Oh gosh guys, I am so sorry. It's certainly been a while since I last updated. Don't worry though! I've still been writing and classes just ended so I'll have a bit more time on my hands now. Enjoy the next chapter!
Chapter 20 (Tucker's POV)
"...and that's about everything you need to know about our current situation." As Danny finishes his speech I take a moment to look around the room at the many different expressions being worn by my friends. Jazz is looking sadly down at the table, no doubt blaming herself for not being able to help during the first time we faced Dan. Sam's eyes are trained on Cheyenne, worry and fear clouding the lilac orbs. Cheyenne's hands fidget with the edge of her shirt, eyes set in a determined glare; but still full of fear. Danny slumps in his chair; mentally exhausted from the memories. When I finally turn my head to look at Valerie she's staring at the wall in front of us. I catch her eye at the same time I take her hand in mine. Her eye's speak the story of her fear, and the regret she holds for the past. The weak smile on my face as I try to console her without words feels strained, but the pressure of her hand in mine increases for just a minute before I hear Jazz clear her throat.
"So what you're saying is, it's almost 100% likely that Nocturne and… Dan… are working together? Do we have any idea what they're plotting?" Jazz has a tone of authority we rarely hear anymore.
"Honestly? No. I've looked over the message a million times, but all we know is they're working together and they're planning to do something to us on the trip. My best guess is they're going to try to expose our secrets and kill everyone, turning Danny into Dan again," a sharp breath is heard from the head of the table at Sam's words, Danny closing his eyes tightly, "But even that is unclear. We need to be prepared for anything, because we don't know enough to guess what their plan is." I watch as Danny unclenches his hands, small drops of blood running down his palm.
"Wait, I don't understand something…" All eyes move to see Cheyenne looking at Danny confused. "Why would killing everyone turn you into him? Couldn't you just… take different actions?" I swallow the lump in my throat and go to answer, but Danny beats me to it.
"It's my obsession. All ghosts have an obsession. How they handle it affects how… mentally stable they are. Feed an obsession too much and it can drive you crazy, feed it too little and it can do the same. My obsession is… protecting people. Keeping people safe. Sam and Tuck have been helping me keep a handle on it, but losing that many people… it would… it would destroy me…" The look on Chey's face at his words is full of understanding and pain. I clear my throat before I try to get my words out.
"All this being said, we need a plan that can make sure everyone stays safe. Since I highly doubt we'll be able to convince Danny's parents not to take us on the trip, we need to come up with an alternative that'll work. Danny is planning on talking to some of our allies to help protect the class. But we don't want to get anyone involved that doesn't need to be. Our main priority right now is making sure everyone in the class is well prepared for anything we might face. The more prepared our classmates are, the less we'll have to worry about protecting them." Danny nods at my words before continuing in my stead.
"I also want to slowly make sure everyone here outclasses our other classmates, otherwise protecting them is going to be difficult. I have a training scheduled at Pandora's palace. I've talked everything over with her and I think it's the best course of action. That being said, I need everyone to be aware that while we're there you'll be in the company of royalty, so be on your best behavior. If anyone can't make it to that training session, I can take the time to personally help you out when you have time." Danny looked at Cheyenne as he said the last part, aware that it was sometimes hard for her to make time after school hours.
"If I tell my mom it's for a club she'll probably be fine with it. I'll see what I can do." Danny nods at her words and looks back to the screen.
"I started up a list of equipment I want you all to be proficient in. During a fight I want us to work in teams of two, understand?" A quick glance around the table confirms our compliance. "Good. The teams will be as follows: Sam and Cheyenne, Tucker and Valerie, me and Jazz. Each team will choose a member to focus on offense and defense. Sam and Valerie will take offense, Tucker and Cheyenne, you'll be on defense. Defense will focus with long range weapons, offense takes short range. Jazz, I want you to alternate as I do. We're good at working off of each other, and you're smart. Read the situation and do what's needed. You and I are going to provide back up where it's needed." I watch as Valerie's face tightens in determination. Offense is where she shines, as much as I hate it, I knew Danny made the right choice.
"We also need to split up what each group is going to bring. First aid supplies will be carried by each person, but Sam I'm going to have you carry a miniature version of our supply generator. It's made with ghost material, so it's not too heavy. You're the best one of us at first aid, I need you to take point on this." Sam gives a nod of understanding at his words, looking at Cheyenne out of the corner of her eye.
"Tucker, I need you to carry extra weapons. You've made compact versions of all of our equipment, I want you to bring as much as you can, specifically things we've worked on in class. You are in charge of handing out weapons to classmates in the case of an emergency." I nod as he speaks.
