Kit Kat: Chapter 1
The Many Complications of Mr. Ouija
"I can't believe there's only one week of summer left."
"I know! It seems like just last week we finished finals."
"And then watched Finding Nemo."
Casey shifted from her position on the blanket, sitting up long enough to mutter, "good movie," before lying back down to look up at the stars.
It was a cool night. Chilly enough to warrant the use of sweat pants, yet not nearly cold enough to keep the four friends inside. The indigo glow of a watch revealed it was almost midnight. They had been outside for almost an hour. Conversations had taken their normal route; starting with the conventional topics of summer and movies, which eventually turned into the more serious topic of the future.
Yes, the talk had taken its full turn. Now, with just a few minutes left until Mr. Ouija was brought out, the four were drawing the discussion to a close.
"Chemistry exams were so easy." This from Tricia who was currently scratching Sandy's head.
Sandy, who was currently purring, agreed. "And math was so much better then midterms."
Casey, getting up and joining Tricia in the scratching of Sandy's head said, "I really don't want to run into Ms. Murai this year. I think she might kill me."
Tricia laughed.
Sandy said nothing. She was in heaven.
Allie, looking over at her friends, grinned. "Sorry to interrupt Sandy, but it's 11:55. Wanna set up?"
Getting up and shaking her hair out (commercial style), Sandy reached for the Oiuja Board. Tricia dragged over the dark green backpack they had brought out. Opening it, she pulled out a small bottle of tropical scented bug spray. Casey took the backpack and took out the many candles they had gathered. There were small tea lights, and larger box-shaped candles. Colors ranged from pristine whites to soft purples with everything in between, and some even gave off pleasant candy or flower like odors. Reaching once more into the bottom of the bag, Casey took out a small lighter and tossed to Allie who looked at it with more then just a little excitement.
By midnight they were all ready. They were sitting in a circle with almost twenty candles forming a larger circle around them. The Ouija Board sat in the middle.
Either out of a sense of unity, or maybe just out of habit, the four places two fingers on the indicator at the exact same time. Tricia, looking around to maker sure everyone was indeed ready, spoke first, "Does anyone want to talk to us?"
Nothing happened. Four sets of eyes stared at the board expectantly. Suddenly the indicator jumped, almost clearing the board. Glances were swiftly shared and nervous laughter escaped each girl's throat.
As the indicator moved, revealing letters, the four followed its process intently. Tricia read each letter out loud, gasping slightly when she formed them into words.
-C-L-O-S-E-Y-O-U-R-E-Y-E-S-
Every head snapped up. After looking around, Sandy closed her eyes first. Following her example, Tricia acquiesced to the mysterious spirit's desires next. Casey shrugged and went along with it as well. Allie was left staring, but not at the board or ever her friends. Instead, her gaze was directed at the darkness beyond them. A smile briefly graced her lips before she too closed her eyes.
* * * * * * * *
Casey opened her eyes to a vision of blue. Floating on her back, her sight was filled with a never-ending stretch of crystal blue sky. Not a cloud was to be seen, and even the sun was shining gently, it's golden light soft and warm on the track of aqua below her.
She smiled. For not being an outdoor person, she felt oddly at home. Sensing, but not seeing, the school of fish swimming below her in the cobalt depths, she wasn't afraid or ever nervous. Everything was too wonderful for feelings like that.
She watched with only mild curiosity as clouds began to form. It wasn't until the clouds turned black and foreboding that the first stirrings of fear crept around in her mind. The fear intensified as the sky darkened and rain poured down in stinging sheets.
The waves grew tall and dark, tossing her floating figure until she couldn't tell up from down. Towers of water were crashing down faster and faster. The water, now a midnight blue, was cold and hard. Not able to fight against such awesome power, her body slipped under.
The water kept pushing her down. She was forced deeper and deeper. Now she was no longer surrounded by darkness, but by a blinding sapphire light. Giving into the burning cravings of her lungs, she opened her mouth to scream, knowing that water, not air, would flood in.
