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11.07.2005

Word Count Update

2101.

11.03.2005

Word Count Update

1217.

11.01.2005

NaNoWriMo Day One

844 words. I'm starting off a bit slower than I expected.

10.28.2005

NaNo Time Again

It's that time of year again, people! I'm participating in the madness that is NaNoWriMo! I have an interesting fanfic idea which is a crossover between Danny Phantom and Emergency!. Hopefully I'll be able to pull it off!

8.28.2005

The Night Vlad Knew

Author's Note: I got the idea for this Danny Phantom two part one-shot from a contest being held by a local writer's group SLO Night Writers. The contest was to write a story using only 500 words (this ended up being longer, hense the necessity to split it up into two parts!) and it had to begin with this sentence: Keening, high-pitched, the sound grows in intensity. I didn't have an original idea to submit to the contest, but hey, you all got a new DP fanfic out of it, so yay! Enjoy!

Disclaimer: Danny Phantom and all related characters belong to Butch Hartman, not me.

Part One

Keening, high-pitched, the sound grows in intensity. I squeeze my eyes shut and press my hands over my ears to keep the sound out, but it filters in between my fingers, and threatens to shatter my eardrums. Soon I hear my own uncontrolled scream of pain and frustration – almost a wolf-like howl – join in the chaotic chorus as the darkness descends over me like a cold, thick blanket.

Vlad Masters sat straight up in his bed; his eyes open wide in terror, a stunted cry on his lips. He quickly looked around for an attacker, but discovered he was alone in the silent darkness of his bedroom; the only sound was that of his own gasping breath. Hot sweat ran down either side of his face, his long white hair stuck to his skin. The sweat off his body soaked his silk pajamas, turning them clammy and cold.

He'd had a horrible nightmare. A nightmare based on the memory of the lab accident that destroyed his life. A nightmare so real it felt like the accident had happened to him all over again.

Why now? He wondered. Why am I thinking about that after all these years?

Knowing he would never get back to sleep, Vlad rose and wandered aimlessly through the large, Medieval-style castle he called home, his bare feet slapping lightly on the cold stone floor and echoed quietly off the walls. The castle and surrounding one hundred acre property had been a huge purchase, yet it barely made a dent in the vast fortune he had amassed over the years. He had come into possession of a great and unusual power because of the accident, and after his recovery years later, Vlad used his newly aquired power to manipulate big business dealings and control various investments which made him very rich very quickly. Most people would be content to have the amount of money he had, as well as the opulent home, property and possessions, but Vlad Masters was not yet satisfied.

He paused in the cavernous foyer to admire his vast collection of memorabilia from his favourite National Football League team, the Green Bay Packers. Autographed footballs and jerseys, gifted Division Championship trophies and Super Bowl rings, photos of himself with several of the players and coaches - past and present - lined the walls from floor to ceiling; the result of years of collecting and acquiring as well as mingling with the team. The only thing he couldn't buy was the team itself - the city of Green Bay, Wisconsin owned the team outright, and refused to sell it to anyone, regardless of the generosity of the offer. At one time these items brought Vlad a great deal of pleasure, but lately he found no joy in them. There was still a black emptiness in his life. Something was missing; something his billionaire status had not been able to procure for him, besides the Packers: a beautiful, intelligent and spunky redheaded woman named Maddie.

Part Two:

Vlad wandered down to his basement laboratory where he had worked to improve his powers, as well as build a working version of the invention that caused the accident. He stood before the massive opening; the thick, heavy metal doors closed together in the middle. Vlad placed his hand on the doors, remembering the excitement and danger that lay on the other side, a gateway to another dimension: the Ghost World. A world filled with powers and creatures and monsters that would dazzle the imagination. It didn't faze him anymore, however. Vlad had been there before.

He shivered suddenly, as though a spirit had passed through him. This was unusual, as he was half-ghost himself. The accident – perpetuated by his bumbling college friend, Jack Fenton, who not only ruined Vlad’s life, but also stole the love of his life, Maddie – had left him able to become a ghost just by thinking of it. As a ghost, Vlad possessed incredible powers – he could levitate, fly, fire beams of ectoplasmic light at his enemies, will up a force field to shield him from return fire, and duplicate his ghost form several times over. He spent years perfecting these talents and strengthening his powers in order to achieve his goals: to kill Jack Fenton, and marry his wife Maddie.

There was something odd about this particular evening, however. Vlad couldn’t put his finger on it, but he had the distinct feeling that something had . . . happened to somebody somewhere. Something . . . familiar. Vlad shivered violently again. He closed his eyes as flashes of random images appeared behind his closed lids: a brightly lit but messy laboratory, red sneakers jutting out beneath blue jeans, a black and white jumpsuit, a long, dark tunnel, then a white flash of light and then the burning . . . oh! The burning! As though his entire body was being consumed in flames! Black hair turning white. The cacophony of howling, screaming.

As the vision faded, Vlad fell to his knees, panting heavily and sweating again. Oh the agony! He lay down on the floor, his hot cheek against the smooth cool floor, breathing raggedly. He opened his eyes, blinked the tears out of them and stared into the darkness.

"Oh!" He thought suddenly. "It's happened again!"

Vlad rose slowly onto his hands and knees, then stood on wobbly legs, gripping the edge of the lab table for support. Somewhere in the world - No, wait! It was near! - another accident in another lab, just like the one that created him all those years ago, had created another ghost hybrid.

Poor sod, Vlad commiserated. To have to suffer through this horrible existence.

Then another thought occurred to Vlad, and a sneer spread slowly across his face. "No. Not so horrible after all. If I can find him, this new half-ghost, half-human, I can train him! Teach him everything I know! And in return, he can help me fulfill my greatest wish: to destroy Jack Fenton!"

6.30.2005

6:03 p.m.

The four of us sit silently waiting for class; it should begin soon.

6.17.2005

Snippet -- Jessie

The night air was soft and still. Jessica walked alone; a pale bloated moon her only companion. She'd crept quietly out of her father's house to be alone with her thoughts. It had been a difficult day.

It began with a knock at the door.

© 1995

Snippet -- Melissa

Melissa sat, numb with shock, staring at the scribbled writing ont he page wihtout really seeing the words. She's read it once, then read it again, unable to belive what she was seeing. After five years together, and six months officially engaged, her fiance, Daniel, was gone.

Leaning back into the sofa, Melissa looked around the living room. At first, she hadn't noticed the few things out of place, missing. But now it was so obvious. The hall closet, where she'd just tossed her denim jacket, was void of Daniel's leather baseball jacket and heavy wool tranch coat. The umbrella stand by the front door held only her own black abnd white polka dot umbrella - and there wasn't a cloud in the sky.

Turning to her left, she noticed the tapes and CDs which were usually neatly stacked, were haphazardly placed on top of the stereo and speakers. She noticed now several were missing, most of which she realized angrily, were hers. The coffee table before her still boasted the dirty coffee mugs and cereal bowls from their hasty breakfast just a few short hours ago.

It seemed like a normal Tuesday morning; both of them getting ready for work, both of them running late. Daniel was quiet and grumpy, but then again, he wasn't a morning person.

(© 1995)

6.16.2005

Fenton Family Feud, Part Five

The ghost-girl sped through the Ghost Zone keeping a close eye on the Specter Speeder, but making sure Fenton didn't realize he was being followed. The "big idiot," as Plasmius was fond of calling the man, had left the external speakers engaged, and she could hear the father and son arguing about her the entire way back to their home. The boy was obviously on her side, but the elder Fenton continued to insist she was not his sister. It was more than mere denial; he was adamant about it. This worried the ghost, who could see the entire plan falling apart before her eyes.


"Man, I hope this Plasmius guy knows what he's doing! If Fenton doesn't buy that I'm his sister, the whole plan will go down the toilet! Plasmius will be ticked, he'll take it out on me, and I'll end up with nothing!"


She slowed up as the Speeder neared the Fenton Portal then disappeared through the swirling gateway. Carefully she approached the portal to watch and listen to the rest of the arguement.


* * *


Jack maneuvered the Speeder into the lab, and set it gently on the floor. Maddie, Tucker and Sam ran to meet it. Maddie threw open the passenger side door and yanked Danny out of the vehicle.


"Danny! Are you okay? I was so worried when Sam and Tucker told me you'd been abducted by a ghost!" She cried as she smothered Danny in a tight hug.


Danny broke free from her grip. "Yeah, mom, I'm fine," he grumbled.


Jack slammed the door as he exited, and walked around to the other side. Danny glared up at him.


"Okay, Danny . . ." Jack began.


"I still can't believe you did that!" Danny yelled. "After everything you told us, about how much you love your sister and miss her and everything! You finally get a chance to help her and you just leave! You turned your back on her and walked away!"


"Actually we sped away, but . . ."


"Forget it, dad! I don't want to hear any of your explanations or excuses! If anything bad happens to my Aunt Danielle, I will never forgive you!" Danny turned on his heel and raced up the stairs.


Sam and Tucker followed behind, calling, "Danny! Wait!"



The ghost-girl hovered just outside the Fenton Portal, listening. She heard the boy argue with his father. He sounded really angry.


If anything bad happens to my Aunt Danielle, I will never forgive you!


She smiled at the venom in the boy's voice. This was working out better than she'd ever expected.


"I'll never underestimate Plasmius ever again," she mumbled to herself. "He sure knows how to get revenge on his enemies! I'd better make sure I never get on his bad side!"


Turning her attention back to the lab, the ghost realized Danny and his friends had left, leaving Fenton and his wife alone in the room.


"Jack? What was that all about?" Jack's wife asked him. "What did Danny mean about your sister? What has that woman done now?"


"Oh, Maddie!" Jack sighed. He pulled the photograph out of his breast pocket and handed it to his wife. "The ghost who kidnapped Danny, it looked like this."


Maddie took the picture and gasped. "Oh, no!"


Jack nodded.


"But, it can't be! Jack, you and I both know that!"


"I know that, Maddie, but, it was . . . it was very convincing. And, we never did tell Danny everything . . ."


Behind the swirling curtain of the portal, the ghost-girl frowned. "Hmm. I wonder what he meant by that?"


Driven by curiosity, she decided to confront Jack Fenton. While she had gathered more than enough information concerning Jack and Danny's fight to take back to Plasmius, she just had to know: did Jack Fenton really believe she was his sister? And if not, why not? She closed her eyes, and took a deep breath. She willed up the Danielle character again; willed up the emotions of loss and sorrow, pasted a look of sadness, longing and desperation on her face. When she was ready, she stepped through the portal.


* * *



"Jack! Behind you!" Maddie pointed behind her husband.


Jack turned to see a ghost had suddenly materialized in his lab; the ghost who wore the youthful face of his sister. Her hair was disheveled and her clothes dirty and tattered from her battle with the other ghost. Her face was stained with dry, crusty ectoplasmic tears, and her eyes were wide and sad. He tried to will up some warm, brotherly feelings toward the creature, but he couldn't. The thing standing before him wasn't his sister; it was a ghost. The ghost who abducted his son.


"Stand back, Jack!" Maddie exclaimed leveling a large bazooka-type weapon at the ghost. "I've got this . . ."


"No, Maddie," Jack said as he gently lowered the barrel of the bazooka. "I will speak to it."


Maddie opened her mouth to protest, but Jack held up a hand to silence her. She nodded, and reluctantly stepped aside.


