Back in her cell, Sadie was sitting in her bed with her legs under the covers and her back propped up against a pillow and reading The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
With nothing else to do, Sadie had been reading the books that Melanie brought for her after she woke up in her bed. The atmosphere was quiet enough, more than perfect for reading. It was one of the many hobbies she and Melanie shared. It was a perfect escape from the situation she found herself in.
Sadie was frightened but mostly frustrated.
She was alone in a cage. Outside her cage, Sadie could see a large television mounted on the wall, a couch sitting in front of it, tables with boxes of scientific equipment sitting on top of them on one side of the cage, a kitchenette sitting on the other side, and a few office chairs scattered around.
On one of those tables plugged into an outlet on the wall was Sadie's smart phone plugged into one of Flug's many laptops, just out of her reach.
Sadie trusted in her dad's encryption software to keep the Nun-ja apps hidden. She wasn't worried about that. It was being cut off from the outside world that Sadie hated. The young teenager couldn't stand not knowing what was going on. She couldn't stand not seeing those messages from her family, from her sisters, from Melanie, or from anyone else. She couldn't stand the idea of not being able to help or offer anyone support in any way.
Sadie knew Melanie needed her. In her room last night, Melanie looked so determined yet so beaten down. She tried to be brave and resilient for her sake, but Sadie could tell she felt worn down. Melanie looked as scared, lonely, and desperate for hope as she did on that day at the activities fair when she first came across their "martial arts club" booth.
Sadie saw Melanie find faith, hope, and love. She got to see her go from a scared, untrusting, desperately lonely, and shy girl to her brave, pious, empowered, loving, bold, and kickass best friend and the closest sister she had as an only child. Sadie couldn't bear to see Melanie beaten down again. That was why in her eternal stupidity she decided to go after Melanie herself. She just wanted to be there for her and look where that had gotten her.
As she finished the book, Sadie sighed, set it aside, and thought. She was completely isolated and helpless. She couldn't help anyone this way. She didn't even know when she would see Melanie again. It was all she could do to keep herself distracted with dancing, flying, and reading.
Sadie didn't know what to do. She couldn't pass through the walls no matter what animal form she took. Whenever she tried, Sadie had to heal herself from the burns. After that, she had tried to summon animals to help her with no results every time. There was nothing else she could do but pray, so pray she did.
Thus, as she had about a hundred times that morning, Sadie sat on her bed and prayed for a solution.
Less than a minute later, Melanie phased through the wall and appeared in the room in her ghost form.
Sadie opened her eyes and flew across the cage to where Melanie was in half a second.
"Melanie? What the bloomin' heck is going on?!" Sadie asked in surprise as she looked her up and down. "Don't tell me you've died!"
"No, I'm just astral projecting," Melanie explained, looking around the room. "That's all. I'm still alive. They just made me do horrible things and I couldn't take it anymore. So, I escaped and ran back here as fast as I could. I'm just glad it didn't take long to find you. This lab is ginormous."
"Bloody hell, Melanie," Sadie said with a sigh. "Where's your body?"
"I left it in the street with Papi, Dr. Flug, and Demencia," Melanie quickly explained as she picked up Sadie's phone and charger off the table. "But listen, we don't have a lot of time. They made me burn the boardwalk and then shocked me into compliance in a threatening video to Sensei Lucy. Black Hat and Papi told her that they'd go easy on me and set you free if she turned herself in. She's going to come here to save us. That's why we have to find a way to escape now!"
"No way!" exclaimed Sadie. "Lucy will know it's a trap!. She's not some blithering idiot! There's no way she'll be tricked that easily!"
"Of course, she won't be, but Lucy considers us her little sisters," Melanie said sadly. "You know that she won't hesitate to sacrifice her freedom to help us."
Sadie looked aside. She knew she was right.
"But don't worry cuz I have an idea," Melanie said, phasing herself into the cell and handing the phone and charger to Sadie. "We're gonna tell her we're going to heaven and then we're gonna go. But we gotta move fast before Black Hat or one of his cronies gets here."
