Swirling Ages: Ch. 17

The kidnapper’s hands removed the blindfold off of me and my eyes wouldn’t open up. On my mind, buried deep to know I am going to not like any of this. I gulped down to hide my fears and getting the feeling this guy already knows he gotten to my fearsome side. His hand gripped my chin tossed it onto his side.

“Open your eyes, Phantom. Learn to know who controls you now.” He demanded without a rush.

I opened my eyes without being told twice. At my first sight, he had darker and dreadful blue eyes. His hair is a bit longer than mine and the same way I style my hair. His face was exactly mine, only to admit he had an evil look. What in the world am I looking at? He had a dark red shirt with a black Cossack shirt that has buttons down the middle. A pair of dark blue jeans made him looks taller to be expected. Could he be my evil side, Dan? If so…I’ll be damned.

“Hello doppelganger.” What?
“Er…hello?” My hands felt so shaky, I couldn’t think straight.
“You have no clue what that means, do you, Phantom?”

Why does he keep calling me that? I’m Danny and that’s it. The last names can leave.

“It means you and I are identical, unrelated. However, some say it is known that one of us would be evil. Can you guess who that is?” His doomful voice never comforted me.
“You-you?”
“Oh, joy. He learns.” He chuckled, deeper than I could ever expect, “I am Raven Hell.” He leaned into my personal space with immoral eyes against me, “You will suffer by me and you will not betray me. Understood?”
“Y-y-yes.” I kept feeling like losing my voice.

Raven ripped my shirt off. How cruel to lose something that I love wearing, he didn’t give me a chance to speak against it, and his right hand started glowing in some sort ghost power. That’s when it kicked in…he is like me. Oh, damn. His glow’s color had a dark blue and he used it against my skin. I felt the strong heat burning up my stomach’s skin. My core tried to cool things down and it became impossible. He didn’t stop burning up my skin deeply; his hand is moving around, and felt like real fire destroying me. I screamed endlessly and that fearing him took it rough.

“Sir! Please! He could die! He fears you!” A weak voice spoke up for me.

Raven’s power snapped off and went passed me. He grabbed someone’s chin and I was able to see the familiar face. His hair is all down; the ironic thing was…it was someone I knew. It’s Vlad. The only thing I noticed about Vlad that his hair is black. What is going on here?! Vlad trembled at the identical evil of me from being grabbed.

“You do not speak out of line, Lionel!” Raven smacked him hard.

Vlad…is…Lionel? I could see how fast Lionel fell, weeping in his harm has done to him, and Raven wasn’t pleased to be interrupted. His foot pushed Lionel over and glared at him with such impassion.

“Do you wish for me to punish you rougher tonight?” His voice had something to it that makes me tremble.
“No-no, sir!” Lionel could barely protect himself.

His foot pressured down on Lionel’s stomach, the demonic eyes determine to get a scream out of Lionel, and Lionel gives it all to him so easily. Man…this isn’t right, why is Lionel so terrified of Raven? Wait…why should I be afraid of him? If he is a ghost, I should fight back. My instinct refused to let me do anything and that my heart agreed with it. My observation between the two shows much like my relationship, just the opposite. The look alike unimpressed with Lionel and shoved him aside to face me.

“Now, where were we? Ha, yes, burning your skin to remind you that I have control over you.” His evil ghost power took over and began to damage my skin worse.

I couldn’t see much of Lionel, how much he’s reminding me of Vlad, and that fear drowning me. My lungs lapsed with all the screaming, desperately need to breath, and Raven watched me suffer unimaginable of my life.

“There.” Raven touches the burning pain which made me jumps, “What have you learned, Phantom?” He hummed in his interests of success.

I wanted to shut my eyes, tempting to hold it all in, and that wasn’t going to make things any easier. Raven isn’t going to disappeared, Lionel isn’t going to save me, and hell, where is my family when I need them! All of the horror is too much!

