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To my surprise, Stasi is curled up in the bed, sleeping soundly with the blankets tucked under her chin. She looks so peaceful that I hesitate for a moment. But a shadow passing over me spurs me to action.

“For fuck’s sake, you nearly gave me a heart attack,” Stasi hisses when I clutch onto her arm. “What the hell are you doing here?” She sits up quickly, the blanket falling away and puddling in her lap.

“I....I, umm,” my words fail me as I glance up at the inky depths gathering above us.

“What are you—” she stops mid-sentence as she follows my gaze, then jumps out the bed, tucking the sheet around her haphazardly.

“That’s what.” I point at it, emboldened by her standing beside me.

“Dammit, it’s so big now.”

“You’ve seen it before?” Grabbing her arm, I look at her for answers.

“Yes. Before I died…and after.” She dresses quickly as she gathers her thoughts. “I think it’s an entity that feeds off negative emotions—despair, loneliness, anger.”

“Are you saying there’s something haunting us?” I thought death was supposed to be peaceful, but it just keeps getting worse and worse. “How is that even possible?”

Stasi sighs, frustration furrowing her brow as she looks up at it. “To be honest, I’m not well versed in this side of things.”

“What side of things? What are we even talking about?” I shift myself slightly behind her and she glares at me.

“The occult, the paranormal, witchcraft, all of it.” There’s no teasing in her voice. She’s as matter-of-fact as if she was lecturing me on history.

“And your side of things, what’s that?” If I hadn’t seen this thing with my own eyes, I’d be a bit more skeptical, but this allfeelsvery real.

“I guess I’d consider myself an eclectic witch, but I don’t really like to put a label on it. It’s kind of personal.”

I have so many questions, none of which matter right now. “Fine. So what do we do about it?” Anticipation is heavy in my gut as it pulses and contracts silently above us.

Stasi clears her throat, working her hands against one another. “You’re not going to like this, but I’m going to need you to remain very calm. Do you understand?”

Fear grips me, tangling my tongue. All I can do is nod.

“You can’t let it intimidate you.”

“I think that’s easier said than done.”

“I know, but it only grows stronger when you give it power. Your fear, your desperation, that gives it strength. Our grief has helped it grow. We have to stop feeding it.”

“Five, four, three, two, one.”I count down in my head, trying to settle my nerves. “Okay.”

“Come here.” Without hesitation, I meet her where she stands in the middle of the floor. Her fingers lace through mine, confident and secure in their hold. “You’re going to repeat after me.”

“Shadows of the past fade into the night,

In your place, I welcome the light

Banish all harm

Banish all fear

With these words, I make it clear

No longer welcome

You must depart

From my life