The group made it inside Ken and Kelly’s room in the apartment complex. Richard tried to wipe his nonexistent feet on the purple doormat as he went to make himself at home while waiting for the coast to be clear. He looked around and noticed the simple scenery once Kelly turned on the lights. The brown wooden floors shined from the ceiling fan; the walls were pastel-colored green.

Richard didn’t focus on it for long, though. He turned as Kelly threw a hard slap across Ken’s face. Silence embodied the area shortly after.

“What were you thinking?” Kelly broke the silence. “Trying to kill Richard like that?”

You knew? Someone must’ve told you, or did she notice my earlier actions as they gave it away? Ken thought, rubbing his cheek. “Well, answer me this, why do you keep going out to party and drink?”

“I told you, to get rid of stress!” Kelly thundered. “Why do you always take things the wrong way?”

“It’s not healthy!”

“Don’t change the subject. Why would you try to kill this guy? What did he do to you?”

“This guy tried to put the moves on you! Not only that, but he also—”

“Stop fighting.” A familiar voice ordered them.

Ken and Kelly paused. Their eyes widened as they searched for the source of the voice. The voice told them again, as the two turned to face Richard. His eyes were a different shade of blue. Not only that, but the voice coming out of his mouth sounded different, but also familiar.

That voice... “A—Ashley?” They both cried in unison.

“Why are you still doing this, even after what happened?” Ashley questioned. “I don’t like seeing you guys so upset like this! So, could you please just stop?”

No way, Ashley made it. But how is she doing that? Fawn thought to herself.

Ashley continued. “I came here to see how things were going ever since I disappeared from this world. I was hoping to patch things up between you two.” She looked down at the floor, eyes getting misty-eyed. “But, it seems like you haven’t moved on and gotten over my demise, and it’s awful seeing you like this.” She looked back up to face her parents. “I wanted you two to get along again without having to worry about me. Wouldn’t you agree, mom and dad?”

Ken and Kelly stayed silent, unsure of how to respond. They looked away from each other, feeling terrible for what they’ve said and done up until this point.

Kelly wanted to get her mind off the incident, run away from the conflict, and not confront it head-on. Ken suppressed his emotions and refused to open up, not wanting to get close or show weakness. It ended up hurting both of them in the long run. Neither knew how to move past it or admit to the other how wrong they were acting prior.

Ken cleared his throat. “Look, I know you got a good reason to be upset with me. I was inconsiderate and stupid and...”

“No, I was reckless and foolish.” Kelly insisted. “I made you worry about me, and instead of talking to you about it, I just tried to get rid of my problems by doing silly things. I’m sorry.”

“I’m sorry too.”

“Do you think we can work things out after all?”

“Yeah, I do.”

Ashley left Richard’s body and floated over to her parents, as the three went into a group hug.

Fawn and Richard couldn’t help but smile.

Fawn mentioned after everything those guys had been through. It was great to witness a happy family again. Happy family. Richard stared at his hands. His eyes got watery, but he said nothing.