Chapter 11: Loved One in Danger
Libby was putting her hat and jacket on. With Adia and Michael coming, she didn't want Scratch to feel lonely while the rest of the McGees were having a fun time with them. So, she asked if she could stay tomorrow and they had no problem.
''Mom! I'm going!'' Libby shouted from the bedroom.
No response, but she could hear her mom talking on the phone with someone... And clearly, she wasn't happy.
''YOU'RE JOKING, RIGHT?! She can't do this to me, I have to be with my turtledove on New Year! I'D CALL HER, ALRIGHT!'' Leah said, as she closed the call.
''Everything alright, mom?'' Libby asked behind her.
''Ugh... Don't worry, sweetheart. You can go... And be faster, please, I don't want you to catch the flu!''
''Don't worry! Bye, love you!'' Libby said, as she hugged her.
''Love you too, honey. And tell Todd- I mean, Scratch, that I said hi''
''I will! Bye!''
Libby opened the door and the cold air came into the house and sent Leah into shivering. Libby left and closed the door, running in the snow.
Leah was speechless. Just a moment ago, it turned out that her boss was out of staff members, so Leah would need to look after three different positions in the eatery... But she definitely wasn't going to let that happen.
...
Pete and Sharon were waiting for the arrival of Michael and Adia. They were in the center of Brighton, expecting to see them around since Adia did mention on other videos they'd be there around the afternoon.
''Do you think he still likes tomato soup?'' Pete whishepred to Sharon.
''One thing he won't like is that excuse of a coffee you made at our family dinner...'' She whispered back.
''Hey!''
''I'm sorry, but really, Pete?! Whiskey?!''
''For your information, that's an Irish tradition!''
''Okay, okay, whatever you say, honey...'' Sharon said, looking around.
If there was one thing Sharon hated more than Pete's coffee, it was the few O.A.S. agents keeping a view of them. She didn't even know why they were still here, since there were no signs of Molly... But they were, and still weren't giving Brightonians a break from them.
While still waiting, a wind appeared out of nowhere and became even heavier. Noise spread through the air, coming from the sky... Then they looked up and saw a dark helicopter coming down.
''What the?!''
It was a black helicopter with small wings, red lights, dark windows, and three letters written on it... O.A.S. It didn't land on a designed place for helicopters, just... In the middle of the street.
Everyone was confused. One thing was having those soldiers around, but was Brighton now going to be watched from the skies? That's what their first thought was... Until the door slowly opened and Adia came out with Michael.
''Call this a crazy way to park...'' Michael muttered.
''Oh, stop complaining'' Adia said with a smile.
Both Sharon and Pete's jaws dropped when they saw them come out... Of an O.A.S. vehicle. They weren't sure if this was some kind of sketch, a dream, or a way to make people laugh, but it definitely threw them in the dust.
''Oh, now if those aren't familiar faces, IF THOSE AREN'T FAMILAR FACES!'' Michael said with a huge smile, and walked to the McGees.
''Always happy to see you, Mike!'' Pete said, as they hugged.
''Wh-What?! How?! W-Why-'' Sharon was struggling to find the words, still clueless why they arrived in a helicopter... An O.A.S. ONE!
''Don't ask... Just don't. But one thing I'd ask is how are you, girl! I see you're still getting in shape, eh?'' Michael joked at Sharon.
''O-Oh, don't get cheeky'' Sharon said, as she blushed.
As they laughed, Scratch was invisible and was looking from a distance. They looked... So happy. He was proud to see Michael and Adia were doing great, but he couldn't even crack a smile... Because he wasn't there with them...
''And you have to be Sharon and Pete! Mike told me a lot about you!'' Adia came to the group.
''Oh, really? Quite surprised he pulled something special about us'' Sharon joked. ''And you don't even need to present, everyone knows who you are!'' Sharon said to Adia.
''Aw, you're sweet! Eh, I wouldn't say everyone, but already a huge amount of people do. What can I say, we have quite a lot of adventurers'' Adia said.
They laughed again. It was so good for the McGees to meet someone they hadn't seen for such a long time. Both them and Michael couldn't stop hugging and laughing together like one great family. Everything was going great until an O.A.S. agent placed his hand on Adia's shoulder.
''Ms. Williams, we need to have a word...''