It was light that poured in. It drained her and filled her up twice as much. It destroyed her and rebuilt her a hundred times over. She knew a moment of exquisite joy and burning pain before she slipped into unconsciousness.
* * * * * * * *
Sandy opened her eyes to an array of light. Her eyes feasted upon rich pinks, soft purples, and glowing oranges. Standing on the edge of a cliff she felt like she was flying. The magnificent sunset on display in front of her made everything perfect.
She had never been afraid of adventure, but the reality of injuries had always kept her cautious. Now, standing on the brink of a rock wall thousands of feet high, those old thoughts were gone. Her mind was, for once, truly peaceful. She felt as if she belonged here.
The sun was almost gone. The beautiful array of color was fading, and with them was the feeling of security. She imagined she could actually hear the water crashing on the razor-like rocks far below. Now the feelings of doubt were coming.
The sky turned dark, as did her thoughts. She began to realize that there really was only a scant inch between her and a fall which would last forever, and an end which would need only an instant.
Suddenly very much afraid she took a step back. Her foot caught onto a stray rock causing her to lose her balance and fall forward. Her hands flew in front but found no purchase. She twisted around, trying for any hold in the cliff, but she was now too far away and falling faster and faster. The air was swept from her lungs in one long, terrified scream. She was going to die.
The air around her was no long the charcoal gray of dusk, but a radiant violet. It pressed in on all sides, seeming to at once hold her up and press her down harder. When she finally crashed it was into nothing solid. The light consumed her as she passed into oblivion.
* * * * * * * *
Tricia awoke to find herself surrounded by green. The color was everywhere. The jade leaves danced above her, letting the sunlight flicker down through the trees. The moss covering the fallen tree trunk she was sitting on was a soft pale green.
Everything around her was bursting with life and she felt it too. She was filled with the calm, regal stateliness of the tall oaks and maples. The carefree attitudes of the sparrows and jays were reflected in her eyes. She felt alive as she had never felt before.
Her eyes traced the path of a hungry rabbit, poking through the foliage on the ground for food. She smiled, enjoying the twitching movements of the brown furred creature. The smile vanished as she watched the tiny animal get snatched up into the slobbering jaws of a fox.
Heart beating slightly faster, she looked up, only to notice she could no longer see the sun's rays through the treetops. Her heart sped up as she stood and stared into the cold, and now unfriendly, darkness of the forest. Casting a last glance at the bloody trail the fox was leaving, she began to run.
Adrenaline was pumping as she sprinted madly and blindly through the labyrinth of trees. Thorns tore at her, ripping her clothes and skin as she fled from her unseen predator. Faster and faster she ran, not seeing the trap of vines until she was caught in it.
Trying desperately to free herself, she looked over her shoulder to see the rapidly approaching danger. Her struggles ceased as she saw the green fire- like light flowing through the trees and undergrowth, heading right for her. She didn't have time to scream as it slammed into her. She withered against the vines, trying to twist away from what was devouring her. In another few, fast-paced heartbeats, all feeling and all thought faded into darkness.
Allie opened her eyes, blinking out beads of sweat. It was a hot day, but the sun felt good against her back. She was climbing up the craggy slopes of a volcano. Cliffs and plateaus along the surface offered shade from the worst of the glaring rays. After pulling herself up enough to make use of another natural foothold, she twisted around to look at the view spread out before her. Gleaming blacks and solid browns filed her sightline for miles and miles. Two hawks flew lazily by, riding the warm air currents that even she could feel this high up.
The volcano was no danger to her. Now long dead, it would no longer erupt in a spring of fire. And yet, she could swear she still felt the heat of its core. It was comforting in a way she had never felt before. As if she belonged to the heat and raw power of the fire that spawned it. Active hundreds of years before, it had once erupted in a river of molten lava. The remains of its power were the obsidian rocks she was now climbing up.
Reaching a flat stretch in the volcano's side she stopped to rest. Gazing out she stared at the obsidian rocks, which were glowing like hot embers. As she watched, they seemed to glow redder and redder. Confused, she looked up, staring in growing horror at the sun. Before it had been shining warmly. Now it was a burning blood red ball.
