Phil McKelsey, Priest

Meanwhile...

My fifth mission and already in a dangerous situation. A possessed individual has already killed two lovers. The evil needs to be put to an end. The longer they are inside Ivelisse, the more destructive they will become. I already knew it was going to be hectic since the call of Bishop Delemorez about the situation. My head felt dizzy. Something that never happened before. I am honestly hoping to God that Ivelisse has a mental disorder gone untreated for so long, but what Ella has said is telling me otherwise.

Witchcraft and the occult are very dangerous. It's capable of causing harm to people and oneself. Spells open the door to ghosts and demons to mess with people. Never have I ever seen a case doing rituals before. My last clients involved a home presence, spiritual communication, and a boy that went into a house of voodoo. I have read it in books from other exorcists telling their journey of exorcisms. It's frightening to all of us, but I learned to never stand in fear with God on my side.

My older cousin was the same way back in the day. We were teenagers with Catholic parents. My cousin shared with me some of his pagan beliefs and the items he uses. I was naive and dumb enough that I told my parents. I was concerned about his well-being. He got disowned and kicked out of the house. It was my fault. I know my cousin wasn't evil and would never act so. My parents gave me a long briefing on our morals and how Catholicism prohibits witchcraft. He probably hates me now since he has never contacted me ever again. I have heard his parents disrespecting him for his own betrayal.

Naomi is also sort of the same way. She does hold some beliefs of God and is neutrally friendly. She possesses qualities that are preternatural. I was so afraid of them when they first started that I tried to keep her in the house. Now it's the new normal and she handles them very well. She doesn't impersonate or play God with them, so I take that as a positive. She doesn't use them for evil as well. I don't know if she used it to hurt others and that worries me enough.

We stop at a bedroom with a closed door. Ella knocks before entering. I follow in with her. We see Ivelisse sitting straight up. Her chocolate brown hair is messy. She looks at us, confused and nervous, but still calm. She stays quiet.

"Ivelisse, meet Father McKelsey," she introduces her to me, "He is gonna ask you a few questions."

She doesn't argue or ask why I am here. She stares off into space. With the bags under her eyes, I can tell she is very exhausted. She also looks like she is in low spirits.

"I am not gonna do anything for right now," I tell her.

She doesn't answer.

I keep my distance as a precautionary measure, in case she goes berserk. She doesn't have any restraints. I want to fully confirm that she is possessed before trying an exorcism on her. Mental episodes can mock possession symptoms. I doubt that they are lying or making stuff up. I still check even if the Bishop told me to go on with the exorcism.

"If you are honest and cooperate with me, we can try to help you, okay?" I negotiate.

She nods.

"How are you, today?"

"Just woke up," she says in a monotone voice.

"Can tell," I comment, "So can you tell me what is wrong?"

"Nothing is," she says calmly, "Just tired. I sometimes blackout and wake up in different places."

In that case, there is something wrong. Sleepwalking or something took over.

"Your mother has informed me that you've done witchcraft," I tell her point-blank, "Is that true?"

"...No," she replies while slightly shaking her head, staring off into space.

"Please don't lie, Ivelisse," Ella says with slight agitation.

"How do you know if I did?" Her tone sounds jester.

"You never acted this way before. It's not like you are suddenly Bipolar. Your change of character is a dead giveaway."

"What if I was, but didn't tell you?" She is now strangely calm and mischievous, "Maybe my bubbly character was too upbeat that I need to douse it away? By the way, what is Bipolar?"

What the? I am certain that's what is flying in our heads.

"Enough games, Ive," Ella warns her in a severe manner, "Quit the satire and dodging answers. God himself is watching. Tell us the truth. Now."

"Which truth?" She says mockingly. Her body mildly shaking.

"Ivelisse," Ella snaps, "Did you do a ritual behind our backs? We are trying to save your damn life here."

"Which life?"

She goes on, "Which way? The ritual that took me here?"

Ella curses beneath her breath. "How many times have you done it, Ive? Who did you contact?"

She lowers her said and says quietly, "Eight times I've tried to reach them."

A grin pops on her face.

"Are you kidding me?" The man mumbles to himself. He's either Ella's father or older husband. He seems to take care of himself and is in good condition. He goes on, "Where?"

"Does that matter where she has done it?" I ask them.

"Father McKelsey, we believe witchcraft also summons portals to where they have done them? Remember the Demon House years ago?"

"I always suppose heavy rituals involving murder, sacrifice, body parts, and others open that door. Since Ivelisse has probably done this ritual numerous times, I guess it is likely, so carry on," I answer.

I look towards Ivelisse, "Where did you do them, Ive?"

