Dark Exorcist (8 page)

Chapter 21

Father Harlan, 3:15 a.m.

     I’ve always been a light sleeper. This night it came in especially handy. I won’t say I was expecting a phone call, but it had been a strange turn of events that brought me into town.  I had just returned from a short mission trip to Haiti when my friend Jacob called me. Jacob and I were friends in high school. Years later, he went to law school, and I went to the seminary. We hadn’t spoken much since, which made his call a complete surprise.

     He had finally met a wonderful young lady and asked her to be his wife. He asked me to preside over the wedding ceremony, which I was more than happy to oblige. I had a few weeks until my next assignment, so making the trip to see him would be a welcome break. I’d been doing an exorcism for the past several weeks, but hadn’t mentioned that to my friend. Very few people knew that was one of my duties, actually.

     I’d only been out of seminary a short time when my Bishop asked me if I was interested in becoming an exorcist. We barely touched on the subject in seminary. Most of us didn’t think the Church even performed them anymore. Once I arrived at the training center at the Vatican, I learned how mistaken I was, how wrong we all were. During the four month course, they allowed me to apprentice with a few local priests, who’d been exorcists for years. I was amazed at how often these were performed. Some were mild cases that only took a few moments of prayer. Others were long, exhausting rituals that still weren’t resolved, even after hours of exorcism.      During my training, I learned that some people may undergo exorcisms for days or weeks on end, over decades, only to be offered bouts of relief, but no real deliverance or
liberation. Others might be liberated in one session. There were so many factors involved; it was far from an exact science. When dealing with the supernatural, we are not dealing with science at all.

     I answered the phone on the first ring with the Bishop called. He gave me a quick rundown of what Father Pierce had been dealing with at the hospital. From the sound of it, I had no doubt this was a case of possession. It not only sounded like a possession, but a serious one. Very rarely are those around the possessed person affected or harmed by the demon. This instance was a full on assault of some sort.

     I climbed out of bed and got dressed. Double checking my bag, I made sure I had everything I needed. While there wasn’t an “exorcist’s kit” per se, there were certain items I kept with me in case the need arose. I had some small bottles of Holy Water handy, as well. The water was useful in varying degrees during an exorcism, but I always kept it handy.  I made sure everything else was in place, and then headed to the hospital.

     When I reached Father Pierce, on the fourth floor, I could see he was visibly distressed, although it was after three in the morning, so I’m sure we all were distressed on some level. I explained to him some of the ground rules and expectations for the methods we were about to employ. This was my common practice, because I’ve worked with some priests, who had to stay away from the exorcism, due to their own lack of faith.

     After our conversation, I sent him to find Dr. Bennett, the psychiatrist on duty. I always prefer to have some medical personnel present, if possible. Some of them believed that the exorcism itself was a helpful ritual in using the power of suggestion. If a mentally ill person thought they were possessed, an exorcism could cure the person, using the power of suggestion, making them think the imaginary demon was gone. It was a type of placebo effect.

     I strongly disagree with this approach, however. In my training I learned that demonic forces were not things to be trifled with. People who became possessed did so because something had been done to invite the demonic influence. Some had dabbled in the occult, causing possession. By dabbling, I mean actually taking part in black magic rituals, or communicating with demons themselves through specialized rituals. Contrary to what Hollywood might tell us, one cannot be possessed by playing with a Ouija board, or having their palm read. At least it’s not likely to happen that way.

     Some of the stronger possessions were a result of a curse. This usually occurs when a child’s parents take part in a ritual. The children often end up cursed, since they are the most vulnerable. Some grow up being tormented by the demons, others in outright possession. With this girl, Amanda, it was too early for me to determine how the demon got there, and that was usually irrelevant anyway. Fact was, the thing was inside of her, and it was up to me to get it out.

     Shortly after Father Pierce left, I stepped inside Amanda’s room to check on her. I barely opened the door when the hospital power went out completely. In the darkness, I could see the girl’s eyes glowing, bright yellow. She let out a growl, as I stood motionless, in the doorway.

