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plotqueen — DP: 85. Spiral
Published: 2007-10-17 14:09:42 +0000 UTC; Views: 346; Favourites: 0; Downloads: 1
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85. Spiral“It’s not like Sam to be late,” Tucker said as he glanced at his watch again. “We’re going to miss the movie if she’s not here soon.”
Danny only shrugged. “I offered to pick her up. She said she wanted to meet here.”
They were sitting in the Fenton’s living room as they waited. Tucker was sitting, Danny was pacing, his impatience beginning to get the better of him as the minutes ticked twenty past when Sam had promised to meet them. It was their Friday evening tradition, to meet after class and to head for the movies. A holdover, Danny thought, from when they would go nearly every Friday night while they were in high school. None of them could bear to let it stop and nearly two years after graduating they still held to it, no matter that Tucker had to drive in from the small technical college he’d been accepted to nearer to Chicago than to Amity.
Keys jingled in the lock and both started, eyes turning to the front door expecting Sam to let herself in. It wasn’t, it was Jazz, and Danny let out a frustrated sigh as he saw her come in, hands drowning in bags as she fumbled to close the door.
“Little help here?” she asked—demanded more like it—and Danny and Tucker both went to help her, taking bags from her and piling them in the living room as she headed back out and back in for her backpack and laptop. “You guys could be a little more enthusiastic,” she said with a roll of her eyes. “I’m home for the weekend; didn’t you miss me?”
Danny gave her a smile. “Of course I missed you, Jazz. My life wouldn’t be complete without your incessant nagging and psychobabble.”
She scowled as she scanned her bags quickly and then turned to the answering machine. The red light was flashing and out of habit she tapped the play button, expecting that it was for her parents. But the voice that filled the room wasn’t her father, and Danny and Tucker both crowded around her as the message played.
“I’m sure you’re wondering why I’m leaving you this little clue, Daniel.” Vlad’s voice emerged from the small speaker, still managing to sound silken and suave despite the tinny quality that the machine gave every human voice. “It would be most courteous of me to tell you that I no longer need your services as heir and apprentice. “Smile, Little Badger, I’ve found a new heir that will be much more acceptable.”
Neither his sister nor his friend missed the way Danny’s face went ashen, his hands trembling as he leaned against the table holding the machine.
“Have no fear, I’ll return the other when the time comes. Good-bye, Daniel.”
The machine clicked, the tape inside whirred loudly into the silence as Jazz and Tucker glanced at each other, and then at Danny who’s inexplicable fear was screaming at them through dull blue eyes. There was another click and a beep as the tape was reset, and then Danny let go of the table and stumbled back until his back was pressed against the wall behind them, and his face was buried in his hands.
“This is good news, right, Danny?” Tucker asked as Jazz moved forward to lay a hand on her brother’s shoulder, concerned.
Danny shook the hand off and then shook his head wildly. “No. No, it’s not good news. Vlad has Sam,” he answered, frantic, his world suddenly spiraling out of control.
“Why would Vlad have Sam?” Jazz asked as the news that the girl had been taken sank in to Tucker.
“Because,” Danny started. His voice cracked and he stopped, cleared his throat as he ran a wild hand through his hair. “Because Sam is pregnant.”
