Nathan and Josslyn switched the TV to video mode, turned on the VP, and spoke with Pastor Alex via the relay operator, also known as a sign-language interpreter, who appeared on the monitor. Nathan and Josslyn explained the situation in detail.
“William and I can come out this afternoon about 1:30,” the relay operator interpreted.
“Perfect,” Josslyn signed. “We’ll be here. We’re looking forward to seeing you then. Thanks.”
Next, they called Evan to ask if he would be available to interpret for them. He said yes.
The Bryants waved hello to Pastors Alex and William as they drove up in their two-door Chrysler sedan.
“Good afternoon,” Alex said with an outstretched arm.
Evan interpreted the greeting to the Bryants. “Hi, I’m Evan, a close friend of the family, and I will be interpreting for them.”
“Great,” Alex said.
Josslyn and Nathan shook the pastors’ hands.
“Thank you for coming,” Josslyn signed as Evan translated for Alex and William. “Please come in.”
They walked through the clean living room and dining room into the kitchen.
“Please forgive the mess,” Josslyn signed. “It must have known you were coming after Nathan and I called you, so it did this. We’re still cleaning up in here.”
“I took some pictures that I would like to show you,” Caden signed. He pulled out his smartphone from his rear pants pocket and showed Alex and William pictures and video of the inhuman footprint.
Next, Alex and William saw the various colors of paint splattered on the walls. They took in the intricate details of paint in arcs with elongated teeth-like spatter that extended from them.
“What I’m seeing here is a case of spiritual warfare,” Alex said. “There is a spiritual conflict going on in this world, between the Lord and the devil, and we’re right in the middle of it.”
William opened the Bible and turned to Psalm 23. “We’re going to read Scripture, then say the Lord’s prayer afterward. ‘The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.’”
“In Jesus’s mighty name, amen,” Alex said.
“Amen,” the Bryants signed.
“Now, let us pray,” William said. “Our Father, which art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.”
“Amen,” the Bryants signed.
“God be with you,” Alex said as he walked toward the front door with William by his side, “and God bless you.”
“Thank you for having us here,” William said.
“Is that all?” Josslyn signed, befuddled. “Is there anything else you can do?”
“I’m sorry,” Alex said as he shook his head. “There’s nothing more we can do for you.”
Josslyn, Nathan, Caden, Trina, and even Evan were stunned and aghast with disbelief.
“But . . . you’re Christians,” Nathan signed. “You have the power of Christ with you.”
“We’re also prayer warriors,” Alex said as he stepped out the front door onto the porch. “I think you’re going to need a lot more than two prayer warriors. I’m very sorry. We must go now. Have a good day.”
“Goodbye,” William said.
They walked down the path to their car, where they got in and drove off.
“I can’t believe this,” Josslyn signed, still stunned. “They left us out to dry!”
“I’m just as shocked as you are,” Evan said.
“They’re Christians,” Nathan signed, confused and frustrated. He fumed with anger as well. “They have the power of Christ with them! Even one Roman Catholic exorcist can get rid of evil spirits, yet these two pastors—prayer warriors—can’t do anything? How many more prayer warriors do we need to get rid of this thing?”
“I noticed the look of fear in their eyes,” Trina signed.
“I second that,” Caden signed with a nod. “They did seem pretty nervous after seeing all that in the kitchen and the den.”
“Cowards!” Josslyn signed. “Unbelievable, gutless, spineless, yellow-bellied, chicken-hearted wimps! Oh, Lord, forgive me. I know I shouldn’t be passing judgment, especially on those two pastors. I’m just so . . . upset and confused.” She wiped tears from her cheeks and sniffled a couple of times.
Nathan pulled Josslyn toward him, embraced her, and planted a kiss on her forehead.
“What do we do now?” More tears welled up in Josslyn’s eyes. “How do we deal with this thing? I get so scared, sometimes.”
“Same here, Mom,” Trina signed as she heaved a sob.
“It does have a rather unfair advantage over us,” Caden signed, angry and frustrated. “We can’t see it and we can’t hear it.”
“I think that’s what makes this whole experience all the more frightening,” Evan said.
“That makes me fear for our pets, too,” Trina signed.
“Now we know why the neighbors and people strolling by avoid walking in front of our house,” Nathan signed. “They know this house is haunted by an evil spirit.”
The thought of something bad happening to Maddie struck a chord in Josslyn’s heart. She could feel the icy tentacles of fear spread outward from the middle of her chest.
“I’m afraid it’s only going to get worse,” Josslyn signed, “now that we let in a couple of pastors. It will provoke this evil spirit.”
Nathan stroked the back of Josslyn’s head and held her. “Sshhhh. Don’t talk like that. Don’t say anything. It would only encourage it to do more harm and damage. We’ll just have to pray and place our faith and trust in the Lord.”
Josslyn nodded in agreement. Although, in her mind, she thought it would be a difficult challenge to do just that while they tried to battle wits with an invisible and malicious enemy.