Chapter 28: Risks
It was around 1:00 PM. For half an hour, Scratch and Libby were walking around the woods, trying to find the O.A.S secret base. It was supposed to be a little deeper in the woods, so they walked for a while.
''You know, we can always turn back and-
''No! I'm sure it's down here somewhere, we just have to search more!'' Libby said.
It was clear she is not going back until they find their base. They sure were now very deep in the woods, which means they gotta be close. After another 5 minutes, they couldn't find anything and Libby started to slowly lose hope, until...
''LIBBY, WATCH OUT!'' Scratch said, as he pushed her in a bush and turned invisible.
''Ow! Scratch, what is-
''SHHHHHHH!''
Next to a tree, there was an O.A.S soldier who didn't notice or heard them. He was patrolling, which means they really are close to their base. Libby slowly got back up and walked behind all the bushes and trees.
Without the agent noticing anything, she and Scratch went to the area behind him... And down in the hill, they saw a big base camp full of agents and military jeeps.
It had an electrical fence and lights. It had many military tents and a huge generator in the middle that kept the lights powered up.
''So this is where they hide!'' Libby said, as she took out her phone.
''Yeaaaaah, there's no way we go there. What are you doing?''
Libby started to take as many pictures as possible. She didn't care about how many agents are there, or how she will get over the fence. She was gonna get there!
''Hmmm, maybe if we turn off that generator, we can-
''Libby, no!''
''Come on, Scratch! We can come back in the night, you will fly there and turn off the generator. This will deactivate the lights, which will give me enough time to go inside!'' Libby tried to explain.
''And how am I supposed to go there without their silly radars detecting me?''
''Hmmm... I'll think of something''
''Libby, no! We can't go there without those guys seeing us! Sorry, but we have to go back home!'' Scratch explained.
Libby was down. She didn't want to sneak in there to prove anything, she wanted Brighton to be free from those bastards... And she also wanted to get revenge for them beating up her mom!
Maybe she has to do it alone. It will be even more dangerous without getting any help from Scratch, but she wasn't gonna give up on exposing the O.A.S.
...
Molly and Hikari were at the park... Far away from the soldiers there. She needed to see her girlfriend, just to stop thinking about what was happening with Abigail and the skinwalkers.
''So, I did a lot of research about phantoms, but I can't find anything...''
''Hikari, there's no need to do that! I'm great!'' Molly said, while holding Hikari's hand.
Hikari couldn't help, but watch the bandages over Molly's arms. This was a lie... Molly isn't feeling great at all and this proves it.
''Molly, electrocuting yourself isn't great! Not to mention your eyes look like flashlights! This ISN'T normal!'' Hikari said, worried.
''Okay, maybe there are a few tiny side effects... But they don't matter! I'm totally fine, don't you see it? I'm finally worth something!''
Hikari froze. What does Molly mean by that? Did she really think she was nothing without those dangerous powers? Oh, this doesn't sound good at all...
''B-But... You were perfect even without that! Molly, both of us have no idea what you are, yet you don't seem worried at all!''
''Because I don't have to be! I'm a phantom from like... 2 weeks? Maybe 3 weeks? Besides those silly side effects, nothing serious has happened to me! I can fly, I can go wherever I want and I save people!'' Molly explained with a smile.
''That's not the point! Those O.A.S agents are here because of you! Do you realize right now you're a national target?'' Hikari said, placing her hands on Molly's shoulders.
''Well... I would accept the title with honor!''
This was really bad. Molly wasn't taking her situation seriously...
''This isn't a movie or a comic, Molly! This is real life, you put yourself in a high risk of danger!''
''Hikari, don't you already know I'm a girl who loves take risks?''
''THAT'S A TOO HIGH RISK! The government is probably tracking down every single move of you!''
''And? As far as I can see, they haven't done anything to stop me! I can travel free EVERYWHERE... Which gives me an idea'' Molly said with a grim smile.
''What idea?''
Molly walked to one of the park's lights, raised her hand and started to drain the electricity from it... Turning herself into a phantom.
''A-ARE YOU INSANE?! The agents will-
Molly shushed Hikari. Thank God, the patroling agents were too far away to see them.
'''Shhhh, don't worry! They can't do anything to me. So... Wanna have a second ghost date?''
Did she? Hikari knew Molly is putting herself in a big danger. She was worried that curse she did on herself will somehow backfire... Yet, she was finding such a date kinda romantic and sweet.
''Um... M-Maybe...''
''That's all I needed to hear!''
Molly wrapped her arms around Hikari as tightly as possible and flew of her... Getting the attention of the agents when she was in the air.
''WHAT THE?!''
Too late, Molly already flew away with Hikari. Even though they saw her and would probably report it, Molly really didn't care. At this rate, she really was living on the edge.
