It was 9 o'clock when Tucker entered in the restaurant where he would meet his friends. Sam greeted him from the table and he started walking towards her. Dressed up casually, Tucker was wearing a black shirt underneath a mustard cardigan zipped at the level of his chest, grey denim jeans and red sneakers, and of course, his traditional red cap backwards.
Sam had a purple blouse with ¾ sleeves, a black skirt and black high boots. Her blouse had a polo neck and the very edge of her sleeves were black. To match everything, her purse was also purple. She smiled when he sat in front of her.
- Good morning.
- Good morning, Sam. – He looked around. – Where's Danny? I thought you'll come with him.
- He went to the bathroom seconds before you arrive. – She pointed to the end of the hall where the restrooms were.
- So… - He went straight to the point.
- So… what? – She replied pretending she didn't understand what he meant.
- How was your d-a-t-e? – He spelled the last word to tease her.
- Tucker… - She warned him.
- Sam…
- It wasn't a date. – She spoke lowly, breaking eye contact.
- Well, then tell me about your hang out. – He cornered her.
- Fine. – she said serious.
- Just fine? – He raised an eyebrow.
- What do you want me to tell you? – She said tired of it.
- Just the truth. – He leaned on the table to get closer.
- That is the truth…
- C'mon Sam! I left you alone all the afternoon and evening, sighseeing a city you didn't know after not been together for years. So, I'll ask again…
- Fine! – She said aggressively, adopting his same posture. – It was great. The city is beautiful, it has lots of interesting places, Danny was as charming, if not more, as he used to be, I had fun and… - She paused before continuing. – And that was it. – She straightened in her seat, with disappointment in her eyes.
Tucker covered his face with both hands, frustrated. "Danny you idiot". He sighed after a moment.
- Well, I guess today we…
- No more Tucker. – She said tired, earning a weird look from his friend. – I know what you're doing and… I'm somewhat thankful to you for it. But you need to stop forcing it. – She sighed. – It's obvious Danny doesn't sees me that way and…
- Sam. – He looked at her as if she just said the most stupid thing ever.
- … and it's better that way. – She interrupted him. – I can't keep chasing him all my life. I thought I was over him after all that time in England, but I was wrong. I needed this reality check.
The green-eyed boy observed her astonished. Sam's mood had decayed really fast and then, suddenly, she started panicking.
- Shit. – She whispered when saw Danny coming back. – Do not try anything or I'll kill. – She threatened him pointing her finger at his face, but he was distracted by the way she quickly put back on her mask of normality.
- Hey dude. – Danny greeted him and sat next to him.
- Hi Danny. He replied, handing him a menu.
Danny thanked him and took it. The 3 were in silence for a moment, while they were choosing what to have for breakfast. Seconds later, Tucker cleared his throat and Sam immediately glared at him. She warned him with a look and by shaking her head discretely to persuade him, but Tucker only moved his lips to say "sorry" and carried on.
- So… - He looked at Danny, feeling how Sam was drilling 2 holes in his head with her eyes. – How did it go?
As soon as those words left his mouth, everything in the table jumped when Tucker's legs hit it from above and squealed, bending over to rub his shin. "So that's what the boots are for". He thought.
- What happened to you? – He said worried.
- He hit the leg of the table. – Sam said hiding behind the menu.
- I was just stretching. – He complained looking at her. – Any who…
- I'm ready to order. – Sam put down the menu violently against the table and called for the waiter, who showed up quickly.
- Someone woke up famished. – Danny joked.
- Oh, you have no idea. – She retorted while the waiter stood next to her. – I'll have the vegetarian salad and orange juice. – She gave the waiter the menu.
- Very well. – He said finishing his notes. - And for the gentlemen?
- I'll have a classic breakfast. – Danny pointed to it on the menu. – With extra bacon and apple juice.
- And I'll have what he's having. – Tucker said, still rubbing his shin.
- I'll bring them in a moment. – The waiter said, leaving the tables after retrieving the menus.
