Old Soul, Young Heart
Chapter Ten, If At First You Don't Succeed,.
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He's running as if he's The Flash, heavily panting and refusing to look back. Josh keeps his hand tightly clenched with the blonde's, dragging her behind him as they race for the safety of the lake house. His heart is nervously pulsating, ready to burst out of his chest from all the fear coursing through his veins. He knew playing with a Ouija board was a stupid and careless idea, and now there's likely a ghost haunting them because they foolishly decided to disturb it.
Josh runs up the steps leading to the front door, shoving Maya inside first before finally looking back. His eyes desperately try to seek Eden within the darkness and for a while, he doesn't see her. Anxious to close the door, Josh quickly grows weary of waiting. He steps into the threshold, preparing to slam and lock the door until suddenly it comes barreling back into his face. Josh immediately stumbles backwards, and gently cradling his nose as it's now bruised and bleeding. He can sense when Maya comes running to his aid, while Eden's silhouette materializes in the doorway. She had accidentally hit Josh when she forced the door back open, hopeless to get inside.
Eden hurriedly locks the door prior to closing all of the blinds. She's breathing just as heavy as Josh was, her bag hanging limp from her shoulder and back against the door as she holds the Ouija board close to her chest. Eden wasn't going to risk leaving it behind, regardless of the strange circumstances. Needless to say, she notices Josh on the ground, blood oozing from his nostrils, and looks at him both sympathetically and disgustedly. She's standing in a puddle of water, soaking wet from the rainstorm that seemed to arrive so unexpectedly. Her rainbow curls are drenched, and sticking to the sides of her face. Eden's more than convinced that the storm happened because of a spirit, stuck with Josh and Maya until it blows over.
Josh moves his hand away from his face, staring at his palm as it remains covered in blood. He then looks up, glaring at Eden spitefully. "I can't believe you let this happen,"
"You're the one, who took their fingers off the board!" Eden yells, satisfied to be placing all of the blame onto someone else. She didn't even necessarily want either of them to play but of course, they insisted. Albeit, the least they could do is execute the game correctly. "It's bad enough we didn't contact Claudia, but then you had to go and piss Harry off too!" Her accusation is most alarming, Josh perplexed as to how she could possibly see this as his fault.
He stands back up and marching toward Eden, ready to give her a mouthful. However, not given the chance when he can feel something tugging onto him. His anger temporarily subsides long enough to glance over his shoulder. Josh's heart skips a beat from the sight of Maya gently pulling on the hem of his shirt. She isn't giving him eye contact, but instead, closely watching the floor that's currently covered in mud and water. Maya's been acting odd ever since they were outside, Josh more concerned for her now than he had been when she mysteriously went to the lake alone in the middle of the night. "You both are to blame." The tone of her voice is dark and fiendish, truthfully frightening both Josh and Eden as they stare at her cautiously. "You both are to blame, and you both are the problem."
Maya wasn't making any sense at this point, Josh uncertain if it's even her saying these words or not. After everything that's happened, he wouldn't put pass the idea of her possibly being possessed. He briefly looks back at Eden before gazing again at his girlfriend. "Maya—"
"You both took your hands off the board, and you both wouldn't stop arguing." Maya declares, and neither one of them protest. Eden might not have realized it at the time, but thinking back to it, she does remember removing her hand from the planchette once during the middle of their fight. She obviously knows better, but none of that matters now. "You took your hand off the board, you were arguing, and we didn't properly say goodbye. All of this is happening because of you two," And just as the words leave Maya's mouth, a clash of thunder and a strike of lightning violently resonates from the outside.
Everyone jumps and screams except for Maya, who's standing completely still and calm. She wasn't possessed, but merely displeased by her friends' actions. Now they have to pay the price. She looks at Josh intently, watching as the blood continues to drip from his nose. Maya walks a little closer until she's standing directly in front of him, and Josh is unable to break their intense gaze; his heart rapidly pounding the longer she proceeds to stare at him. "It should've stopped."
"What?"
