Lucy

“Hey, Kat,” Lucy said, stepping up to the front counter. “The Shack is closed down for the night. Is there anything I can do for you before I head out?”

Kat waved the question away. Her eyes were dull and grey, the inevitable consequence of such a slow shift at the crossroads. The fluorescent lights and drifting scent of petrol could really wear you down if there was no external stimuli.

“Nah, it’s been a long day for you,” Kat said, barley lighting her head. “Go home and relax. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Lucy considered how to sell the idea. The truth was a bit too grim to start with; but maybe she could frame it like a girl’s night.

“My mom’s out of town right now; I’m just heading home to an empty house. Besides, it’s a Friday night. It feels lame to spend it alone.”

Well,” Kat said, tilting her head, “what did you have in mind?”

“I know you’re game for a bit of spooky fun—”

Kat yawned. She was tired, and while she likely didn’t mean to interrupt, but…

Rude.

“I’m not sure I want another night of jumping at my own shadow,” Kat said, mustering a fake smile. “Your ghost stories are a bit too much for a night shift alone.”

Lucy was a victim of her own success. Clearly, she needed another angle.

“I wasn’t planning on leaving you alone, and I was more thinking a game but…would you be up for…never mind, I don’t think your aunt wouldn’t approve anyway.”

Kat looked up, suddenly wide awake and eager to prove something.

Perfect.

“What is it?” Kat asked, straightening up behind the shiny counter.

“She doesn’t like us talking about ghosts, but you know how spooky it gets here at night, right? I was wondering if you wanted to try something with me?”

Lucy could see Kat’s smile waver for a moment, but she also knew Kat hated being in her aunt’s shadow. A slight chance at rebellion, she wouldn’t be able to pass it up.

“Of course, I don’t mind some scary fun, especially as a team! Are you trying to capture EVPs or something?”

“Nah, I was thinking less pseudoscience and more a complete disregard of science.”

Kat laughed.

“Sounds cool, but I’m not following.”

“Was wondering if you’d conduct a séance with me?”

Kat seemed to recoil from the idea. Maybe Lucy had pressed too hard yet again.

“Oh, well, I’m not sure. The whole Ouija board thing gives me the creeps, if I’m being honest.”

Lucy put a hand over her heart.

“And I hear you there, the spirit board thing isn’t for me either. I wouldn’t want to pull anything out of it’s resting place, just maybe try and chat with a spirit who’s already here.”

“Is that safer?” Kat asked before adding, “I mean, it’s all safe… but…”

“I know exactly what you mean, and I promise you, this is safe as kittens.”

Lucy was lying, of course. She had no idea what she was doing or whether it was safe. It really depended on what was there and if her hunch was right.

“Okay, and you think we can do it without anyone noticing?”

“You mean customers? Yeah, I’ll wait an hour and then we should be fine. It’ll only take about ten minutes.”

“Ok cool,” Kat said, trying and failing to sound nonchalant. “Are you just going to hang around till then, or come back in a bit, or…”

“Oh, I’ll just help for an extra hour. I’ll clean the public washrooms and take out the trash so you don’t have to later.”

Kat looked genuinely touched.

“Thanks Lucy, that really takes the edge off the last bits of the shift. If I can just stay put here, I should be able to work through the fear!” Kat said, adding a laugh that felt genuine.

Lucy knew what she meant. She’d worked a few night shifts and knew how unnerving those last few hours could be. All alone and remote, messing around in the dark, far away from the safety of the lockable office.

“Hey no problem.”

“No, seriously, Lucy,” Kat said, reaching out to touch her shoulder. “You’re a real saint.”

Lucy nodded and quickly turned away. “Of course, what are friends for?”