Valerie could not believe how much her life had changed in the span of a few short years.
At nineteen, she still found herself marvelling at the reality that the one she cared for most was none other than Danny Phantom.
The more she turned that fact over in her head, the more it made perfect sense. It had felt like there was always a mysterious pull between them.
She thought it must be fate that her heart was so attached to his ghost form long before she discovered his real identity. Even so, she felt a twinge of frustration that he had not told her sooner. Yet if the roles were reversed, she might have done the same and kept her Red Huntress persona a secret.
She suspected that was the only way they could've functioned back then. After all, trust was not exactly a solid foundation between them in the beginning.
They had just finished saving the world yet again. This time, the five of them, herself, Danny and Danielle Phantom, Sam Manson, and Tucker Foley, ended up in a restaurant celebrating their victory.
Cameras flashed from the windows outside, thanks to Danny and Dani, both of whom had become beloved icons in Amity Park and even far beyond the city limits.
Valerie did her best to ignore the constant strobe of lights. She was not the main interest of these photographers anyway, and she preferred it that way. The public had no idea that she was the Red Huntress.
She always found that anonymity both freeing and a little bit nerve-wracking. She had to be vigilant at all times not to slip up and reveal her alter ego to the wrong person.
Valerie caught the visible annoyance on Sam's face each time a camera bulb went off. She noticed Sam narrowing her purple eyes and hunching her shoulders as if she wished she could disappear into her own skin.
The girl clearly was not a fan of attention. Valerie understood her discomfort. Four years into this life, she too often felt tired of being in the spotlight. She might've been the stealthiest of the group, but she was still entwined in the same hero business.
It was no surprise that Sam never wanted to be in the limelight either. The public insisted on pairing Danny Phantom with his mysterious crime-fighting ally, the Red Huntress.
They did not know who the Red Huntress actually was. All they knew was that she was a young African American woman because of what they could make out from the tinted visor of her helmet. They had taken to "shipping" these two ghost-fighters as a power duo.
Valerie tried not to think too hard about all the chatter and speculation that took over social media. She was simply glad that people had grown more accepting than they once were.
Sam seemed to resent the speculation even more than Valerie did. Perhaps Sam felt overshadowed or maybe just singled out by the world's expectations that the "goth girl" could not possibly be Danny's ideal partner despite her great looks.
Valerie felt a bit bad about that, but she had little control over the public's perspective. She had her own complicated feelings toward Sam.
The two had never quite meshed well, and even now Sam seemed to hold a grudge against her. It was an unspoken tension that simmered whenever they were in the same space.
Valerie suspected Sam was the type to cling to grudges for the rest of her life. Still, it was not entirely Sam's fault. Their history was complicated.
What had started as a high school rivalry had become something else once Valerie discovered her father's troubles, her own hatred of ghosts, and Danny's secret. She had seen Sam standing loyally by Danny's side for years.
That loyalty sometimes took the form of intense protectiveness. Part of Valerie understood that, but another part was annoyed by it. The friction never really disappeared.
Across the table from her, Sam was pointedly looking the other way. Tucker, who sat nearby, gave Valerie a friendly nod.
They had grown closer over the last couple of years, as he was frequently at her father's company working on ghost-related technology.
They had learned to trust each other's judgement when it came to new inventions or ways to handle the city's ghost problems.
Tucker was a genius. Valerie had to give him credit. She was not sure people acknowledged how big his brain really was behind the playful exterior.
Valerie gave Dani a big grin. She had grown up in her own way and had stuck around Amity Park. She was spunky, outspoken, and always ready to poke fun at people.
Valerie liked her a lot. She found Dani's frankness refreshing. Dani never tiptoed around Sam. She would say exactly what was on her mind, and Valerie had to admit she found it amusing.
'There's a reason why we're sisters from another mother' she thought
The restaurant they were in was more upscale than the cheap burger joints from their high school days. More than a few patrons snuck furtive glances at the famous group in the corner booth.