"Jacky," the ghost-girl began. "I . . . "


Jack raised his hand towards the ghost. "Don't you dare call me that," he said through clenched teeth. "Only my sister can call me that."


"But, I am your sister!" The ghost insisted plaintively.


Jack took a deep breath and forced himself to remain calm. "No, you're not. You're just . . . a ghost."


"I'm her ghost."


"No, you're not."


"How can you be so sure?" The ghost asked. "I look like she . . . like I did, don't I? Just like I did the night I was taken into the Ghost Zone!"


"Yes," Jack reluctantly agreed. "Yes, you do look like my sister did that night."


"Then, why can't you just accept that I am your sister?"


Jack clenched his jaw tighter. "Because . . ."


"I'm a ghost, right?" The ghost finished. "I can't possibly be your sister, because I'm just a ghost now, is that it?"


"Well, yes!"


"Well, if that's the case, Jacky, what if something bad happened to Danny?"


"Are you threatening my son again?" Jack growled clenching his hands into tight fists at his side. Maddie leveled the bazooka at the ghost again, poised to fire if necessary.


"No, no, not at all!" The girl-ghost held her hands up defensively in front of her. Maddie lowered the bazooka slightly, but kept an angry eye on the specter. "I'm just saying, what if? Like, what if something happened to Danny and he became . . . like me? Would he stop being your son, then, Jack? Would you stop loving him?"


"Of course not! Danny is my flesh and blood! I will love him and the rest of my family 'till my dying day! I've done everything in my power to protect them against abominations like you."


The girl sucked in a breath. While the insult stung, she thought she might be on to something. "So, Danny becoming a ghost would be acceptable. But, me, your own sister, being a ghost isn't?"


"That is not what I said! And whether you're a ghost or not means nothing to me!"


"But, why?" The ghost pleaded. "Why won't you just accept me that I’m your sister?"


Jack Fenton leaned down till he was fact-to-face the ghost-girl, and smirked evily: "Because . . ."


* * *



The ghost-girl once again stepped through the portal into Vlad Plasmius' lab only to find it was empty. She looked around but found no evidence of the day's activity: the wall had been repaired, the broken masonry cleaned up, and the floor was shiny and clean. The ghost went invisible, and began searching the massive castle room by room, looking for Plasmius.


When she found him, he was in the library - in his human form once again - seated in one of two elegant leather chairs in front of a roaring fire intently reading a ragged old book. He gently turned the yellowed pages and smiled as he skimmed halfway down the page to read. The ghost materialized behind him, and read aloud over his shoulder.


"Sit in a theater, to
A play of hopes and fears
While the orchestra breathes fitfully
The music of the spheres.



"Ah! The Conqueror Worm! One of Poe's best, if you ask my opinion."


Vlad Masters jumped out of his chair with a shriek and spun around, dropping his book on the floor. "Don't you ever sneak up on me like that!" He squeaked. "And, no, I didn't ask your opinion!"


The ghost shrugged, and bent to pick up the well-worn copy of The Collected Works of Edgar Allen Poe Vlad had dropped. She flipped the pages to the poem he had been reading and jumped ahead a few lines


"That motley drama - oh, be sure
It shall not be forgot!
With its Phantom chased forevermore
by a crowd to seize it not . . ."



"Give me that!" Vlad demanded reaching for the book. The ghost spun away from his grasp and continued reading.


"Through a circle that ever returneth in
To the self-same spot,
And much of Madness, and more of Sin,
And Horror the soul of the plot
."


"Are you quite finished?" Vlad sneered.


The ghost smiled at him and slapped the book closed. "Yup. I'm finished."


"So, how did it go?" he asked.


"Swimmingly," she replied. "Danny and his father fought the whole way back to the Fenton lab, and once there, Danny exploded at his father, and ran upstairs in a huff. It was all very dramatic and intense."


"Excellent!"


"So, are you going to let me in on your little plan now?"


Vlad shrugged. "Why not? You've earned that much."


"I've earned much more than an explanation, but I'll take it. For now. Do you mind if I get comfortable first?"


"Be my guest," Vlad replied returning to his chair in front of the fire and watched the girl transform. She closed her eyes in concentration. A glowing white aura surrounded her, growing brighter and brighter, until Vlad was forced to shield his eyes with his hand. When the light dimmed, he blinked and saw the ghost-girl had transformed into a slight-framed woman, her black hair cascaded down her back, and her body was draped in a white, knee-length gown, cinched loosely at her waist. She smiled at Vlad and took a seat in the vacant chair beside him.


"Alright," she said. "I'm ready to hear all about your grand scheme."


"Ah, yes! You see, my dear, I've made it my life's work to destroy Jack Fenton's life."


"Why? What'd he ever do to you?"


"He stole the woman I loved, and ruined my life!" Vlad screamed.


The ghost looked around at the opulent surroundings in Vlad's study - the rich mahogany shelves filled with rare, leather-bound books, paintings by master artists hung on the walls; the entire room - one of dozens in his castle - was gently illuminated by antique sconces.


"Oh, yeah, your life really stinks!" She said sarcastically. "You have a lovely home, beautiful possessions, amazing wealth, and, oh, yeah, ghost powers. I can see how that might leave a man unhappy."


Vlad glared at her. "You wouldn't understand. Anyway, once I discovered that the ghost boy was Jack's son Daniel, I turned my attentions towards getting the boy to join me. He's stubborn, though, and foolishly loyal to his father."


"Ah, so you had to get Danny to hate his father," The ghost said. "So you used Danielle's ghost to pit father against son. You're betting on Danny being so angry at his father for abandoning his aunt that he'd be willing to betray him!"


"Exactly. And from what you've told me, the plan is working perfectly."


"It's brilliant!"


"Yes, it is."


"Well, thank you, Vlad, for sharing your plan with me," the ghost said, rising from the chair. Vlad rose with her. "Now, if you don't mind, I'd like to collect my payment."


Vlad turned to the bookshelf, reached up and removed an elaborately decorated box. He blew the dust off it, and turned to his guest. Her eyes lit up at the sight.


"My box! Give it to me! Please!"


Vlad slowly extended his hands until the box was mere inches from her wispy white fingers, then pulled it away again. "Vlad!"


"Now, now, Pandora. Did you really think I was going to give you back your precious box? So you can go around collecting all the evil spirits you released into the world, making it a lovely paradise once again?"


"But, you promised!"


Vlad chuckled. "My dear woman, weren't you paying attention at all today? I never keep my promises!"


Pandora growled deep in her throat. "You never intended to return my box in exchange for my portrayal of your arch enemy's sister, did you?"


"Nope," Vlad confessed gleefully.


Pandora raised her hand, anger flowed through her body, down her arm, and formed a blindingly white ball of light in the palm of her hand. She reached back intent on blasting Vlad Masters right off his feet. Vlad quickly transformed into his ghost persona, Plasmius, and held Pandora's box out in front of him. His hands glowed red, and the box began to smoke and burn.


"No!" Pandora cried, extinguishing her weapon. "Please! Don't destroy it!"


Vlad cooled the box with an icy breath. While it suffered some minor scorch marks on the sides, it was otherwise intact.


"While I appreciate the wonderful job you did for me today, Pandora, I think I'll just hang on to this. You know, in case I ever need you play the part of Danielle Fenton again."


"Fine," Pandora said, her voice thick with emotion. "Have it your way. But mark my words, Plasmius: I will get my box back one day, and I will capture all the evil I unleashed on the world!"


"Best of luck with that, my dear!"


Pandora turned and glided towards the door, then paused and looked over her shoulder.


"Oh, by the way, Vlad? There's one other tiny little detail I learned at the Fenton lab that I forgot to mention earlier."


Vlad set Pandora's box back up on the shelf then turned back to her. "Oh? What's that?"


"Danielle Fenton is still alive."


Pandora finger-waved farewell to a stunned Vlad Masters, then went invisible and disappeared through the library door. As she transported herself out of the castle, she heard Vlad screaming:


"Fumbled forward pass!"



THE END

Fenton Family Feud, Part Four

The ghost-girl raced back towards Plasmius' lab, careful to not get caught by any more of Jack Fenton's ghost-catching inventions, but also taking care not to lose him in the swirling, misty ghost world. She only hoped that Plasmius hadn't harmed Danny. She honestly felt bad for the kid; he hadn't been anything but nice to her since the moment they'd met, and she returned his kindness by handing him over to a nutcase. She shook her head to dislodge the sympathetic thoughts.

This is no time to go soft! She reminded herself. Just stick with the plan; it's almost over. Everything you ever wanted will soon be yours!

Just before reaching Plasmius' portal, the ghost-girl stopped and turned to face her pursuer. Jack brought the Speeder to a screeching halt mere inches from her spectral body. He slammed his fist down the button on the console, engaged the exterior speakers, and leveled a venomous glare at the ghost.

"Where is my son?" he demanded.

"Chill out, Jack, I'll take you to him," she responded. "But, before I do, I just want to say . . . I'm sorry."

"You're sorry?" Jack yelled, incredulous. "You steal my son, drag him into the Ghost Zone, hold him prisoner, and you're sorry?"

The ghost-girl closed her eyes and took a deep breath. This was getting harder by the moment. She thought of all that was at stake, brought up the necessary emotions, opened her eyes, and read her lines with feeling: "You don't understand! I didn't know he was your son! I never woulda . . . if I'd known he was yours! Jacky, I am so sorry. Please, please forgive me!"

The ghost calling him by the nickname only used by his late sister enraged Jack. "Don't you ever call me that, ghost!" he growled.

She leaned on the glass shield, and looked him in the eye. "Look at me, Jack Fenton. Look at me, and tell me you don't recognize me."

Jack narrowed his eyes as he took in the ghost's appearance: the ghost's hair was tied in long pig-tails behind each of its ears, it wore a t-shirt, and a satin baseball jacket, faded jeans, and high-top sneakers. The ghost looked exactly like his older sister Danielle did the night she graduated from high school - the night she was taken into the Ghost Zone - but Jack still refused to believe it. Glowing ectoplasmic tears streamed down the ghost's face, and for a moment, Jack's heart melted just a bit. But, no. This was wrong. It had to be a trick! He squeezed his eyes shut against the horrific sight. He remembered his son.

"It's me, Dani-Jean. Your sister!" The ghost's voice, choked with emotion, echoed through the cab of the Speeder.

Jack's blood reached its boiling point. "NO!" he cried, and sent the ghost flying back with a blast of green light. She hit the ground hard, but recovered quickly. "Jacky, please . . ."

Jack fired at her again, but she deflected the blow with her hand, sending it shooting off into the distance. "Jacky!"

"Give me back my son, ghost!"

The ghost-girl hesitated only a moment before zipping through the portal. Inside she found it was empty save for the boy, now back in his human form, lying curled up on the floor; the ghost cage was gone, as was Plasmius. She knelt by the boy.

"Danny?" she whispered and reached her hand out to touch Danny's shoulder. "Danny, are you okay?"

Danny moaned; his body cold and trembling. He struggled to open his eyes. "Aunttt . . . ddd . . . Dan . . . ielle?"

"Get away from him!" Jack's voice boomed in the lab. He landed the Speeder and jumped out of it, racing towards his son. The ghost-girl slowly backed away, wiping the tears from her cheeks.

"Danny! Son! Are you okay?" he cried, cradling Danny in his arms.

Danny opened his eyes part way. He shuddered and his teeth chattered. "I'm . . . fff . . . fine . . . dd . . . dad," he managed to say. "R . . . real . . . ly.

