GhostBusters: Rift In Dimensions

Chapter Nine

Y/N's P.O.V

Egon made sure everyone gave me space.

For once, no one argued.

I didn't realize how much I needed that until the door closed and the room finally went quiet.

I ended up sleeping.

Not because I wanted to—but because my body just... shut down.

When I woke up, the light had shifted. I had no idea how long I'd been out.

There was a knock.

Then the door opened.

Ray stepped in, carefully balancing a plate and a drink.

"Hey," he said softly. "Figured you might be hungry."

I pushed myself up slowly, taking the food.

"Thanks."

We sat in silence for a moment while I started eating.

Then—

Ray tried.

"Look, I know this is... a lot," he said, already tripping over his own words. "And I don't really know how I'd handle it either, but—uh—if you ever need to talk, we're here. Me, the guys... all of us."

He paused.

Then kept going anyway.

"I mean, you don't really have family here—well, not like—okay, that came out wrong, I just meant—"

"Ray," I cut in gently.

He froze.

I smiled a little.

"Thank you," I said. "Really."

That seemed to land.

He nodded, relieved.

"I'll let you eat," he said, backing toward the door. "Oh—and the trio went back. Ethereal plane and all that."

I nodded.

"Okay."

The door closed again.

Silence returned.

But it didn't feel empty.

It felt... watched.

I paused mid-bite.

Then sighed.

"Slimer," I said, not even looking up. "You don't have to hide."

A beat.

Then—

He floated into view.

"Hello," he said.

I smiled faintly. "Hey."

He hovered closer, studying me.

"You seemed sad."

Straight to the point.

"Yeah," I admitted. "A little."

That was a lie.

It was more than a little.

"Why?" he asked.

I didn't answer right away.

Then—

Because I couldn't keep it in anymore—

"I don't belong here," I said quietly. "I'm in the wrong time, the wrong place... and everyone's expecting me to be something I don't even understand."