The Séance

Chapter 7

"I don't know what you girls, thought you were doing on Halloween, but Nancy hasn't been herself since.  She won't leave her room, and there has been crying, moaning, growling, and wailing coming from it for the last three days!  It has been getting worse.  Now, go do something!!" Nancy's mother demanded.

"Yes ma'am," the girls chorus as the go to Nancy's room.  When they reach the room, they hear a cacophony of sound, but it all goes silent when they knock on the door.  "Cccome in," Nancy called in a wavering voice.  Her voice was very rough like she had been shouting, but very little of the noise in her room had sounded like her.

The three girls entered a scene like the aftermath of a tornado on a national news show.  Nancy looked like she had fought ten rounds in a prize fight, and shook with exhaustion.  "Thank you so much for coming!  This is the first I've truly felt like myself since that night!" she wept.  "Something came home with me. It started as a whisper in my mind, but you've seen some of what he can do now.  I don't know how much more I can bear."

"But we saw Him come out of you," insisted Janet.  "We got you back in the circle until He was gone!"

"He calls himself Rytys, and said that his master was the one who got kicked out.  He said that he snuck into the circle the moment before it had closed again.  He wants to bring the Master back, and he wants to bring more things with Him.  Rytys said he was going to use me to make it happen.  He said it was he who made me want to do the damn seance.  Please, please help me!" Nancy sobbed.

"Ok," said Anestasia.  "I didn't think we would really need protection, but I did research some spells - actually Steve insisted, but that's a story for another time."  "Steve..." the girls interrupted.  "I said another time!  Anyway,  I found three things that may keep things from getting worse, but have only been able to make one of them.  I was actually able to make six wreaths, because my mother helped. I was only planning to make four.  These wreaths are supposed to be a shield against all evil.  I'm not sure what they will do against spirits already here, but both of the other things may work better for that.  I'm missing three of the ingredients for the other two spells.  One of them I can harvest next to the highway.  The others are pretty expensive.  The mandrake root is $35 dollars, and the Mullein is sold by the pound at $23 dollars."

Janet looked at Rachel and nodded.  "We'll pay for them.  Nancy is our friend too, and we may need the protection as much as she does," Rachel said.  

"I'll chip in too!  Do you think the wreath would help at all now?" asked Nancy hopefully.

"It can't hurt.  Will you two stay with her while I get the wreath?  I will bring one now, to put on your door, then when the other things are ready I'll put another wreath on the front door," said Anestasia.  

"I don't know if I should go or stay," admitted Rachel.  "On the one hand, I don't want any of us to be alone until you have everything ready. On the other hand, while I can hold my own in a fight, I can't magic my way out of a paper bag.  I guess I'll stay here.  Do you need anything to be able to do that ice thingy again?"

"Nope, all that took was a gesture and intent.  You increased my power, but the fluorite I wear will help with that.  I will be right back.  If I can, I'll take the car so I get here faster," Anestasia promised.  With that, she headed home.

The journey home was anticlimactic.  There were no obvious spirits menacing her, it wasn't raining- yet.  The sky had gotten dark, but it didn't feel like rain.  There weren't even any mysterious lights or shadows.  There was one of the wreaths on the door that her mother must have put up, and Anestasia gave a little prayer of thanksgiving.   "Mom, I need to borrow the car to take three of the wreaths to Nancy's.  Janet and Rachel are there now, and I would like them all to be able to hang them today."

"Sure thing, sweetie!  Be home in two hours though.  We're having sushi for dinner!"

"That sounds great, mom!" Anestasia replied.  "I'll be here."

                                                          ************************************** 

The car made the trip much faster, and in less than ten minutes, the wreath was hanging on the inside of Nancy's room.  "I feel lighter already!" Nancy announced joyfully.

"This is not the final solution, but hopefully it will keep Rytys weaker, and out of your room," Anestasia told her.  "I also recommend prayer.  I know you are Catholic Nancy, so praying to God, or St. Michael, the Archangel, will work for you.  When they are done I will bring four bags for each of you to put in the four corners of your home, and an amulet that I will want you three to wear all the time.  I will also make you a cup of tea, Nancy, to chase anything remaining in you away."

"Thank you!" Nancy said fervently. 

"I'll go to my aunt's herb shop, and see if she has them- and if she'll give me a discount.  If I can get them today, do you think you can make everything up tomorrow after school?" Rachel asked.

"I didn't know your aunt sold herbs, Rache.  Yes I can.  I will get everything that I can prepared tonight, so all I have to do is add the missing ingredients tomorrow," Anestasia answered.  "Were you able to find the book, Janet?"

"Yes, at the rare bookstore just outside Sturbridge," Janet answered.  " You have so much to do!  Can I help with the research?" 

"I will help too," Rachel insisted.  "We should split the work.  Is there anything in particular we should be looking for?"

"I have some names to look for, but don't limit yourselves to just that.  The names are : Bangputys, Frederica Langstainer, Arlo and Braun Janni, and Antioch Maxwell.  Look particularly close at the late seventeenth century, but again, don't limit yourselves,"  Anestasia replied.  "I have to get home for supper, but I will be back tomorrow before bed- even if I have to sneak out."

"I'll tell my mother that Nancy needs me, and see if she will let me stay here for a few nights.  I can do research here as easily as anywhere else," said Rachel.

"My family is going out of town in the morning, so I won't have to ask permission.  I'll put my wreath up as soon as I get home," added Janet.

"Tell your mother that I am sorry we missed the cookies!" Anestasia requested.

"Goodnight!" they each said.