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“I’m guessing that you died, but then came back somehow.”
Jason wanted to deny it, but something stopped him.
The same thing happened to me.
It wasn’t possible. He had gone through a very specific set of experiences. They didn’t even know what brought him back originally!
But maybe… Maybe this kid knew.
“What do you mean?”
The kid gave him what looked like a sad smile. “When I was fourteen, I was in an accident. It killed me, but at the same time I was brought back to life. Now, I don’t know exactly what happened to you, but I can tell that you’ve also died and come back.”
“I’m alive though.” He had to be.
“Mostly. You’re more alive than me at least. I’m half dead, and you’re more like one-fourth dead. If I had to guess, I’d say you’re a revenant– a spirit who came back to its body. Not that the GIW will care.”
“That’s the second time you’ve mentioned them. Who exactly are they? You said they’re part of the government, but I’ve never heard about them before.”
“That’s because they’re a secret branch of the government.”
Jason raised an eyebrow.
Danny rolled his eyes. “They were formed to hunt down, experiment on, and exterminate all ectoplasmic beings. Like ghosts.”
“But how does that not go against the Meta Protection Act?”
Danny shrugged. “The government classifies any being that produces or needs ectoplasm to survive as non sentient and non sapient. They also say we can’t feel pain, which is a load of bull, but whatever.”
“That doesn't even make any sense.”
Danny shrugged, sipping at his hot chocolate. “It is what it is. Now I’ve got to head out. I’ve been here long enough. You’ve been really helpful and I wouldn’t want to bring trouble to your doorstep.”
Danny started to get up.
“Wait! What if… What if I told you that I know someone who can help?”
“Help with what?”
“Help protect you from the GIW and take them down too.”
Danny looked skeptical. “And who would do that?”
Jason hesitated. “I have connections to the Justice League.”
Jason hadn’t exactly known what reaction to expect, maybe surprise or disbelief, but definitely not the sneer Danny gave him.
“Those sanctimonious pricks won’t lift a finger to help.”
And wow, Jason never thought he’d be defending the Justice League but… “I know they have their issues, but they can help you.”
“They didn’t before, so why would they now?”
“What do you mean?”
Danny sighed, but sat back down. “When my town first got invaded by ghosts–”
“What!”
“We tried calling the JL. Several times! But they never answered. Even as the town was getting destroyed, even when we got pulled into the feakin’ Ghost Zone, they never responded.”
Jason frowned. “Look, I’m usually not one to defend the JL, but that doesn’t really seem like them. But all I want to say is that regardless of what they’ve done or not done, I know one of the members who for sure would help you out.” And he’d probably adopt you too, Jason thought, looking at this kid who was prime adoption bait.
“And who would that be?”
Jason was about to respond when Danny stiffened, his head tilted to the side.
“They’re here.” Danny turned to him. “I’ll try to lead them away, but I recommend laying low for a while. You’ve got something weird going on and your ectoplasm hasn’t yet fully integrated. I’d hate it if the GIW caught you before you really had a chance to live again.” Danny smiled sadly. “Hope to see you again, Jason. Take care of yourself.”
“Kid, wait–” Jason started, but suddenly he was alone in his kitchen. The only sign that anyone had been there, a dirty mug on the table and some bloody bandages in the trash can.