Part One - Into the Mist

Sounds fun, let's do it will be the five words written on my tombstone. Maybe I was just lost in Copper's bright black eyes or maybe it was the vodka talking, but I should've thought this through. Copper's fingers intertwined in mine are the only reason I am not running for the hills right now. Ouija boards were their thing and I went with it until I was sucked into the madness of soulless letters. I didn't even think the worked until the old black-and white trimmed board started shaking and shooting out blue light.

"It's never done that before," Copper said as we sat on the cold wood floor of their bedroom.

"Uh, what?" I muttered. "What do you mean?"

Copper was too busy dragging their fingers through the growing haze of blue light to notice. "I should've had you over sooner."

"Huh?"

"I mean usually we get a yes or a no. Maybe a name but not all of this. I mean, look!" The blue was dancing in their eyes as they ran their fingers into the haze. "I gotta take a pic for Sylvie. She'll be pissed that she missed it!"

Copper reached for their phone and steadied it in front of the blue fog. "Dude, you look good sitting there in it. Looks cool. Like a--"

"Like a what?"

Copper's mouth sat ajar yet no words came out of it. Their phone glowed green against their eyes.

"What's going on?"

"I--I don't know what to do."

"What?"

"I don't remember what I was doing!"

"Well, you have your phone. I think you were calling someone."

"Who would I call?"

"Uh... here, try this number."

I slipped their phone out of their hand and dialed. There was a slight ring then a gruff thick voice answered. "Marci?"

"I'm back, baby." A soft voice with a country accent whispered through the haze. "And I have company."

The voice laughed. "Good. You know where to find me."

"We'll be there soon."

The phone clicked and Copper looked at me with fear I've never seen from them. "Who was that?"

"I don't know," I tried to say but all that came out was, "Trust me, Cop. Would I ever lead you astray?"

"Of course not," Copper replied.

I could see her cheeks reddening in the haze. The thing dragged my cheeks into a smile and controlled my voice again. "That's my baby. Do you wanna go for a ride?"

"Since when am I your--"

"Come on now, you've noticed."

Copper smiled softly. "I'd love to go on a ride."

"Good." My hand stretched to Copper and I helped them to their feet. The warmth of their hand warmed my blood, and the voice whispered to me, 'Go with it, Luka. We'll both get what we want then.'

"How are we going?"

"Well, your roommate's got a car, right?"

Copper looked at the door. "Ash doesn't let--"

"We don't need permission, love. Plus, we'll be right back, right?"

Copper nodded. "I guess you're right."

"Of course I'm right. Let's go. I'll even let you drive."

We left Copper's room and grabbed the keys to Ashleigh's Jeep that were hanging on the hook next to the door. My legs stumbled and I remembered we were drunk. Yet, there was no stopping my body. My hand grabbed Copper's and I pulled her outside and towards Ash's car.

"You know how to do it?"

"I--I don't have a license."

My lips grazed their cheek. "Don't worry. This is the perfect way to learn. Get in. I'll tell you how to do it and we'll be fine."

Copper smiled shyly. "Okay."