Hello my dear reader's! Here's the next chapter for you all! Sorry everything has been so slow, I started school a couple weeks ago and have been insanely busy. Sadly this means my writing has gotten slowed a bit, but I'm still dedicated to getting as many chapters out as I can! This is a monstrosity of a story, whether that's a good or bad thing has yet to be known, so it's probably going to take me a little while to get it all finished. I'll keep you all up to date on it though! And now, the story!

Chapter 12 (Valerie's POV)

As I talk with Cheyenne I keep an ear out for the conversation between the trio. At the mention of anti-ghost energy manipulation I turn to stare at the root in the center of the field.

"Val? EVerything okay?" Chey's voice reminded me I was still in the middle of a conversation. Turning back to my new friend I answer hesitantly.

"Uhm… yeah. Everything is fine. I think we should head over to the others." I nod towards the three quietly conversing friends, before getting their attention.

"Uhm, guys? I think the five of us should talk. And maybe sit down too…" Danny motions the two of us over until we're all five arranged in a circle around the root in the center of the field. Tucker is still clicking at his PDA rapidly, which means Sam is the first to speak up.

"Okay so, Cheyenne? You're obviously still able to use the power you had all those years ago. I'm gonna ask a few questions and I want you to answer them as well as you can. Okay?" Sam is gentle as she speaks, still looking a bit freaked out over the revelation between the trio. Cheyenne nods her consent as Danny peers over Tucker's shoulder again.

"Okay. First question. Do you remember what you were thinking around the time Danny tripped?"

A hum and thoughtful expression take over her face.

"Uhm… I was thinking that I wouldn't be able to win against him…" Sam nods as she makes a gesture with her hand that I don't understand.

"Was there anything you noticed about yourself right before or after he tripped? Like any emotions or physical sensations?" Cheyenne nods this time as she replies.

"I thought I felt a tingling in my hands… but at the time I thought it was because I had just blocked a punch…" Sam makes the gesture again, two fingers doing a semi circle before tapping the ground.

"How about after he tripped? Did you notice anything then?" Tucker glances up from his PDA for this question, watching Cheyenne intently as she answers.

"Uhm… After Danny fell I felt a surge of energy and thought that maybe I could win, but I don't think I could have, looking back…" A different gesture this time. Tucker splayed his hand on the ground and tapped twice, looking over at Danny who nodded. Sam stole a glance from the corner of her eye before looking over to me, and back at Cheyenne.

"One last question. Looking back on your childhood, have you ever been in an accident? Specifically one involving ghost hunting equipment or ghosts in any way?" I watch as Sam holds her breath while Tucker and Danny look to Cheyenne for the answer.

"Well, I've never been in an accident with ghost hunting equipment or ghosts specifically. But there was a time when I was about five that comes to mind… It was back when I lived on the other side of town, before I transferred schools. There was a forest behind our house, and I used to play in it a lot. One day when I was playing I tripped over some vines and fell, but when I looked up the forest looked completely different! I remember… I walked towards the path that led to my house, but I couldn't find it… and… I don't really remember what happened after that… Next thing I know I'm walking through the back door and telling my mom what happened. I always kind of thought that it was a dream, like maybe I fell and hit my head or something…" Danny makes a gesture with one finger, a circle with two lines over it like an X. I actually think I know what that one means…

I'm about to ask when Danny speaks for the first time. Gathering everyone's attention with the tone of his voice.

"Cheyenne, I think you fell into a natural portal when you were a kid. It's possible you fell into a forested part of the ghost zone, but it's also possible you fell into the past. Without knowing more I can't tell you which happened, however I can tell you the consequences of it. It seems like you've gained the ability to manipulate anti-ghost energy. This could be a side-effect from walking through the ghost portal, or it could be something you did while inside of it. If you remember from class my parents mentioned this type of energy as one of the main components to some of their ghost hunting equipment. Your ability to manipulate this energy is strong enough to create solid objects even in the middle of an ecto-energy laden area." Danny looks at Tucker when he gestures with his PDA. Nodding about something before looking back at Cheyenne.

"Can you hover your hand over the root in front of you?" Asks Tucker. Cheyenne, looking extraordinarily overwhelmed, nods faintly and moves her hand forward, not quite touching the bark of the root.

"Close your eyes and concentrate on the root. I want you to tell us if you can feel the energy coming off of it. I'm going to be watching for any energy spikes so you don't have to worry." Tucker moves his PDA across from Cheyenne's hand, scooting a bit closer to get in position. Cheyenne closes her eyes and I watch in surprise as the root glows a faint purple color. Cheyenne's eyebrows draw tight as she concentrates. The faint purple glow of the root grows brighter as she holds her hand over it. Tucker whispers something so low I can't hear it, but Danny looks startled for a minute as he looks quickly back to Cheyenne.

"Okay Chey. Now I want you to try and pull the energy from the root back into yourself. Imagine sucking the root up into your hand like a vacuum, do you think you can do that?" Tuck says lowly, still holding his PDA out in front of him. Chey nods beside me and I watch in amazement as the glow from the root turns blinding before both the light and the root are gone. I stare astonished at Cheyenne when she opens her eyes, looking tired from the effort.

"That was great Chey! Do you think you could do that in reverse? If you can learn to control this power it could be a great weapon to use in emergencies." Sam speaks up after looking over Tucker's shoulder to see the energy readings. Chey looks nervous but nods her yes. I watch Tucker hold his PDA out once more as he gives his instructions.

"Okay, to produce energy you're going to need a clear image of what you want to happen in your mind. Try remaking the root first. Try to think of every detail in your mind's eye and then feel for the same energy you felt when holding your hand over the root, okay?" Chey gives a hesitant nod before closing her eyes once more. It takes her almost a minute until the purple glow is back, regrowing the root from before right in front of her.

"That's amazing…" I realize it's the first thing I've said since we started this, and take a moment to enjoy the embarrassed look on Chey's face as she hears it.

"Excellent job Chey. We can continue practicing this as we prepare for the trip. Our goal should be to get you to a place where you can use this naturally, hopefully before the trip comes around. For now I think we should all head back home and get some rest, it's already pretty late. We can regroup tomorrow for another park meeting after school. I'll tell you where to meet us and we can head to our base from there." Danny speaks confidently as he starts to stand up, leading Sam and Tucker to do the same. I stand almost numb on my feet with Cheyenne as I try to process everything that happened today.

"See you all tomorrow!" I hear from my left, where Tucker is holding my bag out to me.

"Thanks. See you guys tomorrow!" I smile at him through my daze, realizing belatedly that I completely forgot about my objective for tonight. Someday I swear, I'm gonna make him realize I'm into him too…

Before we all made our separate ways I remembered what I had wanted to say. "Well at least we know one thing for certain." Everyone turns to look at me as I speak, "We can still call you Jinx!" I'm looking at Chey as I say this, and enjoy the agonized groan I get in return. Everyone laughs as we start walking our separate ways. I'm almost out of the field entirely when I hear Sam speak to Danny one last time.

"...need to be more careful, it looks like you almost lost control of…" And she was out of earshot.

How wonderful! Another cliff hanger to end off another chapter! Just to let you know, I hate cliff hangers. On the other hand I can't seem to write anything without adding them so, sorry! On the bright side the next chapter is already written, just needs to be edited and it'll be ready. Don't go anywhere! We'll be right back with this months chapter of "To Be Lost"!