Danny let out a huge yawn as he shuffled up the steps. Opening the front door, he expended more energy greeting his Mom in the kitchen.
"Hi sweetie," Maddie said, looking up from her latest ghost hunting weapon. Maddie Fenton was a lithe woman who wore her reddish hair short, the epitome of an efficient, deadly ghost huntress. And never seen out of her teal and black hazmat suit, even in awkward college reunion parties from a fruitloop. "Now why are you late? You didn't get another detention did you?"
Danny tensed. He hated disappointing any of his family. Besides if his parents found out why, they'd definitely start prying and asking questions about his sleep much as Jazz had done in the car that morning. Not even she knew that he was having nightmares.
"Nah. I just stopped at an electronics store with Tucker, been owing me a Nasty Burger for a while now," he lied.
"Well alright then, but please, do call next time. Agreed," Mom said.
"Sure Mom, I'mma be busy with a lotta homework so I'll get something from the fridge later," Danny said, though in reality hoping to catch a nap.
"Oh hang on dear, I did want to ask," Mom said, "did you turn on the ghost shield last night?"
"Why?" Danny wondered. Keeping his Mom's gaze despite the nerves making his eyes want to pinball anywhere else.
"It's just, your Father was sure that a ghost was trying to sabotage our lab," she relayed, frustrated but not terse, "but sensors didn't pick up anything so..."
She trailed off, prompting Danny in turn.
And she was the much more reasonable one of his parents. Unlike Dad, his Mom at least took a cursory look at the facts which had often been a blessing for an in-hiding halfa.
"Sorry about that, I thought I'd seen a ghost," Danny admitted. Not exactly a lie.
"Oh," Mom said, using her 'must comfort' voice. Only reason quickly took charge, asking that million dollar question. "What exactly then did you see? Not a creep I hope," she looked more than ready to run for the Fenton Anti-Creep Stick.
"No Mom, probably just some drunk people wandering around," he said lightly.
"Goodness, then I hope they didn't end up in too much trouble, must've not. Else there would have been some ruckus," Mom hoped, now on that thought with the type of concern Danny was fairly sure, only a Mother could have.
"Probably are," he assured her, "well gotta get that homework done."
And pointing toward the stairwell, Mom had gone back to her tinkering with no notice to him or the awkward posing. With a sigh he smiled, he wouldn't trade his family for anything. He did what he did to protect them.
In his room he took out his books and spread the material on his desk. At least six assignments and three chapters behind from Mr. Lancer alone. Okay, teacher aside couldn't the guy have a little mercy?
Jazz peaked in at some point, asking if he needed help.
"Nah this is nothing. Really, just focus on that big nerd presentation of yours," Danny said, even laughing a little.
"Funny," she huffed, but there was none of that sisterly heat. Rather, concern colored her tone. "I really don't mind, please."
Jazz, really likely, reached her limit. If anyone saw the signs, it would be her. His dully eyes, sorry expression, and startling lack of appetite. Since his stomach churned in the morning after a particularly bad dream.
"I am fine," he said, struggling to keep his voice even. He didn't know why. It bugged him though. Everyone constantly pestering about nothing when he hardly needed it. So he was stalked by Vlad Masters in his dreams. New low sure, but not torture. Not the real thing.
"Danny if something, say, is wrong you know you can talk to me," she reminded him. Her tone growing nervous, "Sam and Tucker... mentioned how weird, you had been when they'd saved you in Colorado."
He froze, not knowing how to react.
To a reminder that had come right out of nowhere. Straight on nowhere.
Thinking of himself as helpless.
Could have left everyone... his friends, his family... everyone.
Who loved him.
His friends who would grieve him. No matter how big a jerk he'd been at them.
Of course, then, he'd showered thanks on them for coming at all. For saving his life and taking him from that Hell. He felt her hands lovingly squeeze his shoulders prompting a wave of fear.
Bringing unwanted thoughts of Danielle.
"That isn't something easy to go through, especially when Vlad set things like his own game. Treated you like a game."
There was an edge he could only just make out in how she said that, but he hardly recognized her voice anyway.
His name- that name- brought out a rage filled beast that wanted to tear at anything in his line of sight. Slamming his hands on the desk, Danny shook off his sister's touch. "Nothing is wrong, who cares what that fruitloop did? I can handle him," he said forcefully.
"Danny," she responded in shock, sounding hurt.
"Just leave, don't bring it up," he said suddenly exhausted. Reluctantly, with a look that she wished to speak, she bit her lip but otherwise complied. Leaving with a soft close. When she did the poisonous fury dissipated. He'd have to make it up to her later, otherwise he may get the scolding of his life when her big-sisterness finally caved. Let her know, completely and adamantly, that he appreciated her.
"Danny!" Jazz called. Weird. She usually played the waiting game on situations like this. And true, her aim on what to say was as bent as with ghost gear but it was just that. Never the timing.
Then... did she, not quite. Or was she trying not to?
"What is it?" he called back, up from his seat and strained his stupid sensitive ears for anything. Any turn of the air or crack in what should be mind-numbing, static quiet.
Nothing odd.
Danny kept his pace quiet, pretending to complain about such a bother.
Holding his mind in that moment just before. Before the battle started.
"Package you need to sign for," said the delivery woman at the door.
Her smile was light, she seemed to tease her gaze at somewhere on his person for some reason.
Such a deep, dulcet voice implied maybe a late forties woman, only not a speck of grey was in her loosely tied hair. In fact, she had the unnatural, fixed beauty of a wax doll.
"I... didn't order anything," Danny said carefully. No ghost sense had gone off. He was starting to come down as well.
"No dear, it's really more to verify the sender," she explained, handing over a pen and clipboard.
"Who- sent it? What is it?" Danny asked.
"Sorry I don't know either, but I do know you've a good friend somewhere, the bill was a bit hefty," she said. With an odd smile.
Danny placed his signature which was traded for a large in size if not otherwise light box.
Usual tape paper was on the top with the information and a few stamps on the side. Along with a FRAGILE warning.
"You really- HEY!" Jazz exclaimed. Danny turned to his sister with a puzzled expression. Noticing, she asked, "did you see that? She just vanished."
"No," he said, looking out. "See there, she's at Number 15. Seriously you're gonna make me paranoid," he joked.
With a sigh she let the matter drop. "If it's expensive or toenails you come right to me."
"My first call," he promised.
In his room he dug up a pen to stab open the top of the package. Curiously he opened the flap and saw analog numbers.
The counter ticked from just a second to zero and a burst of white invaded his sight.
Whatever the substance was it burned. Fists balled, he shoved them into his watering eyes.
Then a prickle attacked his body. He itched more than probably the worst of filthy swamp people. His legs, back, sides, right to his hair all felt as if millions of ants comprised his body instead of skin.
In his uncomfortable dance, he spotted a note on simple stationary.
'Hope you like the gift. You'll be itching to put it to use I'm sure, Little Badger.'
"VLAAAAAAAD!" he screamed. A particularly strong tickle ran up his back. "AAAAAAARGHHHH!"