Let The Sleeping Lie

Games of dare and fairytales

skim lines not to be crossed

Pirate ships in heavy gales

where storylines get tossed

Witches brew and curses flow

above the soft, loose soil

Things that mortals should not know

are waiting to uncoil

Evil in its finest garb

await the unsuspecting

Wires laced with metal barbs

make it easier collecting

Flesh and bone freshly revealed

a feast for the unliving

Appetites for flesh unpeeled

for deeds done, unforgiving

****

The whole gang gathered, quietly excited, around midnight in Jared's backyard. One by one they placed their offerings in the dim light of his parents pool.

Matt brought a few dozen eggs and Terry procured a stash of toilet paper from his dad's general store. Melissa and Tori brought their weegee board and some ragged candles to set the mood, which left Jared in charge of food and drinks, courtesy of his folks, who were on vacation for a long weekend, leaving an open door for some teenaged mischief.

Jared had been trying for weeks to find an excuse to get Tori's attention, and a early halloween bash was just what the dr ordered.

As they sorted through their bags of treasure, Tori was quick to pull out the tattered, well used weegee board. "Maybe we should have some drinks before we delve into the long distance communication, Tori," snapped Matt.

"What's the matter, Matty, are you afraid...?" teased Melissa.

"Nah, that shit is stupid anyway, we're here for a party, so let's party!" Matt snorted, and don't call me that!"

A few hours went by, round about 2:30, Tori pulled out the weegee board again. "Okay guys, we've waited long enough, it's time to see what the other side has to say."

Matt began to bark a criticism, but Jared stopped him. "Dude, you're killin' me, let her have her fun, then I can have mine," he winked in his best "guy code," so Matt stayed quiet.

"I've got an idea," whispered Melissa. "How about we make our way down to the old church lot and have our seance in the graveyard? I mean, let's make it easier on the dead guys." She laughed, encouraging the others to lighten up.

Terry shouted, "yeah, let's go!" and that was all it took, they all piled into his jeep and in less than a straight line, made their way to Cravin's Cemetery.

The place was nearly overgrown with ivy and the scent of lilac hung strangely sweet in the air. Matt mumbled under his breath, "it's creepier than I remember." Which made Tori begin to laugh, "shhhh, shhhh," Melissa blurted in a snicker, "don't let them know we're here, yet."

Terry hid his discomfort with another shot of whiskey, "come on, let's get on with it," Jared urged.

Across the yard, locked inside a rod iron fence, was a newly dug grave, the soil was piled high, making the stone appear tilted. "Let's set up in there," Tori said. Her voice was higher pitched than normal and she seemed fixated, as she walked ahead of the others.

"Hey, maybe we shouldn't," Jared wasn't through with his sentence when Tori lit the first candle.

"Wait for us, girl, Melissa stammered, as she stumbled her way over the rail.

Sifting her fingers through the dirt, Tori suddenly spit in it, smearing it until it completely covered her face. Lighting the second candle, she threw her head back and began to speak words that the rest of them were unable to understand.

Jared shocked, nudged Melissa and asked, "what is she doing?" which made Melissa smile. Her face, long and distorted, seemed to glow as she grabbed Jared by his shoulder, shoving onto the fresh dirt.

Tori bellowed, "Under the hollow moon, the stars bare witness to the gift of life we bestow to you, master."

Jared, in one quick motion, sprung up and leaped the fence, "You are CRAZY," Without another word, he disappeared into the darkness.

For a moment, no one moved.