The Witches Image

Chapter 6

I let out a sigh and turned onto my back, opening my eyes to the warm rays of the sun streaming through the windows. I rubbed my eyes, feeling refreshed and rested. I was relieved to see that the cannula and tube had disappeared, only a small plaster on the back of my hand reminding me of them. I turned onto my side and felt my heart stop. The wing chair where Copia had sat last night was empty. I knew he couldn't sit next to me all day, but I felt a little disappointed. It seemed like a dream now. As if he had never been there, as if I had imagined it all. His hands on my cheek, his comforting words. Maybe that was it—just another trick my brain had played on me. A nice trick.

I got up and grabbed the glass of water on my bedside table.

Yesterday night seemed so unreal to me. It was like a bad memory that I'd like to forget. Everyone had seen me pass out. It was a silly thing to do, but I felt embarrassed.

On top of feeling ashamed, I was also afraid. I could still see Lilith's glowing red eyes in my mind and hear her voice in my head. I needed to stop having these dreams. I didn't know how much longer I could stand it.

Once the nurse made me eat something and gave me the all-clear, I was free to leave the infirmary in the late afternoon. I had a mild concussion and was told to rest for two days and to let them know immediately if I had any symptoms beyond a headache.

On my way to the apartment, I tried to avoid eye contact with the others. They gave me curious glances as I walked past and started whispering as soon as I passed them. I tried to ignore it. Hopefully they would find something else to talk about soon.

"Lia!" As soon as I closed the door behind me, Madison burst into tears and threw her arms around my neck. "I was really worried about you!" She broke away from me, tears running down her cheeks.

"I'm sorry about that." My voice was still a little hoarse.

"Cut it out!" She guided me to the sofa. "What happened last night?"

"After I signed the book, I'm not sure what happened next." I said and let myself fall into the cushions. I couldn't tell her about Lilith because it would only worry her more. "I was hoping you could tell me!"

Madison shook her head as if trying to shake off the memory.

"I don't know," she replied hesitantly. "You were suddenly in a trance... then you fainted... your whole body was shaking." She stroked my arm and smiled at me. "But I'm glad you're here...you look recovered! I thought you wouldn't be back until tomorrow and they'd keep you there for a while!"

"I just have a slight concussion! The nurse said I should rest for two days and come back when I'm feeling worse!" I sighed, took off my shoes, and threw them towards the front door.

"Only?" Madison looked at me in disbelief. "You fell to the floor like a wet sack! Copia was still trying to hold you down... poor guy... you should have seen him crouched next to you.... He was really worried. Like all of us. "They wouldn't let me see you! Sister Imperator was shouting at me... everyone was totally shocked..."

I raised my eyebrows and looked at the plaster on my hand. Lost in thought, I stroked it with my other hand and couldn't suppress a slight grin. I saw him in front of me again, sitting on the edge of the bed, my hand in his. His voice that had soothed me, his eyes that had rested so tenderly on me. Copia's hands on my cheeks, his words that had immediately calmed my agitated mind. I could still picture his gloves on my cheeks and imagine how his hands would have felt without them. Warm and rough against my skin. His eyes looking at me through the darkness, his face turned towards me the whole time. "Amore mio." Even if he'd only whispered it, those words echoed in my head like an stuck song. Had I only dreamed them? Or had he said something completely different? Was my brain playing tricks on me again?

"Are you even listening to me?" Madison waved her hand in front of my face. Only now did I realize that I had been sitting next to her the whole time, grinning stupidly and staring at my hand. I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks.

"Ehh... sorry!" I cleared my throat. Madison leaned back and looked me straight in the face. She furrowed her brow and looked at me.

"What's up? Are you not feeling well? Do you want to take a break? I can get you something to eat if you like? Are you hungry? Would you like some tea?" She jumped up and started to fill the kettle with water.

This went on all evening and into the next day. Madison was really attentive, checking on me every few minutes and making sure I had enough to eat. Once I felt a bit better, I decided to get some fresh air. I'd spent the whole two days in bed, so I had to get moving.

When I got to the garden, the sun was high and the flowers were in full bloom. I saw Primo sitting in front of his greenhouse, reading. The other members of the church probably had the same idea as you. The garden was full of people walking or sunbathing. I walked across the meadow to find a quieter spot.

"Sister Lia!" I jumped and turned around. A young woman came running towards me, out of breath.

"Sister Lia! Wait!" she called out. I looked at her in astonishment when she reached me.

"Sister Imperator wants to see you! She wants me to take you to her!" she said, gasping for breath. I sighed. It had been clear that she would want to talk to me at some point. I had been expecting it every day.

"Okay!" I replied, and followed her somewhat reluctantly. I had been looking forward to some fresh air. It would have been good to let my mind drift and forget everything that had happened, at least for the moment. But it seemed I wasn't allowed to do that.

"Come in," I opened the door to Sister Imperator's office and hesitantly entered. She was sitting behind her desk looking at me. I noticed her worried look and immediately felt the need to turn around and leave.

"Sit down, sister," she said, "I hope you're feeling better. You gave us all quite a scare." I nodded.

"Yes!" I said a little confused, should I apologize now? Sister Imperator always managed to rattle me. A brief smile twitched at the corners of her mouth before she took a deep breath and leaned back.

"I don't want to beat around the bush, so I'll get right to the point. I'm afraid we don't have much time," she said. I swallowed hard against the lump in my throat.

"I am concerned that something...or someone possessed you during the ritual. I have seen many possessions...and yours was very typical. Did you see anything before you fainted? Hear anything? Or have any idea what or who it might be? Have you participated in any incantations recently?"

I looked at her, overwhelmed.

"Uhhmmm...!" I said. Something stopped me from telling her about Lilith, that she was the one I had seen, that it was Lilith that was haunting me in my dreams. I couldn't tell her, it wouldn't come out of my mouth. Instead I said, "No, sister! None of that. I don't know who or what! And I didn't see anything!"

Sister Imperator looked at me, studying my face. I tried to keep eye contact. And felt the air leave my lungs when she finally looked away.

"Very well," she continued. "Then we have no choice. I want you to undergo some sort of exorcism, my dear." My eyes widened in horror.

"WHAT?" I said in shock, my voice a little louder than I intended. "But isn't that something only the Catholic Church practices?"

"Yes, that's right!" she replied, "But we ... interpret it a little differently ... it does serve to exorcise demons ... but we're not nearly as aggressive about it ... It is our church's job to praise Lucifer. But it's never nice to be possessed by demons or anything like that!

"And who's going to perform this exorcism? " i asked.

"Papa Emeritus IV, of course!!!". I hated lying, but I couldn't help it... I didn't trust her for some reason.