Chapter XXIV:

I have seen how this village will be destroyed. I could hear the screaming. Their homes were on fire. Bodies littered the ground. I stepped back shaking my head. No. Not this again. When I looked again, everything looked fine. I didn’t have to ask myself what that was. It was her again. Somehow, I let her back into my head. I slapped myself in the cheeks.

I needed to get to that priest and fast.

I made it to the local church just in time. The priest had just stepped out of the building. I ran over, flagging him down.

“Hey!” I shouted. I ran faster towards him. The priest turned and looked at me. I made it over to him, panting.

“Yes?” he asked. I caught up to him, panting. The older man tilted his head. I held my hand up as I tried to speak.

“Are you feeling ill?” he asked. I shook my head.

“I need help,” I managed to say at last.

“Do you need a doctor?” he asked.

“No!” I practically shouted. The priest blinked at me.

“Uh… okay,” he said. “Come in.”

“Thank you,” I said. I followed him inside.

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“What is one your mind?” he asked. I sat in front of him fighting to keep myself together. If I was going to end this. I needed to do this now.

“I think something evil followed me to this country,” I said.

“How are you sure of this?” he asked.

“There is a woman who follows me around,” I said. “I don’t know what she wants from me. She keeps saying this poem to me about ladybirds flying away home. She also shows me things.”

“Like what?” he asked. I lifted my chin.

“My village will burn,” I whispered. My voice trembled as I spoke. The priest stared at me in thought.

“And how long as this been happening to you?” he asked.

“A year, maybe,” I said.

“Do you see them in your dreams?”

“Yes. All the time. She’s there too. I see her everywhere! I can’t get rid of her! I don’t know what to do. Can’t you help me?” The priest kept his eyes on me the whole time. My stomach started to drop.

“The best thing I can do is an exorcism,” he said. “Even that might not be enough.” My eyes widened.

“You can really do that?” I asked.

“I can’t do it alone,” he said. “I am going to write a letter to another priest that I am acquittanced with. I will see if he can come down to aid me with your problem.” I bowed my head.

“Thank you so much,” I said. For once, I had hope. Maybe this nightmare could be over. I had to be careful and not get my hopes up too soon.

“See me in three days’ time,” he said.

“Yes sir,” I said. I stood up and walked out of that church. I didn’t hear her voice for the rest of the day.