Exorcist of the American Nightmares

At the same time all over the world, countless events were happening.

While Jessie was stunned by her sister's words, in a detached villa, Ed's voice could be heard.

Following the sound into a room similar to a study, Ed was on the phone.

"If possible, we would also like you to interview us, to let people know and understand our special profession," Ed sat at his desk, which was covered with handwritten case studies resembling a diary.

The thickness of these documents seemed to testify to the experiences and adventures he and his wife Lorraine had over the years, as well as their passion for their profession.

"But because it's so special, we need the church's permission."

"Yes, you heard right, Mr. Petrov, even we are managed by the church."

"However, I can give you a suggestion. If you really want to conduct an interview, you could apply to the church. Once approved, my wife and I will be available for your interview."

Ed's words fell one after another, showing his sincerity but also his strict adherence to rules.

While he was talking to a TV station's manager, in a corner of the living room on the sofa,

"Mom, I'm starting now." A girl in a simple dress sat in a chair, her feet flat on the ground, the violin steady under the control of her left hand and shoulder.

Her left hand held the neck of the violin, gently bent over the strings, while her right hand held a horsehair bow lightly resting on the strings.

At just about ten years old, her posture was remarkably standard, showcasing her talent.

Lorraine watched her daughter with a look of overflowing maternal love that was visible to any onlooker, but she was even prouder of her child.

Recalling the message passed on by Sister Erin, she smiled softly and nodded, planning to surprise her daughter after she finished.

Judy, one of the four children who had been baptized by Father York as a baby, began to play with a smile.

As her gentle touch caressed the strings, her fingers deftly moved across them, and a moving melody followed.

The sound of the violin flowed like water, clear and pure, as if carrying an intoxicating charm, giving the listener endless space for imagination. The melody was sometimes high and stirring, sometimes tender and touching.

Every draw of Judy's bow, her strength and speed, her posture and the music complemented each other, creating a unique and captivating atmosphere.

This enveloped Lorraine in tranquility, deeply immersing her.

No wonder she was an award-winner. The violin piece brought Ed, who had just finished a phone call in his study, out to lean against the wall behind mother and daughter, watching the scene with a smile.

Until the music stopped, the parents were brought back to reality.

"Mom! Did I play well?" Judy suddenly broke character, her professional demeanor vanishing without a trace, reverting to a child's nature, rushing into Lorraine's arms with her violin and bow in hand.

"Yes, it was beautiful," Lorraine hugged her daughter and spoke warmly.

Yet Judy sighed like an adult, leaning into her mother's embrace, placing her violin and bow on the couch beside her.

"I plan to play this piece for the godfather." After saying this, Judy looked up at her mother and asked, "Mom, do you and daddy have any news from the godfather?"

Childhood memories are always the most profound, and Judy still remembered how much she liked being around the godfather when she was very young, a time she truly felt relaxed.

Especially now, under some pressure, she yearned for the godfather who could make her feel relaxed and carefree.

Because by the godfather's side, she saw that everyone listened to him, including her own parents.

She still remembered the playmate who had spent a long time with her back then.

"Um…"

Lorraine stroked her daughter's hair, intending to keep her in suspense.

But the sound that followed made her keep her smile.

"It seems our Judy misses the godfather, thinking about her old playmate," Ed came over, looking at his daughter rising to her feet and smiling.

"Or is it really the godfather you're thinking of?"

Judy pouted at her father, about to pick up her violin and run off, not caring to listen to her father's words.

It seemed her parents didn't have any news from the godfather, making her feel somewhat disappointed.

But just as she was about to run off, her father's next words made her stop in her tracks.

"Although I don't know what my daughter is thinking, Bishop York indeed wants to see my little treasure, to see if she has grown a bit, and to hear her play the violin."

Ed rambled on like a typical father, but Judy had tuned out his later words, certain she had heard the earlier part correctly.

Her initially sullen face bright

ened.

"Really? Daddy, do you have news from the godfather?" Judy was clearly surprised.

Lorraine smiled and gently stroked her daughter's head again, nodding warmly.

"Today, Bishop York just gave us his exact address, wanting to meet our Judy."

Judy's mouth opened in surprise, instinctively looking at her father for confirmation. When she saw him nod, she squealed and squeezed into her smiling mother's embrace.

"Mom! Daddy, I love you!!!"

——

"Bishop, everything has been arranged."

In the Ashibi Church, filled with candlelight once again after turning off the modern lighting, York sat in his simple, unadorned black bishop's robe, unrecognizable as a bishop.

He sat in his usual spot, facing the image of Jesus.

This position, under the high platform on the right side of the first row of pews, was where one could best feel the church's spirit.

It was close to the source of the church's accumulated sanctity.

The inherent aura of sanctity could bring tranquility to anyone.

"Everything has been finalized," Erin, wearing a nun's robe, stood a step behind her bishop and continued, "And Father Lucian has also informed us of the precautions here."

Hearing this, York raised his eyebrows slightly: "Did he go warn those powers here?"

"No," Erin replied. "Father Lucian followed your advice to keep things as they are."

"Good, keeping things as they are allows us to be more approachable and to understand the people of this area," York smiled.

"Yes," Erin had no particular opinion, always aligning with her bishop's views, whispering, "Hannah said she wants to volunteer here, so she's gone back to fetch her clothes and related equipment."

