Chapter 15: Lost

''Come on, kid, you have to remember something!'' Scratch said.

After the meeting with Clara, he flied to the garage. He called the skinwalker multiple times by her real name, but she still couldn't remember a single thing.

''No... Nothing...''

''Oh, this is disastrous! If you don't remember, my dad will kill you!'' Ollie said, worried.

''Sorry... I can't remember anything from my ''human'' life...''

It took Scratch years to remember his human life when he became a wraith... The problem was they didn't have years, they had one more day to remind her who she really is.

''Well... We tried, she is dead...''

''Hey! Don't say that, Scratch! Okay, how did you remembered your human life?'' Ollie asked.

''I don't know... The first few memories came after I drank an old strawberry soda me and Adia used to drink'' Scratch explained.

''THAT'S IT! We will try to do things that will make her remember something! We'll show her movies, food, toys, ANYTHING just to make her remember!''

''Mhmmmmm... Actually, this might work''

And so, for 2 hours they did exactly that. They showed many games, movies, toys, food, drinks, clothes... Anything, just for her to remember something from her life... It didn't work.

...

Molly was curled up on the floor, while Libby was sitting next to her, hugging her. Molly finally told her about all the nightmares. About the cat from her drawings... And about her Jinx trauma.

''So... You've been having nightmares about what Jinx did to you, and it only seems to stop when we are having our hanky-panky?'' Libby asked, worried while gently hugging Molly.

''Yes, that sums it up... But even that isn't working anymore!'' Molly said with tears in her eyes.

Libby was shocked and disappointed. Disappointed because once again, Molly was hiding her saddness and was just pretending to be happy. How long was going to take for her to actually talk with people about her feelings?

''Listen, Molly... I'm glad you told me, but should have done it way sooner! Maybe we should schedule an appointment with Axel for you''

''What? No way! If word gets out that I'm miserable enough to see a therapist, all my work to enhappify Brighton would go to waste, again! I'm the only one who keeps my forever home positive, Libby! The only one... And I'm sick of it! I rither die, than keeping that fake smile!''

''You don't have to...''

''Huh?''

''You heared me, McGee! You don't have to die or fake your feelings! We'll find a way out of this mess... Together'' Libby said, as she kissed Molly's forehead.

Molly was feeling little better now. The last time she was depressed, Brighton became once again miserable. It really was tirening and sickening how she was the only one in this town who actually tried to keep this place joyful and happy.

''Thanks, Libby... I needed this...''

''That's what best friends are for... So... One more round?'' Libby asked with a grim smile.

''Hahaha... Sure''

As they were sitting on the floor, they started to kiss and hug again. They were supposed to be done by now, but they continued for one more hour. They were kissing, giggling, playfuly messing each other's hair... And the two girls got tired and eventually fall asleep in the tree house.

...

Mayor Brunson was in Brighton's stage, preparing for the festival in few days. With him, there were many people who will play a big role in the festival. Policemen, important people for the town... Molly was also supposed to be there, but for some reason she was gone.

''Alright! Everything is set! Mr. Brunson, I'd like to introduce the faces that helped make this festival possible!'' the mayor's secretary said.

That's when 3 people showed up. Maxewell Davenport, Jessica Levine, and principal O'Connor. The mayor greeted Maxwell and O'Connor, leaving Jessica for the last.

''Ah, we finally meet! If it's not the owner of ''Joy-Healers''! I swear, you guys make some killer fries!'' The mayor said, as he shook Jessica's hand.

''Thanks, Mr. Mayor! I'll make sure there is enough for all the citizens'' Jessica said.

After few minutes of chatting, all of them were ready to leave and prepare for the upcoming festival... When someone else appeared.

''Oh, how could I forgot! Mr. Brunson, I would like to introduce to you Brighton's new psychologist, Mr. Hart!'' The secretary said... As Axel appeared next to her.

''Sorry for being late, I had some other things to do'' Axel apologized.

Maxwell and O'Connor greeted Axel... While Jessica was just staring at him in shock... And even in anger, but she was still keeping the smile on her face.

''Jessica Levine... Nice to meet you...'' Jessica introduced herself, as she reached her hand.

