The moving target began to make Brian dizzy.
“Dr. Manifold, I’ll be back.” Dr. Coulson finally spoke. “Can I trust you to be OK while I’m gone?”
“I’ll be fine. I promise.”
His therapist stepped out into the hall and closed the door.
Brian took the chance to glance around the man’s office. It reminded him of his own office at St. Ruth’s. The walls were brown and green and the desk, mahogany wood. The tempered windows had a view into the corridor.
Through the glass door, Dr. Coulson made a phone call at the nurses’ station.
****
Ray switched the phone receiver from one hand to the other, trying to understand what he’d just heard. “You can’t be serious, James.”
“I know this all sounds insane, but honestly, I don’t know how else to explain it,” James said.
Ray’s father, Floyd, had been James Coulson’s friend for years. When Ray heard that Brian would be admitted to a mental hospital, he pushed for Brian to be under James’s care. Ray trusted him. He knew James would call him when he knew something. Ray just didn’t expect this.
“What do you want me to do?”
Silence.
“James?”
“Sorry, it’s just that I don’t know. I’ve never encountered this before. I know schizophrenia, Ray. I see it all the time, but I’m telling you, what I experienced today is something else. You have to help me out. Bring your dad in on this.”
“I’ll call him tonight and get back to you in the morning,” Ray said. “How’s he doing now?”
“He’s fine, but exhausted. I need to figure this out so I can start treating him.”
Ray grieved. In some weird way, he felt like what happened to Brian was happening to him. “So, you’re sure it isn’t schizophrenia or DID?”
“I’m not convinced of anything yet, but I do know this case is far from conventional.”
“So, the meds aren’t working?”
“They didn’t even faze him.”
“It’s only been a couple of days. Maybe we should give it more time.”
“Ray, I hope I’m wrong about this, but I don’t think I am. I’m afraid to wait on this. He’s deteriorating fast. Please call your dad.”
“I will. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. I look forward to hearing from you. Goodbye.”
“I’ll be in touch.” The line went dead.
Ray put the phone in its cradle, leaned back in his office chair, and stared at the ceiling. Lord, what does this mean? Please give us wisdom. Help my friend.
****
Ray sat across from Rhonda, his father, and Danielle. He glanced at Rhonda.
Her expression was wide-eyed, mouth open, obviously speechless.
“Are you OK?” Floyd asked.
Rhonda blinked. She glanced first to Ray, and then to Floyd. “Yes,” she said slowly. “But I’m just not sure I understand.”
They exchanged looks.
“You need me to repeat—” Ray started.
“No, I heard you. I just don’t think I believe it,” Rhonda cut in.
Ray placed his hand on the edge of her tan coffee table and leaned forward. “Rhonda, you’re a Christian woman. You read the Bible and you know what it says. This isn’t as far-fetched as it sounds. James, I mean, Dr. Coulson, said—”
“I don’t care what Dr. Coulson said, or didn’t say. It’s ridiculous!”
This had to be hard. No one could be expected to take this at face value.
Her face turned crimson, eyes mad with fear. “First, you come to me, and you say that the man I love is schizophrenic. That was difficult, I’ll admit, but I bought it. Now this! You can’t expect me to believe this!”
Ray cleared his throat. “But the Bible clearly talks about—”
“Look, I believe in the Word of God. That Book,” she said, pointing to a worn, black Bible on the coffee table, “is my life saving grace. But things like that just don’t happen anymore.”
“Says who?” Floyd interjected.
Rhonda turned to face the elder man.
His glasses glimmered from the sunlight peeking through the blinds.
“I don’t know, but I’ve never seen anyone—”
“Have you ever seen anyone bungee jump in person?” Floyd asked her.
“What?”
“Bungee jump. You know, where people tie ropes to their belts and jump off perfectly good bridges. Have you ever seen anyone bungee jump?”
“I don’t know what this has to do with anything?”
“Indulge an old man, OK?” Floyd asked.
“No.” She rolled her eyes. “No, I supposed I’ve never seen anyone bungee jump. So, what?”
“Well, then it must not happen.”
“You’re losing me.”
Floyd leaned forward. “You said that we were crazy because you’ve never seen it happen. I’m simply pointing out that your logic is flawed.”
“No. Your logic is flawed. There are pictures of people bungee jumping. There are stories of people who have done it and have lived to tell the tale. The same cannot be said about your theory.”
“Do you believe the Bible?”
“Yes, we covered that.”
“Then, you have your stories. And as far as people experiencing it in our lifetime”—Floyd looked at Ray, and then back to her—”If I’m right, Brian is proof that it still happens today.”
31
Brian sat in his room afraid to shut his eyes. The beast visited him a lot more lately. He couldn’t seem to shake the metallic sound of its voice. “You’re mine.”
No, he would not shut his eyes. Instead, he counted the tack marks on the wall. There must be more than forty. Maybe I should get a poster. He turned on his back and stared at the ceiling. This time he looked for shapes. His eyes burned, but he blinked to keep them open. He glanced around the vacant room and his gaze locked onto the Bible. Jake had read the Bible. Maybe he could pass the time that way.
