Chapter 4: Trouble from Beyond

“It would be shameful even to mention here those pleasures of darkness that the ungodly do” (Ephesians 5:12, TLB).

“Go on.” Allen relaxed as Mike encouraged him to tell what else took place when Stacy said she wanted to contact “the Other Side.”

“So Stacy lit a couple more candles. Then she asked us to close our eyes and quietly chant the word ‘Come.’ She told us not to stop until she said so. She started and we joined in.

“I was curious and peeked to see what she was doing. She placed a gold chain with a huge red gem high over her head and held it there. The flames of the candles danced with a strange glow off her face and the glowing jewel. While we chanted, Stacy spoke quietly. I couldn’t understand what she was saying, but it sounded real strange to me.” Allen nervously tapped his foot on the ground.

“Did Stacy see you open your eyes?” Mike asked, looking sideways at Allen.

“I don’t know for sure, but she did speak out, ‘Keep your eyes shut!’ I was spooked! I shut my eyes tight and joined in the chant. But after a time I couldn’t help but peek again. She kept on chanting louder and louder. At the same time she was swaying back and forth with her hands still held up over her head. This went on for for ages. I was getting a little tired of the whole thing and wanted to get out of there, but I forced myself to carry on.

“Then the weirdest thing happened. I felt a slight breeze hit my legs under the table, but I didn’t feel it on my face. I thought someone must have walked into the room. I covered my eyes with my hands so as not to be seen looking, but nobody new was there. After awhile the breeze on my legs stopped. There was a dead silence for quite a while. Then Stacy whispered, “Everyone, open your eyes, but remain silent!” We all sat there half fatigued and half curious. Stacy asked us if anyone sensed anything. I didn’t say a word. I wanted to see if anyone else had felt what I did. Everyone looked at each other waiting for someone to reply.”

Mike’s expression never wavered. “Did anyone say anything?”

“Bill shook his head no and everyone else agreed with him. Stacy looked at me, waiting for my reaction. I took deep breath and blurted out what had happened. Bill immediately accused me of making it all up.”

“What did Stacy do?” Mike inquired.

“She told us that sometimes only one person senses anything.” Allen pressed his lips together. “I asked her if it was some kind of spirit being or live presence. Before she could answer, Bill scoffed at me again and mocked, “It’s all in your imagination, get real man.”

“I didn’t know what to do so I split. Anyway after two hours most of us needed to head for home because we had to get up for school. My folks gave me a hard time when I came home late, but some of the kids said it didn’t matter. I know my Mom and Dad care about me, even though I complain sometimes about them trying to control my life. We’ve been known to get into wicked arguments and won’t speak to each other, sometimes for days. Sooner or later things cool down and we talk about it. My dad always refers to it as a ‘sulking season’ and we often get a laugh out of it. When I look back it’s mostly my fault. I’ve got different ideas than they do. I know they’re just trying to do what’s best for me, but I still can’t wait for the day when I can make my own decisions. For now, I just have to hang in there until I can go off to college.”

Mike patted Allen’s arm and prodded, “Do you think Stacy encourages showing respect to parents?”

Allen folded his arms across his chest and let out a long whistle, “No way. Try this one on. This morning I overheard a conversation between Stacy and another girl who said she was having big time trouble with her father. Stacy asked her if she had ever considered casting a spell on her father.”

“Really?” Mike’s eyes grew big.

“I knew right then and there something wasn’t right—just seemed this magic spell stuff might go way too far.”

Mike stepped closer to Allen, placing his huge arm around his shoulder. “I prize your honest sharing Allen. It will really help for our talk later about why you were chosen. Anything more that might shed light on this incident?”

“When I told some of my other friends at school what happened to me at Stacy’s house last night, most of them thought I was losing my marbles.”

“Losing your what?” inquired Mike.

“You know—my mind.”

“Oh sorry Allen, that didn’t register with me.”

“Hey man, sorry for the jargon, I’ll try to use angel talk,” Allen joked. Mike gave a hearty laugh and then a gentle pat on the back that encouraged Allen to finish his thought.

“Yeah. It was a bummer, like I said. Some of them thought I was just hoping to make out with Stacy. One of my buddies came right out and said, ‘You’re just trying to get on Stacy’s good side.’ I decided right quick to let the whole thing die.”

“Make out with Stacy, let the whole thing die. I think I understand.” Mike eyes twinkled as he gave a slight sigh, as he mumbled these new terms under his breath.

“Here’s the important part, Mike. Today I found out something that really grabbed my brain.” Allen ran his hands through his hair. “A guy named Jason has been having trouble with one of his teachers. He’s not part of our gang, but somehow he had found out about these 'spooks’—that’s what we called the parties at Stacy’s house. Today Conny told me that awhile back Jason had convinced Stacy to help him cast a spell on the ‘teach,’ as he called him.”

Mike lifted his chin a little higher and asked, “So did she?”

Allen’s chest quivered as he thought back to what he had heard from Conny. “Man this spook Stacy held was different from any other night that I’ve been to. After Stacy did her usual hocus pocus, her mom helped her mix some liquids together and made a potion. It sounded real creepy.”

Mike’s face tightened. “A potion, that was different.”

“Yeah, I felt super uneasy when I heard about this. Conny said she heard that he’d asked, ‘Can you mess him up real good?’ A chill gripped my back. I couldn't believe it! How could anyone hate someone else that much?”

“Did Stacy’s mother agree to that?” Mikes eyes widened in astonishment.

“Well, Conny said Stacy’s mother told Jason she didn’t think she could do that, but they could place a hex on his teacher and let the forces deal in their own way.”

Mike contemplated Allen’s words for a moment then motioned to continue the story.

“So Stacy’s mom went through some chants, mixed the potion, did some hand motions. Conny said it took quite a while.”

“And what do you think? Do you think casting spells is for real?” Mike asked.

Allen fidgeted. “Well, here’s the mysterious and really scary part. It turns out that it was two days after that potion stuff that Mr. Gibson was in a terrible car accident and was almost killed. In fact, he’s still in a coma. Is that a coincidence or what?”

Allen didn’t give Mike time to respond. His thoughts were on a roll. “For me this whole thing seems to have gone too far. More and more kids at our school are getting involved with Stacey’s spooks. Some are even starting some on their own. They’re trying to cast spells, communicate with the dead, and talk with demons, evil spirits, imps, and all kinds of dark beings.”

Mike looked down, shaking his head slowly. “That’s not all. Some kids are getting in arguments with their parents for dabbling in it. But other parents are saying the whole thing is just harmless and that kids should be allowed to have a fun time. They think it helps keeps the kids off the streets.”

There was a pause. Mike looked deep into Allen eyes and said, “Anything else you want to add? This is heavy my friend.”

“Like I said this is a bummer. Many parents seem to be as confused about it as their kids.” Allen’s eyebrows shot up again. “All I know is these spooks and what goes on at them has completely messed up our gang. When some of us do get together now, all we talk about is this hocus-pocus stuff.”

Mike’s eyes widened with alarm. “You sure have a lot to think about.”

Allen leaned in close to Mike. “Do you know anything about this stuff?”

Mike rubbed his chin. “Well, I have had some experience with it.”

“Well, it’s your turn to talk.” Allen’s voice was firm. “I’m all ears.”