Karma Hotel Ch. 17 Jan & Dean

The Larson's watch an exorcism that gets side tracked by 2 interfering sarcastic spirits.

                   

Chapter 17

Jan and Dean

"You saw what happened?" Margo felt frustrated and defeated. She had never imagined needing someone she barely knew. Unimaginable. Yet here she was, looking for direction and a degree of comfort after what she had just endured. "Is everyone here miserable as I am?"
"Yes, I watched it all. I felt like diving into the brawl. But, you didn't need any help. Instead, I watched you trying your best to understand the properties of afterlife matter. Using your hands."
Margot felt her attention drift back to the conflict with Bud. She couldn't squeeze the life out of him like she wanted to. "I could not try any harder," she admitted. That made her snarl all the more. And Bud knew it!"
"Each in their own way is miserable with their troubles like you are. Mostly fear and grief."
She understood Ramona's grief. Randy, on the other hand, seemed to be pleased, especially with the music in his head. But Constance? She just looked lost and unavailable.
"Who is here because of fear?", Margot asked him.
That gave Matthew pause. Was he ready to reveal Jill and the emotional can of worms? Taking the risk, he replied, "Well,... check out the second floor sometime. And, while you're at it, the basement."
Curiosity peaked,"What are they afraid of?"
Matthew nodded at her, "Those are long stories that you will hear about one day. One thing I can tell you is that they're miserable." But it was time to move on. "And there are other kinds of dp's. They're not confused about who and what they are. And they are conscious enough to mess with the minds of the living."
"Messing with the living. Bud, that slimy user." Margot then folded her arms. "And, we have you. Giving that nice young man the Creepin' Willies."
"Yep. Guilty on that count. And, there are a lot more examples where the dead insert themselves into the affairs of the living.." Matthew smiled. "A lot more."
"But not at Hoyt House.", she replied flatly.
Matthew shook his head. "Rascals like them are not allowed here."Yeah. Like copper pennies. I should ask him about that. She told herself
"Where are they? Where do they hang out, if not here?"
"Some are attracted to people in highly charged emotional environments. And they seem to get a kick out of enhancing emotions. I've watched them stoke the fire of anger in someone so that turns into violent rage."
"Do you mean some kind of entity possession?"
"It's more like they are influencing the living than actually possessing someone. Sometimes a dp will sort of blend with a living person temporarily."
"Creepy time Matthew!" Margot held her chest. "Oh great. Time-sharing your body. That is what Julie has been doing with Bud. Dammit!"
"Yep. That's just about how it looks from my vantage point."
"And if the person begins to feel the emotions and issues of a dead person. Yuck! And no one is having a good time."
"Some are. Remember the dp's I mentioned, the ones I called rascals. They can be, how shall I say...almost entertaining."
"Dp's entertaining," she replied skeptically. "And who do they entertain?"
"It's theater for them. They love to participate with human drama. And some rascals are quite creative at it. Margot, how would you like a distraction from your troubles?"
Margot was more than ready. "You bet. What'cha got?"
"It just so happens that tomorrow morning the Larson's plan to attend a church where two rascals hang out."
"Dp's in a church? Rascal dp's? What in the world are you talking about?"
"Some rascals participate with special rituals in certain churches."
"Special rituals in certain churches. What does that mean?" Hang on Margot. You just died. You have no living person to tell the truth to. So what am I going to do? Be entertained by rascals. Oh, go for it. Might get some comic relief. Margot frowned. "Special rituals?"
" Curious enough? "
"Of course. But why do you call those two rascals?"
"Let's tag along tomorrow. You'll see"


The next morning, Matthew and Margot followed the Larson's to a new Pentecostal church on Portland's east side. It had a reputation for confronting evil head-on. "Spiritual Warfare", they called it. An old warehouse had been renovated by the congregation. The renovation was limited to fresh paint, some used church pews and a podium. Pentecostal types rejected fancy altars and graven images. All they needed was the bible, the spoken voice, and Jesus.
As the Larson's entered the parking lot they could see the marquee that read: On Palm Sunday Jesus drove out money changers. We drive out the Devil! Towering over the marquee was a large sign with red letters: Bingo Every Tuesday Night.
Comfortably sitting in a well-worn church pew, Bob gathered up Beny onto his lap. Lauren sat next to him. All eyes were on the minister.
