Elliot held the crucifix as he went up the stairs. When they asked the man why they would need it, he told them to look through a door in the attic. They were uneasy, but far too intrigued to back out.
"Here it is." Elliot said, gesturing toward the door. He placed a hand on the knob and swung it open. There was a dusty trunk. He pulled it out and unlocked the rusted hinges.
They gasped as it opened. Pentagrams, black candles, vials of powder, a dusty old book…
"These guys were Satanists?" Fin asked in disbelief.
John nodded. "They are all ingredients for the black mass."
They all turned to him. "How the hell do you know that?"
"Remember that Satanism scare in the 90s? I was about to join SVU and I read into it to see what it was all about. The black mass is the exact opposite of a Catholic mass, although different groups go to different extremes. Some just chant and light candles, while others drink animal blood and have orgies at an altar."
He reached inside and found a necklace with a silver snake pendant. "The Satanists revere the serpent, because they feel it is he who unleashed knowledge on the world. I think we needed the cross for our own protection…this house may be possessed."
Olivia shared an uneasy look with Casey. "What can we do?" Cragen asked.
"I don't think we have much to fear." Elliot said. "It's just noises, we don't need an exorcism or anything…I mean, they haven't turned violent-"
Fin howled in pain. John turned to him immediately, concern written all over his face. "Fin! What is it?"
He held out his hand. "I touched the…pentagram…" There was a burn mark on his palm.
John started to shake. "This is not good. The spirits are angry."
Elliot stood up. "Hey! I never put much stock into ghosts outside my church, but if you're there, give us a sign! Move something! Say something!"
John shook his head. "The ghost won't talk to us. Here, let me try." He stood up.
"Uh…I don't know who you are, but I'm going to ask some yes or no questions, okay? How about one thunk for yes, two for no, okay?"
THUNK.
They all looked to John in utter shock and amazement. John swallowed.
"Are you the owners of this house?"
THUNK.
"Are you mad at us?"
THUNK.
John swallowed again. "Did you own a slave by the name of Tutuola?"
THUNK.
John looked to Fin, who seemed oddly calm. He stood up and whispered something into John's ear. John cleared his throat.
"Do you know that this may be his ancestor?" He gestured to Fin.
THUNK.
John sighed. "Can you talk?"
THUNK. John looked up, surprised.
"Will you?"
There was silence, then a slight whooshing noise came through the attic. A chill fell over all of them as a deep voice spoke:
"You cannot leave."
John trembled violently at the voice and collapsed into Fin's arms, who was about ready to run off screaming.
They made a hasty exit of the attic, but when they went downstairs to leave, the doors were locked.
-TO BE CONTINUED-