• Chapter 9






    About an hour later, Andrea is sitting in the living room, as tears continue to roll down her face, softly weeping. She's staring at the wall, as thoughts and memories are running through her head about her cousin. A strong man, deticated to his work and stuck around to help, is now gone. Andrea wipes tears off of her face and takes a deep breath.

    Father Sinclair and Martha are lighting candles in the living room, just in case another blackout happens. Martha lights up the last candle and sets it near the window. She had put a band-aid over her lip. Father Sinclair raises up the curtains so it wouldn't catch on fire.

    "That was a very close call." Father Sinclair said, as he sat down on the couch.
    Martha sits down next to him and nods.

    "It sure was." She looks over at Andrea from the other room. Martha knew she wanted to be alone.

    "Is she okay?" Father Sinclair asked.

    "Yeah, she's okay," Martha replied, "She just needs to be alone. We all didn't expect this to happen."

    There's a short pause. They can hear Andrea softly cry from the other room. Father Sinclair adjusts himself on the sofa.

    "I'm very worried..." He said, "We can't afford to lose anybody else...three people have died already...I would've never thought it would come down to this."

    "I know..." Martha said, "I feel so awful..."

    "Why do you feel bad?" He asked, not seeing how any of this was her fault.

    "I had called Andrew over so he can detect any spirits..." Martha began, "And now...Andrew is gone...they didn't have to come here."

    "Martha, please understand that they had done this willingly. None of us had to stay; we were for you and your family until the end." Father Sinclair said. Martha understood what he meant, but she didn't want anything to happen to Andrea. If anything were to happen to her, she would never forgive herself.

    "I think it's time we told Andrea to leave." Martha said.

    "Why?" He asked.

    "I can't have Andrea's life in danger anymore..." Martha said, "Besides...if anything were to happen to me...or you, or Stephanie...who would know?"

    Father Sinclair thought that Martha had a very good point. Andrea was very young and it would be a shame if she died sticking around for support.

    "It's whatever you want to do." Father Sinclair said, "But just know I'm not going anywhere."

    Martha turned to him and smiled. "Thankyou Father." She gets up and goes to the living room, approaching Andrea.

    Andrea turns to Martha and forces a smile.

    "Hey, you...are you feeling okay?" Martha asked, sitting next to her.

    Andrea nods, wiping the last of her tears off her face, "I'm okay."

    "Listen," Martha began, "I've been doing some thinking and...I think it's best if you...leave the rest to me and Father Sinclair."

    Andrea quickly turns to Martha, looking shocked that she would say that.

    "Why?" She asked.

    "Andrea, I really do appreciate your support," Martha said, "But we already lost Father Nathaniel...my husband...and now Andrew...and if anything were to happen to you, I would never forgive myself. I already feel so bad for what has been happening."
    Andrea turns to the wall again, and sighs. Martha looks at her, not expecting her to say anything.

    "So, if you want, I can pack up your things and-"

    "I'm not going." Andrea interrupted.

    "Andrea," Martha said, "Please, I look at you as another daughter, I care about you alot and I just think it's best."

    "Martha, I look at you as a mother...I had always looked at you, Peter and Stephanie as family," She said, "You guys have done so much for me...Just because things get dangerous, doesn't mean I'm going to walk out. Brandon had taught me not to be scared of anything...I'm not scared, I'm going to be here for you."

    Martha was speechless but in a very good way. She would've never thought Andrea would be this strong to hold out to see if all of this would come to an end.

    "Are you sure...?" Martha asked, kind of hoping Andrea would re consider.

    Andrea nods, "I'm sure...what kind of family would I be if I walked out now?"

    Martha leans forward and gives Andrea a hug.

    "Brandon was a very lucky guy to have you." Martha said.
    Andrea laughed and said, "If i walked out now then I wouldn't be keeping my promise to him...and that promise meant alot to him and me."

    They stop hugging and they look at each other.

    "I'm ready...to bury Andrew now." Andrea said. She was handling the death alot more better than what she had thought. All the experiences she's been through was really paying off. Not that she didn't miss him, but she felt alot stronger emotionally and mentally. They both get up and they walk to the family room. Father Sinclair gets up and looks at them both.

    "Are you guys ready?" He asked them.

    They both nod. Martha opens the basement door, with a candle in her hand. It was still pretty dark. Martha and Father Sinclair walk down the basement. Andrea is by the door, holding it open.

    Once they reach the basement, Martha looks to where she saw Andrew's body but it wasn't there anymore.

    "Oh my God..." Martha said, "It's not here."

    "You saw Andrew's body there?" Father Sinclair asked, "are you sure?"

    "Yes, I'm sure, his body was right there, it's not there anymore!" Martha said. She walks up to the corner and sees a puddle of blood to where his body was lying. Martha looks around, and doesn't see his body anywhere.

    "I don't get it," Martha said, getting a bit angry, "How does a body just disappear?" As Father Sinclair looks all around as well, they suddenly hear thuds from upstairs.
    Andrea, from at the top of the stairs hears it to. It was coming from Stephanie's room.

    "Martha! Father! Come up here!" Andrea called out.

    Martha and Father Sinclair hurry up the stairs and out of the basement. The thudding noises get louder. Martha looks up, at the top of the stairs.