"Jesus, Mary, and Joseph," said Sadie in astonishment, taking her items back. "What about your body, Melanie? Isn't it bad to enter heaven without your body? It'll be like you've died!"
"No, it won't, not as long as I retrieve it before it dies," Melanie explained. "I'll have to retrieve it later somehow. I don't know. I wish I had a better plan, but this is all I got right now. Now, please, record a message for Lucy and your parents before we go and hurry."
"Okay, but as soon as we're in heaven, we're coming back for your body!" Sadie returned. "There's no point in me going through any of this if you die!"
"Deal," Melanie said. "Now, start recording those messages!"
"Fine," Sadie said, pulling up her camera app. "Here's hoping this works."
Sadie recorded a quick message for her parents and for Lucy. Each one said the same thing. They were fleeing to heaven and would come back when the heat died down.
"Okay, heaven, here we come," Sadie said, putting the phone and charger in the pocket of her shorts. "I wish we had more options, but I mean, it's obviously waaaaaay better than staying here."
"I'll say," Melanie said, getting her scythe out. "Let's go. We can start making plans to retrieve my stuff and find a place to go later. But when we get there, we'll have everything we need."
"What is God like, Melanie?" asked Sadie.
"Loving and overwhelming, everything we've learned in church and more, it's hard to describe," Melanie explained a bit nervously. "He told me this wasn't the best idea because I wouldn't be able to come back because of Black Hat, but when we get there, we can get better advice."
"He what?" Sadie asked incredulously. "Melanie…"
"I don't have any better ideas right now," Melanie protested. "I'm sorry. Let's just get out of here till we can make a better plan. Alright?"
"Okay, but we are finding a better plan," Sadie said annoyedly. "You get that, me girl?"
"Yes," Melanie said, summoning her scythe. "Now, let's get out of here."
Melanie clutched her scythe and prepared to open a portal, but as she did, she heard a ghostly voice mournfully call, "Reaper?"
"Did you hear that?" Sadie asked.
"Oh, no," Melanie muttered to herself.
"Reaper!" the voice called out again.
Melanie looked around and saw a crowd of ghosts around the cell.
"Oh, bloody hell, Melanie," Sadie muttered fearfully. "What's going on?"
"I don't know," Melanie said, guarding Sadie with her scythe. "Who are you and what do you want?"
One ghost, a man dressed in a villainous outfit from the 1920s, said, "Help us escape."
"Escape?" Sadie asked.
"They want me to cross them over," Melanie explained with a sad sigh. "They keep bothering me."
"Did Black Hat do them in?" Sadie asked in a realization of her own.
"Who else?" Melanie asked with a shrug.
"Yeesh," Sadie said. "I will be among them if Black Hat figures out what we're doing."
"That's not going to happen," said Melanie. "I'm going to get you out of here."
"I think you should help them cross over, Melanie," Saide said. "Yeah, they were all villains who might have deserved it, but it would piss Black Hat off before we leave."
"Sadie, we don't have time," Melanie pleaded. "I want to help them. Believe me. I really do. But, if we dawdle any longer, Black Hat is going to show up. We gotta get out of here."
The 1920s villain ghost flew up to Melanie and said, "Please, dear. You have seen Black Hat. You know what he's like. I've been here for over 100 years and many of us have been here longer. We're bound to him for all eternity. Our only hope is for you to make a way for us as our psychopomp. Please. Help us."
Melanie looked at the souls. They were all so miserable and were begging for their freedom. Melanie could see their suffering and she couldn't bear it.
"I can't promise you'll like the results after you're judged, but I can open a way," said Melanie.
"Thank you," the ghost said.
Melanie wielded her scythe and opened a portal to heaven. The ghosts all stood in awe of the paradise in front of them and huddled around the portal.
"Alrighty, then," Melanie said, preparing to open another portal. "Now, it's our turn…HEY!"
The ghost flew in front of Melanie and pleaded, "Reaper, we cannot pass into the portal. His magic is holding us back. Please, tell us what to do."
Melanie looked aside for a moment. They didn't have any time and she wasn't sure what she could do for them.
