Chapter 10 – Moving On

The most powerful thing in the world is love. Ingrid had underestimated the power of love her entire life. She had no idea it was so strong. It drove perfectly ordinary people to do the strangest of things. It could make people so jealous they set out to hurt others in love. It could make people commit murder as a result of a loved one's death. It could even bring someone back to life.

"Let me get this right. You," William pointed at Mary, who was the only spirit in the room he could see, "possessed my wife's body in order to mess with our relationship and you," William pointed at Ingrid's body, "aren't really Ingrid, but another ghost who took over Ingrid's body to...make a phone call?"

"Exactly," agreed Cut-Up Carmen. William shook his head and sank down on to the sofa, muttering about how he needed mental help. Mary sighed and moved towards him, with Ken following her closely. Cut-Up Carmen shot her a dirty look in warning but Mary for once didn't rise to it. She understood that Cut-Up Carmen had ever right to be wary of her getting closer to William and didn't blame her.

"You're not crazy. It wasn't right what I did to Ingrid and I'm..." Mary looked around the room at the other faces, invisible to William, glaring at her. "Sorry." She didn't mean it of course, but it was nice for everyone to hear her say it even so. William's head was swimming. He wasn't sure he believed any of what 'Carmen' had told him although he knew it made sense. The Ingrid he knew wouldn't behave the way she had been recently. But being possessed by a ghost was a little far-fetched, even if William could see one of them with his own eyes.

"Where's Ingrid now?" asked William.

"I'm right here," Ingrid replied. William's eyes travelled over to where she was standing but looked straight through her. Even though it was evident he could hear her, he still couldn't see Ingrid. William stood up and strode over to where he thought she was standing and held out his hand for her. Ingrid didn't hesitate before placing her transparent hand in his fleshy one. William almost cried out when he felt his hand tingle. He turned back to Cut-Up Carmen and Mary.

"Please let her have her own body back," he requested. Cut-Up Carmen nodded her head and told Ingrid to go closer to her body so that she would be ready for when Carmen left it. Obeying her command, Ingrid left William and joined Cut-Up Carmen's side. William watched hopefully, praying that everything went well. He didn't know how these things worked but they seemed a bit risky to him.

Ash, William, Noah and Ken held their breath. Tanya held Noah's hand for support. Mary watched with indifference. Cut-Up Carmen took her last deep breath before stepping smartly out of Ingrid's body. Ingrid's body dropped like a rock to the floor for the second time that day as Ingrid hadn't realised her body wouldn't stand without a soul to keep it up. She looked around the room at the ghosts.

Ingrid was really going to miss them, especially Tanya and Ash. She had no idea who Ken was although from the adoring way he kept glancing at Mary, it wasn't hard to guess his motive for being there. Speaking of Mary, Ingrid was definitely not going to miss the conniving woman who had very nearly ruined her marriage. Cut-Up Carmen had turned out to be not all bad – apologising to the sister of the person she'd driven to murder her was always a good thing – but that didn't mean she had grown on Ingrid. She was still incredibly unfriendly and intimidating and Ingrid would be happy to keep her distance.

"Thanks for everything," said Ingrid to all the ghosts gratefully, before jumping into her body. She was still. William looked at Mary.

"What's happened? Did she get in?" Mary didn't answer him. She was too busy gasping at what was happening to her and all the other ghosts. They were floating in the air, glowing in a white light. Tanya squealed. They had finally finished with this world: they were on their way up! The six ghosts grinned as they were summoned up and out, to get to the next part of their afterlife. Hopefully that was everlasting peace.

William dropped to his knees at Ingrid's side. She hadn't moved, not even a slight twitch. What was taking her so long? Surely she should be back to normal by now. William felt her wrist. There was a pulse – but it was faint and very slow. Beginning to panic, William wondered if he should call the hospital. The back of his eyes felt hot; but he wouldn't cry. Not yet. William pulled Ingrid into his arms, hugging her tightly to his chest. He could feel the weak pounding of her heart. Ingrid's arms dropped limply at her sides.

"Wake up Ingrid," murmured William. "Please. I love you; don't leave me." Ingrid's heart slowed to a stop. William closed his eyes, whispering no. It couldn't be true. It couldn't end this way. There were so many things he wanted to experience with Ingrid. So many places he wanted to take her. William didn't think he could go on without her. In that moment, he gave up all hope of having a happy life. How could he without Ingrid?

Then without warning, Ingrid's heart began to beat again. It started off slow at first but soon built up into a steady, normal pace. William scarcely dared to believe it. Ingrid's eyes fluttered open and she focused on the handsome face looming above her.

"Hey you," she said in a whisper. She felt like crap. Her head hurt from falling on the floor – twice – and her limbs were stiff as if she hadn't moved in a week. Which was half true. Yelping with joy, William hastily hugged Ingrid but eased up when she winced, groaning in pain.

"Sorry," he said, grinning from ear to ear. He was just so glad she was alive! William had honestly thought that he had lost her there. Knowing Ingrid was going to live made William feel like he was on top of the world. He couldn't remember being this happy, except maybe on his wedding day two months ago.

With a lot of effort, Ingrid wrapped her arms around William's neck. She was still in his arms. Using all of her strength, Ingrid lifted herself up and kissed him deeply on the lips. It had been far too long since she had been able to do that and she enjoyed it thoroughly.

Note: I love love :3 lol, this is the second to last chapter guys!