Hell's Love

Chapter 7

Declan drove to Dominic's house the next morning. Last night, Dominic told him to get some rest and come to his house the next day. As if he could sleep with a demon holding his girlfriend. He stayed up all night and researched demons and possessions on the internet. He found a lot of information. Most of it was deemed as hoaxes or exaggerated hauntings, but he did find some things that were useful. The stuff in movies wasn't too far off. Holy water and crosses weakened them, but couldn't destroy them. He had to talk to Dominic about the rest. He pulled up to a blue house with a fence outlining the property. Declan got out of his car and walked to the door. He rang the door bell. A couple seconds later, Dominic answered it and lead him to his kitchen. He laid down a brown book. The covered was old and worn. Ava had mentioned Dominic reading the book at school.
"What is this?"
"It's a book that priests read from to exorcise demons. We can use it to save Ava."
"Have you performed an exorcism?" Declan asked, picking up the book.
"My dad has."
"Your father is a priest," Declan said. He recalled what Zorohm said to Dominic.
"He is. We need to go see him. He can help us."
"When can we see him?"
Dominic took the book. "Right now, it you're ready?"
"Let's go."

I sat on my bed and watched Zorohm control my life. My parents called me this morning and let me know that they were going to be visiting my grandpa for a few days since grandpa was sick. They believed that I was still me. Zorohm was able to fool them mostly because it wasn't a long phone call. My house has been torn apart. Furniture laid around each room and some were broken beyond repair. My family pictures were scattered on the floor, as well as vases and other decorations. Part of me was furious that he destroyed everything and took over my life, but I was also terrified. He was powerful. I could feel it and he was also vengeful. He wasn't going to stop until I was dead.

"You're a little bit quiet there," Zorohm spoke from my mouth. His voice sounding unnatural coming from my lips.
Why would I talk to you? I snapped at him.
"Don't you want answers?" I didn't respond. I refused to give him any satisfaction. "I know that you do. I can hear your every thought and feel every emotion that passes through your little body."
Go to Hell! I growled.
"For example," He droned on. "I felt how sad you were when your parents didn't notice something different about you. I feel just how much you love that young ignorant boy of yours and I feel how much you believe he'll save you. Hope is one of the most overvalued emotions. What are you going to do when he fails? Cry? Beg me to set you free?"
As if you know anything about emotions!
"Well, I do know about your feelings for that preacher's son. You are very curious about him. You want to get to know him better."
Since when is that wrong?
"I've seen a thing or two on adultery in your world and you'd think a preacher's son would know better than to covet another man's love. What a disappointing world you live in?"
You're not going to win. They're going destroy you.
"You can't kill a demon. They are not alive, nor have they ever been."

Then they'll send you back to Hell.
He laughed. "And how do you suppose they'll do that?" I didn't respond. I honestly didn't know.

"This is the church." Dominic and Declan walked up the stairs and went inside. "Dad."
"In here." A voice called. The boys entered the dining room of the church. A group of tables filled the room and a man wearing all-black sat at one of them. He had gray hair and the same green eyes as Dominic. Declan noticed how his bright and cheery the older man's expression was.
"Dad this is Declan." Declan and the pastor shook hands.
"Hello son, I'm Pastor Josiah."
"Nice to meet you, sir," Declan said with a polite smiled.
"You too." The Pastor replied. He scuttled to the kitchen and returned with a pot of food. "Are you boys hungry?"
"I could eat," Dominic said and sat at the table. Declan reluctantly followed. "There's something we need to talk to you about."
"Is something wrong?" Pastor Josiah asked as he served them all a large portion and sat down.
"We're dealing with a demon. A strong one. It has possessed Declan's girlfriend, Ava." Dominic explained.
"I'm sorry to hear that. How can I help?"

"Can you perform an exorcism?" Declan asked.
"Of course. What is this demon's name? We have more of a chance at stopping him with that information."
"Zorohm." Dominic responded. Pastor Josiah froze and laid down his fork.
"Declan, there is a cross necklace in my office. It's on the desk. Will you get it for me?"
"Of course," Declan said and left the room.
"What's wrong?" Dominic asked.
"Do you remember the demons that killed your grandparents?" Pastor Josiah's asked and his face paled.
"Yes."
"I was supposed to send him back, but when the moment came, I forgot the most important part of the exorcism."
"The binding symbol?" Dominic's asked and his eyes widened.
"I've regretted ever since."
Dominic shook his head. "How do you forget a thing like that?"
"They were my parents. I wasn't emotionally prepared to take on something like that. If I messed up-"

"They both died that day. Grandpa was already gone when you started."
"I couldn't save my own parents and now a little girl's soul is in jeopardy from my mistakes." Pastor Josiah said and his face fell.
"Now you have the opportunity to face him again," Dominic told him and leaned forward.
"I can't, son. You'll have to destroy him without me."

"Dad, you can't be serious." Dominic snapped and he pushed back from the table.
"There was a lot that happened that day. So much of it still haunts me. You are more than ready to do this on your own and I will give you my book to help you." Before Dominic could respond, Declan returned with the cross necklace.
"Here it is," Declan announced and held it out to him. Pastor Josiah raised his palm.

"Wear it when you take on this demon. It'll protect you from the darkness of Hell."
"Thank you."
"Change of plans, Declan. Looks like I'm performing the exorcism." Dominic stated and stared at his father with a deep frown on his face.

"Can you do it?" Declan asked.
"He is more than capable." Pastor Josiah responded for him. Without saying anything else, he stood and left the room.
"What's going on?" Declan whispered.
"I'll explain later," Dominic replied with his eyes on the table. Pastor Josiah returned with a book.
"It is my book of exorcisms. It'll help you save the girl." He handed it to his son.
"Thank you so much, Pastor Josiah," Declan said and shook his hand.
"You're welcome. I'll pray for you and your girlfriend."
"Thanks, Dad," Dominic called to him, as they turned for the door, The boys left him in the dining room. Pastor Josiah returned to his office and prayed his son wouldn't make the same mistakes he did.