Page 292 of Sinister

Claire begins writhing in pain, spasms taking over her body.

Father Benedict rises and goes to her side. Making the sign of the cross over her, he begins chanting.

In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti.

He sprinkles holy water on top of her, and the liquid burns her skin. Steam rises from her flesh before the entire surface becomes a deep red. She opens her mouth and screams so loud, the walls of the building start shaking.

Asperges me, Domine, hyssopo, et mundabor; lavabis me, et super nivem dealbabor.

More screams. But this time, the feet of the bed tremble, slowly rising off the ground. My eyes widen. I . . . I’ve never seen anything like this before.

Father Benedict appears concerned, too.

“You whore! I know all your secrets!” Claire shouts, and with Herculean strength, she breaks one of the chains.

“Sister Agatha, leave us, please.”

“But—”

“It is not safe for you.”

I blink. I’ve always assisted Father Benedict in his exorcisms before. Yet I also cannot lie and say I am not relieved that I can sit this one out.

There is something about Claire that terrifies me.

“All right. Call if you need anything.”

“Whore!” Her shouts follow me as I exit the room.

Three other sisters are in the hallway, their faces marred with worry.

“We felt the tremors. It is dire, is it not?” Sister Theresa asks.

I nod grimly. “Father Benedict will handle it. All we can do is pray.”

From outside, I can hear Father Benedict’s voice as he continues the ritual. Just as loud, Claire screams at him, calling him all sorts of names and baiting him to stop the chanting. Every time Father Benedict invokes the Lord’s name, I can hear Claire’s cry of pain.

At some point, though, silence envelops the convent. The sisters all look at each other in concern.

“Father Benedict?” I ask tentatively as I get closer to the door.

Nothing. No reply.

“Father Benedict?” I repeat.

He doesn’t answer.

Taking a deep breath, I push the door open.

A gasp flies past my lips as I see the body of Father Benedict lying in the middle of the floor, all his limbs contorted in different directions, his neck snapped.

Claire is no longer chained to the bed. She’s nowhere in sight. Except . . .

I slowly look up, horror taking hold of me.

She’s on the ceiling, watching me with a manic smile on her face.

“You cannot get rid of me!” she sneers.