After exiting Ned's house, we walk further down the lane, and take a left turn where it ends. Walking for a few metres ahead, I notice that the road isn't very well-built in this part, and soon I spot it on our right--a dirt track leading straight into a forest, which I never knew even existed here!

My hunch is right, as Ned takes that path. I follow him, but before I can protest or say anything, he signals for me to be quiet, putting a finger to his lips. As much as I want to ask him where exactly are we going and how he came to know about this little "secret" forest of his, I keep my mouth shut seeing the seriousness of his face, and how alert and cautious he seems.

We're now deeper inside the forest, and surrounded on all sides by trees and trees and lots of shrubs as well. Suddenly, Ned stops, looks around once, checking if there's anyone watching (or something), and then, steps forward and pulls apart a dense screen of vines hanging across two trees, revealing something that's quite unexpected.

In front of us, some distance away, stands an old, ram-shackled tree-house on top of a huge and stout tree. By the looks of it, it must have been abandoned for a long time! Plus, it seems sort of...eerie.

"See that?" Ned says, almost in a whisper.

"Yeah...so, what about it?"

"First tell me, do you believe in ghosts?"

"What?! Why?"

"Tell me...do you, or do you not?"

"I'm not sure, I mean...no, of course not, but...hey, you can't tell something for sure if you haven't experienced it yourself, can you? And why are you asking me this?"

"Correct. What if I tell you this place is haunted?"

Instead of saying anything, I look at him, with one of my eyebrows raised, giving a look that says--'Seriously?'

"Hey, don't look at me like that!! I'm NOT kidding, okay?" Seeing Ned's expression, I start laughing. His face is like a stubborn kid's!

I finally control my laughter, and say, "So, you're serious, right?"

"I am."

"Then, show me where the ghost is." I challenge him, my hands folded in front of my chest.

"Believe me, Ashlee. I don't want to see you fainting when you see it." He says, all serious.

"Aww!! How cute!" I say sarcastically and make a face at him. "You boys really stereotype us girls, no?"

"Umm....yes....I mean, no! It's just that--"

"Stop it. You're going to show me the ghost. Right NOW." I say, emphasizing the last word.

"Alright. But you won't get to see it during daytime. You know that, surely? Ghosts appear only at night."

"Thanks for the information, I never knew that at all! Glad you told me." Note the sarcasm.

He rolls his eyes, and sighs.

"So...are you coming tonight to watch it or not?" He says, his brown eyes searching mine for the answer.

I consider it for a moment. I always wanted to do something adventurous in my life at least once, but never got the chance. I have a golden opportunity now. Sure, I'd have trouble sneaking out of my house at night, and it wouldn't be completely safe either, but I trust Ned very much now, and know that he'd be right by my side the whole time.

I nod slowly, and shrug lightly before saying, "Hmm...sounds like a plan!"

Ned's eyes are twinkling in excitement now.

"That's the spirit!" He says, grinning.

"Let's go now. Otherwise mother will be wondering where I am, if not at your house as well."

"Okay, let's go."

We take a last look at the abandoned, old tree house, lying in ruins. Then, turning around, we make our way back to Ned's house.

On the way, I ask him about his family, tell him about mine, and we keep chattering and chattering the whole while we're walking. Finally, at his house, I pick up my bag from the sofa just as the doorbell rings and Mom peeks inside. The door had been left ajar when we came back.

"Ashlee?" She calls.

"Yes Mom, coming!!" I shout back, and wave at Ned, who's coming with me to the gate.

"Bye." I say.

"Bye Ashlee. See you tomorrow at school!" He calls out, rather loudly, and I give him a puzzled look. He winks at me, then tilts his head a bit and glances at my Mom, who's already outside the house, waiting for me.

I understand.

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Above picture(also used in the cover of the book) is the dilapidated tree house. What do you think of it? Sorry for the short chapter.

22/11/17 So the original pic somehow disappeared and now the cover's also changed, so presenting you a new pic of the tree house! ;)

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