Even if the average person had not recognised Valerie, the other four were definitely not easy to miss. Amity Park was proud of them and in some ways saw them as local heroes.
The management had kindly provided a private section so they could have a bit of peace. It was the least they could do for the people who frequently saved the city and the world.
Valerie watched Sam drumming her glossy black nails on the table. Sam's hair was longer than it had been in high school, brushing just above her waist. She had a model-like figure these days and stood at 5'6. She looked older, more polished, and yet still had that rebellious edge.
Valerie stood at only 5'10. Her black curly hair reached the middle of her back, with soft bangs framing her bright green eyes and her slim, slightly rounded face.
Tucker, by contrast, had grown incredibly tall and stood at 6'5. His twisting braids were always done meticulously. His fashion sense had upgraded too. Valerie thought he gave off an air of quiet confidence and intelligence that people often underestimated.
Dani stood at 5'4, with flowing straight black hair that reached below her buttocks. She had matured significantly from the 12 year-old girl Valerie had first met.
As for Danny, he was 6'3, lean figure she had once loved. His black hair was short but still had that boyish messiness. When he smiled, the corner of his mouth quirked a bit. That little grin always made Valerie's heart tug. He was so handsome without trying. His eyes shone with a kindness that sometimes felt too good for this world.
She still felt that pang of regret that he had not told her his ghostly secret when it mattered. She supposed that was water under the bridge now, but she could not deny that old wish lingering in her chest.
Dani was perched on a chair next to Danny. She was scrolling on her phone but occasionally looked up to roll her eyes at Sam.
Tucker was finishing up a text to someone, so the conversation lulled for a moment.
"How've you been?" Danny asks with a gentle smile.
"I've been alright," Valerie replied, letting out a small sigh. "Working with my father and his partner on that new project they're collaborating on with your parents. It feels like those four are attached at the hip nowadays. I can't remember the last time I went home and didn't see your folks hanging around."
Danny let out a laugh. "I can believe that. Every time I drop by your dad's office, my mum and dad are there in matching lab coats. I sometimes think they forget whose building they're in."
Valerie grinned. "My father loves that they have all the ghost knowledge. It means he can get more government funding for it. Your parents get free rein over entire lab spaces. It works out, but trust me, the place is full of eccentric conversations. But I'm mainly stoked over the fact that the government is paying us to handle ghosts now. Better than hunting them on my own dime."
Danny nodded. "I agree. I was surprised those stingy officials agreed to fund ghost-related research and defences. Took them years. I guess they realised eventually that we weren't going to keep bailing them out for free."
Valerie allowed a light laugh to slip out. "They definitely saw the chaos we can prevent when they toured my father's facility. They decided it was better to work with us than keep ignoring the threats."
Sam let out a loud sigh. "You guys know you're not the only ones here, right?" she said, as she tapped a manicured nail on the table.
Before Valerie could respond, Dani chipped in. "You only complain because you want all the attention on you, Sam. It's not always about you, you know."
Valerie did her best not to laugh at the swift look of indignation on Sam's face. Sam's cheeks dusted pink. "I never said it was," she replied.
"You sure act like it," Dani challenged. "I bet you look at Danny's phone whenever you get a chance."
Sam opened her mouth to protest, but only a frustrated huff came out.
'I guess there's some truth to it huh?' Valerie thought in amusement.
"Anyway…" Tucker cut in, trying to steer the conversation back to safer territory. "Val, I was wondering if you could come in tomorrow to take a look at a piece of technology I've been working on. I'm close to finishing a new ghost shield for Amity Park, but there's something off about the design. I figure you might have insights."
Valerie raised her brow. "I heard about that project from my dad. I forget sometimes just how much of a genius you are, Tuck. Let me guess, you're going to blow the city's mind with a new invention that covers us from poltergeists or something."
Tucker smirked. "I'm always up for praises. Guilty as charged. The ghost shield will be big if I can get the design perfect. I think I'm missing something crucial, though."
