The Séance

Chapter 11

"We have called the church," said Nancy's mom, Naomi, when she answered the door. "We didn't know what else to do. Come in. Nancy hasn't been herself since Halloween. She told me what you all were planning to do, and I didn't think anything of it. My friends and I played with Ouija boards all the time and nothing ever happened. She swears that you never called on the devil or any other demon," Naomi admitted, confusedly. "She says that you just asked to speak to whoever was there. She also admitts that she left the "circle" when you told her not to, Anestasia, so we don't think this is really all your fault. You didn't know what would happen did you?"

"No, ma'am. I knew that it could be dangerous if the circle was broken without proper precautions, so I told the girls not to leave. It did get pretty scary even before she left though. It wasn't the time or place I would have chosen to do either a seance, or a ritual, but done is done. I came to excorsise Nancy, and put up protections on the house...." explained Anestasia.

"No dears. You aren't even Christians are you?"

"I am," said Janet, "but all I know about excorsisms I learned from books or movies. If Anestasia says she can do this though, I know she can!"

"I admit," said Naomi, "that the wreath seemed to help for a while, and I still think it's helping some, but things are still worse now, and we will trust the church for now. Our priest did say that it could take a while for anything to happen, that there were tests given by both a priest, and a psychiatrist. It is pretty obvious that something is wrong, and that it's not all in our heads. You heard the voices in the room for yourselves yesterday. It is getting colder in that room, no matter how high we turn the heat, and there is an unpleasant smell that comes and goes. The wreath seems to keep her trapped in her room, but she won't remove it from the door, or allow us to remove it," Naomi sighed. "I've seen things move in her room too, like a heavy wind was blowing. Things slowly slide across a shelf or table, or fall unexpectedly, but never when you are actually looking at them."

"Can we see her?" begged Rachel.

"I don't know if she will talk to you. She hasn't talked much today, but Nancy said last night that you would be here today.... Ok, you can try- but no more magic!" exclaimed Naomi.

"Nancy, can we come in?" asked Janet. "Rachel and I brought Anestasia."

"Yes," said Nancy, just as a deeper, masculine voice said "Begone, interfering fools!"

Anestasia confidently opened the door and walked in. There was a smell like rotten eggs in the room, and while the rest of the house was about 80 degrees, Nancy's room was easily 60. Nancy was sitting calmly in her rocking chair, looking almost posed. The circles under her eyes were so dark that she looked like someone had hit her. She was pale too.

"You look awful," Janet said bluntly. "Are you ok, or at least better than before?"

"I am perfectly fine," Nancy's mouth assured them, but her eyes were clearly saying no as they darted from one end of the room to another and back again. "I'm sure that I will be back at school tomorrow. Thanks for stopping by." Something clearly wanted them to go, and as Naomi wouldn't let them do anything, they didn't stay long.

"Keep up your prayers, Nance. I know you are in there, and I know you can hear me. It can't make you do anything you don't want to," said Anestasia as she walked out of the room. Janet and Rachel tried to hug Nancy goodbye, but she sat still with her arms limp at her sides like a doll.

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"Why didn't you do anything?" Janet accused.