''Ughhhhh... Wait for me, folks, it won't take long!'' Adia said, as she walked away with the agent.
As Pete and Michael continued to talk and share how much they missed each other, Sharon couldn't help but stare at Adia with a suspicious look.
Three agents were around her and it looked like they were discussing something important... But the real question was, why was she even around them? And why did they fly her and Michael to Brighton?!
Adia looked quite annoyed since she was rolling her eyes and crossing her arms... Like a teacher who was tired of explain the same thing to students, she had done three hundred times already.
In the end, another two O.A.S. soldiers came out of the helicopter, and one of them was holding a metal suitcase that he gave to Adia. Now Sharon had no idea what to say or react... What she was seeing didn't make sense at all!
After she took the suitcase, Adia shook every soldier's hand and came back to the group with a huge smile.
''No worries, folks, just had to grab something important!''
''Right...'' Sharon said.
''Come on, we're not gonna keep you in the snow! Let's head home, we already have the table prepared!'' Pete said, as he and Miacheal started to walk.
''Oh man, tell me you have that Irish coffee of yours prepared!''
''Mhhh, you'd be lost for words...'' Pete said, grinning at Sharon behind him.
She and Adia followed. Sharon didn't pay much attention to her husband, since she was looking down at the suitcase Adia was holding... She's definitely gonna ask what was that all about.
Almost every O.A.S. agent was keeping an eye on the group that was heading home. One of them activated the microphone every one of them had in their helmets.
''Attention, groups Even and Odd. I'd need everyone from group Odd to keep track of Ms. Williams and the secret weapon...''
...
The day after Christmas Eve was very weird for Molly. After yesterday's fiasco, Ms. Langley drove Jacob to his parents and let Molly stay with her. After that, Ms. Langley let her sleep on the couch and even made breakfast and dinner for her. It was nice, but she kept telling herself she needed to go back to Ronnie.
It would be a lie for Molly to say she wasn't worrying over her having no home or family... Or at least was worrying until Ms. Langley delivered shocking news.
''I'm sorry, what?! Ms. Langley, there's... There's no need to do this, really!'' Molly said.
''Milly, I definitely don't enjoy being yelled at by people ten years younger than me, but I have to admit they did have a point... A minor with no guardian to stay is not only wrong but illegal! I can't let someone like that struggle... So, you'd stay with me'' Ms. Langley explained.
''I-I'm fine, really! You don't have to worry, everything is totally normal!''
''Milly, you're living on the streets at FIFTEEN! There's nothing normal about that!''
Molly wanted to argue but she couldn't without sounding ridiculous. She was surprised for somehow pulling a month on the cold. Well, a bit of appreciation was shown for Ronnie and his friends keeping her with them otherwise she wouldn't survive...
''I... I just...''
''Listen, you have nothing to worry about. I get it, most teens think they are as mature and capable of looking after themselves, but they still have a lot to learn. You can look after yourself, but when you turn eighteen. Until then, I'd be more relaxed knowing you're safe with me'' Ms. Langley explained.
''It-It's not that I don't trust you! It's just... I don't wanna be a bother...''
Just the thought of having to be a weith of someone was making Molly uncomfortable. However, after saying that, Ms. Langley looked at her with a very shocked and confused look. Like Molly just said the most stupid thing ever.
''Ah, I'd pretend I didn't hear that...''
''N-No, really! I know you had much drama recently, especially with your ex-husband, so-
''Milly, that's not up for discussion! You're no bother or a problem, you're simply a kid who needs help right now. And no worries, everything is cleared up between me and him. I just want to make sure you're safe, okay? I promise you, I have no problems keeping you with me'' Ms. Langley explained, as she smiled.
Even though she still wasn't sure about it, Molly had to admit she'd definitely prefer staying with Ms. Langley, rather than struggling in the cold. After staying quiet for a while, she looked at her bunny. Poor thing was barely hanging because of the flu... She knew it would be better for both of them to have a warm place.
''Okay, okay... I accept your offer. But... Does that mean I should call you mom?'' Molly felt, weirded out by just mentioning it.
''Hahaha, no need for that! Just Karen is okay''
Molly blinked, not expecting to hear her teacher's first name. Then all the jokes and videos she had seen about ''Karens'' activated in her brain and was about to lose it.
''Your... Your name is Karen?'' Molly asked, holding her laugh.