Jack stood, Danny in his arms, and leveled a vicious glare as the ghost who had stolen his son. "If you ever come near my son, or any member of my family ever again, I will destroy you."

The ghost-girl winced at the venom in his voice. "I won't, Jacky. I promise I'll never bother you again."

Jack turned and carried Danny back to the cruiser when suddenly the lab door opened and Vlad Plasmius burst in, gasping at what he saw.

"What the . . .? Stop them!" he ordered the ghost-girl. "They're getting away!"

"No! I am not going to hurt my family any more!" She placed herself between Plasmius and the Fentons. "And I won't let you hurt them, either."

Plasmius snarled, and threw an energy ball at the ghost-girl, who managed to deflect the blow with a small energy ball of her own.

"Jack!" She cried. "You and Danny have to get out of here! Now!"

Jack Fenton tossed Danny into the Specter Speeder, then climbed inside while the ghost shielded them from Plasmius's blows. Danny, almost fully recovered from his entrapment in the ghost cage, strapped himself into the passenger seat, and watched anxiously out the window as the two ghosts continued to fight.

Plasmius fired at the girl, but she leapt out of the way; the beam blasted a hole in the wall behind her. She picked a chunk up off the floor, and advanced on Plasmius, smacking him on the side of the head with the broken masonry. He howled pain, and crumpled to the floor.

Running to the Speeder the ghost-girl cried, "Get out of here! I'll make sure he doesn't follow you. I won't let him hurt you ever again! I promise!"

"But what about you, Aunt Danielle?" Danny asked, leaning forward in his seat and pressing his hand against the glass.

"Don't worry about me, Danny," she said, gently, putting her own hand on the glass over his. "I've been out there a long time; I know how to take care of myself. And, Jack? I really am sorry about all this. Whether you believe it or not, it's the truth."

"You rotten little girl!" Plasmius screamed behind her; she spun around. "How dare you betray me like this!"

"Excuse me?" She shrieked, incredulously. "I betrayed you? Oh, I don't think so, Plasmius! You betrayed me! You promised you would help me if I brought you the boy! Remember? You said you could make me human again! But, you just used me, didn't you? You lied to me!"

"Okay, yes, I lied," Vlad confessed, though his tone suggested no remorse. "Once a ghost, always a ghost, I'm sorry to say. You're doomed, Danielle Fenton, to spend the rest of eternity out there, in the Ghost Zone. As for your precious family, well, just look at them." Plasmius took the girl by her shoulders and spun her around to face the Speeder. Inside Jack glowered at her and Danny stared with wide and fearful eyes. "Your beloved brother hates you, and your nephew is terrified of you."

Tired and beaten, the ghost-girl dropped to her knees and wept. Plasmius shook his head, tsking mockingly.

"Oh! Poor little ghost," he said with feigned sympathy. "You may have been in the Ghost Zone, fending for yourself for twenty-nine years, but you're still just a pathetic little eighteen-year-old girl, aren't you?"

"Hey!" Danny shouted from inside the Speeder. "You can't talk to my aunt like that! Dad, do something!"

"Oh, I'll do something alright," Jack said, as he spun the Specter Speeder around, and zipped through the portal, back into the Ghost Zone.

* * *
"Dad!" Danny protested. "We've gotta go back! We have to help Aunt Danielle!"


"No, son, we don't."


"But, dad . . ."


"NO BUTS! That . . . that thing is not your aunt. It is not my sister."


"Dad, you don't understand! Didn't you hear what she said?"


"I understand plenty! I understand that ghost abducted you, my son, and held you captive in the Ghost Zone! Then it had the audacity to return to the scene of the crime, and mock me! Me! Jack Fenton!"


"Aunt Danielle didn't even know who I was! Dad! Please listen to me! She was trying to come back to us! That Plasmius guy told her he had a way to . . ."


"Danny, it doesn't matter if that ghost knew who you were or not. The fact is, it kidnapped you to further its own agenda. If it hadn't been you, it would've been someone else's child. What kind of person does that, Danny? I'll tell you: no person does that. Only a monster."


Danny didn't have a response for that. He slumped down in his seat and watched through the window as the eerie gloom of the Ghost Zone zip past them.


After a few moments of silence, he asked, "Dad? Do you hate Aunt Danielle?"


Jack looked sideways at his son, chuckled lightly and answered, "No, son. I love my sister very much."


"Then, why? After all these years we finally find her, and . . . well, okay, technically she found us, but, still! Dad, she wants to come back to us, and I know she's a ghost, but that doesn't mean we can't still be a family, and she was in trouble back there, and you just left, and . . ."


"Danny . . ." Jack interrupted his son and took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. "That creature is not my sister."


"Yes, she is! She looks just like in the pictures we found in the attic at Grandma and Grandpa Fenton's!"


"I noticed that, yes," Jack agreed, shuddering slightly. "But the fact remains . . ."


"Then how could you be so mean to her? How could you just leave her there, fighting against Plasmius, who is obviously stronger and more powerful than she is! She's your sister! She's my aunt!"


"Danny!" Jack's patience was at an end. "I don't want to talk about this right now."


"But, dad . . ."


"No! I am not going to discuss it here in this . . . place! Just wait till we get home, son, please. Then I'll tell you everything."


Danny opened his mouth to protest one more time, but his father's chilling glare froze the words on his tongue. He closed his mouth, and turned back to the window, fuming quietly.

5.31.2005

Fenton Family Feud, Part Three

Tucker carefully steered the Specter Speeder through the portal opening into the lab, and set it down on the floor as quietly as possible. He and Sam scrambled out of the cockpit hoping to sneak out of the lab without running into either Danny's parents or his nosey sister.
"I still think we should've followed them," Sam said, keeping her voice low. "Danny could be in a lot of trouble!"
"How much trouble could he possibly be in?" Tucker asked confidently. "You heard what that ghost-girl said: she's taking Danny to meet a fan! How dangerous can that be?"
"I don't know, Tucker, I just have a really bad feeling about all this."
They were halfway up the stairs when Jack Fenton's massive frame filled the doorway in front of them.
"Kids! Great! You're just in time!" he exclaimed.
"Just in time for what?" Tucker asked, then immediately regretted it when he saw the man's eyes light up.
Danny's father rushed past them down to the lab; Sam and Tucker reluctantly followed him.
"You're just in time to watch me try out my new-and-improved Fenton Fisher! Now with more ghost bait!"
Jack slid to a halt in front of the swirling portal and cast a long ectoplasmic-coated fishing line into the portal. After a moment, he reeled it in, only to come up empty-handed. He frowned, examined the line closely, then cast it back in again. He paused, his foot tapping impatiently, then began reeling the line back in. This time he met some resistance. He grinned.
"I think I've got something!"
* * *

The ghost-girl named Danielle flew through the Ghost Zone at break-neck speed, going over in her mind one more time what had transpired in Vlad Plasmius' laboratory. She had done as Vlad asked of her and brought the ghost hybrid Danny Phantom to him. She felt a momentary twinge of guilt as she thought of the boy trapped in that cage, purposely built two sizes too small. She remembered the look in his eye when Plasmius introduced her as his aunt - the hurt, the betrayal, the anger. She shook her head to clear her jumbled thoughts. Now was not the time to go soft; there was more yet to do. She had to confront the hybrid's father, Jack Fenton, a relatively unknown ghost hunter. She hoped to goad him into following her back to Vlad's lab. After that, well, it was really all up to Fenton.
Slowing as she reached the swirling Fenton Portal, the ghost-girl contemplated how best to proceed. Should she try to slip in quietly, mess with Fenton's head a bit, or just burst right in and begin taunting him openly? Her decision was made for her, however, when a line coated with glowing green ectoplasm flew towards her, wrapped around her, and pulled her towards the portal opening. As hard as she fought, she couldn't escape the powerful binding that pinned her arms to her sides. From the other side of the opening, she heard a man shout, "I think I've got something," and found herself being dragged closer and closer towards the portal.
* * *

Jack yanked one last time on the Fenton Fisher, and young female ghost burst through the portal, the glowing green ghost fishing line wrapped tightly around her upper body. She writhed on the lab floor, snarling and struggling against the bonds.
"Tucker, look! That's the same ghost that took off with Danny!" Sam gasped and slapped her hand over her mouth when Jack dropped the Fenton Fisher, spun to face her and boomed, "What about Danny?"
He looked from Sam to Tucker and back to Sam again, but neither teen responded. They looked at each other, at the floor, all around the lab. They looked everywhere but in his eyes.
When Jack dropped the Fenton Fisher, the bound ghost was able to wriggle free from the slacked line. She burst forth with a triumphant cry and morphed into a giant, hideous caricature of herself.
"It's true, Jack Fenton! I took your son!" She snarled. "He's safe for now, but if you want him back, you'll have to catch me!"
The monstrous spirit turned and zipped back through the portal, leaving Jack, Tucker and Sam momentarily stunned.
"Danny?" Jack queried.
"We're so sorry, Mr. Fenton," Tucker said. "We were just hanging out, and that ghost came in and grabbed Danny! There was nothing we could do!"
"Uh, yeah," Sam concurred, following Tucker's lead. "W . . . we were just coming to get you when . . ."
Jack didn't wait to hear the rest of Sam's made-up-on-the-fly explanation, but leapt into action. He threw open the door to the cabinet, and grabbed an armful of his ghost fighting inventions, throwing them into the back of the Specter Speeder. He then hopped into the driver's seat, started the vehicle up, and raced through the portal.
"What do we do now?" Tucker asked as the smoke cleared and silence descended on the lab.
Sam shrugged and sighed. "We wait."

5.30.2005

Fenton Family Feud, Part Two

Danny didn't recognize the part of the Ghost Zone he and his new friend were travelling through. Man, he thought. This place goes on forever! I'll never get it all mapped out!

"So, uh, where exactly are we going?" Danny asked.

"To meet my friend, like I said," the girl-ghost replied. "He's going to be so excited to finally have you . . . er, I mean, meet you. Heh, yeah. Meet. You."

The girl-ghost took him through a couple more doorways, and around a few more bends until Danny was completely lost. He wondered if he'd ever find his way back home.

"Okay, here we are!" The girl-ghost stopped and with a sweep of her hand indicated a swirling portal entrance. Through the mist, Danny could just make out what appeared to be a laboratory.

"Uh, just who is this friend of yours, anyway?" Danny asked, suddenly becoming apprehensive.

"Oh, you'll see," the girl-ghost replied snidely as she floated up behind him.

Before he could react, the she pushed Danny through the portal into the room, and quickly followed him in. There she turned on him, and struck him hard on the side of his head with her weapon. Danny saw stars and hit the ground hard. He shook his head to clear his thoughts, but was unable to react quickly enough as the girl-ghost pressed a button against the wall, and a small cage dropped from the ceiling, landing on top of him. It was very small, and Danny ended up crouched on the floor with precious little space between his limbs and the bars. Danny tried to phase out of it, but found he was unable to escape.

"I . . . I can't get out!" He cried, trying and failing again. "Something is interfering with my powers!"

"That," the girl-ghost sneered. "Is the least of your worries!"

The lab door opened and a familiar, but unwelcome specter entered: Vlad Plasmius. The girl-ghost smiled and approached him.

"I've done it!" She declared. "I've captured the ghost hybrid, just as you asked!"

"Well done!" Plasmius replied. "Everything went according to plan?"

