Rosie read on and on and on and could not believe the awful circumstances that Bartholomew had gotten himself into. With each turn of the page she wished that he would succeed and yet, to do so, he had to kill his own child. This was the most awful story she had ever read and she wanted to slam the book closed and walk away but she felt compelled to read on. Maybe, just maybe her own life depended on it.
It has been six weeks since I made the deal. For most of them I have regretted it, and now I fear for my life. Tonight, I will commit the most heinous crime known to man. I will kill my own child.
Rosie turned over the page, she hated that she wanted to read about how he managed to kill the child for maybe that was her way to survive. Yet there were just two words on the next page and they appeared to be written in blood.
You Failed.
The next few pages were empty there were just marks, just red smudges on the parchment and nothing more. Then the writing changed and someone else took up the story.
My name is Nicholas Aubrey and I am a local priest. I arrived at the house today to find the family and all the children, as well as my good friend Bartholomew Matthews, dead. It appears they have been heinously murdered. I was so overjoyed to find that Mabel survived. Yet I do not know how, but I have to thank the Lord that at least someone made it out of this awful massacre.
Rosie read on as the priest described what he found. Everyone's throat had been cut, just like she saw the girl, Alice, in her dream and all the children who pushed her from the window. The cat was disemboweled and hung on the door. Just like in her dream. Only this was not the end. Mabel hadn't survived... she had committed the massacre and it wasn't long before Nicholas found out what had really happened. In an act of bravery he tried to exorcize the demon from the child and to lay the lost souls to rest. He wrote down exactly what he was going to do as well as the prayer that he would use to chase the demon from the child's body only that was the last entry he made.
Once more, Rosie turned over a page to see those two words written in blood. Was it Nicholas's blood this time? Somehow she knew it was.
You Failed.
Rosie turned back and reread all he had written. She reread the exorcism prayer and committed it to memory. Maybe this was all she would get from the book, it wasn't much, but it was a start.
There were a number of blank pages in the book after that, but then the writing started again and once more it was a different hand that penned the words. The person was unhinged and the words did not make sense. Perhaps it was Mabel fighting the demons or perhaps the demon just didn't care, Rosie got little from the next 30 or 40 pages.
Then gradually the demon began to chart its life. It spoke of power and control and how much it, she, loved those things. Apparently she could affect people's minds and bend their will to her own purposes. Was that what was happening to her? Rosie guessed it must be.
As she read on, the demon knew that it needed to take sacrifices and it became bored on its own so it set up an orphanage. Apparently it was easy to do. It appeared that in those days there were no regulations and people were often desperate to get rid of children. Such a thought tore at her heart and threatened to drown her in sorrow. With each turn of the page, she read of hurt and pain inflicted on the children. It tore at her heart but she must keep reading. She must stay strong, there had to be something within the book to help. If not, then why had Alice lead her to it?
Every ten years or so, Mabel started to suffer with her breathing. It looked like the consumption came back. To overcome it, she had to take a life, to make a sacrifice to the demon. Each time she did, her power grew. Then there came a number of people who found out. Rosie was glued to the pages. Hoping to find a new way to destroy the spirit. Shock halted her eyes on the page. They did not want to destroy her and called Mabel Old Hag. What they wanted was to worship her and bask in her power. So she developed followers. Ones who helped her kill and helped her torture.
Rosie kept reading but her sense of unease was growing. So she skipped to the end of the book and found out that Old Hag was bored with staying at this house. She wanted out but she could not leave. Rosie turned the page back and forward looking for more information but there was nothing.
How could she stop this evil from leaving? How could she escape herself?
She had not learned much but she had the prayer, and also from the priest, she knew that salt would weaken the spirits and the demons.
Rosie was as prepared as she could be. Now all she could do was wait. She had no way of calling the spirits to her. She must wait for them to make a move. Somehow she knew it would be tonight. There was a feeling in the house of tension, of a presence. She could not work out if it was friendly or harmful.
Time ticked past so slowly and fatigue was like a weight on her shoulders. Dragging her down into the promise of rest... of sanctuary. Yet, the last thing she wanted to do was sleep, for she knew that Mabel, Old Hag, would take over her mind if she succumbed. Somehow, she knew that if she slept tonight that she would never wake up again.
To keep herself awake, she went to her desk. There she opened a blank document and typed out the exorcism prayer. She put a salt container on her desk and she fetched her Bible from her bag. She had carried it around for years and yet she had not looked at it since the incident with Clive. Right now, Clive was the least of her worries.
With that done, she expected something to happen but the minutes ticked on and on and she began to feel fatigue. A yawn opened her mouth and closed her eyes. It muddled her brain and lulled her to rest.
Shaking her head she fought the feeling. Still, nothing had happened and yet she could feel someone watching her. The hair on her arms rose as goosebumps traced across her skin. It was harder to breathe, as the room seemed to vibrate with unseen energy and yet it did not feel threatening. Could Alice be here?
“Alice, is that you? Can you help me?”
