Chapter 4: Hidden problems

Libby was waiting outside the office, with Molly and Andrea. She still had no idea, what happened today... But she sure wanted to forget. All those shadows... Their disturbing smiles... It was just too horrifying.

Inside the office, Leah couldn't believe what just happened. When the school psychologist said that her daughter had a panic attack, she was really worried...

''How could this happen?'' Leah asked.

''Triggers for panic attacks may be long period of stress. Leah... You know how often Libby used to see me... We both know, she has been through alot in her life... And things aren't really better now. Especially after... Her incident. Miracle or not, coming back from the death, or any near death experience is really traumatic. I'm afarid it would be better for her, if she starts seeing a real psychologist''

''What are you talking about? YOU are real psychologist''

''I'm only trained in basic teenage mentality for Middle School... This requires someone far more advanced. Plus, after graduation this Friday, I'm off duty until September 3rd. But I do have a friend who can help. Dr. Ted Dahmer is great psychologist. He can help Libby with-

''TED DAHMER?! No way! This guy is the biggest psychopath, I have ever seen! There is no way to let Libby go there! Plus, hiring him is way over our budget! Literally the only reason I'm still in Brighton, is because Libby's friend saved my dying bookshop business! Even after that, right now I'm couple pennies away from being in huge debt again!'' Leah interruped her.

''I undesrtand things aren't easy in your family... If you can't hire a real psychologist... You may try to get yourself back on the dating track. The thing is, I have seen many cases like yours, in single parent families. Knowing the things with Libby... The relationship with her father, may also be a reason for her sensative spirit''

Leah felt offended and couldn't hear a word anymore. She got up and was ready to leave.

''Thanks very much for the advice, but I'm capable of raising Libby on my own! I'd rather be in one room with a d*ckhead like Dahmer, than being in another relationship, that will probably FAIL!'' Leah said, as she left the office.

After the failed marrige with Matias, there was no way for Leah to try date again. She raised her daughter to be a strong woman... All by herself! She doesn't need to be in relationship...

''Come on Libby, let's go home... Also, thank you girls for staying with her'' Leah said.

''No problem miss Stein-Torres! We couldn't just leave Libby like that'' Molly said.

''I heared you may have debt problems agaim... If you need to, I can awa-

''Oh no Andrea! No need to worry. I can pay it AND will even return you the money, I owe you!'' Leah said.

''You don't have to. I was just helping my friends family''

''Again thanks, but I will return them, once I have them'' Leah said, as she and Libby started to walk away.

...

Molly was back from school, exhausted. After Libby left, she had to teach Andrea the differnce between penny and quarter, had to help June for a school project and was even supposed to help the students with the decorations for the upcoming party. Right now, all she wanted was just to relax, so she sat on the couch.

''How was school today, Moll?'' Scratch asked, when he appeared and sat next to Molly.

''Not good... Not good, at all. Libby had panic attack, I had to teach Andre the differnce between penny and quarter and later, I have to craft new decorations! I can't stand this anymoooooooore'' Molly said.

''Remember what we told you about overworking yours... Wait a minute... Libby had panic attack?''

''Yes! Poor Libby, she looked so scared. And her mom is supposed to find her a proper psychologist over the summer'' Molly said, with sad look.

''Jeez, that's rough... But hey, Libby is a strong kid! She will be fine. And I'm on therapy myself! Libster and me can be therapy buddies!''

Molly was now feeling little better. Every time when she is with Scratch, he aways manage to make her day better.

''That's good to hear... So how was your day?'' Molly asked.

''Pretty interesting. Me and Geoff grabbed some misery mochas at the Ghost Bean coffee shop, I stole few bucks from a ra-

Before Scratch could finish, Molly gave him an angry, disappointed and a cold stare.

''Uhhhhhh... I mean, I BORROWED few bucks from a very good, caring old guy, who didn't actually saw me... But I will sure return them! Anyway, I also was FORCED to go on diet!''

''Scratch, you need to cut down the junk food! Axel said very well, that your ectoplasm is very weak. It will be just until you get your strength up'' Molly explained.

''Ugh, I hate healthy eating! There is nothing delicious in it!''

''Even strawberries?''

''Well... Yeah, they are the best fruit... But still, I don't like eating just one dessert...''

''Who said you can strawberries, only as fruit? We can make them to juice, marmalade, cool looking frozen desserts and many more!''

''Well... I don't know... Eating many strawberries, triggers some bad memories...'' Scratch said, with frustrated look.

''What memories?''

''I don't wanna talk aboout it!''

When Molly noticed how frustrated he was, she gently hugged him.

''Come on, mister grumpy, you can tell me'' Molly said, jokingly.

''I... Really don't want to talk about it...''

After all this time, Scratch was still hiding his past. He still hasn't even told any stories about his childhood or parents. However, Molly didn't wanted to force him to tell her.

''Alright, Scratch... You know, if you need to talk with me about things like that, I'm aways here for you''

''I know, Moll... This may be little strange question... But can you please caress my head, please?''

Molly was finding so cute, when he was starting to slowly fall asleep. Just like her, he also deserved a break... Especially after everything he was put through, recently...

''Of course, buddy''

...

It was now nightime. Brighton's street looked so dark and scary... At least, the weather was good. Everyone was in their beds, but only one police car was outside.

''Just few more hours and our shift is done!''

''Yeah, I just want to go to sleep''

Inside the car, there were two police man, Jerrie and Mark. In this night, they were the lucky ones with the night shift. But since it was the middle of the night, they started to feel really tired.

''Honestly, I don't even know why there should be a night shift here. I mean, in a dead town like Brighton, what could possibly happen?'' Jerrie asked.

''I don't know man... How are the kids?'' Mark asked.

''Oh, you know, pretty good. My wife wants to them to visit their grandma, so I have to prepare their baggage tomorrow''

While the two officers were talking... Mark noticed something. A little figure in a little dark alley. It looked like a kid. It was Molly...

''What the? Do you see that kid?'' Mark asked.

Jerrie looked where Mark pointed and he also saw her.

''What the hell is she doing here?'' Jerrie asked.

''I don't know, but we can't leave her like that''

The two police man got out of the car and started to walk towards Molly. When they were getting closer... They felt some kind of fear in their bodies.

''Hey! Kid, what are you doing up so late at night?'' Jerrie asked.

The moment Molly heared them... She started to run in the little dark alley.

''Huh? Hey, come back!'' Mark said.

Both Mark and Jerrie started to chase her, but somehow they lost her. They were now in the little dark alley... All by themselfs...

''Ok, we are not gonna play hide and seek, kid! Mark, go there and... Mark?''

Jerrie turned around... And Mark was gone. He was right next to him, but now he just disappeared...

''Mark? Where are you?'' Jerrie asked, worried.

''La la la la la... La la la la...''

The moment he heared that singing, Jerrie picked up his gun and was ready to shoot whatever the hell was with him here. This voice... Didn't sound normal... While he was walking slowly and carefully... He saw Molly.

''Hey! Turn around!''

The moment she turned... He froze from fear. She had the most haunting and disturbing smile... And haunting grey eyes. Jerrie also noticed something... Behind her, was Mark's dead and bloodied body.

''Apologies, officer... I was just hungry''

Before Jerrie could do anything... She jumped at him and killed him, as she finished her meal...