"Beloveds, Rev. Leroy exclaimed to his congregation, "There is one among us tonight right here in our congregation who is caught in a web of sin. His addictions threaten to ruin him and his family. Gambling addiction and unholy sexual perversions."
The reverend cast his gaze downward at the very thought of such sin. Then he raised his right hand up and declared, "Yet, it's not his fault! The Evil One is responsible for his sin. Our brother Donald has been a victim of Satan himself. We shall lay your hands on him tonight and drive out Satan!"
His little congregation practically cheered with amen's that sounded like church-flavored sic-em! commands to dogs.
Rev. Leroy savored the trust placed on him. "Deliverance is nigh!"
Donald's wife had threatened divorce if he ever lost any more money gambling. But when it came to sex, she put up with his patronage to prostitutes. Let him try getting satisfaction with them. I can't satisfy an addict. A real no-brainer for me....
"Donald, please come up here." Rev. Leroy motioned him to sit in an overstuffed chair in front of the altar. Towering over him, eyes piercing with accusation. "You have been attacked by minions of Satan. They want to possess your very soul!"
Wondering where evil spirits coming for him might be hiding, Donald looked around nervously.
"You cannot trust spirits. The only spirit we can trust is the Spirit of Christ. All others are demonic! You don't want demonic spirits, do you, Donald?"
"No." He inspected the ceiling in case a spirit might show up. "Uh I, ah, of course not."
"Jesus is the only doorway to God, Donald. He taught us all: 'Only through me shall you see the face of the Father'. There is only one way to salvation. All other spirits are minions of hell!"
More amen's could be heard from the congregation.
Margot overheard a kind of strange chortling from the back of the chapel: "Yannadidy, Hodiyama, Glalala" followed by a tirade of consonants and syllables. None of it was recognizable.
Rev. Leroy's eyes glowed with anticipation. "Tonight we confront Evil head-on!"
He addressed Donald, "You should be concerned, Donald. Satan wants you. Your eternal soul is at risk!"
He raised his right hand up to get the attention of his small but devoted congregation. "Yet, it's not his fault! The Evil One is responsible for his sin. Our brother Donald has been a victim of Satan himself. We shall lay our hands on him tonight and drive out Satan! Deliverance is nigh!"
Several amen's resounded from his followers, anticipating what was to follow.
Towering over him, eyes piercing with accusation, Rev. Leroy said, "You have been attacked by minions of Satan. They want to possess your soul! You cannot trust spirits. The only spirit we can trust is the Holy Spirit of Christ. All others are demonic! You don't want demonic spirits do you, Donald?"
"No." He looked around nervously in case a spirit might show up. "Uh, I guess not."
"Jesus is the only doorway to God, Donald. He taught us all: Only through me shall you see the face of the Father' There is only one way to salvation. All other spirits are minions of hell!"
Several more amen's could be heard from the congregation. Margot overheard a kind of strange chortling from the back of the chapel: "Yannadidy, Hodiyama, Glalala" followed by a tirade of consonants and syllables. None of it was recognizable.
Rev. Leroy's eyes glowed with anticipation. "Tonight we confront Evil head-on!"
He addressed Donald, "You should be concerned, Donald. Satan wants you for his own. Your eternal soul is at risk!"
"Yes! Get them off of me please. Pray for me!"
The reverend nodded to his two young assistants dressed in shirts and ties. Donald laid down, face-up, on the carpeted chapel floor. Now what, he wondered. Soon he felt hands on his chest and face as the chanting began.
"Be gone Evil One! And take your filthy addictions with you! Be gone Evil One! And take your filthy addictions with you!"
As if to demonstrate how filled he was with the Holy Ghost, the reverend's hands quiver and shake violently as they came to rest on Donald's chest. I'm really blasting him now!, he told himself. Donald's head began to shake as well as a look of alarm filled his face.
"Someone get me a cross please" One of the shirt-tied assistants jumped up and ran among the pews to the wall bearing a three-foot-long cross. He removed it from a wall and handed it to Rev. Leroy, who proclaimed, "Behold the Cross of Christ! "
Donald had been host for a dead gambler for years. His Gambler loved poker in particular and over time had persuaded Donald to gamble away most of his life savings. What Gambler craved the most was the tension filling the room when Donald would raise the ante to $1000 or more.
But, at the sight of the cross, Gambler nearly dropped his deck of ethereal Bicycle playing cards. Prayerful hands pushed his ectoplasmic form away from Donald's shaking body. Gambler retreated, maybe, three or four feet out of respect for those prayers. He too had been prayerful once, but that was long ago.
