Far Horizons: Tales of Sci-Fi, Fantasy and Horror. Issue #21 December 2015 | Page 6

“Don’t be a scaredy cat,” Laura replied. She scanned the apartment and suddenly uttered a squeak. “Look, they have a Ouija board too!” The indicator quickly jerked from letter to letter. Obey me, it spelled out Brian hesitantly climbed into the dark apartment after his sister. The room was eerily quiet. On the floor was the board with the indicator sitting upon it. They both emitted a ghastly green glow. “Why should we?” Obey me or die. At that moment, a cloud covered the sun and cast the dim room into total darkness. Laura screamed and scooted backwards on her butt. She slammed into the wall behind her. With her eyes wide open in fear, she could barely make out the green glowing board and the dark silhouette of her brother. “Brian, let’s go,” she cried with a shudder. “Let’s play,” Laura said. “Mom said we shouldn’t without her and Dad,” Brian replied hesitantly. “I don’t want to wait. Besides, it’ll be more fun without them. We can ask it anything! Here, put your hands on the triangle thingy with me.” “Yeah, maybe we better,” Brian replied. He took his fingers off the indicator and stood. However, the psychic portal remained open since he did not move the Planchette over the words “Good Bye” at the bottom of the board. As Brian reached for his sister’s hand to help her up, a mist interposed itself between the children and the outside fire escape. A horrid smell akin to rotten eggs accosted their noses. “Oh, okay, but since I’m older, I get to go first,” Brian said, deciding that he shouldn’t show fear to his sister. He sat across from her and placed his fingers on the indicator. After a moment he said, “Spirit, spirit on the board; who’s the fairest of the horde?” He let out a small, nervous laugh as he finished. The mist coalesced into a huge horned demon. “I am ZOG,” its deep voice grated. “You have summoned me. You must obey me.” Nothing happened. “That was dumb, Brian!” Laura said, frowning. “I know what I want to ask. What am I getting for Christmas?” She watched the board in anticipation, but again the indicator refused to move. “Is anyone there?” she queried quietly. The heart-shaped object suddenly slid beneath her fingers to the right; then it shot diagonally to the left and stopped on the word printed there: YES. With a cry, Laura jumped up and backed away from the board. “You pushed it there!” she accused her brother. Brian pressed his back against the wall next to his sister, his knees trembling. “What…what do you want from us?” he stuttered. “You will take the board and leave it for the residents of another apartment. You must then return. If you fail to comply, I will kill you and all your loved ones.” When the children stood unmoving, the demon howled, “NOW!” “No, I didn’t,” Brian said in amazement. “It really works! Come back. Let’s find out more.” Tentatively, Laura returned. She sat and put her small fingers on the heart-shaped Planchette. “Who’s there?” she whispered nervously. After a moment of hesitation, the Ouija board spelled out: Zog. Brian scooped up the game and ran for the door with Laura on his heels. When “Stupid name,” Brian said with a snort. “What do you want?” 6