@newsiestober2024 Day 2: Ouija Board
They all sat in a tight circle, Jack swallowing hard, acting like it didnβt bother him none.
βCβmon, fellas.β He rolled his eyes, trying to avoid glancing at the bit of wood in the middle. βWeβre just burninβ through the candles for nothinβ.β
The old lodging house attic, high above the street, barely glowed with the dim light of three candles. Enough to see each of the newsiesβ faces, their eyes darting from one to another, just as uneasy as Jack felt inside.
βShut your mouth!β Racetrack snapped from Jack's right, voice sharp. He was the keenest of the lot, the one whoβd fetched the board in the first place. You could tell by the way his eyes glistened in the dim light, he was dying to use it.
βWhereβd you even get that?β Kid Blink asked, voicing what the rest were wonderinβ.
βSome fella at Sheepsheadβs,β Race shrugged, trying to play it off cool. βBut hey, itβs fun, ainβt it?β
Jack wasnβt so sure. If there was one thing that got under his skin, it was spirits and such. Not just βcause of what the priests taughtβno, it was the whole feel of it. He didnβt like the idea of stirring up what ought to be left alone. And from what Racetrack had said, this βgameβ did just that.
βIt ainβt gonna work,β came a voice from across the circle.
David, sitting there like the whole thing didnβt concern him, didnβt seem neither eager nor scared. He looked at Racetrack like he knew better, which he usually did.
βAw, Dave, lighten up, will ya?β Crutchie piped in.
βThis isnβt fun. Ghosts? Witches? They donβt exist. And we arenβt going to talk to any spirits with some wooden toy.β Davidβs voice was flat, like heβd heard it all before. Then, he turned those steady eyes to Jack.
For a moment, Jack felt a bit more grounded. There was something about the way David always seemed to be smarter than the rest. As their eyes met, David gave him one of his half-smiles. Jack couldnβt help but return it.
βCanβt we just go to sleep already?β Crutchie yawned wide, rubbing his eyes.
βQuiet!β Race cut in, his voice quick. βAlright, fellas. Hands in.β Racetrack snatched Jackβs hand, and for a second, Jack almost pulled away. But when he saw Race grab Mushβs hand, and Mush with Blink, he realized it was part of the whole thing. So he took Crutchieβs hand, already wishing it was over.
Earlier that night, messing with this spirit-talking board had seemed a laugh. Now, at near 3 a.m., with the broken window letting in the cold October wind and the flicker of the candles making shadows crawl up the walls, Jack regretted ever saying yes.
Only the older ones were there: Racetrack, Crutchie, Blink, Mush, Bumlets, and of course, David, who'd been roped in though he'd tried to leave earlier. The others, like Skittery and Snoddy, acted like they were too good for it, though Jack figured they were just scared. The more time passed, the more Jack found he couldnβt blame βem.
Racetrack cleared his throat, and for once, he looked dead serious.
βSpirits, we call to you. If youβre friendly, come talk to us.β His voice rang out in the silence, and Jack felt a shiver creep up his spine. The candles started to flicker harder, shadows twisting and moving like they had a life of their own.
βIs that all you got?β Blink started.
βShut up, Blink!β everyone hissed, and then they sat, waiting, hopingβdreadingβwhat might come next.
The room felt colder than before, like the very air had started creeping in through the cracks, slipping between their bones. One by one, they put their hands on the pointer, the rough wood cool against Jackβs fingers. He didnβt like it. Not one bit.
Racetrack, then, whispered, βAlright, letβs ask it.β
For a moment, nobody spoke. The attic was dead silent, save for the faint creak of the building settling and the soft, unsteady breathing from the circle. The candles flickered, casting long, jittery shadows that made the walls feel closer.
Jackβs heart thudded hard in his chest, but he stayed still, locking his gaze on the board. Heβd promised himself he wouldnβt look scaredβwouldnβt be like those guys who ran off earlier. But there was something about this moment that feltβ¦ wrong.
βIs thereβ¦ someone here with us?β Racetrack asked, his voice barely above a whisper. He didnβt sound as sure as he had before.
For a second, nothing happened. The pointer just sat there in the middle of the board, still as death. Then, just as Jack started to think the whole thing was a waste of time, the wooden piece gave a slow, deliberate twitch.
βDid youβ¦ did you just push it?β Bumletβs voice cracked as he spoke, but no one answered him. Everyoneβs eyes were glued to the pointer now, their hands trembling just a little.
βNah, wasnβt me,β Racetrack said, his voice softer than Jack had ever heard it.
The pointer twitched again. This time, it slid slowly across the board, dragging their hands with it, like some invisible hand had taken hold. Jackβs breath caught in his throat. It stopped on the βYβ in the corner, then the βE,β then came to rest on βS.β
Jack pulled his hands back like the board was on fire. βWhat the hellββ
βIt moved,β Mush croaked, his eyes wide as saucers.
βNo, no, noβ¦β Crutchie whispered, shaking his head. βItβs not supposed to do that.β
They all stared at each other, eyes wide, waiting for someone to say it was a joke, that one of them had pushed it, but nobody said a word. Even David, whoβd been calm and cocky just a minute ago, had gone pale, his mouth pressed into a thin line.
