Author Note: The Girl Who Fell Out of the Ocean is a first draft and is still raw

University of Chichester, Bishop Otter Campus- Present Day

Sam and Andy burst through the main entrance of their halls they had been running across the campus to get back to the room. 

"She has to be back at the room,"said Andy her voice was breathy from the running. Sam didn't say anything he just looked at his sister and continued to run, increasing the length of his strides in an attempt to reach the room quicker. Sam pushed the heavy white door that led to the Bishop Gilbert Halls open, Andy couldn't help herself she pushed past her brother and ran up the stairs as if beating him to the room would make a difference to the outcome.

But when it came to it, when she came to facing her own bedroom door she couldn't push it open, the door was open she just a crack, there was no need for a key. Sam caught up with her, and he glanced at his sister, her eyes fixated on the door number-eleven, like that number meant something, like it might save them from what waited for them inside. Sam broke the imaginary force that surrounded Andy by pushing the door open; Andy closed her eyes and followed him into her room one slow measured step at a time.

Deep down they both knew the room would be empty, Lavinia had been running towards something for so long, her whole life she had been running to something and away from them, this was the moment, their own personal crossroads, Lavinia was meant to go one way and they were mean to go the other. Lavinia's clothes from the night were laying on Andy's bed, she could do nothing but stare at them.

"Where would she go, Andy? We need to think, where would she go next?" Said Sam.

Andy tried to think but she didn't know where Lavinia had gone.

Her hands hung limp at her sides and rested in one of her hands was her phone.

Frustrated Sam snatched the phone out of Andy's hand and texted Doctor Charlton "Have you seen Lavinia?" It was a last resort but he couldn't think what else to do, moments later he  received a message from Doctor Charlton "She's heading to Marxby Manor, hurry."

They both gaped at the phone and a rush of panic flooded their bodies, Andy snatched her phone from Sam and dialled home.

Anna picked up immediately "Mum," said Andy her voice tearful and distressed.

"Mum it's happened, it's finally happened, she's gone, she's left us, Doctor Charlton says she's heading for Marxby Manor, I don't know what to do... Mum? Mum are you there?"

"We can be with you in three hours," said Anna cursing their distance.

"We are 30 minutes away," said Andy. Gently sobbing.

"Then for God's sake Andrea, what are you talking to me for? Move!"

Anna hung up the phone and Andy knew what had to be done.

Marxby Village, West Sussex, England- Present Day

May had her foot down, Charlie had forgotten what an erratic driver his sister was, she drove a vintage yellow Beetle, almost identical to the one that was always parked near his office. She drove like a mad woman, Charlie could feel his foot going through the floor reaching for the break that he wished was there. He clung to the door, and tried to pretend he didn't feel himself going green from his sister's swerving movements and fast, sudden breaking.

"Oh shut up March," she said.

Her turn to look at her.

"I didn't say anything," he said slightly whiny.

"No." Said May with resolve, Her thin pink lips pursed together.

She turned back to the road that she should have been looking at in the first place.

"But I could hear you breathing," she said, her nose in the air.

Charlie laughed a desperate laugh, a laugh which almost willed himself out of the car.

"Now I'm breathing wrong?" He would normally have swung his head around to look at her in amazement but he was afraid any fast movements would end in his stomach contents going out the passenger side of May's car(and he used that term loosely)  window.

"Yes you are as it happens, I can tell by the way that your breathing that your not enjoying my driving, that is very distracting for me the driver, so yes March you are breathing wrong."

May turned her smug face away from him, it was the second time since they had got into the car that she had not been watching the road, Charlie didn't comment he just wanted to get to the manor in one piece.

May pulled up with a short, sharp stop, Charlie did not appreciate this, he felt sick rise from his feet to his stomach and back down again, he chose to ignore it. The same way he chose to ignore how Dolly had died, he kept having the same vision of her, falling weak but still alive, thrown from a rocky cliff by her own husband.

 He shook his head to try and get rid of the thoughts, he had to find Lavinia, they had arrived at the Manor from the beach,  you could walk onto the Marxby Cliffs from the beach, so that's what they did. They walked up a small rickety stone path that was intertwined with the cliffs edge, it twisted up and up the cliff almost like a spiral staircase. When Charlie was sure of his footing he began to take the steps two, three at a time until finally, he was a the top of the cliff. The morning light was breaking its way through the clouds on any other day it would have been a vision, a beautiful daybreak vision, but not this day.

 As Charlie walked away from the steps and closer to the cliff he could see the one thing he was afraid he would find when he suggested looking for Lavinia at Marxby Manor. Lavinia was standing on the edge of the cliff top, this time of her own free will, the sea breeze was strong and it gathered her vibrant red curls up in the winds like a fiery red flag. Charlie froze, momentarily not knowing what to do next, but his head left him, he knew with Lavinia standing on the edge of a cliff he could only act with his heart everything else would be meaningless.

"Lavinia?" Said Charlie his voice was soft and gentle and full of love.

Lavinia turned when she heard his voice.

Her eyes were full of tears, her face tear stained, the sight of her tugged on Charlie's heart, he just wanted to go to her, to take her in his arms tell her everything would be okay, but he knew not to, he knew that wasn't the answer, not this time.

"No." Said Lavinia.

Charlie frowned.

Despite her tears, Lavinia looked strong, full of power her back straight, her eyes focused "I am Lady Dolphina Marxby, the name Lavinia Gregory does not belong to me, not now not ever,"

They both fell silent and for a moment the only sound was the sea.

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Hi guys I hope you are enjoying The Girl Who Fell Out of the Ocean (Book 1 in The Ghostly Saga) thanks for all your comments votes and reads it's all really appreciated. Into the last few chapters of the story now, we've learnt the truth about Dolly so what happens to Lavinia? (They are one and the same after all) Well...you'll just have to keep reading to find out!

If you are enjoying this story please vote and comment thanks xxx