"Uh...have you tried asking God for forgiveness for your sins?" asked Melanie, not knowing what else to say. "Maybe if you repent, that'll break the magic holding you here."
The other ghosts looked skeptical.
"It's the only thing I can think of off the top of my head," Melanie pleaded. "Please just try it. If it doesn't work, I'll think of something else."
"His magic won't stop us from going to heaven. Will it, Melanie?" asked Sadie.
"No, our souls aren't bound to him," Melanie said. "But we need to get out of here. Ghosts, if you could get going, I'd really appreciate it. So, one of you go genuinely repent and see if it works."
One of the ghosts raced up to the portal, put their hands together, and prayed with all their might for forgiveness.
The ghost passed through in a flash of light. The ghosts all chattered excitedly while Melanie and Sadie flashed each other a big smile.
"It worked," Melanie said in disbelief to her friend. "I can't believe it actually worked."
"God is truly gracious," Sadie said. "You kick ass too, me girl."
Melanie's eyes lit up as she said, "Thanks, dude. Now, let's get this show on the road."
"Yeah," Sadie replied.
"Okay, everybody, if you all truly repent, you should be able to pass through," explained Melanie. "Now, form a line and get going. I wish you all a safe journey."
The ghosts all queued up in front of the portal and started praying their way through.
Melanie and Sadie smiled for a moment at a job well done before they turned to leave.
"Looks like it's our turn," Melanie said, using her scythe to open up another portal. "You enter first so I can shut it behind you when I enter."
"Finally, let's get bloomin' heck outta here," said Sadie, flying off the ground, entering the portal, and pausing in its threshold. "But you better get up here. If you're not right behind me, I'm coming right back."
"Calm your toes," Melanie said as her spirit flew up behind her. "I'm right here. You don't need to…HEY!"
Some other ghosts had thrown Melanie and Sadie away from the portal and were crowding the entrance so they could make their escape.
"What the bloody hell are they doing?" Sade cried.
"Stealing our escape route," Melanie answered with a snarl. "Ghosts, that was our exit! We need to escape too! If you let us through, I'll leave it open so you can get out after us, but we must get out of here first! Guys? Guys?! Why won't you listen to me?!"
"You can't reason with them, Melanie," Sadie said calmly. "Just make another one."
"Alright," Melanie said, opening another portal. "HEY!
No sooner had Melanie opened another portal than did the other spirits rush that portal too.
"Geez, how many souls were trapped here?!" asked Sadie.
"Are you really surprised?" asked Melanie. "This is Black Hat we're talking about."
"Well, we'd better hope this won't attract the wrong attention, if you know what I'm saying," said Sadie.
"I am not letting him hurt you again!" Melanie said determinedly, creating more portals. "Fly through any one of them! I'll fly in right behind you!"
"Okay," Sadie said, flying for one of the portals just for the ghosts to crowd all of them at once.
In her desperation, Melanie made more and more portals, but the spirits only rushed those as well, leaving Sadie unable to enter.
"Come on, guys!" Melanie pleaded as she created several more portals that the spirits all rushed. "We need to escape, too! Just let us come through!"
Melanie created more and more and more portals, but the ghosts only rushed the portals, refusing to listen to any of her pleas.
"How many souls are there in this place?" Sadie asked in exasperation as Melanie kept making more portals.
"This is Black Hat we're talking about," Melanie said, stopping her efforts. "We could be here for years!"
"What are we gonna do?" asked Sadie.
"I'm going to get you out of here," Melanie said, creating more portals that more ghosts only rushed.
"How about we wait until we can escape?" suggested Sadie. "These souls can't last forever. It doesn't look like we have much of a choice anyways."
Melanie stopped opening portals and paused. The ghosts were all desperately clawing to escape. Creating more portals was making it worse. There was nothing else she could do.
Melanie sighed as she looked at all the ghosts pushing through the portals and said, "Fine. I don't think we'll be able to leave with all the spirits rushing the portals anyways. If the worse comes to it, I'll…oh, no…"
Just then, Melanie felt a malevolent presence enter the room with her. She knew who it was immediately and stood in front of Sadie to protect her.
