Ghostly Affairs

Chapter 6: The Light in Between

It was early morning, and the park was just beginning to come to life. Dew glistened on the grass, and the soft light of dawn bathed everything in a gentle glow. May stood under a large oak tree, her eyes scanning the familiar surroundings. She hadn't been here since Mrs. Green had passed on, and the place felt both comforting and strange without her usual presence.

"May? Is that really you?"

May turned, a smile spreading across her face as she saw Ben approaching, his familiar, slightly transparent form shimmering in the morning light. He looked the same as ever—casual and carefree, with a hint of concern in his eyes.

"Ben!" May called out, her voice bright with excitement. "I've missed you!"

Ben floated closer, his expression a mix of relief and joy. "I thought I'd lost you too, after Mrs. Green moved on. Where have you been?"

May's smile turned a little sheepish. "I've been... around. A lot has happened."

Ben tilted his head, studying her intently. "Around? That's a bit vague, even for you. How are things with Lin? Are you still... following her?"

May sighed, her shoulders relaxing. "Not exactly. I'm with her, Ben. She's been helping me remember who I was."

Ben's eyes widened, a mix of surprise and something deeper—concern, perhaps. "You mean... she's still helping you? Even after knowing what you are?"

May nodded, her gaze softening. "Yeah. She's amazing, Ben. She doesn't just see me as a ghost. She treats me like... a person."

Ben's expression shifted, more serious now. "May, that's... that's wonderful, but it's also dangerous. Humans and ghosts, they don't... it's complicated."

May looked down, kicking at a loose pebble on the ground. "I know it's complicated. But I'm starting to remember things, Ben. My name, my life before... even some feelings I had. Lin's the only one who's ever made me feel like I'm still me."

Ben hovered closer, his gaze softening. "I get it, May. I really do. I'm happy you're finding pieces of yourself again. But you have to be careful. You know what happened to Mrs. Green—holding on too long isn't good for us."

May's heart ached at the memory of Mrs. Green's struggle, but she shook her head firmly. "This is different, Ben. I'm not holding on to the past. I'm trying to understand it. I need to know who I was, why I'm still here."

Ben sighed, running a hand through his translucent hair. "I just don't want you to get hurt, May. Or hurt her."

May looked up, meeting his eyes. "I know. But I have to try. She's been so kind to me, and I owe it to her—and to myself—to figure this out."

Ben nodded slowly, his expression resigned but supportive. "Just... promise me you'll be careful. It's easy to get lost when you're caught between two worlds."

May gave him a small, grateful smile. "I promise, Ben. And thank you, for always being here."

Ben's lips quirked up in a faint smile. "Well, someone's got to keep an eye on you, right?"

They shared a brief, companionable silence, the morning air cool and still around them. Then Ben's gaze shifted, a note of sadness in his eyes.

"I heard about Mrs. Green," he said quietly. "I'm glad she found peace, but it's been... lonely here without her."

May's heart ached at the thought of Mrs. Green, the kind old ghost who had waited so long for her family to come by. "Yeah, I miss her too. But I'm happy for her. She waited so long to see her family again."

Ben nodded, his gaze distant. "I wonder if we'll ever get that kind of closure."

May reached out instinctively, her hand hovering close to Ben's, though she knew they couldn't really touch. "I hope so. For both of us."