Blue
Molly wakes up. Getting ready for the day with a bright smile on her face. Her positivity never waning, even after facing so much.
It was hard for Molly to say goodbye to Scratch, but she knew it was for the best. He needed to be human again, to come back to life, and live his life to the fullest. Something she's come to understand is not as easy for her as it used to be.
Molly looks in the mirror. She's grown up so much in the past few years since that final goodbye. She's sixteen now and a lot has changed. She realizes growing up isn't as scary as she thought it would be, but that doesn't mean it's been easy.
Change…That seems to happen to me a lot. Sometimes I just wish everything would stop. Just let things be as they are at our happiest moments and freeze time. If only…But I know that's impossible. It's okay though. I'm okay.
Molly ponders these thoughts as she looks at herself. Her dark brown hair with red highlights now in a high ponytail. She puts her eyeliner on as she gets ready. Wearing a white t-shirt with a red jacket and purple jeans. She can see herself turning into a young adult and, although part of her misses being a kid, she's excited for what the future holds.
Once Molly's ready, she starts heading downstairs. Opening the attic trap door and making her way down. Today's the day she's going to start driving lessons with her Dad. She's excited! She can tell her Dad's trying to be supportive but he's really nervous.
"Good morning, Molly! Are you ready to go?" Pete asked.
Molly heads to the front door, ready to take this next step in her journey towards growing up. Her Dad holds out the keys and she tries to take them, but he won't let go.
"Uh, Dad? I can't drive the car without keys." Molly said.
Pete sees the eager yet slightly confused look on his daughter's face and lets go of the keys. This is hard for him, but he tries his best to stay calm.
"Oh, right! Silly me, of course you need the keys. Alright, let's go!" Pete replied.
With that, Pete walks out the door and Molly follows. She smiles, knowing her Dad only wants to protect her. It kind of reminds her of Scratch and how he used to be a bit overprotective whenever she got into trouble. Or when he tried to cheer her up when she was sad. She misses him, but looks back fondly on the memories. A blue hue in her mind that's slowly becoming less sad and more nostalgic and bittersweet.
Molly then gets in the car while Pete sits in the passenger seat by her side. She's in the driver's seat and now they're both nervous. So much so that Molly just sits there, frozen and unable to start the car.
Molly looks at her Dad, anxious and a bit tearful. Just thinking about Scratch and remembering simpler times has got her emotional. Part of her wanting to go back to childhood.
"Dad, do you really think I'm ready for something like this? Maybe we should just go back inside. You and Mom can just drive me places. That way, you won't have to worry about me." Molly said.
Pete thinks about this, even considering letting Molly go back inside and forget about driving. Then, he stops himself. This is the hardest part of being a parent, but he knows he needs to let his child grow up, even if it's hard. Even if it hurts.
Pete puts his hand on Molly's shoulder and gives her a hopeful smile.
"I think you're more than ready for this. You passed your written test with flying colors, like you always do! Now it's time for you to take the next step and I'm not going to hold you back. You can do this." Pete replied.
Molly smiles, putting her own hand on her Dad's hand. He's always believed in her, no matter what and that's where she got her drive and courage to face her fears and be positive even when the world seems against you.
"Thanks Dad. I needed to hear that…I'm ready. Let's drive!" Molly said.
Molly then puts the keys in the ignition and turns them, hearing the engine come to life. It's exhilarating and scary all at once, but she's ready. Like she told Scratch before they said goodbye, life is about taking risks. That's how you know you're alive.
"Alright, we've got our seatbelts on and mirrors checked. Now just slowly back out of the driveway and we'll be on our way." Pete said.
Molly nods. Focusing as best as she can to do this right, but also enjoy the experience and spending time with her Dad.
The car backs out and as soon as they're out of the driveway, Molly puts the car into drive and they start moving forward.
"Look, I'm doing it! I'm really driving! Oh my ghost, this is so much fun!" Molly said.
