Short Stories

The end

"Go pack your bags." my mother said sternly.
"Why? Where are we going?" an innocent seven-year-old version of me asks curiously.
"Away. Anywhere but here."
"But-"
"Enough! We're leaving because we need a new place to live. Without your father's paycheck we can't afford to live here. And now, thanks to you, we have to move."
"Because of me?"
"Yes Hayley, because of you. It's all your fault that your father is dead, because little miss princess needed something and wouldn't shut their damned mouth until she got it. So, your father goes out to get it with you, and while he was driving home, he got hit head-on by a drunk driver. He doesn't survive, but you do, and I get stuck in this life with nothing but a seven-year-old, annoying as all hell child." she started screaming.
"I-I'm sorry mommy." I started crying. "I didn't mean for daddy to di-"
"Go pack your bag, Hayley! Now!" Mother shrieked, pointing up the stairs to where my room was.
I jolt up in a cold sweat, panting. I sigh in annoyance as I look at the clock. 4:27.
Great, waking up earlier and earlier everyday. I just wish this stupid nightmare of a memory would stop haunting my dreams.
I wait at least twenty minutes before I finally decide it's time to get ready. I haul myself out of bed and start towards my closet, stumbling slightly over the clothes piled on my floor. I shiver as a gust of cold air that's as cold as ice brushes my arms and legs. I walk a little faster over to the closet and open the door.
Wait, I kinda need the light to see what I'm looking at.
I groan frustratedly and walk over to the light switch. I flip the lights on, but a split second later they're off again. I blink, trying to regain focus before turning the blinding light on again. I basically crawl back over to my closet and look through to find a shirt.
Hmm, what shirt should I- ooh, I'll wear that one.
I quickly throw on my shirt of choice and walk over to my dresser to grab a pair of jeans. Once that is done, I grab my combat boots and put those on, then standing in front of my full length mirror with an approving look plastered on my face.
Wow, Hayley, for once in your life you managed to look decent enough.
I smack myself in the head for thinking that. I glance at the clock again and see that it is now 4:46. I grab my phone, earbuds, and backpack and scurry down the stairs like a mouse to make myself some breakfast.

After breakfast I ran to my car and drove to school. As I pulled in, I saw people heading inside, telling me I was going to be late for class. I turn the car off and speed into the building, pulling my jacket around me tighter.
I hate this season. I hate winter so much.
I burst through the door and race to my first class. I almost make it when I feel my body get slammed into the row of lockers next to me. I slowly slide down the lockers and look at my assailant.
"Look who the cat dragged in. I thought my favorite punching bag wasn't going to show her ugly face today."
No, no, no. I don't need this today.
"Oh, hey Ashlee. If you, uh, don't mind I kinda need to get to class." I go to stand up, but Ashlee pushes me to the ground, making me smash my head against the floor. I start seeing black splotches in my vision as she kicks me in the ribs with her high heels. She does this for another three minutes, saying the most horrible things she could think of, kicking even harder with each insult. I finally pass out, but not before seeing Ashlee's look of victory as she walks away.

I wake up hours later in a hospital bed with an IV in my arm. I violently blink as my eyes adjust to the bright light. Once they do, I am able to look around the room. I see my friends Sam, Jensen, and Jimmy are all here, but they're asleep. And to my surprise, my mom is there. She notices that I'm awake and slips over to the side of the bed, taking my hand in hers. She cries a little before she hugs me multiple times.

After mom brings me home the next day, I rush up to my room with tears rushing down my face as I remember what Ashlee said.
You're never going to mean anything to anyone, you little S!v+. Nobody's going to care when you die, so you might as well go and kill yourself.
I sprint into my bathroom and close the door. I go through my cabinet, trying to find my sleeping pills, and down half of the new bottle. I stand in front of the door, slowly slipping down so I can sit in front of it. A few minutes later, I start to feel woozy and see the black splotches for the second time in two days. I start slipping into my never-ending sleep, and seconds later I'm gone for good.

"She's too far gone, ma'am, we can't save her." the doctor says with patience.
"No! You have to save her! She's all I have left!" my mother sobs, as security shows up to take her down to her car.
I hope they call a taxi for her instead.
She leaves with security, no force needed to remove her, but she continues sobbing loudly. I can't help but feel sorry for what I've caused my mother, my friends as well, to feel emotionally. I feel my heart get heavy with guilt and sadness. I then realize that I'm supposed to be dead, but question it because I can still see everything that's going on. I walk up to someone to ask them, but they just walk right through me without looking up. I swallow in fear of what has now become of me.

A ghost. Nothing more, nothing less. Just a soul left behind in this horrid world, watching and waiting, but never able to do anything to help others. This is my story, it ended earlier than it should've. I wasn't able to survive this hell called life, but you have the strength and the support to continue on. Your story isn't over yet.