It's Just A Game

PLEASE READ BEFORE CONTINUING!

The following story is the first part of a Halloween collaboration series with me and one of my writer’s group. Please be sure to check it out when finished reading, enjoy!

October 30th, 2021 11:15 PM.

I can’t believe I let Jeremy, Tony, Melissa and Amy talk me into this! Trudging through some dark, creepy woods is not exactly my idea of a fun Halloween pre-celebration. “It’ll be fun!” My boyfriend Jeremy insisted, going as far as getting down on his knees to beg me. He knows I can’t say no to him when he does that, it’s too damn cute! “Come on, live a little!” My best friends Melissa and Amy cheered while downing shots of tequila like it was water. They always knew how to have a good time, but this whole thing has me questioning their sanity. Tony always goes along with what Amy, his fiancée wants, no matter how stupid or reckless it is. And what we’re doing tonight definitely qualifies as both.

“How much longer?” I ask, groaning as my high heels get stuck in the cold, sticky mud.

Okay, not the best choice for a hike in the middle of the night, but I’m in my costume already and it wouldn’t be complete without them! This year, I borrowed a pair of white scrubs from my mom’s closet, cutting additional slits to show off my assets and my older sister’s fishnet stockings, and a matching black lacy thong and bra set. Combined with the heels I begged my dad for last month, I became a frat boy’s wildest dream. Jeremy drooled multiple times while I got ready over FaceTime with him. Wanting to match me, he's wearing torn, dirty clothing with blood covering his skull, torso, and legs.

“Be patient babe, I’m sure it’s not too much further, right Tabby?” Jeremy says to our guide who is just ahead of us.

Tabitha Upton, fellow senior and president of the Occult Fanatics club at our high school, is known as the Dark Queen. She has a reputation for being weird, quiet, and dabbling in all things supernatural or out of this world. An expert in celebrating Halloween the right way.

She stops in her tracks and turns around to face us. “We’re almost there.” She whispers in her deep, raspy voice. Her face is hidden by the oversized jet-black cloak she’s wearing. Adding to the already eerie atmosphere. “We must hurry if you want to be there before midnight.”

In silence, my friends and I follow her, unaware of the presence that looms over us.

A few minutes later we arrive at the Upton estate, the crown jewel of haunted houses. It has been uninhabited for about ten years, but the Upton’s keep it operational as a tourist attraction; offering a spooky, rural getaway far away from the humdrum of modern society. After hearing about it through the grapevine, the five of us pooled our finances together to book the place through Halloween. I still think it’s a dumb idea, but they already took my money so I can’t complain.

The exterior is slightly dilapidated despite the obvious efforts of restoration done by Everett Upton, Tabitha’s uncle. It looks as though he recently painted it and hung fresh paneling to spruce things up for the “busy” season. There is a layer of overgrowth on the roof, fence, and across the windowsills that adds to the unnerving appearance. On the porch and around the entrance are several ornately carved pumpkins with small, dim candles inside. Upon entering the foyer, a chill shoots down my spine, causing me to shudder.

“Jessie, you okay?” Jeremy asks, laying a hand on my shoulder, concern lacing his voice.

I look around briefly. All of the windows on the first floor are shut and there doesn’t seem to be a breeze coming through the front door. Even though everything looks normal, I can’t shake this feeling of dread that has set up residence in my heart, maybe it’s all in my head?

“Yeah, I’m fine,” I reassure him, but in reality, I’m trying to convince myself that it’s true.

Tabitha leads us into a large elegant room with a grand piano off to the side. There are two large windows with the curtains drawn closed; several hundred candles spread across the top and the keys of the instrument, illuminate the otherwise pitch-black space. Off to the side is a small wooden table with a silver tray with chocolate-coated candied apples accented with sprinkles on it. The minuscule, sugary dots are arranged carefully into various images on the apples. The ones that stood out the most are a witch, a vampire, a werewolf, a mummy, and my personal favorite, a Frankenstein monster.

Tabitha gestures to the tray. “Help yourselves, they’re fresh.” She saunters to the center of the room where a large black and white Victorian-style rug is waiting. There are six black cushions arranged into a circle, one for each of us present. Without hesitation, she kneels on hers. “Come join me, when you’re ready.”

Each of us eats an apple and then joins Tabitha in the circle. She rummages through her cloak until she finally finds it. The dreaded ouija board. Unlike the cheap, dorky children's version, this one is custom-made with a brilliant white/black lacquer finish and a carefully decorated planchette that has no glass in the middle. Weird, I could’ve sworn that it’s a requirement for this sort of thing. Tabitha lays it down gently.

“Has either one of you performed a seance before?” Tabitha inquires, slowly pushing her hood back to reveal her pale meek face, dark brown eyes, and unruly black hair. Her appearance matches that of a person who doesn’t interact with others often, which is fair, if I lived alone with a creepy man like Everett Upton I probably wouldn’t care about my looks either. Well, maybe only slightly.

We all shake our heads.

"The rules are simple: one, never play alone as spiritual energy can be unpredictable without others present. Two, once players are bound together in the circle, NEVER break the connection as it severs the barrier between our world and theirs. And the final, most important rule: once the ceremony starts, say 'hello', and whenever we are finished, say 'goodbye'. This stops the connection to the spirit, thus keeping anything malicious at bay."

Everyone stares at Tabitha in both awe and also horror. I don't think any of us expected her to take things so seriously.

"Why so many rules, isn't this just a little kids' game?" Amy asks, retrieving a small metal flask from her bra and taking a long drink from it. Her costume is a high-dollar escort this year complete with a short black sheer dress, g-string, lingerie, and high heels.

Tabitha glares at Amy. "The board deserves proper respect, if you cannot abide by the rules, then I suggest you leave."

"I paid to be here, I'm not leaving you freak!" Amy hisses, tossing the now-empty flask at Tabitha's face. The metal container hits her cheek with a loud thud. She winces in pain.

"You should not have done that..." Tabitha growls, suddenly jumping to her feet, and knocking the ouija board over. She slowly walks toward Amy, like a predator stalking her prey. Amy shrieks, crawling away backward from the boiling rage unfolding before her.

A strong gust of wind busts the windows open and sweeps through the room, extinguishing every candle. Leaving us in complete darkness. Terrified of what might happen next.

To Be Continued...

The next part is going to be submitted by Paula Shablo

Be sure to check out her profile!