Ghosts

Miriam

Re-living the past

April 2022

I had been driving for five hours. I was heading to Jindabyne from Port Macquarie, to go on a ski holiday. I had worked yesterday, so couldn't carpool with my friends. I was close, but I was so tired; I was nodding off at the wheel. It was late, around 9:30pm. Late for me, I loved going to bed early and waking up early. I was a morning person. 

I turned off the highway, knowing I couldn't keep driving. I was driving around a small town, looking for a motel or something similar. I parked on the side of the road and picked up my phone, which was resting in one of my cup holders so I could see Google maps.

I typed 'motel near me' and a quaint motel popped up as the main search. Three stars, not too bad. It was only for one night. I drove to the motel, parked out the front and walked into the office. They luckily had one vacant room, available for one night. 

Getting out of my car, the only light was the light beside the motel doors. I looked up and saw the most beautiful sky full of bright stars. I caught a glimpse of a shooting star

I grabbed my bag out of the boot of my car, I didn't need much out of it just my toothbrush, pyjamas and clothes for tomorrow. I hobbled with it, it being very heavy. I always overpacked, just in case I shit myself everyday, three times a day (which has never happened). Gotta be prepared!

I unlocked the door, number 13. I wasn't superstitious, the 'unlucky number' didn't bother me. The room was basic, a double bed, desk with a little tv and a small bathroom. Old frames hung on the walls, sceneries and animals. I turned on the bedside table light and dumped my bag on the bed. I felt like a zombie, changing into my pjs.

I got my toiletries bag and went into the bathroom. It was a stock-standard bathroom. Tub shower, toilet, old sink and mirror. I washed my face, getting my makeup off. I took the towel from the railing beside the sink and wiped my face. 

I looked up in the mirror and froze. There was a person standing behind me, a woman. She was wearing old-fashioned clothes, not very sure of the time period as I'm not interested in history. I quickly turned back, but no one was there. I looked back at the mirror; she was still there. I dropped my towel, mouth wide. I flicked the switch by the mirror off and on, but the person remained in the mirror.

Was she coming to kill me? Take me to the other side? Every bad scenario ran through my head at a million miles an hour. I was sure I was going to die somehow.

"Do not be afraid!" She said, and I stuttered, lost for words. "It has been so long since I was able to speak to someone," she smiled. 

"Wha- who- what- uh" my face went pale. I looked back again, whipping my head like I'm doing a head-check in the car, nobody there. I whip back to the mirror, "Ar- are you- a ghost?" 

I didn't believe in ghosts. At least before this moment. 

"I am!" She seemed happy, too happy. 

"Are you going to kill me?" I was shaking now; I was fucking talking to a ghost. "Am I insane?" 

"Don't worry, I am not going to hurt you. I can assure you, you are not insane. My name is Miriam, what is yours?" 

What the fuck was going on. I felt my body was on autopilot, speaking without me even realising. 

She had her hair perfectly braided, shiny and brown. Her eyes seemed kind, warm. She was around the same height as me.

"I'm Claire," I nervously laughed, eyes wide open,"I just need a second."