Aislinn reminisced about her first encounter with Georgia as she strolled down the main street after school. It was her mum and Jake who'd met Georgia first, at the town fair.

Audrey had been sceptical about all things paranormal until their visit to Lakeview Hollow. For her, such topics had only existed in movies or books. However, it was once Aislinn began experiencing encounters with multiple spirits that Audrey came to accept the existence of a reality beyond her own.

Georgia had provided detailed psychic readings to both Audrey and Jake before Audrey sought help for Aislinn. She had taken Aislinn under her wing, almost like an apprentice, teaching her basic skills before delving into the greater challenge of cleansing the mansion. Aislinn's thoughts drifted back to that day; she had been both excited and nervous. It fascinated her that she could see things that neither her mother nor Jake could, yet Georgia seemed to perceive even more.

In the past little while, Aislinn had continued to learn from Georgia, even though the dreams haunting her sleep had ceased since Henry, Emily, and their child had all crossed over to whatever lay beyond in the afterlife. A shiver ran down her spine as she recalled cleansing the malevolent entity that resided in the attic - a dark, foreboding, putrid presence that lurked in the shadows. They remained clueless about its origins or intentions, except for its role in trapping and tormenting the former residents long after their passing.

The house had been quiet since then, as had her dreams. Until last night. That was why she found herself headed to Georgia's today.

Aislinn climbed the small stoop of the two-bedroom cottage and knocked on the door twice. Georgia's welcoming voice called out from inside, inviting her to let herself in. Aislinn marvelled at the minimal security in Lakeview Hollow; it seemed no one ever locked their doors during the day. They trusted each other in their community, she supposed. A far cry from her experience growing up in the city, where locking up tight was a necessity, she thought.

Making her way through the hallway to the kitchen at the back of the small home, Aislinn found Georgia sitting at the table. Georgia gestured for Aislinn to sit as she finished jotting down an appointment on her schedule. Georgia rose from her seat and meandered around the kitchen, fetching two glasses of cold lemonade from the fridge before cutting two slices of mud cake.

"I've been meaning to drop by and see how you're doing with everything. Tell me, how are you? And your mum and Jake?" Georgia placed the drink and cake in front of Aislinn before she returned to her seat with her own snack.

"They're good. Mum's consumed with the wedding, and they're both trying to get the renovations done and open the B&B," Aislinn replied, taking a sip of her drink before picking up the fork to carve out a bite of cake.

"That's great news, but how are you?" Georgia repeated.

"Yeah, I'm okay, I guess," she shrugged. "I'm still getting used to my new school."

Georgia nodded, sensing there was more troubling Aislinn than she was letting on. "Change can be quite the challenge, can't it?" she said empathetically.

Aislinn slumped in her chair and sighed. "There's this girl at school who keeps picking on me."

Acknowledging her, Georgia said, "I understand," but held back from interjecting further, giving Aislinn the chance to vent before providing any solutions.

"There's something else," Aislinn continued.

Georgia simply nodded, waiting for her to proceed.

"I think there's something in the woods," Aislinn confessed.

Raising her eyebrows, Georgia encouraged her to go on.

"I saw something in the garden. It was huge - tall and large. And a howl or a groan. I'm not sure how to describe it. I only saw it for a moment."

"Oh my, that must've been horrifying," Georgia sympathised.

"It was," Aislinn confirmed. "We're going to investigate this weekend."

"That's brave of you. Be safe though. There are many stories out there about the woods and its inhabitants. And not all of them have a happy ending. I've even heard about some cryptids, not that I've ever seen one for myself, though," Georgia leaned in closer, lowering her voice. "Some people who go into the woods never come out again. But that's all hush-hush."

Aislinn stared into her steely gaze, trying to discern if Georgia was merely joked, or if there was something more sinister going on. The hair on her arms prickled as she remembered being lost in the woods on that first weekend trip. Back then, she was scared out of her mind, having only heard scattered folklore tales. But now, she realised there was no trace of humour in Georgia's gaze. It was obvious Georgia believed something dangerous lurked out there. And if people had truly never returned, that very unknown thing could be a killer. It could even end her life.

Aislinn wondered just how long this predator had lived alongside them? But more concerning is why no one had told her or her mum before now? Were they just waiting with bated breath to see if they disappeared or, worse, turned up with gouged inners or missing a limb, or their head? She cringed at the thoughts as they raced through her mind.

"Yeah, we will. And we have a back-up plan just in case," she said, but she couldn't stop second-guessing the plans now. Aislinn addressed the reason for her visit, finally. "Anyway, that's not what I came to talk about. I had a dream last night and thought you could help me talk it through, and see if there's anything to it, you know?"