"Perfectly! You said he'd come running at the first sign of trouble, so I got into a fight with these three ghouls, and all of a sudden, bang! there he was, right in the middle of it, bein' the hero!"

"Excellent!" Plasmius chuckled wickedly and patted her on the head. He approached the cage and leaned over to address its occupant.

"We meet again, Danny Phantom!"

"Vlad Plasmius! You're not going to get away with this . . . this . . . whatever it is you're trying to do!" Danny shouted with more bravado than he actually felt.

Plasmius laughed. "Oh, my dear boy, I already have gotten away with it! Your very presence, here in my lab, has secured my victory!"

"Plasmius? Plasmius!" The ghost-girl tugged on Plasmius' cape to get his attention. "What about me? You'll help me now, right? You said you'd help me if I brought you the ghost boy, and I have. So, you'll help me change back now, right? Right?!"

Plasmius sneered. "While I thank you for making my job easier, and for advancing my ultimate plan by luring Danny Phantom here to my lab, I'm afraid I really can't help you."

"What?! But, you promised! You said you had a way to change me back into a human!"

Plasmius shrugged. "A little lie. But, as a consolation you will be paid handsomely for a job well done."

"I don't want to get paid," the ghost-girl cried. "I want to be human again! I want to get back to my life!"

"Ah, yes," Plasmius drawled. "Your life. The life you left, what was it now, thirty years ago?"

"Twenty-nine," she corrected. "And it wasn't my fault!"

"That's right, twenty-nine. And, whether it was your fault or no, do you really think after all this time, you can just walk back into the lives of the ones you left behind? Do you really think they'll welcome you back with open arms? Your parents, your brother? May I remind you, my dear, your brother now hunts ghosts for a living. He hates ghosts. I imagine he would especially hate a ghost that was responsible for the abduction of his only son, and ultimately, the destruction of his entire life!"

"The what? I never . . .uh . . . wait a minute, what son?" The girl-ghost stared hard at Plasmius, turning over in her mind what he'd just said, then turned to Danny. She approached the cage, got down on her knees, and looked the boy in the eye.

"Who are you?" She asked.

"I told you, I'm . . ."

"No! I don't care who you are in the Ghost Zone. Who are you, really? Who are you when you're not a ghost?"

"What? You mean to tell me the two of you haven't met?" Plasmius asked in mock surprise. "Tsk, tsk! Where are my manners? My dear girl, may I present Danny Fenton. He would be Jack Fenton's son."

The girl gasped. "No! It can't be!"

"Ah, but, it is," Plasmius confirmed. "Ironic, isn't it? Oh, and Daniel, my boy, may I introduce Danielle Fenton? Your father's sister?"

Danny looked up into the ghost girl's eyes. "My father's sis . . . you're my aunt?"

"Oh no! This can't be happening!" Danielle cried. "Danny, I am so sorry! I didn't know, I swear! I never would've brought you here if I'd known you were my brother's son! I would never ever hurt Jack's family! I just . . . I just wanted to go home!"

"And, go home you shall," Plasmius declared. "back into the Ghost Zone where you belong!"

Plasmius casually threw a blast of bright light at a still-stunned ghost girl, catching her off guard, and sending her spinning head over heels back through the portal into the Ghost Zone.

5.23.2005

Fenton Family Feud, Part One

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Danny Phantom, blah, blah, blah. Enjoy!
* * *

Danny Phantom flew determinedly through the Ghost Zone. He zipped past dozens of gates and doorways contemplating where to look first. His two best friends Samantha Manson and Tucker Foley followed behind in the Fenton Specter Speeder.
"Danny, how are we possibly going to find one ghost, or, uh, person in here?" Sam asked through the headset microphone; her voice echoed in the eerie atmosphere. "This place is huge!"
"I don't know," Danny responded. "But I've got to try!"
"What are you going to do if, er, when you find her?" Tucker asked. "What if she's become an evil ghost? What will you then? Fight her? She's your aunt!"
"I know she is, Tuck, I know. I don't know what I'm going to do."
When Danny told his friends about his long-lost aunt and relayed his father's story of her abduction by ghosts to them, they immediately agreed to help him find her, despite their misgivings about entering the Ghost Zone. He recalled the conversation the trio had as they stood before the swirling, glowing portal.
"You don't even like the Ghost Zone, Danny," Sam reminded him.
"No, I don't," Danny agreed. "And, I'm half ghost! I can't imagine what it must be like for someone who's not a ghost to be stuck in there!"
Tucker shuddered. "Me, neither!"
"But, Danny, it's been a really long time since your aunt was taken into the Ghost Zone," Sam said. "I hate to say this, but your dad may be right: even if you do find her, she might not be the same girl who went in there."
"I know, Sam, but I have to try! I'd rather know for sure, one way or the other, than spend the rest of my life wondering."

A sudden cry pierced the gloomy silence, jolting Danny out of his reverie. He halted, hovering, looking around for the source of the sound. Tucker pulled the Specter Speeder up beside him.
"What was that?" Sam asked in a harsh whisper.
"I don't know," Danny replied, keeping his voice low. Another cry in the distance caught his attention, and he pointed into the distance. "Wait! I think it came from over there!"
Danny took off in the direction of the sound. Around a bend he saw three large, hideous ghosts towering over a lone girl-ghost.
"Danny! What's happening?" Tucker's voice drifted into his ear. Danny looked over his shoulder to see the Specter Speeder hovering nearby, Sam and Tucker watching him intently.
"I'm not sure, yet, but it looks like trouble," Danny said. "You guys stay there. I'm going to check it out."
Danny carefully approached the scene of a fierce battle. The three ghosts took turns attacking the girl-ghost from all sides, but she deftly fought them off with a blunt, sword-like weapon. She shot a beam of bright light out of the end, hitting one of her attackers and knocking him back head over heels. The other two ghosts advanced on her, snarling. She took a swipe at one of them, but missed, and received a punch in the gut for her troubles. Danny could see she was overpowered and outnumbered, and he sprang into action.
He kicked one of the ghosts in the head, while the ghost-girl battled the other one. Just when Danny seemed to be getting the upper hand against his adversary, the ghost struck him with a sudden green blast, throwing him into a tail-spin. Undeterred, Danny rushed the ghost, punched it in the face and knocked it down. He then turned, ready to fight the other one. Instead of a hideous monster, however, he found himself face-to-face with the girl-ghost. Her hair hung in long pig-tails tied at the nape of her neck, and she wore a tee-shirt, a shiny baseball jacket, jeans and sneakers. Not exactly a typical-looking ghost.
"Oh, no," she said, eyes narrowing menacingly. "Not another one!"
"Funny," Danny glowered. "I was about to say the same thing about you."
"Danny! Look out!"
Both Danny and the girl-ghost turned towards the sound of Tucker's voice blasting out from Specter Speeder.
"What?" They said in unison, then turned to each other. "Hey!"
"Behind you!" The girl-ghost shouted pointing over Danny's shoulder.
"No, behind you," Danny countered. The two leapt up at the same time, and the ghost trio crashed into each other and fell into a dazed heap. Hovering above them, Danny and the girl-ghost eyed each other with curiosity and caution.
"Who are you? Friend or foe?" She demanded, leveling the weapon at Danny.
"I'm Danny Phantom," Danny told her. "And, I'd like to be a friend, if you'd . . ."
The girl-ghost's eyes grew wide. "You're Danny Phantom?"
"You, you've heard of me?" Danny asked incredulously.
"Duh! Like, who hasn't?" The girl exclaimed. "You're, like, famous in here! Half boy, half ghost; you walk in both worlds! Omigosh! You totally have to come meet my friend! He's a huge fan!"
"A fan? Of mine? Really? Uh, well, I don't know . . . I'm actually here looking for some . . ."
"Oh, please? It would mean so much to him! It won't take long, I promise!"
"Well, okay," Danny agreed with a shrug. "Anything for a fan!"
The two ghosts flew off at lightning speed, leaving Sam and Tucker behind in the Specter Speeder.
"Danny, wait!" Sam called.
"Don't waste your breath, Sam, I don't think he can hear you," Tucker said. "Not only is he out of range, but he's had a major ego boost: he just found out he's got a fan!"
"Great," Sam glowered. "Well, I guess we better follow them."
"Nah, that girl ghost seemed pretty cool. Didn't you see her kick those monster ghosts' butts? We can wait for Danny back in the lab," Tucker said as he turned the Speeder around and headed back to the Fenton Lab.
"Okay, I guess," Sam reluctantly agreed as she slouched down in the passenger seat and folded her arms across her chest.
"Gee, Sam, you're not jealous, or anything, are you?"
"Jealous? Me? Ha! Of course I'm not jealous!" Sam tried to sound convincing, but Tucker saw through her pathetic attempt, and smirked at her.
"Really! I'm not jealous!" She insisted. "Besides, maybe Danny should start making some ghost friends. It sure would be nice to have an ally or two in here."
"That's exactly what I was thinking!" Tucker exclaimed, and steered the Speeder through the Ghost Zone.

5.20.2005

Lost Love

Nervous laughter from deep inside covers up your want to cry. I know you loved her, but now she's gone. I know you're hurting, but life goes on. You'll find another girl one day, and she'll be right for you, you'll say. How I hope one day you'll see the perfect girl for you is me.
originally written in 1988

Memories

I see your face in the window of my mind your smile won't leave my thoughts. I still see the sparkle in your eyes. No matter where I am or what I'm doing, I turn around and (for a moment) you're there ... smiling, laughing, shining. Then you're gone forever.
originally written in 1986

5.19.2005

Fenton Family Secrets, Part Three

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Danny Phantom. Cheers!
* * *

FENTON FAMILY SECRETS PART THREE
The next day, the Fentons finished packing up the remainder of Jack's childhood home. Danny longed to confront his father with what he'd learned about the mysterious girl in the photograph, but he didn't want to have an argument, either. Finally, as the last of the boxes had been filled and taped shut, Jack called for his son.
"Danny! I have some boxes I need help with."
"Okay, dad."
Danny picked up the two boxes his father pointed to, and followed him outside. He set them down next to a stack of boxes that Maddie and Jazz were busy labelling then turned to his father.
"Dad," Danny said. "I . . . I'm sorry about yesterday. The picture I found in the attic, I mean. I didn't mean to upset you, I just wanted to know who . . ."
"It's alright, son," Jack replied, gently wrapping his armaround Danny's shoulders. "I probably should've told you and Jazz about her a long time ago."
"So, who is she?" Jazz asked. "An old girlfriend, or something?"
"No, Jazz," Danny said. "The girl in the picture with dad and Grandma and Grandpa Fenton is his sister. Right, dad?"
"Sister?" Jazz exclaimed. "Dad, you have a sister, and never told us!"
"I found her yearbook in the trunk in the attic," Danny continued. "Her name is Danielle."
Jack squeezed Danny's shoulders, then reached into his breast pocket and pulled out the picture Danny had found the day before. He gazed lovingly at it; his sister and his younger self smiled back at him. "That's right, son. Dani-Jean was my big sister. Your mother and I named you after her."
"Oh, great," Danny muttered. "I was named after a girl!"
"I never told you kids about her, because . . . well, she's gone, and it . . . it's not important now."
"Not important?" Jazz exclaimed. "Dad, how can you say that? Of course it's important! She's your sister! She's our aunt!"
"I don't want to talk about it, Jasmine. Not now, not ever!"
"But, dad!" Jazz argued.
"NO! It's over and done with. My sister is gone! Forever!"
"But where, dad?" Danny asked. "Where is she? What happened to her?"
"Very well, if you must know, I'll tell you: she was taken into the Ghost Zone!
* * *

