Chapter 1: Predators
Scratch was flying in the woods trying to escape... He himself didn't know what he was trying to escape, but he just knew something is chasing him and wants him dead... Again. He was just flying in the dark woods... Flying and flying, just to save himself. This is when he got tired and hid behind a tree.
''Come out Todd. You know you can't hide forever''
Scratch was terrifyed when he heared this. He turned around and saw something that will haunt him for years. A giand shadowy, smiling creature looking like a big wolf. Scratch didn't know what the hell that thing was, but he was sure he have to hide from it.
''Hey there Scratch''
Scratch turned around and saw Molly behind him. He was shocked and didn't know how the hell she got here...
''Moll what are you doing here... Quick hide here, we have to escape from that thing'' Scratch said
But this is when Molly smiled at him... The moment he saw her smile, he froze from fear... She had that disturbing smile he will never forget...
''As I said Todd... You can't hide forever''
Molly grabbed him, pushed him on the tree and started to laugh... Scratch realized he was tricked. This wasn't Molly, that was the thing that was chasing him.
''NO! LET ME GO! LET ME GO!'' Scratch screamed.
While he was trying to free himself, he was turning into a shadow. He knew he was doomed... His body just froze as he was becoming one dark shadow... He couldn't even scream anymore... Molly looked him one last time.
''Enjoy the last moments of your afterlife''
...
''NO" Scratch screamed in fear.
This is when he realized all of this was just a dream. A very weird dream... He looked outside his little doll house window and saw Molly wasn't in the room. Since it was 10:30, she probably woke up an hour ago. He was still tired and wanted to countinue his sleep, but he knew Molly will probably come soon to wake him up. However he really was tired so he didn't care and went back to sleep. It didn't last even 5 minutes...
''Scraaaaatch'' Molly called his name outside the attic door.
The moment he heared it, he screamed in his pillow. After all it was Saturday, he deserved a well deserved rest. Molly opened the door of her attic room and went to his doll house.
''Scratch wake up!''
He was so sick and annoyed by her. He just wanted to spend his weekend sleeping. He can't sleep that long during the week, because she aways forced him to come with her in school.
''UHHHHHHHHH WHAT?'' Scratch asked.
''Awwww you are so cute when you are angry. Come on, you know the 10:30 rule'' Molly said with smile.
The 10:30 rule was a rule Molly made and Scratch hated it. During a weekend, Scratch isn't allowed to sleep after 10:30. He hated the fact he had to follow it, but he had no choice...
''Oh seriosly Moll! Why don't you go play with Libby or something'' Scratch said sleepy and annoyed.
Molly giggled at him. She really wasn't gonna leave him alone...
''Of course I will go play with Libby! But you will come with me, like it or not'' Molly said.
''No! I don't care this time, I'm not going anywhere today'' Scratch said.
This is when Molly gave him a grim smile...
''Hehehe... You know what happens if you don't follow the rule Scratch...''
The moment she said this, he knew what was gonna happen...
''Moll please don't.''
Molly grabbed the doll house and started to violently shake it.
''WAKEY, WAKEY, WAKEY SCRATCH'' Molly screamed.
Inside it looked like there was a giant earthquake. Scratch hated when she did this. He knew she just wanted to spend time with him, but he really wanted just to spend the day sleeping... He knew this isn't gonna happen. He flew from his doll house.
''OK OK JEEZ PLEASE STOP'' Scratch said.
The moment he showed up, Molly embraced him in a big hug. She really loved her little ghost friend that much.
''YES! You know I'm not letting you waste your afterlife buddy'' Molly said.
...
Molly and Scratch were walking down the street of Brighton. Scratch eated a bowl of cerial, but Molly however didn't eat anything. He was confused why she skipped breakfast and also she was way to energetic than usual. She was aways energetic, but now it was even worse...
''Come on Scratch, we have to go to the flower shop fast!'' Molly said.
Scratch was little confused why Molly wanted to visit the flowe shop so much.
''Can you remind me why we are going there again?''
''Well since tomorrow it's Libby's birthday, I have to give her flowers with her gift''
''What? It's tomorrow?'' Scratch asked.
Molly was little annoyed by what he asked. Now he and Libby aren't best friends, but still sometimes Scratch spend time with her. He had to know when her birthday is!
''Really Scratch? You don't know?'' Molly asked.
''You know I'm not good with dat-
This is when Scratch noticed something on the other street. On the middle of the road there was... The shadowy smiling wofl, which was staring at him with his red haunting eyes. This made Scratch sick... He didn't know what to do...
''Scratch? Scraaaaatch...'' Molly repeated his name.
She didn't understand what was happening. He was just floating and staring at the thin air...
''Scratch!'' Molly grabbed his arm.
This is when the wolf disappeared. Scratch didn't understand what the hell was that thing. He knew this wolf was just in his dream... It's impossible for him to be here... This can't be happenig... Molly was starting to get worried when she saw how scared Scratch looked.
''Scratch? Scratch please say something, are you ok?''
Scratch snapped out of his zoning.
''Yeah, yeah... I'm fine Molly, I just... Thought I saw something...'' Scratch said.
