POSSESSED

Chapter 11

Sandra was nervous. On her way home she couldn't get rid of obsessive thoughts. What would mother say? How would she react? Would she even believe her story? The photo she took sure would serve as a proof, but what next? If mother finds out the truth, will the spirit harm her? Sandra was confused and scared. But she had to face the reality and speak to her mother.

When Sandra entered the house, she found her mother in the kitchen with a broom in her hands. Seeing her daughter, Caroline stopped sweeping the floor and looked at her, understanding from her glance that something was not right.

"Sandra, dear, are you alright?"

"Well… not really," the frightened girl replied."

"What happened? You look scared to death." Caroline took Sandra by the shoulders and led into the kitchen to sit down. "You'd better tell me what happened, so we both have an idea of solution."

Sandra swallowed hard and began talking.

"You see, mum… I don't know if you're going to believe me… but I've been followed by a spirit."

"What? A spirit? What do you mean?" Caroline tilted her head.

"I'll show you." Sandra pulled out a photo from her handbag and handled it to mother. "This is it. I've taken this photo today by St. Nicholas church. I borrowed a camera from one couple that makes instant photos, and this is what slid out of it after the picture was taken. So the photo being a fake is out of question."

"What is this?" Caroline studied the photo with her eyes wide open. "You know, it might seem funny, but this thing on the picture looks pretty much like the main character from those old horror movies you and your friends like to watch."

"No, there is nothing funny, and you're absolutely right about it resembling Jason Voorhees," Sandra said, her voice slightly shaking. "It's because now he exists in our world."

"What? Sandra, do you understand what you've just said?" Caroline was more than surprised. "It's a fictional character, a figment of someone's imagination. He can't exist in our world! I've heard people encountering ghosts or something of that kind, and find it much more believable, although I'm still skeptical. But a movie character…"

"Yes, mum, I know it sounds absurd, but that's what going on nonetheless," Sandra sighed. "You see, it's all because many people started believing in him after that franchise came out, combined with belief in the unlucky day of Friday the 13th. And you know how strong human belief can be, especially if a crowd believes in something." Caroline kept silent, looking at her daughter with all her attention. "A day or two after me and my buddies returned from Swartswood Lake something weird began occurring at night. The first time I heard footsteps behind my door, so this is why I left the light in the hallway for the night. And this thing…" Sandra pointed to the figure in a photo "is what Cindy saw when she began yelling her lungs out one night by us. Do you remember when she said she saw a masked man standing in the corner behind the door?" Caroline nodded. "It was him, Jason Voorhees. I assume that it was just a visit of curiosity, just that one time. But after that…" Sandra moved a few strands of hair behind her ears "after that he appeared in my room again, in the same spot; and he communicated with me, although I heard no voices. He made me understand that I had to be quiet and not tell anyone about him, but if I disobeyed, he threatened to harm me."

"What? How?" This time mother widened her eyes in terror.

"By telling me to be quiet I mean he pressed his finger to the spot where his mouth should have been. And the threat looked like him pulling out his machete and making a movement of slitting the throat."

"Jesus Christ…" Caroline said, supporting her head with hands. "Just great. This is exactly what was missing – a threat to my daughter's life from some kind of movie ghoul that somehow became real. Just freaking perfect." All these words were spoken with sarcasm.

"I know, mum. No one could even imagine that something like this would happen," Sandra continued. "But that is not all. On the next day after Cindy saw him I began seeing Jason in the mirror, standing behind my back; but when I turned around, there was nothing. But after he threatened me, I finally decided to go to the church to consult a priest. Today I hoped to speak with Father Torres after the mass at St. Nicholas church, but… Jason didn't let me enter the church."

"How is that?" Caroline wanted to know.

"First of all, whenever he appears, it grows freezing cold. That's what happened when Cindy and I saw him in my room. When he leaves, the coldness goes away. So yeah, when approaching the door of the church I felt this coldness surrounding me. I took my pocket mirror and saw Jason behind me again. I decided to run for it then, but I never got to step into the church. I felt like an invisible hand grabbed me by the throat and started pressing, blocking the flow of air into my lungs. And when I thought that in a moment I would die of suffocation, I felt flying away from the church and landing on asphalted surface. Damn, it was painful… I landed on my back and also hit my elbows, so you see why my skin on these spots is scraped. Luckily, a middle-aged Afro-American couple helped me up. They are husband and wife, Dan and Mary. Dan had a camera that makes instant photos, so I asked him to allow me to take a photo of the church, and he kindly agreed. I said already that the photo slid out of camera at once, and here you see the result." She lifted up the photo with the specter again. Caroline didn't know what to say and grabbed her head in horror.

"Oh my God, Sandra… I don't even know what to do about this. A priest could really be our hope to get rid of this thing, but it's clearly hostile and doesn't even let you approach the church. I'm afraid it might get worse."

"It might, yes," Sandra sighed sadly. Her mind was still plagued by what Jason Voorhees had made her do today, but not wanting her mother to know the whole truth "I have no idea why he shows so much interest in me and follows me. Neither of my friends is experiencing this; only me. But Dan and Mary might have an idea about how to help me."