Fire erupted in a scorching spray in front of her. She leapt back, slamming against the rocky wall behind her, pressing back into it as hard as she could, as if willing herself to disappear into it. The fire spread forming an arch and trapping her in.
Frantically she began to climb. Her arms were torn to shreds on the sharp rocks. The fire reached to rock wall and pushed higher. Flames began to lick at her feet. Muscles burning, she trued to go higher, but the rocks could no longer support her. Pieces broke away and any grip she had was lost as she fell back.
The fire rose high around her. Now though, it was no longer flaming orange and yellow but scarlet. Her skin was burned, but it wasn't fire that caressed it, but power. It was scorching her from the inside out. Her eyes glowed fiercely red before closing.
* * * * * * * *
The four opened their eyes at the same time to find nothing had changed. Each still had two fingers on the board, which hadn't moved from the letter "S".
Casey spoke first, "Did you guys see anything?" They all looked at each other before shaking their heads.
Sandy laughed, "It's just like what happened with Num. 'Num will give vision luv', remember?"
Tricia smiled, and asked the board, "Is this Num?"
-N-O-
"Uh, well can we have a name?"
-S-E-T-H-
Allie smirked at the answer and Sandy nodded in an aggravated way. The later spoke mockingly, "Seems like something he'd do. Remember how much he joked with us last time." Tricia agreed. Casey contented herself with repeating "Nick A" over and over.
After smacking Casey, Tricia turned back to the board. "So Seth how are you? Any Scotsman in Casey's future?"
And so the night went on. No one seemed to notice that the four candles, which had been blown out after the Ouija board's mysterious command, were now lit. No one felt that the wind, which had been blowing fairly hard, had stopped, or saw that the clouds, which had previously dotted the sky, were gone. And no one took note of the fact that the surrounding woods were quiet and that even the trees, whose leaves always rustled at even the slightest wisp of air, now stood in an almost reverent silence.
None of them realized that suddenly, everything was perfect.
"I can't believe there's only one week of summer left."
"I know! It seems like just last week we finished finals."
"And then watched Finding Nemo."
Casey shifted from her position on the blanket, sitting up long enough to mutter, "good movie," before lying back down to look up at the stars.
It was a cool night. Chilly enough to warrant the use of sweat pants, yet not nearly cold enough to keep the four friends inside. The indigo glow of a watch revealed it was almost midnight. They had been outside for almost an hour. Conversations had taken their normal route; starting with the conventional topics of summer and movies, which eventually turned into the more serious topic of the future.
Yes, the talk had taken its full turn. Now, with just a few minutes left until Mr. Ouija was brought out, the four were drawing the discussion to a close.
"Chemistry exams were so easy." This from Tricia who was currently scratching Sandy's head.
Sandy, who was currently purring, agreed. "And math was so much better then midterms."
Casey, getting up and joining Tricia in the scratching of Sandy's head said, "I really don't want to run into Ms. Murai this year. I think she might kill me."
Tricia laughed.
Sandy said nothing. She was in heaven.
Allie, looking over at her friends, grinned. "Sorry to interrupt Sandy, but it's 11:55. Wanna set up?"
Getting up and shaking her hair out (commercial style), Sandy reached for the Oiuja Board. Tricia dragged over the dark green backpack they had brought out. Opening it, she pulled out a small bottle of tropical scented bug spray. Casey took the backpack and took out the many candles they had gathered. There were small tea lights, and larger box-shaped candles. Colors ranged from pristine whites to soft purples with everything in between, and some even gave off pleasant candy or flower like odors. Reaching once more into the bottom of the bag, Casey took out a small lighter and tossed to Allie who looked at it with more then just a little excitement.
By midnight they were all ready. They were sitting in a circle with almost twenty candles forming a larger circle around them. The Ouija Board sat in the middle.
Either out of a sense of unity, or maybe just out of habit, the four places two fingers on the indicator at the exact same time. Tricia, looking around to maker sure everyone was indeed ready, spoke first, "Does anyone want to talk to us?"