Molly knew something was off. Just it didn't seem normall for Scratch to zone out like that. Also it looked like he was really scared from something. She didn't know what he saw, but it sure can't be good.
''Are you sure Scratch? You know you can tell me everything!'' Molly said.
''Don't worry Moll, I'm fine...'' Scrcatch said.
...
Molly and Scratch spended 15 minutes in the small flower shop. He was really bored and Molly couldn't even pick what flowers she should give Libby.
''Oh corn this is way too hard than I thought... What would Libby like? Sunflowers? Tickseeds? Ahhhhh that's too complicated!'' Molly said.
''My gosh Molly, just pick something already! Libby would like whatever you give her...'' Scratch said.
Molly still didn't listen to what he said. She didn't wanted just to pick a random flowers. Libby was her best friend and she deserved the best. Molly spended entire week making her gift.
''Hmmmmm I got it! Yellow roses! Roses are beatiful, just like Libby. And the yellow symbolises friendship!'' Molly said excited.
''Yeah, yeah whatever, just pick something and let's go. Also don't spend all your money on flowers, you have to pick something to eat'' Scratch said.
''Oh Scratch don't worry I'm not hungry anyways'' Molly said as she grabbed a bouquet of yellow roses.
Just when she said she isn't hungry, her stomach growled from hunger. She blushed from embarrassment.
''What was that Moll? You ain't hungry? Yeah you couldn't even convince yourself'' Scratch said jokingly.
''Haha, alright I will get myself something to eat. But first I have to pay for those'' Molly said as she went to the cashier.
While Scratch was waiting, there was a mirror right next to the cashier and it showed Molly's reflexion... And somehow her reflexion was diffiernt... Her reflexion was smiling and had those... Red predatory eyes... It scared Scratch...
''Scratch? Come on let's go!'' Molly said.
When he blinked, the corrupted reflexion was gone. He couldn't what he just saw. What was happening today? First he saw the shadowy wolf and now... Whatever the hell that thing was.
''Uhhh yeah... Let's just get out of here...'' Scratch said scared.
...
Molly was making new turtle crafts for Libby's birthday, since she promiced she will help her out with the decorations. While she was doing that, Scratch was just laying down on her bed, thinking about his dream and... The strange things he saw today... He didn't understand why he countinued to see them... He had way worse nightmares before, but the last nightmare was just feeling strange and off.
''Hey Scratch, can you pass me the glue?'' Molly asked.
Scratch didn't payed attention to what Molly asked. He countinued to think about why he saw those things. The shadowy wolf was in his head and it terrifyed him. The corrupted version of Molly was making him uncomfortable just when he thought about her... He was scared from those 2 things..
''Scratch? The glue please'' Molly said.
Also... Why was the wolf chasing him? He didn't remember the begining of the dream or why he was chased from the wolf, but he knew it will be bad if that animal catch him...
''Scratch?''
Molly again noticed how scared and worried Scratch was. Sure he was easily distracted and grumpy, but he never looked so scared... Molly went in her bed.
''Scratch!''
Scratch turned around and saw how worried Molly looked. He didn't want to worry her, but he just couldn't stop thinking about those visions he had...
''Oh uh sorry Moll, I was thinking about something. Want the glue? Here.'' Scratch said as he grabbed the glue right next to him and gave it to Molly.
Molly was now sure there is something bothering him.
''Scratch you look scared. You aren't yourself the whole day. Please tell me, is something wrong?'' Molly asked.
Scratch wanted to talk about this. He really wanted, but if he says to Molly he saw things that in reality weren't there, he will look insane. Besides how could Molly help him with this?
''I just had a nightmare and... I was just thinking about it... Nothing to worry about Molly'' Scratch said.
''Do you... Wanna talk about it?'' Molly asked.
''Uhhhhhh... No, I will just try to forget about it. I will go make myself a sandwich.'' Scratch said as he left and flew to the kitchen.
...
Scratch took all the ingredients he needed for his sandwich. While he was making it, he couldn't stop thinking about the nightmare. Even he didn't knew why it was bothering him so much. Normally he won't even remember it until now, but today was diffirent...
I gave you something Todd... Something that will make you see the world the way I see it...
This is when Scratch remembered... The moment he tried to take the possesed doll from Libby... The dream where that demon stabbed him... Did she infected him with something?
A world with rage... A world with no hope... A world where the only thing controlling you is the hunger for souls...
This is when Scratch dropped his knife as his arm started to hurt and turn shadowy... It was so painful... Not only that, but for some reason, he started to feel angry and rageful.
World with rage... Rage... RAGE!
Scratch wasn't himslef... He took and threw the cup next to him on the floor and he started to growl like a wild preditor... He was on the verge to demolish the entire kitchen and then...
''Scraaaaatch, is everything ok down there?'' Molly asked from upstairs.
Scratch snapped out of... This... Molly was going in the bathroom when she heared the sounds from the kitchen. Thank God she didn't saw what exatcly was happening down there.
''Uhhhhh yeah, yeah, everything is fine'' Scratch said
Scratch was now worried than ever... Whatever the demon did to him, it can't be good...
