―M. Scott Peck
It was a sunny, crisp, windless day when I was making my way across campus.
The winter sun was low in the sky and the light dazzling as I crossed the quadrangle making my way to St. George Street and Robert Malachi's office located in an old Victorian house set back from the street.
It's not every day one meets an exorcist and I had no idea what to expect.
"Martin says you like coffee," the older man said, handing me a steaming mug.
"It smells delicious," I smiled, glancing at the book-lined walls―an office not unlike my own at Victoria College.
"I'm not a cleric," he laughed following my gaze, "I'm a psychologist much like Martin although more in the mould of M. Scott Peck. Do you know him?"
I nodded as I sipped the warm brew. "I've read a few of his books. I like his approach."
"Well, if you think Peck's sane, you'll probably find me equally balanced. There'll be no bell, book or candle. I work from a clinical perspective."
"Good to hear," I said, inwardly feeling relieved.
"You know, Gray, the concept of evil has been largely ignored by psychology and thought more the province of religion as though the two were intrinsically at odds, but I don't see the two disciplines immiscible as oil and water but complementary―I believe each can profit from the other."
" Well, I read Peck's Road Less Travelled and People of the Lie, so I'm inclined to agree. You won't get an argument from me."
"Good," he smiled. "Now Martin tells me you've had some disquieting experiences, so forgive me if my questions seem intrusive. I don't intend to pry but I need to see exactly what we're dealing with."
"Of course, I've nothing to hide and I'm eager to find out myself."
"This girl that's been appearing to you and troubling your dreams―do you find her attractive?"
"Very much so―I'm afraid I've noticed her and may have encouraged some interest on her part."
"I see," he frowned, writing an entry in a small notepad.
"I thought so based on what Martin related to me."
I felt strangely defensive and found myself excusing my interest.
"It wasn't anything torrid―she's extremely beautiful and of course, I happened to notice."
"That's interesting, Gray―your passivity. You excuse it but you don't seem to grasp the fact that Martin sent you to me because your case exhibits many earmarks of demonization. The etymology of the word itself literally implies a demon caused passivity."
"Oh, really?" I replied hotly. "You're telling me I'm responsible for this oppression?"
"I'm telling you that you're yielding ground to it. When you awoke from your erotic dream, you continued to prolong it by lucidly dreaming. Your tongue just didn't accidentally find itself in this girl's mouth―you chose that and worse could have occurred. Having sex with demons leads to demonic bondage―it's a phenomenon called transference of spirit."
Robert's rebuttal was like a slap in the face but it jarred me out of my complacency and I got scared.
"Am I in real trouble here?" I croaked.
Robert shrugged. "You are unless you acknowledge that this isn't an ordinary romantic encounter or even a normal sexual attraction. Based on what Martin told me this girl exhibits powers of hyperaesthesia and clairvoyance and the ability to astral project and manifest in your bedroom. Not exactly run of the mill dating, my friend."
I was numb almost unable to speak. "Wha..what do you suggest?"
"In a word, resist. Stay completely away and avoid any even chance encounters. Hopefully in time, she'll lose interest and depart. Oh, and don't let down your guard by glancing at her and certainly stop the lucid dreaming."
"Will this work?"
He rose and clapped me on the shoulder encouragingly, "It may take time but it depends on your diligence. Oh, and keep in touch―update me weekly on your progress."
I left with mixed feelings―somewhat hopeful but throughly shaken.