After twelve hours had passed, Phil, Connor, Jack, Merrick, and Hugo had all taken turns resting. For thirty-three hours now, I’d been awake. Hugo was right, I needed sleep. The energy drinks and bars weren’t working anymore.
“Just a couple of hours,” I said, yawning.
“At least five, Connor and I can hold it,” Hugo insisted.
I nodded and headed into the living room as Callum’s protégé’s voice rose in prayer.
???
Forty hours.
I’d rested for five hours and rejoined Hugo in battle. We’d finally reached the basement, and the stench was awful. This was the basis of the demon’s power, as I’d expected.
“What’s dripping down the walls?” Phil exclaimed, filming.
“That’s not ectoplasm,” Connor stated, moving closer.
“It’s thick and black, like tar,” Jack contemplated as he scooped some samples up. Harry had sent bottles over for the ectoplasm and sent spares too.
“The camera’s still recording down here; it’s almost as if it wants to be seen,” Connor said.
“The demon’s overconfident,” Hugo stated.
“Should we call Callum in?” Connor asked.
“No. We have this. If we bring Callum in, weak from his own fight, the demon might use it against us somehow,” I replied. I grabbed fresh supplies and started the exorcism. Howls rang out through the basement as we began cleansing the area. As we fought, the demon tried a multitude of tricks. Shrieks and screams abounded, and shadows moved of their own accord.
The black substance thickened on the walls and spread. The basement door slammed shut as the demon sought to strengthen his influence. Hugo swung the incense as the others used the Holy Water and Dragon’s Blood.
The demon shoved forcefully with a surge of power, and all of us were flung away. We hit the floor and walls hard, and Jack yelped.
“This is disgusting!” he exclaimed, rolling away from the wall and the substance that now coated his clothes. I couldn’t blame him.
“Gah, the sewage smell again. That trick’s a bit old now,” Connor stated.
“Don’t tease the big meanie,” Jack retorted with a wince and a forced smile.
“Why not?” Connor asked.
I appreciated their trying to lighten the atmosphere, but the demon didn’t. It sent out another pulse of power, knocking us back down. Puffing my cheeks out, I struggled to my feet and held my cross out.
“In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, I demand your name,” I yelled.
“I’m going to fuck you in every hole,”the demon hissed.
“Your name, spawn of Satan!” I cried.
“Take a red-hot poker and shove it in your cunt,”it replied.
“Charming,” Jack quipped, and his head snapped back. Shit, the demon had just punched him.
“Focus on me, I’m your foe!” I shouted.
“Slut of God. False priest. Whore of Babylon.”
“I command you to tell your name,” I ordered.
“I command you to strip and spread your legs.”The demon cackled.
