Graveyard Rendezvous

Maia cups her mug as she stares out the café window, her eyes closed and a content smile on her face as the mid-morning sun warms her skin. The low hum of chatter rises and falls in waves and mixes with the Zen music streaming from hidden speakers. She brings her mug up to her face and takes a deep inhale of her cinnamon coffee. The sweet and woodsy spice compliments the light roasted brew and added milk. The door of the shop slams open, earning a few surprised exclamations. Quick steps approach Maia’s table the chair across from her scrapes away from it. Maia sighs and opens her eyes. Her best friend stands before her, sporting a triumphant grin. Instead of her usual distressed jeans and flannel, she’s wearing khaki pants, a beige cardigan over a navy-blue button-down shirt. Her blonde hair is pulled into a bun and light makeup adorns her face.

“Hey, girl. What’s up?” Dani plops into the chair. Her leg bobs up and down underneath the table.

Maia quirks an eyebrow and takes a sip of her drink. “Heeey. Where are you going dressed up like that?”

Dani’s grin widens. “Not going to, coming from.” She pulls out her hair tie and bobby pins, shaking out her curls. “We’ve got plans for tonight.”

Maia narrows her eyes. Every time she says that exact phrase, trouble isn’t too far behind. “What do you mean? We’re having a horror movie marathon tonight.”

Dani rolls her eyes. “Girl, we do that every year. This Halloween is gonna be unforgettable.” She pulls a piece of paper from her pocket. “I had to sweet talk Mr. Sanderson into letting us spend the night in the cemetery.”

Maia gapes at her. The only people who go to graveyards are couples looking to hookup and wannabe scene kids. She grips her mug tighter, trying to stop her shaking hands.  “We’re not doing that. That’s a horror movie waiting to happen.”

Dani puts her hands over Maia’s, giving her puppy dog eyes. “Come on, Maia. We’ll have fun and we’ll be perfectly safe.”

Maia purses her lips. “I’ve heard that one before. You’re not the one who fell into Neegan’s enclosure.” Memories of the tiger stalking towards her flash through her mind. His golden gaze piercing through her and his rancid breath on her face. 

A blush creeps into Dani’s face. “Well, this time is different.” She pulls out another piece of paper and slides it across the table. “I’ll make sure of it.”

Maia glances at it, while drinking her lukewarm coffee. I’ve heard that one before, too. “Alright, I’m in.”

******

           As the sun sets below the horizon, the sky is a canvas of pink, orange, and purple blending into each other. The crisp autumn breeze rustles through the red maple trees, freeing the dead leaves and carrying them away. Maia takes a deep breath, filling her lungs with the clean air. She crosses her arms as she leans against the wrought iron fence separating New Eden’s dead from the living. Either through poor design or respect for the dead, New Eden cemetery overlooks the entire downtown area. Maia glances at her phone. 6:00 P.M. She sighs and begins to shoot Dani a text, when the crunch of wheels stops her. Mr. Sanderson creeps up the hill in his rusty, blue Chevy with Dani chilling in the passenger seat. They park under the tree and Dani hops out first, humming with barely contained excitement. She’s back in her regular clothes and a large duffel bag is gripped in her hands. Mr. Sanderson hobbles after her, holding a ring of keys.

           Before he unlocks the gate, he turns his grey eyes on them. “Now, ladies. I’ll let y’all in here, but promise me, you’ll let them folks sleep.” His gruff voice echoes in the quiet. 

           Maia nods, while Dani grins, patting the older man on the back. “Don’t worry, Mr. S. We have everything under control.” 

Mr. Sanderson eyes them both, his lips set in a grim line. He unlocks the gate, pulling it open. “Keep that note handy and I’ll be back for you at 6 A.M.”

Maia’s eyes widen. 6 A.M. ? She glares at Dani’s back as she grabs her backpack and follows her in. The resounding clang of the gate closing feels permanent, like they’ve signed their death warrants. Maia turns back and watches as Mr. Sanderson returns to his truck and drives away. Well, that’s that.

