Drifting Souls (Ch. 3)

“Thank you, though, Jade. It really means a lot to me. More than you know.” She took a final glance at the necklace as if she were telling it goodbye for a little while. At the very least, it would only be a little while. Something in the back of my mind told me that it belonged to her, I just had to give her time to realize she should take it. I already knew.1

I nodded in reply and put it away, pushing it from the conversation by suggesting a game. Liv didn’t watch television at her house, she kept her mind occupied with much simpler, less dramatic things like crochet and gardening. I found her flair for the old fashioned indescribably adorable. 2

With a smirk, I asked, “How about a round of poker?”3

She shook her head without so much as a smile and stared out her window at the cemetery. This was odd. This was very not like Liv. She looked back to me and took my hand, looking deeply into my eyes, “I want you to go find out what happened.”4

What?! But I hadn’t even mentioned it. “This is your night, Liv. I promised it to you. I want to spend it with you.”5

“I want you to know the truth, Jade.” Liv persisted. I did not understand her sudden fascination with my business, much less was I sure that it made me comfortable. She added, “Can I help?”6

“Why do you care all of the sudden?” I asked, not meaning to seem as rude as I probably did, “I mean… you always seem so disinterested.”7

“Well, this time I want to be supportive. I want you to figure this one out. I want you to know this one. I have faith in you, Jade. I want you to know the answers,” Liv promised me, looking directly into my eyes. I knew she was sincere. Olivia didn’t lie.8

“I’ve waited for a really long time to know those answers, Liv. I can wait one more night… at least until after your birthday. I just thought you’d like to spend some time together...” I insisted because I genuinely wanted to spend time with her. But if she was this passionate about it, I might seriously consider taking her with me.9

“But I want to know too. Please? Find out... for me?” There was an innocence in her voice that I couldn’t possibly resist. Of course, I would do anything for her. If she told me to drive to San Francisco and dive off of the Golden Gate Bridge I would reach for my car keys and ask her if she wanted to come and watch.10

After a moment of thinking it over, I nodded and said with a sigh, “Okay… Okay. I’ll find out. But only if you’re sure this is what you want to do with your night…”11

“I’m positive. I’ve never been more sure.” She promised me sincerely. This was so not like Liv. Who was this person that suddenly invaded her quiet, calm frame? Liv never got excited, but there was a look of extreme joy in her eyes that I have never seen before. I liked it.12

I hoped she would let me see it more often.13

~~~14

Damnation it was cold outside. I zipped up my hoodie a little more as we walked toward the car and shoved my hands in my pockets. It was definitely night time. You could tell that for sure. 15

My thoughts were wandering like a lost child in a store who didn’t realize it was lost yet. I hadn’t quite had enough to start screaming. Thoughts of Liv. Thoughts of what all of this meant. Thoughts of what I would find out in just a short while. 16

I retrieved my trusty Ouija board from the trunk and some candles. I carried my stuff in my trunk because I never knew when I would encounter something worth stopping before. Besides, I had no used for it in my home. I was sure it held no significance in its past, so I would only ever need my stuff if I went somewhere. 17

Liv helped me carry the stuff out to the graveyard, quietly and with this yearning fascination. I couldn’t pinpoint this emotion inside of her, but it was definitely intriguing me, and it was definitely mysterious.18

As we approached the grave, a smile crept up onto my lips, and oddly enough, I couldn’t help but notice the one on Liv’s out of the corner of my eye. Her eyes were fixed upon the statue, though it was dark. It was as if she saw something that I didn’t. 19

I spread a blanket out and made sure everything was set up properly. Liv helped me to light the candles one by one, their dim light piercing delicately through the darkness of the cemetery. If only they could warm us. If only I could wrap my arms around Liv and cuddle her all night. There went my wandering mind again. Why couldn’t I think straight!? What was this swarm of inquisition?20

Was this a stall tactic?21

What was I so afraid of?22

Perhaps it was Liv’s reaction to all of this that scared me the most. I didn’t mind sitting on a grave in the pitch dark. I could fall asleep here. I didn’t mind holding a séance in a cemetery. That was all well and good. But why was Liv apart of this? Why did she care this time?23

“Your mind should be as clear as you can possibly let it. If your fears are sensed, the spirits could feed on that. Some of them are evil, and some of them will want to hurt you.” I warned her as I set up the Ouija board between the two of us.24

Liv only looked into my eyes, her beautiful face illuminated by the soft glow of the three large candles that surrounded us. She smiled and told me sincerely, “I’m not scared. You’ll save me.”25

We smiled at each other and I felt my cheeks get hot. I loved that she trusted me, but now I felt burdened. The responsibility of Liv’s life was in my hands. I couldn’t lose her now. If I did, it would be my fault.26

If anything, I had to let this experience bring us closer. She was coming into my world. I should be comforted by that.27

Somehow I was not.28

Not even a little bit.29

Not even at all.30

Something was going to change tonight. My senses had already picked up that much. If there was one thing I trusted, it was my senses, especially in connection with the spirit world. It was too soon to tell if it would be a bad change or a good change.31

Then again, the better question, why would it change at all?32

What was this hurricane of emotion within me and why wouldn’t it leave me alone? Normally I was completely chilled when it come to these situations.33

Liv’s presence made me nervous. That had to be it. 34

I didn’t want that to be it.35

~~~36

“Where are you Lila?” I asked calmly into the night, my eyes fixated on the Ouija board. Liv shifted uncomfortably but I didn’t look up at her as I awaited my answer.37

H.38

E.39

R.40

E.41

“She’s here.” I explained to Liv, finally glancing up at her.42

She wasn’t wide eyed or scared. She just nodded.43

Why didn’t she want to do this with me before? She could have handled it quite well. Then again, she was my best friend. Liv knew to expect the unexpected at any given time around me.44

“You can trust me Lila. Let me in. Tell me your story. I mean no harm. I will not share it. I only want to know.” I assured her. Above anything Lila needed to know that I could be trusted.45

A strong, sudden gust of wind blew the light from the candles. The smoke mysteriously rose into the air, taking a almost person-like form. Bewitching beauty. Familiar. 46

Oh God. 47

It looked just like---48

In that moment, before I could finish my thought. Before I was even sure of any answer, it rushed toward me, sweeping me over, back to the cold ground, but I never felt myself hit. 49

The smoke burnt my eyes, all went completely black. How could I save Liv if it was attacking me? What was her reaction? She must have been so scared.50

My eyes opened. And I was someplace that was not a cold, hard grave. I landed somewhere that was not an Autumn-chilled, grassy, leaf-covered ground beside Liv’s house.51

But this was not a dream.52

I was none of those places I would have expected to have been—Not in Liv’s bed, nor my own, nor any place I thought familiar at first.53

Upon closer inspection, it appeared as though I was wrong. I knew exactly where I was. I knew exactly where I laid. The light of the morning sun hit my eyelids just exactly as it always did.54

… This wasn't my room...Was it?