speeder.

"You guys go," I said to them, "Danny and I will hold off Rudy." The others nodded, giving us one more fearful look, and took off. I looked at Danny.

"Don't worry." I said. I reached out and squeezed his hand. "We can do it." Danny nodded and smiled. We both took firm stances as Rudy charged towards us.