Элизабет Чандлер - Evercrossed

ʺAha!ʺ She held up a package of six dark red tea lights that smelled like cranberry. “We should use white candles,” Beth advised.

“White attracts good spirits. I’ll get some from the inn.ʺ ʺNo, these will do,ʺ

Kelsey said stubbornly. Dhanya set the board and planchette on the table. ʺSit down,ʺ Kelsey commanded, while she arranged the candles in a circle around the board. Ivy gazed across the table at Beth and smiled, hoping to ease the tension she saw in her friendʹs rigid shoulders. Beth shook her head, then frowned at the board between them.

The three rows of the alphabet, the row of numbers, and at the bottom, the words GOOD BYE were turned so that Dhanya could most easily read them.

The word YES was blazoned on the corner close to Ivy, NO on the comer by Beth. ʺTry not to set yourselves on fire, girls,ʺ Kelsey said, closing the cottageʹs back door to cut the draft. She lit the votives, then extinguished the lights in the living room and kitchen, and sat down across from Dhanya. ʺSo who are we calling back?ʺ she asked. ʺWho died recently — someone famous, someone wicked — any good ideas?ʺ

ʺHow about that girl from Providence who was murdered a few months back?ʺ

Dhanya suggested.

Which girl?ʺ Kelsey asked. ʺYou remember — the one strangled by her old boyfriend. Caitlin? Karen?ʺ

ʺCorinne, I think.ʺ Kelsey nodded her approval of the suggestion. ʺLove, jealousy, and murder— you canʹt beat that.ʺ ʺYou should know the person you are contacting,ʺ Beth advised. ʺYou should be certain of the name and, most important, be sure that your contact is a benevolent spirit.ʺ

Kelsey rolled her eyes. ʺEveryoneʹs an expert.ʺ Beth pressed on: ʺWith a Ouija board, youʹre doing more than just chatting with a spirit; youʹre opening a portal for that spirit to enter our world.ʺ

Dhanya flicked away the idea with a toss of her hand. ʺIn my experience, you are more successful when you open communication with whatever spirit is available and willing. Please join hands,ʺ she instructed, ʺleft on top of right.ʺ

Beth reluctantly followed instructions, then Dhanya rolled back her head and chanted, ʺWandering spirit, grace us with your presence. You have seen what we cannot see, have heard what we cannot hear. We humbly ask of you—ʺ

ʺThis sounds like church,ʺ Kelsey interrupted. ʺWeʹre going to end up with the Virgin Mary.ʺ ʺActually,ʺ Beth said, ʺbefore starting, we should all say a prayer for our protection.ʺ ʺA prayer to who, Beth?ʺ Kelsey replied. ʺThat angel statue between your and Ivyʹs bed?ʺ

ʺI donʹt pray to statues,ʺ Beth responded sharply, then added in a gentler voice, ʺto whichever angel or guardian you want.ʺ

ʺIf s not necessary,ʺ Dhanya insisted. ʺWeʹre sitting in a circle — that will protect us.ʺ Beth pursed her lips and shook her head. When she closed her eyes as if praying, Ivy silently said her own prayer. Ivy told herself that Kelsey7 s obvious disbelief would prohibit anything beyond the five senses from occurring, but she was starting to have misgivings.

ʺPlace your middle and index fingers on the planchette,ʺ Dhanya told them.

ʺSpirit, we are inviting you to join us tonight. We have many questions for you and welcome your insights. Please let us know you are present.ʺ To the others she said, ʺWe will wait quietly.ʺ They waited. And waited. Ivy could hear Kelsey tapping her foot under the table.

ʺAll right,ʺ Dhanya said. ʺWe will move the planchette in a slow circle around the board. That helps the spirit gather the energy needed to communicate.ʺ They moved the triangular piece in a clockwise motion, skirting the alphabet and numbers. ʺNot too fast, Kelsey,ʺ Dhanya said. Around and around they went, with circles as smooth and steady as the foghornʹs moan. Suddenly the planchette stopped. It felt as if it had caught on something. Ivy glanced up at the same time as Beth, Dhanya, and Kelsey did. Their eyes met above the board.