"It was the night she graduated from High School," Jack Fenton said, his voice low and filled with regret. The Fentons sat together at the dining table in their home. A week had passed since they packed up the Fenton Family Homestead, and Jack had been quiet and moody ever since. Maddie tried to convince him to tell their children exactly what happened to his sister, their aunt Danielle, and Jack had finally, grudgingly agreed. "Dani-Jean and I were heading home after a post-graduation celebration. I had just turned sixteen, and she let me drive her car. We were almost home when it happened . . ."
----------------------------Begin Flashback-----------------------------
The night of Friday, June 13th was a dark, moonless one, but sixteen-year-old Jack Fenton wasn't concerned. He knew the country roads like the back of his hand, and deftly took each twist and turn with confidence and skill.
"Thanks for letting me drive your car, Dani-Jean!" He said. "Gives me a chance to break in my brand new driver's license!"
"You're more than welcome, Jacky, but please just try not to break the car! It still has to get me to college!" She fiddled with the radio knobs, and harrumphed in disgust. "I hate that we can't get a decent radio station out here in the boonies! I cannot wait to get to the University! Surely they'll have decent music there!"
Finally a rock-n-roll radio station sputtered through the static and Danielle sighed. "Well, I guess it's better than listening to the Farm Report. Again."
On the radio, Elton John sang "Crocodile Rock".
"What? Are you kidding me?" Jack demanded. "This is a great song!" He started singing along, and Danielle groaned and stuck her fingers in her ears.
They rounded another bend; ahead of them lay one of the rare straight stretches of country road. In the distance a pair headlights loomed.
"Hmm. That's odd," Jack said. "I wouldn't think there'd be anyone else out here this time of night."
"That's not what's odd, kiddo," Danielle pointed out. "What's odd is that those headlights are green!"
The two sat silently watching the glowing green headlights come closer and closer. Soon they could see that the whole vehicle was glowing an eerie green-grey colour. Suddenly the static on the radio became deafeningly loud, completely obliterating the song. Danielle fumbled with the knobs but couldn't turn the sound down.
"Sissy! Just turn it off!" Jack shouted over the din.
"I'm trying! It won't shut off! What are we going to do?"
The ghost car was right in front of them, and seemed to be taking up the whole road. Jack slammed on the breaks and tried to turn the wheel, but the car wouldn't respond. The static became ghoulish, ear-piercing shrieks, and the next few moments of Jack Fenton's life moved in slow motion.
The ghost car overcame them, passing through Danielle's car. Jack could see the hideously twisted faces of the ghost driver and two ghost passengers in the front seat. Their skin glowed an other-worldly greenish colour, and their eyes glowed a fiery red. One of the creatures passed through Jack's body, touching his very soul with its icy fingers; its shrieking voice rang in his ears. He tried to turn to his sister, but was frozen in place. He tried to scream, but he couldn't breathe. It seemed to go on forever, but it was over in an instant.
When the ghost car passed, Jack was finally able to stop the car. He was sweating and shivering at the same time. He turned to check on his sister.
"Dani-Jean! Are you . . ."
But, Danielle wasn't there. The lap belt, still buckled, lay limp on the tattered leather seat, but his sister wasn't in it.
Jack leaped out of the driver's seat, and turned to face the ghost car, which had stopped a few yards away. Inside he saw the hideous specters, laughing and screaming their horrendous scream. Among them, wrapped tightly in their wispy, green tentralled arms he saw Danielle. She was screaming, too, screaming his name, eyes wide with terror. Jack ran towards the ghost car, but it sped off, flying with lightning speed down the road, finally exploding in a burst of light. Jack was knocked off his feet by the blast, and when he sat up, the road before him was empty, and though the night was silent, Jack Fenton could still hear his sister's voice ringing in his ears: "Jacky! Jackyyy, help meee!"
-------------------------End Flashback--------------------------------
"I couldn't help my sister," Jack said with a sigh of regret. "I was too paralyzed with fear. I . . . I failed her."
"It's okay, dad," Danny said, struggling to find something comforting to say to his father.
"Yeah, dad," Jazz concurred. "There wasn't anything you could do!"
"But, I should've done something!" Jack cried. "I should've tried to do something!"
"Now, Jack," Maddie soothed. "Don't beat yourself up over this! It was a long time ago, and besides, Danielle ca . . ."
Before Maddie could finish her sentence, Jack interrupted, pounding his fist on the table: "I swore at that moment I would do everything in my power to find my sister! I spent years building and perfecting a portal into the Ghost World, creating weapons to capture and destroy the ghosts who took my sister!" He sighed again, and sank back down into his chair. "But, as the years passed, I realized I would probably never find her - not the sister I knew, anyway. So, I had to give her up - forget her. Forever. But, I could and would still get my revenge on the entire population of the Ghost Zone!"
"But, Jack," Maddie began. "Danielle . . ."
"No!" Jack exclaimed, rising from the table. "I'm done talking about this! Done talking about her! She's gone and she's never coming back! I don't want her name mentioned in this house ever again!"
Maddie opened her mouth to protest, but Jack stopped her: "Never again!"
Jack stormed down to the lab; each angry step shook the house. Maddie put her head in her hands and sighed.
"Mom?"
Maddie put her hand up to silence her son. "No, Danny, no more. It's over." Then she rose, and followed her husband downstairs.

5.05.2005

Fenton Family Secrets, Part Two

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Danny Phantom. Enjoy!
* * *

FENTON FAMILY SECRETS PART TWO
Oh, no! I can't go ghost with Jazz here! What am I going to do?
Thinking quickly, Danny turned and pulled his sister up off the floor. "Jazz! It's a ghost!" Danny cried. "Go get mom and dad!"
"What about you?"
"I'll keep him busy till you get back! Now go!"
Jazz paused for a moment, then gave Danny an small smile before quickly descending the ladder and screaming, "MOM! DAD! THERE'S A GHOST! IN THE ATTIC!"
When he was certain his sister was gone, Danny squeezed his eyes shut and called on his ghost powers. He embraced the chill that shuddered his flesh-and-blood body, reached deep inside himself, turned himself inside out, from flesh to spirit. The weight of his human body evaporated, and with the sudden lightness came intense strength and power. When he opened his eyes, they glowed a ghostly green, and could see things no human could. At that moment he saw The Box Ghost juggling his grandparents' possessions with glee, and a rage stirred inside him.
"Hey! Put those boxes down!" Danny shouted.
"But, I am The Box Ghost! I own all cardboard boxes!"
"Not those boxes you don't!" Danny cried. "Those boxes belong to my family, and I demand that you put them down right now!"
The Box Ghost stopped juggling the boxes and sneered at Danny.
"Very well, I will put these boxes down, on top of your head!"
He lifted one of the boxes up over his head then threw it at Danny. Danny closed his eyes tightly, concentrating on making himself transparent as air. The box flew through him; Danny could feel the contents inside as they passed through his body. It was a box of old clothing: his grandfather's suits and Army uniform; his grandmother's wedding dress and best Sunday dresses; his father's baby clothes and shoes. The box passed through Danny and fell down the attic opening, landing with a loud thud on the floor below.
"Well, that's one way to get the boxes down," Danny thought aloud, then shouted at The Box Ghost. "Ha! You missed me!"
The Box Ghost snatched the second box out of mid-air, throwing it with all his might. Danny went invisible again, and noted this box was full of old family pictures and photo albums, along with a slide projector and a box of slides. He realized the items might be damaged when they hit the floor, and quickly raced through the opening and grabbed the box, setting it aside gently before shooting back up into the attic.
"Missed me again!" Danny's cockiness got the better of him as the third and final box slammed into his now-solid ghost body, sending it and him flying through the opening towards the floor. Danny landed on top of the box of clothing with a thunk, and the third box landed on top of him, sending the air rushing out of his lungs.
"HURRY! THE GHOST! IT'S UP HERE!" Jazz's exaggeratedly loud voice flew up the stairs, and Danny panicked as he heard footsteps rushing up towards him. He quickly went invisible and flew through the box, back up into the attic. The Box Ghost was waiting for him, the old trunk held high over his head.
"I don't have time for this!" Danny growled. "Put that trunk down now and get out of here!"
"Never! I am The Box Ghost!"
"IT'S UP HERE! IN THE ATTIC!" Jazz cried from below. "DANNY! DANNY, ARE YOU OKAY?"
"DON'T WORRY, SON, I'M COMING!" Jack Fenton called. "AND, LUCKILY I REMEMBERED TO PACK THE FENTON GHOST PEELER!"
"Look, if you don't leave right now, my dad's going to come up here and he'll kick your butt worse than I ever have!" Danny threatened. "Do you want to find out exactly what the Fenton Ghost Peeler can do?"
The Box Ghost's eyes widened in fear. He dropped the trunk, and fled through the roof with a final, "Beware!"
Danny's body returned to normal just as his father's broad shoulders squeezed through opening in the attic floor. Jack Fenton pulled himself up and leapt to his son's side, the Fenton Ghost Peeler at the ready.
"The ghost! Where is it?"
"He . . . it w . . went th . . that way," Danny said, still shivering from the ghostly chill. "Th . . . through the roof . . ff!"
"Quick, Maddie! Go grab the Fenton Ghost Fisher out of the RV! We might be able to catch that thing yet!" Jack turned and jumped back down the opening.
Once his parents were gone, Danny fell to his knees and sighed with relief. "That was close," he whispered to himself. "Too close!"
"Danny? Are you okay?" Jazz's voice was soft and slightly shaky. Danny felt her hand on his shoulder, its warmth moved through him like hot cocoa on a cold winter day, and he smiled.
"I'm fine."
Jazz let out her breath, and knelt beside her brother. "So, how did all those boxes get downstairs?"
"The ghost threw them at me," Danny explained, then hastily added. "Oh, but he missed me completely! It's a good thing I have such good reflexes, huh?"
"Uh, yeah. Whatever you say. So, I guess we only have this trunk to get down . . . oh, no! The trunk!"
Although he had been staring at it, Danny hadn't noticed the trunk's lid had popped open, and some of the contents had spilled out.
"Oh, man! I hope nothing got broken!" He said, as he and Jazz began picking items up off the floor.
Danny picked up an old photo album, and began to thumb through it. A loose photograph dropped to the floor, and he stooped to pick it up. The picture showed four people standing in front of the very house they were in. Danny recognized his grandparents in the picture, though they were much younger; about his parents' age. The boy in the picture was probably his father, Danny thought, but the girl standing next to him was a stranger.
"Hey, Jazz, who's this?" Danny showed his sister the photograph and pointed to the girl. Jazz looked at it and frowned.
"I don't know. I've never seen her before."
"Danny! Jasmine! Are you still up there?" Their father called up to them.
"Yeah, dad we're here," Jazz answered.
Jack and Maddie climbed into the attic still carrying their ghost-catching equipment.
"Did you catch the ghost?" Danny asked.
"No. It got away." His father's shoulders slumped in defeat, and Danny immediately felt bad for asking. "But, what's important is that you're okay. You are okay, aren't you son?"
"Yeah, dad, sure. I'm fine."
"Good! Now then, where were we?"
"Uh, dad?"
"Yes, Danny?"
"Who's this girl with you and Grandma and Grandpa Fenton?" Danny held the photograph up for his father to see.
Jack's face softened, and Danny thought he saw sadness in his father's eyes, even through the small smile on his face.
"I haven't seen this picture in ages!" Jack sighed, then shook his head and stuffed the photo into his pocket. "But! We don't have time for a trip down memory lane today! The moving van will be here tomorrow, and we still have a lot of work to do!
"But, dad!" Danny protested. "Who's that girl?"
"Not now, son!"
"But . . ."
"GET BACK TO WORK!"
Danny winced at his father's gruff response. Wow, he really seems upset! I must've hit a nerve!
Jack and Maddie climbed back down into the house. Jazz turned to her brother and shrugged before following them down. Danny sat down cross-legged on the dusty floor and thumbed through the photo album. On page after page the girl's face smiled up at him. There she was with his father, both of them sitting on the stairs of the front porch eating watermelon, here she was reaching for a brightly wrapped gift under the Christmas tree, and finally she and his father were sitting on the sofa, both of them grinning at the camera and making rabbit ears behind each other's heads.
"Who are you?" Danny whispered to the smiling girl. She had the same shiny black hair and sparkling blue eyes as his father and grandparents; and like his own. "She must be related to my dad somehow. Dad never mentioned any other family - only Grandma and Grandpa Fenton."
Sighing he closed the photo album, turned back to the trunk, and began picking up the items scattered on the floor: more pictures of the mystery girl, a pair of pink leg warmers, black lace gloves, some jewelry, cassette tapes of Blondie, Bruce Springsteen, and the soundtrack to Xanadu, a small diary and a high school yearbook. Danny thumbed through the yearbook and found her smiling face among the senior class, and read aloud her name underneath her picture: "Danielle Jean Fenton!"
"DANNY!" Jazz's voice jolted Danny from his reverie. "DAD SAYS HE NEEDS YOU DOWN HERE NOW!"
"I'M BUSY!" Danny called down.
"I DON'T CARE IF YOU'RE BUSY!" Jack hollered. "GET DOWN HERE NOW!"
Danny sighed and slapped the yearbook closed. He tossed it in the trunk, slammed the lid shut, and started dragging the heavy case over to the opening.
"Wait a minute," he said to himself. "If I take the trunk down now, I'll never get another chance to look through this stuff. Maybe if I just leave it up here, no one will notice. Then I can come back and look through it later."
Danny smiled at his own cleverness, then hurried back downstairs to help his father.
* * *

