In Dire Need of Cessation

Thirteen

I could nearly feel the intensity of the Ouija board from beside me, poking me in the side as I was captured in a traffic hold up. While driving I had been pondering over the game, especially the structure of it. Before today, I had thought that the humans subconsciously moved the planchette to receive the answer they desired- part of me still thought that- but now, if I was to play with my family, who could all be entirely stagnant, would there be an outcome at all? Or was the apparition forever retired?

A tedious five hours later, I returned home, while my eyes spotted the fresh white paint that covered the exterior of the house, which someone must have applied while I was in Seattle. It had been near enough a week since I administered the plaster, which made it the correct time to paint- resulting in a cordial change.

Howbeit, the paint succeeded little in reducing the atmosphere of loss that shrouded the territory like a blackened rain cloud, consequently causing me to grimace mournfully.

He's returned. I heard Esme's thoughts as I parked the car, seeing a computer screen displaying local flower nurseries through her mind. Of course, after finishing the project of the house, Esme would commit herself to the task of creating a garden; using her talents to make a place even I would love to escape to. Surely, with new and inviting colors that the flowers would supply, the house would become more inviting and uplifting. I hoped...as I longed for this hollowness I felt to diminish.

Grasping the bunch of flowers beside me, and cautiously picking up the box, I exited the car, inhaling the paint fumes that infested air.

•    •    •

"Do you believe this will work?" Emmett questioned as we both were lighting candles. It was nearly midnight, with the mouth of darkness outside, waiting to swallow us whole if we were to leave the confinements of the house; surprisingly, it was Jasper who suggested we used the Ouija board at bewitching hour, while the full Beaver moon watched as a witness above.

"I hope so, but we'll just have to see," I replied, blowing out the match and setting the candles around us. I thought it would be more effective if we were to perform this down in the basement, the heart of the spirit, giving us more of a chance.

I would do anything just to receive some indication the ghost had returned. Anything.

For once in my existence, Rosalie stood silently in the corner beside the fireplace, which I had been enthusiastic to light as well, fear and reluctance was on her mind- a change from her vexatious hostile thoughts- which happened to always be directed at me. I didn't look at her, not wanting to arouse suspicion.

"We sure have a lot of candles," Jasper said after whistling as he walked down the stairs with Alice and Esme trailing behind.

"Fifty-three," Emmett murmured. Maybe I didn't need to buy the additional candles, as being viable for over a hundred years resulted in a lot of unnecessary junk; but at least we were now utilizing them.

The aurulent glow of the candles surrounded the seven of us, soaking us in their warm color while shadows created discernable shapes of the furniture, dark voids in a room brimming with orange. From my previous speculations, I would have thought the flames would be flickering, creating fascinating movements around the room, yet, not one flame danced. They stood motionless, watching my every move with caution as if they knew what was forthcoming.

"It appears we have finished preparing," Alice said quietly, her hand clasped in Jasper's as the pair sat beside each other. Similar to visiting a book shop, it was a silent pact to stay quiet, as if the atmosphere, which I assumed to be impenetrable with suspense, prevented a raucous tone.

I remained reticent, watching my family as they appeared more marauding in the lack of light. Their skin was paler in contrast to the lurking darkness of shadows, the golden hues of their irises brighter in some cases due to simultaneous contrast, and our physique was sharp and defined. Dangerous, we looked.