...
It has been a few hours since Scratch and Libby checked out the secret camp. He wanted to see Libby how she was doing, so he flew to officer John's house (this time not falling in any of the traps which Leah forgot to remove), went inside... But no one was home.
''Libs?''
No response. She wasn't here. Maybe she went out to see her girlfriend? Or just to have a walk outside? Scratch was thinking of that, but then he saw something...
On the floor right next to the couch, there was a huge sniper bag. He wasn't surprised, after all the guy who lives here is an officer. The strange part was the bag was empty... And it was strange how it was in the middle of the living room. Who keeps a sniper in their living rooms? Maybe... Maybe someone took it out and forgot to place the bag back.
''Oh no... LIBBY!''
It was all obvious... Even though Scratch warned her, Libby was still gonna break in the O.A.S base. But why would she need a sniper? Is she... Planning to kill someone?
...
Molly and Hikari were sitting close to a huge lake. They were far from Brighton and it was quite extreme for Hikari to be that long in the air, so they needed a break.
''Wanna have a swim race?''
''Haha, no thanks! The last time I tried to swim, I almost drowned... Besides, I'm not sure it will be good for someone who's made out of energy to go in water...''
''Hm, you have a point. So, where do you wanna go? Canada? Russia? Or both?''
''Whenever you take me, Molly... Also, don't you wanna take a break from your phantom form?''
''Nah, it feels great!''
Hikari was worried. Molly wasn't flying, she wasn't using her energy for anything... Why does she want to stay like that?
''I'm sure it does, but it will be for the best to give your body a break from all that electricity'' Hikari tried to convince Molly.
''Nope, I'm fine! I'm telling you, it feels so good! It's like you're DOUBLE happy! Or feeling like you can run a whole marathon! Or like you're invincible! I feel so many positive emotions at once!''
''That's... Great to hear, but you don't need to stay like this when you don't do anything...''
''Awww, you're so adorable when you're worried!''
Molly really didn't care at all. Hikari really was worried for her. Yes, they can do whatever they want, but she didn't like how Molly is ruining her body over those powers.
''Molly... I'm worried for a reason...''
''Hikari, I'm telling you! Nothing bad is happening or will happen to me! I'm as powerful as a Goddess!''
She could see the slightly purple aura forming. It sure looked creepy. Or the red-purple eyes... If Molly was feeling positive emotions, why was she also looking so creepy?
''I see you're confident about it, but you really have to be more careful. People are trying to hunt you down... I guess it feels nice, but-
''But it doesn't matter what others try to do to me, because they can't stop me! No one can! Hikari, I don't want you to live in fear because of me... I guarantee you, I'm feeling better than ever!''
''You sure are, but... I just want you to be more careful. I'm down that I'll have to move away at the end of the summer, so I won't be able to even look after you...''
''Oh... I forgot about that...''
''Molly, I'm proud to see you so happy, but... I'm scared for you. Right now, you're something that no one in this world understands... Which is why those idiots in Brighton try to hunt you down. There will probably be even more people who would want you... I'm only worried because I care about you'' Hikari explained, fighting her tears.
Molly was feeling bad. She didn't realize she's making Hikari sick from worry. Molly wanted to prove her wrong, to prove she is safe...
''Hikari, I know you care about me. I care about you too! I don't want you to be sad over something like that. What I have... It's a gift! A blessing! I'm changing the world, I save people's lives!''
''With the cost of your safety...''
''Again, I'm fine! No one will find out about my identity. You're the only one who knows''
''I... I'm not sure. I just really love you, which is why I can't stop thinking about this. I'm sure you can look after yourself and be responsible, but... If you grow up and end up in the wrong group, I-
''This will never happen again! I... I changed! The old Molly who was used by everyone is gone! I'm not that naive anymore... No one will push me over ever again!''
Hikari knew this was a lie. She knew Molly too well. No matter how many times she says she changed, Molly always ends up in even worse situations than before.
She started to tear up. Hikari was sure Molly would mess up something. If not that curse, maybe the government will catch her one day. She realized Molly will get herself killed...
''H-Hey, don't cry... We were just having fun, don't be sad''
Molly gently hugged Hikari. She could feel the warm energy from Molly's ghost body. Molly wasn't gonna make it... She will mess up somehow. Hikari didn't know what was sadder... The fact she doesn't believe in her girlfriend, or the fact she's right...
''C-Can I trust you? Can I trust you that n-nothing bad will happen?''
''Yes! I promise you, nothing bad will happen to us!''
Maybe... Maybe Hikari underestimate her. Molly is 15, she should be old enough to look after herself, even when Hikari moves away. What happened at the party was just one mistake, it can happen to anyone. By the sound of how confident Molly was, Hikari was praying to every single God to keep her safe...