Nothing happened. Four sets of eyes stared at the board expectantly. Suddenly the indicator jumped, almost clearing the board. Glances were swiftly shared and nervous laughter escaped each girl's throat.
As the indicator moved, revealing letters, the four followed its process intently. Tricia read each letter out loud, gasping slightly when she formed them into words.
-C-L-O-S-E-Y-O-U-R-E-Y-E-S-
Every head snapped up. After looking around, Sandy closed her eyes first. Following her example, Tricia acquiesced to the mysterious spirit's desires next. Casey shrugged and went along with it as well. Allie was left staring, but not at the board or ever her friends. Instead, her gaze was directed at the darkness beyond them. A smile briefly graced her lips before she too closed her eyes.
* * * * * * * *
Casey opened her eyes to a vision of blue. Floating on her back, her sight was filled with a never-ending stretch of crystal blue sky. Not a cloud was to be seen, and even the sun was shining gently, it's golden light soft and warm on the track of aqua below her.
She smiled. For not being an outdoor person, she felt oddly at home. Sensing, but not seeing, the school of fish swimming below her in the cobalt depths, she wasn't afraid or ever nervous. Everything was too wonderful for feelings like that.
She watched with only mild curiosity as clouds began to form. It wasn't until the clouds turned black and foreboding that the first stirrings of fear crept around in her mind. The fear intensified as the sky darkened and rain poured down in stinging sheets.
The waves grew tall and dark, tossing her floating figure until she couldn't tell up from down. Towers of water were crashing down faster and faster. The water, now a midnight blue, was cold and hard. Not able to fight against such awesome power, her body slipped under.
The water kept pushing her down. She was forced deeper and deeper. Now she was no longer surrounded by darkness, but by a blinding sapphire light. Giving into the burning cravings of her lungs, she opened her mouth to scream, knowing that water, not air, would flood in.
It was light that poured in. It drained her and filled her up twice as much. It destroyed her and rebuilt her a hundred times over. She knew a moment of exquisite joy and burning pain before she slipped into unconsciousness.
* * * * * * * *
Sandy opened her eyes to an array of light. Her eyes feasted upon rich pinks, soft purples, and glowing oranges. Standing on the edge of a cliff she felt like she was flying. The magnificent sunset on display in front of her made everything perfect.
She had never been afraid of adventure, but the reality of injuries had always kept her cautious. Now, standing on the brink of a rock wall thousands of feet high, those old thoughts were gone. Her mind was, for once, truly peaceful. She felt as if she belonged here.
The sun was almost gone. The beautiful array of color was fading, and with them was the feeling of security. She imagined she could actually hear the water crashing on the razor-like rocks far below. Now the feelings of doubt were coming.
The sky turned dark, as did her thoughts. She began to realize that there really was only a scant inch between her and a fall which would last forever, and an end which would need only an instant.
Suddenly very much afraid she took a step back. Her foot caught onto a stray rock causing her to lose her balance and fall forward. Her hands flew in front but found no purchase. She twisted around, trying for any hold in the cliff, but she was now too far away and falling faster and faster. The air was swept from her lungs in one long, terrified scream. She was going to die.
The air around her was no long the charcoal gray of dusk, but a radiant violet. It pressed in on all sides, seeming to at once hold her up and press her down harder. When she finally crashed it was into nothing solid. The light consumed her as she passed into oblivion.
* * * * * * * *
Tricia awoke to find herself surrounded by green. The color was everywhere. The jade leaves danced above her, letting the sunlight flicker down through the trees. The moss covering the fallen tree trunk she was sitting on was a soft pale green.
Everything around her was bursting with life and she felt it too. She was filled with the calm, regal stateliness of the tall oaks and maples. The carefree attitudes of the sparrows and jays were reflected in her eyes. She felt alive as she had never felt before.
Her eyes traced the path of a hungry rabbit, poking through the foliage on the ground for food. She smiled, enjoying the twitching movements of the brown furred creature. The smile vanished as she watched the tiny animal get snatched up into the slobbering jaws of a fox.
