Chapter 9: Past lives

Molly and Scratch were walking in the school hallway, ready for the first class. The whole morning things have been weird... Scratch wasn't hungry at all. For some reason, he just wasn't hungry... However Molly on the other hand was hungry like a lion. She didn't know why, since she feeds normally, but the whole morning she was starving. Not only that, but she barerly managed to get out of bed... Something strange was happening with her... And she couldn't stop thinking about the dream she had last night... It was horrifying to watch her best friend how he kills somebody...

Libby was waiting for them at her locker.

''Good morning Molly and... Good morning... Scratch...'' Libby said.

''Heyyy good morning Libs'' Scratch said.

This is when Molly gave Scratch a cold stare, so he can apologize to Libby.

''Also... Sorry about yesterday...'' Scratch said.

''And?'' Molly said.

''Uhhhhhhh... And about every other time I scared you... I promise to never do it again...''

Even through Libby was still feeling mad at him, she was happy for him apologizing.

''Well, I forgive you'' Libby said.

...

The whole day, Molly was feeling tired and sick. She didn't know why, she didn't know what exatcly was causing this, but she sure hated it... Scratch left few hours ago, because he was tired...

''Alright class, I checked your math tests today!'' The teacher said.

Last week, the class made a math test that was surprisingly easy. After the teacher gave away all the tests to the other studends, only Molly and Libby were left.

''And next one is... Molly! Another A+ Molly!'' The teacher said as he gave the test to Molly.

At least there was one thing that cheered up Molly a little...

''And... Oh... Libby... Libby, sorry that I'm saying this, but... Your grade is the worst in the entire class... F-... Not even one question answered right...'' The teacher said as he gave away the test to Libby.

The moment she heared her grade, she was ashamed to even stand up and get her test to see it. She knew her grade will probably be low, but the fact exatcly she has the worst one... Made her feel down...

Before she could even get up, her wound started to hurt... She took few seconds, to calm herself down, but now the pain was even worst... Now it hurts, from basic feeling down... Thankfully she calmed herself and got her test...

''Sorry, but I'm disappointed in you Libby... If you don't start to study, I'm afraid there will be no summer vacation for you... Your grades in math are seriously bad...''

...

Scratch was inside his dollhouse, trying to clean his head from everything that happened the last few days. He didn't feel like that necklace works at all. Sure he was feeling calm today, but he was still feeling the anger and rage inside of him...

''Scratch!''

Scratch turned around and saw Molly outside his dollhouse.

''Oh, school is already over Moll?''

''Yep... Scratch... There is something I need to show you... It's in the basement...'' Molly said as she grabbed Scratch from his dollhouse.

When she went downstairs, she freed him, as he was looking confused what was so important hor her to show him... She opened the door of the basement and... There was a dead, cold, bloody corpse on the floor...

Scratch was scared, shocked and confused... The moment he turned around, he saw Molly staring at him, with the most haunting and disturbing smile, he has ever seen... He realized what this means...

''Oh no...''

''Oh yes...''

...

Molly and Libby were walking down the street, as Molly was still thinking about the dream... She knew her best friend... She knew he wouldn't even hurt a fly... Right? Scratch was a good ghost... Right? She normally would never do this, but... Could there possibly something in the archives about Scratch's past? She knew, she shouldn't look deep in his life, but she just wanted to now. She turned to ask Libby and saw how sad she was looking... She placed her hand on her shoulder.

''Hey don't be sad Libby. It's not that bad! I will study with you for the next test, I promise!'' Molly said with smile.

Libby looked at her and the moment she saw Molly's little smile, that cheered her up a bit.

''Well... Thanks, but I feel like, I will just fail math class... I don't understand anything there...''

''Don't say that! I know it can be little hard at times, but I will help you.'' Molly said.

''Thanks... I appreciate it''

Molly was now thinking to ask Libby about going into the archives... She knew this, won't be a good idea, she knew she shouldn't question about Scratch's past, but... She really just needed to know...

''I was thinking... Can we go to the archives? There is something I need to check out...''

''Um, yeah sure, no problem'' Libby said.

...

Scratch was floating in the forest, trying to wake himself up... He didn't know how the hell he fall asleep again, but he knew what was gonna happen, if he doesn't wake up soon... When he was finally was feeling little safe, he stopped behind a tree and started to agressivly slap himself.

''COME ON SCRATCH! WAKE UP, WAKE UP, JUST WAKE UP!'' Scratch was screaming to himslef.

''This isn't gonna help you Todd''

Scratch saw that right next to him, was the smiling demon.

'''LEAVE ME ALONE!''

''You want me to leave you alone? I'm not even real Todd... You are doing this to yourself...''

Scratch flew far, far away, as fast as he could. He really didn't even know what to do. He tried everything he could to wake up, but he was still trapped in this nightmare reality. The clouds were bloody red and the whole Brighton was empty... Right now, there wasn't a single place where he can hide... When he stopped at the street where his old house was, he saw on the middle of the road the demonic shadow wolf...

He was terrifyed for his afterlife... He didn't know what to do... Every time when he sees this demonic creature, he just freeze...

''No... JUST LEAVE ME ALONE! JUST LEAVE ME HAVE SOME PEACE!''

