Danny Campbell Narrator Novels & Stories

“You can tell me anything, Derrick. Anything at all. You know that?” “Yeah,” I said. But how could I tell her that I insulted a gay kid? My parents attend the pride parade every year. At sixteen, I was in a summer hockey camp in Banff. Connor, my team's captain, slept in the bunk under mine. He was from a farm town. So he rarely talks and prefers to be alone. When the lights went out. Connor spoke to me for the first time. “Langford,” he whispered from the bottom bunk. “Are you awake?”

"Then let's make sure there’s nothing left to burn." ​They moved back toward the library, the center of their operational world. The house felt different now—less like a prison and more like a tomb that hadn't quite been sealed. As they passed the media room, Scarlett caught a glimpse of Danny. He had taken his headphones off and was staring at the doorway, his face pale but composed. ​"I heard the shot," Danny said, his voice surprisingly steady for a sixteen-year-old.

He glared at her as she stepped into the room, followed by a lecherous Darrell who stood by the wall, gazing at her like he wondered what she was about to do. Strangest. Interview. Ever. Half rising out of his chair, the blonde motioned for her to sit opposite him and when she did, he sat back down. It was a gentlemanly thing to do, but he looked like he hated her so the contrast was extreme and unnerving. “I’m Danny.” “Bonnie,” She said as she set her briefcase on her lap and her purse on top of it as shields. “I hear you can help us master modern technology’s ability to reach new clients.”

I said, voice steady despite the tremor building in my chest, “you do not react. No gasps. No names. No sudden movements. If you do… everything I’ve built collapses.” Bobby scoffed lightly, though his eyes betrayed his nerves. “You’re dramatic.” “I’m alive,” I corrected. “Because I am careful.” Campbell nodded once. “We won’t react.” I searched their faces, lingering on Campbell’s... on the lines time and war had carved into him, on the familiarity that ached like an old wound. “Swear it,” I said. “I swear,” he replied. Bobby hesitated only a second longer. “I swear.”

*** THE YEAR 2019 "Who in their right mind would come out of the house at the middle of the night to visit their first love at the hospital?" Danny asked. Paul widened his eyes when he leaned forward and he gritted his teeth out of surprise. He swallowed constantly as Danny looked the other way and can't believe that he was now talking to someone who had the same experience as him.

Perhaps being at the camp is better than being anywhere. Even on their journey going back, she was silent. The only sounds she can hear are from those in the background and the mutterings of the two men behind the king. “Can you call a cab for us, Norton?” – Damon asked one man. She couldn’t tell which one of the two is Norton but a man stepped forward and stood at the side of the street. This is to call a cab for them, something they really need, especially because Harper’s legs were too tired to walk any further.

She couldn't tell. "You're right," he said quietly. "I'm not a typical sound engineer." "Then what are you?" Silence. The hallway felt smaller. The flickering light buzzed overhead like it was listening. "I'm someone who used to have money," Danny said. "A lot of it. Family money. I walked away because I hated what it was doing to me. Hated who I was becoming." He paused. Swallowed. "I kept some things. The watch. A few shirts. Enough savings to start over somewhere nobody knew my name. That's it. That's the whole story."

He said as he tried to control his breath. Hearing that, I put aside my bat that has been dyed red with his blood. I took a chair and sit in front of him, waiting for him to speak. "M-My real n-name is D-Danny. I-I'm not Chi-Chinese, I'm British. I-I came he-here to s-seek job un-until she found me." He pauses to catch his breath once again, blood drips down from his chin to his pants. I nod and ask him who 'she' is. But he stopped, his body slightly trembles as I ask him once again who she is. It seems she is someone who he fears more than respect.

The world was watching, waiting to tear me apart or maybe – just maybe – listen. The red light on the camera turned on. Silence. I stared into the lens. It felt like staring down a tunnel. No end, just pressure. I opened my mouth but nothing came out. I looked away, then back. Then I spoke. “My name is Jason Campbell,” I began.

- Lean back and shut up. Fuck, too distracted by the conversation, I got into trouble. I have to calm Finn down. When I look to the side, instead of Finn's smiling or scared face, I stare at the barrel of a pistol. - What's going on? - Nothing special, Mr. Campbell. Simply a small detour. - Who the hell are you? - Someone who is tired of talking and now wants to go the rest of the way in silence, so shut the fuck up.