Chapter 15: New Allies, Same Fears
Another miserable day for Scratch. The difference was that he didn't have work today. Which was still bad for him, since normally at least he had what to do during his bad days...
The McGees were already at work, while Darryl was at school. Since he had nothing better to do, Scratch flew to the dark kitchen and opened the fridge. There wasn't much inside but one half-eaten sandwich. He took it, closed the door... And there they were...
The drawings and pictures of him and Molly... How they were laughing, how they were hugging, and how happy they looked.
Scratch couldn't help but... Stare at them for a while. Just to remember the happy girl that used to live in here with the rest of the family... The happy girl who used to be his best friend...
''Huh... Looks like you had quite the friendship with that young lady'' A female voice said behind him.
The moment he heard the unfamiliar voice, Scratch turned around... And saw a teenage girl standing right behind him... And she had a smiling mask and no eyes.
''WHAT THE-
Scratch dropped his sandwich and flew back, freezing to the door of the fridge. The girl was just watching him with her hands behind her back, staring with those black voids...
''H-Hi, Scratch...'' Libby said right next to them.
Scratch turned to the other side and saw Libby with her winter coat and a patch on her right cheek. From scared, he was now really confused...
''L-Libby? What the heck are you doing here?! Why aren't you at school?! And who's that?!'' Scratch asked, pointing at the girl with the mask.
''W-Well... You see...''
...
At least the morning in New York was a bit nicer for Molly. Not only she didn't oversleep, but Ms. Langley also baked a few muffins for school.
But the worst was about to come... The first class was math class, the one that Molly now hated. She never imagined disliking math, but since the start of the school year, she absolutely hated every part of it.
While getting her books from her locker, a paper ball hit her of the top of the head and it bounced inside the locker.
''Ughhhh, WHAT?!'' Molly yelled, annoyed, as she turned around.
Her expression immediately changed when she saw who threw the little ball... It was Ava. After Molly sighed, she smiled and walked towards her.
''So, you finally decided to come back, eh?'' Molly asked with a chuckle, as she hugged her.
''Hahaha, sorry! I didn't mean to leave you alone for too much'' Ava laughed, as she hugged her back.
After they stayed like that for a bit, they broke away from the hug and looked at each other. It was so good to finally see one good person in this awful place...
''What happened to you?! I thought you were dead!'' Molly joked.
''Yeah, it turned out the reason why I was sick was... I had appendicitis...''
''Oh my... Are you okay now?'' Molly asked, worried.
''Yep! Just had to go through a little surgery, nothing scary. But I sure don't wish to anyone such a thing, it was terrible! You should've seen how drunk I looked under anesthesia! ''Ohhhh, why is the hospital flying, ohhhhh''.'' Ava joked.
As both she and Molly giggled, Molly noticed how the popular girls were watching and laughing at them. Just seeing their smug faces made Molly clench her fists.
''What are you looking at, huh?!'' Molly asked in their direction, angry.
''Pfff, definitely not at you, ugly!'' One of them said, as they walked away.
They just walked away, laughing like total idiots. Ava just rolled her eyes annoyed, while Molly really was fighting the urge to go and kick them in their little faces.
''Let me guess, I missed quite a lot while I was gone...'' Ava said.
''Ugh, you have no idea...''
''A little birdie told me about you struggling to find a club to join'' Ava said with a grin.
''What? How do you know?!''
''Oh, the guys from the craft club told me!''
''WHAT?! Y-YOU'RE IN THE CRAFTS CLUB?! HOW?! THEY LITERALLY REJECTED ME JUST WHEN THEY SAW ME!'' Molly said, shocked.
''Hahaha, yeah, they told me about that too. I'm sorry, they just tend to take themselves way too seriously... Even if though sometimes they act kinda like jerks'' Ava said, annoyed. ''But, BUT! There is a club you definitely have the talent for, and they have a left space!''
''Really? Which one?''
''Acting!''
Ava definitely got Molly's interest when she mentioned acting. Molly has never tried acting in her life, but it still looked fun. Plus, she didn't have many options if she wanted to join SOMETHING!
''I don't know... I mean, don't get me wrong, I love watching movies and talented superstar actors! But... Ehhhhh, I'm not sure I'll be a good actress...'' Molly said, shyly.
''What? No way, you'll be GREAT! You have the emotion, the funny faces, everything! Come ooooooon, you're perfect!''
''Mhhhh, I-I'm really not sure... I never really acted in my life. If you don't count the silly roleplays I did when I played with plushies'' Molly said, holding her arm, embarrassed.
''There's first time for everything!''
''I-I... I'm really not sure...''
''I'd take it as a yes!''
