Melinda continues her pursuit. But at what lengths is she willing to go? Thanks for following so far! Please review!

Melinda couldn't shake this spirit. It begged her to help this girl but she wasn't sure how to earn her trust without alerting authorities. There was not one person in this town that would trust her. For those that did remember her, she was the weird girl or crazy chick that thought she could see dead people.

She left her car at the store and walked on foot to the school. A cop car drove past her, making her nervous, especially if it happened to be her new friend, Officer Howard. She sat under her hangout, hoping to meet with her once school was let out. To her shock, the tall figure appeared to her, it had no face, it's entire body appeared to project fuzzy static like old television sets with antennas. She watched as it lifted its arm, extending it out, pointing to the far end of the building. Melinda looked back, it looked like the old gymnasium. "In there?" It was gone; she hated that they always had to be so cryptic.

She started over to the gym. Some suspicious students looked her way. The back door to the gym was kept open by a cardboard box. Three teenaged girls were standing around vaping. They reminded Melinda of the girls she went to school with, one with an overly done tan from a tanning bed and the others her blonde minions. She turned away just as they spotted her. "Who the fuck was that?" The tan girl asked. It was probably best avoiding confrontation with them.

She didn't even know her name, she couldn't just go up to the front desk and ask about some girl with messy blonde hair who looked nervous. She found another way in, the janitor or someone had left the maintenance door opened. She could go through there and find a way to the gym. The door led her to a door that took her to the boiler room and seemingly a dead end but then there was a dark tunnel with graffiti that took her to a steel door. She opened it and peeked out to see she a hallway that hopefully was close to her destination. She sneaked out and found the hallways bare since classes were going on. She saw a flash of white as if that spirit was still guiding her. It was the girl's washroom. She felt her heart pounding, she didn't feel like getting caught in there, the school was already on high alert for a predator sitting in an SUV. Did she really want to get caught in there?

She took a deep breath and pushed the door open. She gulped, looking around, fearing she'd scare some poor, half naked teenaged girl when walking around the corner. She found it empty. She walked around the lockers to see if there was any sign of her. She thought she could hear laughter, someone was coming inside. She ran to a stall and locked herself inside. She panicked and stood up on the seat with her hands on the flimsy walls. "No! No! No!" she thought.

She heard these girls talking loudly as they entered, there was many of them but hopefully they would be gone soon since this was their last period. She looked through the crack of the door to see if the girl was there but all she could see were a lot of tight young bodies. Melinda didn't mean to stare but it was hard not to compare herself to some of them. "What the hell am I doing?" she thought, shaking her head. It was true, she needed to focus on finding her and not how fat her hips have gotten since the 90's. Everyone went to shower, this was maybe the best time to escape but then the gym teacher, a red haired woman entered; Melinda was sure she recognized her from somewhere before, her voice especially.

"Has anyone seen Carrie White?" Melinda froze at that name, it had to be her, she was the only one missing from class. "Carrie White?"

Everyone pretended as though they'd never heard that name before. "Who?" Tan girl laughed.

Their teacher looked like she was about to check out the stalls but then one girl said, "She's likely under bleachers."

"Right."

Melinda was saved from being discovered. Once she was sure the last girl was gone, she exited the stall. She had to stretch from being in such an awkward position for so long. She didn't even realize someone had exited the stall next to hers. "Uh..."

Melinda's eyes widened, "Hi! Uh...are you Carrie White?"

The possible Carrie White was fixated at something on Melinda's chest, "You have dirty pillows."

"Huh?" Melinda looked down at her cleavage, probably not the most appropriate for the school's dress code. She tried to cover herself up, "Sorry."

"What are you doing here?" the girl looked scared but not of Melinda.

"I need to talk to you. This spirit...figure wanted me to talk to you. You see them, right? Spirits?"