“I-if I-I betrayed you,” I stumbled across to my words, “Yo-you’d punish me.” My body shaking uncontrollably, “Th-that I-I am all yours now.” I felt choked up in my words, afraid to be hurt even worst.

Raven’s eyes scanned my entire face, getting down the fact I am frighten of him worse than Dan could have, and somehow, I feel I regretted going out tonight. Damn, why couldn’t have I stayed with them at the restaurant? Enjoy the rest of the night? How long are they going to wait for me? Shit, I realized something…Vlad removed the first ring! He gave me the engagement ring instead. If he didn’t put a tracking device in this, well…I’m doomed. I could feel lifeless already and breathing my last moment. Raven touches something on my neck, my skin feel so…locked up, and he admired his achievement tonight.

“This collar, it is designed for you only. Your powers are locked up in that. You will wear it every day, but then again, what choice do you have?” He chuckled, that…scared me more.

My body is all paralyzed from brutal pain, I needed to bide my time to heal, and hoping my burnt mark will not be there forever. The stinging pain hasn’t left my stomach’s sink and the thought of Lionel on the floor in a pathetic and weak man. It’s like…we’re a complete opposite and I wanted to help Lionel. Show him there is nothing to be afraid, that he stood up for the right reasons, and that I am proud of him. With Raven in the room, I couldn’t cross that line yet.

“I will be back after my rest, you both are staying in this room. Enjoy your endless pain for the night, my slaves.” Raven smack his fist at my burnt skin and then, use his ghost energy to strike at Lionel.

Without a choice, I screamed in deep and serve pain that create muscle ache me so much. Lionel whimpered out of cruelty and curled up to cover up his pain. Raven watched us suffered for the last moment and left the room locked up. Our miserable moment took a long process to heal back, but the dead and red mark remained there. My head turned over and glanced at Lionel. He’s all shook up and trembling so much that I’d hug him. Show him my sympathy and be on his side.

I whispered, “Thank you…” I couldn’t finish my words; I barely know this Lionel let alone knowing he’s reminding me so much of Vlad.

His eyes are bright blue like mine is and that, I couldn’t take away. His eyes are filled hopeless, petrified, and so weak. All of that tells me he suffered for so long; he gave up faith and protection of himself for so long. How long has he known Raven? Lionel looked at me, barely moved in his spot, and stayed there the entire time.

“Lionel?” I whispered, feared that Raven could hear us easily.

Lionel scrunched up his eyes tighter and getting the feeling he won’t talk or even whisper to me.

“Pl-please, talk to me.” I begged, hoping things would lighten up.
“No, please.” He whispered, enough for me to hear him.
“Why not?”
His head shook, “He-he will hurt us more.”

The terrified thoughts came through me. If Raven can hurt me all he wants, there’s no doubt he could go far. Lionel is my only hope.

“…we will escape,” I wanted to see how much courage he had left.
He whimpered, “No, please! I-I do not want to upset him more!” He kept trembling more and more than ever.
I wanted to growl and tell him to grow some nerves, but I couldn’t at this state, “He can’t kill me, Lionel. I’ll take the blame,” Giving him some faith to be himself.

His eyes shut tighter, tears managed to escape from his eyes, and seeing him so vulnerable is riding up my guilt. I’m strapped down and barely move other than my head. Lionel reminded me like Vlad, how much being closer would make me feel sane in some part of the world, and be safe. Unlike Lionel, he isn’t safe from Raven. Raven is the total opposite of me. If he knew I am half ghost, there’s no doubt Raven is one too.  

“Do you even want to be with Raven?” I had to find a way to get him to speak.

Lionel is all shook up from pain, refusing to talk to me, and it’s insane. If time is what going to take, I’ll show him that Raven isn’t going to scare me by trying to hurt me hundreds of time. It’s the pain that scares me. All of that will end, nothing is going to stop me.

“No.” He finally answered.

Lionel meets my eyes. It’s like looking at a dog who, has been beaten up, no life in their eyes, and that nothing is ever the same for them.