Dani lets a large whoop as she runs and jumps around the tombstones. So much for letting “them folks sleep.” Maia follows at a slower pace, scanning the graveyard. Other than Dani’s carrying-on, it’s unnaturally quiet. No birds chirp. No squirrels or chipmunks skitter about. Even the wind seems to be holding itself back. Dread tightens like a fist in her gut as she picks up Dani’s discarded duffel bag and walks along the path. Tombstones, large and small, stretch across the manicured hills as far as the eye can see. Mausoleums dot larger plots of land like islands across a sea of green. At the heart of the cemetery is a hand-carved, dome-like structure with stairs leading into it. Columns line the outer edge with vines wrapping around each. Dani stands in the center, her arms stretched wide open and her eyes closed. 

Maia stares at her, for a beat. “I’m assuming we’re sleeping here.” She climbs up the stairs as a jolt of electricity shoots up her spine. Maia yelps and drops the duffel bag. She grabs onto Dani, shaking her. “Dani, did you feel that?” 

Dani pats her hand, not opening her eyes. “There are spirits here, Maia.” Maia takes a step back. The voice is Dani’s, but it isn’t. It seems older.

Maia slings her backpack off and opens it. She pulls out a water bottle and stands. “Sorry about this, Dani.” Maia squeezes the water in her face. It does the trick.

“What the heck, Maia?!” Dani swipes at her face. “What’d you do that for?” 

“You were trippin’, dude. You said there were spirits here.” Maia reseals her bottle and drops it back into her bag.

“No, I didn’t.” Dani sits on the ground and pulls her bag towards her.

“Yeah, you did.” Maia sits down across from her, her arms wrapped around her legs.

“No. I didn’t.” Dani frowns, a chip hallway to her mouth. 

Maia glares at her. “Whatever, let’s just get through this night and go home.”

*******

“I poured my beer on him and hit him with the bottle.” Dani cackles as she concludes her story about her latest Tinder date. She takes a drag of her cigarette and blows out the smoke. “The bastard didn’t see it coming.”

Maia shakes her head. “I remember that night. I told you to behave yourself.” 

Dani tosses her head, tapping the cigarette. “I was behaving myself. Chad didn’t get the memo.” 

“I gotta admit, that dude was an asshat.” Maia yawns as she checks her phone. 3:00 A.M. “I think we should turn in. Mr. Sanderson’ll be here in three hours.” She pulls on her hoodie and shoves her curls into the hood.

Dani nods and snuffs out her cigarette. She slips on her Chucks and gets to her feet. “Sounds like a plan. I’ll be back.”

“Where are you going?”   

“I have to pee.” Dani hops down the stairs and shoots her with finger guns. “I’ll be back in a minute.” She heads further into the cemetery, disappearing behind a mausoleum. 

Maia crawls into her sleeping bag, feeling alone in the unnatural quiet. She closes her eyes, sinking further into the bag. After a few moments, she sits up. “Dani?” No response. Another jolt of electricity passes through her, more intense than the one from earlier. A gasp escapes her lips. Maia slips out of her bag and pulls on her own shoes. She stands, grabbing her phone and keys. “Dani!” Still no response. As soon as Maia walks down the stairs, the atmosphere shifts. The air feels charged, like touching a live wire and being unable to let it go.

The moon shines down in its pearlescent glory. Storm clouds creep across the sky, threatening to block out the light. Maia runs in the direction Dani went. Her heart thuds loud in her ears as adrenaline flows through her veins. “Maia…” Dani’s voice comes from behind her. No, not Dani. Something else. Maia freezes in her place. “Come here, Maia…”

Maia turns around. Dani is standing behind her, but she’s not alone. Pale, spectral figures line the rolling hills, facing her. Dani stares unblinking, an old woman in rags with waist-length hair grips her shoulder. She speaks, but Dani’s voice is the only Maia hears. “Come here, Maia. We’ve been waiting for you.”