The temperature dropped in the room and she could see a darkness against the wall. With her heart pounding in her throat and her breath held she watched, as Alice gradually came into view.
“Can you help me?” she asked again.
Alice shook her head and started to fade.
“No, please don't go. If you can't help me, can I help you?”
As she watched the figure seemed to grow in strength. She was still translucent but appeared more real and tears formed in her eyes. Blinking them away, she floated across the room towards Rosie. Anguish crossed her young face as she tried to talk yet it seemed that she could not speak the words so she pointed at the exorcism prayer.
“This,” Rosie said, as she picked up the paper. “Will this help you?”
Alice nodded and Rosie heard words in her head.
I do not think you will be strong enough to destroy her. Every one of us here gives her strength. We do not want to, we want to rest. Maybe, if you say the prayer with meaning and with fortitude then maybe we can rest. If you can send enough of us away, then maybe you have a chance. Just keep reading the prayer and put your soul, your faith, and your heart into believing that she... that we all... must leave.
“Thank you,” Rosie said and watched as Alice faded and was back at the other side of the room. She was fainter now, transparent and she shimmered in and out of view.
Rosie felt hope. She had a plan and as she watched, more of the children appeared. They did not look threatening this time. In fact, they looked as if they were waiting for Christmas or for some amazing treat. There was excitement in their eyes. They held hands and whispered to each other. If she could do this then she would have done some good and she could have her happy ending.
Filled with new purpose and a feeling of strength, she picked up the paper and began to read the exorcism prayers.
Chapter 17
Rosie took a deep breath and centered her mind. She wanted the children to find peace. She wanted to release them and she concentrated on that thought as she read out the prayers.
“Visi
t this place, O Lord, we pray, and drive far from it the snares of the enemy.”
It felt wrong. The children were not her enemies and yet she could see from the smile on Alice's face that this was what they wanted.
“May your holy angels dwell with us and guard us in peace, and may your blessing be always upon us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”
The pressure in the room increased and she felt as if she was being squeezed. As if the air had gone out and there was no longer enough to breathe. She could see from the faces of the children that they were frightened and she knew that Mabel, the Old Hag, was behind her. What should she do? Should she turn around and concentrate on the stronger spirit or should she try and remove some of her power by carrying on reading out the prayers.
It was too much, she needed to see what was behind her and she faltered in her reading and began to turn. Panic crossed Alice’s face. Rosie stopped and looked at Alice. She was so young and so brave, Rosie nodded she would do this for them, for the children. Ignoring what was behind her she looked at the children and carried on with her plan. What good could she do against such a powerful creature? No, she had to stick to the plan and she continued to pray. The next part was easy for it was a simple releasing prayer. Yet the urge to look behind her was more than she could take. Her shoulders tensed and she flinched with each word, excepting to be slammed from behind, or worse.
“In the Name of Jesus, I rebuke the spirit of Jeremiah Patterson. I command you leave this place, without manifestation and without harm to me or anyone, so that He can dispose of you according to His Holy Will.”
As she said the words, she watched the smallest of the boys before her step forward. A smile broke out on his face, and like the sun breaching the clouds, it filled her with warmth. That one sign of human kindness chased away a little of her fear and filled her with a sense of achievement.
He mouthed the words thank you and then he was gone.
She did not know how she knew his name but it had come to her just as she had said the prayer.
There was a roar behind her and something hit her back. Tumbling against the desk she stood and faced the spirit.
The hooded creature was just feet behind her. The hood hid her face and the taller man was at her side. Though she could not see her features she could feel the anger and hatred that rolled off her. It thickened the air and filled it with the fetid odor of rotten flesh. Rosie gagged and fought down the urge to vomit. She had to stay calm. Matron, Mabel, or Old Hag, was angry and she was afraid. Nothing else mattered, she had to get rid of her. Then she could give these children peace, and if she did that, she believed she had a chance to save herself.
“Christ, God's Word made flesh, commands you. Be gone, Satan, inventor, and master of all deceit, the enemy of man's salvation. Unclean and evil beast, hear the Lord’s words and be gone.”
Matron threw back her hood and dark eyes blasted Rosie with loathing. The look was like a physical force, pushing her back and she wanted to run. To turn and flee from this place but she couldn’t. Where would she go?
A pitiful sound pulled her eyes back to the children. She had to help them if it was the last thing she did.
“I cast you out, unclean spirit; in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ, be gone from these creatures of God.”
A strong wind roared toward her and knocked her off her feet. She was slammed into the wall with a resounding crash and the pain in her shoulder threatened broken bones.
Turning from Matron she concentrated on the children. This was her power, remove the Matron's support base and she would have a chance. Only she had suffered a major blow and she had a long way to go.
“In the Name of Jesus, I rebuke the spirit of Mary Patterson. I command you leave this place, without manifestation and without harm to me or anyone, so that He can dispose of you according to His Holy Will.”
A small girl smiled at her before disappearing.
Matron screamed and the room became a whirlwind of flying objects. Rosie ducked down and covered her head with her one good arm. When she felt something cold touch her hand. Peeking out from beneath her arm she saw Alice holding the salt.