Pete smiles. Seeing his daughter so happy and creating a memory together fills him with joy. So much so that he can't help but tear up a bit.
Molly takes a quick glance over and notices her Dad crying, but quickly focuses back on the road.
"You okay, Dad?" Molly asked.
Pete takes in these emotions and processes them. Thinking about how one day, Molly will be an adult, on her own and out in the world chasing her dreams. She'll do great and he knows it.
"I'm okay. I'm just so proud of the thoughtful, caring, and incredible adult you're turning out to be." Pete replied.
Molly gives a sympathetic look. Now she's getting emotional, thinking about growing up and moving forward onto such big moments in life. It's scary, but she knows it'll all be worth it.
"Aww, thanks Dad! I love you too." Molly replied.
Suddenly, they get further down the road and Molly stops the car before they're about to merge onto a highway, not sure if she's ready for that big of a challenge on her first day, or if her Dad is ready to let her drive so fast.
So, Molly looks to her Dad, wondering how he'll react. She can see it in his eyes, the fear, but he's still doing his best to be supportive of her.
Molly then takes a look forward, the cars moving to merge onto the highway. Going so fast that it's making her feel the rush of adrenaline she's missed. When she was a ghost herself and flying around, feeling that euphoric burst of joy, it's electric.
Still, Molly wants to make sure her Dad is comfortable with it before rushing into something so risky, especially on her first day of driving.
"Dad, can we go on the highway?" Molly asked.
Pete looks at the speeding cars, then the highway, then back at Molly. She's got those puppy dog eyes mixed with a look of determination. She's always been a risk taker, though a bit anxious at times. Always listening to her heart and, although it's scary, he wants her to follow that instinct.
"Yes, let's go! But please try your best to drive carefully. It's early in the morning and there aren't many cars so we should be fine, but I want you to be safe." Pete replied.
Molly can't believe her Dad said yes. He's much more cautious than she is, but he believes in her and that's more than enough to boost her confidence.
Molly hugs her Dad, then quickly focuses on the road. She looks behind her shoulder to see if any cars are coming, then starts driving onto the merging road. Slowly but surely heading towards the highway with a smile on her face and that adrenaline rush kicking in.
Before they know it, they're on the highway and Molly's driving. She's going fast and starts to love the feeling, like she's flying as a ghost again. Watching the world pass her by in a blur. It's something she missed. Just like the someone she misses.
Molly looks out her window, just a quick glance at the sun rising. Warm colors fill the blue sky as the world around her becomes a bit brighter. Her Dad takes out his phone to take a picture and that's when everything stops.
Suddenly, Molly feels a bang on the back of the car. She freezes but reacts, trying to keep the car straight. Then, another bang, but this time much harder. Her Dad grabs her hand as Molly tries to keep the car going forward, but it starts to swerve.
"Molly, hold on!" Pete yelled.
In an instant, the car is flipping over and Molly is watching it all happen in slow motion yet everything around her is moving so fast. The loud sounds clanking of metal against the pavement, the sight of glass and debris flying around her, and her Dad still holding onto her arm for dear life. All she can do in this moment is let go of the wheel and give up control as she closes her eyes and screams.
Then, Molly opens her eyes. Her screams stop as she sees a blue force field around her. It's so bright and has an almost iridescent effect as it shines all around her. Seemingly making all of her fear go away as she melts into the warm comfort of the light in the dark.
Am I dying? Is this real? This must be the end. Going out in a blue hue of light. It reminds me of an old friend. A ghost that would stay by my side and protect me, no matter what. What a beautiful twist of fate. Well, if it's time to say goodbye forever, at least I got to see you one last time.
Suddenly, Molly hits her head on the window and everything goes black.
"Molly! Molly, wake up! We need to get out of here fast!" Pete said.
Molly hears her Dad and feels his hand trying to gently shake her awake. She slowly opens her eyes.
"Dad…Wh-What happened?" Molly asked.