York didn't know what to make of this; Hannah was quite independent, so he didn't want to force anyone's will.

But it seemed Hannah really intended to stick with him now.

"What has this girl encountered over the years…" York mused to himself.

The life of a clergy member, he thought, couldn't really be compared to that of ordinary people; it was more like a different kind of discipline.

For those who enjoyed comforts, the life of a clergy member was akin to some form of asceticism.

Thinking this, York said, "Let her be, give her a place, Erin, whether she volunteers or not."

"Yes, Bishop, I will arrange a private room for Hannah," Erin understood her bishop's intention.

It was undeniable that she could feel Hannah's extreme dependence and trust in their bishop. Hannah had mentioned that she had known the then very young bishop since she was a child.

And from her bishop's actions, it seemed he also considered Hannah as part of his family.

Speaking of which, she knew she was an orphan raised by a nun in the monastery, but she hadn't expected that her bishop too had been raised by the current Pope.

At that, York sighed, "She's been living alone for a long time; perhaps she's starting to feel lonely."

Erin bowed her head slightly, not expressing her thoughts, just feeling a subtle emotional stir.

"Never mind." Perhaps thinking of something, York waved his hand, "Leave me alone, close for today, we'll open again tomorrow, just like when I was a priest."

"Yes, Bishop," Erin bowed, slowly stepping back, quietly leaving the place.

She had many things to handle.

Her deliberately muted footsteps grew fainter as York let his mind wander.

A corresponding virtual window appeared before him.

This was a disturbance from the Rot World.

Before this, he had faintly sensed a call through time and space.

Very devout, very earnest.

Subconsciously following the source, it was a child.

Now, this child was praying somewhere again.

York made no move, but the window displayed a very clear scene.

It showed a peaceful church filled with candlelight, as if time was flowing through it, with a sneakily peeking girl at the door.

Dressed in what looked like farm winter clothes, thick and bundled up, with two small braids behind her head and a tender yet clear face marked with spots, her cheeks were red, apparently from the cold.

"It seems that it's winter in the Rot World right now," York realized. If he had to compare, the timing seemed quite accurate.

Continuing to observe, the girl, although she had braved the cold wind to get here, did not let it affect her as she leaned on the door frame, her lively eyes darting around as her small braids swung.

She seemed to be checking if there was anyone in the church, and upon finding no one, she walked in like a thief.

But she hadn't gotten far before a voice called out to her.

"Marin!"

Marin stiffened, awkwardly turning towards the source of the voice.

"Sister Mirta."

The voice's owner was none other than Mirta, the first cleaner

 York had met upon entering the Rot World.

This stirred something in York's eyes.

Mirta, emerging from the shadows into the candlelight, was somewhat thin. She wore a black monastic robe, resembling the legendary stern nun, her expressionless face watching the young girl speak with a trace of warmth,

"It's so late, do your parents know you're here?"

The girl named Marin grimaced.

"I told them, I said I wanted to see Lord York who saved us, and they agreed."

But as she spoke, seeing the unmoved Sister Mirta's expressionless face, her voice grew quieter, ending with a candid admission.

"I'm sorry, Sister Mirta, I sneaked over here."

The girl seemed guilty, nervously twisting the hem of her dress in her hands.

"I just wanted to see Lord York, to talk to him about something on my mind, then go back to sleep."

Seeing the girl like this, Mirta, remembering Marin's daily visits, sighed lightly.

"You can come during the day in the future; it's not suitable for you to be out so late. Go ahead, after you're done, I'll take you back."

After speaking, Mirta turned and walked towards the candle rack, truly ignoring Marin.

"Thank you, Sister Mirta!"

Marin's face brightened as she looked towards the statue of Lord York, who had saved them and their world, walking straight towards it and kneeling down in the middle of the aisle.

She closed her eyes, her expression devout.

She didn't speak, but her tender voice crossed time and space, echoing in York's ears.

"Lord, can you hear me? My name is Marin Ashubel, the youngest daughter of a small farm. Thank you for saving us...

I'm feeling a bit down today because recently our Anna is dying because she can't have her own children. My parents are beside themselves with worry, and Anna's cries are painful, and I feel so sad…"

Listening to this story-like ramble, hearing the sad tender voice, York watched Marin kneeling on the ground, his expression growing softer.

Inexplicably, he thought of himself, how God might feel watching him complete his daily tasks.

However, under his perception, this girl named Marin had strong innate talent and potential power, very strong. York felt that even though Marin was only in her teens, once blessed by him, her inherently enhanced sanctity would be equivalent to the lifelong accumulation of a clergy member.

...

Time passed unknowingly, and after Marin had shared many things with his statue, her mood seemed much improved.

She actually declined Mirta's escort and ran out excitedly, leaving Mirta, who was ready to take her back, stunned as she watched the disappearing small figure, her face showing helplessness.

"Ordinary people aren't usually allowed in the sanctuary," Mirta said helplessly, ultimately deciding to let it go.

"Let it be."

However, she didn't know that a person glowing with light had emerged from the statue and was following Marin's footsteps right under her eyes…

___________________

(Support with power stones, comments or reviews)

If you guys enjoy this story, In support me on Patreon and get access to +200 advance Chapters

Read Ahead

Patreon.com/INNIT