The wolf started to run towards him, as Scratch still couldn't move an inch... He didn't know why, he tried everything, but he just couldn't move... The wolf jumped on him and started to tear him apart...

Scratch couldn't free himself, the wolf was just too strong... He wanted all of this suffering to end, he wanted to live his normall afterlife, but he couldn't... While he was still trying to free himself, He blinked and was now in a strange abandoned factory...

...

Molly and Libby spended few hours in the archives. Libby didn't know what exactly Molly was looking for, since she didn't tell her. On the table, there was a plate with cookies Leah left for them... Molly ate almost all of them, because of that strange hunger, she was feeling the whole day...

''You must really be hungry'' Libby said as she noticed how many cookies Molly ate.

She couldn't explain what exactly was happening with her... The whole day she was feeling scared, hungry and tired... She was starting to think that Scratch may have done something to her, but that thought disappeared fast. She knew her best friend would never harm her.

''I am, and I really don't know why. The whole day I was tired and I barerly managed to go to school today...'' Molly said.

''This doesn't sound good. Are you feeling sick?'' Libby asked worried.

''It's not sicknes... I don't know what it is...'' Molly said.

She was searching somethig about Todd in a box with files about every citizen of Brighton. She was feeling ashamed of herself for doing this, but she just needed to know the truth... Was this dream just a imagination in her head, or something more?

''What are you looking for anyway?''

Molly knew she should at least tell Libby about this. Also if they two work together, they may find something about Scratch's past faster.

''I just want to see something about... Todd''

Libby was little confused why Molly wanted to check out the files about Scratch.

''Why?'' Libby asked.

''I just... Had a weird dream about his past... So I just want to see something...''

Libby knew she normally shouldn't do this, since her mom doesn't allow to look at the people's private files. But she wanted to help her best friend. She went to the corner and picked up a hidden box with all the secret files about every single citizen of Brighton... After few minutes of searching, she finally found the files about Todd.

''Here! But this is between us, since my mom doesn't allow me to look at those'' Libby said as she gave the folder with files.

Molly opened the file and first, there wasn't anything wrong. What Todd worked in Brighton, what he was like... old childhood photos, old photos of Todd... And a photo taken in jail...

Molly froze the moment she saw this... This can't be true... Scratch would never do something that will send him in prison... Right?

After months of debate in the court, the decision has been made. The 16 years old suspect Todd Mortenson, will be imprisoned for a year. After the suspect himself confirmed the murder of the 45 year old Jason Lecter, the suspect was lucky enough to be send only for a year.

Molly was shocked and in disbelieve for what she just read... This can't be real... Libby was behind her and she was also shocked by what she just read... Molly however couldn't take it and she lost her balance and tears started to fall from her eyes...

''Molly!'' Libby said as she grabbed Molly, before she could fall.

Molly couldn't believe Scratch could actually murder someone... The dream wasn't just an imagination... It was reality...

...

Scratch was in a maze for hours in this abandoned factory... He didn't know what to do... He just wanted to wake up... He would do anything just to finally wake up...

''Having a tough time?''

Scratch turned around and saw the demon behind him... It was making him sick, every time when he was seeing her... But this time he finally gave up... He got closer to her and started to beg...

''PLEASE! JUST LET ME GO! PLEASE, I WOULD DO ANYTHING, JUST LET ME GO!'' Scratch begged.

She started to laugh at his misery... It was like a comedy show for her, to watch him suffer...

''Awww, the little ghost is having nightmares? What are you gonna do? Gonna cry for Molly?''

Scratch knew she wasn't gonna let him go... He knew he will spend eternity here...

''I'm actually surprized you are still with her... I mean, how much did you sacrifice for her? And what did she ever do for you?''

Scratch was now confused by her. Molly was aways by his side and he was aways by hers. They aways helped each other... They aways loved each other...

''What are you talking about?''

''First, you saved her failing concert, you protected her from Jinx, you risked your own safety when she wanted to be with Ollie... However she never did anything special for you...''

Scratch couldn't believe what she just said... Molly was aways there for him... She aways comforted him, when he needed her... Of course she did many special things for him...

''She... She is my best friend!''

''Is she? She force you to follow her stupid rules, she aways bosses around like the snowday time, she wanted to be with Ollie, even through she knew he is a ghost hunter... She lost the photo of your mother...''

''What?''

''Yes Scratch... You didn't even noticed the photo is missing... She lost it... So I will ask you again Scratch... Is she your best friend? For her you are nothing more than just a little pet, and when this pet stops being fun for her, she will throw it out... Like a cute little street dog... You think a child who doesn't care about you would ever fill in for yout sainted mother? A second chance for living the magic of childhood? You need to grow up and make her realize that YOU are the adult here, that YOU are her boss! And to make her realize, you are not a joke! And if she doesn't listen to you... MAKE HER SUFFER!''

...

Scratch finally woke up... He was releaved that this hell was finally over... He was with tears in his eyes... He didn't know what to do now... He just wanted peace...

But after some time, he started to search through his dollhouse for the photo and... It wasn't there... The dream was true... His childhood photo wasn't here... He flew from his dollhouse and started to feel the rage coming up and turn shadowy...

''No... NO! MOLLYYYYYYYYYYYY!''