Nightly Frights and Terrible Delights

There was a whisper on the wind this eve as it rushed through the autumn leaves and swirled above the dreary tombstones of Chasity Cemetery.

Probably trying to warn the two stupid teenagers currently breaking in about what a stupid idea this is.

Unfortunately, whatever words of wisdom mother nature was trying to impart got lost in the noise that was my best friend animatedly talking about demons and spirits.

"And they say you can actually summon a spirit if you stay here till midnight and demand they show themselves! How cool is that Dre?!" Sam whisper-shouted eagerly, just about bursting with excitement.

It perfectly complimented her pumpkin orange sweater and plum leggings.

Bright and cheery, just like her personality.

"Sure." I replied dryly, having to bring some semblance of balance to her hyper active self. "Would doesn't want to summon a spirit or demon who could potentially possess you? Fun..."

Sam pouted at my sarcasm.

"Awh Dre, com'on and at least try to act a bit excited." Stomping her foot for emphasis, she quickly realised that I was not stopping and practically ran after me as I made my way deeper into the graveyard, taking the flashlight with me. "HEY DRE! WAIT FOR ME!"

"Stop whining and hurry up." I shrugged, though I slowed a bit till we were walking side by side among the crypts.

I silently eyed the crumbling tombstones and faceless angels standing like sentinels, guarding the weathered structures, wondering or the umpteenth time why the hell I had agreed to Sam's ridiculous request.

A thump had me turning to see the girl face down in the dirt, and I sighed resigned before offering her my hand.

Right, it's because she's so accident prone.

She smiled in thanks, dusting herself off.

"I think we've reached the middle now. What now, oh wise one?" I asked sarcastically, stopping under the large oak tree that marked the middle of the cemetery, and had two other paths branching out from it.

"Nowwww, we wait," glancing at her phone, she squinted at the bright light, "for about two hours."

She grinned brightly at my deadpanned expression, and I sighed before dropped to sit cross-legged on the ground.

Thank god I wore black today.

Sam dropped next to me, phone still in her hand. She frowned before tucking it away in her back pocket.

"The reception here is terrible."

I snorted, "Well of course it would be, the dead don't use cell phone service."

We snickered at that, the thought of a skeleton using a phone bringing a smile to both of our faces.

Glancing up at the sky, I marvelled at how bright the moon, barely stifling a yawn before turning to Sam.

"Seeing as we have two hours, I think I'm going to take a nap. Wake me when you're ready to do your magic spirit summoning thing."

Sam rolled her eyes, a grin on her lips.

"Alrighty, I'll set an alarm and get some shut eye too."

I mumbled something, though I don't even think it was coherent.

******

I jolted awake to the sound of Evanescence's Made of Stone blasting through my air drums, silently cursing at the volume while commending Sam's taste in music.

"Ugh, where is that girl?" Groggily, I stumbled to my feet, leaning on the tree trunk as I rubbed the lingering sleep out of my eyes.

I caught Sam's figure further down one of the paths, and made my way towards her, calling out.

"Samantha! Why didn't you wake me?!" I muttered, fully awake now.

She didn't even give me a backward glance as she responded absentmindedly.

"I thought I saw someone here." She muttered more to herself than to me. " Maybe it was my imagination?"

She seemed trying to convince herself.

I shook my head in exasperation, in no mid for her to be having some internal epiphany, latching onto her hand as I dragged her back to the oak tree.

"Well whatever, it's midnight now. You said we need to be at the centre for this to work. So let's get this over with and sneak back home before your parents find out."

"Yeah, yeah. I'm coming." She groused, stumbling to match my large strides.

I folded my hands as Sam caught her breath from my man-handling, ignoring her glare.

Straightening up, Sam took a deep breath before closing her eyes.

"GREAT SPIRITS, HEED MY CALL! I DEMAND THAT YOU SHOW YOIRSELVES!"

Peeking an eye open, Sam frowned as she saw nothing but the wind blowing leaves through the graveyard, and my unimpressed look.

"SPIRITS! I DEMAND YOUR PRESENCE!" She tried again, only to be meant with crickets chirping.

I rolled my eyes, having expected nothing less.

"Spirits? Uh...show yourselves...please?" She needed off meekly, sheepishly scratching the back of her head.

"Can we go now?" I asked, brow raised as I tapped my foot impatiently.

Sam sighed dejectedly, but perked right back up.

"Oh well, guess it was all bogus anyway. Halloween always brings around some old wives' tale." She muttered, laughing.

I chuckled along with her as we made our way out of the cemetery.

"I'm glad you haven't let it dull your mood Sam."

She snorted, tone light. "Please, I had more tact than that Dre."

Humming in agreement, I felt my shoulders lift as the gate came into view.

Hissssss.

I glanced at Sam.

"You say something?"

She scrunched up her face.

"Huh? What was that Dre?"

Hisss.

Freezing, I locked eyes with Sam.

I nodded slightly before we both bolted for the exit, skidding to a halt well away from the wrought iron gates marking the beginning of Chasity Cemetery.

Glancing up, I could just make out the faint, wispy figure of what appeared to be a pale, haggard figure. One wispy appendage was stretched in our direction, almost as if it tried to grasp onto us.

A strong breeze passed suddenly, causing the apparition to dissipate, as if it were never there.

"....what the-DRE! WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT!?"

"....I guess those wives' tales have some truth after all..." I muttered in astonishment.

Sam and I stood stock still for a good minute before high-tailing out of there.