Chapter 25: Meeting an old friend
It was a very peaceful and quiet night. Frank Mortenson was hiding behind a tree, as he was trying to hunt down a little dear. Just before he went to bed, he saw he's running out of food, so it was time for one quick hunt.
Just as he loaded his shotgun, he heard a growling sound behind him. He turned around and saw a black bear... Before he could do anything, it jumped at him.
''WATCH OUT!''
Frank closed his eyes, expecting the predator to rip him apart, but a lightning arcs shot and killed the animal. The old man opened his eyes and saw a bright figure flying above the now dead animal.
''What the?!''
''You really should be careful, my man! It will be shameful to die in such a stupid way!''
''Wh-Who the hell are you? What are you?!'' Frank asked, as he got closer.
For some reason, he didn't even point his shotgun, or get ready to defend himself. He could feel that whatever that thing is, it's friendly. After all, she just saved his life from potential death.
''Ah, who am I? I'm the Phantom of Joy, silly! Haven't you heard about me?''
''I don't watch the news. So, why did you save me?''
''I'm the new hero in town! I was flying around and saw that bear behind you, I couldn't just let it demolish you!''
Frank looked at the dead bear. He was shocked that animal was gonna jump at him without him even hearing it. Good that mysterious phantom saved him. To think about it, he can make a great carpet out of that bear now.
''Thanks, Joy. I'm Frank, Frank Mortenson'' Frank said, as he shaked Molly's hand.
From happy for saving him... Molly froze from fear...
''M-Mortenson?''
''Yeah, I live in a little house. It's way deeper in the woods''
''Great to hear, but... Do you... Have anything to do with Todd Mortenson?''
Frank was surprised to hear that name. So surprised, he gave Moly a suspicious look.
''He was my nephew. How do you know about him? He died a few months ago'' Frank asked, confused.
''I... I-
Before Molly could finish, she and Frank heard a loud and evil laugh... a laugh that sounded like a psychotic old woman who escaped from the hospital.
''Uhhh, what was that?''
''Oh on... We have to go away before they see us!''
''They?''
''Skinwalkers! We gotta go, or they'll kill us!'' Frank said, as he grabbed the little hunting bag he had and started to walk away.
''Wait, wait, wait... THERE ARE OTHER SKINWALKERS?!''
''A whole pack of them!''
Molly was shocked. How could there be other skinwalkers... A whole pack?! Could Samantha know something about this? She was a skinwalker, she sure has to know something.
''You go home, I'll find them!''
She was ready to see those other skinwalkers with her own eyes. But before she could fly anywhere, Frank grabbed her arm.
''Woah, woah, hold your horses! Don't underestimate skinwalkers, they're dangerous creatures!''
''Oh, don't worry! I'm a ghost made out of pure energy, I can handle anyth-
''No! I have to come with you! Trust me, those guys are REALLY are bastards!''
Molly was confused about why would he want to come. Every normal person will be scared to death, why isn't he?
''Ehhhh, are you sure? You yourself said they are bastards. I can always just find them and deep fry them with just one lightning''
''I'm afraid ''just one lightning'' won't do anything. They set traps, they watch every single move of yours. I'm already familiar with their game, I can help you... I want to kill those creeps anyway!'' Frank said, feeling ready.
''Hmm... Alright! Who am I to argue with the old generation?''
Molly was still shocked when he told her there are more skinwalkers. It looked like he knew those woods like his eyes, so she sure wasn't gonna refuse a little help. Even as a phantom, she was still a little scared.
...
Scratch had to see Libby. He knew Libby isn't asleep, because she regurarly mentioned how free she feels at night. When her mom is asleep, she stays up until at least 3 or even 4 AM.
He had to tell her that June left the team, so now she's the most responsible member. Libby and Darryl were Scratch's only hope to find that phantom. He flew to the backyard, ready to go inside... But then Scratch heard something from the ground.
BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! ACTIVATED!
''Huh?''
Before he knew what was happening, an electrical cage formed around Scratch... He realzed this was a ghost trap.
''WHAT THE?!''
He couldn't believe it. Even after weeks, Leah still kept those traps around? How insane does a person has to be to keep ghost traps around their house?
The electricity was making him feel loopy, so Scratch started to slowly close his eyes... And saw a strange shadowy figure approaching him.
...
Frank was walking around, while Molly was flying behind him. Because of her brightness, he didn't even have to use a flashlight. No laughs, not any weird noises... Whatever they heard, it's already gone.
''Looks like we found one big, fat nothing...''
''Ah, I told you to not underestimate them! They can change their form to any small animal they want. Just drop your guard for one second AND BAM! They jump at you!'' Frank explained.
''Trust me, I already know what kind of creature they are''
''So, you have seen one before?''
''Oh yes! It was AGONY to hunt her down! Good thing she was still a kid, so we managed to cure her''
''Hmmm, you cured her? Who is that kid?''
''Her name is Samantha Tracer. Such a nice and naive girl, really!''