The Fenton family bedded down in the RV for the night. They had been tense all day due to Danny questioning his father about the girl in the picture. Whenever Danny tried to bring her up, his father would brusquely change the subject, or find more packing for Danny to do. Jazz yelled at him to shut up because everyone was starting to feel uncomfortable, and his mother kindly asked him to leave the subject alone. Danny reluctantly agreed, but he was determined to find some answers before they left the next day. When he was certain everyone was asleep, he grabbed his backpack and a flashlight, slipped quietly out of the RV, and headed back into the house.
Danny carefully ascended the stairs to the second floor, then climbed the ladder up into the attic. The trunk sat where Danny left it; no one had noticed it wasn't downstairs with the other boxes and pieces of furniture. Danny opened the lid of the trunk, pulled out the yearbook and diary and sat down cross-legged on the dusty wooden floor. He thumbed through the yearbook, pausing to read the captions under each photograph of Danielle. He learned that Danielle played outfield on the Varsity softball team, and was editor of the yearbook. Danny smiled when he saw the pictures of her hamming it up in her Home Ec cooking class, posing with her girl friends in the hallway, and swinging a bat during a softball game. Turning to the back of the book, Danny skimmed the notes written by Danielle's friends, and even a teacher or two, but it was the haphazardly scribbled note in the lower left-hand corner that caught Danny's eye.
Dani-Jean, you're the best big sister a kid could ask for! Love, Jacky
"Big sister?" Danny wondered aloud. "That's it! I knew it! Danielle was . . . is my dad's sister! That makes her my aunt! Mine and Jazz's! Wow! That is so cool!"
He closed the book and frowned. "But, what happened to her?" He wondered aloud. "Where is she now?"
Danny set the yearbook aside and picked up the diary. While part of him balked at the idea of reading a teenage girl's diary, another part of him wanted to know more about his aunt. He hoped to find the answers in the diary.
The book was small, with a plain white cover that had the word "Diary" printed across it in shiny silver, and a silver lock on the side. Danny used his ghost powers to open it, and began scanning the pages filled with girly handwriting and flowery doodles in the margins. He stopped on a random entry and read:
September 19
Dear Diary,
Today was the first day of my last year of high school. I'm so excited to finally be a Senior, but kinda sad, too. It's the last year I'll walk these halls, eat in the cafeteria, and sit in these classrooms. My best friend Stacey and I have a few classes together so it won't be all bad. This may be the last year I'll play softball, too. I hope I can play in college, but I don't even know where I'm going yet. Dad says I should go to the University of Wisconsin in Madison. "It's a Fenton Family Tradition!" He says. But, I'm not so sure. Anyway, I have tons homework (already!), so I'd better go.
Dani-Jean

The following two entries Danny read were similarly themed - pressure from her parents to get good enough grades to get into the University, hanging out with friends, and looking forward to playing softball in the spring. Danny sighed, and turned to the back of the book and read the June 12th entry:
Dear Diary,
Graduation is tomorrow afternoon - Friday the 13th! Ha, ha. I'm nervous and excited at the same time. It'll be the last time I step foot in my high school gym. The last time I see many of my friends, too. But, Stacey told me today that she got into UW-Madison, so we'll be going to college together! I'm so excited! I hope we can be roommates! Well, the next time I write in this book, I'll be a High School Graduate! That sounds so weird, but so cool, too!
Dani-Jean

Danny turned the page and found it empty; in fact, the rest of the book was blank. June 12th was Danielle Fenton's last diary entry. What happened after that? Danny wondered. Was there another diary somewhere, or did she just stop writing?
"And, why doesn't my father want to talk about her?"

5.02.2005

Fenton Family Secrets, Part One

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Danny Phantom; Butch Hartman does. Thank you, Butch!
AUTHOR'S NOTE: I've been sitting on this story since November 2004. I just haven't been able to get my hands on a good ending. It's been months. It still doesn't have an ending. Normally I'm loathe to post a story that is not yet finished, but there's a lot of stuff in here that I really, really like, so I decided to post it anyway. Besides, now that I'm unemployed, I should have some more time to devote to the story, and will hopefully come up with a Danny-worthy ending! Cheers! :D
P.S.: This story is also being posted on Butch Hartman's Forum, The Danny Phantom Online Forums, and Fanfiction.net.
* * *

FENTON FAMILY SECRETS PART ONE
The Fenton Family Ghost Assault Vehicle bounced violently along the winding gravel road throwing billowing clouds of dust and rocks behind it. In the back seat Danny Fenton moaned as his stomach lurched with each bump and pothole. He had spent the majority of the ride up to his grandparent's farm trying to concentrate on the passing wheat fields, and pastures filled with horses and cows, but nothing could take his mind off the growing queasiness.
Next to him, Jasmine rolled her eyes and sighed. "What are you, five?" She asked. "That's the tenth time you've asked mom and dad that question!"
Normally Danny would have had a witty retort to his older sister's comment, but this was not one of those times. All he could do in response was moan.
"You're not going to be sick, are you?" Jazz asked him, scooting closer to the door and further away from her brother.
"Of course he's not going to be sick!" Patriarch Jack Fenton declared as he rounded yet another bend at break-neck speed. "He's a Fenton! And, besides, we're here!"
Jack slammed on the brakes, bringing the vehicle to a screeching halt in front of a two-storey farmhouse. Leaping out of the driver's seat, he threw his arms out. "The Fenton Family Homestead!" He announced.
"Finally!" Danny muttered as he climbed out of the back seat and went to stand beside his father. He took a deep breath and let the fresh country air clear his mind and settle his stomach. After a few moments, he began to feel better; that is, until he got a good look at his father's childhood home.
The Fenton Family Homestead had definitely seen better days, Danny observed. The white paint was peeling, two shutters were askew and one was missing completely. The unlatched screen door banged against the side of the house when the slightest breeze went by, and the stairs leading up to the leaning front porch were missing a couple steps. The hedges and rose bushes were overgrown and the large oak tree loomed ominously over the holey roof.
"One day, Danny, all this will be yours," Jack Fenton declared, throwing his massive arm over his son's slender shoulders.
"Oh, Jack, don't be silly," Jack's petite wife Maddie chided gently. "I'm sure your parents will sell this old place now that they've moved to Florida."
"Hmm. You're probably right, Maddie. Oh, well. Enjoy the Fenton Family Homestead while you can, son. I guess you won't be getting the old place after all."
Jack released Danny and headed up to the house, followed by Maddie and Jazz. Danny hung back and sighed with relief. The last thing he wanted was a crumbling old house in the middle of nowhere. It was bad enough he had to spend his Spring Break here, helping pack up his grandparents' belongings. He missed his friends Tucker and Sam, and wondered what they were doing at that very moment.
"Probably watching movies in Sam's home theater," he mumbled. "or hanging out at the mall like normal teenagers!"
"Come on, Danny," his father hollered. "Let's get this show on the road!"
Danny sighed again, and followed his family up the rickety steps.
Jack unlocked the front door, and burst into the house. "Home sweet home!" He paused for a moment, then dashed upstairs.
Danny followed his mother and sister into the adjacent living room, wrinkling his nose as he inhaled. The place had an old, musty smell to it, and everything was coated in a thick layer of dust. It looked like it hadn't been lived in for years.
"Just how long have Grandma and Grandpa Fenton been travelling anyway?" he asked.
"Hmm, I guess it's been a while," his mother answered, running a finger along the dusty fireplace mantle. "They spent last summer rafting down the Amazon; they were in Egypt digging up mummies before that, and the year before that they were dog-sledding in the Arctic. Your grandparents have been on the go since they retired ten years ago."
"Obviously," Jazz said as she picked up a framed photograph and blew the dust off it. "What made them finally decide to settle down?"
"Settle down?" Jack Fenton burst into the room. "The Fentons never settle down! Florida is merely a pit stop on their whirl-wind 'round the world adventure! That's why we're here to pack this place up and put it in storage. So, let's get started: Maddie, Jasmine, you two pack up the stuff downstairs, Danny, you take the attic, and I will take the barn out back!"
"The attic?" Danny squeaked. "Oh, man! Why me?"
"Oh, Danny, it won't be that bad," Maddie soothed. "Your father and I took most of his stuff with us after we were married, so I don't think there will be much to pack up. You go on up and check it out while Jazz and I get some boxes out of the RV."
"Okay, mom."
Danny walked carefully up the creaking wooden stairs to the second floor. It had been several years since he last visited his grandparents' home during a rare family get-together. It seemed so bright and full of life then, but felt just the opposite now. The walls were dingy, the furniture was ragged and the whole place seemed sad and abandoned. Although he tried not to think of it, in the back of his mind Danny wondered if the old place might be haunted.
At the end of the hallway, a dirty frayed rope hung from the ceiling. Danny pulled on it carefully and the door in the ceiling opened. He reached up and grabbed the folded wooden ladder leading up to the attic and slowly unfolded it until it reached the hardwood floor. Danny peered up into the opening. He could see a shaft of light pierce the dimness; dust motes glittered in it.
"Well, I'd better get this over with," Danny mumbled, and began climbing the ladder.
Once up in the attic, Danny paused a moment to let his eyes adjust to the dim light. Only one window was exposed; the other was boarded up. Danny noticed a bare light bulb in the ceiling and reached for the long string to turn it on. When he pulled on it, the bulb flashed, popped, then went dead.
"Oh, great! Just what I need! I guess I'll be sorting through stuff in the dark!"
Peering into the far corner of the dingy attic, Danny could see there were only a few old dining chairs, a small side table, three oversized cardboard boxes and an old trunk. Maybe this won't be so bad after all, he thought.
"Hey, Danny!" Jasmine's voice rose up through the attic opening. "Whatcha got up there?"
Danny knelt down by the opening and looked down at his sister. "Not much, really," he said, and listed off the items he'd seen. "I can just lower the chairs and stuff down to you, but I'm not sure about the rest. I might need help with those."
"Okay, well let's just get the furniture down first, then I'll come up and see what's left."
"Okay."
Together the siblings worked to remove the furniture from the attic: Danny lowered the items one by one down to his sister, who set them aside and waited to take the next item. Soon there were only the three large boxes and the trunk left. Jazz climbed the ladder and soon the two were lifting and moving the boxes closer to the opening.
"Wow, these are really heavy!" Danny declared. "I wonder what's in them?"
"Why don't we open one and see?"
Danny shrugged. "Why not?"
Danny reached for the nearest box, pulling open the folded cover when a sudden chill rushed through him, and an icy breath escaped his lips.
Oh, no! He thought. Not here! Not now! Before he could react, he was knocked backwards and tumbled on the floor, taking his sister with him.
"Danny! What are you doi . . ." Jazz's voice was cut off as a spectral being burst from the opened cardboard box.
"Ha ha! I am the Box Ghost!" The specter announced. "Ruler over all cardboard boxes! Beware!"
Momentarily stunned, Danny and Jazz stared wide-eyed and open-mouthed at the pudgy, overall-clad ghost hovering several feet above them. Recovering first, Danny jumped to his feet, ready to do battle with one of his more annoying foes, then remembered his sister behind him.
Oh, no! I can't go ghost with Jazz here! What am I going to do?