''Ugh, yeah, yeah, laugh it up!'' Ms. Langley said, annoyed.
''No, no, no, it's a great name! Just um...''
''I know, it doesn't have the best kind of reputation nowadays, does it? But I'm honest, I'm not ''a Karen'', okay?'' Ms. Langley said, as she smiled again.
Molly was happy to be out of the streets... But she's definitely gonna do something to help Ronnie and his friends. And take her bunny to a vet...
...
The night was going great for the McGees. Having two nights full of fun was a blessing, especially after the hard recovery period they had.
Sharing so many wonderful memories, Adia telling about her adventures, and Michael cracking joke after joke was all they needed for the perfect night.
''Now, I drop my sandwich in the cage, yeah? I was about to jump in there and try to get, but Todd kept holding me and saying that was insane! And while we were arguing, all the lions in there started to have a massive fight over it! And before we knew it, security arrived and poor Todd tried to explain in broken Czech that it was a misunderstanding!'' Adia explained, laughing.
Everyone around the table laughed and Libby from the living room. Even though he was feeling weird around them, Scratch preferred to stay down here... Listening to them.
''Ugh, I swear, she would get her head inside a tiger's mouth if she had the chance...'' Scratch muttered.
''Heh, sounds like you two had quite the time together'' Libby said, patting his shoulder.
Just like Sharon, Libby also noticed the suitcase. She did arrive pretty late and missed the arrival of Adia and Michael in the center of town... And better she did, because she was shocked to hear from Scratch they arrived in an O.A.S. helicopter.
The suitcase was what was grabbing her attention. It looked like there was something very important and unnatural. Something regular people weren't supposed to see...
''Let me get this straight... So, you two got in an argument, she got so mad that she ran away, and just... Vanished?'' Michael asked, shocked.
''Yeah...''
''We tried everything we could, but... No luck for now...'' Pete said.
''I'm so sorry to hear this...'' Adia said with a sympathetic look.
''M-Me too... I had no idea, Molly was such a nice kid'' Michael said, shocked.
''It's our fault, we didn't listen or paid attention to her... She needed someone and we just brushed her off...'' Sharon said, ashamed.
''How is the little man doing after that?'' Michael asked.
''Oh, Darryl also had trouble dealing with it, but he was definitely handling it better than we did. After all, he was always the mischief of the family'' Pete said.
''And about that young lady over there?'' Michael asked, pointing at Libby who... Looked like she was talking to herself since Scratch was invisible.
''Oh, that's Libby. She was Molly's closest friend and she... Um, she had some... Suicide issues. But she's fine now, we let her stay with us every once in a while. A coping mechanism, since she and Molly liked to watch TV and all...'' Sharon lied.
''My gosh, it breaks my heart to imagine someone to even think about it...'' Adia said.
''Yeah, her mom didn't waste a second to get her back into therapy. Ugh, but the nerve of her father! He disappeared years ago, didn't care about them at all, and to everyone's surprise, had a new family for the public! A total scumbag!'' Sharon explained.
''Ugh! Deadbeats like that disgust me! I have to be away to put food on the table for my girls, but he's away just to grab fame?! UGH!'' Michael said.
''I always keep connection with my cousins and family! No matter what, they're the world for me!'' Adia said.
''Great to hear... But I see other than traveling, you two also have um... Other things going on...'' Sharon said, pointing at the suitcase next to Adia.
Michael didn't look like he wanted to talk about that... At all. Adia however grinned as she looked happy to share what was going on.
''Oh, you'd be quite in surprise...''
''Oh, really now?'' Sharon asked.
''But if you wanna know... We'd have to kill all of you after that...'' Adia said.
That line... Both Sharon and Pete froze with their eyes widened in disbelief...
''HA! JUST KIDDING!'' Adia laughed.
''O-Oh... Hehe-heh, got us good with that...'' Sharon said, awkwardly.
''And you say I'm the one with the dark humor...'' Michael said.
''A-At any rate... What exactly is in there, Adia?'' Pete asked.
Michael really felt nervous since he knew that was private information. But Adia... She was more than happy to sing it all like a bird.
''I'd tell- No, I'd even show you! But I'd need you all to turn off your phones. They could be... Eavesdropping'' Adia whispered.