Valerie nodded. "Sounds great. We'll work on it tomorrow. By the way, how's Zandiya?" She had met Tucker's South African girlfriend a few times. The two had been together for three years. Valerie found her to be lovely. Tucker's eyes lit up instantly.
"She's doing really well. She's still visiting some relatives, but she'll be back soon. That reminds me, I need your help with a top-secret project tomorrow. You'll see what it is when the time comes."
Valerie teased him with a playful smile. "Is that so, Tuck? Keeping me on my toes, as usual."
Sam leaned forward, rapping her knuckles on the table. "So, about that new threat. That's why we're all here, right? Before we got distracted by government talk and personal business and all that." Valerie supposed she wasn't wrong. They had come to discuss the rumours swirling about a powerful new ghost making appearances at random locations all over Amity Park and even out of state.
She was about to respond when a tall man, who looked to be in his early twenties, stepped up to the table.
He had tan ivory skin, black wavy hair that brushed his shoulders, and eyes that shone gold under the restaurant's lighting. He held himself with a poised confidence, as though entirely comfortable in these surroundings.
Valerie immediately stood up to greet him. She planted a quick peck on his lips, then slid back into her seat while he eased down next to her, draping an arm around her shoulders.
He flashed a welcoming smile at everyone. "Hola. My name is Alejandro Hernandez. It's a pleasure to meet you all." He shook each of their surprised hands, then bumped fists with Tucker in a more casual greeting. "Tucker, my man. I swear it's been, what, eighteen hours since I saw you last?"
Tucker laughed. "Something like that. We've been doing some tech synergy at the lab. He's loaded with ideas."
Sam blinked. "You two hang out?"
Alejandro nodded. "We do. We've known each other for a few months now. We had a fun double date once. Valerie introduced us. Good times."
Danny wore a hesitant grin. "Oh yeah, I almost forgot about that. Your family's quite wealthy, right? I never realised Valerie would bag a billionaire. No offence. It's just not something I expected."
Alejandro let out an easy chuckle. "None taken. Valerie's quite a catch. Who wouldn't be drawn to her?" He leaned in a bit closer to the table, lowering his voice in a conspiratorial way. "I'm especially drawn to the Red Huntress. But hush hush, right? That's top secret."
Valerie gave Sam a quick look. She was relieved that no one around them seemed to hear that except for the group at the table. She was always cautious of letting her identity slip, especially in a public space.
Alejandro was one of the few people in Valerie's personal life who knew her secret.
Sam raised a sceptical brow. "So is that why you went for her? Because she's the Red Huntress or something?"
Alejandro shook his head. "No. Actually, I was drawn to her before I knew. Even if she wasn't patrolling the city in a high-tech suit, I'd still admire her. Besides, it was only two weeks ago that she told me the truth."
Valerie smirked. "I probably wouldn't have told you yet if Desiree hadn't tried to kidnap you. I had no choice but to show you my gear so we could escape the Ghost Zone."
"It was a wild day," Alejandro said. "I'll never forget those swirling portals or the weird creatures there. Still, it was fun going to the Ghost Zone and seeing the hush hush side of your life."
Danny was quiet. Valerie noticed him studying Alejandro with an odd expression. He seemed somewhere between intrigued and… jealous. Maybe he didn't realise his own feelings. His blue eyes were clouded with an emotion she couldn't name.
She felt her heart skip a beat. She didn't want to dwell on the notion that Danny might still care for her in that way. She forced herself to focus on Sam, who was looking at Danny as if she was checking on him.
"You alright, Danny?" Sam asked. "You've been zoning out for the last few minutes."
He cleared his throat. "I'm fine. I was just thinking about the new threat we're supposed to be discussing. There's a ghost I encountered last week. She's unlike any ghost I've seen before." He took out his phone, scrolling through some recent images.
He handed it to Valerie so she could see a blurry photograph. The resolution wasn't the greatest, but it showed a tall female figure hovering in midair.
