Chapter 11: Hunting Night
Molly and Scratch were back. Thank God, Sharon and Pete were already asleep. No matter what, Scratch refused and refused to tell Molly what he saw behind the blanket on the wall. They walked to the attic... And Darryl was waiting for them.
''Gotcha!''
''Darryl? What are you doing here?'' Molly asked.
''I needed your scissors, but both of you were gone'' Darryl explained.
''Ugh... Sweet baby corn...''
''You're not gonna snitch on us, right?'' Scratch asked, scared.
''And ruin my reputation as the foolish sibling? No way!''
''Role of a foolish sibling? What's that supposed to mean?'' Molly asked, confused.
''Molly, you're messing up the natural order! See, in the history of this family, me and you have SPESIFIC roles! You're supposed to be the happy and responsible sibling, while I'm the foolish sibling! That's why mom is so harsh on you, you're not supposed to act like a bad sibling!'' Darryl explained.
Molly couldn't believe this. So her brother is supposed to act like a jerk, but she can't? This was so unfair, Molly was on the verge of exploding from rage.
''THAT'S RIDICULOUS! They can't just put us in those stereotypes! I'M A HUMAN TOO, I CAN FEEL DIFFERENT EMOTIONS OTHER THAN JOY!''
''My thoughts exactly... Which is why I have a proposition for you: the next time you walk on the wild side, you'll have to take me with you so I can show you the ropes and act as the scapegoat the next time you get caught. That way we can both have some fun'' Darryl said with a grim smile.
''Umm... I... I'll think about it, bro...''
''Not only I'll be the foolish one again, but mom won't be harsh on you again...''
''I... I guess you have a point... Thanks, Darryl... At least one McGee here thinks about me'' Molly said, as she hugged her brother.
''No worries... Anyways, I gotta go to bed, me and June have a da- I mean... We'll go out tomorrow, bye!'' Darryl said, as Molly freed him and he left the attic.
Scratch and Molly were alone. She thought about sneaking out again or turning into a ghost again... There was just no way to go back to sleep, she didn't want to end up in a nightmare cage...
''Pssst, let's stay up all night!'' Molly whispered to Scratch.
''Ha, no way, we have to go to bed! I have work tomorrow... I already know without Ghost Shark, Lecter will make my afterlife agony again...''
''But... I can't go to sleep!''
''Why?''
Molly tried to think of a good lie... But she couldn't. She realized she have no choice, but to admit to her best friend what's going on.
''I can't believe I'm admitting this, but... I'm having nightmares... For long time now...''
''Nightmares?'' For how long exactly?''
''For few weeks now... I'm not kidding, I have nightmares EVERY time I go to sleep! I just... I don't want to go to sleep, Scratch...'' Molly said with sad eyes.
Even though this was new information, Scratch was suspecting that Molly is pulling up all-nighters. She aways waited for him to go to sleep first, everytime he wakes up, she is already awake (even in times when he had to get up in 7:00 AM for his work).
''That's... Odd... Want me to cuddle you, kid?''
''Y-Yeah... This may help...'' Molly said with a little smile.
''Ugh, fine... Scooch over''
Molly layed down on the left side of the bed and Scratch layed next to her. It was feeling a little weird for him, but it wasn't for her. Molly gently and lovingly hugged him and started to slowly fall asleep. It was just... So relaxing... It was feeling like she was cuddling a cold cloud.
...
Samantha was outside the Chens house, drinking a strawberry soda. After the prank they pulled on her, she was starting to isolate herself from everyone, except June. She was a little younger than her, but she really was a sweet kid. Smart too, Samantha learned a lot from her.
She really enjoyed the fresh air. She was just gonna finish her drink and go inside... When she noticed something glowing on the grass. She got up and was getting closer... And saw a little bright yellow glowing butterfly.
''Woah!''
The moment she got closer, the butterfly got scared and flew away. She couldn't tell why, but she really liked that strange creature... So much, she left her drink next to the door and started to chase it.
''Hey, come back!''
Like a little kid, Samantha was first fast walking, but then she started to run after it. The butterfly was flying all over the street. Just like a hunter, Samantha was not gonna leave her prey until she catches it.
10 minutes... For 10 minutes Samantha was chasing that ghost butterfly. She didn't even realize they were now in the woods. No matter what, she is not giving up on catching that beautiful insect.
''Ughhh, I SAID COME HERE!''
She jumped at it, but only fall while the butterfly started to fly in circles over her head... Almost looked like it was mocking her.