- Yesterday… - Danny was immediately cut off.
- How was dinner yesterday? – Sam said pleading to Tucker.
- Fine, I guess. – He straightened in his chair. – What about yours? – He replied, successfully avoiding the new kick Sam threw his way.
- I was fun. – Danny looked at Sam. – And the food was delicious.
- Wait…. You did have dinner? – He raised an eyebrow.
- What? You wanted us to starve? – Sam said passive-aggressively.
- More like share a plate of pasta. – Tucker shot back.
- What's wrong with you guys? – Danny worried.
- Nothing. – They both replied and avoided Danny's gaze.
The blue-eyed boy just shook his head.
- After changing we went back to that museum we talked to you about yesterday. It had many interesting things. Then we…
Danny started narrating everything they did to Tucker. Something in the way he was talking helped to make Sam relaxed and forget about her quell with Tucker. Maybe it was the way his voice sounded or perhaps the way he would look at her while he was speaking. It could've been the way he would often smile when he remembered something of the way he smiled at her when he was talking. She smiled back, even joined him narrating bits of the story. She stopped listening at some point after her eyes set on his lips. She was in a trance watching them move while he spoke, the way they would stretch when he smiled… It hurt to thing that somebody else could taste them when she couldn't. They have kissed in the past, but never for sentimental reasons. Always for survival. However, that didn't stop her from enjoying the contact, however brief the moment was. If she closed her eyes, she could remember the sensation of his lips on hers, the softness…
- Oh! Can you believe thar we found a local that sells Sam's favorite ice cream? – Danny said excited. – Bat gummies and all.
- That is weird. – Tucker said amused by the tale.
- Then we had dinner and… that's it. I left her at the hotel and then went to mine. – Danny concluded. – Well, she was driving but… you get it.
Before anything else was said, a ringtone caught everyone's attention. Reacting a bit late, Sam took her phone out of her purse and looked at the screen.
- Sorry, I gotta take this. – She stood up and left the place.
Danny gaze never left her until she was out. He remembered that morning when she picked him up. He was dressed with a black tee and a long sleeve blue shirt on top, dark denim jeans and black sneakers. He needed to cause a big impression on her… but he was the one impressed.
Tucker noticed that Danny was still looking in the direction Sam took, so he decided to bring him back and make a good use of the time they had until she came back.
- Dude! – Danny yelled when Tucker smacked him in the arm.
- Really Danny?! – He hissed. – I gave you a golden opportunity! And you threw it away!
- I didn't! – He replied.
- Then how do you explain that story not ending with you and her… - He put his hands together as if they were mouths kissing. - … kissing?!
- I wouldn't kiss her on the first day I met her after years! That would've been weird! – He chose not to mention the many times he had the impulse to do that.
- You were this close to losing her! – Tucker put his index and thumb very close.
- No. – He said coldly. – She came back without boyfriend, which means my promise stands still.
- Then do something soon. – He replied getting angry. – Because I'm sure an ocean of distance won't stop James Bond.
- Tell me something. – He got close to him, trying to swallow the anger caused by the mention of that guy. – And I want the truth. Does Sam like me?
Tucker stopped on his tracks, unsure in how to proceed. If he was honest, Sam would definitely kill him for sharing her secret without her permission; but if he wasn't, he would be prolonging something far longer that it needed to.
- Because if the answer is no… - Danny talked again. – I'm not throwing everything away just because I want more.
- Danny…
- Damn it, here she comes. – He composed himself again. – Act normal. – He threatened him.
"Great. I play matchmaker and the only thing I got are threats". He sighed.
- Sorry it took that long. – She sat down. – I forgot to report back to my parents.
- You could've answered here. – Danny said. – We wouldn't have complained… Sammykins.
- Watch your mouth, Fenton. – Her answer made the boys laugh.
Soon after, the waiter brought their breakfasts and the conversation turned into their college's experiences.
