Forever
After that long night, Molly lays in her hospital bed thinking. Trying to understand why this happened to her. It's a lot to process. Through the constant medical interventions and her loved ones coming to visit and make sure she's okay, she hasn't had much time to think. Until now.
Molly looks out the window. The dark blue night sky full of stars. It's mesmerizing and calming. She needs this. A moment of peace in all the chaos.
I don't know what happened. Why did my ghost or soul become so strong that I gained powers from it? Maybe it's a curse, or maybe it's from jumping through the ghost portal and becoming a wraith quite a few times. I don't know…What I do know is, I can't lose control like that ever again.
Suddenly, Libby and Ollie come into Molly's room and sit by her bedside. She's happy to see them, but still feels guilty for everything she put them through.
Molly starts to cry, her emotions overcome her as she remembers the night of the dance in flashes. The moment she changed and everything went black, but she was still aware of what was happening. Like she was a backseat driver in her own body.
Ollie takes Molly's hand.
"What's wrong, Molly?" Ollie asked.
Molly takes a deep breath, trying to stop herself from crying, but she can't. The tears just keep flowing.
"I-I'm s-so sorry! I didn't have control of myself and these ghost powers or curse or whatever this is…It just took over! I…I didn't mean to hurt you…" Molly replied.
Ollie holds Molly's hand tighter while Libby's expression turns from fear to sadness to concern. She's still afraid after trying to help Molly, then being pushed away. Yet, Molly saved her. It's conflicting, but Libby knows her friend would never hurt her on purpose.
"Molly, you weren't in control. None of this was your fault and we forgive you. We care about you so much. Everyone here does. Don't blame yourself for what happened because none of us do." Libby said.
Molly takes in Libby's kind words. She still doesn't believe she deserves them, but helps to have so much support.
"Thank you both…I think, after everything that's happened, I just want to go home and rest for a while." Molly replied.
Both Libby and Ollie nod, knowing Molly's been through enough.
Suddenly, everything happens so fast for Molly. Hugs from her friends and family, then the doctor coming in and making sure she's stable enough to go home.
Once Molly's alone, she finally stands up. Looking in the mirror. Seeing the light blonde streak in her dark hair.
Molly smiles, thinking it looks kind of cool. And the fact that the mirror didn't break this time is a good sign. Yet she can't help but wonder why her ghostly half took over. She knows it's connected to her emotions, but why her? She can't help but wonder.
Once Molly's dressed, this time in black sweatpants, a purplish pink hoodie, and some black sneakers, she gets ready to finally leave the hospital.
Before Molly goes, she pulls down her hoodie a bit and looks at her scar.
Suddenly, Molly flashes back to when Jinx stabbed her with her scythe and when Ollie shocked her with that stun gun.
The flashbacks stop and Molly sees herself again. Staring back with fear and trying to hold back tears.
"I guess this is just going to be a part of me now. Maybe I deserve it…" Molly said.
All of the sudden, the mirror starts to crack slowly around Molly's face as her eye begins to turn bright golden yellow again. She stops her train of anxious thoughts and takes deep breaths.
"No. I didn't deserve this. My friends and family don't blame me for something I couldn't control, so I shouldn't blame myself. They love me, no matter what." Molly said.
There it is, Molly's anchor to reality. What keeps her grounded. Her loved ones.
The mirror immediately goes back to normal and Molly can see herself again. There's hope in her eyes and that's exactly what she needs.
Home safe and sound, Molly lays in her bed. It's strange, resting during the day when she's usually out and about. Her endless energy paused while she takes the time she needs to recover.
Molly looks out the window of her bedroom. This time, the view is different from the dark starry night sky. It's daytime and the sun is shining bright. She feels relaxed back home and it's nice.
Suddenly, Molly snaps out of her daze when she hears a knock on the trapdoor to her room.
"Come in." Molly said.
Pete and Sharon come into Molly's room and sit next to her by her bed. After everything that's happened, they can't help but worry. Still, it's nice to see their daughter smiling again.
Sharon sits close to Molly and takes her hand while Pete sits at the end of her bed.
"So, how are you feeling?" Sharon asked.
That question. It's what people have been asking her ever since she got out of the hospital. Time has passed, but it's going to take a while to heal, mentally and physically.
Molly puts her hand on her chest, feeling a bit of pain where her scar is. The wound is both physical and emotional. She knows this pain is going to stay, but without it, there would be no joy, no life. Her heart is beating, she's alive. That's what matters.
"I feel…Happy! And sad…It's kind of bittersweet, I guess. I'm happy I discovered this about myself. That my joyful ghostly energy is strong and…Alive. I'm sad about what happened at the dance and how I lost control…It's a mixed bag, but I'm doing my best." Molly replied.
There it is. Molly's endless optimism that keeps her and her loved ones going.
Both Pete and Sharon have always loved that about their daughter. They do wish she'd be more open and talk about how she's feeling, but she's getting there.
"Well, I'm glad you're doing better. And being honest about your feelings. That's what's most important." Sharon said.
Molly nods, then looks to her Dad.
"Your Mom's right. Being honest about your emotions, that's what's going to keep that ghostly energy of yours under control." Pete said.