But Amanda was still attached. She had been Donald's sex addict for years. "In the name of Jesus leave this man!" All three reached for heavenly powers just above their heads.
More nonsensical chortling followed, louder now, rising from a distant corner of the warehouse turned church: "Monolalila hediyomama, elilala..."
I ain't gonna fight this, Amanda said to herself and slowly began to drift away. She slipped close to whisper in Donald's ear. "Maybe see ya later, Donny. Can't say that it hasn't been fun..."
Margot was stunned as she watched Amanda pull in strands of mucous-like stick-um between herself and Donald, much of it from his crotch. After that, she watched Amanda hop away kangaroo-like. Gaad! Horror films were never that weird!
Relief filled Donald's face as he rose from the chapel floor. "I feel like me now. So much better without those minions from hell making me commit sins. Thank you Jesus. Thank you all..."
Unconvinced, Rev. Leroy challenged him. "Really now. How can you be so sure? I can still feel darkness lurking inside you. Can't you feel it Donald? Or have you become numb to darkness?"
"Not exactly. What am I supposed to feel? I don't feel anything bad. I'm OK now. I feel empty and swept clean. I'm so grateful. I'm done now, right?" He wanted to retreat to a pew or better yet, get home and down some beers.
"Don't fall to the temptation of pride of self-trust. The Dark One knows you all too well, Donald. Satan is subtle and deceptive. Without Jesus, we are never safe from the minions of the devil. " Then he nodded to Donald and looked him in the eye, "You know that, don't you?"
Looking around the room, Donald nervously shook his head. Now what, he wondered, more minions?
Matthew addressed Margot. "Did you see how those two dp's got blown away as soon as they began praying and thrusting the cross into their faces? But, something was missing: Drama. There was no resistance, therefore no entertainment."
"Isn't the preacher satisfied?", she asked. "He got rid of those dp's who were attached to Donald."
"Hell now! Whoops! Pun intended... Are you kidding? Without resistance there's no show. Look at those two: Amanda the sex addict and that other one, the gambler. They had no resistance to prayer. Where is the dazzle, where is the drama? Pentecostal preachers expect more. In fact, they count on it!"
"But wasn't he possessed by them? Weren't they exorcised?"
"Nah. Donald was under their sway a lot of time, especially when he was loaded. Poor fellow had little resistance to them. Possessed, no. Heavily influenced, yes." Matthew directed her attention to watch what happens next.
Gambler, all the while shuffling his Bicycle cards drifted further away from Donald. Amanda was already out the door. And, waiting in the wings were two more dp's. It was their turn now.
"Understand what's happening here, Margot? The show is just getting started."
"Who are those other two?"
"Those resident ghosts have gone by lot's of names. They used to call themselves the Thompson Twins."
"Twins? They don't look alike at all. One's blond and the other has curly dark hair."
"I know. They change names to fit the moment. Now they're Jan & Dean."
"They sure seem eager for something to happen.", Margot suggested.
"Oh yes! It's showtime."
Dean rubbed his palms together and asked, "Whose turn is it Jan?"
Jan replied with anticipation, "We know how to make the tough choices. Shall we try Paper, Rock, or Scissors?"
"No, Dean demurred, it's your turn, my dear."
"Really? I so love your riveting portrayal with Hiss & Spit. Jan, watching you perform is enchanting. Consider this your encore."
"Oh Dean you rascal! You know how I love flattery! But, I so miss your masterful rendition of Roll & Foam Won't you please?..... Oh please, please."
Dean nodded at Donald. "All right. But Donald's mouth is a bit dry to make much foam. Maybe he will get thirsty before we begin. Can you help?"
"With pleasure." Jan focused his attention on Donald" I'm so thirsty. And my mouth is so parched. It's desert-like. Water! Water! So... thirsty.
Donald excused himself for a moment. "I need to use the restroom. I'll be right back. I promise."
Jan continued with more of: So thirsty! What a dry mouth I have.
Jan continued to project thought forms at Donald. Moisten that palate. Scoop in some more. Without bothering to get a cup, he just scooped tap water from the faucet into his mouth over and over again. Then, Donald returned to the chapel and lowered himself into the overstuffed chair.
Jan and Dean were ready. Dean drifted over and slowly descended into Donald's now shaking torso. This is almost too easy, Dean thought. What a gaping hole those two left for me!
