The Flames

Chapter Eight

I was, understandably, pretty shaken. My head felt like it was full of cotton. I went to bed early.

When I went to get out of bed the next morning, I stepped on something hard and wooden. "Shit!" I cursed. In my fuzzy state of mind, I had forgotten to put it back under the bed the night before.

I rushed to pick it all up, before sensing a presence behind me. I looked up cautiously. Uncle Rich was staring back.

"Hey, Uncle Rich!" I said guiltily drawing out the words.

"Cole Eugene Carter, Mrs. Childs warned against buying a spirit board, and you did it anyway," he paused, and a look of horror flashed across his features. He continued slowly, "You boys didn't use it, did you?"

I nodded weakly. He put his hand to his forehead and pushed his already receding hair back. He sighed. "That thing you saw in the bathroom, is it possible that you summoned it with the Ouija board?"

Another little nod from me prompted the response, "We'd better tell Mrs. Childs about this."

"I know," I said dejectedly.

*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*

Two hours later, we were sitting in a diner booth waiting for Mrs. Childs again.

She showed up late, as expected, but this time she had a young boy with her. As they walked up to the table, the boy immediately grabbed my hand, held it for a few seconds, then nodded at Mrs. Childs. She started talking, "This is my grandson, Jayse. He doesn't talk much, but I think he will be helpful."

I looked at Jayse, wondering how a silent eight-or-nine-year-old could help us with a possible demonic entity.

Jayse turned to face me. He had brunette hair that was almost black and eyes so dark I couldn't tell what color they were. He held out his hand and said, robotically, "I'm Jayse, nice to meet you." He spoke with a slight lisp.

I shook his small hand, and it was freezing. I looked at him, confused (it is summer). He just stared at me with no sign of any emotion.

"He's all yours," we heard a voice say, and glance up to see Mrs. Childs walking out the door. I got up to chase after her but Jayse held me back. I know, that doesn't sound reasonable. This noodle-armed kid was amazingly strong. I watched as Gloria Childs got in her car and drove away.

I stared out the window, dumbstruck. Luke spoke, "What the hell? Are we her babysitters? Totally unfair." I still said nothing and neither did Jayse, who stood, still emotionless, watching his grandma drive away, leaving him in the care of total strangers.

"So, uh... What's up Jayse?" I tried to sound cheerful. He didn't even look at me. He was still staring out the window. "Hey buddy, you okay?"

"Is he okay?" Luke looked angry. "We're the ones who just got forced into babysitting! And speaking of which, his grandmother just abandoned him with a couple a strangers! Of course he's not okay, and neither am I!"