Chapter 20

Warning, this story contains dark scenes with graphic detail that some readers may find distressing.

“Alright, let’s go get that board.” Taylor began with prominent determination as we got in her car. After my little run-in and ‘moment’ with Kingsley, we parted ways and set off on our plan to contact the dead. Taylor and I oversaw getting the Ouija board from the antique store, and Bryce and the others left to buy candles, mirrors, and salt, and the list of all the missing people who haven’t been found for more than two years. At this point they were most likely dead. A shiver ran down my back at the thought. Two years of the families not knowing what had happened to their loved ones.
I couldn’t help but feel excited as we drove to the antique store. This would be my first time to witness something paranormal, let alone be involved with it.
We arrived at the antique store, and no one was around except for the shop owner. He was an old man in his late sixties, wearing a suit and his white hair was unkempt underneath a bowler hat.
“He always dresses like that.” Taylor told me after realizing that I was staring at the old man weirdly. I followed Taylor to the farthest back of the store where it was lined with bookshelves filled with dusty old books and rusty toys. I watched as Taylor moved in a crouched position, checking every small space by the walls until she finally located the old Ouija board.
“You know I couldn’t imagine you in a place like this until now.” I let my thoughts flow out. Taylor laughed. “I am all for helping the less fortunate.” She winked shaking the Ouija board.
Indeed, it was old filled with dusts and cobwebs. I felt my nose tingle as it inhaled the small particles of dust when Taylor showed it to me.
“Come on, we’ll clean it up once we buy it.” Taylor said. We returned to the front of the store where the old man still stood behind the counter, smiling as we approached him.
“We’ll take this, please.” Taylor told him with a smile. He looked at the board through his glasses and his smile slowly dropped.
“Ma’am…where did you get this??” He asked in a raspy voice.
“It was at the back of the room. I’ve been eyeing this for weeks now and today I have finally decided to get it!” Taylor replied with a smile. “Name your price. I’m willing to pay.”
The man shook his head frantically as he grabbed the board from Taylor and hid it.
“I’m afraid that wasn’t for sale.”
“What?”
He took in a deep breath as he stared at Taylor and I. “Someone before you had purchased the same item a year ago. I gave it to him for a cheap price, and after a week, his mother returned it, saying that it is a bad omen. I later found out that that boy went missing in the woods. He has not been found since then.” His voice was grave.
My blood ran cold as I listened to his story.
“But sir, you see there has been many disappearances, were they all involved with the Ouija board?”
“That board holds dark magic.” He whispered.
The old man stared at her for a few seconds before finally giving in.
“Alright.”
He then returned the board to Taylor to which she quickly accepted it, worried that he might change his mind.
“Thank you so much, sir! How much will you sell it to us?” She asked.
He shook his head, a worried look still on his face. “I’ll give it to you for free. I trust that you and your friend will put it to good use.”
“Of course, sir, we will.” Taylor replied.
“Just be careful, though.” The old man warned us. “I have been told that a demon is trapped within this object and is out for revenge once you call upon it and use the board. Make sure to banish it for good before it gets out of hand.”
We quickly arrived home. Now that the old man had mentioned that this was the home of an old demon, I couldn’t help but feel uncomfortable as I held the heavy object in my hands. Entering the huge house, I now called home, I could smell sage. The living room was now surrounded by mirrors, a large round table was in the middle with six chairs surrounding it and Elijah was lining up the black candles around the room as well as on the table.
“This looks exciting,” I commented.
“Wow boys, if I didn’t know what all this was about, I’d say you’d had the flare for romantics.” Taylor blows a kiss at the boys and skipped to the open plan kitchen.
“I don’t know about you guys, but I am starving. After the whole bitch Victoria scene, I didn’t get chance to eat much at lunch today. Besides it’s better to do this thing at night.” Taylor pulled out a bunch of contents from the fridge while she rambled on in her happy over jolly tone.
Daughter of Darkness, child of night.
When the world goes dark and there is no longer any light,” Slowly I turned to the sound of Taylor singing the lullaby my mother used to sing to me when I was young.
She will rise. Those who have wronged her will fall as red fills the skies.” Tears prickled my eyes; I could hear my mother’s sweet voice. I was a little girl again.
“With an innocent face and eyes like fire
She can draw out your one and truly desire.
Is she wicked or heartless, can one be so cruel?
She may be the daughter of darkness but don’t be such a fool.
A vision of heaven she will weave her magic tune.
Her powers will bloom on the next full moon.
Daughter of darkness, child of night.
It won’t be long now until she comes into her birth right.
Leaving the city lights behind,
Living in a small town, where she will find.
Answers, answers to her destiny.
Once she has found the five that will complete the recipe,
The hands of fate will set the date.” All eyes were on me as I finished the song, suddenly I felt self-conscious.
“Where did you learn that song?” Taylor asked me.
“My mum used to sing it too me.” My voice sounded small. The look she gave to the other guys didn’t go unnoticed.
“Let’s eat these sandwiches and get started.” Carter clapped cutting through the atmosphere.
“Afterall we can’t contact ghosts on an empty stomach now, can we?” he asked, helping himself to a sandwich.
“God that stuff stinks! Let’s eat in the dinning room. Its goanna smell like a witch’s cauldron in here for weeks.” Bryce moaned grabbing the plate and leaving the room.
“It’s called sage, says it’s good to use to contact the dead.” Carter mumbled back.
“Yeah, the best way to contact the dead is to smell like the dead.” Bryce said and I shook my head. Those two had issues. There none stop banter did make me smile though.
. I didn’t realize that everyone else has already left the kitchen except for Kingsley and me.
“You feel better now?” Kingsley asked as he neared me.
I nodded with a reassuring smile. “I am, thank you.”
“Good.” He smiled back. We stayed like that for a few more seconds, just staring at each other until someone cleared their throat and I slightly jumped.
“Do you lovebirds want to see the complete set up? It’s finished.” Taylor teased with a smirk.
“We’re not— “I tried to say, but Kingsley cut me off.
“I’ll go check.” And with that, he left the kitchen quickly leaving Taylor and me.
“Dude,” I gave her a playful glare and she only laughed.
“I’m sorry! But you guys really do look cute together!” Taylor apologized, giggling. “Someone told me that a lot of people found you guys hugging each other by the girls’ bathroom. Kings, well he’s not the hugging type.”
I felt my cheeks heat up as I rolled my eyes. “I didn’t mean to bump into him. I was running to the bathroom because I was crying and— “
“Wait, wait, whoa—hang on. You were crying??” Taylor asked, all traces of teasing and smiles were long gone from her face in an instant. “What happened? Why didn’t you tell me?”
I sighed. “After that incident with Victoria everyone started giving me weird looks and talking shit about me. Victoria didn’t just tell the whole cafeteria that I was a murderer, but she also spread rumors about me that I almost killed her!” In truth everything that Victoria had said had got to me and the looks, comments and stared only made it worse.
“That bitch!” Taylor exclaimed angrily. “I swear, if I had no ounce of conscience in me, I could have killed her myself!”
“Just leave it,” I told her with a sigh. “She isn’t worth it.”
“If only we could sacrifice her to the devil.” Taylor joked and I laughed.
“I’d voluntarily give her without hesitation.” I added.