Chapter 37: Cry for help
It was now around 6 PM. The McGees and Scratch were all in the living room. He got so sick of working that long for Lecter, that Scratch just decided to finish earlier. After Molly cured herself, everyone in the hospital was shocked...
''YOUNG LADY, DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA IN WHAT KIND OF DANGER YOU'RE PUTTING YOURSELF?!'' Sharon yelled.
''But... What's the matter? I can walk and talk again, and I'm back home! Aren't you all happy to have me?'' Molly asked.
''Sis, we are, but... Those ghost hunters outside are looking for you!'' Darryl said.
''How did the doctors even fall for your trick without questions?'' Sharon asked.
''Oh, there was no way to say ''it was just a miracle''... So, I did tell them about the phantom of Joy. I told them I prayed and... She came and saved me'' Molly explained.
''And they seriously fell for it?'' Darryl asked, shocked.
''Yeah! Although, they may have a little problems with the O.A.S now...''
Sharon was shocked when she receaved a call that her daughter was fully recovered... Somehow. Since Scratch told her and Pete about their daughter's ''secret'', they were sure she did something...
''Moll, this was STUPID! Be thankful the doctors were complete idiots to actually believe you!'' Scratch said.
''Wha... But... I... I saved myself! What, I was supposed to use a wheelchair for months?! Talk like Porky Pig all my life?!'' Molly asked, confused and angry.
''Moll, I know it sucked, but using those powers is also dangerous! Did you forget that you'll burn your soul out?!''
The moment Scratch said this... Everyone was shocked. Sharon, Pete, Darryl... They couldn't believe what they just heard.
''Scratch... What do you mean?!'' Pete asked.
''Ugh me and my big mouth... If Molly doesn't get rid of her curse, it will kill her... And she won't be a ghost'' Scratch said.
''Then what will she be?!''
''NOTHING! She'll be gone forever... This is why you should stop using those powers, Molly!'' Scratch explained.
''You know... I start to think that's not true! Just think about it! I brought Samantha back to life and I cured myself! Those powers SAVED ME!'' Molly tried to explain.
''Huh?''
''Yes! My phantom curse is the reason why I'm back on my feet again! Maybe... Maybe it's not even a curse!'' Molly said.
''Moll, it doesn't matter if they help or not! IT WILL KILL YOU!'' Scratch said.
''How are we sure? I mean, I controlled it for long enough, yet I'm perfectly fine! Maybe... WAIT... With the help of my powers, I cured the talking problem caused by my brain... I can really use those powers to cure anything... MAYBE I CAN EVEN GET RID OF MY ADHD!'' Molly said in joy.
Everyone was shocked when Molly said this. Darryl just blinked a few times, having no idea what she's talking about.
''What ADHD?''
''Oh... Uhhh... Darryl... I... I maybe have something to confess...''
''Molly has ADHD...'' Sharon said.
''WHAT?! But... How could I never know?!'' Darryl asked, shocked and angry.
''I... I was afraid to tell you... And made mom and dad to keep it a secret...'' Molly confessed.
''WHAT, WHY?! HOW CAN YOU DO THAT?!'' Darryl asked.
''I'm sorry... But I don't have to worry about that anymore! I can try to cure it those powe-
''Molly, hold your horses! The stuttering was because of a hit in your head, while ADHD is something you're born with! It's not something you can just magically get rid off!'' Sharon said.
''Yes, I can! I did it with my injuries, I can probably do it with the ADHD!''
''Molly, enough! As your mother, you're grounded from turning into a ghost!'' Sharon said.
Molly was shocked. This can't be true... She was forced to spend a few days in total agony, and now she can't even use her powers...
''What... NO! You can't do this to me!''
''It's for your own good, young lady! It's final!''
Molly was in complete shock. It was unbelievable. The worst part was that everyone stood up next to Sharon. No one stood behind Molly to defend her... She was on her own.
''I... I... UGHHH, FINE!'' Molly yelled, walking back to her room.
It was clear that Molly wanted to continue with her phantom life. Her parents were actually proud she used her powers to help others, but it was better to quit before she dies...
...
Frank was walking in the woods, towards the garage where Abigail was. After spending a few days looking after her, it was time to check on her again.
The good thing was that he didn't have to worry about losing her. After all, they have 10 years to figure out a way to cure her. Strange how Joy wasn't around...
Frank slowly opened the door, expecting to see the skinwalker girl... But she wasn't there... The window was broken and the door of the cage was shattered.
''Abigail? Abigail?! ABIGAIL?!''
This didn't make any sense. How could she escape? The cage was from clean silver, it's impossible for a skinwalker to break it... At least not alone.
