"Of course we're back in the goddamn attic." Renata frowns, stepping into the stuffy space once again.
"Give it an hour." Benji reminds her, turning around. He stands in the center, where it is imagined that the girls knelt in their final hours. The overhead light swings from where he had pulled the string, causing one side of his face to blaze in a brilliant gold before disappearing into full darkness. Back and forth it swings, forcing the creases of his face into impossible angles.
"I'm giving it an hour." She pouts. "That doesn't mean I have to like it."
"We're here, Phoebe." Lorraine calls, shattering the silence. "What do you want from us?"
"Ah yes, ask the demon what it wants." Seth teases.
Her eyes flash. "Phoebe isn't evil, Seth."
"Whatever you say." He shrugs. "I'm just saying. This is the most quote, unquote 'powerful' room in the house. Why would it want us here other than to suck out our souls to feed its evil tendencies?"
"You keep that up, and she's not going to like you all too well."
"REVENGE."
"See?" He motions wildly to the spirit box's blinking lights. "It wants to wear me as a skin suit."
"I think she's saying she wants revenge for those men that killed her." Benji frowns. "What has gotten into you?"
"You are acting a little weird." Renata agrees.
"I'm entertaining myself so I don't shit my pants." He admits.
Lorraine laughs. "You want to do something entertaining, then?"
"I really don't like that look." Renata trails, taking in the sneaky looking passing their guide's face.
Pulling out a folded piece of paper and a pen, she gets to work drawing something out. Leaning against the slopping ceiling of their temporary camp, her pen scratches across the surface and begins laying out a rather poor rendition of a Ouija board. As she puts the finishing touches on it the group glance between each other, uncertainty passing between them. When she turns around she is met with these apprehensive faces, even as she holds it out in front of her like a grand prize.
"Are you serious?" Benji asks, excitement dripping from his voice.
"Seriously?" Renata asks, more skeptical. "You think I'll even touch that thing after resisting the spirit box?"
"It's easier to communicate with a Ouija board than it is the spirit box." Lorraine explains, lowering the makeshift board so that they can have a clear view of her face. "It's a lot more fun too, in my opinion."
"Isn't it more dangerous?"
"I thought you didn't know anything about this stuff?" Benji questions, judgmental.
"Even I played the Ouija board with a cup when I was younger." She scowls. "And I'm not doing it now. I vowed never again. I've experienced way too much messed up shit. No."
"Okay," Lorraine says. "That's reasonable. Boys?"
"I know i said I never would again, but I'm down." Seth shrugs. "And I know Benji is, so..."
"Good."
"Are you playing?" Benji asks.
She shakes her head. "No. I'll stay over here with Renata."
"But it was your idea!"
"Coaches don't play." She wags a finger at them, crossing the room to take Renata's shoulders under her hand to steer her closer to the wall. They sit feet away from the guys as they make their ceremonial box: Seth, spirit box, Benji, board. "Just make sure to close out the session properly when you're done, yes?"
YOU ARE READING
You Did Good
القصة القصيرةSeven years ago, two teenage girls were mistakenly kidnapped by a gang of thugs. They were taken to a remote location where, unfortunately, they met their untimely demise. Years later, and only the bravest of the stupid dare to spend the night in t...