"Really? How?"

"Actually, I'm very lucky to find them," Sandra explained. "First of all, both are believers in supernatural, and thus they understood and didn't think that I'm crazy. For non-believers it always will be nothing but craziness. They said they had an unpleasant paranormal experience in their lives, so they are glad to help those who are in trouble. They also said to know a psychic who works in this area and might provide help. To be precise, she might help to find out why this entity is so interested in me and what it wants. This would serve as a starting point so we know what to do and how to make this entity leave me in peace." She then took out a paper with phone numbers and handled it to mother.

"Daniel and Mary Burrows?" Caroline asked, studying the paper. "Well, I hope they know what they talk about, because I see how restless you are recently. You've become pale like death. I don't want that thing ruin your whole life."

"Neither do I," the young woman agreed. "I'm scared, mum, I'm so scared!" At this very moment Sandra jumped from her chair and into mother's embrace. All she needed now is just warmth and a little bit of peace; and Caroline gladly gave it to her.

"Don't worry, sweetheart," she said, caressing her daughter's hair. "Maybe there really is hope. But why didn't you tell me about it earlier, when this devilry started?"

"I don't know… I guess I was afraid that you would think I'm crazy or just imagining things on horror movie basis," Sandra explained. "But now, when I have this photo as a solid proof, I can speak frankly."

"Oh, my dear girl, don't be silly," Caroline said, smiling. "I would never think of you as crazy. Besides, it looks like not only you have seen this thing. Neither do I think that Cindy was imagining things when she saw something in your room. I know that neither you, nor Cindy are susceptible types that have hallucinations after watching a horror movie. I believe you, my dear, do not doubt it. Let's hope we find the help you need against this… whatever this thing is."

"Thank you, mum," Sandra whispered, pressing her face into Caroline's shoulder. "Thanks for believing me. I don't know what I would do if you didn't."

"Come on, we've just discussed it, so let's leave it at that," Mrs. Wilkins calmed her daughter. "Now, show me your elbows. Let's see how bad your injuries are."

Caroline helped Sandra to wash the wounds and bandage them up. Nothing serious, but it still hurt. The impact was strong when she fell on the ground, so for a day or two it still might hurt, but then it will all be over when the wounds heal. And right when the cleaning and bandaging process was complete, Sandra's cell phone suddenly rang. She picked it up and checked who it was. The screen clearly showed the name of Mary Burrows.

"Oh, Mary is calling," Sandra said. "I'm a bit surprised that they would get back to me so fast." She answered the call then.

"Hello, this is Sandra Wilkins speaking."

"Hello there, Sandra, this is Mary," the female voice spoke. "I've got good news for you. Dan and I spoke to Mrs. Joan Henderson, the psychic we told you about. When we told her what happened today at the church, she took this information very seriously. She said also that you might be in great danger, thus she would like to meet you as soon as possible."

Hearing this, Sandra felt glad and frightened at the same time. She was happy that the psychic gladly agreed to meet up with her, but the words about danger made all her insides tremble in fear.

"Really? But what did she mean by this danger?" Sandra asked.

"I don't know, she didn't explain us the details," Mary replied. "She just said that there is the need to act while it's not yet too late. She's returning home late today, so she could meet up with you tomorrow at seven. Would it suit you?"

"Yes, of course," Sandra said with enthusiasm. "Could you please tell me her address?"

"21 Wellington Road. It's a bit outside the center, but in the same city. She lives in a single-floor white house. You'll find it without problems."

"Great, I'll be there at seven then," Sandra said, her mouth stretching in a smile.

"Very well. I'll call her then and say that tomorrow you are coming at seven o'clock in the evening," Mary said. "I hope she can help you to find the exit from this difficult situation."

"I hope so too. Thank you very much for your help, Mary," Sandra said, feeling relieved. "And thank your husband for me as well. I don't know what I would do if it wasn't for you. I'd be grateful eternally."

"It's our pleasure, dear," Mary said. "Whenever you need help or something, do not hesitate to contact us. Have a good evening."

"Thank you once again and good night," Sandra said and put the phone down. Mother heard almost every word of their conversation, and Sandra noticed sparks of hope in her eyes.

"Well, that's a good start," she said. "Let's hope this Joan Henderson helps you."

"I hope so," Sandra pondered loudly. "Mum, may I ask you one favor? Could you please come with me? I'm very afraid that Jason Voorhees might attack me again like he did by the church, not allowing me to find help. Maybe if someone accompanies me, it would be safer for me to go."

"Sure, dear, I'll drive you there," Caroline nodded. "Better be safe than sorry."

"Thank you, mum," the young woman smiled gently. She was glad that at least her mother understood the situation, so one problem less to worry about.

Now the hardest part waited for her. She had to get rid of the malevolent entity known as Jason Voorhees. That won't be easy as he would definitely try to resist and not allow them to achieve their goal.

All the difficulties were still ahead.