Midlothian Short Story

Coal mining ended in Midlothian over 60 years ago, but the trails the miners used to transport coal across, still remains. It's 1983, and Midlothian, Virginia was a quiet and developing town located west of Richmond and south of the James River. 3 girls, Jenny, Barbara, and Miranda are eighth graders who attend a popular middle school in the area, Midlothian Middle. However, the school seems to be surrounded by controversy and mystery. During the months of August and September, 3 students who attended the school went missing, without a trace. Their bodies were never found, dead nor alive.
It was early November, the boys' soccer season was coming to an end, and the air was chilly. The girls were friends with some members of the soccer

team and thought it would be a good idea to attend one of the last soccer games of the season. The next game would be held on Thursday, the night before all three of the girls had a big test in math. Barbara was hesitant, this test would be the last big grade for them in the quarter and if she failed, her grade in the class would drop to a D. The other two girls assured her this wouldn't be a big deal since the game would be over by 5, and they could all study together. After a final nudge of reassurance from Jenny, Barbara agreed, being met with hugs from her friends. Now that it was decided that they would go to the game, the three girls chattered away excitedly, impatiently awaiting for the next week to start.

There was one part of the plan that everyone still had yet to agree to, whose home they would be studying in.

Miranda's house seemed to be the best option, as it was located in close proximity to the school and was a familiar meeting place for the girls. Seconds after, Miranda's face split into a sinister grin, similar to a cat's satisfying smile after it had just caught mouse. She began to talk quickly of a new path she had been wanting to walk on, mumbling of how it was right behind her house and would get them home in half the time it took to walk the "old way". Jenny narrowed her eyes, she was smart and didn't think this sounded like a good idea. Barbara agreed with Jenny, repeating her opinions. Miranda was offended, her friends had always agreed with her on everything, they would never dare to sway from her opinions. Miranda was blind with rage, she began to scream at her friends, getting into their faces, shouting loud lies. Jenny and Barbara retaliated quickly, yelling right back at Miranda. After what felt like hours, but was really only 5 minutes, Miranda had had enough, and ran away from her

friends.

Miranda began running. She ran swiftly, her hair whipping behind her like a horse's tail. Jenny and Barbara were scared, Miranda had never behaved this way before, she may have been over dramatic at times, but she was still level-headed. The two friends sprinted in the direction she had run in, trying to mimic her path. They were winded, their cheeks were flushed and they had tangled hair, but they finally caught up with Miranda, who had stopped in the middle of the path they were on. Jenny yelled her name, and Miranda spun around, tears of frustration clouding her vision. She wanted nothing more than to apologize to her friends. Jenny and Barbara walked towards her, with looks of compassion on their faces. Miranda opened her arms , a gesture the girls had developed for a hug. The three friends were alright again, in that short span of time, they had managed to rekindle their friendship. Sadly, the moment didn't last for long. Seconds later, the girls were knocked off their feet and deep into the ground, falling straight through a sinkhole, their screams piercing through the night, and clutching tighter to one another.

The three girls were the last to ever fall through a sinkhole on the path behind the school.

Their bodies were found holding onto one another, in a pile at the bottom of the 40 foot hole. When officers were getting the bodies from the hole, the remains of the other 3 students were found and identified. After 4 years, the sinkhole was able to be filled, and the path was closed for almost 15 years, until 2002 when the school believed the hole would be free of hazard or risk. Today, when runners or students travel the trail, they will mention feeling a slight tug on their leg, as though someone is beckoning for help or attention. Those who experience this phenomenon tend to be crippled with a broken leg shortly after their run. By locals, adults and students alike, the trail has been appropriately nicknamed "Miranda's

Path".