Without even asking, Ava grabbed Molly's hand and started to drag her around the hallway. One good thing was that those searching for a club had the blessing to skip the class they were supposed to take.
Acting was... Definitely something interesting. Who knows, maybe Molly did have a secret talent for it. At least she could try. After all, one way to find a club is by trying things a person has never done before.
...
Scratch, Libby, and Buffy were all sitting around the table in the living room. After Libby explained everything that happened yesterday, Scratch couldn't believe it... Not only that Tammy Myers attack Libby, but also that weird spirit was stalking them.
''So, you wanna tell me you were following us around and didn't say a thing?!'' Scratch asked.
''Followed HER around...'' Buffy said, pointing at Libby.
''She saved me! I probably wasn't even gonna make it home if it wasn't for Buffy'' Libby said.
''I see... What kind of ghost even are you?'' Scratch asked.
''Mhh, type? Uhh... I'm just me'' Buffy said.
''No, I mean what ghost you are! I mean... You're definitely not a typical one. No flying, no ectoplasm! Heck, you look like a human'' Scratch said, confused.
''I guess I'm just Buffy...''
There was definitely something suspicious. Even though she looked like a human, she definitely didn't act like one. She talked... So calm. It was so quiet and relaxing, her voice was enough to send anyone to sleep.
But she wasn't like any other ghost. She didn't look like a frightmare or a demon. That right here was... A ghost Scratch has never seen or heard of before.
''So, um... Y-You didn't tell us more about yourself, Buffy! What were you like when you were alive?'' Libby asked with a smile.
''I don't really remember...''
''Alright, so she's like me when I was a wraith. That's something'' Scratch said.
''Your name? Family? Friends? Anything?'' Libby asked.
''Oh! How could I forget...'' Buffy said, as she took out a little piece of paper out of her pocket. ''I remember him...''
Libby took the paper and looked at it. It had many hearts drawn around it with a long text and a name at the end.
Every day I wake up, I'm thankful for having you with me. Thankful that you love me as much as I love you. Every day, I pray for us one day to be together and start a family. Every day, my love keeps growing and growing, just like yours is also growing for me.
No one knows what the future looks like, but I sure know how I want mine to be - with you. When you say ''I love you'', know that I love you even more. I'd always be your girl, Jack.
Especially that last name ''Jack'' was drawn with a big pink heart around it. Libby couldn't help but smile when she read how sweet that little poem is.
''Aww, was that Jack a crush of yours?'' Libby asked.
''Kinda... Very big one...'' Buffy said, taking her paper back.
''Wow, you remember your crush but not even your own family? Pff, teens, what can I say?'' Scratch said, sarcastically.
Suddenly, Libby got a notification on her phone and she took it out of her pocket. After opening and reading it, her facial expression changed to a very worried and serious one.
''My gosh, this can't be serious...'' Libby muttered to herself.
''What's that incredible device?'' Buffy asked, looking at Libby's phone.
''It's a phone, dummy'' Scratch said.
''Huh... Phone? Not possible, phones look like a brick, or they're on the wall'' Buffy said.
Both Scratch and Libby looked surprised at Buffy. She has only seen the very old versions of phones?
''Buffy... Wh-When exactly did you die?'' Libby asked, concerned.
''I told you, I don't remember. But I do remember how phones look like, and that right here isn't one'' Buffy said.
''Uhhh, cool, cool. Libs, mind if you come with me for a sec?'' Scratch said.
While Buffy was standing there, Scratch grabbed Libby's hand and dragged her around the corner, making sure they talked quietly so Buffy wouldn't hear them.
''What's the matter?'' Libby asked.
''Libs, I swear, something isn't right with her'' Scratch said, suspicious.
''Why?''
''Just look at her! This ISN'T how a ghost should look like! Even... Even if she is actually a ghost...'' Scratch said, looking back at Buffy.
''Alright, she's a bit different, but... She means well''
''How would you know, huh?! We barely know anything about her!''
''Hey! She saved me! Myers was gonna beat me like a meatloaf if it wasn't for her!'' Libby defended.
''Yeah, yeah, great, but that still isn't enough. I'm telling you, she screams ''suspicious'' all over the place!'' Scratch said.
''What are you two talking about?''... Buffy said, as she somehow appeared right behind them.
Both Scratch and Libby gasped and jumped back. They both looked back at the couch where Buffy was just a second ago and now... She was behind them.
''H-How the hell did you do that?!'' Scratch asked, shocked.
''What? We ghosts always appear out of nowhere'' Buffy said.
''Sh-She does have a point. I can definitely confirm it for you'' Libby chuckeled at Scratch.
