In Between // phan

Twenty Two

"We had to consider the consequences. What it would do to you."

"What do you mean, 'what it would do to me'?" Dan asked. He had never understand the bastards or their reasoning.

"We needed him to make another Higher." The same one continued. "The person who we chose to be that Higher needed to be carefully picked, based on their performance as a Reaper, and their decision, of course."

"Is that supposed to make things clearer or something?" Dan said roughly. His head was starting to hurt and he really didn't think he'd last much longer.

"The most suitable person we had in mind was your father." Dan stopped breathing for a second. "But he politely declined, and we couldn't very well force him. So we set our sights on the next person. Keep in mind, Daniel, that this person willingly accepted the invitation."

Dan clenched his jaw. "Who is it, then."

The Highers paused, letting the heavy silence permeate. Dan always felt like they did that to create suspense or something.

"Your friend, PJ. He was the next best person. And he said yes."

Peej? Of all the people, Dan really hadn't expected PJ to agree to something like that. He was always hearing about Dan's open hatred for the Highers and their self righteous ruling, but now that he actually thought about it, PJ had never agreed with any of it. Had this been something he'd been thinking about for a while? And why the hell hadn't he told Dan before?

"When?" Dan asked, his voice low and slightly shaky. "When did you ask him, when did he agree?"

"Daniel, you can't be angry with-"

"Just tell me when!" He was really pissed right now. It seemed like this day was destined to make him feel like shit. Phil was a mess, how own emotional state was questionable at best, and now his best friend was keeping secret from him.

"A few days after you came back." The Higher said.

He couldn't freak about this right now. He had more important things to worry about, he'd have to deal with this news later. But he couldn't stop the ache in his chest the Peej hadn't trusted him enough to tell him.

"Okay. Fine." He said through his teeth. "And what this job? Is someone else finishing it?"

"We have decided to let someone of more experience finish the job. We wouldn't want anymore mishaps."

Dan sighed in obvious relief. "He's... he's not in trouble, is he?" He asked softly. "He really isn't mean any harm."

"Don't worry, Daniel. We realize his state wasn't up to par, and this won't be held against him."

"Thank you." Dan said, tilting his head slightly. His fingers twitched at his sides, and something burned in the back of his mind. "Could I... could I ask for one more favor, Highers?"

"If you must." One of them said.

"I just." He shook his head, trying to get rid of the doubt that was clouding his head. "About Phil, again. Could I have his file? From when he was my subject?"

"Why would you want that?" One of them asked, actually sounding concerned.

Dan shrugged, not really sure if he was even in his right mind. "I never really got around to reading it, back then." He said. "And we talked about it not too long ago, me and him. I just wanted to see...." He couldn't even finish his sentence; that he wanted to see the bad things Phil had done in his life. He didn't know why, he just felt like it held important information that he could use.

He waited, suffering in the pounding silence that hung around them, and then there was tan folder being practically shoved into his face. He glanced up, taking the folder from the Higher's outstretched hand carefully. He murmured a 'thank you'.

"I think it'd be best for you to go and speak to your boyfriend, Daniel." The Higher said. Dan nodded once, and turned, pausing outside in the hallway.

His head was hurting, his hand was hurting from when he'd punched that dough bag earlier. His chest hurt.

Everyone was keeping things from him. First the Highers, not telling him about Phil. And PJ about becoming a Higher himself. And God knew what was in this folder, that seemed to burn in his hands. Was his boyfriend being secretive as well? He hoped with everything he had that there was at least one person he could trust.

He started to walk, making his way to his room where Phil was waiting for him, but stopped gain about halfway there. What would he say, if he walked in there, carrying Phil's file? He didn't really know if Phil would be happy that he'd gone and made this decision on his own.

Dan leaned against the stone wall, sliding down until he was sitting, bringing his knees up to his chest and wrapping his arms around them. If he had the energy, he'd probably freak out. Punch everything he could, no matter how banged up he got because of it, shout at the top of his lungs. And then lock himself away for a week, or until Peej or his parents came looking for him. But now he didn't even have that to calm him down.

He took a deep breath, letting his legs slide down flat against the floor. He pulled the folder into his lap and opened it, preparing himself for the worst.

***

a/n: And that's the end!!

Woo, okay, thanks to everyone who actually stayed with this story, despite my bullshit updating, and now it's over. At least, this one is...

... Because yes, I am thinking about writing another book for this. There are a few ideas I have, but its up to you guys. Would you really be willing to wait for that? If course, I wouldn't make it right away, I'd want to plan it all out and stuff, and I have other stories I need to finish (I'm such a bitch).

Besides all that, I really hope you guy liked this story, because I loved writing it, it was a new experience for me. I know it was a bit shaky at first, but I still kept it up, cause I wanted it to be something I liked. Thanks to everyone who voted and commented or even just read it. Seriously, it means a lot.

I love you all, and I'll see you some other time. Peace :3