"Your nose," Maya quietly says. "it should've stopped bleeding by now." Josh's hand trembles as he moves it toward his face, gently touching the area right under his nose where the blood is. He looks at his fingers, the blood seeming darker in color every time he looks at it. Josh then swallows, realizing that Eden has still yet to apologize for slamming the door in his face in the first place.
Elsewhere, Maya calmly grabs his hand, and intertwining their fingers together. Josh is breathless, staring down at their conjoined palms before looking back at the blonde. "Let's get you cleaned up," Maya declares, and Josh simply nods his head with his lips parted. He allows her to guide them out of the room, and into the bathroom, leaving Eden behind, who eventually goes to sit on the couch.
Maya turns on the bathroom light, stepping aside to let Josh walk in first. He goes to sit on the closed toilet seat, trepid as his eyes follow Maya's every movement. She first opens the medicine cabinet, extracting the first aid kit. "Pinch your nose, and slightly tilt your head back." Maya advises with her back still facing him, and Josh doesn't question her.
He does as he's instructed, continuing to breathe through his mouth. He feels ashamed that he let Eden anger him so much, yet grateful that despite his hot-temper, Maya's still next to him with more love for him than she had the previous day.
She gently wipes his face clean of the blood prior to applying some nasal spray and gel. Josh then continues to pinch his nose for at least ten minutes, anxious as him and Maya quietly sit in the bathroom together. He calmly watches as she sits on top of the counter, casually kicking her legs, while gazing at the wall across from her. She hasn't said much regarding the incident from earlier and whenever she did, Josh's stomach would instantly churn. He can't get over the thought of Maya being upset with him, especially over something as dumb as a Ouija board. And when Maya hops down from the counter, his heart momentarily stops as she softly reaches to touch his wrist, pulling his hand away from his face. "I think that's enough. You should be fine now," she states, and Josh quickly tries to feel for more blood.
He stares at his fingertips, relieved when no blood appears. "Thanks, Maya."
Maya simply smiles at him, her grin weak and fragile before turning around to exit the bathroom. However, merely grazing the doorknob when Josh suddenly grabs her arm, pulling her back to sit on his lap. Her crystal eyes seem to shimmer while her plump, pink lips remain agape. Her breathing is steady as she looks back and forth between her boyfriend's eyes and his mouth. It feels like so long since they've last kissed when really, it's only been about an hour. Maya purses her lips and swallows, her arms limp around Josh's neck, while his rest firmly on her waist. "Are you mad at me?" he questions, and it takes Maya a minute to deny it.
She starts to shake her head, and a smile slowly curls onto Josh's lips. Maya then briefly diverts her gaze, and immediately Josh can sense something's wrong. He softly grabs her chin and turning her head, so their eyes meet. Maya's skin looks flushed, and her heartbeat is erratic. How does one possibly tell their boyfriend that they actually believe the crazy girl, and her notion of the lake truly being haunted without sounding insane? Maya already knows Josh's feelings regarding the situation, and admitting the truth now will only guarantee further disaster. Besides, she didn't want anything to ruin their supposed happy vacation together. The option to leave will always be negotiable, but doing that just didn't feel right.
Maya doesn't want to abandon a place that once used to be merry and carefree without first doing something about it. It's easy to not care and walk away, but easy doesn't always mean the best. She looks deeply into Josh's eyes, sheepishly biting her lip. "Are you scared?" It wasn't what Josh was expecting her to say, but there wasn't any use lying about it either.
He nods. "I don't know what any of this means," a chill slithers down Josh's spine the instant the words are spoken. He's never once tried contacting spirits or demons, and truthfully doesn't see the point. When somebody dies, that should be the end of it. There shouldn't be a way to communicate with the dead because it only makes matters worse. "I didn't mean to let any of this happen."
"But you didn't, Josh."
"No," Josh's grip on Maya becomes tighter, holding her as close to him as possible. "I don't know why things constantly seem to go wrong every time I'm involved," Josh's words are nothing more than a whisper, and Maya's heart swiftly breaks in half.