Scratch kept staring at her... Just like how Buffy was staring at him. No idea why since she didn't do any harm, Scratch just didn't have any trust in her. That smiling mask was creeping his ectoplasm out...
''Guys, I'd have to go, my... My mom needs me for something'' Libby said, shyly looking at the text again.
''Oh, your mother? Great, I'd get to meet her!'' Buffy said.
''Oh, no, no, no, no! I-I'm sorry, Buff, but my mom would freak out if she sees you!'' Libby said.
''Buff? What, we don't know her, but now we're gonna give her nicknames?!'' Scratch asked, crossing his arms.
''Ugh, cool down a little, she means no harm! You know what, why don't she stay with you for a while? You'd get to know more about her'' Libby said, as she started to walk away and opened the door.
''WHAT?! L-Libs, don't leave me with her!'' Scratch begged.
''Hey, don't talk like that! It's rude! Be nice to her, Scratch... And try to get something out. Who knows, maybe there are a few locked memories in her...''
After saying that, Libby left, and Scratch groaned in annoyance... Then turned back at Buffy. She was just... Staring at him, keeping her hands behind her back.
Not a single word, not even breathing was heard... She was just standing like a statue, staring like a total creep...
''So... You're gonna do something, or?!'' Scratch asked, angry.
''Mhh, now? Why...I have all the time in the world...''
He didn't know how to react to the sudden voice change... So he also stopped moving. Now they both were staring at each other like the total strangers they were.
...
While everyone was in class, a few students were in the school theatre with an old lady. She was standing on one of the front seats with two students next to her, and three other students on the scene, with Molly being one of them.
There was an old set with a table and little cups. One boy was dressed as a gentleman from the 1900s', while Molly and another girl were dressed in long white dresses.
''Alright, everyone! Now that you learned your texts, I want EMOTION! Imagine it, the beauty of being passengers of such a luxury ship, high class, everything!'' The old woman said.
''You can do it, Milly!'' Ava said, sitting right next to the woman.
''U-Uh, are these dresses really necessary? I can barely move'' Molly said, struggling to even breathe.
''What kind of question is that?! OF COURSE! You're the wife of a rich owner of a bank, you should look like one!'' The woman yelled.
''Ma'am, I don't wanna criticize your style choice, but maybe we need more flared dresses...'' Ava said.
''Ughhhhh... Fine, fine, fine, we'll think about it later! Let's repeat it one last time! You three are passengers of the Titanic! You need to act like RICH bastards, caring about only luxury and money! Oh shoot, I almost forgot! Ava, WHERE'S MY CAT?!''
''Oh, sorry, Ma'am!'' Ava said, as she ran to the scene and went behind the huge curtain... Then came back with a cat in a cage.
Molly shivered in fear the moment she saw that animal... A cat... The little beast she hated most nowadays because of her nightmares.
''Alright, please put it down!'' The woman said.
Ava opened its cage and the cat itself went to one of the little chairs. Molly gulped, realizing how close that thing was to her now...
''You got this'' Ava whispered to Molly, before going back down.
''Okay, aaaaaaaand... Action!''
''Ladies, shall we please go? You know how mad Mr. Palski can be when people are late!'' The boy said.
''Oh, my dear! I almost forgot! But how can I not, it's impossible to concentrate when... Wh-When... When I have that little cutie to take care of...'' Molly through gritted teeth, staring at the cat.
She froze... She couldn't do anything, but notice the look of that cat... Its disturbing yellow eyes, little claws and purr... She was so uncomfortable, that Molly just stopped.
''Eh-Hem... EH-HEM! Milly, come on! You say your lines, then you pet the cat!'' The woman said, annoyed.
''N-No, please, I can't! I... I-I have a thing about cats...'' Molly shivered.
''... Are you serious? Milly, don't be ridiculous, just repeat your lines and pet the cat!''
Molly looked back at the little demon. It was just a cat, a very little and cute-looking smiling cat... But not for Molly. For her, that was her devil, chasing her around her nightmares...
''Oh-Oh, my dear... I almost f-forgot, but... It's impossible to concentrate when... Wh-When I have that little... C-Cutie to take care of...'' Molly said through a shaky voice, slowly raising her hand towards the cat.
''OH MY GOSH, JUST PET THE CAT ALREADY, WE DON'T HAVE ALL DAY HERE!'' The woman yelled.
The way the other teens were watching her and the way the woman was yelling were all putting pressure on Molly. She was feeling how her eyes were getting teary as her hand was getting closer and closer.
It was just a few inches before she put it over the head of that freak. The world around her disappeared and she was swallowed by a dark void... Then the cat changed... To the pink one which was chasing her.
