Dark clouds lingered as Brenna and Maggie stepped out of the car. Maggie walked toward the trees holding a picnic basket and a large carry bag, Brenna followed her with two boxes. “You're not going to lock your car?” Maggie said.
“I don’t think there’s much point, the gate is shut.”
“We didn’t shut it,” Maggie said, evading a prickle bush.
“Oh it shut, don’t worry.” Brenna had heard the sturdy gates slam shut as they drove along the dirt path.
“I guess that thing with no legs can’t drive anyway.”
Brenna smirked. “I wonder if it would look more or less menacing behind the wheel?”
Maggie made a mock thinking face. “Definitely more menacing.”
The sun seemed to disappear altogether as they walked past the tall trees and deeper into the woods. “Do you know where we’re going, Bren?”
“Well, last time I was here I was kind of guided to the cottage. Don’t worry, we’ll be fine.” Brenna tried not to let Maggie see she was scared and lost. A rabbit jumped out from behind a tree, making them both jump. Maggie placed a hand on her chest and exhaled loudly.
“There’s a weird atmosphere in here. I feel like I’m being watched,” she said with her eyes scanning the trees ahead of them.
“I know what you mean. Imagine being in here alone.”
“Oh, no thanks. I was thinking about putting a leash on you so we couldn’t get separated.”
“Not a bad idea. Let’s just stay close to each other, okay?” Brenna sidled a bit closer to Maggie.
“Deal.”
A breeze lifted Maggie’s hair into the air. She slapped a hand to the back of her neck.
Brenna stopped. “What’s wrong?”
“I felt somebody breathing on the back of my neck.” Maggie smoothed down her hair and shuddered.
“I told you its cold in here.” Brenna flicked a bug out of her hair.
“Yeah, I guess.” Maggie stole a quick look behind her and quickened her pace. Brenna jogged to keep up with her long strides.
“You’re in a hurry.”
“It keeps getting colder.”
“It doesn't get any warmer in the cottage, trust me.” Brenna took off her scarf and offered it to Maggie.
“Are you sure?”
“Go ahead, I’m toasty in my boots.” Brenna wrapped it around Maggie’s slender neck.
“Thanks, Bren.”
Brenna smiled as she fastened the top button of her coat.
Brenna held up a hand in front of Maggie and stopped. The tree with the pentagram engraved into it stood before them. “This way!” Brenna turned right, took Maggie’s hand and rushed in the direction of the cottage.
The small cottage was just as Brenna had left it, overgrown with green vines and surrounded with delicate flowers. Maggie’s eyes widened and her mouth dropped open.
Brenna unlocked the cottage with the huge rusty key.
“Amazing…” Maggie walked around the room, gently touching everything in her path. A giant smile took over her face, as she took in the room. She mumbled words under her breath that Brenna couldn’t hear. “This place is beautiful.”
“Keep away from the fireplace,” Brenna warned, remembering the protective crow.
“Why?” Maggie’s head shot in the direction of the old fireplace. “Wow, look at that cauldron.”
“Isn’t it great? I was thinking we’d have to try it out one day.”
“Definitely,” Maggie said while digging around in her massive carry bag.
“What ya looking for?” Brenna asked, trying to peek inside the bag. Maggie pulled out a long flat shiny piece of wood with numbers and words painted in bold black letters. The ornate spirit board was painted black and gold with suns, moons, and stars painted in the background.
Maggie fished around in her bag and came out with a star-shaped planchette that matched the board and sat crossed-legged on the floor, motioning for Brenna to join her. Brenna sat across from her making sure her knees touched Maggie’s to ensure a powerful connection. The spirit board sat snugly on top of their joined knees.
Maggie reached out for the box she had packed for Brenna, taking out a candle, lighter and a bag of sea salt. The candle came to life as Maggie lit the wick with the lighter, creating a flickering light in the dim room. Maggie had learned the hard way it was essential to have salt present during a Spirit session. “Bren, do you remember the first time we did this?”
“Yeah, we didn’t know anything about it and your favorite vase got broken.” After attending a class on magical items, they learned if you threw salt on an active spirit board the spirit would leave immediately. Usually.
Maggie’s candlelit face stared at Brenna. They both placed their hands on the planchette and waited. Suddenly the room became dark as the candle was extinguished.
“Maggie…” Brenna whispered as the planchette started to circle the board furiously.
“Do we know you?” Maggie asked in a loud voice.
The planchette moved in frantic circles with Brenna and Maggie struggling to keep up with it. Finally, the longest point on the star-shaped planchette stopped at the word ‘Yes.’ Brenna’s eyes lifted off of the board and peered at Maggie. Brenna inhaled deeply and stretched her long sweaty fingers then placed them back next to Maggie’s, unable to hide their shaking.
“Are you friendly?” Brenna dared to ask.
A strong wind blew in the room through the open door, soiling the air with dust. Brenna and Maggie coughed as they struggled to keep their knees together and their fingers on the planchette. The star swiveled around the board as it made its way to a corner of the board and stopped. When the dust settled, they could see through the murky air the word ‘no’ had been chosen. Brenna gulped, so did Maggie.
Maggie asked another question. “What do you want?” Her voice was lower and had lost its jovial quality.
The planchette moved out into the middle of the board and landed on letters making up words that Maggie read out as they appeared. “I want…” Maggie followed the star with her eyes, “you to leave…” She looked up at Brenna and shrugged her shaking shoulders.
“And if we don’t?” Brenna’s voice was calm and steady. They watched in anticipation as the star moved to six jarring letters.
“You die…” Maggie automatically read out the threatening words, her voice tense. Just when Brenna was ready to remove her hands from the board the dead candle ignited, lighting up the room with tranquil orange light. Bright white light emerged from the candle, overpowering the dark mist. The white light pushed the dark from the room, leaving a faint smell of cinnamon. The planchette continued to move furiously pointing to the bold black letters. Maggie and Brenna read out the words together. “Go to the book. It will reveal all.”
The girls exchanged surprised glances as they both took their hands away from the planchette.
“What book?” Maggie asked.
“I know what book.” Brenna jumped up, leaving Maggie holding the spirit board.
Brenna took the book out of the box.
“Wow, where did that come from?”
“My grandmother left it to me. I think the pages are stuck together or something. I couldn’t get it open.” The book suddenly flew out of her hands and floated in the air as if somebody was holding it. A gust of air came out of nowhere. Dust choked the air. Leaves spiraled around the room. Chanting started up, quiet at first, getting louder as it danced in their ears. They stood watching, their mouths wide, as the book opened and started flicking rapidly through its pages. The wind became stronger and the chanting even louder. The pages stopped turning. The gust of wind settled as did the chanting as the open book gently floated onto the floor like a feather landing.