Echoes (Whisper Trilogy Book 2) by Michael Bray Page A

bought them as a package deal. I guess they count as my certificate of authenticity.”
    “Hey, you don’t have to sell it to me. I’m convinced this is legit.”
    “Well, there’s more actually. See, my buddy knew I was really into finding out about what had happened at the Hope House site, I was already obsessed with it and soaking up every bit of information I could find. My pal’s parents didn’t want the board in the shop. They didn’t want the vibes or the publicity to reflect back on it. And so …”
    Alex reached into his bag again, and pulled out the scorched wooden board, eliciting gasps from his friends as if he had just pulled a rabbit from a hat.
    “… I bought it.”
    He held the board up to them, displaying it like a trophy in the flickering light of the fire.
    “Can I see it?” Scott asked, holding out his hands.
    “Yeah, go ahead. Pass it around.” The board made its way to everyone, each of them looking at it and letting their fingers glide across the lettering on its surface.
    “That’s one of the reasons why I wanted to come out here,” Alex said as the board made its way to Cody. It was the first thing he’d seemed interested in since they’d arrived, and he took a long while to look at it, even lifting it to his face and smelling the section where it had been burnt on the edges.
    “I wanted us all out here because I thought we could use it. I thought we could maybe see if we could contact those same spirits which I genuinely believe were responsible for everything which happened over the years.”
    “You want to use a Ouija board… here? Tonight?” Emma said, flicking an uncertain glance towards Carrie. “I’m not that drunk.”
    “I am,” Carrie said with a grin, devouring Alex with lustful eyes. “I think we should do it.”
    “What about you Scott?” Alex said, still looking at Carrie.
    “I… I’m not sure.”
    “Come on, I thought you didn’t really believe in this stuff anyway?”
    “I don’t, it’s just… I don’t really like the vibe of this place, you know? It feels… wrong.”
    “Isn’t that exactly why we should do this? Just imagine if we could capture proof? Absolute, one hundred per cent proof of something else beyond life? We would be superstars.”
    “I suppose so…,” Scott mumbled.
    “What about the rest of you?”
    “Hell yeah, count me in,” Carrie said.
    Both of them looked to Emma, who in turn was watching Cody. She was praying he would say no, so she wouldn’t have to be alone in refusing to take part. Cody however was still mesmerized by the board. “I think we should do it.” Cody said flatly.
    “That just leaves you,” Alex said, tipping a cocky wink at Emma.
    “Come on, Em,” Carrie said, squeezing her hand. “You said you wanted to get scared, right? What better way than this?”
    “I just don’t think it’s something we should be messing with. Especially not here.”
    “Where else would it be better put to use?” Alex countered. “It seems like the perfect situation.”
    “We don’t even know how to use these things,” Emma argued. “There are certain things you’re supposed to do to be safe. I’m hazy on the details. I remember reading something about making sure you are protected against the spirits.”
    “A protective circle,” Carrie said. She smiled as the others looked at her.
    “It’s okay, I know how to use these,” She replied, trying her best to reassure Emma. “They’re perfectly safe if you use them properly and follow the rules.”
    “Tell it to the Samsons,” Emma replied.
    “Hey, it’s up to you,” Alex said as Cody finally handed him back the board. “If you don’t want to take part, feel free to go back home where it’s warm and safe.”
    “You don’t need to be so condescending.”
    “And you don’t need to be such a coward. Come on, take a risk. What’s the worst that could happen?”
    “Fuck you, all of you,” she spat as she stood and walked to her tent, ignoring