“So…” I drawl, not getting her point.
“Soit would’ve been grand of you to give one of us the safe seat,” Lanie explains.
I make a face. “Don’t be an idiot. I’m actually saving you.”
I’ve come a long way, but I haven’t completely left the ranks of chickenshit, and knowing a spirit could manifest itself, I likely did subconsciously position myself in this seat. But I am sure as hell not going to admit that to these girls. I’ll never live it down.
One of Lanie’s eyebrows lifts skyward.
“Think of it this way,” I start, determined to make it sound like I thought this through. “I’ll see them coming…you won’t. I make the most sense to have a clear view of the open spaces.”
Nina grins, Lanie rolls her eyes, and Corinne shakes her head, clearly not buying what I’m selling.
“Are you ready? I don’t have all night,” Corinne barks, getting into position, placing both hands on the table with her palms facing the sky. “Besides, it’s nearing midnight, and that’s when we’re most likely to attract wayward spirits that we don’t want to encounter.”
“Cranky Corinne has come out to play,” Lanie jests, but Corinne doesn’t open her eyes or make a face. She ignores Lanie completely, getting prepared.
“I’m with Corinne,” I say, placing one hand on top of hers and the other on top of Nina’s. “No wayward spirits tonight, ladies.”
They all murmur their agreement and get into place.
We are all connected in a circle, and I know what’s coming. Another show worthy of Broadway, by Madame Corinne. Except it isn’t a show. The combined energy in this room is more than capable of truly summoning spirits.
Corinne takes a deep breath, and then blows it out before launching into her over-the-top monologue, calling to gods, goddesses,Mother Earth, and about ten additional deities, before finally finishing her outreach to the spirit world and going silent.
All I can hear is our intermingled breathing and Nina’s foot incessantly tapping against the wood, a sign of how nervous she is.
“I call upon Ian Whalen. If your spirit can hear me, follow my voice. Join us. I have a friend here who’s been looking for you,” Corinne calls out, eyes remaining closed.
She’s quiet for several moments, and we wait, but nothing happens. She peeks one eye open, looking around before closing it again and falling back into her deep breathing.
“I call upon Ian Whalen. Ian, come to me.” Corinne shouts this last request, and I jump but manage to keep my hand in hers.
Again, a few quiet moments roll by, and no spirits or noises are to be heard.
I’m about to call this a bust and celebrate with Nina that he must be alive when the television in the great room turns on.
“Guys,” I say. “Something is here.”
All heads snap to me, and I tip my head toward the family room.
Nina’s breath hitches, and Corinne groans. “Great. Another poltergeist. Alyssa, why, pray tell, do you always seem to attract the angry ones?”
“We’re working with a feisty spirit?” Nina attempts to appear calm and casual, but her voice shakes, giving away her fear.
“Yes…and let me tell you…it’s not what I wanted to deal with tonight,” Corinne grumbles, obviously missing the anxiety pouring off Nina.
The television stops on the Lifetime channel. A body is being dragged out of the water and placed into a bag.
“That’s morbid,” Lanie says, and I shiver. “Should we be worried, Cori?”
I’m shaking, not from the image on the television, but from the woman who flashes into existence right next to the mantel. The dark-haired girl that I’ve been seeing turns her head, which is the first time I’ve seen her move any part of her body. She’s angled toward the television as if to point out something that’s important to her case.
“What are you trying to tell me?” I ask, leaning toward her.
“Who are you talking to?” Corinne whispers, but I ignore her, focusing on the woman.
The TV channel switches again, stopping on the ID channel. There’s a girl that looks a lot like the spirit, closing out a tab at a bar and saying goodbye to her friends. She walks out to a dark parking lot, where her car is parked in a far corner away from the lights of the bar. A man comes up from behind and grabs her.
