Dusk passed and turned into twilight.
The Bryants stayed together in the master bedroom while Josslyn and Nathan packed their clothes. This way, they could watch over one another and be protected, should anything unforeseen happen. They abided by the motto, “The family that prays together stays together.”
Josslyn looked up and stared at one wall for a moment. She flapped her hand to get Nathan's attention and pointed to the wall.
Caden and Trina followed Nathan's gaze.
They all felt as if their souls had left their body.
The wooden cross was upside down and colored black. Blood trickled in little droplets that splattered on the hardwood floor every ten seconds.
Nathan approached the cross and raised a hand to touch it. It was moist to the touch. The sticky red liquid could be seen on his fingers. He rubbed the cross with his index and middle fingers and peered at his fingers. The black substance was something like soot. He pulled the cross off the wall and went into the bathroom to run it under warm water and wash it with soap. The blood and soot washed away, revealing the wood underneath. He turned off the faucet and towel-dried the cross. He laid it on the counter adjacent to the sink, then went back into the bedroom.
Nathan and Josslyn finished packing and pulled out suitcases for Caden and Trina.
“Put some of your clothes and bathroom accessories in the suitcases,” Nathan signed to Caden.
Caden and Trina went to her bedroom first and packed some clothes for her. Then they went to Caden’s bedroom and did the same for him.
Josslyn carried Maddie in one arm as she held her purse in her free hand.
“Ready?” Nathan signed.
Josslyn, Caden, and Trina nodded.
“Let’s go,” Nathan signed. He led his family out the door of the master bedroom and into the hall.
They went down the hall to the top of the stairs and saw that the ground floor was dark except for a lone lamp in the living room. They went down the stairs and stopped halfway.
The cross on the living room wall was also upside down. It had been covered with soot and dripped with blood.
The living room was covered with newspapers, either balled-up or flat. Streams of toilet paper were lodged in the central air and heating vents in the ceiling. It was the same way in the study, kitchen, and dining room.
Caden stared at all the newspapers in the living room, mystified. “What’s with the newspapers, paper towels, and toilet paper? That’s a lot of paper.”
Trina craned her neck to peer into the dining room. “Where did they come from?”
“These are the newspapers we used to wrap things with when we moved here six months ago,” Josslyn signed. “I had saved them and put them in boxes in the den.” Josslyn’s expression registered understanding. “Do you realize what this means, Nathan? The demon is attempting to burn down the house! The griddle with the burning newspapers in the hall outside our bedroom door was a hint! It wants to burn down our house and kill us! Even the baby! This is the last straw!”
Josslyn ran through the living room and turned on the recessed lighting and the remaining lamps.
Nathan went into the dining room. “Turn on all the lights in the study, the kitchen, and the den, too!” he signed to Caden and Trina. “Do it now!”
They turned on all the lights and lamps, then converged in the living room and began to pick up and pull down all the newspapers, toilet paper, and paper towels and throw them in the trash.
Now that they saw what the evil spirit could do to their house and their lives, they were afraid to leave.
“We’re gonna have to stay,” Nathan signed. “If we leave, it could very well set the house on fire while we're gone. I’m gonna call my parents and let them know we’re going to have the kids stay with them.” He sat on the couch and turned on the TV and VP to call his parents.
Trina’s lower lip quivered from fright. “I’m so scared,” she signed, then sobbed and buried her face in her hands.
Josslyn went to Trina and embraced her.
“I’m scared, too,” Caden signed.
“Come here,” Josslyn signed as she beckoned with an outstretched hand.
Caden went to Josslyn and embraced both her and Trina.
“Listen to me.” Josslyn pulled back from the embrace. “We’ll be all right. We just have to be strong, have faith and pray, and know that we can beat this thing. This thing cannot beat us, it cannot win. It’s not in the cards. God is the ultimate victor. We have to remain steadfast in our faith through Jesus.”
Caden and Trina nodded in agreement.
“After your father drops you off at Grandma and Grandpa's place, your father and I will take turns staying on watch to make sure the house is safe. The group from the Skylar and Associates Paranormal Research Institute will be here tomorrow. They’ll be able to help us.”