She's breathless by the revelation, unsure why Josh would even think such. "Boing…" Maya can see when Josh starts to shake his head, pitying his life and everyone around him. "I don't believe that for a second." Maya mutters, and Josh is unable to take his eyes off of her because once again is she proving just why she's better than any girlfriend he's previously had, and probably any girlfriend he'll ever have.
Josh is beginning to tear up, and he doesn't even notice. "It's true."
"It's not." Maya contends, rendering Josh speechless. "If this is about Tess or Eden, then you're wrong. I've known you for as long as I've known Riley, and there isn't anything you aren't willing to do for someone. You care a lot, maybe too much, and it leaves you open for disdain. Some people don't appreciate you like I do, but that doesn't mean you should blame yourself for everything that happens. Your breakup with Tess—not your fault. Your fight with Eden—not your fault. I get that it may feel like it sometimes but trust me, it's not. I finally get to have you all to myself, and the last thing I want is for you to go into depression, thinking that the world is out to get you or something. I want the guy that I've fallen for since I was a teenager. I want you, Boing. I want Josh."
There's a moment of silence as Josh doesn't know what to say. They haven't even been dating for more than seventy-two hours, and Josh already feels certain about everything regarding their relationship. His eyes never leave sight of the blonde as she gingerly wipes one of his lingering tears away and smiles. "If I got down on one knee right now…would you say yes?" Josh teases, highly anticipating Maya's answer, but she doesn't respond.
Instead, grabbing both sides of his face before leaning in to kiss him, and for a while, their mouths don't move. It's passionate and hot as their lips stay connected, neglecting to stop for air until several seconds later, and Maya gently caresses the hairs on the back of Josh's neck. "If it's any consolation, I'm scared too." The confession is most alarming, and Josh can't help the slight shaking in his knees. He's always known Maya to be a fierce and fearless badass, so to hear her admit to being nervous suddenly has his stomach in knots. "I don't regret playing the Ouija board, but I think we shouldn't have been so careless."
"You mean with Eden and I?" Josh presumes, and Maya nods. Afterwards, anxiously grinding his teeth together. "I get it, we shouldn't have taken our hands off the board."
"Your fighting didn't help either. We might've angered whoever we summoned and until we fix this, it won't go away." Maya explains, and Josh doesn't like what she's insinuating. It was hard enough playing the Ouija board once, and now they have to do it again.
He looks at Maya and then towards the door. "What are you suggesting we do then?"
"We need to apologize, and properly say goodbye. It's the only—" It's instantly quiet once the electricity flickers off, followed by a crash and blood-curdling scream. Josh and Maya can't see one another within the darkness, but can still sense the other's presence.
Maya jumps up from Josh's lap, seeking out his hand as they stand next to each other. They're keeping a far enough distance from the door when a violent yell and banging resonates from the outside, which is obviously Eden. She's begging for them to open the door, afraid to be alone with the power mysteriously out. Since they first entered the bathroom, the storm has gotten worse, and Eden can't shake the feeling of someone watching her. She continues to knock on the door until Josh finally opens it. "Eden?"
"What took you two so long?" she panics, barely able to distinguish their outlines. "I mean, really! How long does it take to clean a nose bleed?"
"We kind of got caught up," Maya replies, taking advantage of the blackness as she smiles up at Josh affectionately. She can sense when Josh squeezes her hand, and also when Eden grumbles.
She isn't the least bit interested with the couple's infatuation for each other, not while there's a spirit watching their every move. "We need a flashlight or something. I left my candle stick outside,"
"Alright, wait here. I know where my buddy keeps them," Josh reluctantly lets go of Maya's hand, and fleeing out of the living room to the utility closet. His first instinct is to turn on the light but of course, there's no power, so he has to try to locate everything in the dark. He then remembers his phone still in his pocket, and uses it as a temporary flashlight.