They left the restaurant and walked down the street. Sam, as usual, was in the middle, but unconsciously she walked closer to Danny. He noticed it and had to fight back the impulse to grab her hand. Or to hug her. Or to kiss…
- Danny?
- Hm? – He reacted when he heard his name. – Sorry, I was elsewhere. What did you say?
- We asked you what time does your flight depart? – Tucker said. – You know, to see if we could give you a ride.
- What flight? – He remained clueless about the conversation.
Sam smiled with resignation and Tucker put his hands in his head.
- Dude, if you didn't bring your parent's van, we assumed you came by plane.
- That's why we're asking, to see if we can drop you in the airport before we leave. – She concluded.
- Oh. – He said a bit uncomfortable. – Well… that's a funny story. You see... I did came flying, but not in a plane. – He smiled.
- Wait… You're telling us you flew all the way here from Florida in your ghost form? – Tucker asked skeptically.
- What? No! Not Florida, Amity Park.
- Then…
- I thought you could give me a ride… you know, if your parents are cool with it. – He smiled weakly to convince him.
- I don't know man, I got a lot o baggage. – Tucker immediately pulled Sam to him a passed an arm over her shoulders. – But my friend Sam could. – He winked at Danny while Sam elbowed him on the ribs.
- I don't know, Tuck. – He said ashamed. – I don't want to abuse Sam's hospitality. She drove everywhere yesterday and…
- Danny, we're friends. – She interrupted him. – Besides, we're going to the same place so I don't see why I couldn't give you a ride.
- Thanks Sam! – He used that as an excuse to hug her.
Sam was taken aback by the sudden action of his friend, but before she could reciprocate it, he let her go.
- And don't worry. I'll pay for the gas… - He stopped when he remembered the car was electric. – I'll charge it? No. I'll buy you a new battery? – The expression on his face caused the other 2 to break in laughter. – How does that work? – He said after a while, more to himself that to someone else.
- Don't worry. – Sam smiled at him. – I'll think about how you can repay me.
Her smile faded when she saw Tucker winking at her. He better had nothing to do with it.
The drive back to Amity Park turned out pleasant. At that speed, they'll arrive home in less than an hour. Surprisingly, Danny turned out to be a great copilot: he didn't fall asleep, he took care of the drinks and snack, he played the newest hits by Dumpty Humpty during the ride, kept her entertain with conversation while she was driving, and above else, if he had comments on her driving skills, he spared her of them all.
Danny begged her to let him drive and test how fast could her car go, but she didn't budge. "One day". He thought. Sam on the other hand, refused his petition because driving would force her to keep her eyes on the road at all times instead of the blue-eyed boy next to her who seemed keen on spoil her every attempt to forget about him. Unconsciously but systematically, Danny always did something that warmed her heart whenever she felt resolve enough to forget her little crush on him: when Danielle joined Team Phantom and Danny finally had more free time that he chose to spend with her; on her 16th birthday by giving her a beautiful necklace made of ghost ice; or that time when they graduated from Casper High and Danny gave her a gigantic bouquet of her favorite flowers, even bigger than the one her parents gave her… In those moments she wanted to believe Tucker when he would call them lovebirds. She wanted to believe Danny treated her like that because he felt the same way for her. And she waited for Danny to ask her.
But he never did. As corny as it may sound (and she hated corny things), she somewhat expected Danny to make a scene in the airport and confess his love for her before she took her flight to England. Instead, he just hugged her and wished her luck. In that moment, she thought that was the last nail to the coffin of her feelings for him. She was confident that now she could move on and forget him with an ocean of distance between the 2 of them. She made new friends, she kept herself busy… Hell, she event went on dates! On her second year there, she met Stephen Malen. Tall, handsome, smart, British, great sense of humor and lots of common interests. They weren't studying the same career, but they just kept running into each other during their free time. So, when he asked her out on a date, she finally saw an opportunity to leave her childhood crush behind.
