Swimming Home
After driving home from the hospital, Molly's happy to see her Mom and brother waiting for them. They had to get a ride home because their car was completely destroyed. She still can't believe she made it out of that crash alive. Someone was watching over her.
Once back inside, Molly hugs her Mom and Darryl and they ask if she's okay. She still doesn't really know how to answer that question. Part of her is numb and another part is scared and anxious. Still, she tries her best to keep on smiling for her family.
"Yeah, I'm okay! Don't worry. I didn't even get hurt. Well, besides this little bump on my head, but the doctor said it'll heal in a couple days." Molly said.
Pete takes Sharon into the living room to talk with her about this whole incident while Darryl takes Molly into the kitchen. To her surprise, both Libby and Ollie are there waiting for her.
Molly runs to her best friend and boyfriend and hugs them both. A genuine smile on her face as the feelings of safety and love overwhelm her. She needed this.
They finish hugging and all sit down at the kitchen table. Libby and Ollie aren't quite sure what to say, but they're glad Molly is safe.
Then, Ollie takes Molly's hand. He wants to help and let her know he'll always be here for her.
"So, how are you feeling? Are you doing okay?" Ollie asked.
There it is again. That question Molly's not sure how to answer, or maybe just afraid to tell her loved ones how she's feeling. She doesn't even know the answer to that. All she knows is, something traumatic happened. But some supernatural force also saved her.
"I…I'm doing okay. I guess it's just a lot to process…I'm just glad I didn't get hurt. It's kind of a miracle really." Molly replied.
Libby and Ollie exchange concerned glances, then look back at Molly with sympathy.
"Well, you take as long as you need to process. Just know that we'll all be here for you." Ollie replied.
Libby takes Molly's other hand.
"Yeah, you can always talk to us. And, even if you don't know how you're feeling, just know that's okay too. We'll listen and help you get through it." Libby said.
Molly can't believe this. She has such a loyal friend and a caring boyfriend. She couldn't ask for more. It makes her tear up a bit just knowing how much love she truly has in her life.
Suddenly, Molly flashes back to the moment she was in the car. It's flipping and everything around her is moving so fast. She's terrified, thinking she's going to die. Then, she sees that blue force field around her and starts to feel safe. Everything slows down and she can breathe again.
Snapping back to reality, Molly looks at Libby and Ollie. They both look worried, like something terrible just happened.
"What's wrong?" Molly asked.
Libby gets up and walks to Molly's side, hugging her.
"Molly, you're crying." Libby replied.
Ollie puts his hand to Molly's cheek and wipes away her tears as she leans into his hand.
The feelings are overwhelming, but even so, Molly wasn't in reality for a moment. She was back in the car crash and didn't even know what was happening.
"I…I'm sorry…I just…" Molly said.
Ollie and Libby look at Molly, waiting patiently for her to finally talk about what happened and let it out.
I want to tell you. I want to tell you that I'm scared and talk about everything that happened, but I don't know how…I feel so disconnected from my body right now and my mind keeps pulling me back to that moment. The crash…It's just too much.
Molly gets up and starts walking away, but she looks back one last time.
"I'm sorry…I just need some space." Molly said.
Libby nods, being supportive of that choice. She understands, needing to be alone to recharge and think things through. It's strange for Molly, but whatever she needs, she'll support her.
Ollie's still a bit nervous to leave Molly alone. So he goes up to her and hugs her one last time.
"Just promise me that you'll reach out if you need someone to talk to." Ollie said.
Molly hugs Ollie back. She knows he cares about her deeply. They've been together for three years now and he helped her through her grieving after Scratch left. She wants to be open, but right now, she just needs to figure things out on her own.
"I promise." Molly replied.
With that, Molly gives Ollie a kiss on the cheek and smiles at Libby who smiles and nods back. Then she heads up to her room, trying her best to stay present.
Molly climbs up the ladder to her room and closes the trapdoor. It's strange. Being alone isn't normally what she'd do to cope with her feelings. Most of the time, she needs someone to be with her and tell her everything is going to be okay. This is different.
Lying on her bed, Molly doesn't even take time to change into her pajamas. She's exhausted, but can't sleep. So she stares up at the ceiling, lost in thought.
I saw you…Well, I saw a blue light and it has to be you! Are you a ghost again? Have you been here this whole time, making sure I'm safe? Please, Scratch. Give me a sign that you're still here. I need to know.
Nothing. No sign or secret message to tell Molly that her ghost friend is back. It's all so strange. Being so close to death, watching her life flash before her eyes, everything happening so fast yet so slow. She can remember every detail as the crash replays in her mind over and over again.
