Struck By Lightning
Libby looks Molly in the eyes with a serious and concerned expression, her tears now faded as she wants nothing more than to help her best friend.
"Of course! Is there anything I can do to help? Is there anything you need right now?" Libby asked.
Molly looks out the window, the dark blue night sky still full of stars. She looks at the clock, it's 3:00am and she's not even tired. Even after spending most of the night flying through the sky as a ghost.
Molly looks back at Libby. She doesn't know what to tell her or how to explain what's been happening. She doesn't even understand it herself. All she knows is, she can separate her body and soul when she sleeps and become a ghost.
Molly looks into Libby's eyes. She can see the concern and fear in her behind such kind eyes. It makes her feel so guilty even though she knows Libby would do anything to help her.
Should I tell her the truth? It's going to be so hard and I don't know how she'll take it. Part of me knows there's something wrong. That separating my body and soul isn't good, but it feels so…Exhilarating. I've never felt more alive than when I became a ghost.
Going through these thoughts, Molly feels like she'll worry Libby even more if she tells her what's going on. But she's learned from past experiences that the truth is better than lying and pretending everything is normal. So, she speaks up.
"Libby, I've been changing into…At night, when I go to sleep, I've been changing into a ghost. Separating my body and soul and becoming a wraith. I just…Love the feeling of being so free and flying through the night sky. It's incredible! I know it's probably dangerous…But part of me wants to…I don't know…Stay a ghost…" Molly replied.
A slight smile comes across Molly's face as she says this, a nervous one, but Libby picks up on that.
Libby looks away, not knowing how to take what Molly just explained to her. How she wants to be a ghost. It's dark, especially for Molly. But she understands her.
"I get it. You want to be free. And your joy energy is at its peak when you're a ghost, so it makes sense that it'd be exhilarating and make you so happy. I am worried about the side effects though. I mean, splitting yourself in half like that can't be good for you." Libby said.
Molly nods. She understands that this could hurt her. And that she doesn't have full control of her powers yet. Still, something about all of this feels right.
"I know. I was going to talk to Scratch about it, but I didn't want to worry him. Or you. I've got to get better at being honest about my feelings and what's really going on. I'm sorry for keeping this a secret." Molly replied.
Libby can tell how guilty and sad Molly is feeling about all of this. All Molly wanted to do was have some fun being a ghost, she didn't know it would hurt the people who care about her so much. So she hid.
Libby puts her hand out to Molly and smiles.
"Come on, why don't you show me what's so fun about being a ghost." Libby said.
Surprised and a bit confused, Molly takes Libby's hand as she leads her downstairs and out in the backyard. Both in their pajamas, looking up at the starry night sky with wonder, the girls smile.
"This is just like the night we saw the comet together and made a forever memory!" Molly said.
Libby nods, reminiscing about that special night. Then she looks at Molly. The bright joyful glow in her eyes as she stares up at the sky with that childlike wonder. She really is something special.
"Alright, ghost girl. Show me what you got!" Libby said.
Molly's not so sure she can turn into a ghost while she's awake, so she sits down in the grass and tries meditating. Thinking about the feelings that turned her into a ghost in the first place, a mix of joy and sadness all wrapped up in memories she holds close.
Libby sits next to Molly, watching as she focuses. She's never seen her so calm and peaceful. It's different, but it makes her happy to see someone as hyper and energetic as Molly finally relaxing.
Suddenly, a bright golden glow forms around Molly as her ghost separates from her body. Her human form is still in a meditative state while her ghost free to fly.
Libby smiles, trusting Molly and knowing deep down that she'll be okay.
With that, Molly flies up to the sky and enjoys her freedom. That feeling of no longer being tethered to the earth, just pure bliss and exhilaration. She loves it.
Libby lies down in the grass and watches as Molly flies. She looks like a shooting star, so happy and joyful, laughing and dancing in the sky. It's adorable and she can tell it's exactly what Molly needs.
Molly stops dancing for a bit and comes closer to the ground.
"Hey, Libby! Watch what I can do!" Molly said.
Molly flies up a little higher, points up at the sky and focuses all her joyful energy. Then, she shoots lightning. A powerful blast that amazes Libby as she stares, wide eyed and impressed.
"Woah! That was amazing, Molly!" Libby said.
Libby's bright smile quickly turns to a look of fear as Molly's bright golden color starts to fade. Then, she falls fast. This time, she's not awake, so she can't stop herself.
Libby gets up off the ground and runs as fast as she can to catch Molly. Wondering if she can actually catch a ghost or if Molly will just phase through her and fall endlessly…No, she won't let that happen.
Determined but afraid, Libby puts her arms out and catches Molly. Gently carrying her back to her body.
