The spirit took the form of a teenage girl with violet hair that nearly reached her ankles. A ball and chain was shackled to the spirit's leg, yet she glided through the air, weightless.

The spirit's voice rang in her head again. It's okay to be jealous. Who wouldn't be jealous in your position? You're the only one at this school who is forbidden from exercising her true potential. It can't be fun watching monsters show off their skills all day.

Beatrix had to admit, the spirit had a point. Still, she didn't like how it could worm itself inside her mind so easily.

"Get out of my head, please," Beatrix said.

The spirit floated to her side and said aloud, "Sorry. You seemed troubled. I thought you could use a friend. And some advice."

"Advice?"

"To help you fit in," the spirit said. "I know how it feels to be on the outside. I drift along these school halls alone, never at rest."

Beatrix felt a tinge of sympathy, yet insisted that she wasn't as hopelessly alone as this wayward ghost. Beatrix had made some close acquaintances at Monster High already, and she could always count on Autumn for companionship.

"I mean, it is a little disheartening to watch everyone show off their talents," Beatrix said. "Sometimes I can sense that students look down on me for being a school employee with no abilities of my own."

"I understand," the spirit said in a hushed tone. "I think I know a way you can put your observations of monsterkind to use. What if I told you there is a way to replicate monster powers through the dark arts?"

"I'm not sure what you're getting at. I'm not allowed to practice any witchcraft here."

"That's too bad," the spirit said, floating away. "I didn't mean to bother you, I was simply curious. I've heard rumors that recreating monster powers is simple for a sorceress."

"Ha, I wish. Witchcraft in general is a total pain," Beatrix said. "Monsters are in a class of their own. I just met a girl who can manipulate others with singing. I've never heard of a spell that could do anything like that!"

"I see. Traditional witchcraft really is as limited as people say." The spirit traveled deeper backstage, further from the stage lights.

Beatrix followed. "Hey! Wait up! What do you mean 'traditional' witchcraft?" she inquired. "There's only one way to practice magic."

"Says who?" the spirit asked.

"Says..." Beatrix paused. She'd only ever heard her aunts define witchcraft in such a rigid way. Beatrix flipped the conversation. "Why are you talking to me about all this?"

"I have an investigative mind. I've never met a witch before but I've heard lots about them," the spirit said. "I see myself in you, admittedly. I don't think it's right that witches are treated so poorly by the monster community. Not when you could benefit monsters so much."

Beatrix realized that she'd traveled to the darkest corner backstage. Thick stage curtains obscured all surrounding light.

Beatrix considered turning back. Autumn had likely finished changing by now.

Suddenly, the spirit started speaking to Beatrix in her head again:

When you study a monster's power, look to its source. That way, you will be able to replicate the power to some degree. The singing phantom, for example. She entrances people into hypnotic states. But how?

"By singing," Beatrix said.

By singing perfectly. She sings so phenomenally well to the point of making unsuspecting people do her bidding.

Beatrix didn't buy it. "You're saying that I could do exactly what Operetta does by singing in the perfect pitch? That seems like a stretch."

I agree. It won't be that simple. However, it's a place to start.

Beatrix played along. "Even if I somehow found out how Operetta sings the perfect pitch for hypnotism, it still wouldn't work. I'm not a phantom and I don't have supernatural vocal cords. I'd probably need to pair the singing with some sort of spell to make it effective."

The spirit's purple eyes sparkled in the darkness. That is correct. However, there aren't any witchcraft books in the library, unfortunately, its voice echoed. But I have another idea. You should read up on mermaids.

"Bea!" Autumn called on the other side of the curtains.

"I gotta go," Beatrix told the ghost.

The spirit faded into the darkness. See you around.

Once Beatrix stepped back into the light, she searched for Autumn and reflected on the exchange.

Why does that ghost care about me stepping into my witchy abilities? Beatrix questioned.

Beatrix had sworn to Headmistress Bloodgood that she wouldn't dabble in any kind of witchcraft. I had one conversation with a ghost and I'm already contemplating breaking my promise? Beatrix realized. She nearly cackled at the ridiculousness of it all and dismissed the silly notion. She had no desire to betray the Headmistress's trust in her.

If Beatrix was caught trying to learn any spells, she'd be sent home. Beatrix didn't want to give her aunts the satisfaction. And, more importantly, she didn't want to disappoint Autumn.

Grey also came to mind.

Beatrix didn't think Grey would care if she was kicked off campus. If anything, it would come as a relief to him.

So why do I care about disappointing him too? Beatrix asked herself, hoping the purple spirit wasn't still listening to her thoughts.

"There you are!" Autumn called, now dressed in an oversized flannel and jean shorts. "Everyone else already left for the Coffin Bean. Let's go!"

Beatrix was prepared to tell Autumn everything that had transpired backstage.

But, for some inexplicable reason, she felt the need to hold her tongue.