Lights Out

You're Not Alone in the Graveyard

They tell you not to take anything from the cemetery. People come from all over to leave offerings, but some also come to perform rituals behind the headstones and you never know what is what. A little doll could be an offering to a child taken too young, or it could be the talisman of someone cursed. It was too easy to pick up something that could hurt or kill you and signs were posted all over the cemetery fences and mausoleums. Don't touch anything.

I thought my friend knew that, too, when they invited me and some others for a party. It was almost Halloween and by Christmas we would all be living in different states and living different lives. It was a last hoorah that truly became our last. Justin told me he would have alcohol but asked if Owen and I could bring food since we're both aspiring chefs and siblings. Lana said she would bring cups and plates and a garbage can so we aren't ruining a beautiful resting place. She was always the sentimental one.

The moon was full that night and it cast a bright enough glow to see each other without needing candles or flashlights but we brought a few just in case. Lana brought extra blankets and soon enough, it became a real party. We had to wait for the caretaker to leave before we could sneak in, but other than that it turned into a great night. I'd never seen Lana laugh so hard. Or drink as much beer, for that matter.

"So, Crissy. What's it like going to California for the most prestigious culinary school? Will we be able to say we knew you before you were famous?" Justin laughed but there was a hardness in his eyes that I didn't understand.

"It's not that big. The pros all study abroad but I can't afford that. Maybe someday, but I'll be lucky to snag a line cook job at first."

"Well. It's better than what most of us can afford." Justin downed the last of his beer, reaching for and opening another before he swallowed. He had never acted like this before, hell he even threw a party for Owen and I when we got accepted. His animosity didn't make sense now.

Owen and Lana were quiet, Lana twirling the bottle cap in her hand and Owen digging his finger into the loose earth. Justin was primed for battle. "I just don't understand why it's such a big deal. You threw us the party, Justin, or did you forget?"

"Yeah, I threw the party before I got my rejection letter. Both of them. I'm not going anywhere; I'm stuck right where I've always been while the three of you live it up at college." Justin finished that beer, but before he could reach for another Lana pulled the cooler away from him. His face turned redder, his nostrils flaring like a mad bull.

"I think you've had enough, Justin. And while you're at it, tell them the truth."

I stared at Lana, Owen stilling beside me. He spoke up for the first time. "What does she mean, Justin?"

He stayed quiet while Lana crossed her arms, staring daggers into the side of his face. "They didn't reject him for nothing. A football scout promised him a scholarship but then he badmouthed a representative when he was talking to the colleges. They all pulled their offers once they heard. Don't be fooled, he isn't the victim here."

"It wasn't my fault, Lana. They started it; they kept telling me I had to get my grades up, how could a star athlete have such pitiful grades? They deserved what I did."

My mouth dropped open. "They tell you your grades are low because they want you to build them up before college. It helps you choose your classes and maybe even finish pre-reqs before starting."

Justin opened his mouth, no doubt for a biting retort, when Owen stood up suddenly. He pointed off into the distance and loudly exclaimed, "Someone's in here! Someone just ran past that monument."

I looked in the direction he mentioned but I couldn't see anybody. But before any of us could question him, Owen shot off deeper into the graveyard. He didn't take a light with him so I followed and shined the light in his path. It was hard keeping up with him after drinking so much but I managed.

Owen stopped by a bald spot in the grass, his body shaking from his heavy breathing and his wild eyes staring at the monument. "No...I just saw someone. They were right here...watching us."

I grab my knees, panting and eye level with a little broken mirror. It's still intact with the frame but the glass is so shattered it looks like a spiderweb. My first instinct was to throw it, throw it far into the trees and get it away from us. But I remembered the signs and kept my hands planted on my legs.

Justin and Lana caught up to us, Lana's braids unraveling and sweaty. "Owen? What's going on? What's the rush?"

He didn't get to respond before Justin spied the mirror. I reached for his arm to stop him but he grabbed it quick, holding it above his head and out of my reach. "Justin, put that down! You're not supposed to touch anything, it could be dangerous."

Lana took my hand, her eyes wide and scared. "Justin what if it's cursed? Listen to Crissy, put it down now. Let's go home; I want to go home."

"Don't be such babies. It's just a mirror, it can't hurt you. Look, it's broken. Someone probably dropped it when they were visiting a grave." Justin turned the mirror around, the moonlight reflecting on his face from the sheer surface.

I wish I could forget this next part. I wish Justin never picked up that mirror, that he hadn't been a drunk idiot. Because when Justin turned that mirror to look into it...his face changed. His skin greyed and mouth sagged. His once beautiful sapphire eyes turned milky white and dead, like a shark before killing its prey. It was haunting and mesmerizing, but then he turned to Lana. She screamed when she saw him until Justin took a piece of the broken glass and slashed her throat.

Hot blood sprayed onto my face, some landing in my gaped mouth, and it even hit Owen beside me. He lunged for Justin while I held Lana as she slowly sank to the ground. She tried to talk but there was so much blood. I stroked her hair and sobbed, gently laying her cold head onto the grass. Owen was wrestling with Justin trying to get the mirror away from him.

"Owen, please! We have to get out of here." I tried to pull Owen away, but my twin was too strong. He got Justin down to the ground, but Justin went too easily. He smiled at me while he plunged the same glass used on Lana into Owen's belly. It all happened so fast and I felt the pit in my stomach as prevalent as ever.

I screamed and ran. Maybe I shouldn't have, but I did anyway. If I hadn't, Justin would have had me next. But I stopped and turned back to the others, not willing to leave their bodies. Justin stood between them, his head cocked as he slit his own throat. He smiled the whole time.

I got help for Lana and Owen and received a slap on the wrist for a party on private property. It didn't matter though, they may as well not have given me any punishment. Watching my best friends and twin brother die in such weird circumstances was punishment enough. I would never see them again. But I learned a valuable lesson and I had hoped to spread that lesson so innocent people wouldn't lose their loved ones like I did.

Don't touch anything in a cemetery. I beg you.