"Valerie. I need you to carry emergency supplies." He held up his hand as Valerie started to ask a question. "I'll explain. We're going to need things to make makeshift blankets, shelter, etc. It gets cold in the ghost zone, and depending on the sector we end up in it could be rainy, snowy, or any other combination of not fun. We need to have counter measures in place for this. I'll go over what I need you to bring in more specifics later." Valerie agrees. I watch as she sits more fully back in her chair.
"Cheyenne and Jazz, I need you to carry water. It'll be one of the heaviest things to bring, because we'll need a lot of it. The two of you together should be able to handle it." Jazz and Cheyenne both give their agreements, Cheyenne writing down a note on her hand. I spare a moment to wonder where she got a pen from before focusing back on the matter at hand.
"I assume you're bringing food then?" Sam's voice pipes up from the left of me. Danny smiles a mischievous grin before answering.
"Something like that. Frostbite and I cooked up a little experiment that I think will help in that department. It needs a little more tweaking before it's finished though." I send my friend a puzzled look, just to receive that same mischievous grin in return.
"Is everyone comfortable with what they need to bring?" The question spread across the table, everyone looking from one to another before I chose to speak up.
"I'm good. My arsenal of weapons at home will mostly be on me, but I'll check the vault here for everything we might need."
"You guys have a vault of weapons? Wait wait no. You have an arsenal? At your house?!" Cheyenne's surprised shout broke the tense energy in the air, allowing everyone to let out various levels of laughter. I smile at Valerie when I notice her expression of interest.
"Can I assume you'd like to see what I've got then?"
"Is it that obvious…?" The blush on her face is beautiful, and I barely have the time to remind myself we're surrounded by people before I hear Sam's hushed voice whispering to Cheyenne.
"Lovebirds." Cheyenne laughs loudly at the words, prompting laughter from Sam and Danny. I glare silently between them before looking back at Valerie beside me. She's sitting with her head down until I take her hand in mine, the most beautiful blush I've ever seen on her face.
"I think this is somehow deserved on my part. Sorry to drag you into it." I whisper quietly. She looks at me dazed for a moment before seemingly snapping out of it and giving a small chuckle.
"Well, I definitely did my fair share too." Her grin when she looks up at me, squeezing my hand in hers, might be the most enchanting thing I've ever seen. A throat clearing from across the table breaks me out of the spell I'm in. I look back over to see Danny sitting with his arms crossed, a gigantic smug smile across his lips.
"I think this pretty much concludes everything we needed to go over tonight. I'll see you all tomorrow, but first. Tucker, Sam, a word. Everyone else is dismissed. Jazz can send you all back from the portal room." Cheyenne looks wide eyed at Danny, whispering 'portal room' silently to herself. Sam chuckles at her look of awe, and I let go of Val's hand to head over to Danny.
"See you tomorrow Val."
"See you…"
Danny sends me another smug grin from across the room as I head over to him. Sam joins us moments after, having said goodbye to Cheyenne.
"So Danny, what's this about?" His expression turns serious, and for a moment I worry that something happened.
"I can see what's going on with you guys, you know? I know you're in love with them." Sam sucks in a harsh breath while I look towards the floor in defeat.
"I know it's hard to do, but, I think if you really care about them, it needs to be said. The sooner the better too. We don't know what's gonna happen on this trip. You don't want to wait to say anything until it's too late. Trust me."
"Danny I get what you're saying but… how can I drag her into this…? I wish I never dragged her into danger in the first place…" Sam looks pained as she speaks. Trying to hide the quiver in her words, she looks towards the ground.
"I agree with Danny." My statement garners an immediate reaction out of Sam. Her head whips up as she looks at me in disbelief.
"Let me explain. I agree with Danny because we don't know what's going to happen. We could very well die on this trip. I think it's only fair, not just to them, but to ourselves as well, to be honest about how we feel. I know it's hard, Sam. I know you feel like you're dragging her into this. But she's already in. And now there's no getting out, not for any of us. She deserves honesty. Isn't it better to love once then never love at all?" Sam sniffs and wipes a stray tear off her face.
"I just… I don't want her to get hurt…" I follow Danny's lead and wrap Sam in a hug. I can feel her sniffle against my chest, and I hold her tighter as she shakes.
"We don't have any control over that I'm afraid… we just need to make her as strong as possible before the trip." Sam gives a small nod. I look into Danny's eyes from my position behind Sam. He gives a small nod.
No matter what it takes, we'll protect them.
That ended on a bit of a sad note so I'll try to get the next chapter out quickly. Might be a couple days but shouldn't be too long this time. Have a great day everyone and I hope you enjoyed the latest chapter of To Be Lost!