What's Going To Happen? (Danny Phantom)

Moving On

Claudia's Pov

I slowly opened my eyes, feeling groggy. I panted and pulled at the straps that were holding me down to a table. I knew exactly where I was. The dungeon was all to familiar. I could feel myself beginning to panic. I breathed heavily, eyes wide. I could hear the maniacal laughter come from the shadows.

"Haha Did you miss me Claudia?" The darkness questioned.

"No No T-this can't be real!" I shouted. "We defeated you!!" I screamed into the darkness, still pulling on the straps.

"Oh you thought so huh?" Vlad walked out of the shadows smiling. I started to thrash on the table.

"NO!!! You can't be real!!!" I screamed.

"Oh Claudia." He said softly. "Does this feel real?!" He screamed and slapped me.

"Yes." I whimpered. He stepped even closer and I could feel his ragged breath on my face.

"This is gonna hurt." He smiled. I could see him pull a dagger out. I breathed even heavier. I shook my head back and forth.

"No this can't be happening." I cried, tears streaming down my face. "Danny save me!" I screamed as I felt the cold blade sink into my skin. I felt someone shake me over and over.

I sat straight up, eyes wide and scared. I couldn't see, there were too many tears.

"Claud are you.." I punched whoever was next to me. I could hear a deep groan. "Ow." I wiped my eyes to see who I had attacked. I looked over to see Danny on the ground on the floor, holding his nose. I immediately got up, quickly making my way over to his side.

"Oh my gosh I am so sorry I thought you were..." I stopped dead sentence and shivered.

"Vlad?" Danny questioned. "Claudia we defeated him its been a year. You know that. He can't come back." He gave me a reassuring smile. "You need to move on."

"Y-Yeah you right." I sighed, faking to believe him. "I think I just need a shower to get my mind off it." I said nervously as I quickly ran out of the room and to the bathroom. I closed the door behind me and sighed. I looked at myself in the mirror. Maybe I am going crazy? I could see bags under my eyes and a scratch on my face from falling down the stairs. I hadn't been paying attention because I was so sleep deprived, I ended up falling right down the stairs. 

I walked over and turned on the shower. I started to get undressed as I waited for the water to heat up. I looked my body over, all the cuts had healed except for one. The one that I hid from everyone, the one I dreaded seeing but I always knew was there, the one I had been branded with, the one the spelled out the dreaded words, VLAD. I swallowed hard, running my hand across my skin. I felt some tears well up in my eyes. I could never forget the experience he had put me through. And I'm for anyone to see the scar and I especially don't want Danny to see the scar.

I sighed and jumped into the shower.

Danny's Pov

I sighed, knowing what Claudia was actually doing. She thinks I don't remember but she has to remember that I watched Vlad carve his name into her. I can't imagine what she may be feeling right now. Every time she takes a shower, it's the same. She stares at the scar that is Vlad's name engraved into her skin. I sighed and walked down stairs. Vlad ruined Claudia, she always a nervous wreck now. At the smallest thing she will jump and scream, shooting her ecto beams. And now the nightmares, they had started only about five months ago. Now she barely sleeps, out of fear of seeing him in her dreams. I wish that somehow I could help her but nothing works. I try everything to get her mind off it. Not even school can help, her grades have gone down and she barely laughs anymore. I miss when she used to really smile, when she used to laugh so hard she almost pees her pants, when she would appear out of nowhere and kiss me. But now that all feels like a distant dream. Like a dream that a kid wishes will happen but never really does. I can barely remember the times when Claudia was happy and carefree. I miss the old Claudia, the one that would sing, smile, laugh. The one that felt other emotions besides sadness, fear, worry, and anger. Everyone else has moved on from the past. Dan and Claudia's mom hit it off and now are dating, she finds it unique that he's a ghost, Mrs. Starlight also loves the fact that Claudia and I are both half ghost. Sam and Tucker both decided to forget about everything that happened, they don't live in fear like Claudia does. Actually Tucker is now dating Star and Sam is trying online dating. I have tried to move on, I got my mom and dad to accept me as a ghost, I am doing better in my studies, and I am even trying to bring Claudia and my relationship to a new level. But the only one who won't move on from the past is Claudia. I wish that somehow she could get over it. Vlad is gone, we defeated him and he is never coming back.