Disclaimer: I never owned Paranormal State nor will I ever own it.

Warning: Rated M for some minor language, the dark nature, and involves hints of imperfect possession. Oh yea, I'll be switching between different character POV's on Ryan's team.

Summary: Adrien Jacnyth Kendra, aka A.J., is a paranoid schizophrenic, 18-year-old who's currently being haunted by demons and only demons. His shrink, Dr. Krandall, doesn't believe him nor does anyone else. So, in a last ditch attempt to rid of these demons forever, he calls upon Ryan and his team to save him. What he didn't expect was for there to be dire consequences.

'sssssewwwszo' = outside voice from character's surrounding

"talk now or DIE" = normal speech/phone conversation in character's PoV

why me anyway? = thought/thought speech

------ = scene/pov break

time online spent pov = emphasis where needed/pov heading/digital references, digital email

"Hi this is me, Jack." = phone conversation

Chapter 1: A.J. Kendra, age 18

Adrien's POV

I wake up to whispering that is out of place. No one is up in my house, not even my annoying older brother, Gordon. I sit straight up in bed trying desperately to recall if I took my medicine before I went to bed. When I realize I did take my medicine, a combination of anxiety pills and sleeping pills, I glance at the clock on my nightstand and sigh tiredly. Again, the whispering is heard, albeit louder this time, but I shake my head making an attempt to clear it. 2:09am is what the large, red numbering says and I groan. Every god damn time at the same time every god damn night! Why can't they leave me alone!?

'We misss you, A.J., come wiiith usss…" I shoot out of bed immediately and frantically look for my bible and spirit spray; both I realize are missing. I then finger my silver cross on its silver chain around my neck praying to God these demons don't do me or my family any harm. 'We miss you, Jacnyth…come with us…you're one of us…' Again, I hear excited murmurings and I put my hands over my ears. Stop it! Stop it right now! Get lost, you demons! Leave me alone!! I shout inside my head as loud as I could. They all get quiet but then I feel myself being roughly tossed across my room and pinned to the wall. I'm now face to face with the ugliest creature I've ever known to exist; Fran, the demon of hatred.

'Aw…now that's no way to treat your guests, A.J. Did not your pathetic mother teach you manners?' The second demon that I see standing idly in my doorway is Islah, the demon of desire. His voice is rough and gravely, but strangely soothing; like a mother that hates her baby, but takes care of it anyway. I can taste his distaste at my antics; that is, my trying to rid them. Now I have to resort to pleading; the one thing I know that they strive for the most.

Please...I have an appointment with the doctor today…please let me have just one night of peace, please! I shout even louder trying to fight off the tears. Fran smirks before releasing me and, after I slide down the wall, punches me in the gut forcing a cough from me. Islah follows Fran's gesture except he inflicts scratches all over my body, shredding my pajamas for what would be the second night in a row.

When they vanish I immediately feel calmer and become extremely tired. At least only two demons visited me tonight. Usually, I get five or more around this time. Oh, I'm no fool of course, I know as soon as I get home from both the therapy and college hunting, they will have reinforcements and continue their torture. I hate those demons, but what can I do to get rid of them? I mean, I can't go running to mom and dad because they will just tell me I'm imagining things again.

Knowing that I now won't be able to go back to sleep, I decide to get up, make up the bed, take a shower, and change my clothes. I make sure to toss my tattered pajamas in the trash can that I'll take out later today. After all, I don't need mom and dad railing me about the third set of pajamas I ruined due to my 'cutting'. I swear I don't cut myself, but they don't believe me. It's because of the scratches the damn demons give me night after night that they think I cut myself. Why would I inflict more pain upon myself when I'm already in it?

I pick up the remote from my nightstand and turn on the T.V. Seeing as to nothing was on, I keep flipping through the channels until I notice something pop up saying, "Paranormal State" and this introduction done by the PRS director, Ryan.

After a few minutes into the show, I notice how this girl is suffering from a demon in her house and I turn off the T.V. What's the point of watching something that happens to me anyway? Its right then that I get an idea.

I drag my laptop out from under my bed, turn it on, sign onto it, and type in the web address to the Google search engine. When it loads up, I quickly type in 'Paranormal State' and hit enter. The first thing that pops up is a link to the show on the A&E website. I click it and scan the page before finding a link to the Paranormal Research Society. I then click this and another page loads up which I scan through quickly once more. Finding nothing of real interest to me, I look in the side panel of the home page and see 'Contact Us'. I click on the link and thoroughly read what all is being said on this page. With a spark of hope, I quickly type a message to them.