Brian reached for the gold book on his nightstand, but something kept him from grabbing it.
“You’re mine.”
He squeezed his eyes shut, and then slowly opened them again. The room appeared empty.
“You are mine, Brian.”
“Stop it!” Brian yelled to the vacant room, his eyes darting back and forth.
“Mine.”
“Go away!” Brian grabbed his pillow and slammed it against his ears.
“You can’t escape. You’re mine.”
Brian rolled back and forth. He hummed an old Beatles tune to drown out the voice.
“Mine! Mine! Mine!”
He jolted to his feet, rubbing his hands frantically at his ears. Then paced. “Go away! Please, I beg you! Go away!”
“I can’t do that, Brian.”
“Who are you?”
“You don’t remember?”
“No!”
Brian dropped to the floor, his ears raw with blood. He pinned his knees over his head and looped his hands over the back of his neck. And yet, the voice still came.
“I’m your master. I own you.”
“But who are you?”
“You don’t know?”
“No, just tell me!”
“You disappoint me, Brian. After all our talks, you still don’t know me.”
“You’re a dream.”
“No, I am Guilt.”
Brian stood in the darkness, afraid to open his eyes. He could hear the beast laughing in the distance. Then Brian heard a familiar voice. A voice that did not belong to the hideous creature. He opened his eyes.
“Jake,” Brian said. “How’d you get here?”
Jake waved his hand in the air and the darkness transformed into Brian’s office. Jake crossed to the couch and plopped down. “I’ve always been here.”
“Where is here?” Brian asked.
Jake laughed. He swung his boot up on the table. “On the couch.”
“I don’t u
nderstand. How’d we get back here?”
“I’ve always been here; in your mind, with your master. We’re all connected. We are one.”
“Who are we?”
“We are many.”
“So there are more of you?”
“A few more.”
Lara, Dr. Raven, and a ghostlike Krissy stepped from the shadows.
“We always come in sheep’s clothing.”
“But you read the Bible?”
Jake smirked. “There’s only one name that I can’t see or hear. King David is not one of them.”
“But I don’t understand.” Brian stared at Dr. Raven. “You tried to help me. How could you be evil?”
“Our purpose was to deceive you. To keep our reality alive,” Dr. Raven said.
“To drive you insane,” Lara added.
“But why? What do you want from me?”
Jake crouched forward. Fiery red eyes glowed from his sockets. “Your death.”
Brian trembled. He couldn’t stop shaking. Everything went dark. Brian stumbled through the darkness. He reached out for a wall, but found none.
32
“Peace visits not the guilty mind.”
(Nemo Malus Felix) Juvenal (55 AD-127 AD)
The three men sat silent in James’ office.
Ray finally broke the peace. “Do you understand what we’re telling you?”
“Well,” James pulled his hands down his face. “I think you’re saying that you believe my patient is demon possessed.”
Ray nodded. “Yes, that’s exactly what I’m saying.”
The doctor shook his head. “This isn’t 30 A.D. This is twenty-first century America. Things like that don’t happen anymore.”
“Now, you sound like Rhonda.”
“Apparently Brian married himself an intelligent woman.”
“Look, James.” Floyd finally spoke. “I know it’s hard to believe that it could happen here in the States, let alone in modern times, but it does happen. And I think we’re seeing it for ourselves. Your dissertation was on schizophrenia, and even you admit that Brian’s case is unusual.”
James stared at his hands. “I would say it’s more than unusual. It’s a whole new disorder. I’ve never seen anyone like him before. One minute I think he has Dissociate Identity Disorder, the next he seems schizophrenic, other times he seems catatonic, and the next, just downright crazy.”
Ray and Floyd exchanged smiles.
“I’m a godly man. You know this. But this is hard to swallow.”
“Of course it is,” Floyd said.
James stood and paced. “Supposing you’re right, what do you suggest we do?”
“I would like to bring in a few people to intervene.” Floyd walked to his side. “We could have a prayer meeting right in his room.”
There was no way the hospital would allow that. “Sorry. That’s not possible.”
“Come on, James,” Ray said.
“I’m sorry, no.”
“Why not?” Floyd asked.
“Because I don’t think I can get clearance for an exorcism in my hospital. After all, we’re state funded.”
“How many visitors can a person have?” asked Ray.
James stopped pacing and looked at Ray. “At the most? Five.”
“Perfect.”
“That still doesn’t explain the intent of your visit. Besides, most visitors aren’t allowed past the dining hall. And I don’t think I can get clearance for casting out demons during breakfast.”
“Ah, yes,” Floyd placed his hands on his buddy’s shoulders. “But patients have spiritual rights, am I right?”
“Yes, we always make the chapel available to them every Sunday morning.”
“And if their spiritual needs are not being met?”
“Then we are allowed to bring in a rabbi or priest, or whatever their faith’s clergy might be.”
Floyd nodded. “Well, I propose that Dr. Brian Manifold’s spiritual needs are not being met, and I recommend that we be allowed to bring in a pastor to meet those needs.”
“With a small congregation, of course,” Ray said with a mischievous smile.
