I CAN SEE YOU

CHAPTER 9: IT'S THE ONLY WAY!!

The atmosphere in the Bell house was thick with uncertainty, the air heavy with the weight of a decision that could either save or destroy everything. Father Gabriel, Father Joseph, and Father Michael sat at the dining table, their eyes weary but resolute. They had been in constant prayer, desperate to find a way to rid Betsy of the malevolent spirit that had taken root inside her. The exorcisms they had performed so far had been nothing more than temporary measures-each one failed to expel the spirit, and with every failed attempt, the spirit grew stronger, more vengeful.

Father Gabriel, leaned forward, his hands clasped together in quiet contemplation. His face was drawn, dark circles beneath his eyes. The past few days had been a blur of rituals, prayers, and mounting terror. The demon had grown too powerful. The spirit inside Betsy, had now emerged in full force-mocking them, cursing them, and destroying everything they thought they knew about possession.

Father Michael, spoke first. His voice was tight with frustration. "We've tried everything... the holy water, the incantations, even the salt circles. Yet it keeps coming back stronger. It's like the spirit feeds off of our efforts, twisting them into its own strength."

Father Joseph, who had been silently studying the old texts scattered across the table, nodded solemnly. "It's clear now. This isn't just a typical possession. This entity is ancient, its power rooted in something deeper than mere demons. It's as if it's a part of the very fabric of darkness itself, and we're only poking at the surface of it. I fear the consequences of continuing down this path."

Father Gabriel raised his hand to silence them, his eyes narrowed as he scanned the room. "We need to consider the other options. If we can't expel the spirit, we have to find a way to contain it. We can't risk an all-out battle with it inside Betsy. She might not survive it."

The three priests exchanged grim glances, knowing the truth in Father Gabriel's words. The girl's health had been deteriorating ever since the spirit had taken hold of her. What had once been a sweet, innocent child was now an unwilling vessel for an entity that seemed capable of withstanding every form of spiritual assault they had thrown at it.

"What other options do we have?" Father Michael asked, his voice low and anxious. "If we can't banish it, then what? How do we protect Betsy, her family... and ourselves?"

Father Gabriel took a deep breath. "There is one possibility... a dangerous one. But it may be the only way. We can transfer the possession."

The room fell silent as the weight of his words settled in. Father Michael leaned forward. "Transfer the possession? How? What do you mean?"

Father Gabriel's gaze darkened, his voice taking on a more serious tone. "The demon's power is rooted in Betsy. It's too strong to expel without destroying her in the process. But if we can deceive the spirit into leaving her body, we might be able to trap it somewhere else. We would need to find something Betsy cherishes... something she loves deeply."

Father Joseph frowned. "And you think this will work? You're suggesting we use something as a vessel... but what if the demon turns on us? Or worse, what if it turns on her family?"

Father Gabriel's face softened with a sad understanding. "It's risky, but it's the best option. If we trick the spirit into leaving her, we can bind it to that object. Something that, once it has possession of it, will be unable to escape. If we act swiftly enough, we might be able to secure it before it wreaks more havoc."

Father Michael shifted in his seat. "And what happens after? Do we just... leave it there? What happens to the doll, the spirit?"

Father Gabriel met his gaze, his expression solemn. "The object will remain sealed, contained. The demon will be bound to it. We will need to make sure the family understands, and they'll need to protect it, keep it locked away, and never-under any circumstances-allow it to leave."

The room was still as the priests digested this plan. The weight of it all hung heavy in the air. Father Gabriel continued, his voice unwavering. "We need to ask Lucy Bell what Betsy loved most-something that she would never part with. This will be the key to deceiving the demon."

After a long pause, Father Joseph finally spoke. "You're talking about a doll, aren't you?"

Father Gabriel nodded. "Exactly. That's the one. The demon is too focused on Betsy to suspect anything else. If we can lure it into that doll, we can contain it. It's the least harmful way, as long as we catch it off guard."

Father Michael rubbed his face in exasperation. "But it's a doll... how do we make it believe it's transferring into something harmless? The demon won't fall for something so obvious, will it?"

Father Gabriel raised an eyebrow. "It's not about the doll itself. It's about Betsy's love for it. The demon is bound to her emotions. If we can convince it that the doll is still a part of her, a part of her soul, it will believe it's entering willingly."

Father Joseph shook his head, his concern palpable. "What if it doesn't work? What if the demon figures out our plan and turns against us, or worse-turns against the family?"

Father Gabriel's gaze softened. "There are no guarantees, Joseph. But if we don't try this, we risk losing Betsy completely. And if the demon stays, there's no telling how much more damage it will do. We must act, and we must act quickly."

The three priests sat in silence for a moment, the gravity of the situation pressing on their shoulders. Finally, Father Gabriel stood. "We'll need to prepare. The demon is only getting stronger, and if Betsy wakes up... it could be our only chance."

Father Michael sighed, the weight of the decision heavy on him. "Let's do it. We have no other choice."

Father Gabriel turned to Father Joseph, then to Father Michael. "We'll confront the demon when Betsy wakes. Let's hope that we can outsmart it long enough to bind it to the doll."

The decision had been made. The plan was set in motion. There was no turning back now.

As the priests gathered their belongings and prepared to confront the spirit, Father Gabriel walked over to Lucy Bell, who stood in the doorway, her face etched with worry. "Lucy," he said, his voice steady. "We need to know-what did Betsy love most? What was her favorite possession?"

Lucy's voice trembled as she whispered, "Her doll. She's had it since she was little. It's a girl-like doll... always with her."

Father Gabriel nodded. "Thank you. We'll need that doll. It's the only way to save Betsy."

As Lucy walked away, the priests turned their attention to Betsy's bedroom. The time had come. They would confront the demon-and they would do it not with force, but with cunning.

The room was silent except for the distant sounds of Betsy's labored breathing. The priests stood ready, their minds focused on the task ahead. They knew the risks. They knew the consequences. But they had made their choice.

Betsy's salvation lay in the doll, and the battle for her soul was about to begin.