You can't save the ghost that used to sell flowers?
Shortly after I "freed" her, she was disintegrated, and another ghost told me I should have used the soul vial. I don't recall seeing a "soul vial" earlier. Is it possible to get the "soul vial" before you "free" the first ghost (and doom her)?

the 1st girl is lost then you get the vial to save the others.

Doesn't seem to be any way to save that first girl, since you need an item to get the soul catcher that you can only get from freeing the girl without it.