4.04.2005

Two old men sit on the front porch

Two old men sit on the front porch in wooden rocking chairs, a hound dog snores at their feet. They sit gently rocking, silenty watching the world pass by them on the street. Before them lay a future they'll never have. Behind them is the past they barely survived. Running and hiding; seeking, but not finding the ultimate prize: amnesty.

8.06.2004

At the Fair

It was clear someone had taught the young boy how to do it; his skill level was much too high to have just figured it out on his own. Mary watched him deftly move the sharp knife across the light-grained wood, fascinated by his ability to turn a plain old stick into a beautiful work of art. Aside from her, this booth - one of several under the Arts and Crafts tent at the County Fair - was devoid of people.
They talked to each other as he whittled. He looked up at her through his overgrown blonde bangs once or twice, which made him appear sweet and shy. Mary learned his name was Timothy, they were the same age - 12 - he had a mutt-dog named Jakob, and he lived his grandparents because his mother and father passed away.
"How did they die?" Mary asked, trying to sound sympathetic rather than curious.
Timothy shrugged. "Dunno. They just did."
They were quiet for after that; Mary watched Timothy whittling. She could see now that he was carving a grizzly bear standing on its hind legs, growling.
"Mary!"
Mary turned to see her mother standing by the glass-blowing booth, waving her over.
"C'mon, honey, it's time to go."
Mary ran over to her mother, and spoke excitedly with her. She pointed to Timothy; her mother followed her gaze. Moments later, Mary returned, beaming.
"Can you take a break for lunch?" She asked.
Timothy stopped whittling and looked up at her. "In a minute," he answered, resuming his work. "Why?"
"You're coming to lunch with my mom and me," Mary stated, then added when Timothy looked skeptically at her. "It's okay, she invited you. She told me to tell you."
Timothy looked over at the woman who was Mary's mother. She smiled and waved at him.
"Okay," he said. "Just a second while I finish this."
"It's really neat," Mary told him. "I like it a lot."
"Good," Timothy said holding up his finished work. He blew some of the dust off it, and quickly sanded down some of the sharper edges. After closely examining the bear he handed it to Mary.
"It's for you."

fragment

7.22.2004

Father and Son

Optional Prompt
Post a piece of art you did on your website and give me a description of it. You can post a drawing or a digital manipulation you are particularly proud of. Make sure you give credit where credit is due if you had someone help you or used another piece art as your canvas. You can also post a photograph you took. Underneath or above your art/photograph please post a description of your work. It can describe what you used to make such beautiful art or if there's a story behind your work please feel free to share it.

This picture was taken in 2002 when I was walking on the beach near Cambria, California. I saw this man with his son looking out at the Pacific ocean, and I snapped the shot. It turned out really, nice, I think. All the blue of the sky, the vast, unending expanse of ocean, the rough rocks, and the man holding his child . . . it's just so peaceful and serene. I'm particularly pleased with this photo.

The Sacred

I Wish

Prompt #2 Think of something you really wish would happen and write a poem about it. The poem can be free verse, sonnet style, haiku or rhyming. However you want to write it, just start writing. like the fluttering of butterfly wings I feel my baby kicking

The Sacred

7.19.2004

It's Just a Game

In the back of my mind, I knew it was wrong, but I did it anyway. Everybody did it. It was just a harmless game, right? And, besides, this secret was just too juicy not to pass around!
It was difficult to keep my voice from trembling when I told Miranda. It was the first time I'd started the game, and I was a little nervous. She looked at me; shock and amazement burst from her eyes, and her jaw dropped open. Then she smiled. It was an evil smile. My blood ran cold. Miranda enjoyed playing Passing the Secret much more than anyone else I know.
Miranda turned to Jessica, and brought her lips close to Jessi's ear, cupping her hand around her mouth to hide it. I could still see her smile as she whispered. Jessi snickered, and I started to wish I could take it back.
Jessi passed the secret on to Linsey, who passed it to Jeremy, who passed it to Lon, who passed it to Rachel, who passed it to Mona. By the end of the day, my neighbour Darren's secret - the one he had trusted me with just days earlier - had been passed to everyone in school. The kids stared and pointed, and giggled behind their hands when he passed by them in the hallway. Some made rude comments. Darren's head hung lower and lower as the hours passed. He wouldn't talk to me on the way home.
The next day, Darren didn't come to school. He didn't come the day after that, or the day after that, either. The house across the street where he lived was dark and quiet. On Friday he washed up on the river bank just south of town, all pale and bloated. And dead. I felt horrible, but Miranda just shrugged.
"I guess he just wasn't a very good sport," she said. "Everybody knows it's just a game."

fragment

7.15.2004

The Christmas Party

No one was fooled by Jonathan's fake British accent, though his flaming homosexual act was quite convincing. Still, Dara watched her bosses and co-workers roll their eyes as Jonathan floated from social cluster to social cluster, introducing himself, and holding out a limp-wristed hand for people to take. If she hadn't been so mortified, it would've been amusing.

Dara sighed and sipped her martini. She was used to her brother's obnoxious behaviour, and just hoped this time he wouldn't do anything too embarrassing. The last time she allowed him to escort her to a party - a Chamber of Commerce gathering sponsored by local businesses, and heavily attended by many of the big-wigs in the medical and legal communities  - Jonathan spent most of the evening loudly proclaiming that all doctors were quacks, and all lawyers were bottom-feeding, scum-sucking pigs. Dara nearly died from embarrassment, but Jonathan just laughed it off, and by the end of the evening, he was doing tequila shots with the chief of police and the mayor like they were best friends. She hadn't even wanted to invite him along to her firm's Christmas party this evening, but he pleaded and promised to behave himself, so she gave in.

Jonathan made his way over to where Dara stood by the bar, and threw his arm around her shoulder.

"Hey, baby, nice party!"

She smacked the palm of her hand against his chest and glared up at him.

"God, please don't embarrass me again, JonJon!" She warned through gritted teeth. "I have to work with these people!"

"Oh, c'mon, Dar, I'm just having a little fun," Jonathan protested. "Everyone here knows me.  They know I'm just kidding around, that I'm not really gay. Or British. "

Not everyone, Dara thought, knowing there were a few new hires at the party.

"Oh, and by the way, I might've gotten a date!"

"What? A date? With whom?" Jonathan pointed across the room, and Dara choked on her martini. A handsome, well-dressed young man Dara recognized from her office waved at them. He was a new associate she'd had her eye on for the past three weeks. She hadn't been able to make her move, yet, however; she didn't want to appear desperate.

Dara turned away and downed the rest of her martini in one gulp. Once the shock wore off, the disappointment set in.  She had been hoping to strike up a conversation with Tony Atella and hopefully have a date with him by the end of the evening, but now it appeared she'd never stood a chance.

I guess I should be grateful JonJon saved me the embarrassment of asking Tony out only to find out he's gay, she thought morosely.

"What's the matter?" JonJon asked.

Dara shrugged. "Nothing. I'm happy for you. Really."

JonJon laughed. "You like him, don't you?"

"What? No. No, I  . . . no."

"C'mon! Admit it! You like him!"

"JonJon, please! Knock it off!" Dara exclaimed and turned away from him.

JonJon left to get Dara another martini from the bar. When he returned, he handed it to her, and said with sincerity, "Peace offering."

"What?"

"Peace offering. Look, I'm sorry I was such a jerk. I didn't mean it. I was just messin' around."

Dara sighed, accepting the martini and the apology. "I know," she conceded. "I just don't know why you can't behave like a normal person."

"Where's the fun in that?" JonJon replied with a smile. "C'mon, I want to introduce you to my new friend." He guided her across the room towards Tony.

"JonJon, I already know him," Dara whispered frantically. "I work with him, remember?"

"Yes, but you don't know him know him. If you did, you'd know I've been kidding you all along."

"What do you mean by that?"

"I mean," JonJon paused as they stopped in front of Tony. "Tony, this is my kid sister, Dara. Dara, this is my buddy, Tony. He wants to know if you'd go out with him."

Dara was stunned at JonJon's introduction, and flushed bright red. She looked up at him, and opened her mouth to speak, but her brother leaned down and whispered in her ear, "Hey, I never said the date was for me!" 

Then he headed off towards the Managing Partner laughing. "Hey, McMillian! I bet I can down more shots of tequila than you!" 

         fragment

Stained With Memory

And lo, she floats upon the sea, her bodice stained with memory. She sought true love, but failed to find. Instead she took leave of her mind.   Her soul was split; her words were cursed. Her sleep was tortured, then it got worse: she found her love with another dame. That was the night she went insane.   She ripped and cut. She raged and tore. She used her strength till there was no more. The bodies were thrown off the cliffs that night; she waved farewell on their final flight.   Now Satan waits along the shore to collect the husband and his whore, but for the widow, it is said, she'll live her years afore she's dead.      Author's note: this poem was written in response to a prompt for this month's Random Acts of Journalling. I just thought I'd share it here, too. Cheers!

7.11.2004

Five Words

I'm going through my old papers, writings and things today, and came across this poem I wrote using the following five words: heart, dreams, love, night, stars. I'm not sure if this was a writing exercise for a class I was taking, or if I just did it on my own. Anyway, here's the poem. Alone in the night I look up at the stars. My heart dreams of another time and place when my love was near.

