Eyes alight, Matt stretched his limbs and jogged in place to keep warm. Arly circled and darted off and dashed back. The farm dog very much excited by Danny and Matt at the end of the driveway.

Breath coming out cold, Danny warmed his hands in front of his face, hissing at the hidden Cujo near him. The dog had gotten used to staying invisible and was well behaved most of the time these past few days. But Cujo was still a puppy. Prone to react and do without thinking. So far, Danny had managed to avoid the two dogs meeting each other and he'd rather keep it that way.

Unfortunately, Matt's breath came out cold too. The temperature was down enough right now for that. It'd be difficult for Danny to know if Cujo was there or not unless he really focused on the feel of every single puff of breath.

Hoping for the best, Danny clapped his hands and gave Matt a smile. "Ready to go?"

The boy smiled back, nodding.

"Let's go then."

The two shot off to the right, sprinting the distance to the stop sign before slowing to a steady pace with Danny taking another right. Gravel crunched under their feet. Arly darted in and out of ditches, getting ahead and behind them, but keeping up and along.

Danny had to fight off his grin at realizing his pace and legs had him slightly ahead of Matt.

The last practice yesterday after the last meet had been more turning in uniforms and cleaning out lockers, but Gruman had held a small little awards thing in the gym. Being most improved was kind of expected as Danny had never done this sort of thing before.

And while he knew he could outrun the ones who didn't take it seriously, passing the gabbers, it was kind of cool to see he was not only easily managing to keep up with running obsessed Matt but keeping a step ahead.

Made directing the excited boy easier too. Matt's whole face had lit up at Danny inviting him out on a run after school tonight. Since there was no more practice. And Matt had always wanted to see Danny's running route.

Might as well.

Danny grinned over at Matt and turned left at the next crossing of gravel roads.

Later tonight or maybe tomorrow night, Danny should do something with Jon and Katie too. Probably let Jon show him something or pick. Jon did love to take charge whenever he could. Katie was all amped up about Halloween and her upcoming birthday, so maybe let her dress him up or help her make some party decorations. She really wanted to bake her own cake, but Danny wouldn't be here for that. And that seemed like something Elizabeth would help Katie in doing.

Reaching the end of this mile long stretch, Danny continued straight instead of turning. Then picked up speed and shot down into his little found creek area. Tail wagging, Arly zipped down and raced ahead of him. Feet fumbling, Matt made his way down after, nearly stumbling before coming to a stop beside Danny.

"This is it?" Matt's head turned, eyes peering about the mostly barren looking trees. But the still mostly green grass and bushes and creek sold the area still as a little good nature filled spot. One that broke up the horizon of empty fields not fully seen once you stood there. And Matt nodded. "Good spot."

Danny grinned at the approval.

Head turning, Matt frowned. "What is Arly going crazy over?"

No looking to the yapping farm dog was needed. "Baldy. There's a bald eagle up there. He does that about every time. Probably hoping I-Cujo! No!"

Caught up in Arly's excitement, Cujo didn't stop until he reached the tree to bark up at Baldy. And then went massive sized. Danny swore.

"Cujo, no! Do not lower that paw!" Cujo paused, ear lifting up in Danny's direction, a front paw still raised up above Baldy's nest. With Baldy in it. Looking fierce at that huge paw. "No!"

Whining, Cujo lowered his paw to the ground. And inched his nose closer to Baldy. Yelping and growling as Baldy struck.

"No! No! Cujo, down!"

Another whine followed, but Cujo shrunk down to normal size, ears drooped and hunkered over. Danny breathed out a huge sigh of relief. Inching around the tree, Arly gave Cujo a sniff, tail up. No attack. No fear. Maybe recognizing the smell? He chanced a glance up to check on Baldy.

Who was swooping down at the pair of dogs.

Swearing again, Danny bolted, acting without thinking.

Danny didn't have time to panic or congratulate himself over a shield. The dogs immediately burst into darting and jumping off the ground, happy, for the moment, that Baldy was flying within possible biting distance. And Danny screeched at being suddenly grabbed from behind.

"What the hell? What the hell! Danny. What the hell is that dog?!"

Dumbly, at a loss for thought, getting used to truth around the topic these past few days, Danny answered.

"A ghost."

Matt's breath quickened against Danny's neck. Voice squeaking and scratching. "Ghosts aren't real. Halloween make believe. Stupid stories. Like Elizabeth reads. Ghosts aren't real. Just like the Homecoming panic. Not real. News guy is just pulling an Amity Park."

"Um."

Danny didn't remind Matt he was from Amity Park. Or bring up his family causing that surge of those stories from there. Much less get defensive over his own existence.

"And ghosts are people! Not dogs!"

Danny fought the laugh. Lost. "Well then, mister expert. How do you explain that over there?"

Leaping as high as they could as Baldy flew back up to his tree, Arly bounced and bounded off a tree to fly through the air before landing at the base of Baldy's tree as Cujo leapt right on Arly's heels and through the tree.

Matt was silent, his breath puffing hot off Danny's neck as he peered over Danny.

"Bad mushrooms." He declared resolutely. "We ate bad mushrooms."