Parking just a little bit farther than the last time, he made his way carefully down the side of the pathway. This time, he did not carelessly send his anchors forward but had them spread thickly just a few yards from him, in all directions. Though it was dark, his anchors guided the way, like a second sight.
He agonized on what to do, should he encounter the dark being again. Save for the old man, he has never encountered anyone more powerful than him until the creature appeared. During his drive, he decided the best way to go about it was to observe. It took him a while to admit it but even his pride was not enough to cover for the obvious difference in ability, in power. Should the creature show itself and targeted him again his plan was simple - he would make a run for it if it was possible.
It was a curious thing, he noted as we made his way towards the house. He had never used his anchors like that before. They were all, in all sense of the word, feelers. He sent them out to latch and keeps them there to feed on his target’s flaring emotions. The events that led to him running away pointed towards one glaring fact – he could use it to protect himself, and to attack anyone who can interact with them.
He also, uncomfortably, admitted that it went both ways. If someone, or something, can interact with his anchors, it can hurt him too.
It was an observation that came to him after his emotions had simmered down, largely due to the alcohol he imbibed. He had been thinking how that even happened but, in the end, he came down to one conclusion. He reacted. He did not have time to think of it. He acted as he saw fit, and somehow, he could use it like that.
Why did the old man not tell me I could do this? After all these years! Could be it be that he didn’t know? After years of honing it, is it possible that I’ve developed something even I wasn’t aware was already there?
He wondered how he could use such an ability on people. Normal people. People without abilities. He entertained the idea of testing it with other entities like the one he encountered, preferably weaker ones, but dismissed the idea for one obvious problem – he did not know the first thing about such beings aside from folk tales and stories made up to scare children.
Hugging the tree line, he called to mind what he could remember about the creature to better prepare himself once it showed up. If it showed up. It seemed to have just appeared in the family’s house, and it took a second for it to appear in front of him. He did not like what that meant in case a pursuit happened.
He recalled that it appeared just when the father’s emotions were starting to flare. Or he detected it then, and only after swarming the whole floor with his anchors. There were no people on that part of the house then so he could not decide if the creature can only make itself seen to those it wanted to see it. Until it appeared in front of him, he was using Vein Sight to see it. Another thing that made him shiver.
Seeing the outline of the house, he decided to keep hugging the trees and find a place to the right side of the house. He remembered that side having more trees but the tree line was closer to the house than any other part of the property.
Oh, that’s interesting, he thought as he caught sight of the house’s porch.
~0~
He pressed his thumb and forefinger on his temples, temporarily easing his headache.
It’s one or all of them, I am not sure.
Cain’s words kept coming back to him. Jon worried, before arriving at the house, how he’d act in front of a family who, at any point, could totally go berserk. Cain being unsure did not inspire much confidence in him. What if they all get possessed? He asked Cain then. He did not get an answer.
Weirdly enough, he did not find it hard to feel comfortable in the family’s presence. Perhaps it was because they kept voicing their gratefulness, or the down-to-earth vibes both Matt and Emmy had. Or perhaps it was the children.
At Cain’s behest, Jon kept a close eye on everyone within sight. He could not help but feel sorry for the older girl, Gina. She did not complain but he could see that she had a bit of difficulty moving. The bruises on her arms had taken a darker red color. She had since withdrawn from playing with her sister and sat watching, just like him, the other people in the room.
Of the little girl, Jon was thankful. The state of their house was nothing to be okay about but that was exactly what the little girl was, okay. She played with her sister for a while, and when Gina withdrew, Jean played by herself anyway. She was still playing in front of her sister.
Thank God for the innocence of the young.
He was impressed with the constitution of both Matt and Emmy. They both put up a strong front, they both appeared undaunted, and they were both attentive. Just like him, their eyes never left the children. While Matt helped him set up his equipment and was now watching him with hawk eyes as he prepared all the videos for Cain’s viewing, Emmy was preparing snacks for later in the night, while cleaning the kitchen. Nobody mentioned it was going to be a late night, but she anticipated it anyway.
“Are those all the videos?” He asked Matt.
“Yep, just two.”
“Seems the other one took a while to copy. It’s from the CCTV’s I assume?”
“Yeah.”
“Alright. Let me get them prepared. Cain should be in shortly.”
“Sure. I’m just gonna get a glass. Hey, how’s your headache?”
“It’s still there. Seems to be getting more annoying.”
“How many have you taken? The tablets, I mean.”
“Four now. Did I… did I bump my head when I fell Earlier?”
“Can’t say I remember. It was all too sudden. You feel anything?”
“No, nothing tender, anywhere.”
“You didn’t have a late night or something like that did you? Sounds like a hangover to me.”
“Haha! I wish. But I did have an early morning. Maybe it’s that.”
“Well, I’m gonna get you a glass. Can’t recommend you taking more of those tablets but if you feel like it…”
“Sure Matt. Thanks.”
He reviewed the footage captured from the interviews as Matt went towards the kitchen. Satisfied that all were in order, he went to check the cameras and recorders hooked up to his system. Jon noticed that the camera outside was still on. He turned off the recording and viewed the feed.
He saw Cain’s profile. He seemed to be thinking deeply. He watched Cain take notes, then look up several times before Cain put his notebook and pen inside his bag. Cain leaned back and made the sign of the cross.
Jon turned the camera feed off.