The first date was great and they made plans to do it again. However, …
The seminar she attended had just finished. It wasn't a lesson from any of her assignments, but the topic seemed interesting. She was exhausted for the long day, but she really enjoyed the conference of "The future of the electric industry: Renewable alternatives or nuclear?" She learned so much from the expositor, and managed to change her mind in certain topics. She grabbed her stuff and walked outside the auditorium when she received a text message. She unlocked her phone and looked at the notification.
Tomorrow at 6 works for you? – From Stephen Malen.
She smiled and blocked her phone. She would answer him once she got back to her dorm. It was around 6:30 pm and the sun was setting, so she decided to grab a taxi instead of taking the subway. She was wearing her boots, with denim jeans and a black blouse, all covered in a formal purple raincoat. She adjusted her backpack and before buckling the buttons on her coat, a voice stopped her on her tracks.
- Hi Sam.
She lifted her head to see the person talking to her. Like a deer in the middle of a highway, her eyes opened up widely and her face paled. It couldn't be possible.
- Danny… - She whispered, unsure on whether the boy was actually there or not.
Listening to his name, he smiled at her, not daring to come closer to her.
- What...? How...? Why…? You…? – She stammered as she took one step back.
He laughed.
- Sam, I would love to stay a bit longer and talk to you, but… I'm afraid time is working against me. – He said while searching something inside the trench coat he was wearing. It was clearly too big for him, leaving only his shoes and part of his jeans visible.
- What are you talking about? – She was confused.
He finally extended a well wrapped package. She stared at it. "It clearly is a book". She noted by looking at the dimensions of the package, but she didn't take it. Danny smiled again and waved it in the air, inciting her to take it. She did after a while, not entirely convinced.
- What is this? Why…?
- I know the timing sucks, I mean… your birthday was a month ago. – He interrupted her. – But today was the closest date a portal would open to here. – He paused. – Open it when you're in your dorm… or department… or house.
- Danny… - She looked down at the gift.
Suddenly, she felt his hands in her shoulders, forcing her to look up again. Her heart started racing when his intense baby blue eyes stared at her with a big smile from up close.
- Happy birthday Sammy. – He kissed on the right cheek.
Her blood rushed back to her face, making her blush violently. Danny took a step back and looked to the sky.
- I gotta go. – Sam looked up to see a distortion in the sky caused by the portal to the ghost zone that just opened. – Enjoy your present.
Danny ran behind a line of trees to hide and then the light of his transformation shone for a few second. Invisible an intangible, Danny crossed the portal before it closed. Sam was still in shock, not sure that all of that was real or actually happened. She ran to the streets to get a taxi as fast as she could.
When she got to the dorm, she ran inside and shut the door close, throwing her belongings to the floor and removing her coat as if her life depended on it. She tried to process what just happened, taking in deep breathes and pacing in front of her bed. "That happened". She concluded after relaxing a little bit. She picked her backpack and took out the present. She sat down at the edge of the bed with it in both her hands. She started ripping of the wrapping and by the time the leather of the cover was visible, she squealed and threw it to the bed as if it burned.
She retreated to the corner of her dorm, sitting down on the floor and covering her mouth with both hands, feeling tears forming in her eyes. A few minutes passed by and she finally decided to take the book once more. She read again the title; "In the Seven Woods: Being Poems Chiefly of the Irish Heroic Age". That was her favorite book. She had a copy. But not like this one.
She had the 8th reprint paperback book, not an ORIGINAL leather cover print. Her hands were shaking. She opened it and noticed a handwritten dedication in the first page. When she read it, she couldn't hold back the tears any longer.
"To my admirer, Sam. Hoping my poetry takes you to unknown worlds and your heart guides you through them". – W. B. Yeats.
She skimmed through the pages and discovered a small piece of paper. She grabbed and read the printed message.
"Do not lend it". – Danny.
A chuckle escaped her lips when, written with black ink, she read a small "And Tucker" at the back of the note. Then she cried. A weird mixture of joy, happiness, excitement, nostalgia, disappointment and pain. She wanted to forget about him, God knew she was trying, but then… gestures like this one kept her hooked to him. That's why she hated herself sometimes, because all it took to destroy her hard exterior was a smile from him.
