The next few days passed. They still had no clue who could have logged into Colby's profile, but the tests continued to yield interesting results.

For instance, Colby could easily jump down one or several floors through the ground, but if there was no basement, he couldn't go lower than the ground floor. For some reason, he couldn't pass through soil.

Additionally, he could control objects simply with the power of his thoughts. He could even make smaller things levitate. Initially, it was just coins, but now he could lift the toaster. He called it pumping.

"I can't exactly go to the gym. People would freak out if the 30-kilo weights were floating around without a single drop of sweat," he said.

"We don't even know if you can gain weight or build muscle. Maybe you just stay as you are, like how you were when you died," Taylor replied.

"Well, I don't want to risk that. Are you sure you don't want to buy some dumbbells from the Amazon or whatever? Are you really, really sure?" He gave her his best puppy-dog eyes. Damn, he was good at that.

"And you'll pay for them, right?" Taylor asked, even though she knew her Ghost Boy didn't have any money. Ha, she won.

What Colby could also do was jump into objects. The limitations were still unclear; for example, he could jump into the couch and give it a terrifying Colby-face (his mouth was the crack between the cushions, an image that would haunt Taylor's nightmares forever), but he could only pass through walls, not possess them.

On another day, they discovered that this retro ghost could even jump into Taylor's body, resulting in her being possessed by him. He had complete control over her body and even her thoughts. It was effortless for him, and Taylor had no chance. One might think she could resist or at least fight against it like in the movies, but no. She was trapped inside her own body, which no longer obeyed her. This scared even Colby. Once he figured out how to leave her, he had to swear never to do that to her ever again. And he agreed to this promise immediately, still amazed by what he was capable of, as if his powers had no limitations.

Colby's abilities were also very useful. Why spend ages looking for the remote when he could control the TV with a small flick of his finger?

Another time, Taylor discovered mold on the wall behind the dresser, much to her horror.

When Colby saw it, he freaked out. "Ugh, ew! Ew! Get rid of it! Get rid of it!"

And suddenly, the mold began to shrink. Just like that. It kept shrinking until it eventually disappeared completely. No trace was left behind.

"Did you just make the mold disappear?" Taylor asked, astonished.

"I think it's completely gone!" he exclaimed.

"You can make mold vanish? Just like that?"

"Looks like it," he grinned.

Taylor was genuinely pleased about this. Mold is disgusting, but even more disgusting is getting rid of it.

Despite their progress, new worries began to surface, especially after the incident with the possession. Who was to say his powers stopped at controlling mold? If he could erase mold from existence, what if he could do the same to larger things? What if he could even erase people? Not even intentionally, but accidentally. What if they had an argument, and he slipped out a "Get lost!" Would she be dead? Or worse, completely erased from existence? Just ceasing to be?

Taylor had come to learn that her Ghost Boy would move mountains for her, but she couldn't shake a certain fear. Yes, fear was the right word for the feeling that occasionally surfaced when he used his powers: fear. She was afraid of him.

"Are you ready for today's first attempt?" he interrupted her thoughts.

"First attempt at what?"

"Going out among people." He held out a piece of Gorgonzola. "My part of our deal is fulfilled for today. My sense of smell is as good as ever."

Taylor had placed three objects on the table to test his sense of smell: deodorant, some lavender oil in a bowl, and the old Gorgonzola from the fridge. His nose worked just like a human's. She had thought maybe he wouldn't smell anything, or perhaps he would find the cheese more pleasant than the deodorant.

"Today already?" she hesitated.

"Only if you're ready. Are you ready?" the ghost asked kindly.

No, absolutely not. "I think so?" No, damn it. Why did she say that? "I won't get any more ready than I am now." Okay, better than nothing. And if she needed a Colby to forget the scary-powers-Colby, it was the caring-helper-Colby.

"Great! So, what do you feel like doing?"

"Can we start small? Really, really small?"

"How about the Ferris wheel? You just have to get there, stand in line, get on, and later get back home. In between, we'll be all alone, and you can relax with a breathtaking view. How does that sound?" Colby asked excitedly.

"I've never been on the Ferris wheel before..."

"You live in Proxley and have never been on the Proxley Ferris wheel?!"

She immediately crossed her arms and took a defensive stance. "Yeah, yeah. Rub it in."

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

"Sorry, I didn't mean it like that. I'm just happy I get to be the guy to show you the wonder of Proxley."

As soon as they left the building, Taylor tensed up again. She looked anxiously at her companion, thankful that no one else could see him. Colby noticed her discomfort and extended his hand to her. "Want to?"

She glanced at his eyes, then at his hand, and nodded slightly. She kept her arm to herself to avoid looking like a lunatic to any onlookers ("Is she holding hands with her imaginary friend or what?"), but Colby stepped closer and lightly placed his inner palm against hers.

The walk to the Ferris wheel went smoothly. Taylor started sweating at some point, but thankfully, no one seemed to notice. She had to admit, having a companion was really helpful. Had Proxley always been this beautiful? Had she never noticed it before?

The line was surprisingly short, which was a relief. However, what Colby didn't know was that, during his lifetime, the Ferris wheel might have been free, but now it costs 10 dollars. The money wasn't a problem; she had it. But what made Taylor nervous in line was the person at the booth. She didn't know them, but it was a person. A person she would have to talk to.

"Everything okay?" her ghostly companion asked when he saw Taylor's face. She shook her head discreetly. "What's the problem?"

She took out her phone and began typing.

I didn’t think of this

I have to pay the person at the booth.

Taylor turned her head briefly toward the person at the booth, and Colby understood.

