Chapter 23: Using fear
It has been a year since Todd left Brighton. Probably the best decision he ever made. He never felt so alive, all the adventures him and Adia have, all the moments they share. In Brighton, he was just misarable, he was only wasting his life there, he never had any friends there... Or at least he doesn't remember having friends there. He should have left that small town years ago! It was another great day as he and Adia where now in Tokyo, exploring the forest Aokigahara. As kid he could only imagine going around the world and now he can go wherever he wants with his best friend.
''Adia, this is amazing!'' Todd said.
''I know, right? When I visited that forest few years ago, I was also amazed!''
''Everything about Japan is perfect! Especially the food!''
''Haha same old Todd, only thinking about food'' said Adia smiling at him
They were walking around the forest for 2 hours now. How could Todd reject Adia's invitations to come with her for so long? He was amazed and happy at every place they visited. Only for a year they visited so many places together, more than he had ever traveled in his life. He can finaly be with her.
"Hey Todd, wanna know something interesting?'' Adia asked.
''What?'' said Todd smiling at her.
''Did you know this is also called 'the suicide forest' because many people come here to commit suicide''
''Oh... Well... that's kinda sad'' said Todd and then he saw something in the distance.
Between all the trees and bushes he saw a little girl crying. He was first surpriced to see a kid alone in the forest, but he assumed that she probably got lost.
''Adia, do you see that kid?'' Todd asked and when he turned around, Adia was gone.
''What? Adia? Where did you go?''
The crying from the little girl got louder. He had no idea what was going on, but he knew he couldn't leave a little kid alone here. As he started to get closer to the girl, he saw what she looked like. She probably wasn't older than 13, had dark brown hair worn in a short ponytail, wearing ripped jean vest with white shirt, purple-pink skirt and red sneakers. He never met this kid before, but for some reason it looked so familiar to him.
''Uhhhh, kid? Is everythink alright'' Todd asked, as he got closer.
No response. He couldn't tell why, but he had the feeling that girl will jump at him and will cry his name... But that didn't happen... She gave him one look... And ran away.
''Wha, hey!''
The girl was just crying and running, but Todd started to chase her down. They were running past the trees... Nothing suspicious about middle aged man chasing a girl in the woods. He didn't even care about Adia anymore, he wanted to go stop that girl. He was getting closer, but she was still way ahead of him.
''Kid, come back!'' Todd was shouting, as he reached his arm.
Even though she was younger and faster than him, Todd was really close to catch her. So close, he finally grabbed her arm... But then he froze from fear when he saw that the girl had red demonic eyes.
''LET ME GO, YOU JERK!''
Molly shot a lighning at him, knocking him on the ground... And looked at him with her red eyes. Todd was confused and scared what was wrong with that kid. She started to get closer... But then she stopped.
''W-Wait...''
Then she started to... Drain energy. Thunder clouths fromed and lightning hit her... Consuming it. It looked like she was getting more powerful... But then she started to scream in pain.
''N-NOOOOOOOO! SCRAAAAAAATCH!''
Todd was so scared for her. He got up and tried to get closer, but couldn't get closer because of the electricity around her.
''K-KID, WHAT'S HAPPENING?!''
Her veins were glowing and the skin on her arms... Started to rot. She was consuming more and more energy, until she started to get caught on fire.
''HEEEEEEEELP MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!''
Her body, her hair... She was all in fire. Todd was just watching how that girl became a human torch... And right in front of her, she burned herself alive.
...
''AAAAHHH!''
Scratch once again had that nightmare... This time more was more terrifying than ever. He flew from his dollhouse, went downstairs... But Molly was gone. Only Sharon and Pete were there, both getting ready for work.
''Good morning, Scratch!''
''G-Good morning... Where's Molly?''
''Oh, she already left. Again a meeting with Hikari. Honestly, they're just like as I remember them'' Sharon explained.
This was bad. Scratch's nightmare was worse than ever, but he had no explanation why it is happening. Molly sure is acting a little strange recently... Could this have anything to do with it?
He needed answers, so he opened a portal to the Ghost World. Lecter sure will call him soon, so he wanted to meet someone before his shift starts.
...
Molly was at the park... Once again, full with O.A.S agents. She was waiting for Hikari, hoping that she'll admit that she's leaving Brighton. When she came... She didn't had a happy face, more like a worried and sad one. She also carried her journal with her.
''HIKARIIIIIIIIIIIII!''
Just like always, Molly greeted her and hugged her... But this time Hikari just slowly hugged her back.
''Hey, Molly...''
Molly was sure she's sad because of telling the truth about her family leaving Brighton.
''So uhhhh... How are you?''
''I'm good. I need to talk with you, but... First, let's go somewhere where those guys won't hear us...'' Hikari said, pointing to the soldiers.
As she grabbed Molly's arm, they went in one of the park's restrooms. Molly could see Hikari didn't had exactly a sad look, but more like a scared one... Very scared one.