Dear Ryan,

Hi, I'm Adrien Kendra and I need your help. Every night at the same exact time, I'd wake up to whispering. When I first heard it, I figured I was imagining it, but then I was actually picked up and thrown across my room. I felt something pin me to the wall and I prayed for it to go away, but it just stayed there. I can't get any sleep, my parents don't believe me, and I'm scared to even be in the house anymore. Please help me; I don't know what to do anymore!

A.J., age 18

After several times of erasing and rewriting, I finally finish my message and hit send. I didn't add that I could see the demons, know them by their names, and am a schizophrenic; what if they refuse to help me or they don't believe me either? So, now there's only the matter of waiting for a response. Meanwhile, I think I'll try to at least shut my eyes…

Ryan's POV

After having lunch at the off campus café with my team, I head back inside the Science Building and walk up to my class where I still have tons of papers to grade; mostly essays. Not really wanting to bore myself with the essays for the time being, I pull out my laptop and check my email. I see one with 'no subject' and instantly click on it out of curiosity.

When I read it I immediately respond. I don't normally jump to conclusions, but I think this is demon related and needs swift attention.

Dear A.J.,

Hey, I can tell this is serious and may require immediate attention. I understand how frustrated you must be seeing as to how my parents didn't believe me either. When can my team and I meet you? Also, I'll call you because I still have a few questions. So I would like to know your phone number if it's not an inconvenience, of course.

Ryan

Even after I sent it, I felt as if something didn't seem right about my response. I'm not so sure it was comforting enough and it seemed to run through too fast. However, at the same time, I'm also not confident in the fact that A.J. would be willing to read a full email either. I hope its going to give him some comfort despite its briskness. All I can do now is to wait for a reply, so I'll go ahead and inform my team about this possible case and then I'll get to work on the essays. Why do I even bother giving homework?

A.J.'s POV

After another monotonous day of school I yawn tiredly. I'm deciding to take duel enrollment so when I finish my senior year I can be a sophomore in college. You see, my parents want me to commute from home to a community college, but I have my sights set on a university far away from them. As far as I see it, I can stay away from my annoying brother and parents and keep a good distance from those evil creatures that haunt my room.

When I walk into the kitchen, I deposit my tattered book bag beside the back door and rummage around in the fridge for some subsistence that represents food. Fortunately, I luck out and grab a thing of chocolate pudding, take a spoon out from the kitchen drawer, and take the can of Mt. Dew. With my small meal, I go upstairs to my room and immediately take out my laptop. Opening it, I go straight to my yahoo account, sign in, and see a new message addressed to me. I open it to find:

Dear A.J.,

I can tell this is serious and may require immediate attention. I understand how frustrated you must be seeing as to how my parents didn't believe me either. When can my team and I meet you? I still have a few questions for you, so can you give me a number to contact you?

Thanks,

Ryan

I stop breathing for a few moments and read the message over several times wanting to remember every word he said. Oh hell no, it's not for the fact that he's famous nor is it because I'm a dire fan; I didn't think he would respond much less say 'this seems serious'. I feel slightly reassured seeing as to how he went through the same thing with his parents. Now I just have to respond and pray to God he doesn't ask me any 'close to home' questions.

Ryan,

Thanks for replying so quickly and my cell phone number is: 233-500-3113.

A.J.

After writing the email and sending it, I close my laptop and turn on the T.V. to see a rerun of "Dog the Bounty Hunter" and change the channel to eighteen. Surprisingly, a "House, M.D." marathon is running. I settle back against my bed and frown as a cold chill reaches me from the bathroom located across the hallway in front of my room. Standing up, I frown deeper and close the door making sure to take some holy water and drench it. Then, I go back to my bed, open my laptop again, and glance between google and the T.V.

I hear the door handle jingle and I immediately close my eyes and pray for forgiveness for any sins I may have committed and for protection. A few minutes later, the cold chill goes away and I feel a calm peace settling around me like a warm blanket. I smile happy that I could make them go away, now if only I could do that same thing at night. Oh yeah, my appointment with Dr. Krandall is tomorrow at ten a.m. Turns out the doc got busy and had a more important matter to tend to, so I'll have to wait until Saturday. Which, in my book, is fine by me; I'd much rather spend time college searching then in an office being basically interrogated.

I look at the clock and it reads 5:10p.m; this allows plenty of time to make dinner, do a few chores, and continue watching the House marathon. This thought makes me smile to myself, and for the rest of the evening I don't feel any cold chills; a first in my book.

Sergey's POV

Ryan called me and said to meet him at the campus library because he has a new case he wants to run through with the team. I yawn before getting up, petting Ryan's dog a few times, and then grab my jacket and lock the door behind me. As soon as I hit the evening air I feel a weird sensation that something is off about this case Ryan wants to investigate, but I don't focus too much on it worrying more about the urgency in Ryan's voice.