It wasn't as strong as the silver fence around his house, but the cage was still strong enough to keep a skinwalker inside. He realized maybe the other skinwalkers could've found the garage and freed her...
This was very bad. The kid was gone. Now Frank really needed to find the phantom of Joy... Too bad Molly was grounded...
...
Samantha was laying on one of the benches in the park. Apparently, just the grass outside the house wasn't enough for her. She wanted a place close to nature, so the park was the best option.
What was happening the last days? She almost killed the girl who saved her, the Ghost Friends fell apart before she could even join, and now she was sure Libby hated her even more than the shadow demon that used to haunt her.
She didn't do it out of hatred... She did it to protect her family, but this made things even worse. Molly deserved to get beated up... Maybe even deserved even worse...
''JOYYYYY?! JOYYYYYYYYYYYY?!''
Samantha turned around and saw an old man yelling. She realized that was the man who let her spend a night in his house when she got lost. The O.A.S agents in the park noticed him and started to walk towards him.
''Frank!'' Samantha ran to him.
''Huh? Samantha?''
''Yes, it's me! What are... Uhhh, how about we go somewhere more private?'' Samantha asked, as she noticed the O.A.S agents watching them.
It sure was a good idea. At this rate, it was becoming increndibly annoying how those guys didn't appreciate people's privacy. Frank and Samantha went a little further into the woods.
''So, what are you doing? Is everything okay?''
''Listen, I know this will sound insane, but... There is a mysterious glowing ghost that saved my life, then found a kid skinwalker!'' Frank tried to explain.
''Hold up... Glowing ghost? AND SHE FOUND WHAT?!''
''I know, it sounds nuts! There is a girl named Abigail, she was normal but is now a skinwalker! Me and that ghost found her, got her inside an old garage, but now she's gone!''
Samantha didn't know what to say... Abigail was one of the girls that went missing... Now she was a skinwalker? That means Amarok still continues with his old ways of turning innocent into monsters...
''Let me guess... That glowing ghost is my size, has annoying voice, and can fly and shoot lightning?''
''Yeah, actually! She goes by the name ''Phantom of Joy'', and I really need her! She mentioned she's somewhere here, in Brighton!'' Frank said.
''Oh gosh, of course she does. Listen, she is gone for now! I know how to help-
''Because you used to be a skinwalker?'' Frank asked with a suspicious face.
Samantha was shocked. How could he know about that? She was sweating from nervousness and looked around to make sure the O.A.S soldiers aren't close.
''How... How do you know?!''
''Actually, Joy told me. She said she knows you'' Frank said.
''Ugh, that little... Okay, it's true, I used to be one of them. Which means that I also know their weaknesses! Trust me, Joy won't be back, but I know what to do...''
It was all up to her. Molly won't be back from the hospital in a very long time, so Samantha was the one who has to find her old skinwalker crew... And of course, save Abigail.
The real question was... How? No matter how good of a huntress she was, Samantha was also a realist. Her ''teachers'' are 10x better than her... She sure wasn't gonna do this alone...
...
Scratch was back in the Ghost World. He really needed to talk to someone about what's happening, so he went to Clara's place.
''Let me guess this straight... So, the phantom that the Council spend days and nights in trying to track down... IS MOLLY?! Clara asked, shocked.
''Believe it or not, yes...''
''How did she even turn herself into a phantom?!''
''That's exatcly what I'm trying to answer! Because of her losing her memory, she doesn't remember how it happened! Heck, she didn't even remember her own age!'' Scratch said.
''WHAT?! Oh gosh... I want to help, but there is barely any information about phantoms... Are there any other side effects Molly has?''
For now, the answer was no... But there was one thing Scratch couldn't hide...
''No, but there is one ''side effect'' I have... I had those weird dreams about Molly...''
''Weird dreams?''
''Yes! Dreams where I'm with Adia, in my human form... And then Molly just appears and kills me or herself. The last dream I had was my mom warning me that I'll lose her'' Scratch explained.
''Oh no... Oh no, no, no... Scratch, that means something bad will happen to her! Those aren't just dreams, those are probably visions! Is there anything else your mother said?'' Clara asked, worried.
''Well, she was saying stuff like ''her mind is the key'' or something like that''
''Hmmm... Maybe that means... You should go in her mind?''
The idea... Actually made sense. Molly may not remember how she cursed herself, but the memory has to be somewhere in her mind.
''That... Could work. However, how am I supposed to do it?''
''Didn't you once said how you used a mind curse on yourself? So you and Molly can go inside your own mind?'' Clara asked.
''The problem is that curse is one of those that are only for the Chairman. Without the robe, I can't do it'' Scratch said, annoyed that option falled.
''And too bad the Ghost World still doesn't have a chairman...''
It sure was bad. For a year now, the Council were the ones ruling the Ghost World... No Chairman also means no mind portal curse...
