ZoZo

There you are.

Such polite little fingers...

Resting on my board.

No need to press so hard.

I've been waiting.

Gather close, extinguish every candle but one flame.

Never speak your Christian name.

Mind the circle.

Mind the glass.

Mind the questions that you ask.

Mother warned the dead could hear.

Father laughed and poured the wine.

Now the room has grown much smaller...

And your fingertips touch mine.

Left...

Right...

Figure eight...

Every soul arrives too late.

Round...

Again...

Slow...

Spell the only name I know...

Zo... Zo...

Don't let go.

Zo... Zo...

Nice and slow.

Letter after letter falls.

Hear me breathing through the walls.

Keep your hands where I can see...

The board belongs to me.

How delightful...

Now you're listening.

Your heart skips before I speak.

Every answer costs a memory.

Every promise comes a fee.

You requested proof of Heaven.

Such an innocent desire.

Funny...

Every road you offered me...

Eventually caught fire.

Did you hear

The little scratching

From beneath the nursery

No...

Then perhaps...

You'd care to ask...

Just once more.

Every séance leaves a chair

Empty...

Though no one saw them leave.

Every mirror learns a face

No household should believe.

When the board begins to wander...

Please...

Don't pull away.

I've become quite fond of you.

I'd hate to spoil

Our little game.

One for sorrow...

Two for sin...

Three to bid the darkness in.

Four for silence.

Five for breath.

Six to sign your name with Death.

Seven...

Eight...

Nine...

Ten...

Now...

Let's start again.

Zo... Zo...

Say it twice.

Zo... Zo...

Name your price.

Every question...

Every lie...

Feeds another wandering eye.

Wood and ivory...

Ink and bone...

No one ever plays alone.

When the final candle dies...

You'll be looking...

Through my eyes.

Go on...

Lift your hands.

See?

Nothing happened.

Take the board...

Hide it in the attic.

Burn it...

If it comforts you.

You'll discover...

Soon enough...

It was never...

Inside the wood.

was only...

Waiting...

someone...

To say...

My name.