Josh pulled into Tyler's driveway the next day after school. Tyler hadn't talked to him since the night before and refused to leave the house when Josh tried to pick him up that morning but he didn't take it personally.

It didn't take any of it personally anymore now that he knew.

He just wanted to save his boyfriend.

He didn't know how Tyler had gotten home but Lina was in the passenger seat and the two were waiting for Maddy who had just gotten off the bus.

Finally, they saw the thirteen year start walking towards the car. She got in the back before throwing her bag in the spot next to her. She let out a sigh and rubbed her face. "Okay. Where are we going?" She asked, looking at Josh and Lina expectantly.

The two older kids shared a look before Josh backed out and spoke up. "Lina's grandma's."

"Why are we going there?"

It was silent for a moment before Lina filled her in. "Tyler's possessed."

It was also silent for a moment before Maddy busted out laughing. Josh swallowed roughly and he saw Lina glance at him as Maddy cackled.

The laughter died down after a few seconds and she let out a breath. "That's funny. Really though. What's wrong with him?"

Josh sighed. "She's not kidding."

"Wait, really?" Maddy asked softly, Josh seeing her smile drop from the rear view window. "That stuff doesn't happen."

"Damn, what is it with white people and not believing in this shit?" Lina clicked her tongue. "Yet the first person to die in a horror movie is always a colored person."

Normally, Josh would've laughed at that comment. But this time? His knuckles just tightened around his steering wheel. "It does happen apparently and something is inside of Tyler and we don't know how to get it out. That's why we're going to see Lina's grandma. She knows about supernatural stuff so we're hoping we can help him."

"Is that—" Maddy paused and Josh knew she was trying to believe this. "—is that why he's been so mean lately?"

"Yeah," Lina replied. "Trust me, I've cried over it too. I lost my best friend. I just hope he isn't completely lost."

Josh swallowed again. "What do you think your grandma's gonna say?" He glanced at Lina. "Do you think we can save him?"

Lina glanced back at him. "I don't know," she replied honestly.

That seemed to make everyone's moods worse so the three remained quiet for the rest of the car ride. The only noise heard was Josh's phone telling him when to turn since he had (unsurprisingly) never been to Lina's grandmother's house before.

Eventually they arrived and Josh parked in the street in front of her house. Lina's grandpa had died when she was younger so her grandma lived alone but that's all Josh knew about the situation.

No one dared to get out. Not until Josh spoke up again. "Does she know we're coming?"

Lina nodded. "I told her it was an emergency but I didn't tell her what."

Josh was the first to get out followed by Lina and then Maddy. Maddy seemed scared out of her mind so Josh grabbed her hand tightly in a big brother way. She obviously needs it with how the past few weeks have been going.

The reached the front door and Lina rang the doorbell. A moment later a short but wider old woman opened the door and grinned. "Lina, nieta!" She pulled Lina (who was easily half a foot taller than her) into a bone crushing hug. Lina hugged back.

"Hey, Abuela," Lina mumbled before pulling back. Her grandma smiled and pat her cheek lovingly. "This is Josh and this is Maddy, Josh's boyfriend's little sister," she explained.

Josh looked at her with wide eyes for outing him. How was he supposed to know if she was homophobic or not?

Her grandma noticed this and laughed gently. "Oh, cielo," she smiled. Josh noticed her accent was a lot thicker than Lina's mom's. Still nothing he couldn't understand but it was a lot more authentic since her grandmother was born and raised in Mexico and her mother moved to America when she was in elementary school. "Lina was the first one to tell me she was uh... ¿Cómo se dice?"

"Bisexual, Abuela."

Her grandma snapped her fingers. "Yes, that!" She replied happily. "I won't judge. She didn't tell me what your issue was or why you're here, though. Why don't you two come in and take a seat. Take your shoes off by the door, por favor."

The three walked into the house and did as they were told as Lina's grandmother shut and locked the door behind them.

Josh looked around and instantly noticed a plethora of crosses hanging on the wall or sitting on furniture. He saw rosary on the the entry table next to some candles. A painting of Jesus was framed on the wall right above a couch that looked like if he sat in it, he would never be able to get up. "Your house is very beautiful, Miss..."

"Hernandez but please call me Maria. It makes me feel younger," she laughed. "Can I get you two anything to drink?"

"What about me?" Lina asked.

Her grandmother shook her head and clicked her tongue. "You have legs."

Josh cracked a smile at that. He looked at Maddy. "You want anything Mads?" He asked softly.

Maddy just shook her head. "Are you sure?" Lina's grandma asked. "It's really not a big deal."

"No thank you," she spoke quietly.

"I'm good. Thank you though," Josh added.

Her grandma nodded and took a seat on the couch, gesturing for the other three to sit on either the other couch or one of the chairs. "What brings you to my home?" She asked.

Lina and Josh shared a look. "Lina told me you're very educated with supernatural things and I don't know how to word this but uh... Tyler, my boyfriend... uh..."

"We think he's possessed, Abuela," Lina finished. "Like by a demon."

Her grandma purses her lips. "Why do you think that?"

Lina explained everything to her grandma with the help of Josh filling some things in that she missed along the way. He could tell the more Maddy knew, the more freaked out she was. Josh didn't blame her. He didn't think it actually hit him yet so that's why he hasn't gone crazy.

As soon as Lina finished, her grandma leaned over and lightly smacked her arm. "You brought this upon that poor boy, Adalina! I thought you knew better than that. You knew the signs."

Lina put her hands up in surrender. "I didn't even know half of the things that were happening. Josh didn't tell me everything until yesterday."

Her grandma pinched her nose and sighed. "Well obviously you three will have to perform an exorcism."

"I'm sorry Miss Hernandez," Maddy finally spoke up. Lina's grandma gave her a look. "Maria," she corrected. "I'm not doubting you or anything but shouldn't we get like a priest or something to do that? We're just teenagers."

The woman smiled. "That would be a great idea but I don't think you're going to be able to find a priest in this small of a town without someone thinking you're crazy."

"So we have to get the demon out of Tyler?" Josh asked worriedly.

"Sí. I will give you three some books and write down some information to give to Lina on what to do and how to do it properly. I'm telling you now, the exorcism will more than likely not be consensual because no demon wants to leave their host body. If we could reach Tyler I'm sure he'd agree to it."

"What's the different between a consensual and non-consensual exorcism?" Josh questioned.

"A non consensual one is far, far worse and I'm afraid that boy will never be the same. But there is still hope for him."

"Can we do it tonight?" Maddy asked.

Her grandma shook her head. "I'm afraid not. You must do it on Halloween."

"Why?" Josh asked.

"Halloween is when spirits and demons have the most power and freedom so it'll be easier to get it leave forever once you get it out. But there is one very important thing."

"What is it?" Lina looked at her.

"You must do the exorcism by midnight on Halloween or Tyler will be stuck this way forever."

Josh sat back in disbelief. That had a week. A week to plan. A week to figure out how the hell they were going to do this. That's a lot of pressure.

"Oh, one more thing," her grandma piped up.

"Yeah?" Lina replied.

"Your mother is not to find out about this."