7.08.2004

A Very Special Jerry Springer Show

I'm still not sure if I did the right thing by telling him the truth on The Jerry Springer Show. They say the truth will set you free, but I felt trapped by the truth as I sat on the stage waiting for my boyfriend to be introduced. My body was cold despite the hot lights and crowded, muggy studio; fear chilled me. But, I knew it had to be done. I couldn't keep it from him much longer. The advantage of telling him in public, I thought, is that he wouldn't freak out. He would remain calm so as not to cause a scene, and we could just talk about it like two rational adults.
"You're what?" He exclaimed.
"I'm pregnant."
"But, how?"
The audience laughed at Hank's remark, and Jerry made a sarcastic comment to the camera, but I didn't hear any of that. I was focused on Hank's stunned expression, and the studio noise dimmed to a dull roar behind my ears.
"But, seriously, Sarah," Hank said. "You can't . . . we can't."
"I didn't think so either, but my doctor confirmed it: I'm three months along." I shrugged.
"Wow," he said.
"Yeah, wow."
Jerry took questions and comments from the audience, most of whom just stood up and yelled at Hank to take responsibility and be a man and whatnot. Hank rolled his eyes. It didn't matter what they thought anyway. They didn't know about us - that Hank used to be Amy, and I used to be Roger.
Hank looked at me and smiled. The rumbling in the studio stilled as everyone watched with rapt attention.
"We're going to have a baby," he said.
"Yes, we are," I replied.
Hank took my hand, leaned down and kissed it. The audience cheered.

fragment

6.30.2004

The Collection

I was more relieved than sad when I went to his funeral. Sure he was my dad and I loved him, but he'd been so sick, with no hope of getting well. I was just glad it was finally over - he was at peace. No more pain, no more chemo or experimental drugs that made him sicker, no more humiliation or discomfort as his once-strong body failed him. Years later I found these coins; they were part of his collection. I'd never thought about collecting coins before, but suddenly I really wanted to. It was more than just something to do, it was a way to stay connected to my father.

fragment.

6.09.2004

I am a . . .

I am free verse,
and know the rules,
and use them -
when they suit me,
which admittedly
tends not to be the case.
Authority,
tradition, laws;
very much not
my sort
of thing,
I fear.
Perhaps, on occasion,
I go too far in the opposite direction,
and shun the accepted merely because it's accepted,
accepting its opposite merely because it isn't;
but since it's clearly
better that than
being normal;
well,
why
not?
What Poetry Form Are You?

6.03.2004

55 Fiction

The winners of this year's 55 Fiction contest are up. Darn! I knew I was forgetting something: submit a story!!

5.06.2004

Haiku: Kip, the Ski Instructor

1. Zipping down the slopes, Ski instructor Kip goes so fast! Overconfident.

2. Nighttime on the slopes. Skiers fly down lighted runs. Kip watches sadly.

3. Mitzy signed the cast, "Too bad you missed the fun, Kip. Hope your leg heals fast."

5.05.2004

Haiku: Work Mishaps

1. Tailored trouser leg says, "Pee on me!" to small dog. Bowser said, "Okay!"

2. Running late for work, Joan missed the train; had to wait. Her latte got cold.

3. Early Monday morn, bus splashes dirty water on new leather shoes.

12.22.2003

Earthquake Haiku

1. I'm on the phone when . . . BANG! BANG! ...grumblegrumble... BANG! Can you hear me now? 2. Shake, rattle and roll! The earth moves beneath my feet. San Simeon Quake. 3. Rocking and rolling! Surf the terra firma wave 30 seconds long.

12.20.2003

Standing Here Before the Sea

Standing here before the sea
the waves so powerful pound the beach
and rush to where we stand
staring in awe . . .

And suddenly, I realize
how very large our world is,
and how very small
two people are . . .

written and photographed by lmj (alias hez), 1986

12.05.2003

Christmastime

Christmastime is here Now is mankind's second chance May peace reign on Earth

9.25.2003

The Anti-Smoking Campaign

1. Blegh! Icky smoke! Poo poo! Ciggie breath stinks like ash tray! Makes Thelly cat gag. 2. Instead Of No, no! Bad girl! No! Have a Lifesaver instead! Tongue through the hole. Fun! 3. Yum verses Yuck Yummy Lifesavers! They're called that for a reason. Cigarettes are not.

9.18.2003

Untitled

"There is no way. None. None at all!" I swore. Over and over again I told them I wouldn't do it. No way. But, they kept on me. Pushing, pushing, pushing me unitl I finally gave in and agreed, just to shut them up. It was cold and the fog was thick and wet. I pulled the hood of my sweatshirt up over my head, and pulled the strings down. My face was wet from the mist, and soon my teeth were chattering, involuntarily clacking against each other in an effort to keep me warm. But it was no use. I was too cold and damp; I might never be warm again. I tried to think about warm things while I waited - a roaring fire, a cozy blanket, a cup of hot cocoa. Nothing worked. I shivered. Lights appeared in the distance and my heart raced. They grew larger and brighter as the vehicle moved closer to me.

8.02.2003

Three Haiku

Friday's Lament Busy girls we'll be. Way too busy for some fun. Long weekend ahead. The Thellytubby and the Vacuum Monster Hide beneath the bed! Quick! The growling monster comes! He will eat us up! Relaxing Sitting on the deck. The sun is warm on my fur. Please do not disturb.

7.10.2003

Pug Haiku

1. Little scrunched up face. How do you breathe through that nose? Pant, pant, snort, snort, pant! 2. Eyes bugged out so far! Will they pop out of your head when you bark like that? 3. O, sweet little pug! A face so ugly it's cute! And a curly tail! 4. Sweet little Trixie! Mushed up pug face and bugged eyes. You snort like a pig 5. Sunday in the park. The place is filled with pug dogs. It's Pugalicious!

7.07.2003

Miscellaneous Haiku

1. Beneath the weeping willow tree, my heart was lost forever to thee. 2. The river water sings out to my child-like soul. It is cold and swift. 3. It is lunchtime now. I brought lowfat yogurt, but I forgot the spoon.

7.03.2003

Why is it not October yet?

1. The leaves are too green! They should be brown, red, gold; lying on the ground! 2. It is too hot out! Don't they know it should be cool? It should be autumn! 3. Why is it July? Why is it not October? It should be, you know! 4. It's not October It should be, don't they know that? I want my spa day!

Summer Haiku

The following poems are for this month's Poetic Voices collaboration. The topic is: Summer. 1. I love summer time! The sun is so bright and hot. The sky is so blue. 2. Here the summer blooms - pretty flowers galore! - in the field of my youth. 3. In the summer time I will go swoosh on a swing beneath an oak tree. 4. On a hot June day I will swim in the river and dry on the shore. 4. The hot summer days will be spent in the tall grass watching the white clouds. 5. On cool summer nights I will sit by a camp fire and sing camping songs. 6. When it is too hot I will sit on the front porch sipping lemonade. 7. My best friend and I like to pick the green apples. They make me pucker. 8. Under a shade tree I will suck on popsicles. Orange is my favourite. 9. On a summer day I will fly a big red kite in the park with dad. 10. After the picnic I will eat watermelon; spit out the black seeds. 11. On July the fourth the dark night sky becomes bright with red, white and blue. 12. They say that august is the "dog days" of summer. What dogs do they mean? 12. You must not go out for the day without sunscreen. SPF 30. 13. Mounting frustration sitting in the traffic jam. There is no A/C.

Thellytubby

1. That cat has no stealth, for she twinkles when she walks. She can't be sneaky. 2. Chinese proverb says: "Remember this, young feline, cat nip is your friend." 3. The calico cat does nothing but sleep all day waiting for Julie. 4. Thelly, pretty cat! How i love your soft warm fur! Auntie Pounce loves you! 5. "How do i love thee?" Asks chubby Thellytubby. "I hoark on your bed!"

6.06.2003

HarleyGirl


It is the bright smile That I will miss most of all Rest in peace, my friend

3.28.2003

Dead Bird Haiku

1. Poor little dead bird Flew into the glass window We humans are mean 2. Tiny winged bird Your life was cut short by our Invisible wall 3. Moving the dead bird Gently lifting its carcass A small tear fell down

Ode to a Dead Bird

Once alive and free in flight; never did you fear. That one day you would fly into the light, and the blue sky would disappear.
Fear not now, I say to you, my tiny winged friend! Hear these words, I swear they're true: This is not the end!
So lift up your head and spread your wings, and soar through Heaven's skies! Your body may now be a lifeless thing, but forever will your soul fly!

11.22.2002

More Haiku Poems

I (heart) Black Coffee I love coffee black. It makes my heart beat so fast! Coffee is my love. Ode to Thelly Thelma, fuzzy cat! Sweet, furry porkchop I love! Sleeps on Jewel's head! Plans I am going to the gym after work because the Grade is backed up. T.G.I.F. This day is nearly finished, thank God in Heaven! Tomorrow I play! Plea Help! Please stop me now! I keep writing haiku poems! I can't help myself! Expressing Appreciation Thank you for trying. I appreciate it much. You are a good friend!

2.17.2002

A Few Haiku Poems

River Its smooth stone bottom Moist with fresh water flowing The river sooths me New Jersey Sunset Sun sets over tall Buildings, and where I sit On the turn pike hums By the Sea heavy waves pounding on the shore rush to where we stand, staring in awe Haiku version of original poem The Broken Mission Bell Once a heavn'ly ring The mission bell rings no more It struck a sour note

4.27.2000

Lonely

Hey, you there! Standing lonely on the beach, is there someone somewhere missing you, yet loving someone else? originally written in 1986

The Dream

I had a dream in black and white a dream that made me cry, for it was more real than fantasy: it recalled the day we said goodbye. originally written 6/1/88

3.27.2000

Here Beneath a Blood-Red Moon

Here beneath a blood-red moon, I am surrounded by marble. A midsummer's nightmare I had about you has brought me here, to this place so heavy with death and the dead. Tonight is sometimes still. The blackness is pierced by my headlights staring blankly into nothing. As I stand here, a sudden breeze moves across me like a spirit, then is gone. And the harvest moon moves across an empty sky. I am alone yet surrounded by people of the past: names, dates, memories. originaly written in 1986

A Moment in Time

The sun breaks through a menacing cloud, and a beam of light filters through the autumn leaves; landing gently on your face, dancing in your eyes. I know you well, yet not at all; your silence runs deeper than your song, and gives me something to worry about. The sunlight fades, and with it goes your smile; a temporary phenomenon like a rainbow or a unicorn. undated

3.27.1999

Rocky Mountain High

Moonlight and starlight and ebony sky. Stand atop a mountian, and let yourself fly; The pure mountian air will cleanse your soul. Make you light as a feather with a heart of pure gold; Fly through the night with an owl by your side. You just need to relax, just enjoy the ride; And, don't be afraid if you tumble and fall, you won't feel a thing no, you won't die at all. originally written in 1987

Shooting Star

I wished upon a shooting star that fell into the sun I wished upon a shooting star it said you are the one They say I'm wrong I know I'm right 'cause you are here with me and I wished upon a shooting star tonight originally written may 23, 2004

The Night of the Full Moon

On the night of the full moon, all the world is ghostly white. I am alone in the chilly air, but I can feel your presence here. The pine trees whisper, singing songs. Soon I begin to sing along. I dance and run and skip and sing. I throw your ashes to the wind. It blows you back. I breathe you in. You're in my lungs, my heart, my hair. I scream I love you!, then you're there. originally written in 1986