Two nights later we all got together again. It was Jackson's idea. He corralled us at school and told us we needed to go out and party again. He promised he could score a Keg of beer. How can you say no to hanging out and drinking beer?

Jackson picked me up first, and then we swung around town and got the others. We all crammed into his dad's gray Jeep. Chantel was the last one we picked up. When we got to her house, she wasn't waiting outside. Chantel didn't answer when we messaged her, so Jackson and I got out of the jeep and walked up to her front door.

After a few bangs on the door, it opened, and there stood Chantel's grandmother. That old woman has always given me the creeps. She tells people's fortunes. Reads Tarot cards for everyone who is willing to pay to hear what the future has in stored for them. People called her a witch. I don't know if it's true, but I've always steered clear of her whenever I would see her around town.

The moment the door opened the old lady's eyes swung to Jackson. She gave a loud cry, and her hands went to her chest.

I thought she was having a heart attack. But then one bony, wrinkled finger pointed at Jackson, and she demanded to know what that thing was behind him.

I looked behind Jackson, and there was nothing there.

But the old lady kept pointing and kept repeating kept demanding that Jackson explain himself.

I thought the old woman had lost it. I was ready to get the hell out of there. But when I turned to leave Jackson did the craziest thing. He answered her. He told her he didn't know what it was. That it was something old, something ancient. Something that had followed him out of the mine shaft.

I stared at him thinking any minute he would start to laugh. That they were pulling a joke on me. But there was no laughter. His expression was dead serious.

The old woman screamed at us to leave. Told Jackson, he would not bring that thing into her house. Would not bring that thing into the life of her granddaughter. And then before either one of us could say a word the door slammed in our faces.

We walked back to the car in silence. I wasn't sure what to say. And when the others asked about Chantel, Jackson told them that her parents had grounded her, and she couldn't come. They believed him, why wouldn't they, he had no reason to lie. But he did, and when he did, I didn't call him on it.

***