''What's the matter, Molly? Afraid to give Traumaa few pats?''
''NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!''
She was back in reality and kicked the chair, making the cat meow in fear and run back to the old woman.
''M-MILLY, WHAT THE-
Normally, she would be very mad, but... She stopped when she saw Molly's condition. The girl collapsed and started to cry on the ground. The girl and the boy were shocked and had no idea what to do, so they just knelt down at her level and tried to calm her.
''Ava... Please take her to the shrink's office'' The woman said.
''Of-Of course...''
Ava couldn't believe what just happened. Molly was trying so hard to calm herself, but she couldn't. Her tears were falling like a fountain. Her nose became runny, and because of the tightness of the dress, she now technically couldn't even breathe.
Well... So far, the acting club has been a total disaster...
...
Libby was standing outside John's office in the Police Department. She could hear her mom and John arguing with Tammy's mom and dad...
''YOUR DAUGHTER BROKE TAMMY'S ARM! I'M NOT LEAVING UNTIL THAT BRAT OUTSIDE GETS WHAT SHE DESERVES!'' Tammy's mother yelled.
''Really?! Your daughter not only bullied but also ASSAULTED mine! Libby would NEVER do such a thing if not for defense!'' Leah yelled.
''Pff, you expect us to believe that?! Our Tammy is an ANGEL! Besides, where's the proof, huh?!'' Tammy's dad said.
''UH, HELLO?! MAYBE THE FACT SHE CAME BACK FROM SCHOOL ALL IN BLOOD?!'' Leah yelled.
''Oh, I see what's going on! You probably beat her up! Now that your aggression reflects on her, SHE ASSAULTED OUR PRECIOUS TAMMY!''
''A-ARE YOU PEOPLE EVEN SERIOUS?! OH, I'D SHOW YOU AGGRESSION, ALRIGHT!'' Leah yelled.
Libby wasn't there to see what was going on, but from all the noise and mess that was happening, she could imagine how her mom was about to jump on Tammy's parents, but John was holding her back.
''Leah, calm down!'' John said.
''DON'T PROTECT THEM, JOHN! THESE PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO BLAME LIBBY FOR BEING A CRIMINAL!''
''L-Listen, Mr. and Ms. Mayers...'' John said, as Leah finally stopped for a while, but kept her hateful glare at them. ''Just like there isn't evidence for your daughter's assault attempt, there's also no evidence for Libby breaking her arm! Besides, I've already contacted the school's principal, and there are not only reports on your daughter's awful behavior to Libby but to the whole class in general!'' John said.
''Oh, that's it?! A few bad words, now she's a bully?! Alright, two can play that game! Should I remind you, officer, of Libby already having a record of being in jail?!'' Mr. Myers said.
''Uh... That's-
''Should I remind you that she's proven to be unstable?! Being mentally ill?!''
''THAT WAS MONTHS AGO, YOU IDIOTS! She has been to therapy ever since!'' Leah yelled.
''That doesn't guarantee she's not gonna fall for another psycho episode, does it?! Now, I'd make it very clear, until I don't see that girl drop out of school, locked up in a psychiatric hospital, AND we don't get paid the money for Tammy's recovery, I'D MAKE YOUR LIFE A LIVING HELL!'' Mr. Myers said.
''Is that a threat?!'' Leah asked.
''Oh, we're not threatening, we're TELLING!'' Ms. Myers said.
With nothing else to say, they both walked out of the room, as both John and Leah watched how they just ran away from the conversation. And for a final... Ms. Myers grabbed Libby's arm and looked at her in the eyes.
''Listen, you little monster! You better hope you never see me ever again, because I'd personally-
''TOUCH HER AGAIN, AND I'LL THROW YOU OUT THE WINDOW!'' Leah pushed Ms. Myers away and hugged Libby from behind.
''Ha! Braindead family... I get why your husband would run away from such madness'' Ms. Myers said with a grin.
''You better find a good lawyer! You'd need it!'' Mr. Myers said, as they both walked away.
John, Leah, and Libby were left alone, trying to process what just happened. Leah... Was about to get sued... What little she had from before, they were ready to take it as well...
''M-Mom, I swear, I didn't-
''It's okay, Libby... W-We'd get through this. Ugh, ABSOLUTE PRICKS!'' Leah said.
''Don't worry, we have all the cards against them! He's right, a good lawyer would help us a lot. A-Any you could know?'' John asked.
''N-No...'' Leah said, ashamed.
At this moment... Leah and Libby were helpless. The Myers were a wealthy family, they could probably afford not only lawyers but judges if they wanted to. Leah was gripping Libby even tighter, scared... Scared that they might take her away from her.