*Dan's POV*

I woke up that morning swaddled in Phil's arms, per usual. Feeling quite well, I decided to walk my daily laps on my own, as to prove to Phil I could do it all by myself. So, I carefully untangled myself from his grasp and crept across the creaky wooden floors out of the bedroom and over to the ladder.

My excitement was diminished a bit when I had some trouble getting down from the treehouse. Although mostly healed, it was still a bit painful to use my arm, and I almost fell from the ladder. Thankfully, I didn't. Instead, I jumped some of the way down as to save myself the trouble.

It must have been a bit past sunrise, as it was still somewhat dark outside and quite cool. I regretted not packing a jumper when I left home, but as it was warm outside pretty much every day, I didn't think I needed one. Regardless, I began my therapy for the day, eager to finish and crawl back into bed with my Philly.

We called it 'therapy' because it worked as makeshift physical therapy. As soon as I was able to walk around fairly well, I started walking laps around the woods daily to make sure my legs didn't become weak from being bedridden. I also did a bit of exercise with my arms, but not as much since it was still a bit sensitive.

I must have completed two or three laps, about half of my morning regimen, when in the distance I spotted a small red light.

Shit shit shit shit shit, I kept thinking. Peej again.

I tried to get back, but my arm resisted so much my attempt was futile. I ended up falling onto my rear and becoming helpless as PJ towered over me.

"I've been waiting for the day you'd go out without any friends," he chuckled. "now we're far enough away that I can get to you and they won't be able to help you. You're trapped, Daniel. I could kill you now."

"Why would you kill me? I haven't done anything to you!" I protested.

"Sorry, Danny, but I've singled you out. Once I do that, I'm just going to keep going until one of us is dead. It's how it works."

"Why not Chris? Why just me?"

"Chris was bait, Daniel, you're so thick. How didn't you figure I was using him to torture you? Unfortunately you became friends, that wasn't meant to happen, but I did succeed in messing with you."

"You know what, PJ?" I was getting angry and scared at this point, and I wasn't going to go out without telling him just what I was thinking. "I fucking hate you. You've done nothing but ruin my life since we met two goddamn years ago and honestly I'm tired of it. I've been having nightmares and being constantly swamped by the memory of you and it hurts me so badly. Your stupid magic keeps me from forgetting and I can't move on. I wish you'd just go to hell already." By now I was tearing up ever so slightly and I must have been red from fury.

PJ just shook his head. "I don't like that kind of talk. You know what? Just because I'm nice, I won't kill you - yet. But I'm not happy with what you've said, and so I'm going to give you something nasty as punishment."

Before I could get up, a blast of purple light flew from his palm and I was knocked back further. I yelped in pain and curled up into a ball, cringing.

"What the hell?" I yelled at him, clutching my chest. My lungs felt on fire for some reason.

He simply smiled and began to pace around my crumpled up body. "You're not dead, I promise. You won't die from this, either. However, it will be very painful, both emotionally and physically, and let me tell you why.

"The curse I've placed on you is one I've been working on perfecting for a while, since I knew it'd get to you. It makes it so whenever anyone with human skin touches you, even if they just brush up against you, it'll feel a bit unpleasant."

PJ then bent at the waist to reach me, and placed his whole hand on my forearm. A burning sensation mixed with pins and needles spread through my whole arm and I couldn't help but let out a squeal. It was so unbelievably horrible.

When he pulled his hand away, only a tingling sensation was left where he touched me. I shivered from the shock. It thankfully didn't leave a physical mark on me.

"No more Phil hugs," he fake pouted, "no more holding hands or kissing, nothing. Poor Daniel."

"You bastard," I cursed through gritted teeth.

"Don't mouth off, or I'll make it worse."

He then stood up straight again and held out his hand as though to help me up. I glared at him, and he burst out laughing. "Have fun, dear," he bid me, before turning back into a red orb and flying off, leaving me to pick myself back up and start home.

This was fun to write wow

Kind of a long chapter as well ooo

I need to start thinking about finishing this up, as school starts in a little over a week and I won't have loads of time or energy to write anymore

Hopefully I'll get finished/almost finished by the time school starts but no promises

Also, the whole thing about Marlhy and Ava is a bit of a side plot, just something fun, don't worry about that as much. Phan is still the main focus here.

See you nerds later