Saving Marley

Chapter Twenty Three

Marley

Trent shakes his head and I groan. He bites his bottom lip to prevent himself from smiling.

"You know, this is practically kidnapping."

"Does that apply if you're a ghost?" He chuckles.

"Kidnapping is kidnapping."

"You willingly got into this car and you are willingly coming with me."

"Just tell me where we're going."

"For the last time, it's a surprise."

He turns down a street and I peer outside, still lost in a city I've lived my entire life in. The stream of suburban houses lightens to weathered shops and tacky apartment complexes.

"So we're going into the city." I ponder aloud.

"Yes." He nods.

"So north, or maybe east?"

"Still a secret."

"You and your secrets." I glare.

"If it helps, we're almost there." He gestures to a tall white building ahead.

"Turn this car around!"

"No."

"I'm not stepping foot inside the hospital."

"Wouldn't it be good to see your body?"

"You're making it sound like I'm going to a funeral." I frown.

"You're not."

Trent pulls into the parking lot and I cross my arms.

"I'll wait here until you're ready to leave."

"Don't be scared, I'll be right beside you."

"I don't want to do this."

"Maybe you can just climb back into your body?"

"I doubt it works that way."

"You won't know until you try." He laughs.

"I really don't want to do this."

"I'll see you when I get back then."

Trent climbs out of the car and wanders to the ticket machine. When he returns, he gives me one last look and I crack.

"Fine, I'll come with you."

We wander inside and Trent leads me through an endless amount of corridors until we arrive at a door. He peers over his shoulder and I nod.

He opens the door and I take a deep breath and step inside. There's a bed in the middle of the room and tubes from a wall leading to my body. It's weird standing in a room looking at my own body.

Seeing myself hooked up to machines really puts things into perspective.

I can't believe that's me.

Trent stands beside me, so I focus on his hand and brush my fingers against his. We hold hands and I inhale a deep breath which doesn't do much to stop the panic from spreading.

"That's me."

"Yes."

"I, I can't believe it."

"There's hope."

"There is."

I squeeze his hand and turn to face him.

"Who are you?" I look at our hands and frown.

"Not this again." He groans.

"What are you talking about?"

"There's something I need to tell you, Marley."

My heart sinks as I discover my body in the bed in front of me.

"Am I dead?"

"No Mars, you're not." He sighs.

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