Ghost,

Chapter Three

I stood in the doorway for a moment, questioning how to move one foot in front of another to make my way towards the bus-stop: but I physically couldn't move, it was as if my body was trying to brace itself for something, something I wasn't yet ready to see. Eventually I was able to move, but the further I walked from the place of warmth and comfort, the colder and more lonely it grew. The loose strands from my braids were blowing in all different directions and as I tried to smooth them over, I noticed a figure lurking in the distance. I peered from the corner of my eye, then turned and met the eyes of a man, or what looked like a man. Dressed in black with a hoodie draped over his face, hiding his identity. I caught myself by surprise when I continued to meet his gaze. Feelings of fear, anger and confusion grew inside me, as if I was drawn to him by a beacon of some sort. I knew this was ridiculous, as I had no idea who this man was or what he was doing so early in the morning lurking in the streets: so when I managed to break free from his gaze, I sped walked all the way to the bus-stop and not once looked back. As the bus finally pulled up, I hurried to get on and regretted how quickly I'd jumped the steps when I tripped, landing smack on my face in front of not just the bus driver, but everyone sitting on the bus itself. The sound of laughter and amusement broke at the sound of my landing. 'Great' I thought, 'this is exactly what I need.' I kept my head down and carefully made my way to the back, where I buried my nose in a book until we arrived at school. I wish I had some of my old friends on the bus. Lucy, Casey, and maybe even Mia. It would make coming back to school so much easier. Not that they would recognise me now, or expect me to show my face again after how long I'd spent away from them. After everything happened, they tried to stay in contact. Lucy in particular and Casey on and off. Mia even sent a card when I was in hospital and called after each checkup I had with the doctor. But eventually, we grew apart. I couldn't tell them what had happened to me. I know they couldn't bare the truth. Or they'd think I'm crazy; one of the two. But as the bus pulled into school, I realised how much I'd missed them and how much I wish I had them by my side to face my first proper day back in hell together.