Racetrack, usually the first to crack a joke, just sat there, frozen, his hand still resting on the board. His eyes flicked toward Jack, a nervous twitch in his brow. βI swearβ¦ I didnβt do nothinβ. It ainβt me.β
A cold draft blew through the attic, making the candle flames sputter. For a second, Jack thought they were gonna blow out. His heart was hammering in his chest, every instinct in him screaming to get up and leave, but his feet wouldnβt move. He couldnβt show he was scared. Not in front of the others.
βAsk it another question,β David said, his voice steady but low. He didnβt look at the board, just stared at the floor, his jaw set.
Racetrack gulped, then nodded. His hand trembled as he gripped the edge of the pointer again. βWhoβ¦ who are you?β
The room seemed to tighten, the shadows stretching like they were listening, waiting. The pointer, almost immediately, started to move again.
The pointer slid again, slow and steady, like it had all the time in the world. Jackβs stomach turned as he watched it glide across the board. The room seemed to hold its breath.
First, it went to βL.β Then βU.β It paused. Jack exchanged a nervous glance with Blink, who was biting his lip so hard Jack thought he might bleed. Then, the pointer jerked againβ"C.β
βWhatβs it spelling?β Crutchie whispered, leaning in closer.
βLβ¦ Uβ¦ Cβ¦β Racetrack murmured, eyes wide.
βIs it sayinβ βLucyβ or somethinβ?β Mush offered, but he didnβt sound like he wanted an answer.
The pointer twitched again, moving to βY.β
βLucy,β Kid Blink said, his voice barely audible. βWho the hell is Lucy?β
Jack felt a chill, colder than the draft. There was a dead Lucy in the tenement next to the lodging house, a girl who had died just a few weeks ago from some illness. Couldnβt be the same oneβcould it?
βAlright,β Racetrack said, clearing his throat, trying to sound brave. βLucyβ¦ what do you want?β
Nothing. The pointer didnβt move. The candles kept flickering, casting shadows that seemed to shiver. Jack didnβt know what was worseβseeing the thing move or waiting for it to do something.
Racetrack swallowed, trying to hide the tremor in his voice. βDo youβ¦ do you want to talk to one of us?β
The board remained still for a long second. Jack held his breath. Then, the pointer gave a slow, agonizing drag. βY.β Jackβs heart raced as it shifted to βE,β then back to βS.β
Everyone recoiled a bit, hands trembling as they barely stayed on the pointer. Jack thought Crutchie might bolt any second, his wide eyes darting to the attic door as if measuring the distance.
βAsk who,β David said quietly, his voice like iron despite the tremor in the air. He hadnβt touched the board yet, his hands folded in his lap. Jack thought maybe he was just as scared as the rest of themβonly hiding it better.
Racetrack licked his lips and asked, βWho do you wanna talk to?β
The pointer slid again, picking up speed now. First to βJ.β
βOh, hell,β Jack whispered.
Then it jerked toward βA.β Jackβs pulse thundered in his ears as it moved to βC,β and finally βK.β
βOh no, no, noβ¦β Jack stammered, pulling his hands away. βI ainβt talkinβ to no ghost. Forget it!β
Crutchie gave a nervous laugh, but it was shaky. βMaybe she likes you, Jack.β
Jack shook his head, running a hand through his hair. βI donβt care. I ainβt messinβ with that.β
But before anyone could say another word, the pointer started moving again, without them touching it. Everyoneβs eyes widened as it glided across the board, tracing letters on its own now.
First βL.β Then βO.β
βIs it spellinββ¦β Bumlets started, but trailed off.
βLβ¦ Oβ¦ Vβ¦ Eβ¦β Mush read aloud, like he couldnβt believe it.
Jackβs throat tightened. He leaned back, away from the board. His gut told him this wasnβt rightβwasnβt no game anymore.
Racetrack blinked, his face slowly breaking into a grin. βWell, look at that! Lucyβs got a crush on olβ Jack here!β His attempt at humor fell flat as the others stared at the board, no one laughing.
βShut up, Race,β Jack muttered, still too on edge to be mad.
But Kid Blink jumped in. βAlright, alright, if weβre askinβ love questions, how βbout we find out more? Hey, Lucy, do you think Jackβll ever get hitched?β
βDonβtββ Jack started to protest, but it was too late. The pointer jerked again, fast this time, moving in quick, deliberate strokes. It spelled out βNβ¦ O.β
Everyone burst out laughing, the tension breaking for just a moment. Jack scowled, though inside, a part of him was relievedβanything to make the room feel a little less eerie.
βFigures,β Racetrack snickered. βJack, looks like youβre outta luck with the ladiesβdead or alive.β
βAlright, enough,β Jack snapped, standing up, his hands clenched. βIβm done with this.β He was trying to play it off like a joke, but he could feel his hands shaking. This had gone too far. He wasnβt sticking around to see what else βLucyβ wanted to say.