That was the last time she had seen Danny prior the day before, but no one knew about it besides the 2 of them. Not even Tucker knew about it or at least that was her guess because he never mentioned anything related to the book. Since day one, she's had more questions than answers. Especially after taking that book to an expert to examine the book and being congratulated by him for having such a piece of history well preserved, but above all, the authentic handwriting of the author in the dedication. And this was the best moment to get her answers out of him.
- … and then the ball bounced back and hit him full force in the face. – He finished talking between chuckles.
His laugh brough her back to reality and she simply smiled, because she hadn't listened to anything he had been saying for the past minutes.
- Danny. – She called. – Can I ask you something?
-Sure. – He said smiling.
- But you have to promise me you'll tell me the truth. – She finally looked at him.
"Oh no. Not now". Danny thought panicking.
- Why so serious? – He tried to defuse the situation with humor.
- Just… promise me. – Her gaze returned to the highway.
He would've preferred to open up her heart and declared her his unconditional love under different circumstances, but if she insisted to do it in the car, there was no way out. He just hoped she wouldn't reject him, otherwise they would be having a very awkward 30-minutes trip.
- Alright. – He spoke at last. – I solemnly declare that the words I shall say will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. – He raised his right hand as an oath. – Unless of course the truth gets me in trouble.
She ignored his attempt of a joke and finally asked what she wanted to know.
- The book you gave me… Do you remember it? – She looked at him for a second, before looking ahead once more.
Danny sighed mentally. "It's just that". He was about to relax when he started worrying for a whole different reason.
- Please tell me you didn't lose it. – He turned to her with distress in his voice and face.
- What? Of course not! – As soon as she answered, he relaxed on his seat.
- Then what about it? – He said curious.
- How? – She said after remaining in silence for a while. But he didn't respond, waiting for more information.
- How… what?
- Just… tell me how. – She said again.
- Sam, I don't understand what you want me to say…
- How did you get it?
Silence.
- I'm not telling you that. – He replied serious.
- Danny…
- It was a gift, Sam.
- You promised to tell me the truth. – She reminded him.
- And I also said I wouldn't if it gets me in trouble.
Sam raised an eyebrow at him.
- I didn't steal it if that's what you're thinking, Sam. – He said. – I thought you would like the gift.
- I did like it, Danny. – She answered. – But a book like that… it must have costed a fortune.
- Sam. – He interrupted her. – I won't talk about the origin of that book. And that's all I have to say about it.
- Fine. – She sighed. – I just hope you didn't bankrupt your family for it.
Danny only denied while holding in a chuckle, looking through his window.
- What about the signature? – She said after a while, smiling.
- Sam… - He replied.
- Please! I'm not asking about the origin of the book.
- But you're still talking about the book. – He replied amused.
A comfortable silence sunk down between the 2 for a few minutes, before a notification of an incoming call appeared in the dashboard screen of the car. Even though Danny was playing music with the auxiliar connected to his phone, it was Sam's phone the one synchronized to the car. They looked at each other and Danny paused the music before answering the call.
- Hello, Samantha. – A jolly masculine voice said. She sighed at the mention of her full name and Danny smiled at her reaction.
- Hi dad.
- How are you, dear? Are you close? – He asked.
- I'm fine… I'm like, 20 or 30 minutes away.
- 30 minutes? – He asked suspiciously. – What time did you left Massachusetts, dear?
- Dad… - She said barely concealing her irritation.
- I hope you didn't run away young a man… - Danny's smiled disappeared.
- Dad! – She raised her voice.
- Especially with…
- Is there a reason for this call? – She interrupted him anxiously, because she knew the name her dad was about to say.
Meanwhile, Danny tightened his fist at the thought of Sam running away with someone.
- Don't talk to me like that, young woman. I am your father and even…
- Jeremy? – A female voice snuck on the line talking to Sam's dad. After that, the line was taken by weird noises as if Jeremy was fighting with someone for the phone. – Hello? – The female voice said, clearer this time. – Samantha?
