Before we jump in

Trigger Warnings: mentions and mildly graphic description of electrocution and panic attacks. (If there's anything else, please let me know)

So, let's get on with the chapter!

Chapter six:

still feel.

He let out a breathless laugh, ignoring the cracking shield, and gave the three figures the best smile he could manage. He desperately hoped it wasn't as sad as he felt. "Thank you for coming," he told them. The "and I'm sorry." going unsaid. He nodded at their direction, but was mostly nodding to himself. He felt satisfied with the four words he did say. He didn't need to end it with that. That would set them off in some way.

His vision was blurring. The sound of the cracks getting louder in his ears. Then it shattered. The pieces disappearing as he was hit with the blast. Immediately falling unconscious due to both the lack of energy and the impact. One word echoing in his ears.

"DANNY!"

— — — —

Danny's eyes shot open only to be shut back tight from the bright light. He groaned and went to shield his eyes.

Wait..

His eyes squinted at the ceiling. Wasn't he outside? Suddenly, he was hit with the memories of his escape attempt and his mouth went dry. Where was he? Did they lie about killing him? Why? Was it some stupid sadistic test? Where was he? A secondary location?

Danny froze momentarily before promptly sitting up from the bed (..bed?), wincing at his sore chest and back. His vision blurring as he looked around the room in a newly formed panic. A secondary location was bad in any circumstance. Were they planning on killing him properly? They had to be. Why else would he be here?

Leave.

He should leave.

Mind made up, he quickly got out of the bed. But the moment he took his first step, his muscles tensed. Throat going dry as his limbs began to buzz. He felt thirsty, but he was quick to push it aside and kept walking. He could recognize a window. He just needed to go out there. Then there was a jolt of pain through his whole body.

Danny wasn't sure what the pain was until the third jolt. He had collapsed to the ground, mouth agape. A ringing in his ears. He wasn't sure if he made a noise or not. He hoped not. The pain was very familiar to him, but it was still unbearable.

Shaking, his hand reached up to the collar around his neck. He muttered out a curse to himself for forgetting about it. The hand immediately fell back onto the carpeted floor as he gasped for air. His fingers digging onto the floor. Just how far was he?

He needed it off.

Danny was slightly more aware of his pained hiss as his hands flew up and grabbed the iron collar. Desperately trying to yank it apart but failed with every tug. He was too out of it to do it properly. Blurred dots filled his vision. And soon he found himself too weak to keep trying.

Then something tapped his back.

The sudden touch made Danny jump and turn to see a moving blur. Red. He growled at the unknown blur, and moved away from it. Though, he quickly regretted that decision as another big shock went down his spine. This time he tried his best to make no sound, but stopped moving nonetheless. His teeth bared as the figure moved closer. The figure seemed to have paused for a moment. It took Danny a moment to realize his newly formed fangs were on full display. Great. Now he'd have hands in his mouth. Again..

"-nny, ..t's…-ay.. -onna… -el…ou." He could barely hear from past the ringing.

His brows furrowed in confusion. The confusion was quicker replaced as he saw something move towards him. In a haste, he used his teeth to get it away. There was a distant yelp as it pulled away from him. One success. His back was pressed against a wall as he kept glaring at the figure. "Don't touch me," he managed to growl out.

The unknown blur was effectively silent. A bobbing motion being seen.

Danny wanted to relax. But he couldn't. His muscles were on fire from the frequent shocks. It had to be set on a higher voltage than usual. Every part of him was screaming at him to run, but every move he made shocked him. Now there was a stranger he couldn't even see?!

"I ..an help."

Danny looked up at the mention of the word. Help? He frowned, but ultimately said nothing. Would that be safe? No. But maybe he should let them help. Just this once. Once the collar is off he'll dash out the window. He mentally nodded at the plan. Yet found himself struggling to nod at the red blur. "..off." He hissed through his gritted teeth.

"Huh?"

"Take it off." Despite his hard expression, there was an unmistakable plea in his tone.

Luckily the figure heard it and soon got closer to the teen. Danny tried his best not to flinch away when their hands covered his own. With little to no success. The jerk back was quickly regretted as he doubled over in pain.

A curse was vaguely heard in his ears. And the weight around his neck was adjusting. They were fiddling with the collar. It almost felt like they were just as desperate as he was. Or maybe he was just delirious from the pain of being electrocuted over and over again. The latter made more sense to him.

After what felt like forever, there was a 'click' and the weight of the collar fully disappeared.

Danny stayed on all fours for a few moments, taking time to catch his breath. Every fiber of his being was screaming. But he couldn't move. So, he stayed on the floor. His vision slowly, but surely cleared enough for him to see his surroundings. His eyes stayed on the open collar, rather than the carpeted floor. It was off. It was finally off. If he didn't feel like he was in the middle of a bonfire, he would be jumping in pure joy. Or cry in joy. Probably both. He felt like doing both.

It didn't last long. When he heard something shift next to him, he remembered he wasn't alone.

Danny contemplated on if he should look at them or not. He didn't have the strength to turn invisible and escape. In fact, he was incredibly tired. He just didn't want this to backfire on him.

With a steadying breath, Danny slowly sat up and turned his head. Like before, he saw red.. and black. A jumpsuit? Wait. A red and black jumpsuit. That sounded familiar. Too familiar. His eyes went further up to see a young woman with long curly black hair and a look of concern in her hunter green eyes.

He hesitated. "Val?"

The girl tensed before nodded. "Yeah."

Danny stared at her in disbelief. Was this real? Was she real?

Valerie blinked in surprise and soon nodded her head, with a small huff. "Yes, I'm real."

Oh. Wait, did he say that out loud?

"You did.. are you okay?"

..he should stop thinking now. But he was too busy blinking back tears to care about the slip up. He did eventually nod his throbbing head. "'m gonna take a nap.. is that okay?"

There was a breathy laugh. "Of course. I'll be here to keep you safe."

Danny nodded, eyes drooping. "Thanks." He managed to say as he started to lean towards that warmth he had been yearning for. A bright light filled his vision before going black.

I might need to change my summary-