She appeared to have a distinct deep mahogany glow rather than the usual ectoplasmic green. Her 4C textured hair swirled around her head like a thundercloud. She wore a black and gold outfit that was partly armour, partly medieval gown with a slit to the side. Ghostly sigils glowed at her wrists and ankles.
Valerie studied the image carefully. The ghost's skin had a copper or bronze tone, which was very different from the typical ghostly greens or pale spectral appearances. Her eyes seemed lit with a pale gold colour. "She's definitely different. She looks… intense. She's radiating energy from her entire body. Do you have any idea who she is or what she wants?"
Danny shrugged. "I have no idea. She showed up near the city border and started siphoning energy from streetlights and random electronics. I confronted her, but she was incredibly strong. She wasn't like Skulker or any of the normal ghosts we know. She smacked me down with an energy blast that put me on my back in about two seconds. I don't even think she used full force. Once she'd gathered whatever energy she came for, she just disappeared through a swirling portal. It had these runic markings that I've never seen before."
Dani looked over Valerie's shoulder at the phone screen. "She has some kind of magical vibe, like Ember on steroids. I was busy that day, so I didn't see the fight, but Danny told me it only lasted maybe a minute or two. Then she vanished. I tried to find her afterwards, but she was long gone."
Sam frowned. "That's troubling. So she's not only strong but also can do weird magic we've never encountered. We need to figure out who she is. She could be some new kind of threat. For all we know, she could be planning to drain the entire city of its energy. That might just be step one of something bigger."
Tucker chewed on his lower lip. "I can try to run a quick search for any known sightings of ghosts with that description. She's probably from a different part of the Ghost Zone if we've never seen her around here." He paused to check his phone. "Nothing immediate is popping up, but I'll do a more thorough search when I get to the lab. I've got some tracking software we can calibrate."
Sam looked at Danny and Valerie. "So how are we doing this? We've got to gather as much intel as possible. Normally, I'd suggest we split up, but in this case maybe it's best to go in pairs. The Ghost Zone can be tricky. We should do recon. If she's in there, maybe we can figure out her lair or her weaknesses."
Valerie nodded. "That's probably a good idea. If she's not attacking the city directly right now, it might be best to find her at the source in her own domain. That's going to be risky, though. We don't want to wander blindly and provoke an attack we can't handle. She might have allies in there."
Sam flicked her eyes between Danny and Valerie. "If we decide to do a patrol in the Ghost Zone tomorrow or the day after, I want to go with you and Tucker. We can search for the ghost's base of operations. Danny, do you have any idea where she might be hiding?"
Danny hesitated. "I'm not completely sure. The portal she opened had runes. They're definitely not a typical Ghost Zone phenomenon. Frostbite might recognise them, though. We can visit the Far Frozen region and get their take. But the question is, do we want a big group? That tends to draw attention. If we only send two or three, it might be easier to avoid detection. She might sense a large group's energy."
Valerie lightly tapped a finger on the table. "I can go with you, Danny. My gear has a cloak function. We can do stealth recon and maybe gather information quietly."
Sam's expression tightened. "I think we should also be there. Tucker and I can handle the high-tech scanning, and you two can do the close combat if anything goes sideways." The glint in her eyes suggested she wasn't thrilled with the idea of Danny and Valerie alone in the Ghost Zone.
But Dani interjected before Danny could reply. "No. That won't work if you and Tucker come along. Let's be real. You two don't have ghost powers or suits or anything that can get you out of trouble fast. If something happens, you'll just be in the way."
Sam turned a glare on Dani. "Excuse me? It sounds like you're saying we're useless. Tucker has his inventions and I have my own ways of defending myself."
Dani shrugged. "I'm saying that you two don't move through the Ghost Zone like we do. Danny and I can fly. Valerie has her hoverboard and cloaking suit. If the new ghost spots us and we need to chase her or run, she won't be slowed down by you. No offence, but you'd have to rely on Danny or Valerie carrying you or something."
