Chapter 4

OUIJA BOARD 4

 We walked to the basement.  I walked in the front while pressing the light switch on the wall.  While Henry brought his game board.  Sarra instructed us to sit in a circle with the Ouija Board in the middle.  Helen to my left and Kevin to my right.

 "Guys, are you sure about this?"  Helen looked doubtful.

 "Come on, Helen. This is just for fun."  Henry reassured.

 "She never had fun," Alex quipped.  Greeted giggles from us.

 Helen rolled her eyes, "I've seen movies about this board and none of them ended well."  Her voice sounded worried.

 "And you believe in the movie, Helen? Oh, come on, don't be silly."  Henry teased, greeted with a small smile from us.

 "Umm, Guys, by the way, before we start the game. There's something I want to say. The game should be over before my Dad gets home."

 "Why? Is something wrong?"  Kevin asked.

 "Beverly, if this works out it'll be a lot of fun. Don't worry, let me explain to them. We're just playing anyway," said Henry. 

 "You guys don't understand. I just made up with Mommy. Don't let her know I brought friends home. Especially boys."

 "What happened?"  Alex looked at me curiously.

 "Because-"

 "Because Mrs. Whelston caught them alone in the room," said Helen.

 "Oooww!" they said in unison.

 Helen, what is she doing?  Unpacking the card, really sucks.  Kevin and I were the subject of a joke this time.  Kevin didn't defend or say anything, he just kept quiet.  As if to justify their ridicule.  And Sarra revealed that the Ouija board in front of us was a gift from Kevin.  Already complete.  Thank you, Helen.  Thank you, Sara.  I'll kill you all later!

 Their teasing had not subsided, "Guys! Guys! Can we start the show?!"  I asked with a bit of emphasis.  Only then did they stop.

 "Okay ... So, umm ... , what should we do next?"  asked Henry.

 "The lights must be turned off and the candles lit all around us," said Sarra.

 I went back up to the living room to get a candle to use, then lit it according to instructions.

 "I think we should read all the rules first. So that everyone here understands," said Kevin.

 Alex turned the board over.  We start reading the rules:

 1. Don't play alone.

 2. Do not ask why the spirit died.

 3. Don't forget to say goodbye.

 This time it was Kevin who gave the instructions.  We put the tip of each index finger on the planchette (Ouija triangle) without pressing it.  Then together rotate around the board once.

 Here we go.

 "Is there a spirit here?"  said Kevin.

 (silence)

 "Ok, let's try again. Any spirit in here?"  Kevin spoke louder.

 (silence)

 "This not work!"  Alex withdrew his hand, but the others didn't.  Helen breathed a sigh of relief.

 'sreek'

 The board moves towards the word 'Yes'.

 "Kevin, this isn't funny. Don't mess around!"  I started to feel scared.

 "That's not me!"  He replied, "Alex, put your finger back down!"  his orders.

 Alex obeyed Kevin's words with a sour look.

 "Okay. Have you lived here long?"  Sarra tries to ask a question.

 [Y-E-S]

 "Are you around us?"  still Sarah.

 [Y-E-S]

 "Where?"  This time it was Kevin.

 [1-0-O-C-L-O-C-K]

 Suddenly we looked behind Helen.  There is only darkness.  I could see the look of fear on the girl's face.  He shifted slowly to the right, approaching me.  As if looking for a friend to protect him.  Kevin glanced at him, shaking his head.  As if to say in sign language, 'don't move'.

 "Hey, spirit, are Beverly and Kevin going out?"  asked Henri suddenly.

 [Y-E-S]

 "Awww!"  welcome them.  This isn't funny at all.

 "Are they getting married?"  added Sara.

 [Y-E-S]

 "Whoaa, I'm sure we'll see a mini version of Beverly and Kevin. Hahaha," said Alex.  That's enough!

 "Spirit, are you a girl or a boy?"  Kevin asked.

 (silence)

 "Alex, the rules say not to ask about the spirit."  explained Helen.

 "No. The rules just said not to ask why he died."  Alex denied, "Okay, what's your name?"

 [Z]

 (silence back)

 "Can you explain more?"  Kevin tried to ask.

 Planchette didn't move.  It's even hard to just move.  Only then did we realize the planchette was firmly attached to the board.  Like in glue.  Sarra thinks maybe in both the objects there is a magnet or something.  Henry and Alex took turns to separate the planchette from the board.  Unlike Kevin.  The look on his face showed anxiety.  Like something bad was about to happen.  The three of us girls could only stare at them trying to get off the planchette.

 The sound of a car engine came from the basement.  Daddy's home.  Henry, who was trying, just threw the board in any direction.  We all rushed up the stairs.  Afraid Daddy thinks badly of us.

 Daddy came into the house, just as we were sitting on the sofa.  I explained that we were finishing a group assignment.  Since the clock showed 09.36 PM, they all said goodbye to go home.  Luckily, Daddy is more understanding than Mommy.  He didn't mind the presence of my friends.

 Thank God.

 After they came home, I immediately went to the kitchen to make dinner for Daddy.  He must be really hungry after work.  Mommy hasn't come home yet, I forgot not to ask where she went.  Seeing Daddy coming down the stairs, I rushed over and told him not to tell Mommy that my friends were coming over to the house.

 Daddy was silent for a moment, "Okay, but on one condition."

 "What?"

 Daddy smiled.

 Mommy came while we were eating dinner and joined us at the table.  Mommy told me that she met her old friend in college. Her friend also give my my Mom job and she looked happy.  Daddy didn't say much, nor did he stop Mommy from working again.  After all it is also to help our economy.  Mommy resigned from her job exactly a week before we moved here.

 Every now and then I glanced at Daddy.  I was very afraid if he told me that my friends came to the house.  I don't want Mommy to be angry again.  It seems that Daddy noticed my behavior, he glanced back at me with a smile.  Daddy is annoying!

 “Just now Stephanie--, aw!”

 Almost.  I stepped on Daddy's toes so he wouldn't tell the truth.  Mommy looked at us in turn with amazement.

 "What's going on?"

 “Umm, Stephanie was studying with Sarra when I came.”

 "Oh, Beverly told me before she left," Mommy put food in her mouth while looking at me.

 "Good."  Dad nodded, smiling at me.

 It rained heavily.  The cold felt like piercing to the bone.  The blanket that covers the body is not warm enough.  Drowsiness strikes due to the cold air from the wind that enters through the window.  I stood up to close the glass windows and curtains.  Oh my gosh, it's still cold.  Mommy and Daddy must have slept well.  This is the right time to hug a pillow under the covers.  But it is not possible.  A cup of hot chocolate accompanies me in front of the laptop.  Not to study, but to fulfill the conditions Daddy gave me in exchange for keeping my secret safe.  I have to copy all the work files on Daddy's laptop to the flash drive until it's finished.