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As Lucy looked gruesomely at the Father, her face was leaking of a thick black substance from her eyes and nose. It was like she was crying black tar. The scary look in her all black eyes intensified the fear. When Julie and Katy cried loudly; Sharon ushered everyone else out from the room. But the girls and the fathers were adamant that will stay there. However, with much persistence, the head maid took away the mothers from the scene on Sharon's order. The bedroom door was closed shut.   

Sharon was always a girl of mystery and never had an easy childhood, growing up. When her dead grandmother suddenly appeared one day when she was six and said that Sharon was blessed and was touched by the Holy Spirit; she sprinted off to tell her mother. Unfortunately, there was a party and she accidentally screamed to her mother making her vulnerable in front of all the guests. That pilfered every bit of normalcy for Sharon; because she was termed as the freak child, then on.

Nonetheless, her mother was the pillar of strength. She taught her about the supernatural and how they will interfere in our world when necessary. Unfortunately, her mother forgot to teach her about evil spirits. One day she came across an Ouija board given by her nanny who was into the occult. She made Sharon promise that she will call upon it and will not tell her mother. She did exactly that but never used the Ouija board since her grandmother warned her against it. Later, her mother found it out and the nanny was fired.

Since then, Sharon was always given special care by her family and close friends. And now, she was hell-bent in declaring her theory accurate; although the people and the authority behind bench were hell-bent in ridiculing her even though the minuscule evidence she presented were considered authentic.

Thus, she stopped pursuing an education in the paranormal and diverted her interest in psychology and decided to be a therapist. With that, she will be more in touch with the mental wisdom rather than an arm's length away. Plus, learning psychology will only prove her more right in her beliefs.

At present, she accompanied her uncle for her very first case of 'ingenious paranormal happening' although she couldn't write it off as possession completely. For that, she needed time to study. The Demons play their game well and she knows it in many personal and non-personal experiences.

This might be a case of demonic manifestation or oppression of mind. But it can be possession too; if that is the case; Sharon and her uncle were too late; even though it is curable, Lucy's mind would have progressed ages past normalcy. It will be difficult for her to come back; at least, to Sharon's knowledge.

Watching Lucy, Sharon had to question her knowledge in words. In practice, she knew everything is quite different from the pages and exams; this is really happening. Like a surgery can get complicated; exorcism can get severely dangerous.

Lucy showed signs of unnatural strength, different vocals, different tongue, dilating eyes, black eyes, pupil rolling back to show pure whiteness and much more that could only suggest one thing and that was nothing science related; Sharon's heart began to rise rapidly.

Her calculations were wrong; Lucy was possessed. Something tells her the same thing. Sharon started to sweat wondering what is really happening. The bridge mansion is not what she gets when she asks her inner self. There is something in the shadow of the mansion playing games. She wanted to tell her uncle this, but he was in deep concentration with the prayer rather than shouting and asking the thing its name and whereabouts.

Matthews, on the other hand, realized it wasn't what he had originally thought it to be. Lucy was completely possessed. This wasn't a case of manifestation or mind oppression. This was possession. He couldn't deny the fact that he was a bit scared. He always had a higher authority with him to assist possession cases. Now, he was the higher authority to Kruger; alone.

Though he was experienced with years' worth of experiences, he knew he couldn't follow the tactics like the fellow experts. Prayers could weaken the power of the demons. He can already see the effect of continuous prayer on Lucy. She was less animalistic. The restraint was a good force beckoning her back.

He looked back at Sharon to see her deeply tensed. Something was wrong, he realized it immediately. Sharon hit by a vision was suddenly seated on the sofa near to the windows with her head snapped back.

Lucy with her friends was walking through some cemetery that was a few years old. It felt like a group excursion. Lucy was talking and laughing with her friends when suddenly she looks deeply interested in one of the intricate mausoleums. She entered one and was immediately bending down feeling sick. Despite that, she enters and Sharon realizes it was a catacomb. Her friends were walking away not realizing Lucy was standing in a trance near to the entry of the crypt of a catacomb. Suddenly Katie and Emily come in and take her away.

Sharon then sees three dark figures following Lucy. After the sightseeing; they entered into a nearby old church for a prayer as suggested by someone older in the group. Lucy did enter but before that, she once again doubled over in pain and the three black shadows entered into her body. She ran back outside the compound and threw up. After that, she once again entered the church and walked out before everyone else. Sharon saw Lucy sitting outside the church door, dozing.

Sharon woke up from her trance and looked around to see Matthews was still praying and Lucy had dozed off, mumbling incoherent words which felt foreign. The three fathers had left the room but not the girls. Sharon called Katie and made her sit next to her since Emily was in a far worse condition.

"Hi, Katie..." Sharon began. Katie only smiled unsurely before looking down and then to her soul mate, dozing off while Matthew continued to pray.

"The prayer is supposed to weaken any malignant spirit. The more you pray without interfering with the things inside her, the more control and power you have with them. With faith; you gain higher power. That is what Matthews wrote in his book 'Exorcism, Lord and Psychology. The book is not complete but he will publish it one day. He knows what he is doing but Kruger looks constipated." Sharon said, earning a small laugh from Katie but she remained quiet.