Molly thinks about this. She knows her Dad is right, both her parents are, and she's so happy they're doing their best to understand her when she doesn't fully understand herself. Yet.
Molly starts to tear up a bit, a genuine smile behind her eyes as she hugs both her parents.
"Thanks guys…I'm so lucky to have such amazing parents! I love you." Molly said.
Suddenly, there's a knock on the trapdoor as it opens.
"Hey! I don't want to be left out of the group hug." Darryl said.
Molly laughs, gesturing for her brother to join.
"Get over here, there's always room for more!" Molly said.
Darryl rushes over and the family's all together again.
Molly can't help but miss Scratch though. Wishing he were here, but she knows he's happy out there having adventures with Adia. He's living his life to the fullest and that's all she could ever want for her best friend.
Suddenly, Molly starts to get tired. She falls asleep in her Mom's arms and Sharon gently lays her on her bed.
"Goodnight, honey. Sweet dreams." Sharon said.
The family quietly leaves the room, giving one last look at Molly before they go. A smile on her face as she sleeps. That's all the confirmation they need. She's going to be okay. And, even if she has days where she's not, they'll be there for her. Ghost or human.
The next day, Molly wakes up with a bright smile and her positive attitude. She's ready to face the day and can't wait for what's ahead.
Yet, as Molly gets out of bed, she can't help but feel that pain in her chest. Her scar is still healing and she knows she needs to focus on recovery. And yet, she feels this pull towards living that's always been a part of her.
"Even with my ghost half taking over, I've never felt more alive! I need to go out and experience this. To live." Molly said.
With that, Molly heads downstairs. When she reaches the kitchen, she sees Libby and Ollie sitting at the table waiting for her with blueberry pancakes.
Molly rushes over to sit next to them and gives them both hugs.
"What are you guys doing here?" Molly asked.
Nearly out of breath as Molly says this, Ollie has her sit down.
"Woah, careful there. You still need to rest." Ollie replied.
Molly nods and sits down.
"We're here because we wanted to figure out what was going on with you and why your ghostly energy has become so strong." Libby replied.
Molly smiles, one of hope and fear. She wants to understand what's happening to her, but part of her is afraid of what it could mean. Still, she listens.
"I've studied ghosts most of my life and I've seen many supernatural phenomena, but never anything like this. You've got very strong ghostly energy." Ollie said.
Libby pulls out her paranormal pop up book, showing Molly the drawings and descriptions she made of her after the dance.
"See, we all have our own ghost, or soul, inside of us. It's our spark or what makes us who we are. Your spark has always been joy and that's why it's so strong." Libby said.
Molly nods, taking in this information as she eats her blueberry pancakes. She's been hungry since this whole adventure ended and she's got to fuel up in order to heal.
"We think, after jumping through the ghost portal so many times, your ghostly joy energy started taking over your human half." Ollie said.
Molly stops eating and thinks about this, fascinated.
"So, like ghost powers!" Molly replied.
Libby laughs and smiles, sharing in Molly's enthusiasm.
"Yes! Although, your energy is so strong that you need to be careful so it doesn't get out of control." Libby said.
Molly nods, trying her best to be serious, but her childlike wonder is shining through her big bright eyes.
"Oh, I see. That's why I lost control a few times since my ghost powers started coming out." Molly replied.
Ollie takes Molly's hand. He can see she's still feeling a bit of regret.
"Exactly. What helps most, in those moments where you start to lose control, is having an anchor that keeps you and your ghostly spirit grounded in reality. So you don't become separated like…" Ollie said.
Ollie stops talking when he realizes that's what happened to Scratch.
Molly smiles and puts her hand on Ollies.
"It's okay…I know Scratch is happy now and that's all that matters. And I know exactly what my anchor is." Molly replied.
Libby and Ollie look at one another, both intrigued.
"What's that?" Libby asked.
Molly pulls out a picture from her hoodie pocket and shows it to them. It's a picture of her family, Libby, Ollie, and even Scratch all together at the ice cream shop. They all look so happy.
"This. You all are my anchor. You keep me safe and support me no matter what I'm going through. You all keep me going, through rain or sunshine. So, no matter how strong my joyful ghostly energy gets, I know I'll be okay because I've got you all in my life." Molly explained.
Both Libby and Ollie tear up a bit and hug Molly. Then, having overheard their conversation, the whole family joins in the group hug.
Seeing all her loved ones around, Molly can't help but feel that joy. She's happy and she knows she'll be okay because she's got her anchor.
Suddenly, Molly's eyes start to glow bright golden yellow as she holds her loved ones close. They all back away for a bit as they watch her shine, the blonde streak in her hair starting to glow as well.
This time, there's no fear, just hope and healing as Molly smiles bright. A mix of her joy and her mischievous personality as she finds herself in this moment.
"Don't worry, I've got this!" Molly said.
Molly rushes out the door, her loved ones following her. She steps outside, feeling the warm, bright golden yellow sun on her face, taking in its energy. Then, she jumps up and starts to fly.
Molly laughs as she flies through the bright blue sky. Her loved ones cheering her on below.
This is it. This is what it feels like to be…Whole. I'm happy and free, but grounded and calm. This is balance and I love it. The joy and the pain. Life. A gift and a curse. And you know what? It's worth it.
The End
