Chapter 1 – Only Your Imagination
Lilly didn't really think anything was going to work. But she still was curious. And the woman at the yard sale told her it would work. All she had to do was concentrate really hard and really put her heart into it. Laying the box on her bed she stepped back and took a brief look at it. Debating whether she was being foolish.
"But what harm can it do?" She thought still looking at the box mentally going over the words written across. 'Ouija Board' it read in an old style of lettering. Stepping closer to the bed she opened the box and pulled the board out.
It was an older style board, heavy enough to be made of actual wood. Not the old cardboard flap style you buy at the toy store. But the woman did say it was special. However for five dollars she couldn't pass up the deal.
She then removed a small piece of paper and the lens like device used in choosing the letters. Placing the lens on the board she reviewed the paper. It seemed to be hand written. 'Odd for something that is mass produced' Lilly thought as she read the paper.
Dear User: There are only three things to remember when using this magical board. One: Always state specifically whom you wish to contact. Two: Ask specific questions and do not pry if you do not receive and answer. And Three: Always beware of the consequences of summoning the spirits. Some are good and others have an agenda of their own.
The letter was signed at the bottom but the signature was almost intelligible. Written as if to be more of a signature than to let someone know who signed it. Lilly however just set the instructions back in the box and turned back towards the board.
'Who should I contact?' she thought crossing her legs and positioning the board comfortably in front of her.
"Beloved spirits I wish to contact someone just like me. Someone who needs someone to talk to also. Come forth and let us be friends." She stated aloud to no one in particular.
Gently placing her hand on the lens she waited for something to happen. And after a few moments she began to frown slightly. 'Perhaps I should ask a question first.'
"Is anyone there?" she asked. That was a pretty specific question if anything was going to happen it would have to be now. Seconds went by. Then almost a minute. But nothing, nothing at all was happening.
When the knock sounded on her door she was almost startled. It was her mother coming to let her know dinner was ready. "Ok mom I'll be down in a minute." She called back through the door. She would have opened it but she didn't want anyone to know she was playing with such a toy.
Taking one last glance at the board she went downstairs to eat. It was pizza, delivery no less. Her mother never made homemade pizza. And after grabbing a few pieces and a drink she heads back towards her room.
Taking a seat at her computer desk she begins to eat a slice. Quickly realizing she forgot to pick off the olives. She loathed olives and couldn't believe her mother didn't warn her first. One by one she picked the olives off and tossed them onto her plate. Fourteen in total from the three pieces of pizza she had.
"Wow they really threw them on." She commented aloud and glanced back at the Ouija board.
It took her a moment to notice. But after a second she realized the lens was over the word 'Yes'. This is not where she had left it before, it had been in the middle of the board over no specific letter at all. 'Perhaps it slid over when I got up for dinner' she thought walking back to the board.
Pulling the lens downward slightly and placing it back in the middle she decided to ask the question again. "Is anyone there?" And this time she began to concentrate. Then the lens began to move. Her finger was barely touching it. But the lens was moving.
Lilly jumped back almost falling over the chair behind her. "What the hell?" she asked aloud as she went back towards the board. The lens had stopped moving. But she knew she hadn't been moving it. Or had she?
Touching the lens once again, too gentle to move it herself, the lens began moving again. Slowly, very slowly, towards the word 'Yes'.
What is happening? This can't be real. I know this isn't real. It's just a toy. All these thoughts and more ran through Lilly's head as she stepped back from the board again. She knew what she was seeing wasn't her imagination. But how else could she explain it?
Kneeling over the board once again she asked her next question. "What is your name?" And once again the lens slowly moved towards the letters, hovering above each for a few seconds. 'E – R – I' but then she quickly stops as her door comes open.
She quickly pushes the board aside out of view as her mother barges in without even knocking. "What was that?" her mother asks.
"Oh nothing just a little board game I'm trying to figure out."
"Well we need your help downstairs for a few minutes when you have a chance."
"Oh ok I'll be down in just a minute." She responds as her mother exits and closes the door.
Taking one last look at the board as she puts it back in the box she can't believe what happened. And for a moment she thinks it could have all been in her head. She then tosses it into her closet and heads downstairs. But deep down she still had an eerie feeling about the board. Something just wasn't right.
The next day before school Lilly waits on a bench for Miley and Oliver to show up. She wasn't going to mention anything to them about the night before. Because they would surely think she was crazy. 'It was all your imagination' she thought as she reached into her backpack for a notebook.
Opening the notebook she began going over the history notes she had taken the day before. She was sure there would be a pop quiz today. And she couldn't afford another D on a quiz.
"What are you studying?" A voice came from next to her.
"Oh just a little bit of history." She responds looking up to see from whom the voice came.
It was a shorter girl, about her height maybe a little shorter. With blonde hair and pink glasses. She did look rather pale though, must have piled on the makeup. Taking a seat next to Lilly she put her purse in her lap. "So what is your name?" the girl asked with a curious tone.
"My name's Lilly. It's nice to meet you." Lilly responds with a smile. She had never seen the girl before, but she seemed rather nice. "And you are?"
"Oh I'm Erin."
"Are you new here?"
"Not really. I've been around for a while now. But it seems like no one sees me anymore."
"I know that feeling. Everyone ignores me to it seems. But I guess its better to be ignored than bullied."
"It's true." Erin replies smiling back at Lilly.
Lilly then accidentally knocks her notebook on the ground. Bending over to pick it up she asks "So what grade are you in?"
"Huh?" Came another voice, different from Erin's. Looking back up Lilly notices that it was Miley standing in front of her. "You know I'm in 9th grade silly Lilly."
Lilly responded with a confused look. "No I wasn't talking to you I was talking to Erin. "Right Erin?" She asks looking to her left. But there was no one there. Scanning the room Lilly couldn't make out anyone who even closely resembled her.
"Are you ok Lilly?" Miley asks worriedly.
"Yea but umm… Didn't you see her? I mean I was talking to her right before you came over."
"I didn't see anyone you were sitting by yourself going over you notes. I heard you saying something. But I just figured you were studying."
"Oh uhh yea. I was studying." Lilly responds as Miley takes a seat next to her.
"Ouch!" Miley yells as a sharp object pokes her in the rear. "What in the world?" She asks standing up to see what she had sat on. Under her was a small ring. With two gems set into it. One purple the other light green. She then hands the ring to Lilly. "Why would you set your ring down there Lilly? Trying to kill me?"
Lilly let out a nervous laugh. "No silly" she says pushing Miley on the shoulder slightly. "I had set it down for a moment to get my books out."
"Ok… Why not just wear it on your finger?"
"I have to get it resized, just got it yesterday from my mom." Lilly continues to go along with the lie. She wasn't about to try to explain where she really thought it came from.
"Awesome! What was the occasion?"
"She said it was hers when she was our age and wanted me to have it. Not sure she has been acting a little weird lately. I think she's going through that mid-life crisis thing or something." Lilly didn't feel too bad about lying then. Her mom had been acting strange lately. And was possibly going through a mid-life crisis. But she sure wasn't giving her gifts because of it. That part was a lie.
"Well class is about to start. You ready to head out?"
"Sure let's go."
Lilly still wondered how Erin had disappeared from the area. And the ring, where did the ring come from? She placed the ring in her pocket and followed Miley to class. Perhaps she would see the girl around school again, and if it was her ring return it to her.
A/N: This concludes chapter 1. Was it all in Lilly's head? What else awaits her in the days to come? Find out next chapter.
I have an interesting plot line worked out. So I hope everyone enjoys the story. Please let me know what you liked or disliked. Chapter 2 coming soon. Enjoy!