In the darkest moments, few people could reject the light. It gave people sight and revealed truths hidden inside the shadows. For Janet Hodgson, it also returned some of the courage that fear had taken from her.
The glowing flower slowly turned above Father Anderson's palm. Janet stared at its bright petals before looking up at the towering priest beside her. A warm smile waited for her instead of doubt or suspicion.
"Would you like to see more?"
A trace of life had finally returned to Janet's expression. She blinked several times before giving him a serious nod.
"Yes."
Anderson turned his attention back to the flower. Magic surged through his hand as he quietly spoke the name of the spell.
"Repello."
He had already grown tired of the darkness and spiritual haze covering the bedroom.
[20 Magic Points Consumed]
The flower released the gathered energy. A circle of pure white light erupted from its center and expanded through the room under Anderson's control.
Janet watched without blinking. The light was dazzling but gentle and carried a comforting warmth. Wherever it passed, the dark haze covering the walls and furniture shattered before fading into nothing.
The expanding ring passed through the bedroom walls and continued across the entire house.
Downstairs, Ed, Drew, and Maurice stopped working at almost the same moment. Peggy also paused outside Janet's bedroom when a strange warmth moved through the hallway.
"Mr. Warren, did you feel that?" Drew asked while installing an infrared camera.
Ed tilted his head and considered the question. He could sense that something had changed but the feeling vanished before he could identify it.
"We don't have much time, Drew. Keep working. Everything should be ready before dark."
Drew returned to the camera but soon looked toward Maurice.
"Mr. Grosse, did you notice anything?"
Maurice frowned beneath his thick mustache.
"The house feels less cold. It may also be a little brighter."
"Yes!"
Drew finally felt that someone understood him.
"I knew something changed."
Ed approached and placed another piece of equipment in his hands.
"What are you planning to do about it? Stop working and investigate why the house suddenly feels warmer?"
Drew looked at the device with a helpless expression.
"I'll finish the installation."
Ed gave him a pleasant smile.
"Thank you. Put this one near the stairs."
None of them could see the magical ripple spreading through the building. It reached the outer walls before folding inward and breaking apart. Tiny fragments of Magic remained suspended throughout the house like distant stars.
The SUV parked outside also reacted.
Lorraine suddenly trembled and opened her eyes. She turned toward the Hodgson home while the consecrated crucifix rested against her chest.
Something powerful had just passed through the building.
Inside Janet's bedroom, Anderson heard two distant screams when Repello destroyed the surrounding haze. He silently memorized the locations before looking down at the girl beside him.
The fear in Janet's face had weakened.
"Incredible, isn't it?"
She remained fascinated by the last traces of light as they disappeared. Anderson waited until her attention returned to him before asking the question that mattered.
"Will you tell me what has been happening?"
Janet carefully examined the room. The pressure that had followed her for weeks was gone and she could finally breathe without feeling watched from every corner.
"I'm scared."
Her eyes dropped toward her shoes.
"Scared of what?"
Janet remained hesitant.
Anderson saw more than fear in her response. Despite everything surrounding her, she had resisted the entity long enough to protect her family. Such courage was rare in an adult and even more remarkable in an eleven-year-old child.
"I'm here with you."
His firm voice made Janet raise her head.
"It cannot defeat me."
Anderson smiled with complete confidence.
"I have an unbeatable cheat code."
Janet did not understand the final phrase but she understood his promise. She remembered the flower and the wave of light that had cleansed the room.
"Really?"
Anderson thought about the consecrated explosive inside the SUV and nodded.
"Really."
Janet drew a deep breath. This time she did not retreat into silence.
Their conversation continued while Ed, Drew, and Maurice worked downstairs. Sunlight now entered the bedroom without the dark haze swallowing its warmth.
"You're saying Bill Wilkins has been protecting you?"
Anderson had not expected that answer.
A lingering human spirit was different from a malicious ghost that existed only to harm the living. Even so, protecting an unrelated child was unusual unless some personal bond connected them.
Janet had never known Bill while he was alive.
"He told me that he only came back because he wanted to see his family," she explained. "But they were already gone and Mom had bought his house."
"I see."
Anderson considered her words. Bill's reason for returning sounded believable but several parts of the haunting still made little sense.
"Tell me everything he said."
Janet nodded.
Her quiet voice filled the room while Anderson listened without interrupting.
"Grandpa Bill said he wanted to leave but something wouldn't let him go. It forces him to move things and frighten us every night."
Janet tightened her hands against her knees.
"He said he was trying not to hurt anyone. The things he did were meant to scare me and weaken my mind."
Anderson's eyes narrowed.
"What else did he tell you?"
"He said I'm the real target. As long as I don't become afraid and my will stays strong, He can't devour me."
Pity passed through Anderson's eyes.
Janet had endured the attacks alone and prevented the entity from causing serious harm to her family. The weight placed on the child was difficult to imagine but she had continued resisting.
Now that she had finally found someone who believed her, the words poured out.
"Bill isn't the only one here. There are other monsters too."
Anderson lightly tapped his fingers against his knee.
The two screams he heard during Repello now made sense. One had probably come from Bill Wilkins. The other belonged to the creature hiding behind the haunting.
"As long as Grandpa Bill is here, the other monster can only stay outside the room," Janet continued. "But sometimes Bill disappears."
Her voice became quieter.
"That happens when He comes."
Anderson remained still and allowed her to finish.
"He stands inside the darkness. I can't see Him."
Janet shivered.
"I can only feel that He is there."