Saving Marley

Chapter Five

Trent

Relief consumes me as I enter the changeroom and find my sports bag on the wooden bench. I rummage through my bag and collect my toiletries and towel. I toss the towel over my shoulder and wander into the shower.

I turn the tap on and cold water sprays from the faucet. Cold water trickles down my body and washes away the perspiration. My knuckles sting as the droplets wash the dried blood from my skin.

Pressing my forehead against the tiles, I allow the cold water to wash over me. Once my body is shaking from the cold water, I turn the warm water tap on and look up.

I take a deep breath but all I can see is her body on the grass, the blood on her face and her friend begging for her to wake up. I want the water to wash away the memories but it doesn't.

Is there a possibility she's still alive after what happened? People don't die from these things.

Once I'm clean and dry, I wander back to my bag. I pull on the grey school trousers and sling on the white button up shirt. I loseley tuck the shirt into my pants and shove the remainder of my things into my bag.

I grab the bag and toss the strap over my shoulder. Despite the long shower and the overuse of water, I don't feel clean because I can't wash my guilt off like sweat or blood.

Even though there's another two classes, I can't be here. I exit the changerooms and take the long way around the school and into the parking lot. I grab the keys from my pocket and press the unlock button. The lights flash and I throw my things onto the backseat.

I close the door and catch something moving in the side mirror. As I spin around, I leap back and crash into the side of my car.

"Don't freak out."

"I'm freaking out."

"Do you know what happened to me? One minute I was talking to Sarah, then I was standing in the hallway watching you beat that poor water fountain."

"You were hit by a hockey puck during our game."

"Please tell me I'm not dead." She sniffles.

"I don't know because I left before the ambulance came."

"Oh."

"I uh, I need to go." I shake my head.

I can't tell if I've gone crazy because Marley doesn't look like a ghost. If I hadn't witnessed the accident, I wouldn't bat an eyelid because nothing about Marley screams ghost. She doesn't terrify me even though she should.

"You're the only one that can see me."

"What do you want from me?"

"I don't know. I'm sorry, I should go."

She takes two steps back and bolts towards the school. Her slim figure disappears into the distance and relief consumes me. I should get into my car and leave, but I walk to the school.

I can't wash the guilt away and I can't reverse the actions of the past, but I can change what I do next. I never thought making amends would be following a ghost.

Fuck, I must be crazy.

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