- Mom?
- Sammykins! – Danny did his best not to laugh, earning a smack on the leg by Sam. – Oh, dear. Are you on your way?
- Yeah… I told dad I'm almost there. – She said while they heard more noises in the line. – What's going on over there?
- Nothing you should worry about, dear. – She said softly. – We just called to tell you to come straight home.
Sam looked at her copilot, trying to muster an excuse… but then she remembered her parents didn't need to know that Danny was with her.
- Mmm… sure. – She lied.
- Excellent! – Her mom squealed. – Your grandma is anxious to see you! She can't wait until you get home!
Ida Mason couldn't join them during their trip to England for Sam's graduation due to a medical condition, so today would be the first time in 4 years Sam would see her. She missed her dearly and how she couldn't? She was the only normal member of her family and the only one that had accepted her during her early goth years.
- And I mean it literally Sammykins. – Pamela added. – You know your grandma can't stay up until very late.
Sam blinked several times after that statement.
- Mom, was that… Is that an emotional blackmail?
- Of course not, dear! I was making a small observation. – She said giggling before getting serious. – After all, you wouldn't want her to go to bed without seeing how much her favorite grandchild has grown.
Sam's mouth was floored and Danny only mustered a silent "wow". Pamela Manson truly knew how to get what she wanted.
- Yeah, I'm… - Sam said with resignation. – Tell her I'm almost there.
- Very well, dear. Drive safe. I love you. – She sang the last part.
- Yeah, me too. – She replied.
- Sammykins… - Pamela warned her.
- I said "me too". – Sam fought back, but her mother's silence unnerved her. – You'll make me say it, won't you?
- Sammykins…
- Fine! I love you too. Happy? – She said embarrassed for having Danny witnessing the loss of her pride.
- Very! – Pamela said. – We'll be waiting for you. Bye!
When her mother hung up, she let out a sigh. Before Danny could open his mouth, she got ahead of him.
- Not a word of this, Fenton. – She threatened him. – Or your ghost half will be your only half.
- I think… it was adorable. – He smiled. – There's nothing wrong in telling your parents that you love them. I do that with mine all the time.
- Yeah, but… - She made emphasis on that word. – Your parents didn't judge every choice you made, criticized the way you dressed or got angry when you did "unladylike" things.
- True. They just want to destroy me molecule by molecule. – He replied, making her laugh.
- You know? It wasn't a competition. – She said after a while.
- I know. – He looked at her. – But if it was, I would've won. – Sam laughed again. – What I wanted to say actually was… don't worry about taking me home. I know you wanna see your grandma. Plus, you've done enough for me lately. – He smiled.
- Thanks Danny.
Footsteps echoed through the hall of the lab. The man with perfectly polished black shoes and the neatly ironed white suit turned left and stood in front of a metallic door. He grabbed the ID hanging in his chest and pulled it closer to the scanner to open the lock. He walked into a box where another operative was overseeing the work in development in the lower part of the room. Engineers were wielding, installing infrastructure, moving equipment and testing a software in the control board in construction. In front of everyone, built into the wall, an octagonal hole 3 meters high was living proof of the progress the Guys in White had in dabbling into the ghost zone. The man stood next to the other one with his eyes fixed on the work carried in the internal ring of the machine.
- Sir.
- Operative A. – Said the newcomer. – Status.
- The redesign of the structure from the internal rings will stabilize the chain reaction…
- You said that last time. – He replied stoic.
- Our experts cannot guarantee the success of the trials, sir. This is untested technology…
- Then why Jack Fenton could?
- I… don't know how to answer to that, sir.
- He's a fat lucky idiot. – Said the superior. – Estimated date of termination?
- Our engineers think they can finish assembling the portal in a week. Either way, if the portal was finished before the deadline, I personally will communicate to notify you the logistics to the start-up of the portal.