Sam's cheeks flushed a deep pink. "We have ways of getting around. We could bring the Spectre Speeder. Or we can use Tucker's personal transport. I'm sure he has a new design for a hovercraft or something."
Tucker held his hands up in a pacifying gesture. "I do, but I haven't finalised the prototypes. They might not be safe in a pinch. Dani's probably right. We could end up doing more harm than good. Maybe you and I could offer support from the lab while Danny and Valerie are out there."
Sam seemed to bristle at the suggestion, but she couldn't find a strong counter-argument. She cut her gaze to Danny, hoping he'd say something in her favour. Danny gave her a sympathetic look. "Let me talk it over with Valerie and Dani. If we think we can use a ground team, then sure, we might ask for your help. But as of now, it might be simpler to do a small team for scouting."
Sam's disappointment was evident in the way she folded her arms. She was definitely not pleased with the notion of Danny and Valerie being off alone together. Valerie noticed the tension. She had half a mind to call Sam out on it but decided against it. It might just cause a fight. She flicked her eyes toward Alejandro, who sat quietly taking in the conversation. He gave her a small reassuring squeeze on the shoulder. She appreciated that.
Alejandro checked his watch. "I'd love to join in, but I'm afraid my skill set might not be that helpful. Unless you want me to help plan some infiltration from a strategic standpoint. I used to do some advanced training in my homeland, but it was mostly business acquisitions and small defence tactics. Nothing on your ghostly scale."
Tucker laughed lightly. "We can always use more brains on the team. I guess it depends on how big an operation we want. For now, though, it might be best if we keep this contained to the experts."
Sam let out a huff. "Fine. I guess that's the plan. Danny, Valerie, and Dani do the recon mission. Tucker and I will handle ground control from the lab. We can monitor your vitals or something. That way we can track your location and help out if things get crazy."
Dani nodded. "That's the best idea. I don't want any liabilities. Sorry, Sam. Sorry, Tuck. It's just safer this way." She sounded unapologetic, though. Valerie knew Dani loved to make Sam bristle.
"Alright. That's settled then," Danny said. "We can head out early tomorrow. The sooner we figure out who this new ghost is, the better."
They continued hashing out a few more details. Sam's face was stiff, and her tone was clipped. Tucker tried to keep the mood light by making jokes, but Sam only cracked a half-smile. Valerie was half-certain Sam would've insisted on coming anyway if not for the fact that it would cause an even bigger argument.
Eventually, the conversation wrapped up. The group parted ways in the restaurant's parking lot. Danny flew off with Dani in tow. Alejandro and Valerie went in one car to go to his home. Before Valerie left, she caught a glimpse of Sam's scowl as the girl stared at the sky where Danny and Dani had gone.
Valerie exhaled. She had a feeling this mission might stir up some tension in their group.
OoO
Danny and Dani flew side by side above Amity Park. They had decided to do a preliminary patrol before heading into the Ghost Zone. They wanted to be sure the city was safe and see if the new ghost was lurking somewhere in the human realm.
The sky was grey with the promise of rain. Occasional drizzles pelted Danny's face as he navigated the clouds. Dani flew close behind him, her smaller figure zipping about with playful manoeuvres. She did a quick flip and caught up to him.
"Hey, Danny," she called out. "Mind if I ask something?"
He glanced over. "Sure, what is it?"
She scrunched her nose. "Why do you put up with Sam's attitude? She's kind of insufferable sometimes. Especially to Valerie. It's not like Valerie's stealing you away or anything. She's got her own man."
Danny sighed. "It's complicated, Dani. Sam's always been protective of me. We have a history, you know. She's been with me from day one. I guess I have a soft spot for her."
Dani snorted. "A soft spot, right. You mean you feel like you owe her or something? Because to me, it looks like she wants to micromanage your life. She clearly hates the idea of you being close to Valerie. I don't get why you let her walk all over you."