"Here, Here, Here, Here, Here, Here, Work, and-" She pauses.

"Where does she work?" I ask Ella.

Ella hisses in stress while massaging her temples. "As a babysitter. Oh my God. Ivelisse, you maniac. Why did you do this?"

Ivelisse's smile drops. Her eyes become teary-eyed for a moment.

"Do you know where she last babysat?"

"A little girl named Maddie when her parents were on a business trip. They're home now. I don't know where though."

"Ivelisse do you know Maddie's house is at?" The old man asks urgently.

She gives us a glare. She becomes more stern and brusque, "Did you seriously think I will remember someplace that I haven't been to?"

"Uhhhh, Ive's H's are silent due to some impediment and she tends to speak without the G in ING," Ella mentions, becoming more stressed, "I forgot about that."

I wince back at her. "Who is talking through Ivelisse? Do you know where the last location was?"

She stays silent. A grin appears on her again.

"Ivelisse, please tell us," the man says, "Who are you? Tell us your name."

Ivelisse goes still, not breathing, with her eyes becoming very glossy. She seems to see straight through us.

The man walks up to her, who doesn't acknowledge any of our presence. He snaps his fingers, trying to get her to respond. Nothing.

Ivelisse gets up. All our eyes trace when she walks out of the room, appearing as if she's sleepwalking. We follow her out of the room, pondering what she is doing. All she does is walk, pull the attic door open from the ceiling and climb up there. We follow her. Once we get up into the attic, we look around. We don't see Ivelisse at all.

"Ivelisse, come out!" The man demands.

We start to search in the attic with no luck. No Ivelisse. The man checks with those who are downstairs if they have ever seen Ivelisse going down there, they said no. Wherever she is, she is gone.

"Find Ivelisse!" Ella shouts, "She can't go very far."

We are all alarmed. Ella quickly went down and order the others to find her. They immediately begin searching. They knew this was going to happen because it happened before. Ella did mention that Ivelisse would sleepwalk and teleport randomly around the house. Due to possible behavior changes, she must be found asap.

We searched the whole first floor and second floor. Every room, no Ivelisse. We searched the attic again, but had no luck. We also checked the basement, no one.

"Where the hell is she?" The man blurts with frustration.

"I'll check outside," Naomi's friend, Blathnaid, announces before running out the door.

"Should we ask the neighbors if they've seen her?" Another guy with short blonde hair and green eyes suggests. His skin looks oddly very clear and shiny. He seems to be in his late twenties as well. He's probably one of the guys who overused beauty products and make-up. It does make me feel old with all the youthful adults around here. It feels strange that Markus and Naomi look fresh out of high school- It's been a decade. He is dressed in a jacket with shorts, which is too cold for this weather. It's supposed to be cold for this week and the next.

"We should've just killed her," another man, also young, but appears to be surrounded by negativity. It looks like he has been suggesting this for a while.

"You shut your mouth, Lucas," the man that was with us earlier scolds.

"It's happening in the godda-"

"Lucas, manners!" The man scolds, "We got a priest here."

"Really, Rick? She's going crazy already in the morning! Shouldn't these demons be more active at night?"

"Lucas, it has been happening in the morning too!" Ella points out, "We are trying to keep tabs on her. We will fix this! Stop insisting that we will kill Ivelisse, for crying out loud! We will get rid of the demons that she brought in."

"You've been saying that all damn week, Ella," he sneers, "And we lost her again. She brought them in by herself."

"We are trying, Lucas, so knock it off! What have you been doing?! You've been standing, insisting to kill Ivelisse while oblivious that killing might make it worse!" Another girl yells, finally breaking. Her accent is Spanish mixed with British, but her Spanish accent takes over once she gets angry. She has been trying to tolerate this man's antics, but not anymore. It's easy to tell that they are put on edge in this situation for a little while.

I keep looking, mostly focusing on the heated argument going on downstairs. It feels so damning to witness a group going unstable all because of someone's mistakes. A mistake that is putting pressure on them is that they target each other. I also feel bad for Markus, having to watch and hear as he lies paralyzed in his wheelchair. He can't do anything.

"Enough!" Ella commands boldly with a powerful boom. "We must stay together and not take it out on each other. C'mon people, keep looking!"

They all obey her orders, separating and trying to find Ivelisse.

Hours went by and still haven't found her.

"Neighbors didn't see anything and I haven't seen her outside," Blathnaid says hopelessly.

"Grab the car keys. We are heading out. Father McKelsey, Dominique, Aelen, you're with me! Lucas, Blathnaid, Rick, and Naomi, stay put. Keep an eye out for Ive!" Ella orders.

We all obey. We grab our coats with the hangers and head out, hoping we will find her soon.