She nodded, still looking all doe eyed and lost. "I can see them too. I help them cross over. I never knew anyone that could do this outside my family," Melinda looked her up and down. "You were hiding from those girls weren't you? How about you come with me?"

She shook her head, "No, I have to get home. I…I can't be late."

Melinda took hold of her hands and made sure not to break eye contact. "I'll walk you home, ok?" she shared a warm smile and snuck out. Once outside, it was hard not to feel like they were being watched.

"Seriously, who is that bitch?" tan girl said as Melinda and Carrie walked together hand in hand through the parking lot.

"Who are those girls?" Melinda whispered.

"That's Chris and the other girls are Sue and Heather."

"I know stuck up bitches when I see them, let's get out of here."

They let go of each other's hands so not to draw anymore suspicion. "You've been following me," Carrie stated as she kept close to Melinda's side with her hands in her pockets.

"Yes…I knew there was something about you. You remind me a lot of myself when I was your age. I want to help you, Carrie."

Carrie looked up at her with the slightest hint of a smile, "I don't even know you."

Melinda sunk down a bit to her level, "My name is Melinda Gordon. I own the new antique store in town, 'Same as it Never Was'. I used to live in Chamberlain for a brief time as a young girl."

Carrie seemed like she was warming up to her, "You mean you're not abducting me?"

Melinda was taken aback "What?"

"Momma always told me that only bad people offer you candy and try to give you rides in their car."

Melinda had to laugh at that, "I suppose I did come off as that yesterday. But if I was bad, that officer would've locked me up…right?"

Carrie pondered this, "Momma also said only bad girls have huge pillows," she said pointing at her chest. Melinda saw the look on Carrie's face, that look of resentment.

"Uh, well, haha," she stammered awkwardly.

Then Carrie smiled, "Just kidding. I know you're good Melinda."

"Let's get you home."

Melinda didn't realize just how far she walked everyday. The houses looked more and more broken the further they got; Melinda remembered this neighbourhood, but she thought many of these building had been condemned years ago. Carrie stopped in front of a withered old house. A rusted old Chevrolet parked in the driveway.

"Can I come in?"

Carrie frowned, "No…I better go," she gave Melinda a big hug.

"I'll see you tomorrow, right?" Melinda whispered.

"Yes," Carrie let her go and started up the walkway but looked back, "I've always wanted a guardian angel."

Just as Melinda waved and said her goodbyes, the screen door flew open and a woman with death in her eyes grabbed a hold of Carrie and pushed her inside, "In the house! In the house, Carrietta!" She looked back at Melinda, she appeared so tired and deranged, "You stay away from my daughter you tramp!" She slammed the door shut. Melinda felt so helpless. She wanted to act but instead turned and walked back to the store. She felt so guilty, she was supposed to help this girl. She needed to call the cops on this woman, she was obviously doing something, she couldn't just stand by.

Andrea had already closed up the store by the time she arrived. She made it back to the duplex where Andrea had gotten into their wine, "What are we celebrating?"

"Girl, we're going tonight!"

"Uh, can I ask where?"

"There's this club outside of town. About time we found some guys. You're not going to find one parking in front of schools all day," she joked.

"I think I need to call social services," Melinda sat down to rest for a minute.

"Look, everything will be fine, I talked to someone today and they know all about the White family. Someone is supposed to be by next week."

"Really?"

"Yeah, you'd be surprised what you'll learn when you're behind the counter for more than four hours a day."

Melinda rolled her eyes, "Okay, I'm coming. Just let me get ready."

She of course wasn't sure if she was up for a club or some disgusting bar if that's what Andrea had in mind but maybe Carrie would be taken care of. Though if she was put in protective services there was no telling where she might end up.

In the bathroom she ran a bath and got undressed. She felt a strange tingling on her shoulder. She turned around and saw a new message on her mirror, she had to do a double take. The spirit couldn't possibly mean this.

'KILL HER!'

Melinda has befriended Carrie but now she has to do the unthinkable. More soon!