A Game of Ouija

Dedicated to
Kenny Roland

This is my first ever shot at a proper story, so bear with me.

It. Is. A. Short. Story. I have no idea why fake commentators can’t see that. I'd appreciate harsh critiques/constructive criticism.

***

A Game of Ouija

"Ouija: We never know how dangerous it is until we find out for ourselves."

The air outside was cold, merciless. Dark clouds filled the sky, blocking the afternoon sun. Mist was in the air, and that was what agitated the two teenagers. That day was none other than the typical hazy day.

"Chummy day," Ariel said, grabbing a handful of Pringles chips from a container, her dark brown hair covered in sprinkles of salt from the chips as she unmannerly stuffed the sour cream crisps down her throat.

"Agreed," Melissa nodded her head, out-of-the-world. Her eyes were fixated on the TV, which aired Spongebob Squarepants - Laughing at how Patrick was demonstrating to Spongebob on how to do nothing at all, in which he simply goes numb with his tongue lolled out.

A funny sight it was.

Ariel clucked her tongue, agitated at being ignored of. She waved a hand in front of Melissa's face, sending a spray of crumbs flying in her direction.

Ariel glanced away from the window, which was only a scene of rain and boredom. "What d'ya say to a game of Ouija?" she suggested slyly, smiling at her best friend as the thought drilled into her mind.

Since they hadn't made proper conversation for an hour or two, the words had almost slipped Mel's mind. Thankfully, it didn't, and Mel looked at Ariel as if she were a mad woman. "No!"

Then Mel chuckled slightly, remembering that that was what her mother used to say whenever she wanted to do something she couldn't just agree with.

"Why?" Ariel asked in a whiny voice, pouting like a child who didn't get her cotton candy.

"Because you sprayed crumbs in my eye, and-" Melissa paused, thinking for a better enough excuse, only to fail miserably. "...It’s freaking scary!"

"Come on, Mel. It'll be so fun! Imagine us and the boys, sitting in a room with board as we communicate with spirits. What do you say?" the brunette begged, tugging at Melissa's hand like a five year old as she did what she did best -- putting on her puppy dog face.

"No." Melissa folded her arms and replied flatly.

"Please?"

"N-O. No." Melissa spelt out.

"Please?"

Ariel wouldn't stop, would she? Melissa thought, frustrated.

For a few seconds, Mel fought the urge to say yes, but Ariel was just too irresistible.

Reluctantly, the word she --at the time-- dreaded hearing --better yet saying-- were spoken. "Fine,"

Ariel squealed, clapping her hands as she did so. "You're the best, Melissa!" she called out in a sing-song voice as she skipped merrily toward the attic, where Melissa expected this 'unearthly board' to be stored in.

"Yeah, whatever - Now get that board and I'll call the guys." Melissa rolled her eyes, fishing for her iPhone from her beach bag.

By 'guys', she meant Rob and Derrick; by 'board', she meant the Ouija board.

Ooh, scary. Melissa waved her hands in the air, pulling on what was supposed to be a scared face, which, mind you, ended up being a ridiculous one.

***

19 March 2010

Two years ago...

The doorbell rang, indicating that a customer had come. The lady behind the counter looked up from behind the book she was reading, eyeing the young female at the door with beady eyes.

She smiled a twisted line before getting up from her torn, cushioned chair.

"Welcome to Claire's Witchcraft Store. What can I get you, my dear?" the woman asked, clamping her palms together, smiling sweetly. The only thing was that her few teeth that were left were very much yellowed and jagged.

Her white hair –which had only the slightest tinge of gray-- was tied in a messy bun and everything about her screamed strange, even though she looked no more than a sweet old lady.

But the curious teenager didn't take notice of the slightly-hunched woman's features. Instead, she was admiring the bits and bobs that lined up neatly on the racks and shelves. There were strange masks, some lava lamps and a few choker necklaces with strange pendants on them. Some unidentifiable liquid floated in thin vials - The slimy, illuminating green glowing. Marionettes and porcelain/cloth dolls sat on the top of the shelf rack to Ariel's right, where it could look down at you with either deep, unblinking --yet had an uncanny resemblance to a blonde's-- blue eyes or beady and black little ones.