Chapter 6

I drove for hours to get to my childhood home. Our suburban home was enormous and in a pleasant area, Wneebeach Springs. My younger sister Mia still lived there with Mom. I probably would have never left if it weren’t for my job in the city. 

The city of Bamcaster was as big as my dreams. My ultimate goal was to make it as a full-time fiction writer. I would have ditched an undergraduate program in creative writing to pursue my dreams earlier if it weren’t for my dad. He had pushed me to get a professional degree. He had promised me to take care of all my financial needs for as long as it took to achieve my dream.

My dad was a dreamer. He didn’t believe in letting any of his loved one’s dreams die.

I didn't plan on burdening him for years while I struggled as a writer, but it was nice to know I could rely on someone who truly believed in me.

A tear rolled down my cheek, standing at the door of my late father’s home. He was my rock, and what I wouldn’t give to have him back in my life.

The door opened suddenly, and I wiped the tears off my face with a sleeve. It was my sister Mia. 

“Cassidy!” Mia hugged me. “I am so glad you’re here.

I hugged her back. “It’s nice seeing you, too.” 

I pushed her back to take a good at her. There was a sizeable scratch mark on her freckled cheek. A dark bruise was slightly peaking through her bangs. The demons haunting her were becoming more aggressive with time. Her pretty blonde hair, dark expressive eyes, and cute face couldn’t hide the life being sucked out of her by those evil leeches. Even her body looked a lot frailer than before. 

“Mia, are they hurting you more?” I asked.

Mia put her hand on her forehead. “It’s nothing. Don’t worry. Mom has a plan. Come inside now.”

I entered the house to find my Mom dancing towards me with her arms spread in the air. She squeezed me in a long hug. “Oh, my baby. I have missed you so much. You made it before your brother.”

“I missed you too, Mom, but getting here before Jack isn't an achievement. He is always late,” I said.

“Yes, a hospital is the first home to the doctors. He already texted me saying he would arrive tomorrow,” said Mom.

The last time I saw Mom, she was distraught. Only words of fear, sadness, anxiety, and danger would come out of her mouth. I wonder what changed in a few days to put some hope back in her life.

“Mom, I want to know what changed?” I asked. “What is your plan?”

 “Come and sit, love,” said Mom, directing me to the spacious living room.

As we settled on the sofa, I patiently awaited my mother to reveal every word of her master plan.

“Mia, would you be a darling and bring something to drink for your sister?” My mom said to my sister.

“Mom. Speak now. I want to know,” I said.

“I have found the exact location of your aunt. She is living in her husband’s manor with him in a small town. Her satanist lover is the mayor there,” said my mother.

“And? How are you planning to get them in prison?” I asked.

“I have some dirt on them. A few residents of their town are willing to sell them out as long as we keep their identities secret,” Mom answered enthusiastically.

“What dirt? Isn’t it possible that those residents are trying to defame them with lies?” I asked.

“Cassidy!” Mom exclaimed. “Do you think I am saying all that only based on a few strangers? Well, if it helps, your father was the one who learned about his sister’s illegal businesses through a private investigator. He never found much evidence that could be useful in court, but now someone is ready to speak about it.”

“How did you talk to those people? Did you visit that town?” I asked.

“No, I contacted them online. I joined their secret F******k group,” she answered.

“Okay,” I said.

“What? Are you doubting me now? I know your father was the one you trusted more, but I am not an enemy of the family, either. What else can we do, Cassidy? We can only stop those voodoo killers by putting them in jail. It’s the only way. I have tried everything spiritual or religion-related. Tell me what else we can do?” Mom’s positive energy shifted into a chaotic rage.

Mom was right. Not even the Incubus could help us get rid of our Satanist relatives. Her plan made more sense than mine. 

“I am not doubting you, Mom,” I began, “I am scared for our family. Everything feels like a trap. I want us to be out of this mess before….”

“Don’t say it, love,” Mom cut me off. “We’ll all be alright. God is on our side. Satan is powerless before him.”

Mom sat next to me and took my hands in hers. We're all headed there tomorrow to speak with those individuals. It’ll all end soon.”

“Tomorrow?” I jumped. “You didn’t tell me before coming here. I had some important plans for tomorrow.” 

“What plans? What is more important than your family to you?” Mom asked.

I lowered my head. “Nothing. I’ll move those plans to another weekend. Don’t worry about it.”

The corners of Mom’s mouth lifted. “If those plans don’t include a mystery man, I might have something here to help you take your mind off the stressful events.”

I raised an eyebrow. “What is that?”

“Mason is back in town. He came asking about you a few days ago. And from what I know, he is very much single.”

“What!” My face lit up. I couldn’t believe it. Mason Rivera was back, and he specifically came asking for me!

Who was he? The question should be, what wasn’t he? 

He was my high school crush and the most perfect guy ever. 

His popularity through all four years of school was something else. He was the perfect blend of all the good qualities a teenage girl could ask for. That boy was nerdy enough to get good grades and had the body of a jock. 

One quality that attracted me to him the most was his kind nature. He wasn’t a jerk to anyone and cared deeply about others.

He and I were good friends, but he always had a girlfriend. It was mostly my fault, as I was too shy and the other girls weren’t.

“Cassidy, what are you doing? You should call that boy right away,” said Mom.

“Uh, I am not sure if I have his number anymore,” I said, pretending to look at my phone. It was a white lie to not look desperate before Mom and Mia. I would never delete his number.  

“You should look,” said Mom. “He requested me to tell you to call him. His old number is still active.”

“Mom! You keep revealing new information to me with each passing moment. Did he say anything else about me?” I asked.

“He asked me how you were doing and where you are,” said Mom.

I couldn’t help but smile. He was definitely taking a romantic interest in me.

My eager hands unlocked my phone to dial his number. Just as I was about to hit the call button, a message from Elaine popped up.

 Elaine’s text:

Cassidy, I think somewhere past 5 in the evening works for me tomorrow. Mike and I had plans, but it’s best not to delay the seance. After initial contact, it is never a good idea to hang a sex spirit.

I put my phone away from mom’s prying eyes. 

“Uh, I also have a message from work. I better go upstairs to call my boss, and then I can call Mason afterward,” I said.

Mom gave me the green light, and I hurried upstairs.

In my childhood room, the furniture was all still in place, but I had put all my stuff in boxes and placed them in the attic. I didn’t want my stuff to collect dust, as no one had the energy to clean it properly after Dad’s passing.

“Hey Elaine,” I got on a call with her once I was in my old bedroom. "I appreciate you taking the time out of your busy schedule to speak with me. You shouldn’t cancel your plan with Mike tomorrow. Actually, Mom needs me, and I’ll be at her place for the entire weekend. We can hold the seance on some other day, can’t we?”

“I understand your family needs you for now, but you really shouldn’t delay it further. It can cause problems for you,” Elaine replied.

Isn't the plan to sign the contract with the spirit? If it hasn't been signed yet, why would there be a problem? Could the consequences of a delay be fatal? If not, I can endure anything else.”

“Cassidy!” I heard my name from behind.

I looked at the door and saw Mom fuming with anger. “Who the hell are you talking to?” she yelled.

Oh boy, oh boy, I was in big trouble.