The Brokenhearted [Ongoing]

Chapter 20

Errol placed the box on the glass centre table and stepped back with a grin of excitement. He bounced his tiny frame on his tiptoes as he slipped his hands into the pockets of his jeans.

"Well? What do you guys think?"

Raul seemed curious while Micah's expression only spelt shock.

"Where the hell did you get an Ouija board from? Is that how you pronounce it?" Elijah reached out and pulled the box towards her.

"I got it from a toy shop!" Errol jumped up and clapped his hands in eagerness.

"Toy stores sell that? You've got to be kidding me!" Micah was still wide-eyed, "That's so scary, how can they offer that in a kid's store?"

"Babe chill, it's made by the same guys that make Monopoly," Raul placed his arm around Micah.

"So are you guys up for it?" Errol asked once again raised on his tiptoes.

I picked myself up off the plush maroon carpet and sat back on the beige sofa.

"You can count me out."

"Chad, what the hell? Dude, you've got to be shitting me!" barked Raul, "It's just flipping game. Even Micah's going to play."

"What do you mean by 'even' Micah? Anyway, I haven't decided if I am going to play!" Micah snapped.

"What?" Raul pulled away Micah, "See what you did, Chad?"

"C'mon guys, it's not big deal and I really want to play. How about you, Elijah?" Errol pleaded.

"Sure, I'll try anything once," I shrugged Elijah.

"There you go girl, put it there," Raul raised his hand into the air anticipating Elijah to slap it until Micah pulled him back to the floor.

"C'mon Chad, why are you being such a kill-joy?" Errol sat beside me and grabbed my hand "Please, just for me!"

"Trust me, I have a good reason for not playing," I leaned forward letting go of Errol's hand and reached for the bottle of merlot on the table.

"Well, we're listening," Elijah crossed her arms and stared at me through her bottle thick lenses.

I leaned back with the glass and asked, "You sure you guys want to hear this?"

"Damn right, I want to now why your being such a pussy!" Raul smiled.

Errol stood up and moved around to the other side of the coffee table, and sat opposite me. Elijah tied her curly brown hair back and rested her head against the large armrest of the sofa and Micah cuddled with Raul. They all sat on the carpeted floor and looked up at me, anxiously awaiting my reasoning.

"Alright fine. You asked for it, but before I begin I want you to remember one thing carefully. When I sleep, I always sleep on my stomach. Never do I sleep on my back, never! Keep that tidbit of information in mind."

I placed the wine glass on the side table and leaned forward. The vanilla scented candles in the room flickered and at that moment Micah turned towards Raul and held him tighter. Their eyes were focused on me as I brought my hands together and interlocked my fingers.

"When I was at University in Manila, I lived in a small one bedroom flat. Around 11pm one night, a couple of my friends, Alexis and Zayva, dropped by and Zayva had brought over an Ouija board, just like this one. I was always curious about the paranormal and when I was studying, we had even tried to make an Ouija board with a glass and a sheet of paper. Nothing ever came of it. Anyway, Zayva began to explain the rules to me. The most important was never to play with the Ouija board alone. Always ensure at least two person have their fingers on the counter at all times and never remove your finger before you've exited, the spirit you are contact with possesses the person whose finger is left on the counter. You may not leave the board until the spirit allows you to leave; hence you have to ask it's permission. As you leave, you have to repeat 'good-bye' and exit. If the spirit doesn't let you leave, you ask it until it does allow you. The other thing most people do is ask if the spirit is good or evil. Zayva also warned never to talk about God and especially not to ask when you're going to die "