Condemned

by Christopher Renna

  Adam agreed. "We need to figure out a way to get people to not talk about him being possessed."

  Trevor motioned to a woman and man crossing the parking lot. "Here come some more people. The service is probably about to start. Let's get outta here."

  "Yeah, let's go," Conner said.

  As the three started to walk, the pretty blonde woman called out to them, "Excuse me. Hellooo."

  Pausing their trek to the car, Conner replied, "Can we help you?"

  Slightly out of breath, she smiled as she closed in on them. The dark-bearded man held an oversized black umbrella that sheltered them both.

  "Yeah. Hello." She stopped directly in front of them, rubbing her hands together. "Oh, it's really cold out here. Are you boys here for the Jared Smith service?"

  "Uh, yeah."

  "Can we ask you a few questions?"

  "Questions? About what?"

  "Jared. We're here to cover the story about an alleged possession by a demon."

  Conner's eyes widened. "What?!"

  "You said you were here for the service. So, you knew him, right? Were the three of you friends of his from school?"

  Exasperated, Trevor asked, "What the hell are you talking about?"

  "You haven't heard the story about Jared and the possession?"

  Voice rising, Adam said, "Yeah, we heard. And it's not true."

  She flinched as though Adam had said something offensive. "We've already interviewed someone who spoke to the contrary. So, you guys are denying the story, or you just don't know?"

  "Who?" Trevor asked. "Who told you that it's true?"

  "This is an ongoing investigation," she said. "We can't reveal our sources yet."

  Trevor yanked on Adam's and Conner's jackets. "You don't know what the hell you're talking about. Go chase some other stupid made-up story."

  Approaching the Camry, he directed the fob and unlocked the car. "Let's get warmed up and get the hell outta here."

  Seated in the car, Conner leaned close to the air vent. "One of us needs to tell Mr. Smith about the woman and man asking about Jared."

  Trevor opened his door. "I'll be right back. Then we're outta here."

  Conner looked at Adam in the back seat. Neither said anything, but Conner detected the sadness and anxiety that radiated from Adam. And like Adam, he wanted to restrain the emotions he felt.

  Soon after pulling out of the parking lot, Trevor said, "You know what this means, don't you?"

  "The rumor being true?" Adam asked.

  "No. Those damn reporters," Trevor gripped the steering wheel more firmly. "There's nothing we can do to stop people from talking. Obviously, someone said something that got them sniffing around. This whole thing is going be a pain in the ass for a while."

  "What should we do?" Conner asked. "Still deny everything?"

  "We need to think this thing through," Trevor replied. "We can't just wing it. We gotta have a plan and stick to it."

  "Okay," Conner said. "Let's hang out at my house and figure it out. Sound good?"

  Trevor agreed.

  "Uh, huh," Adam said as he slumped in the seat. "Like Coach says, swoop in and maintain the upper hand."

  * * *

  "All right," Lou said as he sauntered into his living room. Dropping down onto the faded and worn sofa, he waved the Jared Smith printout at Dave. "I read it. It's interesting. I searched it online. Looks like we already got some competition trying to get the scoop."

  Dave raised his eyebrows. "Really? Know who they are?"

  "Yeah. You do too. Wanna take a wild guess?"

  "No. Just tell me."

  "Stella and Walter."

  "Crap. Ball-buster and her sidekick."

  Smirking, Lou said, "She's a ball-buster, all right. So, we try to sweet-talk her into going in on the story with us. Or we contact some sources and snatch it away from those pains in the ass."

  "Then that means you're interested in the story."

  Reclining with his hands behind his head, he said, "You remember that story in Gary, Indiana a few years ago? The one about the family that claimed to encounter demons in their home and then—"

  "Oh. Where the kid supposedly walked backward up the wall in front of hospital staff and caseworkers?"

  "Yeah. That one. With that story, it sorta blew up with all the details laid out all at once. I mean, there weren't too many new details once it was investigated. But this kid in Connecticut . . . it's not a well-known story yet. It literally just happened. So there's a bit of a mystery to it. We can really develop this story and make it our own."

  Dave sat in the recliner and gazed pensively at the ceiling.