''So, what's up? Anything... Important... That you wanna tell me?''
''Well, I would say yes... But I feel like I've already told you''
''Huh?''
Hikari then opened her journal to the last page.
''You know... Last night I was visited by the Phantom of Joy... She gave me an autograph... Isn't it weird how that's your signature?'' Hikari asked, pointing to her autograph.
Molly realized the mistake she made... Why, JUST WHY? How could she use her real signature? Such a childish mistake...
''Uhhh... Th-That's... Weird. Maybe she has been spying on me to-
''PLEASE! No excuses! Molly, I know it was you! No need to try to hide it!''
''Oh...''
Molly started to think Hikari was mad... But she wasn't. She was understanding and worried. Molly was just staring at the ground, ashamed. Hikari slowly grabbed her arm and cupped her cheek, forcing her to make an eye contact.
''Molly... What have you done?''
Molly took a deep breath, ready to reveal everything.
''I know this will sound crazy, but... The last year things have been... Tough. I've been through some difficult times... Especially on my last birthday... But I found something!''
''What?''
''I found a way to separate my soul! Like, just to leave my body soulless live to my boring life, while I fly free in the skies!'' Molly explained.
''WHAT?! WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT?!''
''I was feeling down! I was helping people, trying to make this town a better place, but...''
''Let me guess... They all started to take advantage of your kindness'' Hikari said, sadly.
Hikari knew this was probably what happened, because she has already seen it. Molly's happiness was both a blessing and a curse. The amount of kids and even adults who used Molly... It was scary when she remembered it.
''Yes. Trust me, I tried my hardest to keep the town a better place, but... It feels like the community just wants keep it miserable! They don't... They don't have a little bit of respect for me! And... There was that one festival, that...''
Molly couldn't continue anymore. She started to tear up under her sunglasses. Even though she was forgetting a lot of things lately, she sure remembered the night of the festival.
''Oh Molly...''
''They didn't stop to yell at me! Not just yelling, they... They were humiliating me! I never did anything wrong, I tried to do as many good deeds as possible, yet they still treated me like a complete outcast!'' Molly sobbed.
''Remember what I told you in fifth grade? Some people are just born to be jerks! I know it sounds sad, but... Some just never appreciate anything'' Hikari said, as she gently hugged Molly.
No... She never knew Hikari told her such a thing. After they broke from the hug, Molly continued to sob.
''I know, but I still tried to act positive. It's just... I was tired of being pushed around, only to get treated like trash... S-So I cursed myself''
''How?''
''Th-There was this old ritual that separates the soul from the human body... But I somehow messed it up. But honestly, I'm glad it didn't work out! Now I can be both a human AND a ghost! Isn't that fun?'' Molly explained.
Hikari became even more worried. The fact Molly is happy about risking her health like that was shocking.
''Molly, you're playing with forces you don't understand! Aren't there any side effects?''
''Pfff, side effects? No, not any! Trust me, I know exactly what I'm doing!''
Hikari knew Molly was lying. She realized those bandages on Molly's hands aren't just from one little incident.
''Can you... Take your glasses off?''
''Wh-What? Uhhhh... Why?'' Molly asked, nervous.
''Just to check something. Besides, right now we're not even on sunlight.
''B-But, they look good on me, there's no need to-
''MOLLY!''
Molly realized there's no way for her to save herself. She slowly took her glasses off... Revealing her glowing eyes...
''Not any side effects? NOT ANY SIDE EFFECTS?! Molly, does this look normal to you?!'' Hikari asked, shocked, scared and mad.
''I-It's not that big of a deal!''
''Excuse me?! Molly, a person's eyes don't just glow! Let me guess, that's also affecting your arms, isn't it?''
''J-Just... Maybe it gives a tiny burns...''
''Oh dear God... WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU?!'' Hikari yelled.
''Wha, hey? I'm totally fine!''
''No, you're not! Every time you get into a bigger and bigger mess, I always tell myself ''no worries, she'll learn her lesson''... YOU NEVER DO! From all the things, you now SOMEHOW turned yourself into... A ghost?!''
''A phantom to be corre-
''IT DOESN'T MATTER! Molly, you need to fix this!''
''I can't! Honestly, I don't even remember what I did wrong to mess up that ritual. It just happened!'' Molly tried to explain.
''Isn't there anyone here who understands the supernatural?''
There sure was one. It was Axel. The scary part was... Molly didn't want to give up on her powers. She knew they harm her body, but she didn't care at all.
''No... No one...''
''Really? No one understands the supernatural here?''
''Nope...'' Molly lied.
Hikari was shocked and worried. She was planning later to do some research. In reality, she was happy about her girlfriend. It takes some courage to turn yourself into a ghost to fight crime. But still, she was worried what this curse could do to Molly...
...
Scratch was at his ghost therapist's office. After he became corrupted and... Killed dozens of kids, his therapist helped him a lot.
