A small group of four campers huddled around a fire in the middle of the forest. There was complete silence except for the chirping of crickets and the rustling of leaves in the wind; a thick blanket of clouds obscured the moon.
Lorna: "Did you hear that?"
Fred: "Hear what?"
Lorna: "It sounded like something was rustling through the bushes."
Robert: "Probably just a raccoon or some kind of wild animal. Stop stressing over it."
Even as they joked and laughed, the group began to notice unexplainable sounds emanating from the forest. Like someone was trying to communicate with them in the background, the sounds sounded like whispers.
Mona: "Did you guys catch that? One could make out the faint sound of a whisper."
Fred: "To calm your nerves, that was just the wind. Let's turn in for the night."
The noises became increasingly intense as the party began setting up camp. Something was scurrying around outside, judging from the way it rustled the bushes and twigs.
Lorna: "I can't sleep because of my anxiety. Wait, what if there really is something out there?"
Mona: "Do not fret, Lorna. All of us are on the same team here. If anything happens, we'll be there to stop it."
The sounds intensified as the night progressed. They heard what sounded like something trying to enter their tents by tearing at the fabric.
Fred: "We should leave this place, guys. I don’t think we’re dealing with a human here."
Robert: "Where, though, shall we go? Where we are is literally the middle of nowhere."
Mona: "We should be okay if we work together. Let's pack up and go explore the woods. Hopefully, we'll be able to locate a secure location."
As they stepped out of their tents, the group saw a ghostly figure passing among the trees. A tall, lanky man with a very pale complexion and bright, glowing eyes.
Lorna: "Holy crap, I have no idea what that is. Is it a ghost or a spirit?"
Mona: "Whatever it is, I do not like it. The time has come for us to leave."
The ghostly figure followed the group as they ran through the woods, whispering incomprehensible and menacing warnings. That which seemed to defy the laws of nature and logic was unlike anything they had ever seen before.
Mona: "No good. It won’t stop following us. We must take a stand now."
What Robert really wants to know is, "How do we fight a ghost exactly?"
Fred: "Our approach is to not oppose it. Our wits are put to use. Perhaps we can talk to it and figure out what it wants."
They were all huddled together when the specter appeared from behind the trees and floated above them. Sad and bewildered, it seemed to be on the prowl for something.
Ghost: "Please lend a hand. I don't know where I am, and I'm all by myself. For the sake of getting back home, I'm going to need your assistance."
Mona: “What do you want us to do?”
Ghost: "To put it bluntly, I need you to dig up my remains. The only thing that can free me from this forest is what is buried here."
The group saw many strange and frightening things on their way to finding the ghost's bones. They heard footsteps and whispering, and saw shadowy figures moving through the trees.
Lorna: "This is completely insane. I still can't believe we're trying to track down a ghost's remains."
Fred: "Just remember to keep your cool and we will surely prevail."
The bones were eventually located in a shallow grave with a makeshift wooden cross. As they dug up the remains, the team noticed a peculiarity. A rusty old key was dangling on the rope tied around the skeleton's frayed blanket.
Mona: "How come a key is buried among the bones?"
Robert: "There could be a ritual or curse at play here. We need to proceed with caution here."
Fred then suggested taking the bones with them and returning them to the ghost.
Their return journey through the woods was punctuated by unexplainable noises. Something sounded like it was following them around, making a stalking noise.
Lorna: "Guys, I think we're being tailed. This is very annoying to me."
Mona: "Keep on going. We’re close, very close."
When they arrived at the clearing where the ghost was supposed to be, they discovered it already there, hovering, its eyes fixed on the bones they’re carrying.
Ghost: "I am truly grateful. Believe me; you have no idea how much this means to me."
Mona asks, "So, what happens now?"
Ghost: "Right now is a good time for me to rest. I can finally leave this place behind for good. I appreciate your help. Thank you."
The dissipation of the ghost into nothingness provided the party with a sense of relief and resolution. They had overcome their anxieties, if only to bring peace to a wandering spirit.
Robert: "Oh my goodness that was dramatic. Not sure about the rest of you, but after that I could use a good, strong drink."
Fred: "All of us do, I believe. Let's party it up at base camp."
Back at the camp, Mona suddenly recalled the key on the skeleton.
Mona asked, "Hey, did you guys know what happened to the key?"
To which Lorna responded, "No, I didn't see it."
Robert: "Maybe it’s for the best that it’s gone. We will never know the full extent of that key's power."
Fred: "Whatever it was, we dealt with it together. That's all that matters."
After a memorable evening, the campers retired to their tents for the night. It was the night they overcame their fears and brought peace to a wandering spirit. And no matter what else was thrown at them, they knew they could count on each other to tackle it as a unit.