  Lou knew that contemplative look on Dave's face. His business partner was working out the perfect plan in his head. All Lou had to do was sit back and let Dave devise the best scheme in their favor.

  Rising to his feet, Lou said, "I was going to microwave a breakfast sandwich, but I'm feeling pretty good about this possessed–kid story. Let's go grab a bite to eat."

  When Dave didn't immediately stand, Lou rolled his eyes. "C'mon. I'll pay, you cheap bastard."

  EIGHT

  "God says we must have a cheerful heart," Hailey said to Jasmine and Miguel in the cafeteria. "Because of what we saw last night, I don't want to give power to darkness. Faith conquers despair."

  Jasmine furrowed her pencil-thin eyebrows. "You're talking about God a lot more than usual."

  "Well, hello? The devil walked among us. He seized poor Jared, and now Jared's dead because of him." She shuddered. "It's awful to think about. I've been praying more because of it. And it would do you guys some good to say a prayer or two."

  "My family's religious," Miguel said. "So, I've heard all about the power of God and the wicked ways of Satan my whole life. And I definitely prayed last night. Twice actually."

  "See?" Hailey eyed Jasmine. "Miguel prayed twice."

  "Yeah," he said. "Once, when we saw Jared's bed. And the second time, when I thought we were gonna be arrested."

  Jasmine laughed. "I said a little prayer then too."

  "And we weren't arrested," Hailey said and then smiled. "That's the power of prayer."

  Zach arrived at the table with two other seniors, Alex and Rachel. As they sat, Alex said, "I heard about your adventure last night. It's so fucking crazy, dudes. Possessed by the devil. That's creepy as hell."

  Alex and Rachel were two of Hailey's least favorite people in school. She certainly didn't hate them—she did her best not to have a hateful heart. But Alex acted like he was the king of the school, and by association, Rachel believed she was the queen.

  Hailey rolled her eyes and shook her head. "Can't you talk without using a bunch of profanity?"

  Palms up, he teased, "Oh, sorry, Sister Mary Hailey."

  Zach and Rachel laughed.

  "Go away." Hailey removed her salad and apple juice from the tray. "There's no reason to talk like that. I mean, seriously, Alex. It doesn't make you cool. It makes you a kid with a bad vocabulary."

  "Fine." He swung his legs under the table and faced her head-on. "Anyways, so the crap about Jared is pretty creepy, right? And you guys were in his house. Did you see anything scary in there?"

  "Aren't you worried?" Rachel asked.

  Miguel tilted his head. "About what?"

  "That the devil was still in that house."

  Jasmine giggled. "Yeah. The devil's in one of us now. He's looking for a slut to possess. You better run or he's gonna getcha, Rachel."

  "A slut calling me a slut? Who are you hooking up with this week, Trevor or Jason?"

  Jasmine recoiled. "Jason?"

  All week, Hailey felt like she'd been bombarded with sexual innuendo and flat-out vulgarity. It was bad enough that Adam had reminded everyone about her handsy incident with Conner. Now she had to endure yet another conversation that was sexual in nature. Profanity was one thing, but the sex talk is where she wanted to draw the line. Especially since Conner's good-looking chiseled face and muscul
ar body made it difficult for her to resist temptation. And the way his hair sometimes hung over his eyes, and the way his ears stuck out slightly from his head.

  Returning her salad and juice to her tray, Hailey asked Miguel, "Wanna go to another table? I don't want to listen to this."

  As the two stepped away, Alex said, "Hey, Sister Mary Hailey. Why are you running off with the homosexual?"

  Hailey twisted around, "Oh, my G–goodness. You're so foul."

  "Just asking. Homosexuality is a sin, isn't it?"

  "Screw you," Miguel replied. "Why the hell are you dragging me into this?"

  "Hey," Alex said, "I don't care that you're sucking Levi's dick. It's 2018, right? No one cares anymore."

  "Then why are you talking smack?"

  "Because Miss Almighty-Good-Girl is running away because of words and you're like a walking sin."

  Instead of gasping, Hailey held her breath. She didn't want to give Alex the satisfaction of thinking he'd scored with his taunts. Before she could respond appropriately, Miguel lunged forward and punched Alex in the face.

