Chapter Five

CeeCee Webb's point of view

"CeeCee, wake up!" I heard someone call my name. I opened my eyes and tried to see but I'm blinded by the white light. I can't remember how, I can't remember why, I'm lying here, tonight.

"Where am I? What happened?" I asked.

"You fell off the window, CeeCee. Good thing Jesse was there to catch you." Father Dom said.

I blushed. I bet Jesse must be suffering extreme arm muscle cramp. I cleared my throat. "Anyway, what's the plan?"

"We're going back to the past," Jesse said. "Father Dominic and I. The night when Slater was going to exorcise Susannah. We'll try to stop him."

"What about me?" I asked.

"Sorry about that, but you're not a mediator, Ms. Webb." Father Dom said. "Therefore, you will not return with us. If our plan succeeds, you will have no recollections of ever knowing about mediators and such."

I felt hurt. I mean, after carefully memorising facts aBout mediators, I was going to forget about them? That's not fair.

"Can I watch you?" I asked.

Father Dom nodded. "We're going to have to go to Slater's room. In that time, he will just be going to exorcise Susannah. Jesse will overpower him and therefore rescue Susannah from her fate."

I gaped at him. Paul's house? It won't be easy at all. Jesse maybe be strong, but he's lighter than Paul. Still, if anything, I would help.

"OK, then. See you there tonight." I slipped out of Father Dom's car and into my front porch.

"Shh," Jesse put a finger to his lips as he beckoned for me to stand watch outside as he and Father Dom sneak in. It was two in the morning, and Paul was snoring in his bed. Apparently he did not know that I know about why he got Suze's home-made bracelet. Maybe he thought I just wanted a souvenir.

Father Dom and Jesse held hands, and then thought deeply of the Monday morning when Suze was walking in the corridors with me. And imagining what Slater was doing. Maybe placing Gina's bracelet in the middle of a circle surrounded by candles.

In the midst of their silence, I jumped forward and grabbed

Jesse's cuff just as our surroundings blurred. The night shifted into day, and Paul was looking up at us, shocked.

Jesse immediately lunged for Paul. Paul realised that we must have come from the future, since he began to tackle Jesse back. He grinned, grabbed a pocketknife on his table, and charged at Jesse. Jesse deftly moved out of the way, and Paul came knocking into me.

Paul took the chance to place the knife around my neck. "Don't move, or she dies."

I looked at the ceiling. The one time I was close to a guy who wasn't Adam, it was someone who is holding me hostage. Am I that unattractive or what?
"CeeCee, why did you follow us?" Father Dom demanded.

"I'm sorry," I choked. Paul was strangling me.

"Get back to your time!" Paul ordered. "Leave her here so I can keep an eye on her. Leave me alone to finish the exorcism."

I took a deep breath. CeeCee, here's your chance to show that you are assertive, I thought as I suddenly slam back with all my strength, with my elbow in Paul's stomach.

Paul groaned and released me. I spun around and kicked him between the legs.

"Aaaaarggh!" Paul screamed.

I grabbed a candle and threatened to flung it at him. He immediately moved away from me.

Jesse pocked Gina's necklace, smiled at Paul triumphantly, and shifted away. Or was about to. In any case, when I turn around to join them, Paul slammed the hilt of his penknife into my head, and I blacked out.

I think I'm dead.