"Katie, listen to me, when and why did you go to that cemetery?"

Katie looked shocked. "How did you..."

"Ignore that, please answer my question."

"Never mind, it was mid-semester when we got a chance to go see a very old town as a one day trip from the social club we were a part of. Cemetery and the church were the last of our visit. Then we were let out for local shopping. Why do you ask?"

"Nothing, I just had this vision. Was Lucy different from that visit?"

Thinking for a while "Now thinking about it, it may be after the tour. She was always a girl who backed out from most of the fun but they were only when I and Em got into a fringe." Katie chuckled remembering something. "However, after that visit, she was more interested in paranormal stuff and less interested in anything else; she was always a fan of literature but altogether, she lost interest in that too. She also started to become more inert and uninterested in any of the adventures we plan to do. Something like jumping from the high point of our local swimming pool back in college scared her to the point where we had to join her. I don't remember anything worth mentioning since I wasn't keeping really a tab on her... but... I am not even sure. Lucy was always sensitive so the visit to the old graveyard may have caused something. She became very emotional when we saw the children area where there were more than twenty children lined together side by side. Seeing that burst a few strings and became very emotional. She cried a lot, there."

"She is sensitive but not weak. What happened when she entered the church." Now, Katie was stunned; stupefied. It wasn't easy for a person to know and learn about something like this in one go. Katie gulped hard.

"She showed uneasiness saying her stomach hurt. It pained her badly and she became sick too... I don't know if..."

"Thanks, but sorry I will have to interrupt. What did she say when she entered into the mausoleum."

"Wait a minute. How do you know everything so precisely?"

"I don't know. I only know about the visit to the last part of the cemetery and to that church. Now, tell me."

"She said she was drawn to take a look but was suddenly hurt in the stomach as if she was attacked by a hand. We indeed rolled our eyes at her and shrugged it off. But Lucy was deeply affected. Afterward, she had this pull and entered but not into the door that led us downstairs. Said the deaths there was tragic and not natural. There was an uncomfortable feeling and she felt anger in there. We forcefully took her mind of things that were illogical and focused her more on our study materials. In due time, she forgot about it; at least, that is how I believe."

"Illogical...? Can you explain now what is happening to Lucy?"

"I didn't believe it then. I am not entirely sure as of now too, but... It consoled me to learn that you are a certified therapist. Although talking to you..."

"Listen here Katie; this isn't time for you to declare your ignorance on the matter. Lucy had enough time for the manifestation to turn into oppression and then to possession. She is deeply possessed by the evil forces in that mausoleum. She is right. The mausoleum was an entryway to a catacomb; to hell."

"We saw that on the entrance. But... hell... come on," Katie stood to get up but Sharon pulled her down.

"The deaths were tragic accidents; unnatural deaths. She was followed and infected from thereon. Entering the mansion was just a façade."

"I don't understand."

"Lucy was touched and infected from the cemetery and for months she was under heavy influence and confusion. She tried to talk to you but you never listened. She stopped talking. Coming home, she felt it was a deep mistake. Her guarding Angel was trying to warn her. But it was too late; the evil forces in her drove her to that gateway of hell. Bridge mansion is built on the ground of a satanic lore. The forest was their home. The stories spread by the cult members kept them of their land. Then the mansion was built with the family's servant being the main witch of the cult. She sacrificed the people of that mansion but died tragically which was untimely making it a hotspot and gateway for hell. This isn't all a fantasy novel or fiction I am creating... this is the truth. Believe it or not! All I want is the names of the demon now."

"So, bridge mansion isn't the root cause at all?" Patrick's voice echoed through the silent room startling both Sharon and Katie.

"No. Lucy was already under pressure. At least, this is what I feel and I don't think I am wrong."

The room fell silent. Matthews had stopped his first session. Kruger was waiting for some action. The girls were deep in thought wounded to know their knowledge was all wrong, yet a few strands of confusion ripped their sanity. Mina and Tina were scared. Tina looked at Mina in that, 'didn't I tell you so' look which Mina returned with an apology that Tina could only understand. Call it telepathy. The fathers were in deep uncertainty.

"Look, you don't have to worry at all. Demons are not strong enough to withstand God's powers." Sharon said trying to dissipate the tension in the room.

"Not to worry? My daughter is..." Peter began to yell, losing it all but was stopped mid-sentence.

Lucy along with the chair started to rise up; levitating. Just as she reached six feet off the ground, the walls started to bleed thick red blood. The lights flickered lightly and the hair on Lucy started to rise up. However, Lucy was still sleeping.

Matthews, who was preparing for session two, immediately got into action. Kruger got the action he wanted and was stupefied looking at the dangling image in midair. With strong commands, Matthews threw holy water on Lucy. With a thud, the chair came crashing down with Lucy screaming loudly in a man's voice. The ripping scream terrorized through the halls reaching outside, setting the animals in the barn go wild.

