The Break

Wednesday evening passes without any further excitement. Sarah and Alexis have dance classes, so the group won't meet after school again until Thursday, when they're due to visit Miss Waters. After supper, William and Matthew take Jacob and Samantha fishing to help everyone clear their heads.

As they gather their gear, Jacob looks from one friend to the other. “I didn't know you guys liked fishing. I thought only older guys did that.”

“Are you kidding?” Matthew grins. “It's one of the few times you can relax and get away from everything. If a fish bites, that's awesome. If it doesn't, so what? It's called fishing, not catching fish. Half the fun is the peace and quiet.”

“And it's a great way to become better friends,” William adds. “Matt and I have been fishing together since he was twelve. It's one of the reasons we're so close.”

“So where do you keep your boat?” Jacob asks.

William and Matthew burst out laughing.

“We don't have one,” Matthew explains. “We've always fished from shore. I'd bet there are three or four shore fishermen for every boat fisherman, if not more. Watch those fishing shows. When they're on a river or small lake, they're usually casting towards shore. We're covering the same water from the other direction.”

“Besides,” William says, “you have a better chance of catching a fish with a line in the water than you do driving past in a car.”

Samantha glances at the tackle. “Do you eat the fish you catch?”

“Only when we're specifically fishing for food,” William replies. “Tonight we're going just for the fun of it. Everything we catch goes back into the water.”

They make their way to the river that runs through town. The town council has set aside a park along its banks to protect the land from development. The four friends settle beside the water, where William and Matthew prepare rods for Jacob and Samantha. Before handing them over, both boys pinch down the barbs on the hooks.

“Why do you do that?” Jacob asks.

“It makes the hooks easier to remove when you're releasing a fish,” Matthew explains. “That gives the fish a better chance of surviving.”

Samantha raises her eyebrows. “I didn't realize you guys were so concerned about wildlife. That's actually a bit of a surprise.”

“My dad always says, ‘Let it go and let it grow.’”

After a few quick lessons, Jacob and Samantha are casting their lines with surprising confidence. Only a couple of minutes pass before Samantha calls out, “I've got a bite!”

The three boys gather around as she reels in her catch. When the fish reaches the bank, Matthew picks it up and carefully removes the hook. William takes a camera from his pocket while Matthew shows Samantha how to hold the fish so it won't squirm out of her hands.

Jacob expects her to be nervous about touching it, but Samantha takes the fish exactly as Matthew demonstrates and holds it up for William. He snaps a couple of photographs before Matthew takes it back.

“Now watch how you release it,” Matthew says. He lowers the fish into the river and gently moves it forward so water passes through its gills. “Never drag it backwards. You can hurt it.”

Jacob and Samantha start laughing.

“Whoever heard of a fish drowning?” Jacob manages to ask. “They live in water!”

William steps in. “They still need water flowing through their gills in the right direction. Moving them backwards can interfere with that.”

The two newcomers exchange sheepish looks and apologize to Matthew for assuming he's joking.

“Don't worry about it.” He smiles. “With all the wisecracks I make, I guess it's hard to tell when I'm serious. But I'd never joke about my favourite pastime.”

As the evening continues, Samantha catches a couple more fish. William and Matthew have some luck, too. Jacob, however, can't seem to get a bite. He fishes the same stretch of river, uses the same bait and hooks, and even trades places with both boys. Nothing helps. His frustration grows each time someone else reels in a fish.

“Relax,” William tells him. “There's as much luck involved as skill.”

No sooner has he spoken than Jacob's rod nearly flies out of his hands. He grips it tightly and starts reeling. William and Matthew coach him through the fight, reminding him not to pull so hard that he breaks the line, while Samantha cheers him on.

Five minutes later, Jacob lands a large catfish.

Matthew removes the hook, then shows Jacob how to support the fish by its belly and avoid the sharp dorsal and pectoral fins. William takes a couple of pictures before Matthew returns the catfish to the river.

“I love a fishing trip where everybody catches something,” Matthew says.

“I can see why you do this so often,” Samantha replies. “As long as you're careful near the water and know where your hook is when you're casting, it's a safe, relaxing pastime.”

“We try to get out at least once a week,” Matthew says. “It helps clear your head.”

“And we've had so much fun that nobody's mentioned our investigation all evening,” William points out. “I've got another surprise for you two. When you get home from school tomorrow, check out www.shorefishing.net. You'll find the pictures I took of your fish tonight, and you can show them to anyone you like.”

“That's so cool!” Jacob says. “Someone puts them up there for free?” He pauses. “Speaking of tomorrow, what time are we meeting Miss Waters?”

“Around seven at her place,” William replies. “Let's meet at the school at six forty-five and walk over together.”

Matthew begins gathering his tackle. “We should get going. Check around for anything you've dropped. I've always been told to leave only your footprints behind.”

They collect their equipment and pick up any litter before heading home. Jacob and Samantha thank the boys for bringing them along and ask whether they can come again. William and Matthew are delighted that their friends have taken an interest in fishing and assure them they're welcome anytime.

While the four friends are at the river, Jessica spends the evening with her parents. At least once a month, the family makes time to go out for dinner, followed by a movie or another activity they can enjoy together. Jessica looks forward to these outings. They give her and her parents a chance to catch up and grow closer without the distractions of everyday life. They usually avoid subjects that might upset anyone, keeping the evenings relaxed and enjoyable.

The next morning, Jessica wakes to the sound of an incoming text message. She rolls over and reaches for her phone, wondering who's awake so early.

It's William. He wants everyone to meet at school around eight to discuss what they should bring up with Miss Waters. Jessica texts back that she'll be there. When she checks the time, she realizes she's slept a little later than intended and hurries to get ready.

