Chapter Text
Jazz was five when Danny was born, mommy had decorated his room with stars and spaceships. She was excited to be a big sister, bragged about it to her classmates. She did her research at the local library her parents dropped her off at while they hunted a big bad ghost. Babies were vulnerable things, she would need to protect him from things around him. She begged mommy to teach her how bottles were made, used one of her untouched dolls to learn how to diaper a baby and swaddle them. She circled his due date on her calendar, counting down the days. He came early and he was tiny. Danny was very small, he came home though! He didn't have to stay and she found it amazing that her mommy and daddy let her care for her baby brother while they were busy!
Jazz was eight when she figured it out, honestly she figured it out mere months after Danny came home but didn't want to believe it. Danny had nearly died today. Danny was in the portal when it turned on, mom and dad weren't even home to hear her scream. She sobbed in relief when her baby brother crawled out, seemingly unharmed. She scrambled for the toddler and pulled him into her arms. He didn't seem to be phased. He was okay, a little colder but okay. She made him go upstairs, catching him as their parents threw the door open to the basement. She watched them run past and celebrate that their portal was on.
She knew what to do, what those silly little gym assemblies told her to. She grabbed the phone, standing on a chair whilst Danny was strapped to his booster seat at the table. She typed in the number on the emergency contact list. She was still teary eyed and shaky, sniffling into the phone as the other end was answered.
"Listen, Jack, I have told you before, I don't want to hear about-" the voice stops when she sobs, "Hello?" the voice softens
"U-Uncle Vlad... something-" she looks back at Danny, "We need you. Please."
She wanted to word it better, gripping the phone in her tiny hands. She took a deep, shaking, breath.
"Can you come get us...?" She whispered, afraid her parents would hear.
The other end crackled with interference before she got an answer
"I will see you soon, Jasmine." He hung up and she sagged with relief.
Soon could mean anytime, so she had to get them ready. After Danny had finished his snack, she helped him to her room, grabbing her duffle bag from last summers camping trip. She packed essentials for Danny first, then clothes for them both. She had enough room for a few of her new books as well. Danny could sleep with her tonight, she would tell her parents that she wanted a slumber party with him, that would work. After everyone had gone to bed, she stayed awake, watching Danny. A blue wisp of cold air leaves his mouth and she curled closer, Uncle Vlad can help them, help Danny.
Morning comes after the sleepless night, she gets them both dressed, rushing when she hears a new voice downstairs with her loud father... not dad or daddy, he let Danny get hurt and almost hurt him again. She lets Danny play with Bearbert Einstein while she goes down to get her uncle's attention. It isn't hard, the man looking up the stairs before excusing himself. She heads back to her room and sits next to Danny to wait, looking up from her baby brother when the man enters the room.
He sits by the door, old knees cracking, "Jasmine, Daniel." He greets
Jazz doesn't waste any time, "Danny got hurt... H-he went into the broken portal and turned it on..." she holds back tears and the urge to sob, her uncle has this... horrified expression on his face.
She takes a breath, "H-he's colder and last night his breath was blue. Mom... Mom and dad don't know, w-we were coming up the stairs and the door swung open. It almost hit Danny and they didn't care." She sniffles, "Just about that stupid portal... the stupid ghosts."
Danny looks okay from what Vlad can tell, he can't just stand there and watch two children get neglected by those idiots. He thought better of Maddie, but... fuck.
"We can't stay, Uncle Vlad. Please." she begs, "Th-there's evidence of neglect, in the fridge a-and-"
Uncle Vlad has an angry look on his face, not at them. He turns quickly, calling someone on the phone and talking quickly as he leaves the room. She knows it'll hurt to see her parents faces, but they deserve this. Maybe it'll be a wake up call. The talking was getting louder and louder until everyone was shouting. Loud arguing that made Danny cry, he cried so loudly it hurt her ears. Jazz was smart, she knows how much they'll fight for the two, but they didn't know anything about her or Danny. She held Danny tightly, even as he got louder, as the fighting downstairs calmed down. It was so silent for a few minutes, Jazz almost thought everyone left the two... she tried to ignore the thumping panic of her own heart when someone pounded on the front door. She peeked out her window, sniffling and holding Danny closer when she saw the police car, at least Danny's attention was now on the car outside rather than wailing in her ear.
Moments later, she saw her parents being led out of the house and being sat in the car, they looked upset and it hurt her. She had to remind herself that they would be upset, that this would not be easy for anyone.
The soft rapping on the doorframe caught her attention, Uncle Vlad and an officer were there, "Jasmine, this kind officer needs us to go with him..."