  * * *

  Dave took a large bite of his falafel pita and then lowered his head as he chewed, hovering over his cell phone. Several seconds later, he said, "You know Nancy Sanders from that Rhode Island paranormal group, right?"

  Not sure, Lou nodded anyway.

  "She knows someone in Connecticut who talked to someone who went to church with the Smith family. According to this person, the kid started acting oddly several months ago, and he was getting into trouble a lot. Then a few months ago, he displayed some violent behavior that worried his parents. They took him to a psychologist. But one of the priests also paid the family a visit at home. I guess it was his observations at the house that considered the possibility of demonic possession."

  "Well, we're gonna interview everyone we can. Hopefully we'll get more information. Did she say why the priest thought the boy was possessed? Or how an exorcism was approved?"

  "Noises. Banging on walls. Furniture moving on its own. The boy's change in personality. I guess there was a transient sulfur smell in the house. And the priest said he heard the sound of squealing pigs too. All the typical stuff you'd expect."

  "Is there any indication that the family is willing to talk?"

  Picking chunks of fallen falafel from his plate, Dave shrugged. "I haven't heard anything about the family talking. As soon as this story blows up, they'll be forced to make some sort of statement. But if we can get to them and let them know that they only have to share their story once, maybe that'll be enough to get them talking."

  "So, give them the opportunity to set the record straight, then they can disappear into oblivion."

  Dave swiveled his iPad toward Lou. "Look at this. I found info on the kid online. He was one of those popular jock types. Which means he had a lot of friends. We should start with his social circle. Kids will pretty much talk about anything."

  Lou studied the online photo of Jared. He was a nice-looking teen with dark hair and light eyes. Brown. Maybe hazel. A muscular upper body on display in a tank top. Even the kid's smile was joyful, like he didn't have a care in the world.

  He rotated the iPad back to Dave. "An attractive, happy kid. And to think that a demon tormented him and inhabited his body." He puffed out a strong exhale. "Gives me the heebie-jeebies."

  "We've been in some scary situations before."

  Lou scoffed, "Yeah, things that go bump in the night. Opening doors. Some possible voices. Lights flickering. Some odd things, for sure. But this could be our most intense case."

  Dave chomped on the last bite of his pita, oblivious to the shredded lettuce on his chin. "If it's not a hoax."

  * * *

  "Miguel was suspended," Trevor said, dropping his phone onto the sofa as he sat. "He got into a fight with Alex."

  On the floor, Conner lowered the TV remote and glanced over his shoulder. "Really? What happened?"

  "Alex was harassing Hailey, and he called Miguel a fag."

  "I would have thrown a punch too," Conner replied.

  "Because of Hailey," Adam asked, "or Miguel?"

  "Both."

  "Well, that fag crap is Dark Ages," Trevor said.

  "Facts!" Adam bellowed.

  "But you still got a soft spot for Hailey." Trevor grinned. "Why are you wasting your time on her? She's pretty and nice. But bro, she's like totally straitlaced."

  "You know why. She's not like the other girls," Conner replied.

  "Exactly. You haven't gotten very far with her."

  "Yeah," Adam said. "There's lots of girls that would be a lot more fun. Mackenzie. Shelby. Deanna. Oh, and Brooke. She's liked you since ninth grade."

  "Yeah," Trevor agreed. "You just want to claim the V, huh?"

  "Shut up." Conner returned his attention to the television. "I'm not hung up on her, and both of you know that. So, let's talk about something else."

  Trevor moaned, "Oh, Conner, stop. It hurts."

  Sighing, Conner sprung to his feet. "All right. You asked for it." He tackled Trevor on the sofa. "You're a total ass."

  Trevor laughed as they rolled onto the floor. "Be gentle, Conner."

  "Hey, hey, hey!" Adam yelled. "We just got a group text from Jasmine."

  Conner loosened his grip on Trevor. "What'd she say?'

  "It's a screen capture."

  Conner scanned the living room for his phone. He snatched it off an end table and selected Jasmine's text message.