He frowned. "She doesn't walk all over me. She's just… Sam. She's been through a lot. Her parents never understood her. The only place she felt accepted was with me and Tucker. Sometimes she gets clingy or controlling, but it's not as bad as it looks. She cares. She really does."
Dani rolled her eyes. "Sure, she cares, but that doesn't justify everything. She's always tense and moody, especially if Valerie shows up. And I know you still have feelings for Valerie. I'm not blind. I can see how you look at her. Sam can see it too."
The words struck him, but Danny tried to brush them off. "I have a girlfriend. Sam has been close to me for so long it felt natural. Then again, sometimes it's complicated. Anyway, I don't want to talk about it." He ended his rambling with a light blush on his cheeks
Dani gave him a sidelong glance. "You can't keep ignoring it. Sam's going to get more jealous the closer you get to Valerie. Maybe you don't want to date Valerie or maybe you do. Either way, Sam's not happy right now. It's going to be a problem for you. But okay, if you don't want to talk about it, that's your call. I'm just saying you deserve better than all that drama."
Danny let out a weary sigh. "Thanks for the unsolicited advice. I appreciate you looking out for me, but it's not that simple. Sam's always stood by me. She was the first one there when I got my powers. She was the one telling me not to hate myself for being half ghost. I owe her more than you know. She's not just some random person."
Dani nodded. "Alright. I'll lay off. Just thought I'd ask. I really hope you figure out how to handle her moods, though. It's draining. She has this constant negativity. I know she tries to be supportive, but it's overshadowed by her controlling streak."
Danny gave her a tight smile. "Thanks for caring. Anyway, let's do one more pass over the city, then we can open the thermos if we sense any trouble. If we don't find anything, we'll go home and rest up for tomorrow's trek into the Ghost Zone."
They flew onward, scanning rooftops and alleyways. The city seemed peaceful for now. Dani kept an eye out for any ectoplasmic disturbances, but there were none. After about an hour, they decided to call it a day.
Danny was lost in thought the entire flight back. He couldn't stop thinking about Sam and the friction that had risen earlier. He knew Dani was right. Something needed to change.
He couldn't keep letting Sam's jealousy weigh on him. Valerie was part of the team whether Sam liked it or not.
OoO
Sam's Hybrid car was sleek, purple, and obviously expensive. She kept it clean and polished.
Tucker sat in the passenger seat while Sam pulled out of the restaurant's lot with a bit more acceleration than necessary. He had a feeling she was on edge.
Sam wasn't saying anything. She stared at the road, her lips pressed in a tight line. After they had gone a few blocks, Tucker cleared his throat.
"So… you seem upset," Tucker ventured. "Want to talk about it?"
Sam huffed. "I'm not upset. I'm just irritated that I was told I can't go into the Ghost Zone. Dani basically said I'm incompetent. I do not appreciate that."
Tucker rubbed the back of his neck. "I get it. But you know how the Ghost Zone is. Having no powers can be a real disadvantage. We'd be in danger. Besides, we can still provide technical support from the lab."
Sam pressed her foot down on the accelerator. The car lurched forward, but she slowed after a moment to avoid rear-ending someone at a light. "I hate feeling helpless. I've always gone with Danny before. I don't see why I have to sit on the sidelines now."
Tucker glanced at her profile. "Is it really about being helpless, or is it about not wanting Danny alone with Valerie again? Look, you might not want to admit it, but you've never hidden your jealousy. Everyone can see it. You snap at Valerie whenever she tries to talk to Danny."
Sam scowled. "Since when did you become the close confidant of Valerie, anyway? I see you two texting. You're always praising her in front of me. Why are you so eager to defend her all the time? Did you forget she used to hate ghosts and tried to hunt Danny? She even attacked him more than once."
He shrugged. "People change, Sam. She made amends. She helped us save the city. She and Danny have a decent relationship now. Just because she had an antagonistic past doesn't mean she's the same. We were all younger back then. Besides, you've known me for how long? You know I make my own judgements about people, and I think Valerie's proven that she's on the right side."
