The Stages of Grief (Ghosts BBC)

Matilda

"MARCUS! Watch out!"

Matilda opens her eyes. Her vision is blurry. She lifts her head from her chest, groaning at the sharp pain on the left side of her head. She rests her head back against the headrest of her boyfriend's passenger seat. Her boyfriend!

"Marcus?" She croaks, turning her head slightly towards the driver's seat. "Marcus?"

Her boyfriend sits unconscious; hands strewed across his lap.

Matilda reaches for Marcus' hand, feeling for his pulse, her first aid instincts overtaking her panic. A sigh of relief escaping her lips as she feels it. His pulse is there, although weak. Her mobile phone had been in her hand before everything went dark. Her hands feel around for the device, not wanting to move her head too much, for she most definitely has a concussion. It's no use; she can't find it. She remembers they had driven past a gateway for a large manor house. If she could only climb out of the car, she could ask for help.

Unbuckling her seatbelt, she climbs out; the car door must have opened in the crash. She zips her winter coat up to her chin, hoping for added protection around her neck, and she sets off slowly. Once she makes it back on the road, she can see the gateway.

She stumbles down the road, wishing a car would drive past and help her. Every step she takes sends shooting pains down her neck. Her vision is becoming even blurrier as she becomes dizzier.

"Button House," she mutters when she reaches the gateway and reads the sign.

Every part of her body is aching. She pauses for a moment to lean against the brick post. Closing her eyes, she takes a few deep breaths. Upon opening them again, she glances down the driveway, spotting a small car. She hopes more than anything that the owners are home.

"I can do this," she breathes, limping on her way down the driveway.

Blood, sweat, and now tears are dripping down her face. The pain is almost too much to handle. She dares not reach up to feel her head wound. Right now, she has only one thought on her mind, 'help'!

—————

"NO, B4, B4," Robin argues with Julian, who had moved his chess piece to the wrong square on the board.

"It's exhausting," Julian complains. "I don't see why we can't play like we usually do." He mutters to himself, exerting more energy in moving Robin's piece to B4.

Robin grunts, "B4," and nods.

"Alison, Alison!" Kitty follows behind her best friend. "Do you think I might be able to read the next page of my book?" She asks. "The last page ended in quite the cliff hanger, and in the middle of the sentence," Kitty explains her strife as they wander through the common area.

"Absolute filth, I will not tolerate such literature in this house," Lady Button exclaims, following behind them.

"Not enjoying this one, eh, Fanny," Julian smirks.

Lady Button gasps in indignation, "How dare you?" She turns, walking through the nearest wall.

"Must you, Julian," Pat sends his fellow ghost a disappointed frown, standing to follow Fanny.

"There be a girl bleeding on 'er 'ead outside," Mary announces from the window. "Oh, we be 'aving a new friend." She adds, excited.