...
Samantha, Ollie, and June were all gathered in the garage. It was clear Samantha wouldn't be able to stop the skinwalkers alone, so she needed her family.
''ABIGAIL IS WHAT?!'' Ollie asked, shocked.
''A skinwalker, Frank and Molly found her and kept her in the same place where you guys kept me, but she somehow escaped'' Samantha explained.
''Do you actually believe that guy?'' June asked.
''Honestly, I know it's true because that's something the skinwalkers do. I know Amarok, he manipulates those who are weak by making empty promises for a better life... And the idiot I used to be believed him...'' Samantha said.
It was still upsetting Samantha into a skinwalker... And hid the information they weren't even real skinwalkers, just experimental failures...
''Why does he keep doing that if he already has a strong pack behind his back?'' June asked.
''No one knows. I think he tries to flex that he can turn weak losers into deadly killing beasts...''
''Well, we sure have to stop him! The real question is how?'' Ollie asked.
''By using traps?'' June suggested.
''I don't think that would do the trick. The traps worked on Molly, but skinwalkers are master hunters, those who taught me everything. They'll smell my traps from miles away''
It was true... Everything Samantha knew about a good trap was learned by the skinwalker pack. They needed something surprising... Something they would never expect...
''Well, we'll think of something... Speaking of Molly, she's back'' June said.
''Wait, what?'' Ollie asked, confused.
''Yes! She's back from the hospital, fully recovered. Like a miracle''
Everyone was sure how Molly healed... By using her powers. She couldn't resist using them, could she? Even though Samantha disliked Molly... She had a plan for her...
''Amigos... Tengo una idea...''
...
Molly was pacing around in her room with the most mad face possible. Because her parents used the ghost shield around the house, she couldn't use her powers to fly away.
Scratch was still in the Ghost World, while her parents and Darryl were arguing... Over them never telling him Molly has an ADHD...
''Stupid, jerks, who they think they are?! Telling me that I can't be a ghost... UGH!''
She was still very angry. Those abilities to go to waste... Such a shame. Molly was still pacing around her room, thinking of a way to get out... When she looked in the direction of her window, she saw Samantha in her dark costume in front of her.
''WHAT THE?!''
''Shhh! Keep it quiet!'' Samantha said, placing her finger on Molly's mouth.
Molly was shocked. First, how did Samantha get in here so quietly... Second, does she even have shame to show herself in front of Molly?!
''H-How did you sneak here... WHY ARE YOU HERE?!''
''I told you to keep quiet, I don't want your parents to hear! You left your window open. So... Back to normal, huh?''
''Yeah, yeah, just fixed what YOU caused!'' Molly said.
''Okay, okay, sorry...''
''Sorry?! Ohohoho, no, no, no, ''sorry'' won't make me forgive you! I don't WANT to see or hear of you! Now outta my room!'' Molly said, pointing back to the window.
''I'm not here for forgiveness anyway. Listen... I need your help...''
Molly froze. Samantha needed her help? This didn't sound right... It felt so suspicious...
''My help?''
''Yes! I met Frank, the guy who helped you with Abigail. We know she's a skinwalker... But the problem is she escaped the place where you guys hid her''
''WHAT?! That's impossible, we were keeping her in the-
''Where you guys kept me... Bet the other skinwalkers freed her. I didn't tell the truth, I come from a skinwalker pack. They raised me, taught me everything about hunting... And now they're here... That's why I need you. Before getting rid of the curse... Use it just one last time to help me!'' Samantha explained.
This was... A lot. Molly already knew about other skinwalkers, but didn't know they work in a pack. Samantha was sure Molly would join...
''No''
''Huh... What do you mean ''no''?!''
''It means that I'm not joining in your stupid hunt'' Molly said.
''But... Abigail will-
''Abigail has 10 years... I'm sure when you find her, you'll know what to do with her''
This was absurd. Not only Samantha was confused, but she was also getting angry. That girl was her biggest chance to kill off the skinwalkers... And she refused?!
''We can't do it without you! You have to help us!'' Samantha said.
''Oh, what happened ''Princess of Hunting''? Weren't you the greatest hunter ever?! Having that big mouth to blab how you're better than all of us? Well, you stopped me, go stop them!'' Molly said, angry.
''Molly, I can't stop 4 skinwalkers all by myself! They're smarter, they're stronger, they're faster! I can't defeat them!'' Samantha tried to explain.
''Well, then start making a good plan, because I'm not helping out a jerk like you! Next time think twice before putting me in a wheelchair, NOW OUT OF MY HOUSE!''
Samantha now was sure she won't leave... Not until she kicks some sense in Molly...
''That's not about you doing my job! People here will die, it's about the future of Brighton!''
