The following day, Ms. McOlsen called in a priest, just like she said. Although I thought the idea was stupid, my aunt told me we best just stay out of the way. Easy for her to say. She didn't have to stay up half the night trying to calm a raging LJ that wanted nothing more than to rip Ms. McOlsen's limbs off and beat her like a piñata. I'm surprised I left with no bruises this time.
The priest came in, blessed the house, and then tried to talk with Cory. Key word: Tried. He came within two yards of the kid and froze. When Ms. McOlsen asked him what was wrong, he said he had to leave. There was a malevolent force that did not want him there and there was nothing he could do about it. I almost laughed at Ms. McOlsen's shocked look as she turned to look at Cory, who flinched under her gaze. I almost regretted talking LJ out of beating her to a bloody pulp.
Almost.
"Ms. McOlsen, please-" My aunt tried once again, being cut off once more.
" No!" She snapped. " I've had enough of you and your niece. I will find other ways to banish this demon!" And she stomped off, probably to go call someone else to help her. I snorted and shook my head.
" What a witch." I muttered, crossing my arms. Cory looked at me, fear evident in his eyes.
" Allie…?" He asked softly and I raised a brow at him.
" Yeah, what's up?" I replied, ruffling his hair a bit. He smiled a tad, trying to smooth back his hair.
" …they won't really get rid of Jack, will they?" He inquired. I blinked and stared at the little boy beside me.
"…nah." I told him. " It'll take a lot more than that to get rid of LJ. He's your buddy, he ain't going nowhere, okay?" Cory smiled wider and nodded, seeming satisfied with my answer. I grinned at the little boy as he waved goodbye and ran off excitedly.
" Well, this isn't going as planned, huh?" I turned and looked at my aunt, who gave me a small smile. I snorted.
" Whatever gave you that idea?" I asked sarcastically. " Next thing you know, she's gonna get the whole town to chase us with pitchforks." My aunt laughed lightly.
" Don't worry, Allie." She assured, patting my shoulder gently. " Things will turn around."
" How can you be so sure?" I muttered, crossing my arms in irritation. My aunt winked and started walking away.
" I've been doing this for years, Allie," She reminded. " This isn't the first time a client snapped at me for 'not doing my job'. Have a little patience and things will smooth themselves out." I huffed, rolling my eyes and mumbled to myself.
0o0o0o0o0o
" I heard she called a demonologist."
" What's a demonologist?"
" It's someone who studies demons, dum dum!"
" What're they gonna do? Talk to the demon? Use psychology?"
I groaned and rubbed my temple. The whole orphanage was buzzing about Ms. McOlsen's latest plan to get rid of 'the demon'. Even though said 'demon' wasn't a demon at all. Just an entity that could pretty much do whatever the hell he wanted.
" Allie?" I looked over at Cory, who gazed at me with worry.
" Yeah, 'sup?" I asked, resting my head in my hand as I blinked at the kid. He fidgeted nervously before speaking up.
" D-Do you think this demonologist is gonna hurt Jack?" He asked me, eyes wide with concern. I frowned in thought, pondering my answer.
" To be honest with you, I'm not sure…" I muttered. " I don't think he can, but it all depends. If he's anything like Ms. McOlsen, then I'd watch out." Cory's bottom lip quivered and I felt immediately guilty, reaching out and patting the boy on the shoulder.
" Come on, Cory." I tried. " Jack's a strong, guy. He can take care of himself. I'm sure he's not gonna let some hothead try and hurt him, okay?" Cory looked at me, studying my face for a moment before nodding slowly.
" Okay…" He muttered, looking up at his invisible friend before laughing at whatever the entity said. Or did. The guy was pretty unpredictable.
I smiled at the little boy beside me as my thoughts began to wander once more. Demonologist, huh? Let's see what the guy was made of.
0o0o0o0o0o
I stood next to my aunt, arms crossed and brows furrowed. I didn't understand why I had to be there, but apparently Ms. McOlsen wanted both my aunt and I to see this guy in person.
After what seemed like an eternity, the guy finally showed up. His dark hair was styled back as he stared at us with dark green eyes. He dressed very modern in a plain white t-shirt and faded jeans complete with some scuffed sneakers.
" Is this the place?" He asked boredly and I felt my blood boil. Oh, great. Someone who thought they were all that and a fricking bag of chips.
" Yes! Please, come this way and I will explain the situation…" Ms. McOlsen greeted and started ushering the man into the orphanage. He started following her when he paused and stared down at me.
" …You look familiar." He muttered, squinting at me. I hardened my glare at the man, snorting in irritation.
" Oh really?" I mocked. " You look like a douche."
" Allie-" My aunt scolded and I huffed, turning my head away and glaring a hole into the floor. This only seemed to fuel the fire as the demonologist smiled.
" Yeah, you're that kid that went missing with your sister six years ago…" He mused, looking pretty damn sure of himself. I stiffened, my eyes widening for a split second as memories began to try and resurface. I shoved all my thoughts down and glared back at the man in front of us. He just laughed at my glare, eyes narrowing at me in thought.
" Disappeared with your little sister, age of four, and showed up at a hospital in the east coast a week later with enough blood loss to put yourself in a coma. Yet, you were up and at 'em in no less than three days." He sneered, studying me. " What happened? I know it wasn't no 'kidnapper' like you said before."
" It's none of your fucking business." I snarled, turning on my heel and quickly leaving the room. I wasn't about to sit there and let him talk down to me like that. Nor was I going to let him bring up unwanted memories just to get some stupid satisfaction.
I vaguely heard my aunt calling out to me, but I was so pissed off I didn't respond as I headed outside to get some fresh air and to get away from that asshole. Screwing my eyes shut, flashes from the past burned under my eyelids. I grinded my teeth together and tried once again to banish the thoughts from my mind, but everything that demonologist said kept on repeating itself.
I yelled out and threw a fist, hitting the nearest tree. Pain flared in my knuckles, but it couldn't compare to the burning rage I felt coursing through me at that moment.
" Allie?" I turned and saw Cory staring at me, eyes wide. I blinked and lowered my fist.
" Yeah, what's up?" I greeted, flexing my fingers as they felt a bit numb from stupidly punching a tree.
" Are you okay?" He asked timidly. I let out a dry laugh.
" Yeah… just a bit irritated is all." I muttered, glaring at the tree. " Nothing serious."
" Oh, why?" He murmured and I sat down, leaning against the tree.
" You know, just an annoying person asking the wrong questions." I replied. Cory nodded and sat beside me, picking at the grass.
" Is he the demonologist guy?" The small boy asked and I nodded.
" Yeah. He's a jerk." I told him. " He thinks he knows everything. Don't talk to him Cory, it ain't worth it."
" But Ms. McOlsen will make me talk with him…" Cory pointed out sadly. " She think's Jack is the devil."
" Yeah, well, he's more of a saint than she is." I retorted with a snort, causing the boy to giggle. We were interrupted by approaching foot falls as Ms. McOlsen stared at the two of us.
" Cory, I need you to come with me." She said stiffly. Cory nodded, getting up and I followed to go with, but the old bat glared at me harshly. " You are not required to be at this meeting."
" So you can traumatize the kid more? Screw that, lady, I'm going." I countered, returning the glare. Ms. McOlsen huffed at my behavior, but didn't argue further as we headed back inside to talk with the demonologist.
