“Who wants to go first?” Gwen asks.
When no one replies, she looks between us, sets her jaw, and scowls down at the dial in concentration. “We wish to communicate with the spirit that haunts this property.”
We wait in tense anticipation, hoping—no,expecting—something to happen. The seconds tick by, accentuated by the thudding heartbeat in my ears. Seconds that seem to stretch into eternity. The tips of my ears burn. I feel foolish.
It was my idea to skip class to play a silly board game.
“We welcome you, spirit, to our circle.”
“No,” Lily hisses, but Gwen ignores her pleas.
“Is there anyone here with us?”
“This is stupid,” Benny mutters under his breath, causing the burn in my ears to spread to my cheeks.
“We are your earthly vessel, and we welcome you?—”
“Earthly vessel,” chuckles Benny.
Clouds suffocate the sun outside, and the light in the room darkens significantly, but the sudden change in weather isn’t why Aron’s grip on my hand tightens or why Gwen trembles.
Eyes wide, I stare at the smoke swirling from the wick.
“Did that…blow out?” Benny asks in a voice thick with apprehension and an undercurrent of disbelief and…excitement.
“It did,” Aron confirms.
“It could have been a coincidence.”
“Probably,” Aron responds, but his grip on my hand remains tight, his palm clammy.
“Please tell me someone blew it out,” Lily says uncertainly while I watch the smoke swirl and disperse.
“Ask it another question,” Brittany suggests, eyes alight with the thrill.
Gwen looks unsure for the first time, her throat jumping. “Okay…”
The flame flickers back to life, taking us all by surprise. Lily even releases a startled scream.
“What’s happening?” I ask as the flame burns brighter and taller, jumping violently in a non-existent breeze.
“We’re not alone,” Gwen breathes.
Brittany’s wide eyes glitter in the candlelight. “This is so cool.”
My heart thunders behind my ribcage. Cool isn’t the word I would use to describe this moment. Terrifying seems more fitting.
“Are you a spirit?” Gwen asks.
We fall silent, gazing intently at the dial.
Just like before, nothing happens. The seconds tick by while the flame continues to dance.
Just when my heart is about to sink from disappointment or relief—I’m yet to decide—the dial moves.
A gasp falls from my lips, and I glance around at the others, only to be met by equally bewildered expressions.
“Who’s doing this?” Gwen asks in an accusatory tone, but Brittany shushes her and then reads out the letters.