“Yes, a mini church service,” Floyd said.
“You both realize that you’ll get me fired.”
Ray laughed. “That’s OK. If they fire you, I just so happen to have an opening on my staff.”
“OK, fine,” James laughed nervously. “I see that I’m out-numbered here. Sunday at 8:00 in the morning.”
“Great.” Ray clapped his hands once. “We’ll be here.”
****
Sunday morning, an hour after breakfast, five visitors checked in at the Brighton Mental Hospital reception desk.
Danielle’s heart beat fiercely. The thought of entering a “nut house” was not her idea of fun. When Ray called, and then Rhonda called, how could she possibly say no?
The receptionist handed each of them a visitor’s badge.
The door buzzed open and Danielle’s stomach soared into her throat. Here we go.
A man dressed in a doctor’s coat, with kind eyes and a big smile, met them on the other side of the door. “Hello, I’m Dr. James Coulson. I’m your husband’s counselor,” he said, extending his hand to Rhonda.
She shook his hand and said timidly, “Nice to meet you.”
He offered her a reassuring smile, and then turned to the group. “Now, if you’re sure you’re all ready for this, please follow me.”
The five of them made their way through a series of doors before stopping at a room marked 266.
Screams echoed up and down the hall, and her nose burned from the pungent smell of bleach. Danielle couldn’t help but feel sad for Rhonda. The love of her life lived here.
The doctor shot Floyd and Ray a look before unlocking the door. “You only have four hours. Our guard, Nate, is a Christian, and has promised to cover for us. He actually believes your theory more than I do.” Dr. Coulson stepped back and allowed them to enter.
Danielle’s heart sank.
Brian lay on his bed rolling around in shredded linen.
Rhonda’s eyes opened owl-wide.
“Aren’t you going to tie him down?” Danielle asked.
Dr. Coulson frowned. “We did. He broke them. Twice.”
Trembling, Danielle’s legs locked, and she felt paralyzed.
Dr. Coulson walked to the door. “He’s all yours.” He smiled slightly, before he closed them in.
Danielle swallowed hard at the sound of keys locking them inside. What had she agreed to?
The pastor grabbed Danielle and Ray’s hands. “Let’s not waste any time. No fear. God is in control. Let’s pray.”
****
“Make them leave, Brian,” the beast hissed.
“No!” Brian yelled aloud.
“They can’t have you. You’re mine!”
“No! Never!”
“Yes, Brian. Ever since you killed your daughter. You’ve been mine.”
“But I didn’t kill her.”
“Didn’t you?”
“No!” Brian said. “Rhonda fell. It was only an accident. Just an accident.”
“Yes, but who made her fall?”
“Did you hear me? I said it was an accident!”
“But you were drunk. Weren’t you?” The demon circled him, sneering. “And that’s what caused her to fall, wasn’t it, Brian? Your drinking killed your baby. If you’d been sober, she never would have died. You killed her, Brian. Admit it. You murdered your own baby.”
Brian flailed around and grasped his ears.
“Shut up!”
“And now you’re mine. Mine!”
“No!”
“And soon you’ll be ours for eternity.”
“Never!”
The beast flinched.
Brian realized the creature’s alarm.
“Why are you afraid of them?” Brian asked, pointing at the faces in the room.
“I fear nothing,” the beast said.
&nb
sp; “You fear their prayers.”
****
They prayed for almost three hours straight.
Danielle’s head pounded, her body felt weak.
The pastor looked around at the faces, weary from the fight. “‘A man who is loaded down with the guilt of human blood will run in fear until death,’” he said.
Rhonda looked at the pastor, her eyes swollen, her face red, but with a glimmer that suggested the Lord swelled her heart. “What?”
He shook his head and smiled. “I was quoting Proverbs 28:17.”
“Say it again.”
He repeated the scripture, “‘A man who is loaded down with the guilt of human blood will run in fear until death.’”
A small tear crept down her cheek. “It’s hopeless.”
The pastor looked at the dejected man in the corner and shook his head. “Nothing is impossible for God. We simply can’t give up.”
“But we’re running out of time.”
He patted her shoulder. “Keep praying, dear. Your answer will come.”
She bowed her head.
Danielle started to do the same.
The pastor moved toward Brian. He walked as close as he dared. He didn’t touch him physically, but reached out a hand to the broken man. “God,” he said, “we need a miracle.”
The pastor spun around, rebuked the demon and Brian went limp.
****
The beast let out a piercing scream and tore at Brian as something sucked the creature from the room.
Brian’s chest constricted and he fell to the floor, heavy and wet from perspiration.
****
Brian relaxed.
“Brian, how do you feel?”
“Like I’ve been beat up,” he whispered to the man in front of him.
“In a sense, you have been.” He helped Brian to the bed and pulled a chair next to him. “Do you remember me?”
“You’re Pastor Van from my wife’s church.”
“That’s right.” He leaned forward. “We need to talk about what has happened.”
“Now?” Brian asked, weakly.
“Yes, now.” The pastor nodded to Ray and Floyd to help him sit up.
The rest of the group sat on the floor against the wall.
Dark Cognitions Page 20