Chapter 22

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

“Everyone, start putting one hand on the planchette.” Taylor instructed. We did as we were told, lightly touching the small wood as it rested on the board.
“Is someone here?” Taylor asked. I felt my heart race as I watched the wood, waiting for it to move, but there was nothing.
“Is someone here??” Taylor asked again, this time louder. After a few moments, there was still nothing.
“If anyone is here, are you one of the missing victims from the Goldpeak forest?” Taylor asked as she tried a new question, hoping it would work. There was still nothing.
Bryce sighed. “This isn’t working.”
“Bryce, can we wait a little longer??” Taylor whispered, as if someone might hear her.
“We clearly got nothing, Tay, this is bullshit.” Bryce replied as he let go of the planchette. “If we want this to work, we might as well ask someone professional to help. This is amateur games.”
“But this was your idea to begin with.” Taylor argued as she took her hand from the wood and crossed her arms across her chest. As Taylor let go of the wood, we all followed suit and the tension from earlier was no more.
“Yeah, I know. But then I realized how stupid this is and we’re only wasting more time from finding the real culprit.” Bryce replied with a sigh. “Elijah, just turn the electricity back on. Let’s just get to bed.”
Elijah stood from his seat and picked up a candle taking it with him, leaving for the main switch. The rest of us remained quiet as we all stood from our table and waited for the lights to go back on.
“Let’s just clean up when the lights go back on.” Bryce instructed.
“What’s taking Elijah so long?” Carter asked with a sigh.
“It’s dark, Carter. He’s probably having a hard time.” Taylor snapped back, clearly disappointed that our excursion didn’t work.
“Can someone go and help? He should have used his phone’s flashlight.” Bryce asked.
“I will,” I volunteered. Just as I grabbed my phone from my back pocket, we were all surprised when all the candles simultaneously went out earning a small shriek of surprise from Taylor.
“Okay, what the fuck?” Carter breathed out. Everyone seemed to be frozen on the spot.
“Elijah!” Bryce yelled out. “Elijah get back in here! Just leave the lights off!”
“Let’s all sit back down, shall we?” Taylor asked as her voice slightly wavered. As we sat, Elijah returned, running, still holding a lighted candle and oblivious to what just happened.
“Guys, there’s something wrong with the electricity. I kept on yanking the switch back on again but it won’t work.” Elijah complained. “Anyways, are we still in on this?”
Before anyone could reply to him, the candle that he held quickly went out.
“That should be your answer.” Taylor replied. “Come sit back down.”
Elijah threw the candle behind him, a little terrified, as he returned to his seat and rested a hand on the planchette as we did the same. Taylor took in a deep breath as she began the questions again.
“Is someone here?” She asked. I couldn’t help the gasp that left my lips as the planchette started moving on its own, directing our hands to the word YES on the board.
“What is your name?” Taylor asked. The planchette moved on its own again, spelling out the name CLAIRE HIGGINS on the board.
“Wait, hang on,” Bryce whispered, his hand still on the planchette. “Claire Higgins? As in our old neighbor Mrs. Higgins?”
Carter’s eyes grew wide. “I thought she just left her home??”
“You idiot, haven’t you heard? Mrs. Higgins’ case from two years ago was one of the biggest because there’s no way an old woman would be wandering around in the forest all on her own. It was a big mystery at that time.” Elijah answered.
“Okay, okay, let’s just focus.” Taylor shushed them before clearing her throat. “Claire Higgins, how did you die?”
We waited for the wooden object to move on its own. But nothing.
“Claire Higgins, how did you—“
Before Taylor could finish her question, she let out a loud gasp as she took her hand away from the planchette and gripped the table with her two hands. Her eyes were screwed shut as if she was in pain.
“Taylor??” I asked, dumbfounded.
“Taylor, what happened?? What’s going on??” Bryce asked frantically as he stood from his seat.
“I-I think…Mrs. Higgins is trying to-to tell m-me something…” Taylor replied with heavy breaths, still with her eyes closed.
“What did she say? Did she reveal herself to you??” Bryce asked.
“Wait.” Taylor paused, her eyes still closed. “You’re not…”
“Everyone, hold hands quick.” Bryce instructed. We settled back in our seats and held hands, and I forced Taylor’s hand away from the table and held on to it. This was one of the plans we had in case something went wrong during our talk with the ghosts. We would all chant a specific prayer if ever the ghosts or any paranormal happening would get out of hand.
“You’re not Mrs. Higgins,” Taylor said to herself, her eyes still closed.
“Bryce, start the chant, now.” Carter said frantically. We all closed our eyes gripping each other’s hands.
“Return the soul that was trapped in the dark, the soul that was kept in exchange for the mark. The mark that allowed the veil to open let this passage from the other side be broken.”
Taylor gasped after we chanted the first prayer.
“Return the soul that was trapped in the dark, the soul that was kept in exchange for the mark. The mark that allowed the veil to open let this passage from the other side be broken.”
“No! Leave me alone!” Taylor cried out as she gripped my hand harshly.
“Nobody break the hold!” Bryce exclaimed.
“Return the soul that was trapped in the dark, the soul that was kept in exchange for the mark. The mark that allowed the veil to open let this passage from the other side be broken.”
After the third prayer, Taylor’s eyes shot open and she let go of the hold, gasping out for air.
“Elijah, let’s go check if the electricity is back on now.” Kingsley said and together they ran to the back door.