Sade did not even need to ask. She could feel it too.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" Black Hat screamed.
Melanie and Sadie turned around in time to see Black Hat as he appeared next to the cage with Flug by his side.
"I was just trying to free the…STOP!" Melanie cried as he used his telekinetic powers to pick up Sadie.
"Shut those portals right now, young lady!" Flug demanded.
"I can't while they're all rushing them at the same time!" Melanie protested.
"You see, this is what happens when you stop to help people, Melanie," Flug chided. "You and your little friend could've easily escaped but look what has happened. You were held up by all these selfish ghosts trying to cross over."
Melanie glared at the ghosts angrily, feeling tears form at the corners of her soul's eyes.
"Close the portals now," Flug demanded.
"But I…" Melanie muttered.
"You have three seconds before she dies," Black Hat interrupted, tightening his telekinetic grip on Sadie. "One…"
Melanie panicked visibly, apologized to the spirits half-heartedly, and pulled them away from the portals.
Only the spirits in the front of the line were left, and they disappeared into the portals. The spirits who weren't repenting were scattering around the room.
Amidst the chaos, Lord Reaper appeared in the room. He held Melanie's body which was now cleaned and healed and dressed in a clean white t-shirt, jean shorts, tennis shoes and white socks. As he watched what was happening, Lord Reaper's mouth fell open in surprise.
"Two…"
Melanie held up her hands and shut all the portals at once.
"There, I did it!" Melanie cried. "Now, stop it! If you kill her, I have no reason to behave or return to my body!"
"Should I go ahead and kill her then?" Black Hat said with an insane glint in his eyes.
"NO!" Melanie screamed.
"Good," Black Hat said, dropping Sadie onto the ground with a thump. "Now, get back into your body. The good doctor and I need to discuss your actions and your punishment."
With a sad look to Sadie, Melanie phased through the wall of the cell and back into her body that was being carried in Lord Reaper's arms.
"And the next time you try that again. There won't be a count down. She will only die," Black Hat said.
Melanie hopped out of Lord Reaper's arms, stood on her feet, and solemnly nodded.
"Now what to do as a punishment," pondered Flug.
"Nothing lethal," warned Lord Reaper.
"Of course not," Flug said nervously. "We just need to do something to re-enforce that she needs to obey Black Hat and stay on the path of evil, Lord Reaper sir."
"How about my videos?" Black Hat asked.
"Your videos?" Flug asked.
"You know, doctor," Black Hat said. "The videos we use for the goody two-shoes children who forget who they need to obey."
Panic flashed across Melanie's eyes, and she stammered, "Y-You mean brainwashing, don't you?"
"That is their intent," Black Hat said. "These videos are specialized for children like yourself who have wayward ideals that need to be purged. Don't worry. It isn't painful. At least, not initially."
"But what will happen to me?" Melanie asked.
"Can I watch it with her?" asked Sadie from her cell.
"Nothing big will happen initially. You'll only be watching one for now, but I won't promise that it won't be scarring," Black Hat said with a twisted smirk at Melanie. "If you find the experience to be painful, perhaps you'll find the incentive to listen."
Melanie began shaking violently, much to Black Hat's delight.
The ghosts that were unable to cross over stared at the young reaper, some distraught, other disappointed, some mad.
Melanie stared daggers back at the ghosts with tears in the corners of her eyes over what they had done and what they were putting her through. She took little solace in the fact that some of them managed to cross over when most of them were so selfish.
Black Hat cleared his throat to get Melanie's attention.
Melanie turned around to see Black Hat glaring at her. She glared back.
"I take your silence as your being ready to listen?" asked Black Hat.
Melanie shut her eyes and nodded solemnly.
Black Hat gave a low chuckle with a smirk to match it before it quickly fell into a scowl.
"So, she can learn," Black Hat said. "Get her out of my sight, Flug."
"Yes, jefe," Flug said with a nod as he took Melanie's hand into his own. "Come on, Melanie."