Rev. Leroy and two assistants were ready for exorcism. The reverend confronted Donald again, "Are you clean now? How can you know for sure? Satan is cunning and full of guile. Be not fooled, Donald. In the name of Jesus I command all Minions of the Devil to leave this man!"
Donald began to slowly squirm but his face remained impassive. He felt emotionally dead. He let his attention drift away from that empty hidden place inside where Gambler and Amanda once lived. Silence filled the chapel for several minutes.
Rev. Leroy assured himself with: My flock expects of me two things at this time: Authority and Leadership. Tonight is mine!. "In the name of Jesus Christ I command you, unclean spirit, to leave this innocent man. I command you now: Leave!"
Then..... nothing. Maybe Donald's entities really are gone, Rev. Leroy wondered. He seems so peaceful. There was dead silence for several minutes. Hush filled the chapel, a pregnant expectancy.
Rev. Leroy's assistants appealed to him with expressions of: What now? Hands wringing, the three squirmed around Donald for several more minutes.
They began once more: "In the name of Jesus, we command you to..."
Then suddenly: "Boo!" Dean hollered from Donald's body as he sat up. Rev. Leroy and his two helpers practically fell backward.
Dean was grinning from ear to ear, "Greetings from the dark side dear ones!" Dean's open and generous approach seemed to unnerve them. Rev. Leroy's assistant exorcist's again looked to him for guidance.
"Oh Leroy, how thoughtful! A gathering of kindred spirits." Kissy-blissy and lovey-dovey now, Dean began blowing kisses to all three.
"Don't start with that crap!", Rev. Leroy insisted. "Let's get one thing straight: You are a minion of Satan and we are going to send you straight back to Hell!"
"Oh Leroy, you've always had such a winning way with people." Then, gesturing with upturned palms, Dean appealed to Rev. Leroy's assistants, "Is he always like this?"
They looked to one another: Well....yeah much of the time.
"In Jesus' name, we command you to leave this innocent man. In Jesus' name, In Jesus' name..."
"Oh now don't start with that Jesus tale. We've heard enough about your Jesus! What an ego trip: I am The one and only son of God...... Oh give me a break." Then sarcastically: "I am the way, the life and the truth. Aren't you bored by such arrogance?"
"Be gone spawn of Satan!!" Rev. Leroy boomed out. "Be cast into utter darkness where the worm dieth not!"
"This swine is mine you fools!" Dean replied evenly. "And by the way, your hypocrisy stinks! You are the real Pharisees here."
Rev. Leroy was surprised at Dean's familiarity with the New Testament. "Don't listen to his words!, he hollered at his congregation. "The Evil One is clever and subtle. Cover your ears!"
"You, Fat boy." Dean addressed the nearest assistant. "Why do you lust after your neighbor's wife? Talk about homely..."
After, rolling his eyes Dean suddenly turned to Rev. Leroy's other assistant. "And you, coward! You never took a risk in your life. Now, look at you." With a grin Dean drilled in his point: "Always in Rev. Leroy's shadow."
"How pathetic." Dean sent his laughter to the church ceiling, a malevolent reptilian glow radiating from his eyes. "This must the Third Pentecostal church. Ha! He he he. Your performance gotta be better than this if you ever expect to become the Second Pentecostal Church!"
Dean was having a ball, channeling through Donald. Margot stared at him. He sounds so familiar. Where have I heard that voice? Reminds me of Rumpelstiltskin.
"Can't you do any better?" Dean snickered and jeered at the would-be exorcists.
"In the name of Jesus Christ I command you, unclean spirit, to leave this innocent man. I command you now: Leave!"
"Who are you calling unclean?" Dean stared at the preacher in the eye, commanding his attention. "We can smell you all down the hall, Leroy. By the way, are you feeling all right?"
With a feigned look of concern, Dean continued. "You don't look so good, a little peaked."
I know his damn game and he ain't gonna fuck with me, Rev Leroy told himself. I ain't sick!
"I see it in your eyes, oh my a sickness. " A hand to Don's cheek, Dean continued, "Oh what is this?... LUST! How long have you been cheating on your wife, Leroy?"
Rev. Leroy was stunned and a little panicky. How can he know about this! All right Leroy, stand tall!... He puffed up his chest and pointed his chin defiantly, "That's Rev. Leroy, you vile scum!"
With prayerful hands, he turned to the congregation. "And I want you all to know that I have never violated my marriage vows."
