Chapter 8: The Source of the Evil Spirit (Edited)

As the Rogers couple nodded gratefully and stepped aside, Lorraine continued with her introductions, her smile unwavering.

"Father York, this is Officer Brad. He's here as part of his duty, wanting to witness the proceedings."

Brad, the most robust of the two men, looked at Father York, who was even more imposing in stature, with a hint of admiration. Stepping forward, he extended his hand and introduced himself earnestly.

"Hello, Father. My name is Brad Hamilton, from the Harrisville Police Department in Rhode Island. I'm pleased to meet you."

With the police involved, York raised an eyebrow slightly but shook his hand.

"Hello, Officer."

After a brief exchange, Lorraine introduced the last, somewhat slender young man, saying, "This is Drew, Ed and my assistant."

Drew stepped forward, extending his hand.

"Hello, Father. If you need any tools, just let me know."

York shook his hand as before and nodded calmly.

"Thank you, I will."

With introductions complete, Ed had already moved the bags and pouches from the back seat to the ground.

"Father, what's all this?"

"My exorcism tools," York turned and said calmly. "I need to talk to Lorraine first. Ed, could you please bring these inside?"

Ed glanced at Lorraine's smiling face and, somewhat resigned, spread his hands.

"Happy to serve, Father."

He signaled to his assistant Drew, who immediately understood and came over to help.

With free labor secured, York moved past everyone towards the lake, scanning the environment again. Without the presence of the evil spirit, the setting was ideal: a solitary house in front of a vast open space leading to a large lake.

The climate was pleasant, serene, perfect for a family home.

Besides, there was a massive tree by the lake, large enough for two people to embrace. However, its condition made York narrow his eyes slightly.

"Lorraine, let's talk about what's been happening here," York said, not entering the house but heading towards the tree by the lake.

Noticing the direction Father York was heading, Lorraine's brows furrowed subconsciously, then relaxed as she followed his steps under the watchful eyes of everyone.

"Mr. Ed, do I feel guns in this backpack?" Drew whispered to Ed, who was watching the two depart.

Ed turned back to Drew, lifting the heavy backpack, and casually replied.

"Father York's methods of exorcism are quite unique. You'll see tonight."

With that, Ed began to usher everyone into the house.

"Lorraine, what have you seen lately?"

York specifically stopped under the tree, looking up calmly.

Lorraine also looked up, recalling the images she had seen upon arriving. She didn't conceal anything this time, knowing Father York could see them too.

"Father, a body filled with malice, and not just on Karen but also the children..."

York quietly observed the tree branches, remaining silent.

Lorraine was right. In his view, a body in a white nightgown, emitting an ominous aura, was hanging from a branch, its hair disheveled and appearance terrifying. This was a residue formed by malice, a deep-seated grudge indicating the source of the evil spirit.

"Tell me the story behind this," York said calmly.

The Warrens, as paranormal researchers, employed modern tools such as infrared cameras, temperature sensors, and recorders to identify genuine paranormal activity.

Furthermore, if the incident was real, they would investigate the source of the evil spirit to prevent triggering a larger chain of paranormal events.

York believed the Warrens had already uncovered the cause and effect before his arrival, hence their application for an exorcism permit.

Lorraine took a deep breath and began recounting what she had discovered.

"In 1863, a man named Judson established a farm here. His wife, Bathsheba, was a witch, a descendant of Mary Eastey, wrongfully executed in the Salem witch trials."

"Because of this event, Bathsheba renounced God for Satan, sacrificing her newborn by the fireplace to prove her devotion. Eventually, she climbed a tree by the lake and cursed anyone who tried to take her land, hanging herself."

Pausing, Lorraine continued.

"There's more that might be related."

Understanding who the body belonged to, York looked at Lorraine.

"Go on."

"In 1930, a mother and her child moved in, but soon after, the child mysteriously disappeared in the woods here, and the mother died in the house's basement."

"The farm was later divided and sold. A child drowned in a nearby pond, and a servant working here died mysteriously in the house..."

Hearing this, York made the sign of the cross, murmuring an amen, and started to walk back.

"All these deaths are connected to Bathsheba's curse. To prevent further escalation, we must eradicate the source and expel the spirit named Bathsheba."

Lorraine quickly followed. "Father, is it only Bathsheba?"

In her eyes, at least several other spirits were present in the house, including the previously seen Kate and the unseen mother and servant who died, and the child who drowned in the pond.

York's expression remained unchanged. The evil aura lingering around the homeowner Karen wasn't singular but dual.

"One harbors extreme malice, the other is ordinary, indicating two spirits had approached Karen."

"Let's assess the situation first."

York glanced at the sky; it was the afternoon, with the prime time for spirit activity, nightfall, approaching...

Entering the house with Lorraine, five adults and five girls were gathered in the living room, evidently having slept there the previous night.

Surveying the house's layout, York instinctively held his breath. Compared to the fiery scent of demons, spirits brought a cold, rotten smell, quite unpleasant.

The house seemed enveloped in black, cold malice, with remnants of grudges drifting in all directions, indicating not just one spirit resided here.

Looking at Roger's family, York's gaze softened with sympathy, imagining the nightly disturbances and their fear...

Is there anyone?