Sam tightened her grip on the steering wheel. "Whatever. She can stay on the right side of the city as far as I care. I still don't trust her fully. For all I know, she's just biding her time." She let out an angry grunt. "And let's not forget that the entire world wants her with Danny. It's like I'm invisible. I bet she loves that attention. She just soaks it up."
Tucker let out a frustrated sigh. "You're reading too much into tabloids and gossip. Valerie doesn't even like the spotlight. You've seen her avoid the paparazzi. Why do you keep making this into some rivalry? No one's forcing Danny to hang out with Valerie. If he wants to, that's his choice. And it's not like she's flirting with him. She's dating Alejandro. Seriously, you need to let go of this jealousy or you're going to push Danny away."
Sam's jaw clenched. "That's none of your business. Danny and I are fine. I can be concerned without being 'jealous.' You don't understand, Tucker."
He exhaled sharply. "I understand enough to see that you have a bad habit of controlling Danny's social circle. You did it in high school too. I never said anything because I didn't want to stir up conflict. But it's time to call you out. Danny's allowed to have friends. He's allowed to talk to Valerie if he wants. He's even allowed to love her if that's where his heart goes. We're his friends, not his keepers. So you might want to think about chilling out."
Sam felt a surge of anger rising in her chest. She couldn't believe Tucker was lecturing her about her own relationship. She pressed her lips together and turned onto a side street. She slowed the car near a random curb. Tucker looked confused.
"Why are we stopping, Sam? This isn't your house or mine."
Sam jerked her head toward the passenger door. "Get out."
"What?" Tucker blinked. "You're kicking me out of the car? Are you serious? We're miles from my place."
She glared at him. "I'm serious. I need some space. Take a walk or call an Uber. I don't care."
Tucker stared at her in disbelief. Then his face hardened. "Fine. Enjoy your bubble of anger. I'll see you tomorrow at the lab." He opened the door, stepped out, and slammed it shut.
Sam took off without a backward glance, leaving him standing there on the sidewalk. She felt her heart hammering in her chest. She hated how defensive she sounded, but she couldn't help it.
She had never liked the idea of Danny and Valerie spending too much time together. Watching them trade glances and jokes was a constant reminder that there was a bond between them.
Sam sped off down the street, ignoring the honks of impatient drivers. She let the city lights blur by her. Tucker's words swam in her mind. She couldn't chase away the echo of him warning her that she would push Danny away.
She clutched the steering wheel fiercely. She would never let that happen. She was Sam Manson. She always had a firm grip on things.
Yet she felt that grip slipping. She felt it slipping every time Danny looked at Valerie like he once did in high school. It wasn't that she disliked Valerie for no reason. That wasn't true.
She simply didn't trust that the old sparks between Danny and Valerie wouldn't reignite at the slightest opportunity. That possibility scared her more than any ghost invasion ever could.
Sam scoffed under her breath. "Stupid Tucker. He doesn't understand." But a small voice in the back of her mind whispered that maybe he did understand.
Maybe he'd known for years that Sam's feelings for Danny were tangled in a complicated knot of fear, insecurities, and longing. She refused to dwell on that now. She just wanted to get home and wallow in peace.
Meanwhile, Tucker stood on the curb shaking his head in disbelief. He pulled out his phone. The screen displayed a few missed calls from lab assistants. He sighed.
"Guess I'm walking," he muttered. He started down the block, figuring it would take him about half an hour or so to reach his place. Maybe he'd hail a taxi or something.
He couldn't believe Sam had kicked him out. He also couldn't believe he'd let himself be so blunt with her. It wasn't normally his style to confront Sam so directly, but he couldn't stand idly by anymore.
Danny was his best friend too. Sometimes friends needed a reality check. He hoped Sam might cool off and rethink her behaviour. He guessed only time would tell.