Josh grabs a few candles as well as some extra flashlights and batteries, towels and blankets before stumbling back into the living room where Maya and Eden haven't moved an inch. He gives everyone a separate flashlight and towel, allowing all of them to dry themselves off from the damp moistness of the rain. Josh then sets the fresh scented candles up around the living room prior to lighting them with a match given to him by Eden.
The threesome quietly sit around the coffee table, nervous to utter even a single syllable, while the strange creepiness continues. Meanwhile, Eden's heart is rapidly palpitating against her chest; her gaze unable to look anywhere else except at the flaming candle in front of her. She still couldn't understand how trying to summon Claudia meant summoning the eleven-year-old boy instead, befuddled by the overwhelming power his spirit seems to possess when angry. She then looks from the corner of her eye at the Ouija board calmly lying beside her. Eden might be terrified, but her deed wasn't done yet. "We have to finish," she declares, and neither Josh or Maya reply. Albeit, they were already well aware of what needs to be done, and without a moment to waste.
"Let's make sure we do it right this time." Maya can practically sense Josh and Eden's retinas boring holes into her flesh the longer they proceed to look at her as if she's speaking another language. She knows Josh isn't hype to be playing another round of the board, but also realizes there's no other choice.
Eden takes the board out of its box, and setting it on the coffee table. They all then hold hands for a second before positioning two fingers back on the planchette. The room feels suspiciously quiet, while the lightning and thunder outside grow worse and worse. They attempt to say goodbye once apologizing to the previous spirit they apparently summoned, and slowly moving the planchette toward goodbye on the board. For a while, nothing seems to change, which only signifies that maybe a spirit hadn't really caused the storm to begin with.
Josh closes his eyes, sighing a breath of relief. "Glad that's over,"
"It's not over." Eden says almost immediately, and Josh's eyes pop out of their sockets.
He looks at her questionably. "What are you talking about? We apologized and we said goodbye. What more do you want—"
"We still need to talk to Claudia." Eden admits, and Josh quickly rolls his eyes. He doesn't know how much more of Eden's stubbornness he can take before officially calling it quits. "I have to keep trying, and I won't stop until I do."
"Fine, but do it on your own time because you're not doing it here in my best friend's house." Josh feels guilty enough playing the Ouija board simply to say goodbye, ergo communicating with another spirit was not up for discussion. "You can stay the night if you want since the storm still hasn't stopped, but we're done with this. You can admit this was a stupid idea, so why not just leave it alone?"
"Because it's my best friend, you senseless asshole!" Eden brutally hollers, taking Josh aback. He wasn't expecting such a merciless tone of voice. "Claudia meant everything to me because when I had no one, she was always there! I'll never forget getting bullied in high school, and having everyone laugh at me like I was some kind of circus clown! She befriended when no one else would, so how the hell do you think I felt when I heard she was dead? She's gone forever with no hope of coming back! Although, the least I can do is finally get some closure as to what really happened to her! I deserve that much and I'm doing it right here, right now with or without your help!"
It's silent following Eden's violent outburst as Josh remorsefully bows his head. You could say he finally understands now why this is so important to her as the thought of nearly losing Maya floats around in his mind yet again. He then sneaks a glance at the blonde, who's currently staring at Eden. If there's anyone that can relate to the significance of a friendship, it's Maya. She sympathizes with Eden on a personal level, thinking of Riley at this very moment. It hasn't been long since they've last seen each other, but still it feels like eons. What Maya wouldn't give to hug her best friend right now.
She reaches over to grab Eden's hand, gently squeezing her palm. Eden glimpses at their hands prior to connecting her gaze with Maya's. Maya smirks. "I'm with you if you still want to do this," Eden is breathless, shocked that Maya is willing to do this with her. She merely nods her head, and soon Maya looks at Josh.
He instantly tenses up, aware of what's about to happen. He sighs. "Okay, fine…" Josh agrees. "Let's get this over with."