Molly looks around in shock. She's lying down, her head resting on the window she hit and the pavement right below her. She doesn't know if she's hurt or if she shouldn't move, but her Dad said they need to get out of there, so she tries to stand.
Surprisingly, Molly gets up as her Dad holds her arm and helps her. They climb out the passenger window of the car which is facing up towards the sky. It's all completely destroyed around them. Yet they navigate their way through the glass and rubble and climb out through the broken window.
Pete jumps out the window and Molly does the same and he catches her. Then, they both run over to the grass and wait for help to arrive.
Pete never lets go of Molly's arm, but she can see his elbow is cut and bleeding. Still, he keeps looking at his daughter, anxious but trying to stay calm, to make sure she's okay.
"Molly, are you okay?" Pete asked.
Molly doesn't know how to answer that question. Physically, she thinks she's fine, just a little bump on her head from when she hit the window. Mentally and emotionally, she's still trying to process what just happened. But the adrenaline rush she thought she loved is now fear that's keeping her frozen in this moment.
Yet, despite all the fear, confusion, and slight wonder at the blue force field that formed around Molly in the crash, she gives a slight smile.
"Yeah, I'm okay." Molly replied.
Pete nods, but continues to hold her arm and keep her close. Asking if she's okay a few more times, just to make sure.
Molly nods. Looking around to see the damage to their car. Then she sees the other car that hit them, also flipped over. She watches silently as a man stumbles out of this car. He looks completely out of it, like he's on something. It scares her, so she looks away and leans in closer to her Dad.
Suddenly, red and blue lights come flashing down the road as police cars and an ambulance truck arrive.
Molly smiles a little, a semblance of hope behind all the fear in her eyes. Then, a nice lady from the ambulance guides her and her Dad into their truck. She asks if Molly is okay while another medical professional helps her Dad with his cut.
Molly's had to confirm she's okay so many times, she's lost count. She keeps saying yes, even though she's not so sure herself.
Then, the ambulance truck starts driving and Molly can't help but shiver. The fear of being inside a moving car again makes her freeze up a bit, but she takes some deep breaths to calm herself.
It'll be okay. I'm safe. Dad is safe. Someone was watching over me back there, protecting me with that blue light all around me. I don't know if it was you…If you're still here somehow, but thank you. I miss you…
The nurse looks at Molly with sad eyes while trying her best to stay strong for the poor girl. She's so young and something so traumatic shouldn't have happened to a girl with her whole life ahead of her.
"Your name is Molly, right? Well, I just want to let you know you're very brave and lucky to have survived that. You've got a guardian Angel looking out for you." The nurse said.
Molly smiles, a slight smile trying to cover the fear in her eyes and that frozen dissociated look. But this nurse has very kind blue eyes and a gentle demeanor that makes Molly feel safe. She thinks about the blue light around her and how maybe, just maybe, it was her old ghost friend protecting her.
"Yeah, someone must be watching over me." Molly replied.
The nurse then has Molly lie down and rest before they get to the hospital. Molly looks exhausted, scared, and sad, but the nurse still sees a little hope in her eyes, a spark. That spark is enough to let her know that this girl is strong and she's going to be okay.
Molly looks up at the ceiling of the ambulance truck, deep in thought, wondering if Scratch is really back. If he saw she was in danger and stepped in to save her like he always did. At this point, all she can do is wonder, but the experience will be with her forever.
Pete looks at Molly, afraid how this will affect her and nervous about how quiet she's been since he woke her up. He can't help but say something.
"Molly, are you sure you're okay?" Pete asked.
Molly snaps out of her hazy state and looks at her Dad with an emotionless stare. Something he's never seen from a happy girl like Molly and that scares him. But the stare quickly turns to a smile as she tries to hide her fear behind a mask, one that she doesn't know how to take off. Right now, everything is just too much to process.
"Yeah, I'm okay…I promise." Molly replied.