"What about that week-long seminar in Sioux Falls? "Dean picked at his chin, eyes studying the reverend. "Oh, what was that topic? I get it now: Fidelity in Marriage! Wasn't that fun Leroy? Were you being a good boy all week?"
Beads of bitter sweat gathered on the reverend's forehead. "Of course!"
"I wonder if your wife can still smell that lustful scent on you, however faint. You had a whole week to play with her, Leroy."
"I am faithful to my beloved wife. Now you, you....filthy entity." Rev. Leroy was totally flummoxed. "You shut up!"
The attempt at exorcism devolved into a soap opera. Addressing his congregation, Rev Leroy cried out, "Cover your ears everyone! Protect yourselves from the Father of lies!"
Then turning dramatically to face Dean again, "Be gone, ye foul minion of Satan!".
Hoping to take advantage of what seemed to be a moment of weakness, Rev. Leroy continued, "Leave this man now you minion from Hell! I command you in Jesus' name!"
"There you go again, calling us names. Where are your manners, Leroy? We have been nothing but courteous with you till now." His eyes displaying feigned sincerity. "We simply want to demonstrate Christian courtesy and charity, if you would allow us to."
Addressing the congregation now, Dean asked, "Who behaves more like a minion? Us or Leroy? He he he he." Dean loved playing the provocateur.
Each 'Leroy' minus the "Rev." just stoked the good reverend's fire. Oh Lord, forgive me the sin of violence. If I could just bash his head in! But..whose head?
Overhearing the contest of wills, Rev. Leroy's wife, Carrie, walked across the chapel, making a beeline to him. "I thought I could smell something lingering so on your clothing. New aftershave, or so I thought."
Carrie crossed her arms. "Tell me, Leroy, did you meet someone special last month in Sioux Falls?"
"What! No. I, I was busy all week Carrie." Almost pleading now. "You know that."
"Really" she replied, followed by a lethal moment of silence, as she looked accusingly at him over her glasses.
"Carrie this is not the time for that conversation. Can't you see how busy I am?", pointing at Dean, "Why bring it up now, in the middle of an exorcism?"
"No time like the present" she replied dryly.
"I, I did nothing inappropriate with anyone. The good reverend was clearly guilty of something. "I was being good."
Dean rocked Donald's torso back and forth. "You're in denial! You're in denial! You're in denial......Leroy!" Dean egged him on without mercy.
That prick from Hell! He's not gonna steal my show. Rev. Leroy told himself. I'll fix him.
"Just tell me the truth Leroy.", Carrie demanded.
"Oh Leroy, admit it", Dean pleaded with him darkly. "You crave the fire that woman stokes in you. Too bad your fire for Carrie fizzled,... Leroy."
"I could smell her on you!" A look of hurt on her face. "And I thought it was just a new aftershave....What a fool I've been. After all these years as a faithful wife and mother!"
"Can't you see what Satan is doing here, Carrie?" By now, grabbing at straws, he replied, "The Father of Lies is creating division between us, when there was none before."
"We will talk about this matter later, Carrie replied. "Go cast out some demons. And, by the way, be sure to look in the mirror...Leroy." Then, she walked away stiffly.

"Somebody hand me that cross again, Hurry!", Rev. Leroy cried. I'm going to send that demon straight to hell. Third Pentecostal church... Sarcastic bastard!
Dean was getting under Rev. Leroy's skin for sure. So he chose to use the cross of Christ again. He placed it right on Dondald's forehead. "Ye minion of Satan, behold the cross of Christ!", the Reverend announced triumphantly.
"Oh, how thoughtful of you, Leroy. How did you know I had a thing for crosses? You devil!" Dean relished every exchange. "Does it come in red, Dearie?"
"That's Rev. Leroy, Beelzebub!" He was screaming now, his skull arteries bulging.
"There you go name-calling. How rude of you! You've got the manners of a lumberjack in heat... Leroy!" Dean made it a point to leave out the "Rev".
Hearing audible snickers from behind him, Rev. Leroy paused to consider the meaning of Dean's last barb: A lumberjack in heat. Hugh?
"And by the way, who are you calling Beelzebub? Now that's insulting. I know that guy ....what a loser. I can out evil him any.time.", Dean said with emphasis. Clearly, he had taken control of matters. Jan was almost tearing with laughter.
"Be gone spawn of the Devil!. In Jesus name I command you. In Jesus name I command you. In Jesus name I command you!!"
"Your filthy prayers are useless against us. This swine is still mine" Then raising one eyebrow, "Leroy!" The chapel walls reflected Dean's malevolent laughter.