''What's happening? I used to kill humans, but now I can't catch a dang butterfly?!'' Samantha was talking to herself, mad.
When she realized the butterfly was above her, she jumped at it again, but couldn't catch it. Now that thing really was getting on her nerves. She started to run with all the speed she had, while the butterfly was flying away... She was running and getting closer... And finally, after so much time and struggles, she caughed it.
''HAHAHAHA! WHO'S THE ULTIMATE HUNTER, HUH?''
''Definitely not you, fish craw...''
The moment Samantha heard that voice behind her... She turned around and saw the woman with curly grey hair and grey eyes.
''Hi there...''
''NO! NOT YOU! WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!'' Samantha asked, terrified, as she got up and started to step back.
''We're here for you... You think you can just abandon us? That you can throw your fate away?''
''My fate is DEFINITELY NOT THIS! Wait a minute... We?''
''YES! Me, Nekhebet, Aegypius, Basilisk... Amarok... WE'RE ALL HERE FOR YOU! And guess what... I finally found you... HAHAHAHAHAHA!''
Samantha immediately started to run. She wasn't even thinking about turning back to see if she was following her, she was just running for her life. She was still holding the butterfly, carefully.
Samantha was hearing the woman's evil laugh. How did they find her? Where are they hiding? This night became a disaster. Because of all that thinking, Samantha distracted herself and accidenatly tripped and fell on the ground.
She tried to get back up. The evil laugh stopped, which was a good sign. She got up... And saw an old man, pointing at her with a shotgun.
''WHO'S THERE?!''
''Woah! S-Sorry, I just... I was being chased!'' Samantha tried to explain.
The man froze the moment she mentioned she was chased. The fact a kid is in those woods so late at night was already creepy.
''Chased? By what?''
''Uhhh... Well... You... You won't believe me, but-
''Skinwalkers? ARE THEY ACTUALLY HERE?''
Samantha was surprised the man actually knew skinwalkers exist.
''Y-Yes actually... I think I saw something like that...''
''Oh no... They're closer... Kid, you have to come with me before it's too late!'' The old man said, as he grabbed Samantha's hand.
''Hey, where are we going?''
''To my house! We'll be safee there!''
Samantha didn't have any other options. If she tries to go back to Brighton, she'll probably end up becoming the skinwalker's dinner... Or they might even do something worse.
...
Very deep in the woods, they reached a small wooden house, surrounded by a little silver wall. This explains how they haven't hunted that man yet. The house was really nice inside. He didn't have TV, computer, or anything like that. It looks like this man isolated himself from the modern world.
''You hungry, sweetie?'' The man asked, as he left his shotgun on the couch and opened his freezer.
''Maybe a little bit'' Samantha said, nervously.
The man took out a frozen steak (probably by an animal he hunted himself), put it inside a little oven and left it to cook for a few minutes. While her dinner was making, the man sat on the chair right next to her.
''So, what's your name, little girl?''
''I'm Samantha... Samantha Tracer!''
''Samantha? What a beautiful name. I'm Frank... Frank Mortenson''
''Frank? Nice to meet you, Frank! So uhh... Why are you living in the woods alone?'' Samantha asked.
''Ah, I'm a man of nature. I've lived like that from years. Now I must ask you the same question, what are YOU doing so late at night out?''
''I was chasing that thing'' Samantha said, as she showed the man the butterfly she was still holding.
Even though Frank has seen many animals... And many weird ones... He has never seen such a butterfly. It looked like something out of a fairytale.
''Huh... Interesting... ''
''I know, it is! I was chasing it, but... I kinda got lost''
''I see. Well, we don't want that thing to move a lot'' Frank said, as he got up, grabbed one of his empty jars and Samantha put her butterfly inside.
''Thanks!''
''No worries. You better stay here for the night... There are many weird creatures in these woods...''
''I know... I've already seen some... So, don't you have a family, Frank? It must be really lonely out here''
''Haha, not really. I'm alone'' Frank said, as he petted Samantha's head.
''Oh... Really? No one?''
''No one! I used to have a nephew, but... He passed away in an earthquake a few months ago''
''Oh... I... I'm sorry to hear that...''
''It's okay, I-
Before Frank could even finish, he heard a very loud laugh from his open window... Both he and Samantha froze.
''Oh no...''
''AH F*CK! Stay here and don't make any sounds!'' Frank said, as he grabbed his shotgun and went outside.
Samantha was surprised at how brave this man was. He was alone, but he didn't have any fear to face any skinwalkers or beasts. Samantha curled up on the couch, while Frank was looking all over... This sure will be a long night...