But as he turned to leave, Crutchie, in his innocent way, asked, βWait, ask it somethinβ about us. Likeβ¦ will we ever get rich?β
For a moment, nobody moved. Jack hesitated at the door, half curious despite himself. The candles flickered again, casting longer, darker shadows on the walls.
Racetrack, his mischievous grin returning, nodded. βAlright, why not. Lucy, you think we newsies are gonna strike it rich one day?β
The pointer paused. Then, slowly, it moved.
The room went quiet again after the board spelled out Y-E-S, the candlelight casting long, flickering shadows across the walls. The tension that had momentarily eased crept back in, thicker now, like they were getting too comfortable with whatever was answering them. Jack stood by the door, arms crossed, trying to play it cool, but his pulse wouldnβt slow. That last answer about getting rich was a joke, right? But the boardβit was doing things on its own. He couldnβt shake the feeling that they were stepping into something far bigger than they understood.
Racetrack, always pushing things further, leaned in with a sly grin. βAlright, Lucy, since you seem to know a lotβ¦ letβs have a bit more fun. Whoβs got a secret crush in here, huh?β He waggled his eyebrows like it was a game, but Jack felt his gut twist.
βRace, donβt,β Jack muttered, his voice low. But Race didnβt stop, his hands still resting on the pointer, ready for it to move again.
David, whoβd been quiet for most of the exchange, stiffened. Jack noticed itβjust a slight shift, but enough to draw his attention. David was always so damn composed, but right now, there was something elseβsomething tense, almostβ¦ defensive.
The pointer didnβt move at first. The group waited, breaths held. The room seemed colder, the shadows thicker. Then, slowly, ever so slowly, the wooden piece began to glide across the board again.
βHere we go,β Kid Blink muttered, half excited, half nervous.
Then it went to E, and then S.
βHa! See, someone in hereβs got a secret crush!β Mush said, his voice a little too loud in the silence.
Jack shifted his weight, feeling suddenly exposed. He glanced around at the others, trying to gauge their reactions. His eyes flicked to David, who was staring at the board, his jaw tight. Jack didnβt know what he expected, but something about the way David was sitting, all stiff and quiet, set off a strange flutter in Jackβs chest. David wasnβt one to get rattledβso what was he hiding?
βAlright,β Racetrack grinned, eyes glinting mischievously, βwhoβs the poor sap with the crush? Lucy, you gonna spill the beans?β
This time, the pointer moved faster. It darted straight to D.
Davidβs face didnβt change, but Jack saw his hands tense slightly where they rested on his knees. Jackβs heart skipped a beat, confusion and something else twisting in his chest.
The pointer slid again, to A.
Jack swallowed, trying to ignore the knot forming in his gut. He told himself it was just coincidence. Some dumb ghost playing tricks. But when the pointer moved to V, his mouth went dry.
Crutchie gave a small, nervous laugh. βLooks like itβs you, Dave.β
David didnβt say anything, didnβt even look up. Jack, watching him closely, felt something stir inside himβsomething he hadnβt let himself think about, hadnβt wanted to name. The idea of it was impossible. Boys didnβt think about other boys like thatβat least, they werenβt supposed to. Jack had known for a long time that the way his heart fluttered when he saw David wasnβt normal, and perhaps it wasnβt right. But still, he couldnβt help wonderingβ¦
Racetrack pushed forward. βAlright, alright. Letβs see who Daveβs got a thing for, huh?β He nudged the board with his elbow. βCβmon, Lucy, whoβs David sweet on?β
Jackβs pulse pounded in his ears. The candles flickered again, casting a strange, jittery light over everything, making the attic feel even smaller.
The pointer slid once more, moving slower this time, like it was toying with them. First to F.
Jack froze. His heart leapt into his throat. No. It couldnβt be.
No one said anything, but all eyes were on the board now, every breath held.
The pointer shifted again, to S.
Jackβs skin prickled. He could feel Davidβs gaze on him now, though he didnβt dare look back. It was impossibleβabsurd, even. But for a moment, just a flicker of a second, he thoughtβ¦ maybe.
And then the pointer stopped. Just F-S. Thatβs it. It didnβt move any further, leaving them all hanging in the heavy silence.
Kid Blink snorted. βF-S? Whatβs that even mean?β
But Jack didnβt laugh. Neither did David. Jack dared to glance at David, who was staring at him, eyes dark and unreadable. The kind of look that made Jackβs heart race in a way he wasnβt sure how to handle.
βGuess weβll never know,β Racetrack finally said after a few minutes of patiently looking at the now motionless Ouija board, breaking the tension with a nervous chuckle as he saw that whatever magic powers it had, theyβd stopped now. βLucyβs keepinβ her secrets.β
Jack let out a breath he didnβt realize heβd been holding. F-S. Just two letters. It could mean anythingβor nothing. But as he looked away, that small flicker of hope took root inside him.
Jack knew it was foolish. He knew it made no sense to think that those two simple letters were referring to the initials of his real name. Davey probably didnβt even remember it. He knew the world didnβt work like that, especially not his world. But stillβ¦ that look from David was enough. Just for now.
Maybe using that stupid Ouija Board hadn't been such a terrible idea.