''Mr. Hart, it's also nice to-

Axel couldn't even finish... He just shook Jessica's hand. He was feeling something familiar. As a shaman, he could sense every person's aura... But Jessica's aura was feeling so familiar... In fact, he realized she had the aura of his dead sister.

''Well... Hope to meet again... Axel'' Jessica said with an evil smile, as she walked to her car and drive away.

Axel was just standing there speechless. He came back to his senses, said bye to the mayor and the other people there, and started to walk back home. He started to realize... How familiar this woman looked. She looked just like Sofia, with the only difirence being the red hair and the slightly red eyes. There was also another disturbing fact about her... Axel never actually told her his first name, but she somehow already knew it...

...

Libby woke up in the tree house... In the middle of the night.

''Oh no... OH NO! MOLLY, WAKE UP!''

Libby started to violently shake Molly and she finally woke up. Just like Libby, Molly also couldn't believe they were sleeping for so long.

''Wh-What... WHAT? T-THIS CAN'T BE REAL!'' Molly said, shocked.

''Come on, we have to go back home!''

Libby and Molly came down from the tree house. Outside... It was so dark. There are usually street lights in the park, but they were off. It was such a big darkness in the park, Molly and Libby couldn't see a thing. Libby checked her phone... She had 1 percent battery and 10+ missed calls from her mom.

''Oh shell, when I go back home, my mom is gonna kill me'' Libby said, scared.

Suddenly, her phone died. It was their only source of light, but it was gone. Both Molly and Libby didn't say anything. It was too dark to start walk, so they were thinking to just wait until their eyes get used to the darkness... It was bad idea, because it was getting cold.

''Sweet baby corn, I'm freezing... Why, it's supposed to be summer!''

''Yeah, I saw on the news that those nights will be colder than usual... WAIT, I HAVE AN IDEA!''

Libby pulled the sleeve of her sweater and looked at her hand. She had a little watch that she could turn on in darkness... It was 1:10 AM. The light wasn't enough to even bright enough to illuminate her face, let alone their path.

''N-Now what?'' Molly asked, scared.

''Uhhhh... Well, we can't stay here all night... Come on, we know the path to the park's exit!''

The tree house was close to the very end of it. Right next to it, there was the close forest. All Libby and Molly needed to do was to walk straight for 5 minutes to the fountain, turn left and walk for more 5 minutes to the gates of the park.

''I... I don't think that's a good idea...''

''Come on, Molly, I'll lead the way... Nothing to be afraid of'' Libby said, as she grabbed Molly's hand and the two girls started to walk.

They were walking and both of them were scared to death. Libby could barely see a thing, but from few interesting trees she remembered, she could see where they were going... But she was frightened what would happen if they make just one little mistake...

1:13 AM

Molly and Libby passed several benches. It was getting more and more cold and they still couldn't see a thing.

''Do you think we are close?'' Molly asked, scared.

''I... I guess so...''

1:15 AM

They didn't know if that was some kind of blessing, but they found the fountain. All they needed to do now is to turn left, walk for 5 more minutes and leave. They were so happy, Molly hugged Libby from joy. Libby grabbed her hand again and started to walk.

1:18 AM

The trees around them were getting more and more... Which was odd, since there usually aren't any here.

''Just 2 minutes and we will be out...'' Libby said.

1:19 AM

''Just one more...''

1:20 AM

Molly and Libby were still walking... Still, no gates in front of them...

''L-Libby...''

''Uhhhhh... Maybe just few more steps?''

1:23 AM

They were still walking in the huge darkness... Still no gates in front of them.

''Libby... Where are we?''

''Uhhh... That... Was supposed to work...''

''What?''

''If we walk for 5 minutes, we were supposed to be in front of the gates right now...''

''But... Did you actually see where we are going?'' Molly asked, terrified for the answer.

''Ummm... Not... Really...''

''WHAT?''

''How am I supposed to see? Why didn't you bring your own phone?!'' Libby asked, both scared and angry.

''I broke it... Anyways, WHAT ARE WE GONNA DO NOW?''

''N-No panic! I will... Figure something out!''