- Excellent. – He leaned on the railing of the box. – Once the portal is functional, we then will test our newest weapon straight against the source.
The Operative A looked at his boos surprised, he only smiled. He straightened and took out a vial from his suit's pocket. It was a small flask made out of glass containing a bright crimson liquid.
- Is this…? – He asked as he took the vial in his hand.
- Ectoranium.
- I thought the project from the Botanic division was a waste of time. – He said still in awe.
- You and everyone else. – He turned to see him. – All that's left is check if the stories of the anti-ghost properties of the blood blossoms were real. – He said as he took the vial back.
- I thought the blossoms were extinct.
- They found them in a small gypsy community in East Europe. They brough them and have been cultivating them for the past years. A week ago, they finally managed to extract the ectoranium out of them.
- All those plants… just for one vial?
- This vial is for demonstration only. The full sample is still in the Botanic facilities. Our next steps will depend on how this reacts in contact with ectoplasmic material. – He moved to the door. – That's why I need that portal running and working as soon as possible. Or… that our deployed operatives capture a ghost.
- Roger that, sir.
Operative Alpha left the room after that brief exchange with operative A. Halfway through the hall, his phone started vibrating in his pocket. With very refined movements, he took it out and observed the number on the screen. He sighed before answering.
- Alpha speaking.
On the other side of the line, there was a man clearly agitated and short of breath.
- Sir… - He tried to stabilize his breathing. – I have a situation.
- What kind of situation? – Anger was evident through his voice, because he could accurately guess what the situation was about.
At the same time, Clockwork materialized into his lair and fell immediately to the ground, trying to regain his strength and overcome the unbearable pain he was in. When his adult form managed to recover enough to float again, he could see in his time portal the rageful fit Operative Alpha was throwing and his screams to the person in the line. He sighed exhausted. "It was worth it". He thought.
He dispelled the image from the time portal in the middle of his lair with a move from his time staff and he leaned on the table next to him. His hands, still shaking, were covered in burns. It will take him a while to fully heal, but at least he accomplished the destruction of that weapon. Or at least most of it.
- Three down. – He said turning into a child. – One to go.
Sam parked in front of her house and sighed. Her knees hurt for being seated that long, so she stretched however she could in her seat.
- Home, sweet home. – She said looking at her house.
- And it's not too late. – He added looking at the time on his phone.
They got out of the car and stretched again. Danny went to the back of the car to help Sam take out all the baggage. In that moment, the front door of the house opened and Jeremy walked through it.
- Samantha! – He shouted joyful.
Jeremy opened his arms to greet his daughter, who just growled before walking towards him to hug him. She wasn't bothered by her parents' display of affection, she just disliked when they made them in public. Her relationship with them improved exponentially after her 16th birthday. They still had their reservations with her tastes, but they agreed on a common ground in regards to her clothing. After all, Sam looked good in black.
- Hi dad. – She said tired.
- So glad you're here! – He said cheerfully… until he laid eyes on the boy next to the trunk of her car. Then his good humor died. – Daniel. – He said coldly.
- Dad… - She warned him.
- H-hi Mr. Manson. – He said nervously.
- Samantha, why don't you go say hi to your grandma? I'll handle your baggage. – He said taking the car keys away from her.
- Dad, just don't…
- Sammykins! – Her mother called from inside the house and she just sighed.
Before she could say goodbye, her dad pushed her into the house and locked the door behind her. She made a mental note to apologize to Danny first time next morning. Outside, Jeremy crossed his arms while staring at Danny. The boys got uncomfortable real fast, scratching his nape and looking away from him.
- Mmm… I…
- It's late for you to be outside, Daniel. – He said looking at his watch.
- Yeah… I just… - He looked at the trunk of the car.
- Good night, Daniel. – He interrupted him walking towards the driver's seat of the car.
- B-but…
He couldn't say more because Jeremy got in the car and closed the door. Seconds later, the car started moving, turning right in the next intersection. Danny just stood in the street.
- My backpack was there… - He whispered to himself.