― Arjan Singh
I'm alone in my darkened condo surrounded by shadowy figures whispering and chanting the same word―enticed.
I'm so paralyzed by fear I can hardly breathe.
It all seems surreal as the whispered chants blend into a fugue reminiscent of mediaeval monks repeating prayers at Vespers, but this chant is far from sacred―it's sinister, unholy and threatening.
One of the voices rises above the others and commands, Show him the phantasmagoric visions and as if on cue a yellow. sickly light fills the room seeming to emanate from the dark forms now pressing in towards me.
But just when I feel the crushing weight of the throng start to pin me to the floor, the shapes vanish and I'm left grasping for the couch and gasping for air.
It takes me several minutes before my breathing slows and my shaking subsides enough so I can reach up and turn on a table lamp.
What the hell is happening? I muse as I get up off the rug and sit back on the couch.
The room has returned to normal and appears completely ordinary, but I'm far from being reassured. All I know is that I have to get out of my apartment.
I grab my car keys and drive to a nearby Tim Horton's coffee shop that is open all night.
The familiar surroundings and the comforting aroma of fresh coffee restores my spirits and I order cheese croissants and blackberry jam as well even though I'm not especially hungry.
Somehow the ritual of eating and drinking consoles me and enables me to think clearly and devise a plan.
I make up my mind to not return to my condo tonight and text Father Breton and describe what happened to me.
I don't expect a reply at 4 am but surprisingly he texts back almost immediately and offers to see me at his office in the university. I immediately agree.
I had been reluctant to see an exorcist, but now jumped at the chance to get help and some kind of counselling that would allow me to feel safe in my own home.
I still shivered, however, when I pictured being held hostage to the devil in my own living room.
One thing I knew for certain, I would never again allow Victoria Mercer to get a foothold in my life, even if it meant leaving the university.
I never wanted to experience that terror again and I’d do anything to assure that I’d never again be in her presence.