Disclaimer: See Chapter 1
Note: I realize now, from some of the reviews I've gotten, that people were expecting this to be a pure angst and drama story. Truthfully it should be angst and hurt/comfort. That's what I specialize in.
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Agony
by Kalika
Chapter 7
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Sam and Tucker walked out of the exam room together. They waited across the hall watching everyone come out of the room behind them. Both had had seats at the front of the room and hadn't seen whether or not Danny had actually come in.
They waited until the room had cleared, but there was still no sign of Danny. With a confused glance at each other they decided to check the room. It was completely empty and Danny's test book was still sitting unopened on his assigned test.
I can't believe Danny didn't show up, Tucker exclaimed in surprise. This was a really important test. Who knows if they'll even give him another chance to write. They might just fail him.
Sam nodded slightly while she thought the situation through. Danny would never miss a test. Maybe something's wrong. Maybe he ran into a ghost and got injured. She chewed on her lower lip as she turned to Tucker. Let's stop by his house. You know . . . just to see if he's okay.
Tucker nodded solemnly and they both walked to their lockers to grab their bags and head over to their friend's home.
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Hey, mom
The voice was so weak that Maddie almost didn't hear it. She turned in her chair to see her son watching her through hooded eyes. He looked horrible. There were bags under his eyes and his skin was gray.
Honey, you're supposed to be asleep. You need your rest. Maddie whispered as she reached over to stroke her son's forehead. She got up from her chair, and sat beside Danny on the bed.
I want to tell you something, and I want to tell you now. Could you get Dad in here. She nodded and called her husband.
Danny, you don't have to do this now. It can wait.
What can wait? Jack asked as he entered his son's room. His wife motioned for him to sit and he took her now empty chair.
I want to explain about myself fully. I've been holding it in for so long I just don't think I can anymore. He waved his hand weakly in order to stop his parent's protests. I suppose that Dad gave you the gist of it, but I doubt that he was really listening. I'm also not entirely certain of what I told him. Danny coughed weakly before continuing.
About six months ago I had an accident in the lab . . .
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Tucker and Sam both waited impatiently on the Fenton's doorstep. They had come directly from school, and were slightly out of breath from having run most of the way. Their worry over Danny had been eating them up. He could be in serious trouble.
They were both so lost in their own worried thoughts that they both started when the Fenton's front door was thrown open. Jack Fenton was in the standing in the doorway looking extremely tired.
Hello Sam. Tucker. Can I help you with something? His voice was tired as well. I'm kind of doing something in the kitchen right now.
Mr. Fenton we just came over to see Danny. We got concerned when he didn't show up at school today. Tucker began to ramble. See, we kind of had a math mid-term today and Danny missed it. It was worth a lot of marks.
Jack smacked himself in the forehead. The test! We'll have to ask if he can write it in a few weeks. While he was talking, Jack had seemed to forget that Sam and Tucker were still there. It took a couple of tries before they could get his attention again.
Um, excuse me Mr. Fenton? Why would he need to write it in a few weeks. Sam felt rather unnerved by his reaction.
Jack turned his attention to them again. He looked very solemn. There was an accident last night. Danny was . . . electrocuted. He had spent the day studying at the library. It happened when he was coming home. It's lucky I was driving by and . . . saw it happen.
Tucker and Sam gasped in horror. Oh god, is he all right?
He'll be okay. Right now he is exhausted and in a some pain. When he was being revived, a couple of his ribs were cracked.
Sam nearly panicked when she heard that. He had to be revived? Shouldn't he be in the hospital?
They watched him overnight and decided that he would do just as well at home as he would there. The doctor wants him to be kept home resting for a week at least. Depending on how he feels we may keep him out of school longer.
Tucker was having a hard time wrapping his head around this. His best friend had been dead. Sure he was half ghost, but that just wasn't the same. His heart had actually stopped. He had been so badly hurt that he had stopped breathing. He asked softly, Can we see him?
Jack looked at his son's friends with sympathy. He knew exactly how they were feeling. He could see the worry in their eyes. Go up and knock on the door. His mother is with him right now and he's probably asleep, but you can go see.
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Maddie was still watching her son sleep when she heard the doorbell ring. She would let Jack get it. Right now she didn't really feel like leaving Danny alone. He had been alone for so long it just didn't seem right. This certainly explained how tired and sad he had seemed lately. She had just been about to take his hand when she heard an knock on his bedroom door.
Reluctantly, she rose from her seat on the bed to open the door. She was surprised to find Sam and Tucker waiting in the hall.
Hello Mrs. Fenton. Sam spoke in a very quiet voice. We were worried when Danny didn't show up in school today. Mr. Fenton said we could ask you if he was able to see us.
Maddie glanced back into the room and sighed. He's asleep right now, but if your quiet you can see him. Just be careful not to wake him. I'll go and get his supper. She slipped past them into the hall and headed down the stairs.
Sam glanced at Tucker nervously. They were both afraid to see Danny. From what they had heard downstairs, he had been very badly injured. They steeled themselves and entered the room as quietly as they could. Unfortunately, neither of them could contain their gasps when they finally saw their best friend.
They couldn't recall ever seeing Danny look this bad before. He had been through a lot of horrible fights, but the aftermath had never had this affect on him. He looked dead. The pale skin, and sunken eyes only enhanced the image. Thankfully, they couldn't see the bandages that wrapped his chest beneath his pajama top.
Oh, poor Danny. Sam whispered as she reached out to brush his cheek. This is just awful. How could something like this happen. It isn't fair.
I know what you mean. Danny helps so many people and this is what the universe decides to do to him. It's like a cruel joke. Tucker spoke in a whisper as he stood over the bed watching his damaged friend rest.
Sam exclaimed when she heard his quiet whisper. She could see his eyes barely open. How are you feeling? Does it hurt.
He nodded slightly, What are you doing here?
Tucker piped up, You missed the math midterm. We came over because we were worried. When your father said that you were electrocuted we couldn't leave without seeing you. I'm just glad you're all right.
Danny whispered weakly, that's not quiet right. He yawned in exhaustion. But I'll have to tell you later . . . His voice trailed off as he fell beck to sleep.
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Maddie came back into the room twenty minutes later to find Sam and Tucker still watching Danny sleep. They had been whispering when she entered, but had stopped as soon as the door had opened. She smiled slightly. Maybe Danny hadn't been as alone as she had thought. She would have to ask him when he next woke up whether or not Sam and Tucker knew about his secret.
Maybe you two should head on home now. Danny probably won't wake up for a while. Maddie whispered as she placed the bowl of cool broth that she had brought with her on the bedside table. Feel free to come over tomorrow after school. He might be up to talking to you by then.
All right Mrs. Fenton. They both whispered before tearing their eyes away from Danny and leaving the room. Just as Sam was pulling the door closed she turned to look back into the room and saw Maddie lean down and kiss her son on the forehead gently.
Sam turned back to Tucker with a smile. I think Danny is going to be all right.
The End