Dean smiled and looked over at Jan. Is it time now? Jan gasping with laughter, now eagerly nodded. "Yes! My favorite part."
Dean rolled back and forth slowly at first. "No No No. Oh, the light! Oh no the Light!" Next, fell to the floor and began rolling back and forth. Saliva gathered at the edge of Donald's lips, drooling now. Tossing and turning, Donald's shoulders slammed the chapel floor violently. His comb-over now drooped over his eyes, only the whites showing.
Next Dean raised himself to a sitting position began a slow lead up to a good sneeze - "Uh, uh, uh, pausing momentarily ..."Uh, ah-choo! Dean sprayed gobbets of foamy saliva in a 180-degree arc. The two prayerful assistants retreated several steps with Rev. Leroy, wiping their faces.
"OK you S.O.B. How do you like the Bible?" A bible was shown to Dean.
At the sight of it Dean was alarmed. "Take it away! No, No, No you can't do that to me!" Squirming now, Dean as Donald portrayed genuine fear. The bible was laid on Donald's chest.
"Oh please get that book of lies off me!," Dean screamed. "I can hardly breathe! Uh, Uh, uh." Dean tried next to reason with them. "Oh mark me: I'll be good from now on! I promise. Just get that damn thing off me! It stings! Have you no mercy?" Dean was practically begging them, eyes tearing a bit.
Dean pleaded with the exorcists. "It burns like hell! Oh, did you get my pun? Take it away." Dean arched Donald's torso and rocked back and forth. "It burns so bad! Get that damn thing off me!! EEaaa!!"
Keeping pace with Dean, Jan began to roll around as well. By this time poor Donald had been battered by waves of almost violent prayers. He felt like a beach ball bouncing from the prayerful and back again into Dean's energy. Dean gathered more saliva for another application of foam and began again with "Uh, uh. ah, ah...".
But Rev. Leroy was ready this time. He placed a bible over Dean's face. Now just try to spray us, bitch!
Quaking and rolling now, face covered by a bible, Dean pounded the floor loudly and desperately grabbed for any nearby faces he could not see.
"Return to hell and never return!". Rev. Leroy was bellowing now.
Dean pulled the bible from his face and declared sarcastically, "I'll be waiting for there you Dearie. See ya real soon!"
Rev. Leroy replaced the bible on Donald's face. But,it barely muffled Dean's piercing scream.
Donald's trunk shook violently. Then nothing. Peace now. It was all over.
Having concluded his performance, Dean floated right up from him, leaving Donald quite exhausted. He was assisted to a pew, needing to rest and pray.
While Jan & Dean congratulated themselves with high-fives, the gambling entity remained patient, shuffling his deck of Bicycle cards. He perched himself on an imaginary shelf just behind Donald. Experience had taught him to wait a bit before trying to enter again.
"Victory is ours! We thank the Lord for delivering our brother Donald from the evil grasp of Satan," Rev. Leroy exclaimed to his audience, reveling in victory. "Be not fooled brethren. The father of lies is full of guile. Satan is cunning. The open door to his influence is self-trust. The sin of pride. We were made weak by the Creator. The Lord is our only refuge..."
Jan was ecstatic. "Oscar Time!!! Bravo! Oh Dean that was masterful."
Dean took a long bow. "Next time it's your turn, Jan. I can hardly wait for your renowned Hiss and Spit maneuver."
"And what will the critics say this time Dean? I can hardly wait." Jan was simply giddy. "The church really should be selling tickets."
"Yes." Dean observed, "And, after so many performances, we ought to have a contract with Rev. Leroy by now. Know any dead attorneys?"
Lauren and Bob gaped at the grisly scene. Shock and fear filled Beny's eyes.
"Let's go home, Lauren said. "I need time to think."
"Yeah, Bob replied, "this was a bit much."
Beny clinged to his father as he scooped him up.
Once out the door, Lauren wondered, "Is this really what it takes to get rid of ghosts in our home?"
"All I know, Is that Beny is terrified now, Bob answered. "We should have never let him watch this spectacle."


Dead Margot also witnessed the spectacle. Beny. Yes! The only living person I can talk to.
She could hardly restrain herself. I must be careful. He's only seven. How can his Auntie tell him that she's dead without upsetting him? But, I must reach out somehow. Otherwise, who else do I have? Oh, to need a child so badly!

End of Chapter 18

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