Page 2 of Summoned

“That’s it, babe,” Candace coos. “Now shut up and let us do the talking.”

“Fine by me,” Noah says, and I narrow my eyes at him.

His brown eyes meet mine, widening, probably realizing what we’re about to do. Now, I’m not superstitious by any means, but my parents have warned me about not fucking around with this type of stuff. I miss them so fucking much it hurts, and losing them never gets easier. There are loud warning bells going off in my head. Loud enough to make me want to get up and bolt, yet I don’t.

Candace giggles, “This is called a planchette.” She gestures toward the triangular object in her hand, which was just on the board a moment ago. My head spins a little as I look down at the board, trying to figure out what the hell she’s about to do, but coming up completely blank.

“Noted,” I say dryly.

“Alright, so we’re going to get started now,” Maria says in a whisper. “Nobody talk. We’re going to let Candace do it.”

“Okay,” Noah says, and Ian and I just nod in acknowledgement.

“Spirits of the Underworld.” Candace grins. “I summon you.”

“You’re supposed to say hello, you twat.” Maria cackles, taking the bottle of tequila from Candace’s side, and drinking straight from it. “Put the planchette where it belongs.”

“Right.” Candace rolls her eyes, dragging the object over to the wordhello. “Hello.”

Nothing happens.

“This is so fucking stupid.” I laugh.

“Hello?” Candace repeats. “Spirits of the Underworld?”

“Please tell me you don’t believe in this shit,” Noah says, chuckling.

“Would y’all shut the fuck up?” Maria snaps, her hazel eyes narrowing on us. She flips her dark brown hair over her shoulder and looks at Candace. “Let her work.”

“Fine, fine.” Ian raises his hands in defeat, rendering everyone quiet.

Candace says “hello”one more time, then drags the object to the center of the board. Maria and her sigh simultaneously when nothing happens, but just when we’re about to give up, the candles begin to flicker. Shadows are cast around the room, and suddenly, the temperature drops, causing a chill to run down my spine.

“I think—” I start, suddenly a little freaked out. I don’t know if it’s all the alcohol in me, but I feel nauseous and not up for this at all. “I’m gonna go?—”

The balcony doors fly open, the October breeze filtering in and chilling me just a bit more. I shiver, goosebumps blooming on my arms. With the breeze filtering through the doors, all but one candle has been snuffed out. I look around, and Candace’s jaw is slack, Maria’s eyes are wide, and the boys look spooked. Probably just as spooked as I feel. I’m ready to get the fuck out of here.

“Hello?” Candace says, phrasing it more like a question.

Then the creepiest fucking thing happens—the planchette moves to the wordhello. On its fucking own. I know this because Candace is keeping her hands to herself for once in her fucking life.

Candace squeaks, Maria squeals in excitement, and I gulp.

“Fuck this,” Noah gasps. “I’m out.”

“Nah, you little bitch,” Maria snaps. “Sit the fuck down and be quiet.”

The breeze filters in more aggressively, ruffling my hair and chilling me to the bone. When Candace speaks next, I can see the fog coming from her breath, as it’s many degrees cooler in here now than it is outside.

“Hi.” Candace’s voice shakes. “I’m Candace. Who are you?”

Nothing happens.

“Maybe ask yes or no questions?” Maria whispers.

“Are you a woman?”

The object moves to the word‘no’and I balk.

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