Pete and Sharon were a bit surprised by the request but followed when they saw Michael turning off his phone completely. Sharon even made sure the blinds were down since she noticed more O.A.S. agents on their street than usual...
''Now, after the... Incident, I was lost. In a hole of depression, I could even say. It's just... So many years of rejection, and finally getting him to accept only for life to make such a cruel joke... I wasn't ready to accept it. I knew Todd would want to rest in peace here, in Brighton... But at his funeral, something happened!'' Adia explained.
''What exactly?'' Sharon asked.
''I saw him as a full, well, floating, shining ghost! A GHOST!'' Adia said, getting up.
Pete and Sharon were staring at her with their hearts beating like crazy. That conversation was going in a direction they did not want to head in...
''Should I even ask...'' Libby whispered to Scratch in the living room.
''Just to let you know, that was Molly's idea!''
''Man, she had a weird hallucination and suddenly turned a 360 on the paranormal!'' Michael said.
''I'M NOT INSANE, MIKE! I KNOW WHAT I SAW! He was right in front of me, his voice, EVERYTHING! After I fainted and woke up in the small apartment I rented, I knew it was too real to be just in my head! So... I started reading online, started a vlog compilation about the supernatural, and discovered places with dark secrets... Until I got a call'' Adia whispered.
''U-Uhhhh... From who?'' Sharon asked.
''You know... Them'' Adia said... Pointing at the O.A.S. sign on the suitcase.
Libby was still pretending to watch the TV, but she and Scratch were all ears, listening closely to what Adia was saying...
''It first started as a ''You're sticking your nose where it doesn't belong, you have a lot of videos about stuff you shouldn't discuss, we are watching you, blah, blah, blah''! But I knew they were a key to discovering if the supernatural existed or not! So... I showed my skills. My knowledge, my experience from all my travel, the secrets of every culture, the inteligence!'' Adia explained.
''And the poor guys fell for it...'' Michael joked.
''Ugh, don't distract me, I lose my thoughts easily!'' Adia said, annoyed. ''What was I saying... Oh yeah! They were tough to convince, but they did see me as someone who could be useful! They gave me small tasks, just to report if I saw something unusual during my travels. But... I managed to capture A FAMILY of shadow demons in California!''
''You... You did what?!'' Pete asked, shocked.
''Yeah! I know, crazy stuff! In an abandoned house in San Diego, trapped and hungry spirits I captured by using local weapons! That was my proof for them, I do not play easy games. So... I was handed my very important and first mission for them'' Adia said, grinning and taking a list out of her pocket.
After unwrapping the list, she slowly slipped it on the table to the McGees... And Sharon's jaw dropped when she saw what it was written.
Operation: No More Joy
The start of the hunt for the Phantom of Joy
''A-Adia... That's a joke, right?'' Sharon asked, scared.
''A joke? Absolutely no! Let me tell you, I keep analyzing and following that phantom everywhere! Every crime that is about to happen around the US, every disaster about to happen, I'm two steps ahead! And when she arrives, all I have to do is take a few pics with that baby over here'' Adia said, as she took out a camera out of her bag.
''O-Oh, I get it. That's a prank! C-Come ooooon, wh-where is the hidden camera?!'' Pete asked, also feeling very shocked.
''Trust me, I wish she was kidding...'' Michael said.
''Oh, you don't believe me? Hehehehe...'' Adia laughed, as she finally opened the case.
Inside, there was a drone and something that looked like a disassembled metal stick. By grabbing the controller inside next to the drone, Adia turned it on and it flew out.
''I present to you ''The Joy Killer''! The future of ghost hunting!'' Adia said, as a red light shined by the drone's camera.
In the living room, from shocked, both Scratch and Libby became absolutely terrified at how quickly things had escalated...
''G-GET OUT, GET OUT OF HERE!'' Libby whispered, as Scratch immediately flew to safety upstairs.
Michael looked more bothered than anything else since he probably had already seen that thing, but the McGees had no idea how to react to what was happening in front of them...
''It can detect any supernatural force around it and report it through a secret agency app we all have! But the best part is the zipper...'' Adia said.
''Th-The what?''
By pressing a red button, the drone shot a zipping shock to a cup, breaking it into pieces...
''It's purpose of the zipper is more to weaken and attach itself to any ghost or phantom... But of course, one definitely won't do much. So, we have MANY of these bad boys!'' Adia said, turning off the drone as it went back to the suitcase.