It was getting colder and colder... And 2x more scarier. Libby had no idea what went wrong. They turned left, right? Or... Did they make a wrong turn? Right now, there were trees everywhere, so she had no idea where they actually were.

''Sweet baby corn, I'll lead the way! We'll just go back to the fountain!'' Molly said, as she grabbed Libby's hand and started to walk in the opposete direction.

1:35 AM

They were supposed to be back at the fountain... But they weren't. Molly started to walk faster and faster in fear, desperate to get out of this horror forest.

''Molly, slow down!''

''WHERE ARE WE?! WH-WHERE THE HELL ARE WE?!'' Molly started to cry.

Even if she didn't admit it often, Molly was scared of the dark. So scared, she was on the verge of another breakdown.

''Molly, c-calm down! We... We'll find our way out, I swear!'' Libby said, as she hugged her.

''How could you not be so scared?''

''You think I'm not? I'M TERRIFIED! But one important rule for survivors is to remain calm!'' Libby explained.

Trying to remain calm, Libby wiped Molly tears away. This time, no one was leading, the two girls were holding each other's hands. They were walking in hope that maybe they will find their way out.

2:25 AM

Molly and Libby were walking... And this time, they both started to cry. Even Libby couldn't keep calm when she realized they are completely lost. They were walking in the woods, having absolutely no idea where they are.

''J-Just few seconds... If I manage to turn my phone for few secods before it shuts down, m-maybe I-I could to call my mom'' Libby was crying.

What were they supposed to do now? no light, no way to contact their parents, not a way to get any help. How could they get out from this horror? They could just curle up next to a tree like a little squirrels and spend the night here. Ready to give up, Molly was thinking over this idea... When they heared a large predatory growl.

''M-Molly... Please tell me that was your stomach...'' Libby said, terrified from what she just heared.

''N-No... It wasn't me at all...'' Molly answered...

It was the growl of a wolf or a bear. They had no idea what was it, but they knew that if they actually send the night here, they will become the prey of the hungry predatory animals here.

''Stay... Quiet...'' Molly wispered, not moving an inch.

The two girls both froze... And they heared the growl again... This time, alot closer.

''AAAAHHHH, I CAN'T DO THIS ANYMORE!''

Molly freaked out and started to run... Run somewhere. She couldn't see a thing, but she knew that if they stay here, they will surely die.

''MOLLY! DON'T LEAVE ME HERE!''

Libby tried to run after Molly, but she couldn't see her at all. She was lost in the darkness... Alone. When she realized that, Libby froze again and continued to cry. the phone idea was her only hope now...

''Please, please, please...''

Libby was pushing the buttons of her phone, praying to turn on... It did, but it was in very low light. With the speed of light, she opened her messege app and managed to send only two words before it shut down because of the low battery...

The park

Help

...

Molly was running for her life, having no idea where she was going. She was just crying and running in the darkness. It was so cruel for leaving her best friend behind, but she was too scared to stay there. While running, she tripped and fall.

The moment she was on the ground... An idea came. There was a rock right next to her... What if she kills herself, becomes a ghost and finds help for Libby?

It was dumb idea, awful idea... But what other options did she had? She reached for the rock... And was ready to smash her head with all the power she had, to finally get the freedom she deser-

''MOLLY!''

Molly turned around and saw Libby behind her. It was still too dark, but she was able to notice her in the darkness.

''L-Libby? Where are you?!'' Molly cried.

The two girls followed the sounds of their cries and finally found each other. They were so scared, they hugged and refused to let go.

''I'm sorry, Libby, I'm so sorry-

''I-It's okay... I... I did it! I t-texted my mom... I... I think they'll find us'' Libby cried.

It was both sad and terrifying. In the middle of the dark woods, just two girls crying over being lost. They gave up trying to find a way out, so they just sat next to a tree, still refusing to let go.

after half an hour, they were still sitting and hugging each other. Molly was already asleep, while Libby started to slowly close her eyes. They were so red from all the crying. When she was ready to fall asleep... She noticed a tall figure in dark robe... Holding a scythe.

''So... We meet again... Cheater...''

Libby was so scared... She fainted, while Molly was still sleeping and hugging her.