I reach the library and notice that I'm the last one there. I'm a bit shocked at the fact that I'm the last one to arrive. Usually, I'm the first one in the library, even before Ryan gets there. I blame my classes for that. I take a seat between Katrina and Heather wondering why their expressions are grim instead of there usual brightness.

"Okay, after I had lunch with you guys and got back to my classroom, I checked my email and noticed a 'no subject' addressed to me. Of course I open it and find Adrien, an eighteen year old, who is being haunted, describing hearing whispering voices and being thrown across his room. There are a few oddities about this case that made me claim it urgent; the first being that A.J. prayed and the entity, or whatever it may be, wouldn't leave. Then, he claims these events take place around the same time every night and that his parents don't believe him. Also, he can't get any sleep due to this.

"Now, he wasn't specific with what time they occur nor did he provide any more information regarding these events. So, I'm going to call him after this meeting today and get more information. What I wanted to ask you guys is if you are up for possibly another case involving a demon so soon after our recent case?" As soon as Ryan finishes I try to recall where I heard that name before but give up shortly focusing more on the questions I, and the rest of the team, have.

"How urgent did you say this email was again," Heather asks and I notice Ryan slightly frowning.

"Well, given the circumstances, I would assume it was extremely urgent. I couldn't really tell from the scant amount of information he provided."

"Hey Ryan," I start. "Did A.J. say why his parents don't believe him?" I have the feeling that his parents aren't skeptic, but I could be wrong. Again, I feel the weird sense that something is definitely off about this case. This time I note the feeling, but I don't really pay it much mind.

"No, he just said they don't believe he's being haunted. I think that's a good question to ask him, Serge." I write the question down in my notebook as Heather speaks up.

"You said this could be demon related, did A.J. actually mention demon activity? This could just be poltergeist activity." I see Ryan nod and smile slightly.

"Good point, Heather. No, he didn't mention demon activity exactly, but I just assumed it's possible. Of course, it's only an assumption." After a few questions Ryan closes the meeting as I go back to our apartment to pack just in case. Meanwhile, I notice Ryan whip out his cell and dial a number before heading to the library exit; most likely the client's number.

As I leave the immediate grounds of the library I'm again trying to recall where I heard that name; did he visit the campus at one point or another?

A.J.'s POV

I skim through the missed calls section of my cell and the texts, but I see no indication of any unknown calls. Just when I'm about to get up and fill my drink again, my cell vibrates loudly making me startle and nearly fall of the bed. I wait to see if it vibrates again so I can tell if it's a text or a call. When it vibrates for a third time, I pick my phone up having already recovered from the startle. This new paranoia is really beginning to grit my nerves.

"Hello?"

"Hi, is this A.J.?" The unfamiliar voice comes through the phone and both my curiosity and caution heighten.

"Yes, who is this?" I notice how the voice goes from uncertain to almost happy; there's something off about the happiness, however.

"I'm Ryan; you contacted me the other night?"

"Oh, right, yeah! Uhm…why did I contact you again?" I could almost see the frown on Ryan's face just by the sound of the confusion in his voice.

"You said you were being haunted, right?" Then the previous night's events struck me and I immediately feel dumb.

"Right; sorry, I forgot about that."

"No problem," I hear through the phone and am relieved that he's not angry at me. I know my mom and dad would be. "Can you tell me when these events first started?" I frown trying to think really hard when they did start up. Was it over a year ago? Maybe it was only a month; could it have been only two weeks? My concentration increases as I try to clear the cobwebs from my memory. That's the thing I hate about my Schizophrenia; I can't keep track of time and lose chunks of it. I finally decide to say about half a year ago; compromise.

"Erm…I don't quite remember, but I think it started half a year ago."

"Okay. Why did you decide to just now contact us?" Ouch, close-to-home question right there. Should I be honest and say I believed I was being paranoid at the time? When my schizophrenia had complete reign over my life and I wounded up in a hospital for a month or two?

"Well, at first I just thought I was imagining everything, like my parents said. A month later I knew it had to be real; how can you say scratches that appear out of thin air are imagined, right?"

"Point taken; when did the activity become physical?" This question wasn't hard to answer seeing as to how around that time I was on my meds and could think clearly.

"About a week after the scratches first appeared." This time I don't hear an immediate response from Ryan making me think I'm beginning to repeat myself.

"Let me rephrase the question," crap, did I repeat myself? "When did the activity started to affect your life?" I sigh in relief glad to know that I didn't repeat myself and that I only got confused. Which commonly happens to me all the time.

