The Midnight Man

 

 

Chapter 1: The Summoning (Sal's POV)

           

            “Can we start already?” Gabi mumbled. I turned around and shushed her. She squinted her eyes at me and placed her fingers on her temples in an attempt to blow up my head. It was a joking thing we started doing when we discovered Big Bang Theory. I rolled my eyes and turned back to the computer screen. It was imperative that we followed these directions by key. It said right at the top: Consequences Fatal. I turned back to her.

            “When are Amber, Brando, and Laura getting here?”

            “Brandon said he’d show around 11:30 when his parents are asleep. Amber and Laura said they were on their way 10 minutes ago.” Almost in correspondence with her statement, the doorbell rang. We ran out of my room and down the stairs. I opened the door to see our two friends, Amber Davidson and Laura Pinckney. Laura was clearly exhausted from the walk. It didn’t usually bother her, but that summer night was particularly humid, and Laura refused to wear anything but jeans. Her dirty blonde hair was down, and combined with her anime t-shirt, she had this relaxed look about her. Amber looked more ready for the weather. She wore shorts and one of her favorite Beatles t-shirts. Her curly, black hair was tied back. The darkness of night made her fair skin look ghostly.

            “Come in. We’re just going over the instructions.” I explained. Gabi grumbled.

            “No. You’re going over the instructions.” Gabi pointed out. “I already did my research.” Amber chimed in with her characteristically quiet voice.

            “I don’t think a little extra research would hurt, Gabi.”

            “Are we even sure this will work?” Laura asked in her skeptical tone.

            “No. That’s the fun part.” Gabi said with an excited smile.

            “Oh. I thought it was the risk of death that got you excited about it.” I said.

            “That too.” We laughed and went up to my room. “Do we have all the stuff?” I pulled the four jars of salt out from under my bed. Laura got the four white candles out of her pocket.

            “Good, we’re all set.” I said.

            “I hope this isn’t too dangerous.” Amber said as if she’d been working up the nerve. We all turned to her. She looked as if we were staring daggers into her. “I mean, it even has a warning label.”

            “It’s on the internet, Amber.” I countered. “What are the odds it’s that dangerous?”

            “I doubt it will even work.” Laura said once again.

            “It will.” Gabi said.

            “All I’m saying is, I’ve never heard of someone who summoned the Midnight Man.”

            “That’s because we didn’t know who the Midnight Man was.” I pointed out.

            “It just sounds so fake.” She stated. “Midnight Man.” She said it in a sarcastically spooky voice. I did have to yield to her logic as always, but the mystery of it all kept me with one foot in.

            “It even says it’s a game.” Gabi pointed out.

            “No it says it’s a challenge.” Amber corrected.