Flug led Melanie over to a closet on the other side of the room while she and Sadie kept looking at each other.
Flug let go of Melanie and went in the closet. He emerged a few moments later with a straitjacket that was Melanie's size.
"As per protocol, we need to put this on you for your and my protection," Flug said.
Melanie saw the device and took a step back.
"Do I have to?" Melanie asked pitifully.
"Yes, there's no exceptions," Flug said. "Demencia and everyone else have to do it, not just you."
Melanie looked back at Sadie and then at the two demon lords who were ruining her life and then back at Flug.
With a sad sigh, Melanie held up her arms in front of her.
Flug slipped Melanie into the straitjacket, crossing her arms and strapping her in completely before placing a hand on her shoulder.
Melanie moved her shoulder to get Flug's hand off, but he simply grabbed onto one of the straps in the back to hold her in place.
Melanie continued squirming to get out of his hand and cried, "Let go me! I can walk without you touching me! Just let go!"
"Just making sure," Flug explained, not loosening his grip. "You're not Demencia. I doubt you've walked in a straitjacket before."
"NO!" Melanie shrieked.
"Get her out!" Black Hat yelled.
"Yes, Jefe!" Flug cried as he began pushing Melanie forward. "Come on, Melanie. Let's get going…"
"Not until you stop touching me," Melanie protested as she pulled against his grip. "I can walk myself."
Flug turned Mellanie around, held the remote looking straight at her, and said, "Calm down. I'm giving you five seconds."
"But…" Melanie tried to argue.
"Melanie!" Lord Reaper yelled. "You need to listen to your teacher if you don't want your friend to get hurt!"
Melanie glared back and ceased her struggling.
Flug gently pushed Melanie forward and they began walking towards the room's exit.
Suddenly, everyone in the room heard Sadie sing, "Kyrie-e-e-e-e-e-e E-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-lei-ei-ei-ei-son! Kyrie-e-e-e-e-e-e-e E-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-lei-ei-ei-ei-ei-so-o-n!"
The whole room paused. Sadie continued singing the same words repeatedly, harmonizing the word differently each time. Melanie smiled and looked like she was about to cry.
"I'm here!" Demencia yelled, crawling from the ceiling. "What did I miss?"
"Everything," Lord Reaper muttered with an eye roll.
"What is she singing?" asked Demencia.
"An old song and even older prayer in Latin," Lord Reaper replied with a sneer. "'Lord, have mercy.'"
Black Hat wordlessly lifted his hand and squeezed it in a choking motion.
Sadie was immediately choked as she was telekinetically lifted off the ground. She helplessly fought his grip as she gasped for air.
"STOP IT!" Melanie cried as she tried to rush over only for Flug to hold her back.
After only a few moments, Black Hat released Sadie. The fairy girl started coughing as she hovered in place to catch her breath.
"You'd do well not to call on his name around me," Black Hat said coldly to Sadie before turning to Melanie. "And you'd do well to start listening to me, dear."
Melanie glared at Black Hat incredulously.
Black Hat scoffed and said, "Flug!"
"Yes, sir?" Flug asked.
"I almost forgot to mention," Black Hat began. "Lord Reaper and I have some classified business to see to for the next few days that will keep us occupied. Until we return, you see to the girls."
"Yes, sir. When will you return?" asked Flug.
"Tomorrow night if all goes well," Black Hat said. "Now, carry on with the punishment!"
"Yes, Black Hat, sir," Flug said, ushering Melanie towards the door. "See you later."
"A plus tard, Melanie," Lord Reaper said.
"Can I come?" asked Demencia.
"No," Black Hat responded tersely as he and Lord Reaper teleported away.
"Ahhh, why not?" Demencia whined as she turned around to notice Melanie. "Hey! I have pajamas just like those."
"Oh, just go away!" Melanie snapped, trying to charge at her before Flug pulled her back.
"Keep going," Flug chided.
He and Melanie finally left the room with the door sliding shut behind them.
Demencia chuckled loudly as the pair walked away and Sadie looked after them, fearfully continuing to catch her breath.