"Oh, well, the night after the first scratch appeared, I started to hear whispering and, again, I thought I was imagining it. But, when the same whispering kept happening at the same time every night I knew I couldn't be imagining it, even if I wanted to believe I was."

"In the email you sent, you said your parents didn't believe you. Why was that?" Alright, that question is grazing the border close-to-home.

"They're skeptics; in their defense, though, I think they are more scared than I am."

"A.J., I've been wondering, is there any chance you've thought of this as demon activity?" Crap! That's one question I don't want to answer. I'd sound like a freak if I don't answer it, though, and I really want their help.

"Yes." I hear the hard and brisk edge to my voice making me realize I'm starting to get defensive.

"If my team and I were help you, what would you most want from this?" I guess Ryan decided to ignore how sharp I was, or maybe he really does understand.

"For my parents to actually believe I'm being haunted and to finally have some peace." When he next talks I can almost see the smile on his face.

"Alright, I understand. If it turns out we can't help you or there is no activity taking place how would you react?" Good question Ryan; really good as matter of fact. I take some time to picture the event taking place in my head and finally, after I'm sure a few minutes pass, I have my answer.

"I would be slightly disappointed, but I would also be glad to have some closure."

"And by closure you mean what, exactly?" I guess he's asking all these questions just to see how he should react in the given situation. It's either that or he just likes to ask a lot of questions.

"Well, closure in the sense of knowing that someone actually believed me and in the case of knowing I'm not being haunted at all and I can finally feel safe again." A few more minutes go by and this time I can feel the smile he has; kind, considerate, and understanding.

"Alright, that's all I need to know, and thank you. Do you have pen and paper?" I rip a sheet of paper out of one of my school binders and grab a sharpie maker on my desk.

"Yeah," I supply hurriedly wondering if this is something really important that I need to remember.

"My phone number is (535) 247-0093. Did you get that?"

"Yea," I say absent mindedly.

"If you need me, call me anytime, and I mean ANY time, alright?"

"Yea, okay; thanks Ryan! Bye!" For the first time in months, a genuine smile graces my face. I think Ryan can hear the grateful and overjoyed note my voice has in it as well. My thoughts are confirmed as I hear him chuckle slightly; very slightly.

"Okay, I'll see—wait! I almost forgot," I move my finger from the end button.

"Yeah?"

"Do you want this aired on TV?" Knowing my parents' reactions, hell no!

"No, thank you for asking though," before my finger could reach the end button a second time, he stops me.

"Also, last thing, I swear; what time would be good for you that we can meet up?" I briefly remember how I had the feeling the demons will have reinforcements after my therapy session with Dr. Krandall, seeing as to how weak those sessions usually leave me, and decide an hour after.

"Five to six on Saturday," I supply and Ryan says alright before hanging up. Looks like the demons torturing me will have no where to hide now!

Ryan's POV

After hanging up with A.J., I frown remembering how brisk he seemed when I asked him if he believes this could be demon activity he's experiencing. Not jumping to anymore conclusions until I know for sure why he seemed like that I sigh tiredly opening the apartment door and walking in. As soon as I close the door behind I'm greeted by Xander, my dog, Serge, Eilfie, Josh; basically the whole team minus Chad.

"Hey Ryan, how's A.J.?" Heather immediately asks as I absent mindedly pet Xander.

"Well, other then a bit shaken, he seems fine. However, I mentioned that he could be experiencing demon activity, and he seemed to be extremely defensive and after the event he took longer to answer the questions." Katrina tilts her head to one side flipping her hair over her shoulder.

"Could be he knows that and is trying to distance his self."

"Yeah, you don't actually think he's taking part in some kind of demon worship, do you?" Serge asks and I shake my head forcing him to move over so I can sit down. Grudgingly, he moves over and the pout on his face makes me laugh which immediately seems to lift the atmosphere. I finish filling the team in and they all agree that that's a reasonable time. Now the only question is: what is it that A.J. is trying to hide from us?

Alright! So, first chapter of my first Paranormal State fic. Like it? Hate it? Don't Care? Whatever. Give me some kind of feedback on this. Even if it's just one word or a flame. Oh yea, just to let you know, since I hate flames in general to begin with, it will be kindly deleted and ignored. So, give me something to know if I should continue it or not.

About the phone conversation, well...I wasn't expecting it to drag out that far, but I reasoned it shouldn't be cut because Ryan asks some pretty important questions that will drive this story on. Also, more of Serge and the others in the next chapter! Thanks for reading and please do review. Greatly appreciated.

First PS timer,

ferret nin