    "Stephanie...!" Martha called out. She then runs up the stairs. Father Sinclair then goes to the family room to get his things.

    Martha reaches the second floor and rushes to Stephanie's room. She opens the door and hurries in the dark room. She suddenly sees drawings of satanic stars on the walls. She sees the number 666 written in blood all over the place. Martha's eyes widen and her heart begins to beat alot faster. It looks like everything was drawn in blood. There are writings in Latin on the walls as well, though she didn't understand what they meant. Martha notices Stephanie wasn't in her bed anymore, the straps were ripped off. Martha looks around the room and doesn't see Stephanie anywhere.

    She suddenly hears a clicking sound from the side of her, near where the knocked down dresser was. Martha turns and sees Stephanie in the far corner, standing on one hand, with her legs over her head, crossed over pretzel-style, and her other arm reaching behind her neck, over her other shoulder. Martha shutters and Stephanie slowly looks up, her eyes are glowing white and blood is dripping from her eyes, mouth, nose and ears. She was in a demonic stance.

    "Stephanie..." Martha softly called out. Stephanie then starts jumping up and down on her one hand, the bones popping out of her skin because of the weight and pressure of her whole body on one arm.

    "Stephanie!" Martha cried out. Stephanie then jumps and tackles Martha on the ground. Father Sinclair and Andrea hurry up the stairs and the door suddenly closes.
    "Martha!" Andrea called out. Father Sinclair goes to open the door, but the door burns his skin, as a satanic pentegon appears on the door.

    Stephanie is sitting on Martha, and starts to choke her. Blood is dripping on Martha's face. She tries pushing her off but her strength is way too strong. Father Sinclair opens his bible but it's suddenly he sees everything is written in Latin satanist prayers. He drops his bible in shock as the bible burns into flames. Father Sinclair and Andrea jump back.
    "Martha! Get out of there!" Father Sinclair yelled out.

    In the bedroom, Stephanie's grip around Martha's neck gets tighter and tighter. Martha feels herself getting weaker, as tears come out her eyes. She's trying with all of her strength to push her arms off her neck but she doesn't have the energy to do it.

    "Father, what do we do?" Andrea asked. Father Sinclair looked at Andrea.

    "This is...the end..." Father Sinclair said. With the bible gone, there was nothing he could do, the demons have casted off the security of the prayers.

    "No!!" Andrea called out, as she goes for the door, but Father Sinclair grabs her.

    Stephanie chokes Martha tighter and tighter. She then laughs maniacally, screeching.

    "You'll see your daughter in Hell!!" The Devil yelled out from Stephanie's body.
    Martha then grabs a piece of glass from the lamp that broke and strikes it in Stephanie's side, stabbing her repeadetly. The Devil roars and screeches and lets go of Martha's neck.

    "Take me instead!!!" Martha yelled, "My soul is more pure! My soul is worth more, take me instead!!! Make me your mistress!!!"

    The Devil roars and screeches louder and suddenly Stephanie is pushed back and she hits the wall with her back. Martha's eyes begin to glow a bright white and she starts to moan, and move around on the floor.

    Stephanie looks up, and sees that her mom is possessed. Stephanie sobs, and back crawls to the corner of her room. Suddenly Martha begins to screech louder, but because of pain.

    The bedroom door opens. Father Sinclair and Andrea rush in and they see Stephanie crying in the corner.

    "Stephanie!!" Andrea yelled out. She ran up to her, and kneels beside her.
    Father Sinclair sees Martha is possessed. He then sprinkles her with Holy Water, which makes scratch marks on her skin.

    "Evil Fallen Angel, you have NO permission from the Lord to take charge in so much power!" Father Sinclair yelled, "Be Gone to Hell where you have belonged! Stephanie is here you have failed!!"

    The screech is louder and the windows break and glass shatters everywhere.

    "By the Power of Jesus Christ and the Lord, we all command you to go back to Hell where you came from!" He yelled, "BE GONE!" Father Sinclair sprinkles Holy Water again and the whole house shakes.

    Martha's body lays on the floor unconsciously. Everything stops and Father Sinclair walks up to Martha's body and checks her pulse.

    Andrea and Stephanie are watching in fear and horror.

    "Is she okay?" Andrea asked, crying with Stephanie.

    "She's alive..." Father Sinclair said, "She's alive!"

    Stephanie gets up and runs to her mother. She kneels beside her and holds her hand very tightly.

    "Mom..." Stephanie called out. Andrea gets up and rushes to Martha's side too.

    A few minutes past and Martha's eyes open. She looks at Father Sinclair...then Andrea...then Stephanie.

    "Stephanie...honey, is that you?" she asked.

    "Mom!!" Stephanie yelled. She goes and hugs Martha very tightly, crying. Martha hugs her back just as tight, sobbing.

    "You made it...!" Martha cried, "I knew you would make it!"

    Andrea cries as well and goes to hug Stephanie.

    Father Sinclair rises up and sees them. He then smiles, he has completed his job. He saved Stephanie and the rest of the family from the Devil; something he thought in a million years he wouldn't have been doing. He does the sign of the cross and looks up at the ceiling.

    "Thankyou Lord...Thankyou." He said to himself.

    The exorcism was finally over and done with.