''So, I have this friend, right? She's usualy nice, happy... But recently, she doesn't act like herself at all! She has fights with her parents, she avoid her friends... And now I have those weird nightmares about her'' Scratch explained.
''Hmmmm. Normally I would say it's caused by worrying about her, or those nightmares are visions''
''Visions?''
''Yeah. You do know ghost's dreams predict the future''
Scratch's jaw dropped. He never knew that is actually possible.
''Say what now?!''
''Yeah! Every ghost has at least one dream or nightmare about the future. Even the Reaper does! Humans also get them, but it's very rare for them''
Scratch was shocked. He never had dreams about the future... Yeah, he had visions about Molly when he was alive, but never had those kind of dreams as a ghost. But... If those nightmares really are predicting the future... Does that mean something bad is going to happen with Molly?
...
Molly was in front of the Chen's garage door, because June called her. Just like Hikari, June also sounded scared. Molly saw it was opened, so she went inside... And saw June, looking at her suspiciously.
''Hi, June!''
''H-Hi...''
''So, what's so important that you had to call me?'' Molly asked.
On the little table in the corner, there was a little audio recorder device and a purple bracelet.
''Just... Wanted to ask you a few questions...''
''Okay, go on!''
June was feeling sick at how friendly and innocent Molly was acting... Pretending like she just didn't blast them up a night ago...
''So ummm... Is that yours?'' June asked, as she grabbed the bracelet and showed it to Molly.
''Oh my, yes! I've been looking everywhere for that thing! Thanks, where did you find it?''
''Funny, because... Libby found it in front of the abandoned toy shop in the woods...''
Molly froze. She couldn't believe it. How could she drop her bracelet in the middle of the fight? No... Wait a minute! Why was Libby back there? Ugh, of course she will be! Of course she has to butt in Molly's life!
''I... Uhhh...''
''Strange how your bracelet was there, considering that you never came with us. I would say that's less weird than the other thing I have'' June said, as she grabbed the voice recorder.
Just one press of a button was enough to make Molly realize how much she messed up... The sound of her own voice creeped her out...
''No, no, no, I'm the one warning you all! Stop with this... Or prepare for a world of pain''
No idea how June got that recording, but Molly was now sure June knew. After so much hiding, she failed... Failed to keep her secret identity.
''It feels dumb to ask, but... Do you recognize that voice?'' June asked, sarcastically.
Molly didn't know what to do. She really was discovered as the phantom. Normally, she would panic, but now... She smiled.
''Huh... You really are smart...''
The remote for the garage door was right next to Molly... So she pressed it, causing the garage door to close. June was confused what she was doing, but... She realized where this was going.
Molly's smile was becoming bigger and bigger... And it was now a terrifying grin. It was like a horror movie. The worst part was Molly was blocking the way to the door that was separating the garage and the house.
This smile was the scariest and most terrifying grimace June has ever seen. Molly also took her sunglasses off, revealing her glowing eyes.
The garage door closed, leaving June and Molly in the dark... Molly's eyes glowed in that darkness. The way they glowed with that creepy smile... It made June to shiver from fear. Libby has told how a smiling demon was haunting her... Well, right now Molly's smile was 2x worse than the smiling demon.
''M-Molly... I don't like the way you're looking at me...''
One little step... Then another one... And a third one... And while June was thinking what she could do, Molly jumped at her, pressing June to the wall.
''MOLLY-
''Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!''
Molly covered June's mouth. Now that terrifying face was just a few inches away from June... It was so scary, she started to tear up.
''Awwww, why are you crying? You think I'm going to hurt you? No! But I sure want something'' Molly said... Keeping the same smile, even though she knew it terrifies June.
''Wh-What?''
''A deal! Why don't we make a deal?''
''Wh-What deal?''
''I want you to keep your mouth shut. Don't tell ANYONE about this. Not your parents, not Ollie, not Darryl, NO ONE!''
This was insane. June was probably the only one who knew Molly is the phantom, but she can't even say it...
''Or... Or what?''
''Well, if you tell someone about my little secret... I'll snap your neck...''
June's heart skipped a beat. She was getting so anxious and scared, she could only quietly sob under Molly's hand. She couldn't believe it... Molly just threatened her life.
The most sickening part was... Molly was enjoying this. She loved how scared June looked... It was giving her a feeling of power.
''You know... Darryl really likes you. He can't spend one hour without thinking about you. So, he wouldn't like it if something bad happens to you... You can keep my secret, so I won't have to do such a thing, right?'' Molly asked, still keeping the smile on her face.
''Y-Y-Y-
''Uh, Y-Y-Y-Y, come on, I'm waiting for an answer!'' Molly mocked her.
''Y-Yes... I... I won't t-tell anyone...''
''Good girl!''
Molly then patted June's head, freed her and opened the garage door. June was still sobbing on the ground...
''I'm sure I can trust you, June... I'm keeping an eye on you''
With the same terrifying grin, Molly walked to her house, leaving June in fear. She couldn't scream or call for help... She realized how dangerous of a person Molly actually is...