''H-How many exactly?!'' Sharon asked.
''MANY! Thousands, and they're still not enough! The plan is simple: They'd release these guys around every small town, every state, and every city, so we can keep track of the Phantom of Joy! Once they release them, we'd know EVERY step she makes!'' Adia explained with a very worrying for them evil smile.
''S-So, you'd know where she will be?!'' Pete asked.
''OH YEAH! And then...'' Adia said, as she started to take out the pieces of the metal stick and put them together one by one... In the end, she put a sharp red stone on it, and it was now shown what it was... It was a spear. ''When the drones around her reveal themselves and zip her on the ground, THAT'S WHEN I'D STRIKE! She will have nowhere to run, nowhere to fly, and no one to help her... AND WHEN SHE SEES ME, SHE'D BEG FOR MERCY!'' Adia explained... As she thrust it into her dinner.
The McGees' faces were pale and shocked. Both their mouths were wide open from struggling to understand what Adia just said. Their eyes were wide also wide open, thinking this was all too ridiculous to happen...
''What are you even gonna do with her when you catch her?!'' Sharon asked, both in a terrified and angry tone.
''Eh, give her to the boys in black, of course. The O.A.S. is probably gonna send her in the Black Pearl''
''The Black Pearl?!''
''Oh, yeah, the Black Pearl'' Adia said with a grin, as she took another piece of paper from the suitcase. ''Forget about all the conspiracy theories about aliens in Area 51. Underground, it's all a huge system of tunnels that are like a prison for ghosts. They have a lot of those around the country, but that's the biggest. There, they already have a special cage for the phantom where... Honestly, even I am not sure what they'd do'' Adia explained.
''Okay, I think you said enough. If you wanna go missing by no explanation, cool, but I still have a family...'' Michael said.
Sharon and Pete were... Shocked. They had no idea how to react or what to say. They hoped that was some kind of a sick prank, but it wasn't... That woman was gonna hunt their daughter...
''O-Oh, look at the time! It's getting too late, you don't wanna go to your hotel in the cold!'' Pete said with a fake and scared smile.
''Y-Yeah, you two should go before the snow gets too big!'' Sharon said, getting up and pulling Adia out of her seat.
''Wh-What? I don't think it's gonna be a p-
''NOPE, WE GOTTA THINK THE BEST FOR OUR FRIENDS! We'll call to check on you tomorrow, BYEEEEEEE!'' Pete said, as both he and Sharon dragged Michael and Adia out and closed the door.
Both sighed heavily, still in shock after what happened. Libby was right behind them, also struggling to process all of this.
''Sh-She's not gonna do it! She can't be serious!'' Libby said.
''Libby, she looks VERY serious to me!'' Sharon said.
''OH MY GOSH, MOLLY IS DOOMED!'' Pete said, as he teared up.
Scratch came back downstairs. He couldn't help but listen from upstairs the whole conversation...
''Pfff, is this something that bad?! My childhood best friend is gonna hunt down my current best friend, NO BIG DEAL AT ALL!'' Scratch said, scared and sarcastically.
''Scratch, you have to talk to her!'' Libby said.
''What?! Absolutely no way!''
''IF YOU DON'T, SHE'S GONNA DO GOD KNOWS WHAT TO MOLLY! YOU HAVE TO!'' Sharon said.
''LAST TIME I TRIED, IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE SHE TOOK IT TOO WELL!'' Scratch said, angry.
''IT'S FOR MOLLY! If we don't, we're never gonna see Molly ever again! We have no idea where she is right now, BUT WE CAN ONLY DREAM ABOUT FINDING HER IF THEY GET THEIR HANDS ON HER! YOU HAVE TO!'' Pete cried.
Everyone looked at Scratch. He was sweating and was fighting in his head what he was supposed to do. Yes, it was hard to reach out Adia, but... This was Molly's safety we're talking about!
''N-No... No! I'm sorry, I just can't do this!'' Scratch said, tearing up as he opened a portal to the Ghost World and left.
Both Libby and the McGees could imagine how hard it could be in such a situation for him, so they shared sympathetic looks for the poor ghost.
However, if he couldn't talk to her, one question was unanswered... How are they gonna stop Adia's madness from hunting Molly down?