• She’d been begging him to come for a month now. He’d given her every excuse in the book to avoid it, but finally he’d given in.

    Jason sighed as he knocked on her door. Instantly, footsteps thundered to the door and it was flung open.

    “…Hey Sandra,” he said with a feigned smile.

    She was a respectable girl really. Long blonde hair always tied back neatly and always smartly dressed. Tonight was no exception. Perhaps the only giveaway were her glossy black nails.

    “Hi!” She chimed. “I’m so glad you could finally make it.”

    She led him inside. It was the first time he’d ever visited her house. It was just as he expected. Clean, tidy, and beautifully furnished, but a closer look showed it for what it really was. Tarot cards on the bench, the pile of tables used for horoscopes, and the titles of the books along the shelves.

    “The Power of Playing Cards: An Ancient System for Understanding Yourself, Your Destiny, & Your Relationships”

    “I like your house,” Jason said politely.

    “Feng Shui,” she told him. “I could help you do your house if you want.”

    The only reply Jason could muster was a quiet “Maybe.”

    She took him to the table, and the ordeal began. The cards told him warned him that he may be ‘experiencing turbulent and catastrophic changes,’ and warned him that he had a ‘lack of nerve and confused as to what it is he actually wants’. The stars told him that self discipline and self control is what he’d need today.

    The stars got that right at least. The meeting had been a strain on his patience to say the least. Unfortunately, the night’s main attraction hadn’t even started yet.

    “I know you’re not all that interested in this,” she said, putting the star charts back in their folder “I really appreciate you coming.”

    “No worries,” he replied, but it was a lie. Sandra gave a weak smile, and left the room. When she returned, she brought the next and final event with her. Under her arm, she carried a beautiful wooden board, with the alphabet and numbers engraved into it as well as a few short words.

    Sandra slid her chair closer to Jason and put the board upon their knees. Then she put wooden marker with a large circle cut into it on top. Carefully she placed her hand on the marker, and instructed Jason to do the same.

    “This is it,” she said proudly. So this was the Ouija board. He’d heard a lot about it. “I’d tried using it alone,” she continued, “but it’s never worked for me. I hope with someone else I can make it work.” She breathed in, and looked directly at Jason. “Ready?” He gave a small unenthusiastic nod.

    “Hello,” Sandra said. “Is anyone there?”

    Nothing happened.

    Sandra shut her eyes, and started moving the planchette around the board. “Is anyone there?” she asked again with a sharp tone of urgency.

    With a slight jolt, the marker moved across the board, and to the word ‘yes.’ Sandra beamed up at Jason. She’d finally got it to work.

    “What’s your gender?” she asked the board. As before, the marker moved to the letter M. “What’s your name?” Letter by letter, the planchette spelt out the spirit’s name.

    ‘S-C-O-T-T R-A-M-S-A-Y.’ A sly grin spread across Sandra’s face. “What year did you die?”

    “2-0-0-6.”

    She asked him questions. It was all just idle chatter. He told them about his family, and his job. Then, Sandra asked him how he died.

    “M-U-R-D-E-R-E-D.”

    Sandra gasped loudly. Without Sandra even asking a question, the marker started moving. Slowly, it spelt out a question. ‘What’s your name?’

    “I’m Sandra Riley.” After a long pause, the marker started moving again.

    “I know you.”

    Sandra faked a laugh. “I’m sure I never met you.” There was a agonizing silence. Finally, the marker started to move again.

    “You’re going to die tonight boy.” Again, there was silence. Jason couldn’t breathe. He couldn’t even think straight. This wasn’t real. Sandra was just having a bit of fun. She was moving the marker herself the whole time.

    He jumped to his feet, knocking the ouija board to the ground. Sandra stood up.

    “Sorry, Sorry.” She pled. “It shouldn’t have done that. It must have been an evil spirit.”

    “No,” he said, batting her comforting hand away. “No, I’ve had enough. I’m going home.”

    Jason stormed from the room, Sandra following behind him, apologising and begging him to stay.

    He opened the front door, but before he could step out, Sandra yelled “Wait!” Jason sighed and turned around, and was greeted with the heavy wooden Ouija board striking his skull.

    The world around him went black. When woke up, he was outside. He was on his back, and the ground was very cold. Standing above him, was Sandra.

    “Say hi to Scott for me will you?” She dropped the Ouija board and planchette onto his chest. “I hope to see you soon.” She grabbed a shovel, and started filling the shallow grave.