They repeat the same steps they did earlier outside, patiently waiting for something to happen. Needless to say, Eden's stomach nervously doing backflips when a sign of Claudia's presence is witnessed. She's scared to ask another question, but eventually finds the courage. She swallows, while everyone's gazes remain intense on nothing else but the board. "Is it really you, Claudia?" Eden watches as the planchette moves to yes, and she smiles. "I—I don't believe this. I can't believe it's actually working,"
"Ask her something else," Maya encourages, and Eden takes a deep breath.
She stumbles with her words, the phrase barely sounding coherent. "Do you recognize me, Claudia?" It takes a minute for the board to respond and in the meantime, Eden feels close to puking. There's a dry lump in her throat as she awaits to hear the truth.
"Yes." Josh reads when the planchette finally moves and by now, Eden's smile seems permanent.
"What happened to you that night in the woods, Claudia? Why did you runaway from home?" Josh feels chills going down his spine upon hearing the question, and closely watching as a word is spelled out.
S-C-A-R-E-D.
The trio look around at one another, puzzled and skeptical. "Does that mean she was scared of something?" Maya asks.
"Yeah, or someone. Maybe instead of running away from home, she was really trying to get away from someone." Josh proposes, and Eden is silent as she considers the plausible.
She shakes her head doubtfully. "But who would she be trying to get away from, and how would it lead her all the way to the woods?" Josh and Maya don't respond, and Eden looks back down at the board. "Were you running away from someone, Claudia?" she questions, and once again the planchette moves to yes.
"It sounds like someone might've been following her, and somehow chased her into the woods as she was trying to get away. That explains why she would be scared." Maya says, but still Eden is unconvinced.
"I mean, I guess, but who would be following her in the first place?"
"People don't need a reason these days, Eden." Josh replies, and she looks over at him. "For all we know, this guy might've wanted to kidnap her, and who knows what else. If anything, he's probably the reason she was found dead in the lake. And who's to say she even went to the woods willingly? The guy might've captured her, and taken her there himself before dumping her body,"
"Is that true, Claudia?" Eden is hopeless for an answer, but unfortunately never gets one. Claudia is no longer trying to communicate, and Eden immediately breaks down into tears.
Her sobs are unsteady as she covers her mouth with her opposite hand, shuddering and crying as the tears blur her vision. "Let's just say goodbye now." Maya advises and the second they're able to remove their hands, Eden's weeping doesn't stop.
She hugs her knees up to her chest, crying hysterically, and Josh and Maya do all they can to comfort her. "We're sorry, Eden." Josh says, but it's not like an apology will help to less dishearten her. He looks at Maya worriedly, and soon the both of them stand up. Josh helps Eden over to the couch, laying her down, and draping a blanket on top of her. "Like I said, you can sleep here tonight. Hopefully you'll feel better in the morning." When Eden doesn't respond, Josh and Maya take it as their cue to leave.
They head upstairs to their bedroom, while Eden remains alone downstairs in the living room with the power still out. She subsequently stops crying after a few minutes, whimpering instead as she remains in a fetal position. Why did Claudia stop responding right when they were starting to uncover the truth?
It's hours later when Eden awakens by a sudden knocking at the door, timidly jumping, and looking up over her shoulder toward the noise. She figures Josh and Maya didn't hear it since neither one of them run downstairs to answer it as they're probably asleep as well considering it's early morning the next day. Eden throws the blanket off of herself, walking pass the Ouija board that's sitting on the coffee table, and gradually trekking to the door the more the knocking continues. Her hand is shaking as she tries to grasp the knob, flinching when one of the floorboards start to creek. Eden then gapes, and her hazel eyes wide as she catches a glimpse of the person standing in the doorway.
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Recap:
1. A storm arrives, forcing everyone into the house.
2. Josh and Eden get into an argument on who's to blame regarding the strangeness happening.
3. Josh has a slight meltdown, convincing himself that everything is his fault.
4. Maya convinces Josh to play the Ouija board one more time to properly say goodbye.
5. Eden successfully contacts Claudia, but still with some unanswered questions.
6. Someone comes knocking at the door, and Eden answers it.
Thanks to everyone that read, reviewed, and followed. Much appreciation!