Frank froze in one place. Samantha Tracer? That was the name of the girl he found in the same woods a few nights ago...
''S-Samantha Tracer? Uhh... Dark hair, purple shirt, black shorts?''
''Yeah, that's how she looks! Wait a minute... How do you know?''
''HEY!'' An O.A.S soldier appeared out of nowhere.
Molly immediately turned invisible, like a regular ghost. Frank was facing the agent's eyes through the mask.
''Good night, young fellow! Isn't that a pretty night?''
''What are you doing here, old man? That part of the forest is a secret facility!'' The agent explained.
''Oh, really? I had no idea... I'll just walk away, no need to pull the trigger!'' Frank said, as he started to walk away.
The soldier stayed at the same place, watching Frank going away. When Molly was sure he was no longer close to the agent, she appeared again.
''Phew, that was close''
''Ugh, I can't stand those guys! They appeared a few nights ago, now they scare all the animals away!''
''What? I thought they only patrol in Brighton''
''Nope, they're here as well. Their base is actually down at the hills'' Frank said.
''Oh... This is awkward, but they miiiight be here because of me...''
''Say what now?''
''Yeah... The thing is, I'm quite a famous hero, so they want to... Take me? Hunt me? Honestly, no idea what they want from me...''
''I'm not surprised. I know the O.A.S, they hunt everything that is supernatural. For some reason, they're more specific on skinwalkers'' Frank explained.
''Well, that's interesting-
Molly stopped when she noticed a little owl watching them. It looked small and weird... It also had grey eyes.
''A SKINWALKER!''
Molly immediately shot lightning to the tree where the owl was. IT sure was a skinwalker, because it flew with huge speed in the air... Too fast for a normal owl to just dodge a lightning.
''DAMN IT, IT SURE IT!''
''Oh, you're not getting away from me!''
Molly started to fly after the owl. Even though it was fast, Molly was still fast enough to catch it and land somewhere on the ground with it. The moment it realized what happened, the owl started to scream and toss around in her bright-ghostly hands.
''l...l...-
''I know what you are! Reveal yourself, punk!''
''l... LET ME GO!''
The owl transformed and pushed Molly away. She was first surprised, but then was ready to shoot another lightning. The owl started to transform into... A teenage girl with grey hair and grey eyes... With a very familiar face...
''Wait... ABIGAIL?!''
''COME HERE, JOY!''
Abigail jumped at Molly, ready to kill her. Molly flew in the air and was watching in shock what was happening.
''YOU'RE A SKINWALKER?! HOW?!''
''DON'T MATTER, DON'T CARE!''
Molly flew at her, grabbed her and held her on the ground.
''Abi, what happened? Who did this to you?''
''DON'T... YOU... DARE TOUCH ME!''
Abigail punched Molly... So hard, she sent Molly next to a tree. Shocking how a thin girl like her was now so strong. She jumped at Molly this time she was the one holding her to the tree... Causing Molly to transform in her human form.
''L-LOOK! IT'S ME! I'M MOLLY, YOUR FRIEND!''
''NO FRIENDS, ONLY BLOOD!''
With the little energy she had in her, Molly punched her in the stomach, causing for Abigail to fall and scream.
''Listen, I don't know what happened, but I can help you! I did this once, I can cure you!'' Molly said, as she kneewed next to her and tried to help her.
''Help? I DON'T NEED HELP, I'M PERFECT!''
As Abigal jumped and knocked her on the ground again, Molly realized she probably doesn't realize what she is. There was no way for Molly to fight a friend, so she was holding Abigail.
''This isn't you! You would never hurt me, OR anyone else! Don't let this to-
''SHUT UP! I'LL KILL YOU AND FEAST ON YOUR INSIDES!''
Molly was starting to feel how weak she was getting... As she was feeling that, she also started to feel rage. Defensive anger was forming up. Dark cloud appeared above her and Abigail... And a huge lightning hit them.
''AAAAAAHHHHHH!''
Abigail was now in so much pain, that she could barely stand up. Molly was back in her ghost form... But this time, it was brighter than ever and had a slightly purple aura.
''Oh, this feels GOOD!''
''Im-Impossible...''
She stood up, barely keeping her balance. Molly could now see the fear in Abigail's grey eyes.
''Listen, I'm not gonna hurt you! You need to let me save you from... Whatever happened!''
It was clear she didn't care. Abigail once again jumped at Molly... Only for Molly to grab and twist her wrist.
''N-NOOOOO!''
''For the last fricking time... I'M TRYING TO SAVE YOU!''
She was getting more and more angry... And started to slowly burn Abigail's hand. Before she could hurt her more, a shot was heard and Abigail collapsed. It was Frank, who finally found where Molly landed.
''I got her! Joy, are you alright?'' Frank ran to Molly's side.
When he asked this, Molly started to look at her hands and arms. No idea why, but now she was feeling even more powerful. Like she can fly 100 circles around the whole planet. The slightly purple arua started to combine with her golden bright energy...
''Yeah... I feel just great''