“Yes. You’re going to have to prepare,” I warned her.
Michelle nodded. “I’d like more information, but we’ll work with what we have. I need to stock up on supplies. There’s enough here for a low-level exorcism, but if it’s prepared to battle as you think, I require more.”
“Michelle, this creature has no intention of leaving peacefully. It’s going to fight all the way,” I said, grasping her hand.
“I don’t disagree,” Michelle looked grim as she nodded.
We were in for a struggle.
Chapter Six.
Connor
Jack, as team leader, decided it was too dangerous to stay. The demon was feeding off us, and we had to leave. We had three days left to beat this creature back, and once Michelle started, she’d not stop. Callum was sending Hugo for assistance. None of us doubted that this would take at least a day.
Because of our early exit this morning, we’d all slept earlier than usual. Which meant I’d woken ahead of schedule to help Michelle prepare her items. She had prepared two bottles of holy water per room, then added an extra three dozen. She’d done the same with packs of salt, which had been blessed. Michelle included sage with her incense and oils. Sage was known to cleanse a space, and I’d be wielding that.
Hugo would be holding the incense burner with Frankincense and Myrrh inside. The church believed in its power to purify, clear, and deter wicked spirits. He’d also be carrying the bag with the extra supplies. Jack was going to be using Dragon’s Blood oil. It worked with both the sage and incense to purge evil. Salt would protect the property once the ceremony ended.
Michelle was resting once more, grabbing sleep where she could because it could be twenty-four hours or more before she rested again. Merrick was accompanying us again.
Nerves were rife. We were on edge. But I had faith in Michelle and her abilities. Callie had offered to pull her team, but Michelle and Jack had refused. We needed more information on the Headless Horseman.
When we arrived back at the house, I was immediately on guard. The demon was in full force. The energy emanating from it was foreboding enough that we’d be idiots to ignore the warning.
“Ensure you’ve got your crosses around your necks, and that they are visible. As well, please make certain that you have a cross in your pocket,” Michelle said as we climbed out of the SUV. It amazed me that with all the commotion, the neighbourhood remained calm and peaceful.
“I’m good,” Phil replied as he balanced his camera while checking his pockets. All the others offered affirmatives, and we headed up the path. As soon as we entered, I knew the demon was awake and ready to fight. The house was definitely alert and guarded. Merrick moved to shut the door, and it slammed behind us.
“God, what’s that smell?” I gagged and noticed everyone else covering their noses.
“Raw sewage,” Merrick replied. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small pot. “Rub this under your nose.” He passed it out amongst us, and it helped loads. “Hate to say it, but we need to check it out.” Merrick continued deeper into the space.
None of us looked happy about the prospect, but we checked everywhere. We found no spillage; however, the smell didn’t dissipate.
“Leave,”the voice boomed throughout the house.
“Not happening. Okay, let’s begin upstairs. We want to cleanse each room, and we’ll start with the top. While I perform the exorcism, Connor, please smudge the area with sage first to clear out any lesser entities. Then Jack, after I sprinkle the Holy Water over the windows and doorways, seal it with the Dragon’s Blood oil. This may be overkill, but this house needs to be thoroughly cleansed. After we’ve completed each space, Hugo, sprinkle salt in the four corners and across the thresholds. That way the demon can’t flee back into a room we’ve cleared,” Michelle said.
We nodded and followed her upstairs. As soon as we entered the third level, we felt something brush past us. Michelle paid no attention and began the exorcism. This would be the easy part: clearing the rooms. The demon would get more aggressive as we cut off its escape avenues.
Slowly, we made our way through the second floor, ensuring each room was sealed once cleared. We finally met resistance as we hit the ground floor. With that and the basement remaining, the demon had decided to make its stand.
The first thing was that all the windows and doors slammed shut, which actually helped us, although the demon didn’t realise it.
“Die fuckers,”a hiss sounded as Hugo salted the stairs.
“It will be you who goes back to hell,” Michelle said and started clearing the dining room.
Halfway through, the demon lost patience, and a basket launched at us, knocking the sage bundle from my hand. I bent to pick it up, and it attacked again, shoving a chair into me. I went down in a heap, and it turned its attention to Hugo. A vase rose just above his head, and Hugo ducked, looking shocked.
Michelle kept praying as the demon upped its antics.
A side table levitated and aimed in Michelle’s direction, and Merrick intercepted it. I jumped up as dark laughter rang outand the table slammed into Michelle. She was knocked off her feet with a cry, and Jack just caught her before she landed.
“Everyone, pray!” she ordered.
Together, we recited the Lord’s Prayer while Michelle continued her exorcism prayers. Our voices rose as paper flew in the air and whirled around like mini tornadoes. It fluttered into some of us, causing paper cuts, but we kept praying. Then everything hit the floor with loud bangs.