Georgia smiled. "Of course, Ais. Tell me what you can remember."

"Well, I was standing in a really old building. Like a temple, or library. It's not anywhere I've been before, though."

"Interesting. Did you see any markings or identifying features, perhaps?"

Aislinn shook her head. "Not that I remember."

Georgia chewed on her bottom lip and hummed. "Well, there are a lot of old buildings around here. Without more information, I'd just be guessing. Perhaps you'll have another dream."

Defeated, Aislinn's shoulders fell as she let out a sigh. "If your guides give you any answers, will you let me know, please?"

"Of course I will, Aislinn. We're a team after all," Georgia said as she wrapped the teen in an embrace. "Right now, I think you should just focus on staying safe from those woods."

Aislinn stewed on the info she'd received late into the night, unable to focus on any of the wedding plans Audrey had tried to include her in. Eventually, she'd fallen asleep, her mind exhausted from obsessing over all the little details that kept nagging at her.

She startled awake Thursday morning, to the screeching of her phone's alarm. Luckily, she'd set it, or she might've slept all day long. As she finished dressing, pushing her feet into her joggers, Aislinn resigned herself to researching and getting ready for Friday.

"Meet me at the library at lunch," Aislinn messaged in the group chat.

First period ended, and she shoved the phone back inside her bag, heading to the oval for second period. Aislinn had never been into sports unless it was recreational. And the thought of kicking a ball around a patch of grass while being shouted at by the PE teacher was less than appealing.

She hid at the back of the group, watching the teacher direct students into two teams, hoping there'd be an odd number and she could offer to sit on the sidelines. But alas, the hope was fruitless. Aislinn joined the others as the game kicked off. She stayed far back from the commotion on the field, ambling forward only when the teacher looked her way, and shouted for her to "get in there".

It looked hectic, as she stared at one boy tackling another, while a third stole the ball and dashed down the field. The whistle-blowing hurt her ears as the teacher reminded them, they're supposed to be playing soccer, not football - threatening detention for anyone who dared to forget.

A flurry of curses fell from Aislinn's mouth as she watched the ball dart in her direction. She tried to think what to do, but she hadn't paid attention to the rules. It's not like playing soccer would lead her to an avid future, she thought. Either way, the object was hurtling towards her. Her teammates called her name, telling her to get it. She raised her hands without a thought and caught the ball. For a mere moment, Aislinn felt proud of herself. Catching the ball had made her part of the team, right? Wrong! How was she to know that you didn't catch the ball with your hands in soccer?

Her face flushed with heat as the students humiliated her. Some booed, some laughed, and then there was Tessa.

She stared as Tessa approached her at the far end of the field. Anxiety rose, and she searched for the teacher. Perhaps she could escape to safety. But everyone was at the other end. Tessa inched closer, picking up her pace. Her outstretched arms targeted her as she moved closer. Aislinn's pulse quickened with each step. Until finally she reached her destination. With the palms of both hands, Tessa pushed her shoulders, and Aislinn tumbled backward, falling to the ground. She tried to speak but couldn't find the words.

Tessa scrunched her face. "You're pathetic, Ghost Girl. Stupid-freaking-loser." She kicked her boot into the earth; grass and dirt flew into Aislinn's face. "You going to go cry to your mum now, in your crusty old, haunted mansion, huh?"

With a laugh, Tessa aimed her water bottle at Aislinn and squirted it, drenching her face. Someone yelled at Tessa, distracting her. Aislinn fought back the tears. There's no way she's going to let this girl get the best of her. Not today. Tessa turned back to Aislinn, but she had risen from her grassy spot. The two teens stood just inches apart, noses almost touching. Aislinn's pulse was a fury of adrenaline, her icy stare like a dagger. She wouldn't back down. She couldn't. Sucking in a deep breath, Aislinn mustered all the strength she could, balling up her hands that remained at her sides.

"What are you going to do then, Ghost Girl?" Tessa spat, egging her on. And without a second thought, Aislinn raised her hand and slapped Tessa across the cheek.

Her hand burned and eyes widened as she realised what she'd done. Aislinn took a step backward, horrified by her actions. A thought crept up on her; perhaps she's more like her father than she'd first believed. She hung her head and spoke. "I'm so-"

"You're dead now, Ghost Girl," Tessa growled, stepping forward with her fist raised.

An ear-piercing whistle screeched close by. "Both of you. To the principal's office. NOW!"