“Put it down. Don’t touch that shit,” I said. She dropped it like it carried an electric charge.

“Someone must have come in during the night and put it there,” I said. “I’m telling you, this whole thing’s a mind trip. We’ll get Rox, we’ll get out of here, we’ll go to the police and have this whole fucking place raided. This ends with us.”

Cassie hugged herself, looking down at the Ouija board. Mirrors, hypnosis, now this. Call me superstitious, but there are some things better left alone. This book being one of them. But it’s too late for that. Maybe it ends with you.

I started the coffee maker, peeked out the window while it warmed. The perimeter was clear. And I didn’t hear the sound of anyone trekking deeper within the woods. Perhaps their purpose had been served and they’d all gone home, wherever the hell it is they live. I went to the front of the house to check that side, tried to open the door but it was locked. I turned the lock switch and tried again but it didn’t budge. Turned the deadbolt back and forth but didn’t hear the lever slide. I put my shoulder into the door and it was like pushing against a brick wall.

“What’s the matter?” Cassie said.

“Nothing,” I lied. I can’t stop.

There’s another door off the kitchen, but that one was locked as well. I kicked it and nearly jammed my foot. Must have been reinforced with steel. The windows were all sealed tight. We were trapped in this place, and it appeared the planchette was the key.

Why couldn’t we have befriended one of the beast boys outside and gotten an escort out of here? I wonder if Priscilla was able to escape, or if her seduction had been a setup. I hope she and her Tarzan lover are living happily ever after somewhere, but doubt it somehow.

The coffee urn hissed and gurgled and I went and poured two steaming cups. Brought one to Cassie and we sipped them while staring down at the letters and numbers on the board. Here is what a Ouija board looks like if you’ve never seen one before, but don’t stare at it too long. I’m serious.