Suddenly, Molly zones out again. Losing touch with reality as she closes her eyes and falls into a deep sleep.
Molly wakes up, lying in the car that flipped over on its side. Her head against the glass and the pavement right below her. This time, her Dad isn't there to help her out of the car, but she knows she needs to get out fast.
So, Molly climbs out of the car and jumps down onto the road. Looking around, there's no one there. Just an empty space of road and her parent's car lying there completely destroyed.
Molly looks down and realizes she's wearing a flowy yellow dress with golden sparkles.
"Well, that's strange." Molly said.
Letting it go for now, Molly starts walking around, looking for someone to help her.
"Hello! Is anyone here? I'm kind of lost." Molly said.
Suddenly, Molly sees a blue light in the distance. It looks eerily similar to the one she saw around her in the car crash. So she goes towards it, a glimmer of hope in her eyes.
Molly runs, tears streaming down her face as she reaches out for the mysterious entity that saved her. She has a feeling it's him, her ghost friend that she misses so much. Maybe this is just a fading memory or a dream, but she needs to know what this all means.
Molly gets closer to the light and ends up running through it. Hope is immediately replaced by fear as the bright light disappears, becoming nothing but a dark void.
Molly falls. Fear leaves her frozen as she realizes what's happening. Then, she starts to fall slowly, like she's floating. She tries to take a breath. She can't.
Molly puts the pieces together. She's underwater and she's going to drown if she doesn't swim to the surface.
Survival instincts take over as Molly swims. The adrenaline rush she once longed for becomes her only lifeline. But, the more she struggles, the more she loses her strength and starts to feel faint.
Molly looks down and sees that bright blue light deep down in the water. She looks back up and sees the surface. She needs to make a choice, air and life, or solve the mystery of the blue light.
Without thinking it through, Molly swims deeper down towards the blue light.
Determined to find out what or who it is.
The life in Molly starts to fade as she runs out of air, realizing she's going to die. She tries to breathe but her lungs burn from taking in all of the water all around her. It's too late.
Molly gives into the darkness, sinking further down as the dark blue waters around her push and pull with the tides. She's so cold and tired. More than anything, she just wants to be put out of her misery.
Molly closes her eyes. Then, just before she loses consciousness, she hears a familiar voice.
"Moll, you've got to let me go. Please…Save yourself this time." Scratch said.
Then, everything goes black.
Molly opens her eyes. Screaming as she sits up in bed and gasps for air. Reaching out for someone, but no one is there. So she puts her hand to her heart and feels how fast it's beating, taking deep breaths as she tries to calm herself down.
Suddenly, Pete and Sharon open the trap door to Molly's room and rush over to her. Sharon sits by her bedside, putting her hand on her back, while Pete puts his hands on her shoulders and tries to get her to look at him.
"Molly, it's okay. Mom and I are here. Everything is going to be okay." Pete said.
Molly can't help but look around the room frantically. Her eyes wander and scan the room for threats.
I'm not back in the car crash. I'm not underwater drowning. No. I'm in my room and Mom and Dad are here with me. I'm safe...I'm okay.
Molly tries her best to ground herself in reality. She's not going to let the nightmare pull her back under.
Jumping into her Dad's arms, Molly hugs him. She cries and can't even bring herself to say what happened in her nightmare. It's all too much. So, she says what she can.
"Dad! I'm safe, right? I'm not going to die, right? I don't want to die…Please, just tell me I'm safe. I…I don't want to be a ghost yet…" Molly said.
Pete and Sharon look at one another concerned, tears in their eyes while trying so hard to stay strong for their daughter.
Pete hugs Molly back as tight as he can. Letting her know she's safe in his arms. That nothing will ever happen to her as long as he's here to protect her.
"You're safe, Molly. You're safe. I promise. You're not going to…" Pete replied.
Pete can't even bring himself to say the word or think about losing his daughter. Then, Molly breaks out of their hug and he sees her face. Tears falling, bloodshot eyes, and a terrified expression with such deep sadness and fear. He knows he needs to reassure her that everything will be okay.
"You're not going to die. You're safe. And your Mom and I will always be here to protect you." Pete replied.
Molly smiles slightly, wiping away her tears as she takes in her Dad's words. Trying to convince her mind that she'll be okay. Yet the distant look in her eyes and trembling body tell a different story.
Pete and Sharon look at one another, realizing their daughter has been through a trauma and needs help. Then, Molly speaks up, laughing and crying through the conflicting emotions.
"I almost died trying to find him, but at least I know that he's back. Scratch is back and he told me…To let him go…" Molly said.