Taking it she understood and she picked herself up and battled against the wind. Slowly she managed to make her way across the room to Matron and she threw the salt at her. At first Matron just gave her a look of pure hatred. Rosie threw again and then the spirit was gone.
Rosie collapsed back onto the floor, gasping. Before she could catch her breath, Alice was back and she knew that she must not rest. This respite gave her time to weaken the spirit and she had to take it.
“In the Name of Jesus, I rebuke the spirit of Lydia Patterson. I command you leave this place, without manifestation and without harm to me or anyone, so that He can dispose of you according to His Holy Will.”
Rosie did not know where the names were coming from but as she said the prayer a name came into her mind and the corresponding child stepped forward. There were over two dozen of them. More than she realized before and Alice seemed to be the leader. She protected the children. Holding their hands and pushing them forward if they were reluctant to go. Her sweet smile was strong and warming and she nodded often to show her approval.
Rosie was exhausted. Each time she read the prayer it drained energy from her. It was as if she was giving a little bit of herself to help the children cross over and she wondered just how much more of it she could take. What would happen when Matron came back?
There was no time to dwell on such things, for that way led to madness and fear. If she were to do this she must be calm, quick, and determined. Each child she sent to peace reduced the spirits power and increased her chances and yet she was so tired how could she ever wish to fight her?
Rosie started the prayer again, “In the Name of Jesus, I rebuke the spirit of Martin Johnson. I command you leave this place...”
The air chilled in her lungs and the pressure on her chest took the very breath from her. Rosie dropped to her knees and clutched onto her chest. The pressure was intense. It squeezed her lungs until they screamed. On her knees she choked and coughed, desperate to draw breath. Just as darkness began to settle over her she felt a hand on her shoulder. Looking up, she saw Alice.
“Just breathe, it is all in your mind. We will help you,” the girl said in her mind.
Rosie dragged in a desperate breath and nodded. Looking up she could see four figures wearing the heavy dark cloaks. Her vision was still blurry and she could not make out their faces, even though their hoods were down. Then she could see that they surrounded a smaller figure. They must be her acolytes, the malevolent people who had given up their souls to worship this creature. How could she face such evil and win?
Rosie tried to stand but was blasted off her feet with a gust of fetid air. Knocked back, she slammed into the wall. The impact was bone crunching and knocked the wind from her lungs. For a moment she felt her eyes close and blackness was a welcome friend. It would take her away to a world of rest and recuperation. Slowly she let it take her and relaxed into the dark. A hand shook her shoulder and then slapped her face.
Rosie jerked awake to see Alice before her.
“Do not sleep or you will be hers,” the young voice said in her head. “You will be a lost soul forever if she gets inside of you.”
Rosie nodded and shook her head to clear it. The acolytes were approaching her and she knew that this would be the last battle. Could she win?
Chapter 18
Alice was by her side offering support.
This incensed the spirits and Rosie could feel the hatred as they rushed toward her. Raising her hand, she threw the salt and chanted the prayer.
“Christ, God's Word made flesh, commands you. Be gone, Satan, inventor, and master of all deceit, the enemy of man's salvation. Unclean and evil beast, hear the Lord’s words and be gone.”
As the salt touched the black robes, curls of smoke rose into the room and the acolytes stopped. Their hoods were
raised but she could sense their doubt. It was as if she could understand their minds. They had been promised eternal life and suddenly they were vulnerable and it shocked them to their core.
Was she winning?
Again, she said the prayer and walked forward tossing salt over the cloaked figures. “Christ, God's Word made flesh, commands you. Be gone, Satan, inventor, and master of all deceit, the enemy of man's salvation. Unclean and evil beast, hear the Lord’s words and be gone.”
The one to her left dissolved. It was as if the salt was acid that burned through the heavy cloak and then into the flesh below. The creature screamed in a most inhuman way and yet the more it burned the more it appeared to become what it once was. As if the pain burned away the evil and stripped it back to the person it had once been. One moment it writhed in agony and the next the face cleared, smoothed and dark eyes gained peace and then it was gone. The other figures were backing slowly away.
Filled with confidence Rosie walked forward and tossed more salt.
“Christ, God's Word made flesh, commands you. Be gone, Satan, inventor, and master of all deceit, the enemy of man's salvation. Unclean and evil beast, hear the Lord’s words and be gone.”
She pushed every ounce of energy she had into the prayer and filled it with the intense desire to see the spirits gone. They melted before her eyes. As if struck down by a holy white fire sparking from the grains of salt.
Now, she was face to face with matron and she could feel the joy of the young girl beside her. This had been a long time coming and Alice was rejoicing. Yet, Rosie could see the look on the spirits face. She was not afraid and that scared her. What did she know? Or maybe she too, wanted peace, after all these years.
“You will not destroy me!” Matron roared. “I am old and eternal and I have traveled this path many times before. Run now and I will let you leave... if you stay I will consume you and use your body for all eternity.”
The Haunting of RedRise House: Ghosts and Haunted Houses Page 10