  The image was a news article. Once he'd enlarged the photo, the bold headline drew in his eye like a magnet.

  Local Exorcism Frightens Community.

  He closed the image without even reading the first sentence. Nor did he click on the link to the article in the second text message.

  "I wish all of this would just go away," he said. "Each day, the story gets bigger and bigger."

  Trevor glanced up from his phone. "Did you click on the link?"

  "Nope."

  "It's really not that bad," Adam said. "Listen to this.

  "'Newman, Connecticut is a quaint suburban neighborhood of beautiful Colonial homes, upper middle-class families, and a school district recognized for academic and athletic achievements. By all accounts, it's a lovely place to raise a family. Yet according to residents, something sinister transpired in a house located on Cottage Drive.

  "'The initial murmurs of demonic possession came to light in social media posts by friends of the alleged victim. As the rumors escalated, the community was shocked to learn an alleged exorcism had occurred, resulting in the death of a teenaged boy. The family involved has thus far declined to comment on this developing story.'"

  "Okay," Conner said. "That wasn't that bad, I guess. But it means more and more people are going to know about it. The end of the article even said developing story."

  Trevor tapped out a message and then set his phone down. "Maybe that woman and man we saw at the funeral work for that website."

  "What's the site?"

  Adam said, "The Paranormal Society of New England."

  "Well, at least it's not like The New York Times or whatever."

  "Not yet," Trevor said.

  Conner returned to his spot on the floor and aimed the remote at the TV. As he scanned the selection of movies, he reflected on the online article. The more he thought about Jared, the more he wanted to know the truth from Jared's family, not online articles and posts on social media. He turned toward Trevor and Adam.

  "We need to talk to Jared's parents or Leah. Maybe the priest."

  His friends looked at him in silent agreement.

  Facing the TV again, he contemplated sending a text to Hailey but decided to wait until later when Trevor and Adam were gone.

  * * *

  Lou walked outside his rented home in Worcester, Massachusetts and loaded a suitcase into the trunk of his car. As he leaned against the vehicle and lit a cigarette, his phone chimed on the passenger seat. While fumbling with the door handle
, his cigarette fell to the ground.

  "Dammit!" He pinched the Camel from the curb and placed it between his lips. Standing again, he noticed Dave walking toward him with duffle bags in both hands. "Hey! You're on time."

  "Gimme a break. I've been late five times during the eight years that we've worked together."

  "And no occasion was forgotten."

  Dave dropped the bags onto the sidewalk and huffed as if he'd carried two hundred pounds. "Had to park around the corner, so we'll have to swing by my car to get the equipment."

  Lou mumbled "uh, huh" as he opened the email account on his phone. "Got a response from ball-buster."

  He quickly skimmed the message. "She's not excited about the prospect of sharing this story with us. But she's willing to meet with us to discuss it. So, we'll give her a call as soon as we get into Newman."

  "Let's take her and Walter out to dinner tonight," Dave said. "We can't afford to waste time on this. Pretty soon others will come swooping in like vultures. We gotta make some good progress before the dirty birds come around."

  "True that." Lou gestured to the trunk. "Let's get you loaded, then get to your car. It's a little over an hour to Newman, and I'd like to get there before rush hour."

  * * *

  In the high school parking lot, Hailey waited in her car for Jasmine to be released from detention. When two teachers had put an end to the fight in the cafeteria, Hailey had expected to be ordered to the principal's office along with everyone else. But the teachers never considered her a troublemaker, so they let her walk right out of the lunchroom.

  A part of her wished that she had gotten into trouble. Sometimes being the self-proclaimed good girl was more of a burden than a title of virtue. When it came to kids like Alex and Rachel, it was easy to ignore the teasing and rude remarks. She wasn't embarrassed by her innocent reputation. Yet there were times when she fought the urge to rebel. Walk out of class without permission. Disobey her parents' rules. Do something bad—albeit minor—without worrying about the consequences.

  Although, discovered by the cops inside the Smiths' house the previous night was a decent form of unruly behavior. Had she gotten into trouble because of the cafeteria incident, her parents might not have been so forgiving so soon after receiving a phone call from the Newman Police Department.