Chapter 26: Depression
Sharon, Pete, Darryl, Scratch and Molly were all having breakfast. After what happened yesterday, Molly spended the whole night crying and didn't even sleep. Actually, she wasn't sleeping at all the last few nights, when she was draining electricity it was making her more energetic, she didn't need to sleep at all.
While the McGees were eating, Molly didn't say a word. They were talking and laughing, while Molly was just sitting quietly. Sharon and Pete noticed this.
''So, Molly, any plans for today?'' Sharon asked.
''No...''
''You know, there are many kittens in the park, waiting to be pet'' Pete said.
Molly didn't even want to look at cats... Because there was a huge one, chasing her in her nightmares.
''I don't care...'' Molly said, as she got up, left her plate and went to the attic.
All of them noticed how sad Molly looked...
''What was that?'' Sharon asked.
''Meh, she is probably tired'' Scratch said, as he stuffed a huge taco in his mouth.
It was obvious something is bothering Molly, but Pete and Sharon decided to not think about it. Knowing their daughter, she'll probably be happy and joyful once again just after 10 or 20 minutes.
...
John and Kaito were sitting in a police car, close to the park. It was a shining morning, all the parents and kids were enjoying the hot day... Perfect place for a psychopathic serial killer.
''You know, this town is full with turnips. Too many!'' Kaito said.
''Yeah, they are our ''special'' thing here''
Kaito and his family were still trying to fit in. Brighton was small, but very friendly town.
''So, how is your family?'' John asked.
''Oh, very good... At least my wife if fine, can't say the same about my daughter...''
''Oh, you have kids?''
''Just one. Here'' Kaito said, as he pulled a little family photo.
The photo was of Kaito, his wife and daughter. It was taken next to Mount Fuji. His wife looked so happy and joyful, while the daughter looked little off. She was also smiling, but it was noticable how fake her smile was.
''They both look very cute!''
''Thanks! I love them more than anything'' Kaito said, as he putted the photo back in his pocket.
''But what's the matter with your daughter?''
''Oh well... The last few years she has been little down. Hikari used to be very happy and joyful, but now she is aways sad and down. We even had to take her to therapy, it still didn't work'' Kaito explained.
So... His daughter name was Hikari. It was very pretty name, but it was bad that she was feeling depressed. As a cop, John used to see many teens doing dangerous and stupid things. Even though most of the time they were doing dumb things, he still liked that some of them at least live their life.
''I'm sorry to hear that... Doesn't she have any friends?''
''Well, she used to have one pretty close friend, but their family moved away. Now, all she do is just be locked in her room. That's all she does, she locks herself in her room, put her headphones and completely ignores the outside world!''
''Oh gosh. You know, there is a thing here called ''friend-meeting''. It opened last year, it's basically parents setting up meetings for their anxious kids to meet other kids at their age. It works for both children and teens'' John explained.
''I... I'll think about it...''
''Come on, now it's the best time of year! We can't miss out summer!''
''Oh, she definitely isn't! I won't let her spend the entire summer locked in her room. But I won't rush it, I'll give her space for now'' Kaito said... As he noticed something.
Next to all the kids playing, there was one tree... With a huge vulture on it. It was so big, it was prbably even bigger than one small kid. It looked... Terrifying. It had dark feathers... And grey eyes...
...
Leah was ready to start another miserable day at her new miserable work. What will be now? Will another customer piss her off? Will her boss creep her out?
''Leah, I need you for a sec!'' Jessica called her from her office.
Speaking of the devil... Annoyed, Leah walked towards her boss's office. There was Jessica, with a girl next to her, probably around 18 or 19.
''Leah, this is Tamara Williams. She is our new employee! She just finished high school and is in Brighton for the summer! Please, show her around'' Jessica explained.
Tamara was very good looking girl. She had a nervous smile, brown eyes, and black-red hair. It looked exactly like Molly's hair.
''No worries... Come on, Tamara''
When Tamara and Leah left the office, Jessica looked at Tamara's files again. She had very interesting backstory: Studied art and trap design, lost her parents as a kid, and got adopted by very kind old couple. As long as Tamara is keeping a smile on her face, Jessica won't have any problems with her.
...
It was now afternoon... Molly spended the whole day, locked in the attic. Scratch was even done with his work few hours ago, but she didn't even have the energy to say one ''hi'' to him.
While Scratch was downstairs laughing with Darryl, Molly was just laying on her bed... And thinking what's the fastest way to kill yourself. She actually googled it, it turns out cutting your wrists is the fastest.
If she is dead, she'll be a ghost forever. Now she can only turn into a ghost because of draining energy, but if she wanted to be a ghost forever...
''Moll, you gotta come! Darryl just hacked all the security cameras across USA and there is so much hilarious footage!'' Scratch appeared, laughing.
''No... Leave me alone...''
Scratch was very confused. Normally Molly is the one who begs him to do something fun, but now she didn't want to. When Scratch thought about it, Molly hasn't shown her nose outside from the attic today.
''Uhhh... Is everything alright, kid?''