Libby starts to cry as she sees how pale and weak Molly's body looks without her ghost. Still, she tries her best to stay strong. For Molly.
"It's okay, Molly. Everything's going to be okay. I promise." Libby said.
Libby puts Molly's ghost close to her body and they become one again. That bright joyful glow slightly faded this time. Then, Molly wakes up.
Molly starts to fall, feeling faint, but Libby catches her.
"Woah, it's okay, I've got you." Libby said.
Libby helps Molly sit up and she can see the exhaustion in her eyes, dark circles, and she's still looking pale. Still, Molly tries her best to smile through the pain.
"W-what…Did you…Think? I-I was…Pretty cool as a-a…G-ghost, right?" Molly asked.
Libby puts her hand on Molly's shoulder. She knows how much fun it is for her, to fly and be free as a ghost. She wants her to be happy, but not at the cost of her life. Something's wrong and they need to figure it out.
So, Libby once again carries Molly and starts heading back inside, ready to talk with Scratch and her family.
Molly looks up at Libby, confused and a bit nervous.
"W-where…Where are…We g-going?" Molly asked.
Libby can feel in her arms how cold and shaky Molly is. She's too easy to carry too which means she's lost weight and probably hasn't been eating enough to keep up with these ghostly transformations. It probably drains her fast. How long has she been doing this? Libby doesn't even want to know.
"We're going to talk with Scratch and your parents about this. I'm sorry, Molly. I know you love being a ghost, but we need to tell them. Now that I've seen what happens to you…I just can't watch you do this to yourself." Libby replied.
Libby gently sets Molly on the couch and puts a blanket over her, starting to tear up as she sees how weak her friend looks. Still, she tries her best to stay brave for Molly.
"Don't worry. I'm going to go get Scratch and your family and we'll figure this out together. Just, wait here." Libby said.
Molly nods. She knows this is serious, that she shouldn't be messing with things she doesn't fully understand. But part of her, deep down, still wants to be a ghost.
How can something that feels so good be so bad for me? I just don't understand. I should be able to be a ghost. I had a ghost as a friend, I helped save the Ghost World from eternal misery, and I stopped Jinx from destroying both worlds. I deserve some happiness and freedom, even if it comes at a cost…Right?
Molly lies there, pondering these heavy thoughts as she waits for her family to talk with her. She knows they're probably going to stop her from ever becoming a ghost again. They'll tell her it's too dangerous and that they don't want her getting hurt or worse.
Thinking about all of this, about how being a ghost was her one escape from reality when Scratch left. It was her lifeline, her joy, her happiness and now they're going to take it away from her.
"No…I can't let that happen." Molly whispered.
Suddenly, a bright golden glow forms around Molly, this time out of her control. Her ghost slowly leaves her body as she lets go of reality, dissociating into a world where she's finally free.
Molly's ghost stares at her human body, so lifeless and weak. She can tell she really pushes herself to her limit. Her body looks so exhausted. She's still alive though, a shell of her former self, but enough to convince everyone that she's still there physically.
"You do a good job of taking care of my family. Try your best to be as joyful as you can, okay?" Molly asked.
Molly's shell looks up at her with those dead eyes. It scares Molly, but what she says freaks her out even more.
"Fine, go. Leave me alone just like everyone always does…I don't matter. I'm nothing." Molly's shell said.
Molly's ghost starts to cry, realizing that, even without a soul, her body still holds the one thing she fears most, being alone.
Molly's ghost hugs her human self. Hoping that'll be enough to show her how much she's loved.
"No…No! So many people love you and you're not alone. I know it's scary and it may feel that way sometimes when your fears creep in and try to convince you that you're nothing, but it's not true. You are enough. We are enough." Molly replied.
Suddenly, Molly looks up and sees Scratch, her parents, Darryl, and Libby all standing around her. Watching with sad smiles. They all know that, deep down, even though Molly is scared and a bit lost, she'll always find a light, even in the darkest of situations.
Molly tearfully smiles at her loved ones. Then, a bright golden glow fills the room. So bright, it's blinding. Full of joy and hope as Molly becomes one again.
Once the light fades, Molly is back to her human self, whole and happy. She runs to her family and friends, embracing them all in a hug as she cries, finally releasing all of those emotions she kept in for so long in a cathartic hug.
Then, Molly looks around at everyone as she tearfully smiles.
"Thank you all for being here for me and…I-I'm sorry…I'm so sorry!" Molly said.
Scratch is the first one to speak up. Seeing how scared and sad Molly is, he's not going to let her fall deeper into this misery.
"Don't worry, Moll. Everything will be okay. We'll figure this out, together. The dream team, you and me?" Scratch asked.
Molly smiles, wiping away her tears as she starts to feel hopeful again.
"For all eternity." Molly replied.