Chapter 12: A very bad day for Molly

It was now morning. Scratch has already left for work, while Pete and Darryl went out to spend some time. A very peacful morning... But now peaceful for Sharon and Molly. Molly bandaged her wrists... And was greeted with the horrible news that she has to go to therapy.

''ARE YOU KIDDING ME?''

''NO! YOU ARE GOING TO THERAPY! I'm not asking if you want it or not, YOU'LL GO! Self harming, running away, DRUGS? You have appointment after 2 hours, and you'll go, LIKE IT OR NOT!'' Sharon explained.

The worst part is that Sharon told her daughter about this just 2 hours before the therapy session. Molly was so mad, she was on the verge of shooting a lightning at her mother.

''YOU CAN'T JUST FORCE ME TO-

Before Molly could even finish... Sharon grabbed her shirt and lifted her in the air, like a little kid.

''Listen very carefully, you little selfish, ungrateful brat... You will do WHAT I SAY! You're in this house TO FOLLOW MY RULES! I'm your mother, AND YOU WILL KEEP YOUR TONE DOWN WHEN YOU SPEAK WITH ME! If you don't... Scratch won't be the only ghost in this house...''

''Are you... Threatening me?''

''YES! You'll do what I say, OR I'LL SWOOP YOU UP WITH YOUR DAD'S BELT!'' Sharon yelled.

Molly pushed her mom back and freed herself.

''WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU?! WHAT KIND OF MOTHER SAYS THAT TO HER KID?!'' Molly yelled... As the TV randomly turned on and off.

''You're making me do this, young lady!''

''WHAT ABOUT DARRYL? He has been doing WAY WORSE than me all these years! When did you speak to him like that?!''

''Oh please, he is younger than you, he doesn't know any better!''

''OH, SO I'M SUPPOSED TO KNOW BETTER BECAUSE I'M BORN FIRST?! He can be as foolish as he wants, but I'm supposed to act responsibly just because I'm born first?!'' Molly asked, angry.

''I expect BOTH of my children to be responsible!''

''A-AND HOW DO YOU WANT ME TO BE RESPONSIBLE WHEN YOU JUST THREATENED TO KILL ME?! You know what, I can't stay here!'' Molly said, as she opened the front door.

''Where do you think you're going?''

''I have 2 hours before that stupid therapy, I'LL GO SPENT TIME SOMEWHERE ELSE! As I said yesterday, I WON'T STAY IN ONE ROOM WITH SOME SICK SOCIOPATH!'' Molly yelled, as she left and smashed the door behind her.

Sharon's eyes were filled with rage, but at the same time, she realized how awful she acted. She never wanted to put her kids in roles, all she wanted was both of them to behave, and most importantly to live like a happy family.

''If you don't... Scratch won't be the only ghost in this house...''

Sharon was now is so much regret. That sentence sounded so sick and disturbing. She wasn't even gonna be surprised if Molly was mad at her, even she would be mad if her own mother say something like this to her...

...

Samantha was back at the Chens house. They were worried sick when they saw she was missing, but she explained how she was chasing a butterfly... Hiding the fact she saw a skinwalker in the woods.

''What a beautiful creature'' June said, staring at the shining butterfly in the jar.

''I didn't even know ghost butterflies exist!'' Ollie said, amazed.

''I'm not even sure if that thing is a ghost. If it was, it wouldn't have a problem to escape through the glass. Sammy, where did you first saw that?'' June asked, still not taking her eyes off the butterfly.

''In the front yard! I was just drinking the soda Ollie gave me, then that thing appeared out of nowhere!''

''It was here? Well... I don't know if that's amazing or terrifying...'' Ollie said, scared.

''We're about to find out. I'll also call Scratch to see if he knows anything about those species'' June said, as she grabbed the jar and went to her lab.

Samantha was worried. She fall asleep on the couch, while the old man was looking all over the house for the whole night. She eventually found her way back home, but she couldn't stop thinking about the woman she saw... And if what she said was true... Were really other skinwalkers here in Brighton?

...

Lecter was drinking his cup of ghost tea, while watching the sports channel... When someone smacked the door.

''LECTER! BOY, YOU HAVE A LOT TO EXPLAIN!'' Scratch said, mad.

''Hi there... You're 30 minutes early, that's-

Scratch flew to him and pushed him to the wall.

''WOAH! Relax!''

