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The lights of the lab were blindingly bright and hurt Danny's eyes, making it feel like needles were piercing into his brain.
Danny struggled, trying desperately to pull his arms free of the restraints pinning him to the gurney. But it was no use, even turning intangible didn't offer any hope of escape. It only caused the collar locked around his neck to shock him, forcing him back into solidness.
“What fascinating transformitive abilities!” his dad exclaimed, giddy as a kid in a candy store. “Oh, Maggie! We need to test its capabilities!”
“Later, dear. First we must study its biology. We will never have a chance like this again.” his mom said and there was a squeaking sound that was pushed right up beside him.
Danny twisted his head around and his eyes locked on a shiny metal rolling table, widening in horror. It was covered in knifes and scalpels and clamps and other such wickedly sharp looking things. Things used for surgery.
Biology . . .
Surgery . . .
They were going to dissect him! They couldn't! They wouldn't! He was their son! They were his parents! They couldn't possibly-
Yes. Yes, they would. For science.
“Mom. Mom! Dad! Please!” he sobbed, begged, desperate and terrified. “You can't! You can't do this! I'm your son! You can't – can't dissect me like – like some frog!”
A shadow leaned over him, partially blocking out the bright light overhead. He couldn't make out who it was, being backlit. But he could catch a hint of teal and black. Mom. It was his Mom with the hood up on her hazmat suit.
A hand touched his forehead, the touch brushing up into his hair in a comforting gesture. He shuddered and closed his eyes, leaning into the contact desperately, needy for the reassurance.
“Don't worry, Danny.” his mom cooed in his ear. “You are just a physical after-image, you won't feel a thing.” she assured him. “Just think of what this will do for science!” she exclaimed excitedly.
As she cut into his skin with a knife.
“Danny! Danny, wake up!”
His eyes snapped open with a gasp, eyes darting about fearfully. The lab was dark, not even the faint glow of the other experiments and the machines. Somehow, the pale light of the moon was filtering in despite being underground. And reflected off of red hair -
He flinched violently as he realized someone was leaning over him. “No. No no no no.” he gasped breathlessly. What was going on? Why had they turned off the lights. Why-?
He nearly jumped out of his skin as a nearby light clicked on, illuminating the whole lab. No, wait. This was his room? And it wasn't his mom standing over him, but Jazz.
His sister let go of the pull chain of his bedside lamp, eyeing him worriedly. “You ok there, little brother?” she asked, voice soft and concerned.
“I-” Danny's eyes snapped down, and he quickly sat up, staring at himself. There were no restraints holding him in place, there were no scars or needles stick out of his arms. Just smooth skin and the ability to move around normally. His hands flew to his hair and he clutched at the soft wild spikes sticking up from his head, pulling his legs up to his chest. His head wasn't shaved and there was no raised scars. He was wearing his favorite space pajamas. He was in his own bed, in his own room.
Had . . . had it all been a dream?
Had all of that . . . not been real?
“Danny?” Jazz asked worriedly. Her eyes widened in panic as tears began to stream down this cheeks despite the fact that he wasn't making a sound. His breath caught, chest heaving beneath his pajama set, but . . . he seemed to forcibly stifle the sound. That scared her even more then Danny crying. “I'm going to get Mom.” she decided, turning towards the door.
“NO!”
Hands grabbed her arm, pulling sharply. Jazz twisted back around in shock, heart dropping and blood going cold at the look of abject terror on her little brother's face.
“Please. Please, not Mom and Dad. Please, don't!” he begged her, fingers tightening on her pajama sleeve.
He begged her.
Danny begged her.
She never thought she'd see her little brother beg for anything and never wanted to again.
“Ok.” Jazz consented reluctantly. “Ok, I won't get Mom or Dad.” she promised. Danny didn't look like he entirely believed her but he was relieved to see him relax slightly. Tears still streamed silently down his cheeks.
Aw heck, she wouldn't be able to sleep in her own room anyhow.
“Bunch up.” she ordered him. Danny shot her a baffled look but complied, scooting a bit closer to the head of the bed. Jazz sat down and scooted back until her back was pressed against the wall. She then reached out for him, trying to ignore the way Danny stiffened at her touch. She pulled him down until his head and shoulders was resting in her lap
“What are you doing?” Danny asked uncertainly, settling in hesitantly on his side.
“I'm staying.” Jazz told him. Whatever his nightmare had been about, she wasn't going to leave him to face it alone. She patted his head comfortingly. “Just try to go back to sleep, ok, little bro? I'll be right here.”