“Vlad will like you, we will treat you way better than he does.” I wanted to find a way to build his confident.

What would Jazz do to help him? Her psychologist method? I had no clue what Lionel went through, but knowing from a short experience. It’s brutal to face something like that. Lionel puts himself in comfort, not getting up to help, and he watches me talk.

“I won’t escape without you, Lionel. You can say anything when you live with us, be yourself, and never have to worry about Raven touching a single thing on you. He is scaring us by using pain on us.”

Lionel looked so relaxed, at ease that I wouldn’t want him to be harmed, and that hearing some faith shows everything will turn around for him. If I need to get out of this place, I’d need to be smart and careful. I don’t give a damn about this…freaky look alike after me. Lionel will be first to manage an escape. He doesn’t seem to have any collar or bracelet or even a ring. So far, so good.

“Can he track you down?” Hoping that won’t scare him off easily.
“No…not that I can think of.”
“Good. Just don’t worry about me, I’ll get you out of here. Raven looks like a type of person to hurt someone. I don’t like to hurt anyone or anyone getting hurt because of me.”

Lionel nodded since he has my full attention, if I healed him. We get a mission success. We will be out of here tomorrow. Raven won’t know what hits him.

“Tell me, do you have ghost powers?”

Lionel stared at the ground he’s resting on and holding back.

“Used to. He removed it, killed my ghost fast.” Lionel could barely put things into the right sentence, but his fear swollen him down to allow him.

I gulped down. Raven can kill ghost? That can’t be good. Damn it, I got to think of a plan. What would Sam or Jazz tell me to do? My muscle ache hasn’t been over, I wished it would be all gone so I can concentrate, and that now, Lionel is counting on me. How long have I been gone for? Will Vlad or someone notice I’m gone? What excuses will they foreplay at my school, parents, or anyone that cares?

“Is there someone out there you like?” He just keeps reminding me as Vlad.

I wondered how old Lionel is, I have so many questions if I want to survive the night with him, and that getting out of here tomorrow is a start. I have to come up a plan, for the both of us and Raven will be in a Thermos at the end. That’s the plan to be set in.

“No, Raven did not allow me out of public. He found me years ago.”

There is so much to cover and know. If I want to know this guy, Raven, I have to know him inside and out. No plans so far other than get the hell out of here. There’s nothing to stop me and my life isn’t going to end from there. Lionel isn’t going to miss out his own life too.


-Vlad’s Point of View-

Sam and Tucker beamed their eyes, wondering what they will discover next, and Daniel is taking forever to his return. I glanced at my watch and realizing he has been gone for ten minutes. Could there possibly be a ghost attacking in this side of the town? Without his shivering cold would have been easier to tell he’s nearby and not once I felt them. Sam is on the edge to snap out of her own patience. Poor girl, she hardly spent less than five minutes away from Danny and she’s putting herself at the blame for me. I wish she would listen that I am not the same person anymore.

Tucker gotten out of his seat, “Wait here, I will check on him in the bathroom.”

He left us alone and Sam loathsome eyes got me worn down to fight against. I promised Daniel that I’d behave, but I wasn’t sure what he expected of me.

“Guys!” Tucker ran up, breathing heavy on his part, and stopped once he reached to us, “Danny’s missing!”

We gawked at Tucker, doubting to believe that, and he revealed something in his hand. A ring I gave Daniel and I picked it up.

“His engagement…” I muttered.
“His what?” Sam refusal shocked turn on me, “Vlad, is this what Danny been trying to say?”
Tucker glared at Sam, “Sam, you promised Danny to give him a chance.” He warned.
I shook my head, “I proposed to him to brighten his day and he gratefully accepted it. I gave him that ring to replace his other ring. Oh, butter biscuit! How am I supposed to know where he is?!” I tried to find something in my pocket, hoping I have something to make everything easier for most of us.

The cell phone is turned on and checking into something. I tried to track him down and the couples watches me become worried fiancée. The phone beeped twice to let me know that was a fail! I growled.