''RELAX? OH BABY CORN, YOU'LL BE LUCKY IF YOU MAKE IT OUT ALIVE... I MEAN, YOU'RE ALREADY DEAD, BUT YOU GET MY POINT!''

''Why... What did I do?'' Lecter asked with a mocking smile.

''WHAT DID YOU DO? MY SHARK IS SICK! COINCIDENCE HE GOT SICK RIGHT AFTER YOU FED HIM?''

''Mhhhhh, maybe-

Scratch punched Lecter in the nose, then pushed him on the floor... And for the final, he turned into a giant creepy ghost, ready to demolish Lecter.

''OKAY, OKAY, RELAX! It's not just a coincidence... It's true, I did made it sick...'' Lecter said, as he got back up.

''CARE TO TELL ME WHY?!''

''Hey, you're the one who decided to turn ME into his lunch! What, I'm supposed to just hide every time you come to work?''

''Only because you aways make my job 2x harder than it should be! You know, there's nothing saying I can't beat you up before my shift starts, SO I'LL JUST DO THAT!'' Scratch said, cracking his knuckles.

''Okay, okay! Will a day off stop you from doing that?''

''Maybe... But I'm telling the Reaper about this!'' Scratch said, as he opened a portal to the Human World and left.

Lecter just continued to smile. He was proud... Proud that he managed to somehow hurt Scratch. It was silly, but he loved to hurt him in every way imaginable... Only if he could think of an even better prank...

...

Molly was at Axel's office. The worst, most boring thing she had to do. She could've fly as a ghost, or be out with Hikari, or do ANYTHING other than being here.

''So, your mom told me about... What's recently happening'' Axel said.

''I guess so...''

''Alright, we have 1 hour. So... why is that, Molly? Why are you harming yourself?''

Because that was the only way for her to turn into a ghost... Of course, she can't just straight up tell him about her little secret.

''It feels good. You know, just grab something with electricity in it and... Let it do it's magic'' Molly said with a smile.

''I'm sure there is other reason than just feeling good. Do you think this could be caused by some sort of stress or hidden sadness?''

''No, just feels good... That's all...''

''Your mom also told me that you two recently had trouble speaking. Why is that?''

Molly was getting more and more mad. Every single second spend here was making her feel sick...

''Okay, this is getting ridiculous!''

There was one thing Axel noticed. First, he could feel how strong Molly's aura had become... Way too strong for a girl at her age. Second, she was always trying to lie her way out of every question he asks her...

''I see you're not big of a fan of therapies''

''You get that right...''

''Why is that?'' Axel asked... And felt how rageful Molly was.

''Ohohoho, you wanna know why?''

''Of course. I'm here to help, you have to tell me everything that bothers you''

Molly just waited for this question. She already prepared around 70 dollars.

''Because... Therapists are frauds...'' Molly said with a mocking smile.

''Huh?''

''Oh please, don't act surprised. So, let me get this straight: I should sit here, tell some random guy who BARELY knows me about all my problems in life? About all my deep dark secrets, only for him to diagnosee me with depression? You know why I help people, Axel?''

''W-Why?''

''Because I actually CARE about making people happy! Therapists only do it because they get paid for it! They are frauds and creeps! I always knew that, and Dahmer just proved my point! I'm not even supposed to be here, and I WON'T be here!'' Molly said, as she left a few bucks at the table, got up and prepared to leave.

''Molly, I don't think you get the main point-

''Oh, I sure do! Would they care if they don't get paid? What guarantees me that some stranger calling himself a ''therapist'' won't expose my secrets to someone else? NOTHING! Therapists are such a big frauds, I hate them more than I hate magicians!'' Molly said, as she left and smashed the door behind her.

Axel was confused and speechless. He never imagined to see so much hidden rage and anger in such a happy girl like Molly. And really... Her aura was too strong, at one moment Axel was feeling hurt just by being close to her... Something wasn't right and he already knew it...

...

In the Chens garage, Scratch gathered Ollie, Libby, June and Darryl. Molly was also about to come here any second. He was still mad, but he had to tell everyone about the phantom he had to hunt down. June showed Darryl the butterfly, while Libby and Ollie were talking. Scratch was waiting outside and Molly finally showed up.

''Sorry I'm late, I... I had some other things to do...''

''No worries, we were just about to start'' Scratch said.