''Yes... Totally normal...''
''Okay, you know this line isn't working. Come on, what's up?'' Scratch asked, as he got closer to Molly and placed his arm on her shoulder.
''I said I'm fine!''
Scratch stepped back... It was now more than clear something is bothering her. He started to think why, and in annoyance he tried to apologize.
''Ugh... Fine, I'm sorry for overreacting...''
''Huh?''
''What happened last night, sorry... But you gotta admit, this joke was weird! Too weird even for you!''
''Oh... Fine, I forgive you...''
Molly didn't even turn to face him. Scratch was starting to think something else must be causing Molly to act so weird and sad.
''Okay... So, you gonna come down with us?''
''No... As I said, just leave me alone...''
''Molly, why don't you just-
''GO AWAY!'' Molly jumped out of her bed.
Scratch got little scared from this. He could see how upset Molly was... He could also see how hard she is holding her tears. He didn't leave. This look... Looked exactly like him when he is about to have a breakdown. Slowly, he flew towards her.
''Kid... Please tell me what's wrong''
Molly couldn't hide it anymore. She had to talk to someone. Even if she doesn't have any human friends, Scratch still was her best and only real friend...
''You... You won't believe it...'' Molly started to tear up
''I can at least try''
Molly tried to calm herself, but she couldn't...
''I... I heared Libby talking behind my back''
''Wait what?''
''She was with Charlotte and Andrea and they... They were making fun at me'' Molly was crying.
Molly hated how she had to remember all of it. How they were all laughing and talking at how stupid Molly was...
''This... This can't be right. Come on, we know Libs, she'll never do such a thing!''
''Yeah... I also thought I know her...'' Molly cried.
Seriously, Molly wasn't even mad about Charlotte and Andrea... Libby also talking bad about Molly was heartbreaking. Molly was her best friend... The first friend Libby ever had... The only real friend Molly had from long time... But all this time, Libby was just using and messing with her.
''We can talk with her, I'm sure all of this is just a misunderstanding''
''No, I'm never gonna talk or look at her ever again. I... I'm done, Scratch... I'm done with being enhappifyer'' Molly cried.
''What? Moll, please calm down. You can't just throw all the work you did over one bad thing someone said about you'' Scratch tried to explain.
Molly was now crying even harder...
''One bad thing? ONE BAD THING? It's not just Libby, no one appreciates me in this town! I... I did so much for this community, but everyone treat me like an outcast!''
''What are you talking about? Everyone here loves you!''
''DO THEY? You weren't even at the festival! Every single person was yelling at me! Or what about when you became human? The moment I became depressed, BRIGHTON TURNED INTO THE MOST MISERABLE PLACE AT EARTH AGAIN!''
''Well... Because you are the one who does the ''enhappifying'' around...''
''Exactly! I... I'm THE ONLY ONE who actually tries to make this town a better place! Charity, helping to popularize town, helping the elderly... FOR WHAT? I have so much pressure on myself, but no one ever appreciated my efforts... I never got a single ''thank you'' for all the things I did! THE MAYOR CAN'T EVEN SPELL MY NAME RIGHT!''
It was kinda true and Scratch knew it. Even though the Mayor gave Molly one hug trophy in the same day when Scratch became human again, most of the people here weren't very nice...
''You know Brightonians... At one point, the motto of the town was ''Don't have high expectations'' when I was 10'' Scratch said.
''So why should I try? I have to act like the town's little happy girl, but no one ever appreciated me. L-Libby was the only one who did it... The only one who loved and appreciated me... But she is just like everyone else. I never had a real home, I lost so many friends, I was forced to become a bully... I LOST HIKARI!''
''Um... Who is Hikari?''
''She... IT DOESN'T MATTER! I lost friends, never had a real home, people find me weird because OF THIS STUPID ADHD I'M BORN WITH!'' Molly cried, as she kicked her bed.
''Molly, please calm down. Having disability isn't something to be ashamed of!''
''YES IT IS! I... I don't even know what's like to be normal. All I wanted was to have a real home... Real friends... But I'll never have any of that! Yet, I have to fake a smile, or else this whole town is doomed to become miserable again... So, I'm done! I'll just lock myself here and I'll spend the rest of my life here in my room, where no one can hurt me!'' Molly cried.
''But... You can't give up on everything you did. That's exactly what I did when I was down, which caused my soul to literaly leave my body! Moll, you can't do that!''
''Seriously? Scratch... Please be honest... If you were alive... And all the things that happened to me, happened to you... Will you be able to continue living happily?''
Scratch... Thought about it. He wanted to help his best friend, but... He couldn't lie. He remebered every part of his life... Every single mistake he made. He didn't say anything for 10 seconds. A sad look appeared on Scratch's face.
''N-No...''
''That's what I thought...'' Molly said, as she layed back on her bed.
Scratch... Was speechless. He tried to help Molly, but this only made it worse. He was embarrassed of himself. Molly needed help, but he didn't know how. Ashamed and feeling bad... He left the attic, leaving Molly to cry herself to sleep...