July 31, Wednesday

I WAS on my way to lock the gate when I heard voices coming from the graveyard. I'd learned to hang back and observe, so I approached as silently as I could, without using my flashlight. Curiously, when I got there, no cars were parked along the road or outside the gate.

By this time, darkness had descended, and the muggy night air was oppressive. Inside the cemetery among the gravestones, a woman dressed in a hooded robe was speaking to a group of about two dozen people who also wore robes. The sinister sight set my hair on end, but I kept telling myself they were simply costumes.

And I was more fascinated than I was frightened.

The leader extended a welcome to new members of the group and explained for the newcomers that Lughnasadh was a traditional Wiccan ritual to celebrate the first harvest of the year, and the ceremony would commence soon.

"But first," she said, "we need to address an important matter—the selection of a new Grand Witch to replace and avenge the murder of our former leader, Rose Whisper."

I gasped. Rose had been murdered?

The woman speaking must've heard me because her head swung around and she looked directly at me through the darkness. "I see you," she said, then pushed back her hood.

It was Tilda Benson. I didn't think she could see me, but I retreated slowly until I could no longer see them. Then I sprinted back to the house.

Hours later, I lay huddled in my bed, listening to the sounds of night animals (and night people?) hooting and screeching, when I realized I'd left the graveyard gate unlocked.

The creepy tour guide's words came back to me.

The gates have to be locked to keep the witches' spirits within the cemetery.

I shuddered and pulled the covers over my head.

*****