Heart beating slightly faster, she looked up, only to notice she could no longer see the sun's rays through the treetops. Her heart sped up as she stood and stared into the cold, and now unfriendly, darkness of the forest. Casting a last glance at the bloody trail the fox was leaving, she began to run.
Adrenaline was pumping as she sprinted madly and blindly through the labyrinth of trees. Thorns tore at her, ripping her clothes and skin as she fled from her unseen predator. Faster and faster she ran, not seeing the trap of vines until she was caught in it.
Trying desperately to free herself, she looked over her shoulder to see the rapidly approaching danger. Her struggles ceased as she saw the green fire- like light flowing through the trees and undergrowth, heading right for her. She didn't have time to scream as it slammed into her. She withered against the vines, trying to twist away from what was devouring her. In another few, fast-paced heartbeats, all feeling and all thought faded into darkness.
Allie opened her eyes, blinking out beads of sweat. It was a hot day, but the sun felt good against her back. She was climbing up the craggy slopes of a volcano. Cliffs and plateaus along the surface offered shade from the worst of the glaring rays. After pulling herself up enough to make use of another natural foothold, she twisted around to look at the view spread out before her. Gleaming blacks and solid browns filed her sightline for miles and miles. Two hawks flew lazily by, riding the warm air currents that even she could feel this high up.
The volcano was no danger to her. Now long dead, it would no longer erupt in a spring of fire. And yet, she could swear she still felt the heat of its core. It was comforting in a way she had never felt before. As if she belonged to the heat and raw power of the fire that spawned it. Active hundreds of years before, it had once erupted in a river of molten lava. The remains of its power were the obsidian rocks she was now climbing up.
Reaching a flat stretch in the volcano's side she stopped to rest. Gazing out she stared at the obsidian rocks, which were glowing like hot embers. As she watched, they seemed to glow redder and redder. Confused, she looked up, staring in growing horror at the sun. Before it had been shining warmly. Now it was a burning blood red ball.
Fire erupted in a scorching spray in front of her. She leapt back, slamming against the rocky wall behind her, pressing back into it as hard as she could, as if willing herself to disappear into it. The fire spread forming an arch and trapping her in.
Frantically she began to climb. Her arms were torn to shreds on the sharp rocks. The fire reached to rock wall and pushed higher. Flames began to lick at her feet. Muscles burning, she trued to go higher, but the rocks could no longer support her. Pieces broke away and any grip she had was lost as she fell back.
The fire rose high around her. Now though, it was no longer flaming orange and yellow but scarlet. Her skin was burned, but it wasn't fire that caressed it, but power. It was scorching her from the inside out. Her eyes glowed fiercely red before closing.
* * * * * * * *
The four opened their eyes at the same time to find nothing had changed. Each still had two fingers on the board, which hadn't moved from the letter "S".
Casey spoke first, "Did you guys see anything?" They all looked at each other before shaking their heads.
Sandy laughed, "It's just like what happened with Num. 'Num will give vision luv', remember?"
Tricia smiled, and asked the board, "Is this Num?"
-N-O-
"Uh, well can we have a name?"
-S-E-T-H-
Allie smirked at the answer and Sandy nodded in an aggravated way. The later spoke mockingly, "Seems like something he'd do. Remember how much he joked with us last time." Tricia agreed. Casey contented herself with repeating "Nick A" over and over.
After smacking Casey, Tricia turned back to the board. "So Seth how are you? Any Scotsman in Casey's future?"
And so the night went on. No one seemed to notice that the four candles, which had been blown out after the Ouija board's mysterious command, were now lit. No one felt that the wind, which had been blowing fairly hard, had stopped, or saw that the clouds, which had previously dotted the sky, were gone. And no one took note of the fact that the surrounding woods were quiet and that even the trees, whose leaves always rustled at even the slightest wisp of air, now stood in an almost reverent silence.
None of them realized that suddenly, everything was perfect.