This Is Home [Danny/Dash]

Chapter Five: Shift

Finally home after hours of taunting from the Box Ghost I was absolutely exhausted. It was about three in the morning when I plopped down on my mattress and let my body relax. Changing back into my human half, I felt the weight of my phone in my back pocket. Deciding to check my phone's battery life before going to bed was a good idea, seeing as if it was almost dead and would be of no use to me tomorrow if it wasn't charged.

"Huh?" I muttered to myself upon seeing that I had a message from an unknown number from earlier that night. I clicked on the notification and remembered who it was from.

Hey, Phantom this is Dash. I just wanted to thank you again for tonight. Good luck out there with the ghosts and all!

That was nice of him to message me. Dash being nice, huh? I smiled to myself as I tapped on the typing block, writing out my reply.

Let's do it again sometime.

With that, I powered off my phone and plugged it into the charger. I shut my eyes and let myself sink further into the mattress. Before long I was fast asleep without enough energy to even bother dreaming.

I sprung upright at the sound of my alarm clock going off. Seven in the morning how dare you come to me so quickly. Though it was four hours, I felt like I hadn't slept at all. My back muscles were sore all over and the wounds from last night were just finished healing up. Though being a ghost has its drawbacks, one plus is that my injuries heal faster than normal. Although I still scar just as easily as before the incident, healing powers wasn't something I would ever complain about.

I unplugged my phone and headed straight downstairs for breakfast. My stomach was growling so loud and I knew if I didn't eat this morning that I would have some problems later. After taking my first step through the kitchen walkway I immediately wanted to turn around. Sitting there was my mom, dad, and sister Jazz all staring up at me. I backtracked a little bit but it was already too late.

"Where were you last night young man?" My mother asked me in a stern voice. I winced a little bit and began to panic in my head. Oh gosh, what do I say to that? I didn't think up any good excuse.

"I was just out looking at the stars. Yeah, it was a good night for gazing." I softly replied, trying to keep eye contact. It wasn't a whole lie, but there is no way I could tell them I was out fighting ghosts. My mom shook her head and took a sip of her coffee.

"Listen, Danny." My father spoke up, "We know you are a teenager, and teenagers like to stay out late partying with their friends. But we agreed that past midnight is far too late for a boy your age." He stood up and walked over to me, placing a hand on my shoulder.

"I know dad, I swear I just lost track of time out there. It won't happen again." I said back, to which he sighed. He looked up to the ceiling as if he were seeing an old memory above him.

"I know when I was your age, I always wanted to go out with my friends too. We would stay out until sunrise some nights. But when I came home, my parents always would yell at me and tell me I was grounded. I felt like they were stripping my freedom away. It was terrible! And that's why we are grounding you." He finished.

"What?"

"Your father and I decided that this was for the best hun. No more hanging out with friends until the school week is over." My mother added on.

"But yesterday was Monday! That means I have to wait four more days." Beginning to get upset I started to raise my voice.

"I'm sorry but that is final."

Groaning, I quickly made my way to the fridge to grab a smoothie and left the room within seconds. Maybe I am grounded, but they can't stop me from getting pissed and not wanting to talk to them. Childishly walking louder than normal back up the stairs, I made it back to my bedroom and packed up my homework.