Chapter Four:

I materialized into Susannah's room later that evening. I, of course, was very

surprised to see her out of bed, fully dressed. I looked at her confusedly. Was

she going out? It must be something to do with a ghost. Another ghost to

mediate. But why at this hour of the night? Her mother would not be pleased.

"Susannah, where are you going at this time of night? Your mother will be

worried," I said.

Susannah replied sharply, something along the lines of how her mother need never

find out. I thought about what other spirits had told me. That there was a

dangerous ghost with very strong powers on the loose around this town. Some

schoolgirl? Surely that could not be the ghost Susannah was going out to see.

She tried to leave, but I slid the deadbolt in place. She looked very angry. She

demanded I let her out, and I hesitated. She wanted to go, I couldn't keep her

here against her wishes could I?

I could. She would be putting herself in danger. I expected Susannah to give up,

but to my surprise, she started climbing out the window. Would this girl never

give up? She was so persistent! But then, Susannah is not like other girls of

her age. She was half out the window when I grabbed her wrist. "Susannah," I

said to her. Please don't go. I silently begged her. Please. I looked into her

eyes and noticed the direction of her gaze. I quickly pulled my hand away from

hers. What was I doing? I hadn't touched any one in 150 years, why start now?

And with a lady no less? It's just...I didn't want her to go. But while I was

thinking all this, she had already climbed out the window and jumped off the

porch roof. I cursed and dematerialized.