“I can’t locate him!” I put the phone away and put the money onto the table, “You both, we’re leaving. The apartment has my computer has a tracking on his ecto-signature.”

They followed me out of the restaurant and entered into the limo who came on time to pick us up. They kept themselves quiet until the limo started to drive away from the restaurant.

“Vlad! We’re here to help! But, seriously, creepy about knowing where Danny is all the time, though.” Tucker caught my attention.
I am frigid worried about Daniel, “I apologize, Tucker. It’s just that this isn’t normal or his part of the routine. Danny would have put that ring back on.” I bit my lip.
“What do you mean, Vlad?” Sam perked up, curiously wondering.
“He’s kidnapped.” When gathering all that fact, it was obvious, “Danny would have put his ring back on. There isn’t a single ghost in town. Why else would he disappear?”

To my conclusion, no one we know personally would follow us and Daniel would have a ghost scent. Someone knew him well and planned it all out except for one small part. His ring was left behind.

“…wait, Vlad, how can you tell when the ghost are nearby you?” Sam actually broke down the question I have been waiting for.
“What?” Tucker must be confused.
I nodded once, “Thank you for finally asking. I can sense their core within twenty feet. Earlier, I felt a sun heat nearby and that’s why I got concern. It is very rare to meet another fire power core of a ghost since I have that. I can feel Danny’s by feeling cold around him. Most of the time, I can feel emotions or their power wave.” My fingers are tapping down on the leather seat.

Sam took deep interests in that and Tucker finally caught up to our conversation. At the time like this, isn’t really much. I’d fly over there fast than this ridiculous limo or they may not be pleased with touching them.

“Vlad,” Sam lands her hand onto mine, “Danny is strong and he will be fine. We just do not know who we are dealing with right now. It could have been any ghost.”

When did Sam start changing her attitude around me? Daniel isn’t with us and she’s…completely calm. Do Tucker and Daniel influence her behavior? My fingers started to stop jittering and focused on their attention.

“Then, why hasn’t his ghost scent go off? The ghost would trigger him off like mine did.” It didn’t make sense.
“We do not know, Vlad, maybe the ghost overshadowed someone and went invisible to be close to us.” Tucker assumed a typical plan.
“That would be smart thinking for this kidnapper. Now, why is this ghost wants him?”

Sam and Tucker glanced at each other, their shoulders showed the sign that they are unsure of themselves, and that worries me more. I buried myself into my palms and moaned.

“This is not going well as I thought.” My hand started to rub my forehead to prevent headache, “I swear, if that ghost or kidnapper hurts him badly, he will not be pleased to see me next.” I hissed.

The couples got the note I am not a person to be messed around. I felt awkward being in this age and went to being younger to Daniel’s desire. I banged my head backward to rest on the seat when the ride may take another ten minutes.

“We will find him, Vlad.” Tucker tried to lighten things up.
“Yeah, we can try using every tracking device-” She paused up which, frightens me.
“Sam?”
“The Fenton device! The Boooomerang!” She acted like she discovered something.
I moved my head away as if this is disguising or something, “I’m afraid I have no clue what you are speaking of, Sam.”

She picked up her phone and started touching her screen. I observed her hurrying up to find something and show me a picture of a Fenton boomerang. This didn’t seem to help me very much as it does to her.

“It has Danny’s signature. Once we throw it, this shows us where Danny is. The problem is…you’d never know where it’ll go and may take several minutes. It never failed before when we need to get to Danny every time.”

I started to recall being knocked out by one of those and realized they were the ones who crashed in. Funny, how things were back thing. All in the past now and they’re my next focus.

“Useful, but wouldn’t it be better if using an ecto-signature track down to know where he is exactly? That is why I had him to use the ring like this possibility could happen.” I muttered about something shouldn’t have removed the first one.

This day is getting on my nerve with the drama and now, it seems why I was happier to graduate at my first high school. How could they stand it?

