NINE

The boy hadn’t seen that one coming. The admittance she was feeling the urge to drink his blood was quite a surprise. Obviously the demon’s grip on her was growing.

“Sounds like we decided to call in Father Kerry’s help just in time,” the boy said.

“I’ll never understand how you manage to stay so calm through this all,” Beth said.

The boy shrugged. “It’s just how I’ve been forever.”

“Well, it freaks me out like crazy. As soon as we get back to my place, please lock me up in my room.”

“I’m not afraid of you.”

“I know. But I don’t want you to die. I don’t know how long I will be able to suppress these feelings inside of me.”

“Okay. I understand. Sure.”

They drove quickly to Beth’s place. Once there they made sure Beth had some water before she went to her bedroom. Once there, the boy closed the door and put a chair against the doorhandle to block it.

“Are you sure you will be okay in there?” the boy asked Beth from the other side of the door. Then he caught himself, understanding she wouldn’t be able to hear him. She was so good at reading lips he sometimes forget she was deaf. He wasn’t sure what to do now. He could of course go to sleep, as the next day might be quite exhausting. He’d never been part of an exorcism before but he figured it might not be a walk in the park. It was just that it didn’t feel right to just let his guard down. Beth might not be able to hurt him, locked up in there, but she was able to hurt herself. Or, to be more exact, the demon inside her might be able to. What if that demon from the window returned. Or something else, even stronger. What would she be able to do then? No, he decided he was going to stand guard. Well, sit. He sank down on his ass, next to the door.

He thought back about the strange things that he’d seen during his travels. This demonic possession thing was for sure one of the strangest things so far. And as fascinating as it was for him, he felt no fear. Beth was such a nice woman. He really hoped Father Kerry could get that demon out of her. He wondered if that might actually cure her deafness as well. Thinking those thoughts he started to become more tired. He was starting to have trouble to keep his eyes open. Sleep was near… Then he heard a scream, startling him awake. It came from inside Beth’s room.

He removed the chair and ran in. He saw Beth, crawling against the ceiling, screaming, panicked.

“What happened?” the boy asked.

“I don’t know, I was asleep and suddenly I woke up against the ceiling like this.”

“Press your legs against it, like trying to jump. I hope it will get you down. I will catch you.”

“I may not be a very heavy woman, kid… But I’m not sure a teenager will be able to catch me.”

“Just a second,” the boy said and pushed Beth’s bed under her. “Now try it!”

Beth did as the boy suggested. Indeed, she launched herself down, landing on the bed. She started to cry. “I’m just not in control of myself anymore.”

“Then I will stay with you right here to watch over you,” the boy promised her.

“I might hurt you,” Beth said.

“Or hurt yourself. I don’t want that. Don’t worry. I can take care of myself,” the boy said. He hugged Beth close to him. “Try to sleep. I am here to guard over you.”