[i]One Year Prior...[/i] [i]"Early onset schizophrenia symptoms" "Pediatric psychiatrist New York City" "Mental health facilities New York City" "How do I know if my house is haunted? "Carrot cake recipe" "Catholic priest exorcist" "Do exorcisms work?" "What to do if priest can't exorcise demon?" "Prayers about possession"[/i] Her browsing history was a real wild ride. Barbara didn't know what to do. Her son was not her son anymore. She knew that that [i]thing[/i] inside of him intended on harming him. He'd already cut his arms bad enough to need stitches. He had to stay at a mental facility for three days to seek counseling before he could come home after that hospital visit. But, whenever she took him to the doctor, it all went away. Suddenly, Josh was normal again. She felt like they thought she was crazy. Barbara had began to film the things going on at her house. The slamming doors when no one else was home, the nights her son would be walking up and down the halls, but when she called to him, he was suddenly fast asleep in his room, the noises. Oh God, the noises. She had contacted several priests once she'd decided that maybe this was something demonic. But every exorcist that came to visit her son was unsuccessful. And, after the last one was attacked, anyone else refused to help. Barbara felt betrayed. They were supposed to help people like this! Not shun them! She felt hopeless as she scrolled through the pages of useless suggestions. She was on the verge of tears again. Then, she decided to check her e-mail for the fifth time. Maybe one of them had finally responded. They hadn't. Instead, a man named Isaac Partway had sent her a message. She opened it, curious. [i]"Subject: Concerning your son's problem. Hello Mrs. Renolds, We haven't met, but I have heard about your son. I know that you must be very scared, and I am truly sorry that this is happening to you. I have been informed that your case seems to be particularly difficult, but I believe I know someone who can help. My partner and I are exorcists, and we specialize in cases such as this. Attached is a document that will specify our requests, including payment methods and legal paperwork. If you would like us to visit, please fill it out and e-mail it back to me ASAP. Sincerely, Isaac Partway."[/i] Barbara was quick to respond. If only she had known what trouble those two would bring. ___________________________________________________________________ The camera shook as she slowly walked down the hall. The noises were coming from her son's bed room. Guttural growls and wet snarls. She tried to quiet her breaths as she slowly pushed the partially open door. The room was dark, the camera quickly adjusted, showing the figure of the young teen standing in the middle of the room. His eyes were glowing with a menacing green hue. The boy lunged at the door, and the woman screamed and fell back in shock. The door slammed shut. Barbara quickly jumped to her feet and practically threw herself at the door. That thing had her son! Her motherly instincts overcame her fear. The door slammed open and she flailed for the light switch. The camera was shaky as hell, but it caught the distorted image of the boy hanging by his neck from the ceiling fan, and the blood curdling scream of the terrorized woman. The room went pitch black for just a second before the light came back on. Josh was now laying in bed, under the covers, asleep. "Mom?" He opened his eyes and sat up. "What are you doing?" He rubbed his face. "Josh?!" Barbara had tears streaming down her face. "What are you doing, mom?[i] What are you doing?[/i] [b][i]WHAT ARE YOU DOING?![/i][/b][u][b][i] WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!"[/i][/b][/u] The boy's voice grew louder and angrier, sounding much more menacing than any 13 year old could ever sound. An invisible force shoved Barbara out of the room and slammed the door shut once more, and the video camera flicked off. The footage was, overall, grainy and shaky. Some portions were distorted, as if something had been interfering with the device. Barbara didn't watch these videos anymore, even though she had kept them pristine and organized. She couldn't bring herself to relive that horrible time of her and her son's life. If only she could go back and stop it from happening. _______________________________________________________________ The brownstone was innocuous enough. A planter outside held dried and long since dead ferns, and the front stoop was covered with unswept leaves. A cobweb was nestled right above the door. Perhaps it could use a little love and care, but the home hardly stood out. It took a while before the knock was answered. The door creaked open slowly, cautiously. Peaking through the crack was a woman. The woman looked aged beyond her years. She had lost weight, and her hair was significantly grayer than the year before. Stress lines formed creases on her face. "Can I help you?" Her voice was wavering, unsure.