“Well, if yours work. We go find him immediately, get him here, and let him heal or whatever happened. You think you’re ready to play hero, Vlad?” Sam is testing me?

Before, I never cared about protecting anyone but Daniel. Why is Sam telling me to be a hero?

“What? Are you insane, Sam? I do not have the better advantage of going against the same level ghosts unless I know what they are capable of.”
“You’re going to fight for Danny’s kidnapper; he would do the same thing for you. Our job is getting Danny out of that place for wherever he is and you distract the kidnapper by fighting or whatever. Once the guy is done, we’re not being followed and Danny’s safe. That’s how it is.” She is fully prepared.

This gives me the idea to play chess with her to see how intelligent she is. I can give her that for sure. I lean in to get a better conversation with her.

“Do not consider it as a hero role; I will beat this kidnapper senselessly for what this person has done to Danny. If it was a hero role, wouldn’t it be more public out of my own choice to protect the people?” I thought wording things up would ease it up for me.
Sam smirked, “Clever, but Danny needs you as a hero. The rest of the world didn’t give a crap about Danny, why bother about them? As long we know you did something, it does consider the fact we know you will be one. You, Danny, and Dani are the only ones who have ghost powers or mainly, half ghost.” She played well.
“Nicely spoken, Sam. Perhaps you are right. Who would like to inform Jazz about this situation?” I offered.

Tucker lifted his hand to volunteer and I had a feeling he’s probably used to telling Jazz many things. We felt the engine ended and we hurried out of the limo into the apartment by using the intangibility. The limo driver hardly seen us rushing out and we wasted no time. Jazz jumped out of her seat in the living room and I knocked on the wall next to my bedroom’s door. The computer restored up and I hurried up to type down the coding of Daniel’s etco-signature. Tucker had to start explaining to Danny’s sister about our current problem and she reacted horribly and panicking about her little brother in danger. She rushed over to me and trying to remain calm.

“Vlad! Please, you have got to find him! I never have seen him without you at all lately!” Her pacing is now on my nerves.
“I am on it right now, Jazz! Your brother is very important to me!” I moaned, “This computer is ridiculous!”

I could see the reading isn’t getting any access and Tucker followed up closer. His eyes scanning it all down and his big interests couldn’t turn it down.

“Computer expert?” I remembered Daniel telling me how obsess Tucker is with technologies.
He accepted it, “Yeah, I may be able to break down second or third wiring to whatever is blocking Danny’s signature.” He had a strong confident in himself.

I sighed and stepped aside to see how much he could handle it. He ended up on a wall of binary code and started reading them like it’s natural English. I backed up and Sam nods in her admiration to her boyfriend.

“Once you let him start, he will not quit.” Sam mentioned.
“In another word, he’s not leaving this spot until he gets an access?” I translated.
She agreed, “Pretty much,” She heads up to Jazz and gives her sympathy look, “Hey, don’t worry. Right now, you need to do your part. The boooomerang is the next step we are going to need. You think you can get it at the Fenton’s house?” She took the lead instantly.
Jazz breath slowly, “Yeah, I just need to fake an excuse and then again, dad is pretty much gullible man.” She shrugged and started to grab her coat, “Need anything else? I can’t be bringing anything to large like the Spectre Speeder.”

Sam went over to Jazz and mentioned a few weapons, along with extra Fenton Thermos. I decided to turn over to the decorative drawers and pulled a drawer. Jazz left in a hurry with a key that is left on the door for her. Sam joined with me and stunned to discover what I already held here.

“You are…way too good at this, Vlad. Seriously, you prepared all of this?” She pointed at the weapons I designed.
“If Danny and I didn’t have our powers and we were in trouble with the ghosts. This would be our backup.”
“You are good, but don’t think you earned my trust yet.”

I note of this and if Danny is nearby, I know he’d appreciated for trying harder to get along with her, and that I’m being worthy for him. Whoever kidnapped him is in a lord of trouble with me. No one gets away with it and takes my boy away! Daniel Fenton, I will find you. Don’t you give up!