Unclean Spirit (24 page)

CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED

Three Days Later

              The deep and dark tandem gravesites loomed before the small group of individuals who stood together in the cemetery. 

              Lukas and Vincent prepared themselves for their officiating duties. 

              Saul and Charlie stood silently by as they mentally reviewed the events of the last several days. 

              Marybeth and Patsy looked to one another for support. 

              Tamara wiped a tear from her cheek. 

              In unison, Starr and Paul dropped the garbage bags containing the remnants of the cursed pulpit into the consecrated ground.

CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND ONE

              Although he had survived his encounter with the Demonic, Paul Forsythe had not been left unscathed. The unclean spirit had left a psychic mark on him by ensuring that Paul’s memory of his possession remained intact. For the rest of his life Paul would be haunted by the shockingly malevolent and wretched thoughts and feelings that were the Demonic’s trademark.

              The spirit had also marked Paul physically. The pupil of Paul’s left eye was no longer round, it was now and forever a slit of blackness—a serpent’s eye. 

              But Paul had yet another physical mark that had appeared during that last night in the basement, one that signified the temporary union of Starr’s soul with his own: A diminutive, almost indiscernible, golden star was imprinted just behind Paul’s right ear. 

              Starr had always been close to her father, but she now carried a part of him, one that transcended genetics, inside of her. 

              Lukas’ fractured ribs would heal. He prayed that his recent disclosure to his wife about the truth of his father’s death would not cause a permanent break in their relationship. 

              Saul had finally come to terms with what he perceived to have been his role in Hillie Perkins’ death and he fervently hoped that Hillie’s tiny soul was at peace. 

              Mag was considering teaming up with Vincent in his fight against demons. But part-time onl
y
he still had to make a living! 

              Vincent’s newest battle wounds, the punctures left in his chest by the nails that had spewed from Paul’s mouth, would be a constant reminder to him of the strength of unconditional love; that is what he believed had saved Paul Forsythe. 

             
Tamara would be eternally grateful to God for having returned her husband to her. But somewhere deep within herself, Tamara knew that God had had help in freeing Paul from the Demonic. 

              Patsy and Marybeth rejoiced in the fact that the persons whom they loved most in the world were all safe. 

              And Charlie? Well, Charlie was simply Charlie. As long as he had Jose’ Cuervo, he would be just fine!  

CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TWO

              No one could fully explain why the Demonic had vacated Paul’s body. Neither Starr nor Paul were consciously aware of the fact that their souls had touched, thereby summoning help from another dimension of being. Everyone believed, however, even Paul, that God must have had a hand in casting out the Demonic. So, after Sunday services, Lukas closed the church doors and lead Starr, Paul, Tamara, Marybeth, Patsy, Charlie, Saul, Mag, and Vincent in a very special prayer of thanks to the Lord. 

              Lillie Duncan had prepared a special Sunday meal for everyone to share in before Mag and Vincent left Van Horn. Starr had even invited Dr. Gomez to come. But just as the group was leaving the church to go to Lukas’ house, a young man drove up. 

              “Sir, excuse me, I’m looking for Pastor Duncan,” Wayne Diggs called out from the truck window. 

              “I’m Lukas Duncan. How may I help you?” 

              Wayne exited the truck. “Well, sir, I run an antique business in Marfa and my wife tells me that you recently bought an old pulpit from her. I’d like to talk to you about buying it back.” 

              Wayne misunderstood the laughter that erupted from the people standing on the church steps. “I assure you, Pastor Duncan, you will make a profit on the deal. I’m not trying to scam you,” Wayne said defensively. 

              “We apologize for the laughter, son. It’s just that things have been a bit unusual around here lately. 

              “I couldn’t sell the pulpit back to you if I wanted to. There was an, uh, accident and it was destroyed.” 

              Yeah, right! Wayne thought to himself. That old fart discovered what the pulpit is worth and plans to make a killing on it! 

              “Destroyed?” It was clear that Wayne didn’t believe the story. 

              “That’s right. I’m sorry you came all this way for nothing.” 

              “Yeah, me too,” Wayne mumbled as he climbed back into his truck and drove away. 

              “Snippy little shit,” Charlie concluded as he watched, unbeknownst to him, his son-in-law drive away. 

CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND THREE

              Penelope and Cooter chased rabbits by day and slept side-by-side at night. They were happy. But every so often, Penelope would awaken and gaze around the barn. Although she could not sense anything unusual, she knew that
It
was somewhere out there in the world.

THE EN
D
FOR NOW