William has sent the same message to the other members of the group, and everyone agrees to meet early.

By eight o'clock, the seven friends have gathered at their usual spot beneath a large tree near the school. William hands each of them a copy of the list they made at his house.

“Go through it,” he says. “If there's anything you don't want us to discuss, or anything we should add, now's the time to say so.”

Matthew scans the page. “Are you sure you want to tell all this to someone with a scientific background?”

“Why wouldn't we?” Jessica asks. “This could be our best chance to find out whether what we saw was real or whether there's a logical explanation.”

“Even your dream?”

“Of course. It connects to the notebook and the photograph William printed. I'd like to know what it all means.”

“And if she can explain some of what we saw,” William adds, “that might help us figure out whether we're approaching ghost hunting the right way.”

Sarah studies her list. “It still feels strange telling a complete stranger all this. I'm not sure how I feel about it.”

“Me neither,” Jacob admits. “I don't even like telling my parents what we do.”

Jessica looks around at her friends. “Nobody has to come if they're uncomfortable. This isn't mandatory. But considering everything that's happened—and the fact that she showed up at school and offered to talk to us—I think we should take the opportunity.”

“It is a strange coincidence,” Matthew concedes. “She turns up the day after everything that happened at the old mill. I guess talking to her can't hurt.”

“Exactly,” William says. “We might learn something from her experience. How often does a knowledgeable adult offer to spend time discussing ghosts with a bunch of teenagers?”

Alexis glances around the circle. “So we're agreed? We'll meet Miss Waters and tell her what happened at the mill, including everything about the gold?”

Before anyone can answer, Miss Waters walks past on her way into the school. She turns towards them with a smile.

“Good morning, students.”

“Good morning, Brenda,” William and Jessica reply together. The others offer their own greetings.

Alexis waits until the teacher has moved on. “You call her by her first name?”

“That's what she prefers,” Jessica explains. “She says Miss Waters is her mother's name. It makes her feel old, so she wants us to call her Brenda.”

The others watch her head towards the building.

“She's gorgeous,” Matthew says quietly. “That's your teacher?”

Sarah looks at Alexis. “She's the woman we saw the other day. We thought she was somebody's big sister.”

“I never would have guessed she was a teacher,” Alexis agrees. “She seems so young.”

“We thought the same thing when she first walked into class,” William says. “But she's got a different way of teaching. She gets everyone involved, even the guys who usually fool around.”

“I can see why,” Jacob says. “I'd definitely pay attention in her class.”

Matthew gives Jacob a playful shove, still watching Brenda disappear into the school. When he turns back, he finds Alexis looking at him with a distinctly unimpressed expression. His smile fades, and he lowers his eyes.

William notices and quickly changes the subject. “I forgot to tell you about the secret place she took us to yesterday.”

“She took your class to a secret place?” Sarah asks. “How far from school?”

Jessica smiles. “William's leaving out the important part. The place was in our minds. Brenda led us through a relaxation exercise where we imagined a place of our own. We pictured the colours of the rainbow, followed a path and came to a locked door that only we had the key to.”

“Couldn't you just close your eyes and imagine the place?” Sarah asks.

“It's different,” Jessica replies. “By the time you get there, you're completely relaxed. You can picture everything so clearly that it almost feels real, as though you're experiencing it on another level of consciousness.”

“Maybe we could all try it sometime,” Samantha suggests. “It sounds like a good way to recharge.”

“It is,” William agrees. “Everyone seemed more alert and involved in class afterwards. Maybe we can try it the next time we meet at my house.”

Matthew taps the list in his hand. “Back to business. We're meeting here after supper at six forty-five, right?”

“Right,” William confirms. “Then we'll go to Brenda's together.”

Everyone agrees.

Jessica turns to the four who went to the river. “So, how was fishing?”

“I never knew you could have so much fun with a stick and some string,” Samantha says.

“I caught a monster catfish!” Jacob adds.

“Everybody caught something,” William says. “It was a really relaxing evening.”

“Well, I'm coming along next week,” Jessica announces.

Matthew laughs. “Our fishing group keeps getting bigger. Good thing there's plenty of room at our spot.”

The friends talk about the previous evening until it's time to head inside. As they approach the school, Jessica notices Brenda watching them through her classroom window. It strikes her as a little odd, but she keeps the observation to herself.

At lunchtime, Brenda visits the school counsellor to discuss something she noticed during the previous day's guided visualization exercise. She shows him the sheets her students handed in, describing the different doors they imagined at the entrance to their private places.

Some students picture ordinary doors. Others describe elaborate, ornate entrances, and a few imagine heavy vault doors. One student even pictures a glass door.

Brenda explains her interpretation of the exercise. To her, the glass door suggests a student who is open and trusting, with little desire to hide anything. The ordinary doors seem to reflect everyday lives and relatively ordinary secrets. She wonders whether the ornate doors suggest a tendency towards fantasy or a desire to appear more impressive than one feels.

The vault doors concern her most. She worries that those students may be keeping something to themselves. It could be something minor, but it could also be a problem they're trying to face without support. She doesn't want anyone struggling with unnecessary anxiety or frustration when help might be available.

The counsellor listens carefully. He and Brenda have discussed a range of subjects during the week, and he knows about her qualifications in the social sciences. He takes her concerns seriously and agrees to keep their conversation confidential.

Over the next couple of weeks, he plans to speak with the students who may need support. He suggests also inviting a few students whose responses raised no concerns, so no one feels singled out.

Brenda agrees that this is a sensible approach. She thanks him for his time and returns to her classroom to prepare for the afternoon's lessons.