Chapter 3: Therapy Seassion

The weeks of November were not going well for Libby and her mother at all. Even the little bit of joy she felt after discovering her football talent was gone.

After almost shooting herself, Leah had no choice but call Axel again. Having to explain why Libby would try such thing was making Libby sick to the stomach. Wasn't it already clear?!

It has been around 30 minutes and Libby was feeling more and more down. She didn't want to remember her dad or Molly leaving...

''She didn't tell me anything... Not where she's going, not if she'd ever return... She just left! Over a stupid argument she got herself in with her parents!'' Libby said, angry.

''All of Brighton is in disbelief, Libby. Even I can't understand how much frustration a child could have to make such a decision. I was planning to reach out the McGees, but it seems they are doing well, hmm?'' Axel said.

''Ugh, yeah... At least they are better...''

That itself was making Libby boil. Funny how Scratch still haven't visited her, only to leave the invitie when she was supposed to be with them.

What was that all about? Weren't they friends? Was Molly really the only thing connecting Libby and Scratch? She couldn't believe that ghost could be so careless...

Axel didn't even need to sense her aura to realize Libby was miserable and frustrated. He was trying to help her, but it felt like she's so mentally done, that there's no point. He left a tired sigh, hoping for a bit of progress...

''Libby... I'm gonna be honest. It's sad looking at your case. I'm really sorry you had to go through all of this when you didn't do anything wrong. The thing is, life is very complicated for people. While some have it easy, others aren't so lucky...'' Axel tried to explain.

''Pff, yeah, thanks a lot...'' Libby said with an annoyed sarcastic tone.

''Sorry, but it's the harsh truth. But here's a catch... No matter how easy a person has it, they would always meet with challenges. Starting with the easy ones, and eventually get caught up with hard situations and choices they have to make. It's part of life that's inevitable. Another catch is... How would a person handle hard situations'' Axel explained.

''I can't, simple...''

''That's not true! You're still here, living and breathing... Isn't that enough evidence itself that you can?''

''Trust me, I wouldn't mind it at all if I was a ghost... Ugh, Scratch has it SO EASY! No worries, no fear of getting hurt because he doesn't even have a body, and AAAAAALL the free time of the world!'' Libby ranted.

''I'd have to disagree with that one too. You see, as a shaman, I guarantee you the afterlife isn't all rainbows and sunshine. The Ghost Cancel would prevent you with scare tasks for about three or four years'' Axel said.

''Huh? Like the scare reports Scratch used to make?'' Libby asked, confused.

''Yeah. That itself is tricky, especially if you're naturally bad at scaring. Also... Here's the worst part. If you become a ghost, you leave your friends, loved ones, your future... I don't wanna sound harsh again, but ghosts don't usually stick or trust teens...''

''What? Why?''

''Because you haven't even gotten to experience the real part of life. How to look after yourself, work, survive on your own... They don't expect much from someone who couldn't even last till graduation'' Axel said.

''Can't I just stay in the human world?'' Libby asked.

''Not really... Again, the Council would need to put tasks for you. That's one thing you can't escape''

''You know what, as long as I have my mom, I'm good with whatever I'd have to do...''

''Well... Ghosts aren't supposed to meet humans. A reason why Scratch isn't very popular along his paranormal buds is exactly because it's way too weird for them to communicate with the living. Let alone live with them...'' Axel said.

''Why should I care?! I don't need other ghosts, I'd be-

''Libby... Let me ask you this. If you have a daughter and she kills herself to be a ghost, how would you feel? How would you look at her, knowing all those years, you couldn't notice her sadness and misery?''

That caught Libby off guard very quickly. She was about to respond... But she couldn't. To think about it, it did sound very messed up. A parent to know their child couldn't complete their dreams, goals, accomplish more in life... It did sound depressing. For a parent to know they couldn't save their child...

''It... Doesn't sound very good...'' Libby muttered.

''Exactly. Listen, people like your dad... Well, mine used to call them ''air wasters''. They don't do anything other than hurt and feed their ulter ego. The only way to deal with them is simply forget they exist. Don't waste your energy on a deadbeat who's too blind to see how deeply he hurt his daughter. You shouldn't risk the sake of your happiness for someone like him'' Axel explained.

''How?! How am I supposed to forget someone who's half the reason I exist?! I CAN'T! And I don't even have my best friend around BECAUSE SHE JUST VANISHED FROM THE FACE OF EARTH!'' Libby yelled.

Axel knew it was hard... Since he himself experienced it. Even decades after his sister's death, it was hard to forget. He was grateful that she forgave him... But he always had that voice who was telling him ''Look at the beautiful woman you ruined...''.

''You're right... You can't forget. But you can at least try to ignore it. Don't let your father's actions to push you down. Focus on your own achievements. Life is a gift... And your mother is enough''

It wasn't a gift... Libby felt it more like a punishment than a gift. Her girlfriend's parents probably hated her, Matias never cared about or love Libby, and the only friend Libby had... She was gone.

''I'd still prefer the afterlife over the living... Any day! If my mom would be so sad about it... What if we both become ghosts?''

''H-Hold up, what?'' Axel asked, shocked.

''Yeah... Both of us! She herself has it hard now just as me, why should we both continue this?!''

''Okay, okay, I'd have to stop you right there! Libby... Listen, you can't think like that when life gets tough. And suicide AND murder are two things you should NEVER think about!'' Axel said.

''But-

''But nothing! I'm always here when you need me... You will get over this and continue. Rise like a warrior. So please, no more suicide and murder talk, okay? That's not what real survivers think like''

That hit her like a knife... Yes, what she asked did sounded a bit messed up, but it still felt like the best way out. She, her mom, flying as ghosts for all eternity... Now it was clear why Molly wanted to separate her soul in the first place...

''I'm not promising anything... Because I have no expectations for the future...'' Libby said, as she angrily got up and left the office...

Having to live in this cold, cruel, and unfair world was like pure torture. Libby knew she's not gonna last long until she tries to free her soul out... To freedom...