Chapter 5 Promises in the Storm

Tim woke with a sudden jolt. For a moment he didn't know where he was. The room around him was gray with early morning light, the kind that slipped weakly through storm clouds and made everything look dull and distant. The television was still off. The candle on the coffee table had melted down into a hardened puddle of wax.

Tim was lying awkwardly on the couch, one arm hanging over the side. His neck ached. Outside, rain continued to fall steadily against the windows.

The storm hadn't gone away. He blinked slowly, trying to collect himself. His mind felt foggy, like he had slept too hard or too little at the same time.

Then he remembered the board. Tim sat upright immediately.

The Ouija board still sat on the coffee table exactly where he had left it the night before. The planchette rested quietly in the center, not moving.

Pumpkin was curled on the opposite end of the couch, watching him with half-open eyes. For a long moment Tim simply stared at the board.

Had that really happened?

The memory felt strange now in the daylight. Less frightening, almost surreal. It could have been a dream, maybe. His mind playing tricks on him after watching too many horror movies during a thunderstorm. He stood slowly and walked to the window.

The sky outside was dark and swollen with clouds. Rain poured down the glass in long streaks while wind rattled the building occasionally. The storm looked like it might stay for most of the day. Tim rubbed his face and yawned. Part of him felt embarrassed about the whole thing. Talking to a board in the dark like some kid trying to summon ghosts.

He glanced back toward the coffee table. But another part of him felt something else, disappointment. He frowned at the thought.

Last night the board had promised something. A visit. Something strange and mysterious had seemed just within reach and nothing had happened.

The apartment had stayed quiet and empty, just like always.

Tim walked back over to the table and looked down at the board again. Pumpkin lifted his head.

"You're giving me that look again,"

Tim said to the cat. Pumpkin blinked slowly but didn't move. Tim sat down in front of the coffee table.

"Alright," he muttered.

He placed two fingers lightly on the planchette. The wood felt cool under his fingertips. For a moment nothing happened. Outside, thunder rumbled softly through the sky again. Tim cleared his throat awkwardly.

"Hello?" he said. The board remained still. He waited a few seconds.

"Serenity?" he tried again. Still nothing. Tim leaned back slightly with a small sigh.

"Guess it was just-"

The planchette moved. His breath caught. The wooden piece slid slowly across the board.

H..E..L..L..O..

T

im stared. "Okay..." he whispered. The planchette remained beneath his fingers, perfectly still again. "You're back?" Tim asked. The piece shifted immediately. Y..E..S.. Tim felt a strange excitement bubbling in his chest. "That's... good," he said quietly.

Pumpkin let out a small unhappy sound from the couch. Tim ignored him.

"Where did you go last night?" Tim asked. The planchette moved again.

W..A..I..T..I..N..G..

Tim frowned. "Waiting for what?" The piece slid again.

Y..O..U..

A faint chill passed through him. Tim swallowed. "You said you were going to visit." For a moment the board was still. Then it moved again.

S..O..O..N..

Tim felt that same strange warmth in his chest again. He leaned closer. "When?" he asked. The planchette glided slowly beneath his fingers.

T..O..N..I..G..H..T..

Tim blinked. "Tonight? The piece shifted again.

Y..E..S..

Lightning flashed outside, briefly lighting the apartment in pale gray. Pumpkin stood up on the couch, his fur slightly puffed as he watched the board. Tim's heart was beating faster now. "How?" he asked quietly. The planchette moved again.

D..R..E..A..M..

Tim frowned. "In a dream?" The planchette slid again.

N..O..

Then again.

R..E..A..L..

Tim felt a shiver crawl down his spine. "Real?" he repeated. The piece moved again slowly,

B..E..A..U..T..I..F..U..L..

Tim's face flushed slightly. The board continued.

F..O..R.. Y..O..U..

Tim laughed nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. "Well... that sounds nice," he said. The storm outside rumbled again. Rain beat harder against the windows. Tim realized he was smiling. He hadn't smiled much lately. "When will you come?" he asked. The planchette slid again.

W..H..E..N.. Y..O..U.. S..L..E..E..P..

Tim felt another chill run down his arms. "Tonight?" he asked again.

Y..E..S..

The piece paused. Then it moved one last time.

W..A..I..T.. F..O..R.. M..E..

The planchette slowly drifted back toward the center of the board, and stopped.

Tim sat there for a long moment, staring at it. Outside the storm continued roaring through the city. Pumpkin watched the board with wide eyes.

Tim finally leaned back on the couch. His heart was still beating faster than normal. "Alright," he murmured quietly. "Tonight."

For the first time in a long while, Tim actually felt excited about the coming night. He had no idea that somewhere far beyond the world he understood, something had just opened its eyes and it was very hungry.