The Everett Exorcism

"Come out, come out, wherever you are!"

Father Paladina knelt in his uncomfortable position beneath the staircase, eyes closed and struggling to control his breathing. Each gasp tore out of him like a snapping branch, and he couldn't fight down an occasional sob of terror. His pulse hammered in his ears. His veins were about to burst open.

"I can smell you, Priest. I know you didn't run far. Where are you?"

The voice came from upstairs in the local priest's office. Niccolo's pulse hammered so hard his vision pulsed with it. Nausea churned in his stomach, every muscle locked tight. His body shook, and bile rose in his throat.

"We both know how this will end. If you come out now, I'll do it quick. If you make me come and find you, though …"

Niccolo struggled to control his breathing as hot tears ran down his cheeks. He reached into his front-right pocket for the single item he kept there. His rosary, which he held between his fingers and pressed against his lips, praying as hard as he could for the strength to deal with whatever was happening to him.

Not to overcome it, though. Part of him—if he were honest, a large part—was certain he was about to die alone in this church, and the only thing he prayed for was the strength to die well.

After all, right now, not only his life hung in the balance: so did his everlasting soul.

"This basement has no exits. I know this church. This is my church. Not yours," the man—if still a man—said from just upstairs. "I never thought I would actually get to kill a priest here. This is delightful!"

*What is he waiting for?* Niccolo's hands trembled against the rosary. Tim Spencer—or whatever controlled him—enjoyed taking his time. Every muscle in Niccolo's body ached, and he had to fight to keep from sobbing. *Why is he doing this? Why is he waiting up there?*

He'd been hiding under the stairs forever—or less than a minute. Time had lost all meaning.

"We're having fun, aren't we, Priest?" Tim asked.

Niccolo couldn't contain a shudder, and the movement bumped his shoulder against one of the boxes behind him. The noise wasn't loud, but in the stillness of the basement it rumbled like an explosion.

His pursuer gave no sign. Tim hummed to himself as he took his first step down the staircase. It creaked heavily underfoot, and Father Paladina winced as dust drifted onto his head.

Another step; the boot on the stairs landed like a nail in a coffin lid. Tim kept on coming, humming a tuneless tone, until muddy boots came into view a foot from Niccolo's face.

"Priest? You know I'll find you. You can't hide from me."

Niccolo's whole body trembled. The man had called it true. His hiding place offered nothing—weak, pathetic, exposed. As soon as Tim reached the bottom of the staircase, he would spot Niccolo. The priest had backed himself into a corner and had nowhere to go.

He shouldn't have stayed here at Saint Joseph's Cathedral alone. Should have gone with Father Reynolds to his home; splitting up had been a terrible idea, and one that might cost him his life.

Father Reynolds's life, too. The thought struck like a fist. Jackson had gone home, but no doubt whoever had sent this creature after Niccolo had gone after him as well. Father Paladina hadn't warned his friend of the danger. He regretted that, now. Jackson had no way of defending himself and no idea what was coming. Niccolo had led him like a lamb to the slaughter.

Tim Spencer reached the bottom step. Niccolo had a clear view of his back through the gap in the risers. Nowhere to run. No way out. It was over. He was about to die.

He should at least face his death head-on.

As a servant of God.