''Alright, so why did you-

Molly froze the moment she saw Libby from the opened garage door. She was so mad, she dragged Scratch to the front door before Libby could notice her.

''Ow, ow! What's the matter?''

''Scratch, what is SHE doing here?!'' Molly asked, as she pointed to Libby, who was still talking to Ollie.

''What, I said we'll need all Ghost Friends'' Scratch explained.

''She is NOT a Ghost Friend! NOT ANYMORE!''

''Ugh, still mad about the talking behind your back? Again, I'm sure it's not what it looks like, Libs would never-

''SHE DID! I heard her! Scratch, I told you she is dead to me! I DON'T TALK WITH DEAD PEOPLE!''

Both Scratch and Molly cringed at the statement she just made.

''Uhhh... You do realize that-

''Yes, sorry, I do... You get my point!'' Molly said, as she crossed her arms like a mad child.

''Moll, there is a reason I called all of you! We don't have time for some silly teenage dramas, just talk with her later to get over whatever is between you two!'' Scratch said, annoyed.

Molly was still hurt... Very hurt. Out of all the people, she never imagined to hear those awful things from Libby's mouth. It almost felt like someone stabbed a knife in Molly's back.

''Fine... Whatever...'' Molly said, as she walked to the garage.

Scratch followed Molly. Libby greeted her, but Molly just gave her a cold look and sat on one of the chairs. There was a chair for all the Ghost Friends. Everyone took a seat, while Scratch was floating in front of everyone.

''Why are we all here again?''

''I gathered all of you for one, and one reason only. You see, there are many ghosts. Some good, some bad... Very bad. But there used to be things called phantoms. And recently I got a report of a phantom right here in Brighton!'' Scratch explained.

Everyone in the room was confused. Molly took a little bottle of water and started to slowly drink and listen.

''Phantoms? What makes phantoms different than ghosts?'' June asked.

''They're way more powerful and dangerous. The weirdest part about them is that they aren't a real ghosts or wraiths. Phantoms can change to human and ghost form whenever they like'' Scratch explained.

That last part got Molly's attention...

''So... They are like humans or...

''Yeah, humans who can turn into ghosts. Normally those guys disappeared hundreds of years ago, but the Ghost Council has reports of a new phantom causing trouble around the globe. It always returns here in Brighton'' Scratch explained.

Molly was getting nervous and continued to drink her water...

''I actually also noticed that from some news. The blackout in half of America, strange thunders in Argentina and France... And there are videos of that strange thing stopping a robbery, but I wasn't sure if it wasn't a ghost'' June explained.

''It's not, it's a phantom. That thing can change the weather, it's probably the most powerful spirit I've seen in a while... And it's right here, somewhere in Brighton! That's why we, as the Ghost Friends team, will hunt AND KILL THAT PHANTOM!''

The moment Scratch said this, Molly spat out her drink... And got up.

''Wait, wait, wait, WAIT! Scratch... Aren't we overreacting? I guess phantoms are powerful, but... Let's say that he... Or she... Doesn't want to cause trouble and maybe it just wants to... Have some fun?'' Molly said with a nervous smile.

''Phantoms are very unpredictable, Moll, that's why they should be ended. It doesn't matter if it wants to have fun or not, it's drawing too much attention! Humans already started to ask questions, and even captured it on videos! We have to find it, and give it to the Grim Reaper!''

''How are we even gonna catch that thing?'' Libby asked.

''It looks like that phantom is made out of some kind of energy. If I manage to understand that energy, maybe I can make some traps!'' June said.

''You know, I saw some people are selling ghost hunting snipers on the Dark Web... I'll totally order a few of those!'' Darryl said.

''WHAT? DARRYL, YOU'RE USING THE DARK WEB?!''

''Uhhhh, you heard nothing...''

''Well, looks like a plan is forming... ALRIGHT, TEAM, LET'S HUNT DOWN THAT PHANTOM! ON THREE! 1, 2, 3-

''GHOST FRIENDS!'' Everyone shouted, as they had a group high-five... Everyone except Molly, who was just standing terrified.

Before Ollie and Libby could talk to her, she opened the garage door and left. Looks like they didn't even notice her, because all of them continued talking and discussing a plan. Molly was so scared and terrified. She just realized that she is a phantom... Till now, she didn't even know what she was. The most shocking part... She was gonna get hunted by her own friends...