''About the future of Brighton? So, because of every bad thing that could happen to this town, I have to prevent it? NO! People were never grateful for the good things I did!'' Molly said.
''So, better leave them to die?!''
''Wanna be honest? Yes, there are some who just waste their lives in being jerks! Wouldn't make a difference if they get killed''
Samantha was speechless. She wanted so bad to just punch Molly... The stupidity that girl had was annoying her...
''Oh, wanna talk about wasting lives then, eh?!''
''Huh?''
''Look at you! You waste your life into pretending to be a hero!''
''PRETENDING?!''
''YES! You fly all around the world, saving people from praise and glory! Well, congrats on being a online famous hero! You WASTE your life by risking your safety and health!'' Samantha said.
''Don't talk when you don't understand anything! I didn't turn myself into a ghost so people could love me! I was... I just had a hard time, okay?!''
''Hard time? HARD TIME?! Do you know what hard time even means?! So, what was that hard time? Your dad's job forcing your family to move a lot? Big deal! You still have a cozy life, a loving family with nothing to complain about, THE PERFECT LIFE! My parents died, I was separated from my sister, and I was forced to join a cult of lab monsters! That's what a hard time is!'' Samantha said, angry.
Molly froze... She was on the verge of killing Samantha. The way she basically said Molly was never put through anything was making her blood boil...
''How dare you...''
''Huh?''
''How dare you use the term ''Big deal'' SO SARCASTICALLY?! What I've been through WAS A BIG DEAL! Do you have any idea how hard it is to leave close friends over, and over, and over again?! Do you know what it feels like being scared to MAKE new friends because you might have to move a few months later?! DO YOU?!'' Molly asked... As she started to tear up.
''So, losing a few friends is the end of the world now!?''
''YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH IT HURT! You don't know anything about us, yet you dare to assume we're just a bunch of babies... You're an evil scum!''
''Well, you sure are a baby! Always alone in pain, having no one to understand her!'' Samantha mocked her.
This was the last straw... Molly was gonna make sure she suffer...
''YOU THINK I WAS THE ONLY ONE WHO WAS IN PAIN?! This wasn't just hurting me, Samantha, this was hurting all of us! D-Do you know how hard was for dad to settle in all the new places? Do you know how hard it was for Darryl to become more open? Heck, he was a closed doors mouse! And do you... Do you... Do you now khow many times I've seen my mom cry over all that moving around? DO YOU?!'' Molly said, as her tears were falling so hard down to her cheeks.
''Umm...''
''We the McGees never knew what it feels like to have a forever home! We started to question if we'd actually have a real home... That's why I'm always positive and joyful, okay?! Because there's one thing I hate more than jerky people like you... I hate seeing my family miserable! I tried to keep them happy with everything I could do, but even I have limits!'' Molly cried.
Samantha started to actually feel bad. Molly wasn't just a brat who tried to get credit and fame over good deeds... She really just wanted to bring joy to people...
''Molly...''
''Scratch used to call me delusional over being so happy... I never had the choice to be happy! In that period, my family was miserable... They needed someone to bring just a light of hope in those dark times... THAT WAS ME! No matter how hurt I was when I left so many friendships behind, I kept that fake smile FOR YEARS! Because... I hated seeing my loved ones sad! I was ready to make everything possible to keep them happy, even if it meant risking my own happiness!'' Molly cried.
''But... It doesn't have to be this way anymore! Your family is happy, you have your dream forever home, you don't need to hide how hurt you are!''
''Oh really? I thought the same until I became sad for a while! When Scratch became human and left... That hurt me! He was my forever friend... I couldn't keep that happy face anymore, so I just gave up... Causing Brighton to turn into the most miserable place again! This community... It's just a bunch of jerks... And no matter how much I try to keep them happy, all they do is insult and yell at me... So, why should I save them?! Why should I save people who find it so hard to say one simple ''thank you'', huh?'' Molly cried.
''I... Well... You... You don't have to...''
''That's what I thought. Those skinwalkers out there... They're your problem, not mine...'' Molly sobbed.
Samantha couldn't force Molly to help her. Everything she said... Was true. Molly didn't have a reason to save her, yet she did. She didn't have a reason to cry over her dead corpse, yet she did. Samantha didn't want to make Molly more upset, so she just went back to the window and opened it... Then looked at Molly. She realized there's one thing she didn't told her...
''Thank you...''
''Wh-What?''
''Thank you... For saving my life. Libby was right... If it wasn't for you, I was just gonna rot in a cage...'' Samantha said, as she jumped back down before Molly could say anything else.
Molly was still crying. Hikari was the only girl who knew in full detail about Molly's life... But now, Molly cried her soul out in front of the girl who beated her up...