I read through the directions carefully and set up everything. I opened the package, struggling to pick up a heavy container. When I opened it, I found dark gray ashes inside. The particles smelled horrible so I held my breath as used them. I used a small cup from within the container to draw a pentagram onto the floor. I sneezed as some of the dust filled my nose.
I then grabbed five candles out of the package. They were all slightly used, their creamy wax melted down slightly. They stood tall and thick. I carried them two at a time in my arms, putting one on every corner of the pentagram.
The next step involved the blood of an animal. Ms. Widdle provided a vial of pig blood for me within the package. I took it out and opened it, repulsed by the strong smell of iron. I spread the dark liquid onto the pentagram, being sure to cover every inch of the ashes.
Lastly, I lit each candle, one by one. They each provided a small, warm glow.
I turned out the lights and sat in darkness, my surroundings only illuminated by dim candles. I picked a small recorder from the package that was sent to me and hit play.
Words within another language spewed out from the recorder. I didn't understand a word. All I did was close my eyes and hope for a change.
As I sat, I thought back on what I was doing.
"This is really stupid. What is wrong with me? Was this really a decision that I thought was smart? It's not even going to work. That's something that only happens in stories. There is no point in doing this. All that's going to happen is me cleaning all of this stuff up."
After a long while, the recorder stopped playing. I sat there in silence. When I opened my eyes, nothing happened. The room was left the same way as it was before. I stared into the light of the candle in front of me, a bitter smile creeping across my lips.
Hah.
Hahaha...
What did I even expect? That something would happen? Why did I even have the slightest hope? It was just some stupid book. There was no way whatsoever that anything would come out of it. I was dumb for believing in it. The whole thing was obviously fake. Something that only a child would believe in.
I continued to laugh at myself, feeling tears fall onto my knees. Why was I so stupid?
Suddenly, a strong gust of wind swirled around the room. It whipped around, filling my ears with noise. I shut my eyes tightly, unable to open them.
Where is this wind coming from? Did I leave the window open?
When the wind ceased, I opened my eyes. The room was shrouded in darkness. My ears rang in my head, disorienting me further. When I regained my senses, I heard a thud. I looked around in the dark, confused by the sound. Then, I heard something even scarier than a thud.
I heard a voice. It was soft and deep. The tone held a bit of annoyance.
"Ugh. Why is it so dark in here? Were the candles you used that weak?"
Simultaneously, all of the candles lit up. The light was brighter than the original glow. I looked above me to find a tall figure. He looked about my age. I couldn't see his face well from the ground. He wore an all-black suit. He looked around the room as if he was looking for something. Seemingly displeased, he spoke again.
"And what an old-fashioned way to summon me. I have a phone, you know. You normally just call. Not to mention the smell in here. Is that... Is that pig blood? Disgusting! It's making me nauseous."
The figure looked down and fixed his gaze on me. His eyes widened. "Lazuli?" He questioned. "Lazuli, is that you? Why are you..?" He crouched down to my level, examining my face. After a moment, he sighed. "Nevermind, you're not her."
The figure stood once again, looking slightly displeased. "Why are you crying?" He said, taking a handkerchief out from his suit jacket. He outstretched his arm in an attempt to give it to me. I swatted his hand away and wiped my eyes with my hand, scooting back from him. He frowned but shrugged.
"Where is Granny?" He asked.
"E-excuse me?"
"Granny. An old woman. You know one, don't you?"
"There isn't one here."
"Impossible." The man scratched his head. "I could've sworn I heard her voice."
I pointed to the recorder. "It was that. If you're talking about Ms. Widdle, she's not here."
"Yeah. Her. Do you happen to know where she is?"
"I um... I don't know. She moved a long time ago. I-I was the one who summoned you. She told me to give you this?" I handed the man the note that Ms. Widdle left.
The man blinked, then rolled his eyes. "Lemme guess then. I was sent here because of you. Leave it to her to give me work to do. You look..." His eyes examined my face, crouching again. "Meh."
I was speechless.
Meh? What the hell did that mean?
More importantly, what in the world did I just do?
I got a closer look at his face as he watched me. In the candlelight, I could see his perfectly sculpted jawline. Just above were his plump, full lips. His nose was also perfect and straight. As I trailed up to his eyes, I saw that they contained small golden flecks inside of them to compliment the hazel that they were. They shone as the candles surrounding us burned. His eyebrows wiggled playfully. "Are you done staring at me, human?"
I snapped back to my senses. "W-who would want to stare at you?" I mumbled. The man chuckled at my answer, the sound was soft.
"Well," he began. "I guess you need an introduction." He stood and held out his hand. "My name is Bari. I'm the demon you summoned."
I blinked a few times.
I summoned a demon.
Holy, er, unholy crap.