Ella McMorrow

Mrs. Davis

English 8; Period 2

October 11, 2023

The Girl on Witherstead Lane

“Race you to the end!” Marin cried, diving into the water. It was the day after school had

ended, and my best friend had the idea to hang out at the lake. “You’re on, Mare-bear!” She turns

around, sticking her tongue out. “Catch me if you can!” I dive into the cool lake waters, and try

to touch the bottom. I have the great idea of popping out of the water in front of her, just to try

and scare her.

I skim along the smoothed stone bottom of the lake, feeling the slick rocks underneath

my fingertips. I lie on my back, looking up at the distorted sky. Suddenly, I remembered my

prank! I pop up out of the water, about to shout ‘boo!’ But she wasn’t there. I tread water and

swivel my head around to look for her. She wasn’t anywhere to be seen.

I notice that the sun has rapidly set. I guess she didn’t see me and went home before it

grew too dark. I roll my eyes. I always had to be the responsible one in our duo.Then I paused.

Marin may be reckless, but she holds safety in high regard. Plus, she knew she was the only

person who always had my back. She wouldn’t leave without me. I look again. Nope, still not

here. I decided to leave.

After making it back to land, I towel off and swing up onto my bike. Pedaling home, I

realize that the neighborhood is strangely quiet. Maybe I’m just imagining it, but even the birds
seem to have silenced. Opening the back patio door, I proclaim, “I’m home.” No answer. Of

course. My parents never notice me, so I always feel like I’m not good enough. I swing my bag

off my shoulders and walk into the kitchen. Still no one. I glance at the clock. Eleven thirty! How

did it get so late? When Marin and I had gotten to the lake it had been one in the afternoon.

Could several hours have gone by without my noticing? I turn the light off and start upstairs.

Slumping onto my bed, exhaustion takes hold of me and my eyes close before my head hits the

pillow.

. . .

Sunlight streams through the window, and I blink my eyes. Noise comes from downstairs

and I go to investigate. My parents are dressed all in black, and are about to leave the house.

“Hey, wait for me! What are you doing?” They ignore me, per usual. I think someone must have

died and they forgot to tell me, since we don’t often talk. I sprint upstairs, quickly throw on a

black dress and grab a comb. I’ll brush my hair in the car. The car ride is silent. The way to the

funeral home, no one spoke. We stepped out into the chilly morning air to meet the rest of the

mourners.

Surprisingly, I know everyone. The attendees are my and Marin’s family. Except, there is

one new face. A girl around my age with long brown hair plaited into twin braids stands at the

back. After a bit, the ceremony begins and I zone out. The brown haired girl appears next to me.

“Hello,” her voice is soft and melodic, “I’m Lily. What’s your name?” Startled and blushing, I

turned to answer, “Zoe. Zoe Kinley.” The rest of the people got up, starting to talk to my parents.
 After the last people left, I followed my parents to a freshly dug grave. They lay flowers

on the fresh silt. I’d always liked that smell, so nice and earthy. I glanced down. Wait… Why

was my name on the gravestone? Then, it clicked in place. Why Marin had left, why the time

was so off, why everyone kept ignoring me. I was dead. Lily placed her hand on my shoulder.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered.

. . .

It had been four months since my funeral, and I missed Marin, but the other ghosts at the

cemetery are really cool! There’s Janice, the one who takes care of cat souls, or Oscar, who used

to be a pilot. Of course, there’s Lily, who I may or may not have a crush on. Kneeling down by

the grave, I trace my fingers over the engraved letters. Sighing, I hop up onto the headstone.

Swinging my legs, I stare up at the starry night sky. Even though my life had ended, it felt like it

had just begun.