Two Idiots and a Priest

chapter 6

Tuesday, Sept 22, 1987

The three men cautiously walked upstairs. As tired as they were, they had to investigate and banish this demon. At least, that's what John thought of this situation. Mark and Seán hadn't complained once since being ambushed, of which the priest was glad of it.

When they finally reached the top of the stairs, John felt his body go cold. The attic door was open, with a trial of blood leading inside. He could feel a darkness beckoning him inside, but he couldn't will himself to move. He felt a firm hand be placed on his shoulder -- Mark's hand -- and he was finally able to walk forward.

The group walked to the door and John peeked inside. It was dark -- not pitch-black, yet dark enough that it was hard to see. The blood trial was thicker here, with demonic symbols drawn at its sides. The other two's flashlights illuminated the blood, making it glisten sickeningly. The priest took a deep breath, and ventured inside, his friends following. They made sure to avoid the blood as much as they could, though it was hard with how much of it there was. They walked up the stairs and came into a small hallway. John could see mannequins standing in the middle of the hall, some covered with blood, the trial leading into the attic itself.

Finally, in the attic, John stopped. Amy stood in the middle of the room, facing away from the three, white pillowcase still over her head. As soon as he stopped, she slowly turned, facing the group.

"HELLO, PRIEST." She spoke, "HOW IRONIC WE MEET LIKE THIS AGAIN. LAST WE STOOD HERE, YOU ABANDONED ME."

The priest winced, the words cutting deep within his psyche. He could hear Mark mumble about how that was mean, though John couldn't tell if that was meant for him, Amy, or the demon.

"Jesus Christ, what happened to you?" Seán asked.

Amy turned her head to "look" at Seán, tilting her head.

"WHY NOT ASK JOHN?" She said, "HE IS WHY I AM HERE. HE IS THE REASON WHY FATHER ALLRED DIED."

"Enough, demon." The priest snapped, "I'm here to finish what I started."

"YOU CANNOT SAVE THE GIRL. SHE IS MINE, PRIEST!" The demon shrieked.

John raised his crucifix, pointing it at the possessed girl, slowly walking towards her. Mark and Seán stayed back, allowing their friend to take care of this. The demon inside Amy was screeching in pain, clawing at its face concealed under the pillowcase. Mark looked off to the side, seeing something phase through the wall. He squinted, looking closer. It was a slender, gray thing, with three clawed fingers and a black hole in the middle of its face. It blinked in and out of reality, lumbering towards the priest without a sound. Terrified, he looked back at John, who hadn't seen the demon.

"John! There's another demon! Right!" He yelled.

John glanced back at Mark, then looked to his right. He saw the gray demon closing in on him. Without lowering his crucifix, he strafed left, keeping an eye on the demon as he continued the exorcism. He glanced to his left to be sure that he wouldn't run into the wall, only to find another gray demon lashing out at him. He dodged the attack quickly, lowering his crucifix in the process, and ran back towards his friends. He raised the cross again, continuing until the demon screeched. The gray demons disappeared, and Amy hung her head.

Before Seán and Mark could give their congratulations, the demon laughed. They looked at it, and saw Amy reach and grab the pillowcase. She harshly pulled it off, disheveled strands of hair falling over her face. She looked up, rolling her head, then looked directly at the three men. John's body froze, face giving a horrified expression. The other two men shouted in surprise.