     “Hello Dietrich,” it said, “so we meet again.”

     As a rule, I usually did not speak to the demons. This was the first time, however, one had ever addressed me by name. Perhaps it was one I had encountered before. That is unusual, but not impossible.

     “How do you know me?” I asked.

     “I know lots of things. Don’t worry, I don’t plan on staying long.”

     “What do you mean?”

     “The party is just about to get started, as soon as the guest of honor arrives.”

Chapter 22

3:45 a.m.

     I had no idea who the guest of honor was, or what the demon was talking about. Instead I began the Ritual. In these matters, you cannot engage the demon on its terms. Even speaking directly to it can be dangerous, that gives it power over you.

     “Sancta Mater Dei, ora pro me. Sancti Michaelis orare pro me, S. Gabrielis orare pro me.” I began the Litany of the Saints in Latin. I was asking the Holy Mother of God, Saint Michael, Saint Gabriel, and dozens of other saints for their prayers, as I began. As I went through the list, the demon sat there looking at me, a twisted grin on its face. Father Pierce had been gone for a while and I was growing concerned for him. I would normally have waited, but felt it prudent to begin.

     I began to move to the next phase, when I was interrupted by the door opening. Father Pierce and a police officer were standing there. They appeared to be exhausted.

     “Father Pierce? Where’s Doctor Bennett?” I asked.

     “Couldn’t find him. I think I should speak with you for a moment though, Father. We ran into some interesting developments.”

     Before I could reply, the demon sat up in the bed and spoke.

     “Well, our guest is here. Hello again Peter. Did you miss me?”

     I assumed it was referring to the officer. They must have had some kind of interaction earlier.

     “Don’t you want to see your mommy? She’s in here with us you know. She wants everyone to know what you did.”

     “Don’t talk to it!” I said. “The demon is a liar. Let’s step outside.”  We all walked into the hall, and I studied the officer’s face. He looked visibly disturbed. We went into one of the vacant patient rooms, where Father Pierce and Officer Roman explained to me what they had seen earlier.

     “My God,” I said, “I’ve never seen a demon manifest in more than one person before.”

     “I’ve never seen it in one person,” Father Pierce said.

     “Yes, I’m aware. Though I’ve heard of it, in these cases it’s not just one demon. It could be several. Like one demon commanding several. I suppose hospital patients, especially psychiatric patients would be most susceptible to influence. They are in a physically and mentally weakened state.”

     “Okay guys,” Officer Roman said, “I get it, you are priests and you’re into this kind of thing. I mean I won’t deny there is some freaky shit going on, and I can see an exorcism helping someone who thinks they are possessed, but demons and manifestations are taking over a whole hospital?”

     “After everything you saw, what do you think that was? A bad drug reaction?” I asked.

     “I don’t know. I think I need a vacation, is what I think,” Roman said.

     “Maybe later. What is the demon talking about in there? A party, and you are the guest.”

     “Earlier, it accused him of killing his mother. It accused him in several ways,” Father Pierce chimed in.

     “My mom died of cancer several years ago. I don’t know how that girl knows anything about me, or why she’s singled me out,” Roman said.

     “Well, don’t let it mess with you. You can stay out here while we go back in. I don’t want to give it the satisfaction of having you around, especially if you don’t believe.”

     “Right,” he said. “I would clear this call, but I figure I’d just get called back again after that kid stabs one of you or something.”

     I ignored him and nodded to Father Pierce. We both went back into the room, leaving Officer Roman, for the time being. Each time I went in the room, I noticed the temperature got colder.

     “Where’s my pal?” the demon asked, when we stepped back inside. I ignored it and continued to pray the ritual. This time it wasn’t as cordial about things. “Fuck you! You loser priest! Why don’t you fuck this girl! Shove your cock in my ass, like you did your little whore in Brazil!”

