Colby held Taylor in his arms, her breathing still heavy. They were back sitting on the floor by now.

"It's okay. You're safe," he said calmly and clearly. "You had a panic attack. It will pass. You're not in danger, Tay."

Taylor clung to Colby, her fingers gripping tightly onto his jacket. She tried to control her breathing, following the instructions in her head: deep breath in, slow breath out. But the issue with this Charlie still weighed heavily on her mind. He had always been here. She was never alone. Never alone with Colby either. There was always a third person. Who's to say she wasn't watched while changing? Or in the bathroom? Colby would never do such a thing, but this Charlie might. No one would have caught him, especially since he could hide even from Colby.

They didn't move from that position for a whole hour. Though Taylor started feeling better after a few minutes, they just sat there. Neither said a word, but Taylor still lay in Colby's arms.

He had gently clarified Charlie's accusations for her. The Ghost Boy was always afraid she'd have another panic attack because of it, but that never happened. She was just silent.

"Tay-Tay, you know I don't believe a word he said, right?" He kissed her hair.

"T-thank you. That's good to know," she whispered softly. "I really have no idea what I could possibly have to do with your death." Tears welled up again. "I would never have done something like that to you. Never." She buried her head in his chest.

"It's okay. I know that. Don't worry about that asshole. He's just seriously messed up, I think. Anyway, he's gone."

"Who's to say he's not sitting there listening again? Or lying in my bed?" After all, it was a valid point. It was creepy that there was someone who couldn't even be seen by Colby.

"Then he better bundle up. He'll regret what he told me. Even if there's only a glimmer of truth in his babbling, I'm a god. Gods crush assholes like him effortlessly. Who knows, maybe I can see him soon as my powers grow. Did you see the shockwave earlier?"

"So you believe he meant that literally? That you're a god?"

Colby paused and thought before he answered. It would be cool if he were a god. But that's absurd. "I don't know, Tay. I mean, it sounds crazy, right? Maybe he meant it metaphorically. Maybe he just meant I have more power than I think."

Taylor nodded weakly. "Yeah, maybe. But what if it's more? What if he actually knows what he's talking about?"

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

Colby soothingly stroked her back. "Whatever it is, we'll figure it out. Together." He looked into her eyes, trying to calm her fears. "You're not alone, Tay. Never again."

Taylor sniffled and wiped tears from her eyes. "Thank you, Colby. I don't know what I would do without you."

"And I without you." Colby smiled playfully. "Even gods need someone." He held her tighter. "Okay, I'll stop now. Let's try to get some sleep. It's been a long day, and we need our strength for whatever comes next."

"Okay." She paused and then voiced what was on her mind after all. "But Colby? Please don't sleep on the couch tonight."

The ghost pulled her close once more, gently rubbing his nose against hers. "Don't worry. I'm staying with you."

Together, they slowly got up from the floor and went into the bedroom. Colby helped Taylor settle under the covers before lying down beside her. She felt safer with him by her side, and he could sense that.

It was strange for Colby. Just lying there. No bed rattling. That wouldn't have happened in his lifetime. Taylor had changed him. But it was nice. Fixing the pipe could wait.

"I'm here," he whispered as he wrapped his arm around her and pulled her closer. Taylor sighed in relief and closed her eyes. Slowly, she let go of the tension of the day and eventually found a bit of peace in Colby's presence.

Hours passed, and night began to settle. Taylor eventually fell asleep, safe and secure in Colby's arms. He, however, remained wide awake, his thoughts racing. He knew they had to find answers soon. And he was ready to do whatever it took to uncover the truth and protect his Living Girl.

But what if Charlie's words actually held more meaning? What if he wasn't confused but perfectly clear-headed? What if it was all true?

The frat boy had to give him one thing. It's a strong point that someone like Taylor, living in such a famous place like here, wouldn't know about its history. Or that the apartment isn't constantly flooded by fans. But how can that be, does no one know about the apartment where it happened? Does Harper know? He didn't know. But what he did know, he believed in his Taylor. Every word. She says she didn't have anything to do with that. Then she didn't.

The next morning, the sun had barely risen when Colby carefully got up, mindful not to wake Taylor. He needed to devise a plan and for that, he needed clarity. Quietly, he left the room and went to the kitchen, where he made himself a cup of coffee and sat on the second chair that Taylor had bought specifically for him.

One of the tests with Taylor had proven that he could indeed eat and drink. However, unless he happened to be incubating the worst case of constipation of the year, he never seemed to need the bathroom. That was quite convenient. He missed those tests with his girl. But there had been too much going on lately. He had promised her one test daily.

Taking a deep sip, he decided he needed to find Charlie and confront him. Whatever this guy knew, Colby would extract it from him. If he truly possessed the power that asshole spoke of, then it was time to wield it.

"And no holding back, no mercy," Colby muttered resolutely to himself. He stood up and took off his jacket. This was going to get ugly. His beloved college jacket needed to stay clean. He draped it over the counter and set off, more than ready to find the answers he so desperately needed. He would be back before Taylor even blinked awake. It wouldn't take long to deal with that little prick.