It was a summer night

It was about ten years ago when my friends and I tried something we probably shouldn’t have. We were just kids, bored and curious, and that night changed everything.

It was a summer night, and my friend Lily invited me and our other friend Anna for a sleepover. We had watched movies for hours, eaten way too many snacks, and still had the whole night ahead of us.

Somehow, the topic of ghosts came up. Lily and I were really into spooky stuff, always reading about hauntings and watching scary videos. Anna, on the other hand, hated anything to do with ghosts. She was always afraid of them. But for some reason, that night, she didn’t protest when Lily suggested we try making our own spirit board.

Lily didn’t own a real Ouija board, but she said we could make one. Anna hesitated but ended up helping us anyway. She drew the letters and numbers on a big piece of cardboard, I looked up the rules online, and Lily cut out a plastic lid to use as a planchette.

By the time we finished, it was late—maybe 11 PM. The house was quiet, and the only light came from the lamp beside Lily’s bed. We sat in a circle on the floor, the board between us.

I had read that moving the planchette in circles helped start the energy, so we all put our fingers on it and did slow, looping motions. After a few times, I asked, “Is anyone here with us?”

The planchette slid to YES.

Anna’s hand jerked away. “That was one of you,” she whispered.

Lily and I swore we didn’t do it.

Lily asked, “What’s your name?”

The planchette moved again. C-A-S-S-I-E.

I asked, “Cassie, how old are you?”

8.

Lily hesitated before asking, “How did you—” she stopped herself, then changed the question. “When did you…pass away?”

2001.

Anna was staring at the board, barely breathing. “Where are you right now?” she finally asked.

The planchette slowly moved again. Next to you.

Anna shot up from the floor, jumping onto Lily’s bed. “Nope, I’m done. I don’t like this.”

Lily and I laughed, but deep down, I felt uneasy. Just then, the planchette slid on its own.

Can I show you something?

I hesitated but asked, “Like what?”

Look at the door.

We all turned toward Lily’s bedroom door. At first, nothing happened. Then—knock, knock.

My breath caught in my throat. We were the only ones awake.

“Lily, is that your parents?” I whispered.

She shook her head.

We sat frozen. The planchette moved one last time.

Goodbye.

At that moment, the lamp beside Lily’s bed flickered. Anna let out a small scream, and we all scrambled onto the bed, too scared to move.

We never touched the board again.

Lily never had any weird things happen after that night, but sometimes, when we talk about it, I swear I hear soft knocking—like someone still wants to talk.