ʺNo pushing,ʺ Dhanya advised softly. ʺLet the spirit take over. Let the spirit guide.ʺ The planchette started to move again. It felt strong, as if it were pulling Ivyʹs fingers with it. Ivy studied Kelseyʹs and Dhanyaʹs hands, searching for a flexed tendon, or tensed finger — some tiny sign that one of them was moving the planchette. It was making a circle again; it was circling backward, she realized.

Ivyʹs eyes rose to the faces around her. Kelseyʹs hazel eyes sparkled, more with surprise than mischief, it seemed. Dhanyaʹs eyes were lowered; she was biting her lip. In the flickering candlelight, Beth looked pale.

The planchette made another counterclockwise circle. And another. Ivy counted the circles — six. ʺWe have to end this,ʺ Beth said, leaning forward.

The planchette moved faster. ʺEnd it,ʺ Beth said, her voice rising sharply.

Outside it was growing windy — Ivy could hear it in the chimney. ʺEnd it nowʺ

Beth shouted. ʺMove it to ʹGood Bye’!ʺ

Thunder rumbled.

ʺMove the planchette to ʹGood Byeʹ!ʺ But it felt as if some strong, inexorable will wouldnʹt allow them to. The planchette moved faster, still circling counterclockwise, as if the force would bore a hole through the board. Dhanyaʹs eyes grew wide with fear. Kelsey swore. The tips of Ivyʹs fingers, where she touched the planchette, felt like they were on fire.

ʺIf s making a portal. We have to—ʺ

Bethʹs words were interrupted by a clap of thunder and flash of light. The front door banged open and closed. Glass shattered.

Bethʹs mouth stretched open in a silent scream. Kelsey rose halfway to her feet, her hands still on the planchette. Dhanya pulled back, cringing in her chair. Ivy saw the three girls frozen in a second flash of blue light.

ʺAngels! Angels, protect us,ʺ she prayed, hoping the prayer was not too late.

KELSEY RUSHED FOR THE WALL SWITCH. THE moment after she flicked on the light, they were plunged into darkness again. Rain beat against the windows.

A downdraft through the fireplace brought in a burning smell.

Hand trembling, Dhanya tried to reignite the blown‐out tea lights. Kelsey grabbed the lighter from Dhanya and finished the candles. ʺAnybody home?ʺ a male voice called. Ivy breathed a sigh of relief. ʺWill, weʹre in here. Our powerʹs out. What happened?ʺ she asked as he entered the kitchen. ʺWhat was that crash?ʺ

ʺThe cat, I think. I was headed here when the storm broke. Just as I reached the cottage, the front door blew open. I rushed in, and Dusty came flying in with me.ʺ

The girls picked up the candles and carried them into the living room. The large orange cat cowered in the corner.

ʺYou big wuss!ʺ Kelsey said to Dusty. ʺLook at the mess you made.ʺ

A lamp, several dirty glasses, and a pile of seashells lay on the floor next to the sofaʹs end table. Kelsey lifted up the lamp and tried to straighten its shade. Will picked up the largest shards of the shattered glass.

“Iʹll get a broom,ʺ Beth said, speaking for the first time since she had shouted at them to end the séance.

“Careful,ʺ Ivy warned Will when he tried to pick up the smaller fragments.

He turned to look at her for a moment, his dark hair tousled by the storm, his brown eyes shining softly in the candlelight Dhanya sat on the sofa, her hands clenched in her lap. Ivy was tempted to put an arm around her but didnʹt know if she would welcome it ʺThe stormʹs already letting up,ʺ Ivy said reassuringly.

Dhanya nodded. Ivy fetched the cat and carried him back to the sofa. He was more than twenty pounds of feline, a Maine coon, with creamy tufts of fur tipping his ears. Ivy scratched Dustyʹs chin, then buried her fingertips in the lion-like ruff around his neck. Dhanya glanced at the cat, but didnʹt seem inclined to pet him.