Chapter 35: Questions and Consequences


Dani watched over the sleeping forms of Mikey and Kwan. She wondered how everyone back home was doing. Hopefully there would be time to study for mid terms during this mission. Walking out of the med bay Dani almost collided with Wes who was about to walk in. "Oh sorry Wes. I didn't see you there."

"Its fine. What were you doing in here anyways?"

"Thinking about everyone back home and wondering how much time has passed for me."

"That seems like a heavy thing to think about but what were you doing in here specifically? I thought you were on your way to a sleepover with the girls."

"I got lost in thought and decided to check in on them. I can't imagine what they've been through."

"Yeah... It should get better for everyone soon though."

"Wait what were you doing back here?"

"Mikey's going to wake up from a nightmare and I want to make sure he'll be okay. He was treated the worst out of everyone."

It was starting to feel awkward the longer the conversation went on. She knew all of these people but here they were strangers. Why was this so hard? "See you later I guess."

"K."

Dani flew through the hallways of the mansion turned secret base. The hallways were somewhat familiar but she wasn't sure if she'd been here before. Dani's ghost sense went of as the sound of laughter could be heard through an open door. Star and Paulina excused themselves from the other girls.

"Dani!!! You actually came!!!" Paulina lifted the shorter girl in a hug.

"Why wouldn't I?"

"Because we've only just met."

"Oh right."

Star cleared her throat. "Why don't we introduce you the others."

Including Dani there were five girls total. Once again the female halfa recognized the others in the room. They were Ember McLain and Princess Dorothea. Both ghost girls wore pajamas in their respective styles. Ember was wearing an oversized Dumpty Humpty shirt, purple plaid sleep shorts with flaming blue hair styled in a simple braid. Princess Dorothea wore a simple floor length silver night gown and a matching silver bonnet.

"Girls this is Dani. Dani this is Ember and Dorothea or Dora for short. I'm sure you've already noticed but incase you haven't, they're both ghosts."

Dani decided to use some of the knowledge she'd learned about this world. "I mean I would've assumed you guys were metas if I didn't know any better."

Ember floated upside down, her flaming hair lightly singeing the carpet. "Who's to say both aren't possible?" She let out a yelp when Dora hit her with a pillow.

"Your burning the carpet again. Its also very un-lady like to float like that."

"It's only un-lady like if I'm wearing a skirt." Ember snapped the waist band of her shorts. "I'm wearing shorts."

Dani smiled at the two's antics. Maybe she should stop comparing the familiar faces of her own world and get to know the ones in this one.

A couple hours had passed and the slumber party was now in full swing. Dani and Ember were playing a SpongeBob racing game. "Hey! That slime ball better not have been for me!"

"You dodged it so I don't have to answer that!"

Star was painting her nails, Dora was reading a book while Paulina had gone out to get more snacks.

Ember threw down her controller in a fit of rage. "This game's stupid! Why couldn't we have played Mario Kart instead!"

Star rolled her eyes. "You said it was boring and wanted to play something different but still race."

"That was a mistake." Dani laughed at the pouting rocker.

The fun, laid back atmosphere came crashing down when Paulina burst into the room. Her hair was disheveled and her clothes were tattered. A long gash stretched from the side of her torso to her thigh.

Everyone was quick to their feet to tend to the injured girl. "Who did this to you?"

"How did this happen?"

"You were only gone for an hour."

Paulina shoved all the girls away. "Stop fawning over me!" She gasped dramatically. "I can't believe I just said that. Anyways, let me explain after I fix my hair."

Star quietly spoke up. "Do you at least want someone to help with that gash on your side? You've never gotten an injury this bad before."

The Hispanic girl made a move to show she didn't need help only to wince in pain. "...Fine but you and no one else."

The slumber party mood was officially replaced with tension and unease as everyone tried to think of who attacked Paulina. Dani had one person in mind but was reluctant to consider it a possibility. When the two older girls came back she decided to voice her concerns. "Did- did the Red Huntress do this to you?"

The silence was deafening as Dani nervously stared at the ground. She really hoped she was wrong, Valerie was one of the kindest people she knows... at least in her world she is. Why's it so hard to separate the people from this world and her own!

Paulina ignored the sadness that was in Dani's question. She felt sad about the question too but why did this girl feel that way? She'll get Wes to tell her later. She sighed, everyone wanted an answer and the tension was getting really unbearable. "Yes."