Page 80 of A Love Like Candle Light

"Here." He pulls out a little water gun and places it in the middle of the table.

"What is this?” I pick it up and turn it in my hands. “Do we shoot bad ghosts with it, like they’re cats trying to steal food? Playing Russian roulette with a water gun?"

"It's holy water," Kieran explains as if it’s the most obvious thing in the world. “We shoot the ghosts if they’re evil.”

"How reassuring." I put it down very carefully. Don’t spill a drop of it Kylie, you might need it. “So, we’re doing this?”

Everything inside me screams how bad of an idea this is. However, I can’t deny I’m curious and ultimately, my curiosity wins.

"We’re doing this. Give me your hands." He takes my wrist and places my index and middle fingers on the planchette, waits for me to do the same with my other hand, then places his on the other side. “Okay.”

A solemn blanket lies over us. I barely dare to breathe. Abby and Dick don’t care at all, but it’s reassuring to have them close.

Rolling his shoulders, Kieran takes a deep breath with his eyes closed. When he opens them again, he moves the planchette over the board in circles. Then he speaks.

“We are here in peace and with respectful curiosity. Only positive energies are invited into this space. No demons or harmful entities permitted.” He takes another deep breath and stops the planchette right in the center of the board. “That being said, hi! Is anyone here? Do you want to talk with us?”

I admire Kieran. He's talking into nothingness as if it were the most natural thing in the world, like a regular conversation. It makes me feel super awkward to sit here and wait for an answer which may or may not come. If he’s feeling similarly, he doesn’t show it.

"I'm Kieran. This is Kylie, as I’m sure you know, and we come in peace. First off, please be nice. We just want to have a little chat. If there is a friendly"—he emphasizes the word—"ghost here, would you please announce yourself by moving this planchette?"

Silence settles.

Abby and Dick are still asleep by the window. Meanwhile Kieran and I wait, staring at the little planchette as if our gazes alone could make it move.

"Are you sure—"

"Kylie, shush." Kieran cuts me off with a sharp glare. "Give her some time. It's probably strenuous to move it at all."

"Okay." I let out a sigh and try to relax my arms despite the awkward angle they’re at. I’m too small to properly reach on the table with my butt on the ground.

Suddenly, the wooden piece moves, only a fraction, but enough to make me panic. Oh my God. It’s actually happening.

I suck in a sharp breath, willing my fingers to stop trembling and the blood to stop hissing in my ears.

One millimeter turns into two. Millimeter by millimeter, it moves towards YES.

My heart beats in my throat, and my blood runs ice-cold as I gape at Kieran with wide eyes. He stares right back, mirroring my shock.

"Oh my God," I whisper, forcing myself to remain seated when all I want to do is jump up and bolt the hell out of here. This is getting way too real for my taste.

"Okay." Kieran rolls his shoulders and clears his throat. "What's your name?"

We wait again. The silence stretches until the planchette moves over the NO.

"No? You don't want to tell us your name?" Slowly, it moves back over to YES. "But why?" We wait for it to move again, but this time to no avail.

"Okay, okay,” Kieran gives in and purses his lips. Then his eyes twinkle with an idea. “What's your favorite season?"

Smart. Instead of downright asking for her name, he wants to confirm Bobby’s story. This time it doesn't take nearly as long until the planchette moves.

F. A. L. L.

He shoots me a look that screams I-knew-it. Suddenly, the dogs jump up and walk over to us, but their body language is not hostile. No, they tilt their heads and sniff the air curiously. So the ghost isn’t giving off bad energy. What a relief.

"Were you born here?" I ask in a shaky whisper, earning an approving nod from Kieran. More questions I can ask without making it obvious we have a hunch who she is race through my mind.

Slowly but surely, the planchette moves towards NO.