     I stopped praying.

     “What?”

     “Oh, you didn’t think anyone knew about that,” it said. “At least it wasn’t an altar boy. She was a hot little thing too, big fat tits. Did you like them
, Father? You like her tits bouncing in your face? I was there you know. She’s one of mine too. Tell me Father, did you ever go to confession on that one? Or did you just let it ride?”

     I glanced over at Father Pierce, who was staring at me.  Without another word, I walked back out of the room.

Chapter 23

Father Harlan, 4:05 a.m.

     I sat down in the empty room, and wiped the sweat from my forehead. Father Pierce stepped in, looking confused and angry.

     “What the hell was that all about?” He stood in the doorway, his arms crossed.

     “I don’t understand it,” I explained. “I don’t know how it could know this.”

     “Know what Father? I’m at a loss here. We’ve got a girl who is going through some terrible suffering. The man sent to help her, a trained exorcist, is sitting here sulking over something the demon told him.”

     “It’s true,” I couldn’t even face him. “What it said is true. Well, most of it.”

     “About a whore in Brazil?”

     “God, don’t use that word. It was a prostitute, yes. Just a few years ago after I was done in Haiti I went to Brazil for a couple years to help set up a new school there.”

     “Okay?” Pierce said.

     “By this time, I was feeling lonely and isolated. I went out one night for a drink and this woman came up to talk to me. Her name was Esperanza. She was so beautiful and funny and kind. I figured she just came to talk to me, keep me company. But she was a prostitute. I’d had a few drinks. It had been so long since I’d enjoyed just talking to a woman, let alone her touch.”

     “I understand,” Pierce nodded. “It’s something we all struggle with.”

     “So she offered to come back to my room and I accepted and brought her back. Then she told me her price. At that point, I just went with it. It felt amazing. It had been so long since I’d been with a woman, I’d forgotten what it felt like. Of course afterward, there was the guilt. I’ve never felt so guilty Father. It was crushing, and earth shattering. I felt suicidal for a little while, went through some major depression for months.”

     “Why didn’t you confess?”

     “I don’t know. I broke one of my vows. I feared some repercussions. Instead, I just pushed it to the back of my mind, and tried to pretend it never happened.”

     “But it did happen.”

     “Yes, I know.”

     “Well, what you’ve done here is considered confession,” Father Pierce said. He sat next to me and said a prayer of absolution. “I absolve you of your sins. May God give you pardon and peace, in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.” I felt a little better after the sacrament. “Father Harlan, you’re no good to that girl with sin in your life. The demon will see it, and zero in on it. Is there anything else?”

     “No, that’s it. I’m sure.”

     “Okay. How do you feel? Is your head in this?”

     “Yes, it is. Thank you Father,” I said.

     “Good.” He patted me on the shoulder and stood. “We need to get that demon out of that poor little girl.”

     Before I could reply, the door swung open as Officer Roman came running into the room.

     “Sorry to interrupt. I don’t know what happened in there, but the girl is going nuts. She keeps screaming Father Harlan’s name.”

     “We’ll be right in,” I said.

     “You guys know why people on the other floors are walking around like they’re possessed?” Roman asked. I wasn’t expecting the question, and I wasn’t completely sure myself. I hadn’t seen anything like this myself, at least not this extreme.

     “I’m not sure,” I explained. “My thought is that there is more than one demon involved. The one that has her is very powerful, and it commands other lesser demons. The lesser ones are manifesting throughout the hospital.”

     Officer Roman looked at Father Pierce, who shrugged.

     “This shit is nuts,” he said.

     “Indeed,” I nodded, as Roman stepped out of the room. Father Pierce and I followed him into the hallway where we could hear Amanda screaming again. She wasn’t screaming my name though. She was yelling something in Greek, but I couldn’t make it out. It didn’t matter. Father Pierce and I nodded to each other, and stepped back into the room. Time for Round Two.