Chapter 6: Harm

Scratch woke up at 9:30 by a very strange dream where he was riding a horse on top of a rainbow... No idea what this dream is supposed to mean, but it was fun. He flew downstairs to the kitchen and was greeted by very worried looks.

''Molly, what's the matter with you?!'' Sharon asked.

Once again Molly tried to hide her wrists, but this time it didn't work.

''I... I just got a little shock when I tried to fix the TV!'' Molly lied.

''Little shock? LITTLE SHOCK?! You almost drowned yesterday, now you got a ''little shock''? Molly, what are you doing these days?'' Sharon asked, as she grabbed Molly's painful hand to look at her veins.

''I... Ummm... I...''

''That's it, you are going to a doctor!''

Scratch found it very ironic how sometimes the biggest danger for Molly was herself. Even if no one tries to hurt her, she manages to somehow hurt herself by doing something as simple as watching TV. As Sharon, Pete and Molly went to the car outside, he and Darryl sat next to the table.

''What's up with Moll?''

''No idea, you know how she is... Hey, I heard the nerds are back in town'' Darryl said with a grim smile.

There was a little group of nerdy kids who visited Brighton every summer... And Darryl and Scratch's favorite thing was to prank and scare them in every way.

''Ohhhh, I like where this is going'' Scratch said with a grim smile... But the ghost phone appeared ''Ugh, looks like I'll first have to be done with my work. Have fun, kiddo'' Scratch said, as he opened a ghost portal and went to the Ghost World.

Even with his shark, this job still sucked. Scratch really just wanted one day... One day to be finally free from this awful torture.

...

Molly was in the doctor's office. Even though it was annoying, Molly wanted the pain in her wrists to stop.

''Oh my goodness, those look horrible! Looks like muscle contractions from high electrical shock. How did it happen again?'' Dr. Reed asked.

''The TV broke and I tried to fix it, but... It didn't end very well...'' Molly explained.

''Is there something we can do to relax her veins?'' Pete asked, worried.

''Well, I can suggest to bandage her wrists up. It will take some time, maybe 2 or 3 months? And make sure to change the bandages every day. Also... Can I have a word with Molly alone, please?''

Both Sharon and Pete were confused, but they decided to leave them alone. They got up and walked out of his office.

''Molly... How did it really happen?''

''Huh? I told you, I-

''Please, a TV can't cause that. I have no idea how your parents fall for it, but you can't trick me'' Dr. Reed explained.

Molly didn't say a word. She just started to stare at her wrists, too ashamed to even look at the doctor in the eyes.

''It's... Nothing serious...''

''Molly... I need to know what caused it, so I could know how to treat you''

Not a word, Molly was starting to feel pretty embarrassed. She knew there is no way to lie her way out this time.

''It was... Wasn't exactly an accident...'' Molly said, avoiding eye contact.

''So... You caused it?''

''Ummm... Kinda...''

''What happened exactly?'' Dr. Reed asked, starting to get very worried about where this conversation was going.

''Well... Um... I... I love electricity. Just... Getting close to something with energy in it and... Grab it''

There was no way for Molly to tell him about her powers, but that was the closest she could describe her situation.

''So... You are a self-harmer?''

''M-Maybe...''

A dead silence filled the doctor's office...

''There is a cream about those burns that may help too with the bandages... And I'll also suggest your parents to take you to therapy''

''WHAT? N-No!''

''Molly... What you described isn't normal. It will be for the best for you to go to therapy. I'll give you time until tomorrow to tell your parents about this, but if you don't... I'll have no other option, but to call them myself'' Dr. Reed said.

He has seen many cases of teens harming themselves. The first step of a problem like this is admitting it yourself, so that's why he wanted to give Molly a chance to tell her parents what she is doing.

While Sharon and Pete were waiting, Molly came out of the office... With a scared look on her face.

''So, what else did he say?''

''N-Nothing... Let's just go back home...'' Molly said... Terrified, realizing what's about to happen tomorrow.

...

Scratch was on his break. Lecter didn't even think to look or talk with him, which was very nice. Doing his job without someone to constantly annoy him. While he was sitting and just eating some tacos, something started to pull him...

''What the?''

A strange invisible force was pulling and pulling. He couldn't do anything, but question what was happening... And ended up in front of the Ghost Council.

''Eyyyyyyyy, there are my people! How long has it been? A year, 2 years since we saw each other?'' Scratch joked.

''Scratch, we need to discuss something serious!''

By the look of their faces, they looked worried. Still strict and serious, but he could see the worried look in their eyes.

''Uhhh... What's up?''

''Strange anomalies are happening recently in the Human World! Something like a ghost is causing trouble, few people already saw it!''

''That's it? A bad ghost is causing trouble? So, what does this have to do with me?'' Scratch asked, confused.

''We have a feeling that's not just a normal ghost... That thing behaves like a phantom!''

Scratch was even more confused...

''That's ridiculous! There hasn't been a phantom for hundreds of years!'' Scratch said.

''We know! But a normal ghost isn't that powerful! Already caused storms in few countries! Here's the interesting part: It always returns in Brighton!''

''In Brighton?''

''Yes! That's why we called you! You need to find that phantom and end it!''

''Woah, woah, woah! End it? Ain't that little... Too much?'' Scratch asked.

''Phantoms are very dangerous creatures, Scratch! You know what happened the last time when the Grim Reaper spared a phantom!''

Scratch actually had no idea what they were talking about, but he didn't ask any questions. By the way how worried they acted, it sounded like it end too well.

''Just find that phantom, hand it over to The Reaper and he'll do his job!''

''Well... Okay! That phantom isn't gonna hide forever, you know! I'll find this troublemaker and will make him beg for mercy!'' Scratch said, motivated.

The moment he said that, the ghost phone appeared again, reminding him the break was over. Not only he had work here, but he also had to hunt down a phantom... But at least this was way more fun than this boring job.

...

Molly was in the attic. She tried to think what to do. Should she tell her parents? Or should she keep quiet? Either way, the doctor will call them tomorrow and expose her if she doesn't tell them.

She was thinking what to do when a rock hit her window. She looked outside and saw Hikari.

''Molly!''

Molly was so happy to see her love outside. She left the attic, went downstairs to the front door, went outside and immediately hugged Hikari.

''HIKARIIIIIII!''

''Haha, do you really have to do this every time we meet?'' Hikari laughed, as she hugged Molly back.

''Yes, I love you!''

''Awwww, I love you too! I came to see if you wanna hang out''

''What kind of question is this? OF COURSE I WANT, YOU SILLY!'' Molly said, as she hugged her even tighter.

''Great! You know, there is a new party club that opened in the center! All ages! We can go tonight if you want to''

''Sounds fun! Until then, we can spend some time at the park!'' Molly said... As she kissed Hikari's cheek.

''Awwww, you sweetie! Yeah, we can go there'' Hikari said, as she petted Molly's head.

There it is, a way to forget about her misery! Spending time with her love! Molly just started to imagine how much fun she'll have tonight. She was so happy... She drained a little energy out of one street lamp, without her and Hikari even realizing.