XVII

In the days following Zella LaStella’s warning, Seven struggled with double mindedness. He was drawn to Destiny and Brock’s spirituality, but he also still embraced his bitter and cynical mind set as well. He had gone to church with his hosts and was very impressed. But he had long ago considered a three strike rule when it came to church. And church for him had struck out.

He had been a member of three different churches in his lifetime and felt like all had failed him for one reason or another. Yet maybe it was his own life that had failed him. Nonetheless, he was confused. He was a walking contradiction. His persona was part fact and part fiction. Then 180 hours after he had seen the lovely Zella LaStella, they met again under dire circumstances.

It was 6pm. Destiny was preparing a chili supper when Brock’s phone chirped. Destiny could tell by the expression on Brock’s face and the tone of his ‘uh huh’ and ‘I see’ that it wasn’t good news.

“That was Amy,” Brock said when the call ended. “Lexi Gomez is at their place.”

“Oh no!” Destiny exclaimed as she clamped her hand on the sides of her face. “I take it there’s trouble.”

“Not at the moment,” Brock replied. “Apparently she’s passed out or in a trance or some such. But Captain Kirk is there and he wants us to come right away. He says Lexi is demon possessed and he wants us to pray over her for deliverance.”

“You mean like an exorcism?” Seven asked.

“Something like that,” Brock replied as he gazed at his cousin with a serious expression. “Are you coming with us?”

“I, ah, don’t know,” he stammered.

“How did Lexi end up at Amy and Dirk’s place?” Destiny asked.

“I guess Dirk’s brother and that gal that claims to be a psychic brought her.”

“Oh, you mean Zelda,” Destiny said.

“Zella,” Seven corrected. “Zella La Stella. I’ll go with you.”

Destiny and Brock looked at each other. Despite their anxiety, they shook their heads and exchanged grins at Seven’s apparent motivation. When Seven excused himself to use the restroom, Brock expressed his concern.

“I don’t get it, Dee,” Brock said and then sighed. “If Seven is supposed to become some special messenger for God, I’m not really seeing it. Now he seems to have the hots for a so called psychic.”

“Well, it’s been said that God works in mysterious ways for a reason, Sweetie. I’ve noticed good improvements with him this week. For one thing, he hasn’t gotten drunk.”

“But he’s still drinking.”

“He hasn’t been vulgar on his podcast.”

“But he’s still obnoxious.”

“He hasn’t made a snide comment to me all week about my former profession.”

“Well, I caught him looking through your undergarments in the laundry room.”

“Ehhh! You’re kidding!”

“Well, to his credit, he said he lost a favorite pair of socks. And he did end up finding them in my pile.”

“See, you shouldn’t just assume he’s being creepy.”

“True enough. But on the other hand, why check yours first? If he discovered his socks were missing, wouldn’t the logical place be my laundry rather than yours?”

The bathroom door opened abruptly and Seven rejoined the couple. Destiny and Brock became quickly silent, like children caught at something naughty. Seven didn’t even notice and they left post haste for Amy and Dirk’s home.

 As they approached the front door of the three bedroom ranch style house, Destiny’s Aunt Belle exited carrying baby Ella.

“Hi, kids,” Belle greeted with forced cheerfulness.

“Hi, Auntie,” Destiny replied trying to be easy going, but failing. “What’s going on? Where are you going with Ella?”

 “We thought it best if I took Ella over to my place until the ordeal with Lexi is over,” Belle replied. “Right now she’s is in some type of trance. I’ll be praying for you all”

“Thanks,” Destiny and Brock said in unison and then both looked at each other with apprehension.

“Nice to see you, Belle,” Seven Sallie said politely..

“Oh my,” Belle said with a start as she put a protective hand over Ella’s head and then laughed awkwardly. “I didn’t realize you’d be here.”

“Why’s that?” Seven asked cautiously.

“Well, the warning from Lexi. I didn’t think you would be showing up.”

“Well, I’m here. Should I not be?”

“No, Seven,” Belle said encouragingly. “It’s good you’re here. But it’s going to be dark and tough. Have faith in God!”

“Okay,” Seven replied meekly.

The trio entered the home and found everyone in a bedroom. Pastor Samson was praying over Lexi as she lay on a bed and moaned. Amy, Dirk, Zella, and Dirk’s brother Devin looked on solemnly.

“Okay, lets form a circle around Lexi, join hands and pray,” Captain Kirk instructed.

Once everyone was in place with heads bowed, the pastor began to lead out in prayer. After a minute, an inhuman growl emanated from Lexi’s throat. Then she shrieked like a banshee and her back arched at a ridiculous angle. After she slammed back onto the bed, she slowly gazed at everyone and settled on Seven. Her demonic eyes bore into his and her tongue protruded snake like from her mouth as she howled like a dozen wolves.

Seven’s entire body became electrified with terror. He felt like he had been dropped into the middle of a Stephen King novel. The instinct to flee had him break the circle and slam into the wall. Then he dashed to the door and clawed at the knob so frantically with his hands trembling so spastically he couldn’t get a grip on it. Brock approached him and Seven flung himself into his arms.

“Easy, Seven, easy” Brock said as calmly as he could as he rubbed his cousin’s back. “Jesus will protect you. Plus there’s eight of us and one of her.”

“Brock, you and Seven get back to the circle,” Captain Kirk ordered.

Seven regained enough composure to follow Brock back to the prayer circle. Yet his adrenaline had spiked, causing his mind to race. The next couple of minutes were a blur. Then he noticed Destiny and Amy kneeling by Lexi and praying.

The next thing he knew Lexi was shrieking again and choking Amy. Brock and Dirk instantly began prying her hands off of Amy’s neck. Destiny and Captain Kirk both called on the name of Jesus. Lexi let go and her face appeared both horror stricken and frozen into a trance. Her long dark hair was sweaty and matted. Amy sat back on her haunches coughing and gasping for breath.

The next thing Seven witnessed caused him to marvel. Lexi began to whimper and she was saying she was sorry. Was it some type of demonic ploy? Lexi slowly reached a hand toward Amy. Seven felt a chill go up his spine as he watched Amy take her sister’s hand into her own. But now Lexi outright sobbed and pleaded for forgiveness.

“I forgive you, Lexi,” Amy said sweetly as tears slid down her own cheeks. Then she kissed Lexi on the forehead. This caused a fresh round of tears to come forth from her half-sister.

Seven shook his head, leaned against the wall, and blew out a big breath. He wondered at what he had just witnessed. He marveled at Amy’s faith and courage. He felt cowardly and ashamed as he recalled trying to flee moments ago. He watched Lexi wipe at her face and then meekly say thank you after Destiny handed her a bottle of water.

“How can that be?” Seven mumbled to himself. How could Lexi Gomez behave like a monster from a horror movie one minute and a sweet, docile angel the next? Then Seven recalled when Jesus cast out the legion of demons from a naked man who then was immediately clothed and sitting in his right mind.

“Are you okay, Seven?” Zella asked.

“Huh? Oh, yeah,” he replied and then felt his face flush with embarrassment. What had she thought of him as he first trying to flee and then clung to Brock like a frightened child?

“Don’t worry about what happened when Lexi shrieked at you,” Zella told him. “I about jumped out of my skin and it wasn’t even directed at me. Plus it took a lot of guts to come here in the first place after the warning you got.”

“Seven Sallie,” Lexi said with authority.

Seven felt himself jolt and he looked at Lexi. She was staring earnestly at him. Yet the demonic glare was gone from her eyes. His body tensed when she signaled with a finger for him to come to her.