"Abby, are you okay? What's going on?" The male voice felt like a comforting balm on Abby's soul. "It's not like you to call so late."

"Jason? I'm so sorry. I know it's late but I didn't have anyone to turn to." Abby clutched her cell phone as she spoke to the therapist and group leader of her counseling circle. She had met Jason shortly after the grand jury decided not to try her for Bryce's murder.

"Are you in a safe place right now?" Jason asked, his voice calm and even across the phone.

"I-I don't know."

"Is anyone with you?"

"No," Abby whispered. "I'm alone right now. At least I think I am."

"Abby, I want you to take a deep breath and slowly tell me what's going on," Jason said.

"I-I think I'm losing it, Jason," Abby admitted, tears beginning to fall. She swiped at her face with the back of her hand. "I told you I got a job, remember?"

"Yes. Does this have something to do with your new job?"

"Sort of. I'm not really sure. I'm so confused. I'm sorry, Jason. I didn't mean to call you so late and waste your time." Her heart was racing in her chest.

"You're not wasting my time, Abby. You and everyone else in the group have my number for a reason. Now, I want you to take a moment to breathe. Can you do that for me?"

"Yes, I'm sorry." Abby inhaled deeply, held her breath for a few seconds, and then exhaled. She did this several more times until her heart rate slowed. "I'm ready," Abby said softly.

"Okay, great. I'm going to ask you some questions but I want you to take a breath before you answer, okay?"

"Okay."

"Where are you?"

Abby's eyes bounced around the pink walls surrounding her. "I'm in a cabin. I told you I got a new job. Well, my boss sent me to a town called Bayless. I was supposed to help him get the cabin ready before he arrived."

"How has that been going for you?" Jason asked. His voice was like ASMR to Abby and she took another deep breath before answering.

"It's been weird. I'm not really sure what to think. If I tell you what's been going on, I'm going to sound crazy."

"You can tell me anything," Jason reminded her.

She took another deep breath. "Bad things have been happening since I arrived. I keep hearing a little girl laughing. I swear I'm going to end up in the ER with as many times as I've hit my head. It's a miracle I don't have a concussion at this point."

"You hit your head?"

Abby groaned. "Yes, a few times."

"A few times? Were they accidents?"

"I'm not sure. I thought maybe but maybe not. Jason, I think Bryce is here...with me. He wants revenge. I just know it."

Jason didn't speak for a few moments before speaking. "Abby, Bryce is dead. He can't hurt you anymore."

"Not physically but what if he's trying to hurt me spiritually? He was bad, Jason. What if he's some sort of demon ghost and he wants revenge? What if he followed me here? I keep seeing things that aren't really there. But I feel them and I hear them. I don't know what's going on. What if he's stalking me, Jason? Every time I remember him, there's an incident."

"What do you mean by there being an incident?"

"Something bad happens. I keep hearing the song Bryce and I shared. I swear I hear a little girl laughing too. This afternoon I thought dogs were attacking me but there weren't any dogs. I felt something knock me down while I was outside. Am I going crazy? Please tell me I'm not crazy, Jason. I'm really starting to freak out over here."

"No, you're not crazy, Abby. You just started a new job. It's normal to feel pressured or stressed. That sometimes leads to hallucinations, especially with someone who has been through such traumatic events as you have. I don't prescribe medications but perhaps you should see your family doctor when you return home and have him prescribe something. Are you sleeping okay?"

"No."

"See? That's not helping either. Try to get some sleep tonight and remember that you're safe. Bryce can't hurt you anymore."

"So, you don't believe in ghosts?"

"No, not really. I think ghosts are something people create to feel comfortable about death."

Abby closed her eyes. Jason didn't understand. She tried to explain again. "But--"

"He's gone, Abby. Bryce is gone and he's not coming back. Next time you start to get scared of your past memories with Bryce, I want you to imagine you standing face to face with him. Picture yourself tall and strong and him small and weak."

Abby sighed and wiped her eyes. "I'm sorry. I know you're right."

"You've been doing so well in the group. You probably don't even realize how much it's helping you. You missed one meeting and the effects are already showing. It's good that you're checking in," Jason told her. "I want you to use your blessing bracelet and concentrate on everything that's good in your life. I don't want you to dwell on the past. If thoughts of Bryce creep up, try to focus on tracking your blessings. If you can get your hands on something like Tylenol PM, take it. You need your sleep."

Abby took a shuddering breath. "Thank you and I'm sorry. You probably think I'm so stupid for calling you because I thought Bryce was a ghost."