The horses neighed and trotted unsettled in the stables, dogs barked and whined, cats moaned, hens clucked, ducks flew about and quaked, pigs grunted and squealed, goats bleated fighting with each other, cows mooed and ran about just like every other animal. The people all wondered just what was going on and got out to hear a distant scream emancipating from the north direction where the Livinggood mansion was. The lady of the houses walked in letting their husbands and grownups know about the issue. They all flocked in their robe to Livinggood mansion; bewildered that the voice got louder as they reached near.

Everyone had their hands on the ears, Matthews had stopped reciting. His and Lucy's nose bled.

"You ungrateful filthy bitch..." Lucy spat at Sharon who braved up to speak with the evil spirit now that the thing was out and Lucy was away.

Suddenly, a very shivering timid Linda came in and with a shaky voice said the neighbors were all here. Everyone froze Peter said trying to remain calm, "Kindly ask them to leave since we are in a very unnatural predicament and that we will meet them in the next first gathering. And do not let anyone in." Peter closed the door and looked around. "How did they hear her? How did they get here so fast? Our estates aren't undersized for the voice to travel that far."

"Demonic voices tend to disrupt the peace and animals nearby could get the message sending them into a frenzy. Besides, Lucy didn't scream any less quietly not for any short seconds. The thing wanted to be known for its powers. But know this you filthy thing belonging to hell, that our God is more powerful."

Another scream violently broke out sending Lucy into waves of quick tremors that looked as if someone was shaking her vigorously. When that ceased, her chest was pulled upward as white foam escaped her lips. Her pupils had completely rolled back, making it eerie to even look at her face. There was those black stains, white foam from her lips and white eyes. Sharon dipped a towel from the washroom in water and wiped the foam off from her face.

"Please help me... I am scared. It hurts everywhere." Lucy pleaded Sharon in a meek whisper.

"I will help you. But promise me, Lucy, that you will fight with me. Promise me..." Sharon said after she wiped the foam and black thing from Lucy's face. But to her surprise, Lucy started to chuckle deeply in a manly voice.

"Oh, baby Sharon has grown up." The voice felt deeply mechanical and manly; nothing like the sweet Lucy. "Since when did you start to roll your shoulders and face the world? You are a therapist now, aren't you?" the thing laughed. "Might as well be your own. Oh, Sharon, you shouldn't deceive people like that." the thing chuckled.

"At least I am not deceiving people like you. I had help from my God; you have nothing to do about it. Now, be a good hell dog and tell me your name." Sharon said.

"I like you. You are not like the others. But wait, you won't be the same anymore."

"Whatever you planned to do is the name of my Lord's command and his command only. I shall receive his tribulations with both hands, happily; unlike you who is the deceiver of the world and word. Now tell me, what your name is."

"Do repeat that again and again to believe that, but you are going to be sorry. Everyone in this fuc*ing room is going to be sorry. I will make sure of it. This wretched soul belongs to me."

"Never!" father Matthews yelled and started to recite certain verses which did the trick because Lucy started to wiggle and squirm as if in pain.

"Stop..." the thing yelled.

"If you don't want me to torture any further, I command you to spill your name." father Matthews yelled while Kruger continued to recite the prayers.

"Oh, Kruger... you are so influential now. Tell them what you were before you became a priest." Sharon asked everyone to not listen, one word. Even though Kruger was continuing with the prayer, the demon continued laughing and said, "It was a pity that you deflowered the poor damsel and walked away into the house of stupidity to become a stupid priest to a God who loved sucking cunts. Do you know what happened to her? She is still in her house, abused and tormented by everyone to have lost her flower. You plucked it from her Kruger, you raped her and she was only fourteen." The thing laughed loudly.

"Kruger, don't listen... he is only saying this to rile you up. Continue your prayer." Matthews commanded then demanded its name again.

"How dare you, Kruger. You had thoughts to kiss Lucy. You wanted to have sex with her. Yet, you read that wretched book and command me to leave. You have sinned yet you cover by reading that stupid scripture. You leave me alone, you ungrateful swine!" the demon thundered, knocking Kruger of from the position by an unseen force. His eyes were round and terror-filled in drops. Kruger continued to pray in tears, falling desperately. "Stop sinning Kruger. You have already sinned a lot. Come to us, we will find you..." it couldn't continue.

Kruger got up and yelled, "Enough" as he sprinkled holy water on her in three crosses. The demons yell thundered around, rumbling the room. Everything rattled. Even the kind sized large bed shook as Lucy screamed.

"In the name of my Lord who art in heaven, taking care of his slaves, I ask you, my Lord, to assist me in this hardship and win over this malignant spirit to cleanse the poor damsel of her sins and this predicament. In the name of my Lord, I command you, what is your name?"

The room was unnatural silent. After a long minute, the demon said in a chipmunk voice.

"You wouldn't want to know."

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Boohooo. :(( I wanted to end this in twenty chapters but it looks like that won't happen. I had to split this chapter otherwise it will one long chapter. This one is long. 3ooo+ words :O 

One chapter, plus 'maybe an epilogue' and then... ta-da... Haunting: the sinister tale of three girls is done.

How do you like this chapter?

Please, please comment. I want to know what you think. 

What are your expectations? What are the 'things' in Lucy? Will she survive?

Click on that 'star' button and comment on every possible stanza.. hahaha, I am desperate :D Nawww... Enjoy.