Playing with Fire

Nel picked at the fraying spot on her jeans, syncing with Jess's incantation.

"Singer on the roof, tapping chimney... black cat, on the moon," Jess's voice droned, merging with the garage smells and flickering candlelight, blurring reality with the liminal.

Nel unfocused her eyes, merging into the moment.

Green sparks leapt, a swarm of disturbed lightning bugs. Ah, so that's what the pepper was for.

"Hear us, points North, South, East, West, and aid us in our wicked deed," Jess continued. She touched Nel's hand gently.

Nel gazed into the fire, adding her father's photo to the flames.