"You're not stupid and it's okay to call me. That's why I gave everyone my number. I'm here for you. Call me if you need me and try to get some rest."

After Abby disconnected the call, she held on to the bracelet around her wrist and began counting her blessings.

I'm safe.

I have a job.

Jason is a great support system.

I have a roof over my head.

I made new friends.

She thought of Wally's concern earlier. He was a friend. Right? She drifted off to sleep thinking of her different blessings. It wasn't until the sun streaming through her wind woke her that she realized she had slept through the night. Twenty minutes later, she found herself walking quietly down the stairs. She could hear someone talking on the phone.

"Yes, mother I know you think this is a bad idea but I have to know the truth. For her. She didn't deserve this. I know you don't want me here but you know how I am. I have to know the truth. Yes, being stubborn is definitely a trait I learned from you. I promise I'll be careful. Of course not. She's here to do her job."

Abby watched Alex Carter talking on his phone as he flipped through photo books that were laid out on the coffee table.

"Yes, I'm very much aware of the reporters. No, I haven't fired her yet. Would you let me if I wanted to? I didn't think so. I promise I'll be careful. I told you. I just want to learn the truth. Yes, I know you and father love me but that doesn't mean I can overlook this. No, you didn't do anything wrong. You have nothing to be sorry about. Listen, I'm a little busy. I'm going to have to let you go, okay? Yes, I love you too. Okay. Bye." Alex disconnected the phone with a sound of frustration before plopping his head into the cushions of the sofa and closing his eyes.

"Was that your mother?" Abby asked as she made her way to the loveseat across from him.

He didn't open his eyes before answering. "Eavesdropping now? Why am I not surprised?"

Abby didn't bother responding. If she apologized, he'd probably get upset with her again. Instead, she picked up a photo album and began flipping through the pages. "These belong to the Caldwells." It wasn't a question but a statement of fact.

"And?"

"Nothing. Did you want me to look through them as well?"

"Do you even know what you're looking for?" He asked condescendingly.

"I will once you tell me." She plastered a fake smile on her face.

Her answer earned her a smirk and he sat back up pulling the album out of her hands. "I'm looking for pictures of her." He pointed to a beautiful woman. "Her name is Maggie Caldwell."

"She was the Sheriff's wife, wasn't she?" Abby asked in a whisper.

"She was. I'm also looking for pictures of him."

Abby's mouth slightly opened as her eyes settled on a dark-haired man with light blue eyes highlighted by strong cheekbones. She looked from the man to Alex and cleared her throat. The two men could've been doppelgangers.

"Did you have something to say?" he asked, looking through a different photo album. His body looked tense as if he were anticipating her reaction. When she didn't speak, he looked up at her curiously. "Really? You don't have any questions at all about who that man may be or why I want his picture?"

"No, not really but if you want me to be more inquisitive, I can be." She couldn't help the spark of sarcasm that painted her words. Alex seemed to like it when she was feisty based on the smile he gave her so she continued. "Do you know this man?"

"No."

"Was he a friend of the family?" Abby asked.

"Depends on who you ask."

It was a vague answer but Abby nodded as though what he said had made sense. "So do you mind telling me why you want to find pictures of these two?"

"Not just them. Sheriff Caldwell too."

"Why?"

"Let's just say these three had a major role in what happened here years ago," Alex answered.

"Why do you want to know what happened in this cabin when it was so long ago? You didn't even own it then."

"I bought this cabin because of what happened years ago," Alex admitted. He pulled out a photo of a little girl holding a rag doll and gave a sad smile. "I want to know what really happened here."

"But why?"

"Is it normal for employees to question their bosses like you're doing now?" Alex asked dryly. Abby couldn't read the man. One minute he seemed willing to answer her curiosity and the next he was back to his cold and private self.

"I just wanted to know why you're so interested in gossip that's from such a long time ago. Pardon me for saying so, but you just don't seem the type to get involved in matters like these. If you really want to know all the gossip from back then, you could always ask Maria and her friends. She seems to know everything that goes on in this town."

"It's not gossip. Something tragic happened here and I can't ask too much from the locals. They live here so the tales have probably been retold and changed too many times to give me the truth."

"That's true," Abby conceded. "Are you now you're hoping you can find out the truth? After so much time has passed?"

"I have to. For her," Alex answered, sliding forward the photo of the young girl with the rag doll.

"Crystal Caldwell? Why?" Abby asked.

"She was my sister."

Abby's mouth fell open. "The sheriff's daughter? How is that even possible?"

A corner of Alex's mouth tugged upward before asking, "Who said she was the sheriff's biological daughter?"