"… I could take over his body for a moment if you want," he offered. "Would that help you?"

No thank you

I wouldn't want to do that to anyone

"Maybe not you, but I'm not here to help him, I'm here for you," he grinned, and then he was gone.

The man at the counter shook himself briefly and suddenly looked much more relaxed. Colby.

There was still a woman in front of her. Probably a student. Taylor could practically smell what her ghost had planned.

"Today's your lucky day, sweetheart," said the man (with Colby in his body) casually. "Women get to enjoy the view for free today."

The student choked slightly and hurriedly moved on. Colby hadn't considered that he didn't look quite like himself right now.

"Are you serious?" Taylor asked quietly when it was finally her turn.

"Hm. Actually, I have a different effect on women. It's probably really not about my personality, but about my appearance."

Taylor rolled her eyes, placed 20 dollars on the counter, and nervously walked past. After all, she didn't want to break the rules. And the extra 10 dollars were meant for the student in front of her. That way, she had a clear conscience. But she just hoped now that the man at the counter would simply think he had a brief blackout or something.

As soon as she stepped into a gondola and closed it behind her, Colby appeared in front of her.

"You know you didn't have to pay, right?" he said amusedly.

"For my conscience."

"So, I can't get those 20 dollars back?"

Taylor widened her eyes. "Don't you dare. It's bad enough that you took over that poor guy. What do you think he's thinking now?"

"I saw what that pervert was thinking. Even though he deserved to get scared shitless, I made him believe it was his own decision to let you and the one before you ride for free. Surprisingly easy to manipulate his thoughts."

That was not exactly what Taylor needed right now. Another thing to be afraid of. The guy can manipulate thoughts?!

"You're just as perverted. What makes you so different?"

"The fact that I don't get off when a female being is nice to me for a moment. Let me tell you, Taylor. That guy isn't quite normal. He's still jerking off to the moment three months ago when a woman smiled at him in passing. Are you sure you don't want your 20 dollars back?"

"Yeah. Gross, but I don't want them back. And you're not getting them either."

"Okay, then just enjoy the view," the Ghost Boy grinned as their gondola reached the top. "Did I promise too much?"

"Yes," Taylor replied emotionlessly. "And this is supposed to be the wonder of Proxley?"

Okay, fine. You could see the ocean. So?

"You're not easily impressed, are you?" Colby chuckled, crossing his arms in amusement.

"What am I missing here?"

"Maybe I can help you appreciate it a bit more. If you'll let me?"

Taylor was puzzled. "How?"

"I just need to peek into your brain for a moment. Just a quick peek. Do you trust me?"

Oh, hell no. Definitely not. Okay, wait. If he were a mean asshole, he probably wouldn't ask for permission in the first place. After all, he wouldn't need permission for something like that. Was she really considering this?

"What are you planning?" she asked cautiously.

"A surprise. Do you trust me?"

Taylor nodded.

"Okay. I promise, I won't look at anything in your mind. Give me your hand."

She reached out her hand, he took it gently, and the view changed.

Where there was only the sea before, now thousands of colors danced on the horizon. Blue, red, gold, green, purple, even colors that Taylor couldn't begin to describe. Ones she had never seen before. The colors occasionally blended together, leaped from each other, or almost played tag. They were like swirling grains of sand in the water, glittering in some spots, in others in the deepest hues imaginable.

They ascended toward the sun, embraced it, danced around it, and then moved toward the gondola.

"Um, Colby," she said, slightly frightened by the patches of color and clouds rushing toward them at tremendous speed.

"It's okay. Nothing will happen," he reassured her confidently and calmly.

As soon as the colors reached the gondola, they danced around the windows, and it almost sounded like they were singing a song. A joyful song.

"T-this is beautiful," a tear formed in her eyes. "How can you do this?"

"No idea. Somehow, I can do anything."

Just a few minutes ago, the thought of "anything" would have terrified Taylor. But now? Not at all. She had finally realized that she didn't have to fear her Ghost Boy.

She couldn't help but stare in awe at the spectacle before her. The colors danced and swirled in front of her as if they possessed a life and energy she had never seen before. It was like a firework display of emotions, lighting up inside her and filling her with a deep sense of peace.

Colby watched her with a gentle smile. His hand was warm in hers, and it seemed to bother neither of them in the slightest.

As the colors slowly returned to the horizon and the gondola began its descent back to the ground, Taylor felt a deep sense of gratitude for this magical moment. She looked at Colby and smiled, her eyes full of warmth and trust.

The ghost looked at her and then suddenly started grinning again. "Since I've been such a good Ghost Boy today... could you order those dumbbells for me today?" And then he put on his puppy-dog eyes again.

Taylor couldn't help but burst into laughter. As they both exited the gondola, she took out her phone again.

Okay, fine

You'll get your dumbbells

Do I need to watch out for anything?

I saw some 2-kilo dumbbells on sale on Amazon the other day

"2 Kilo?! Are you serious?! I lift that with my thumb!" he said, pretending to be offended in a humorous way. "I need 30 kilos, at least."

Great, they're probably super expensive, aren't they?

"Not with these," he grinned, suddenly holding 20 dollars in his hand. Taylor's eyes widened, and she immediately started typing energetically.

Colby fucking Vance

I swear to God, if those are the $20 from earlier

They are, aren't they?

"I'm not telling you." He winked. These are the $20 from earlier. For sure.

For that, you better damn well hold my hand again if you still want your stupid and ridiculously heavy dumbbells >:(

Without any fuss, Colby placed his palm on Taylor's hand.

"Just so you know," he started, grinning again. "I would have done it anyway."