“Do you see what I see?”

Erin Parrish pointed at the window of the ER door while an old woman blocked it as if forbidding Officer Dan Moody from entering. A sluggish hobble toward her as if Dan might be having a stroke or something concerned his baby momma Angela Dare. “What? An arm?” She then noticed Dan’s behavior, “Oh my God! What’s wrong with Dan? Why won’t Agnes let us out of here? I have to get to him.” After a strongarm tactic failed, finding the older woman immobile Angela gave up and turned to head the opposite direction and out the actual ER doors. She intended to run clear around the building if she had to. Erin feeling badly over Angela’s stress and questions made a snap decision. “Dad! Go with her. Help as much as you can but don’t get hurt. I can’t lose you again.” Scooby Ben took off like a light after Angela, passing by her and around the building before she could even catch up. Even in her breathless plight Angela had to admire how well-trained Erin’s dog was. Crazy considering that dog, rather the spirit housed within it potty trained Erin long before that would be efficient.

“Damn! She sure has her dog trained well.” She would be completely out of oxygen by the time she made it to the other entrance. Angela while not a big woman in any sense was a tad out of shape. Motherhood prevented any hardcore workouts.

“Dad?” Rico Montoya stood in the doorway having overheard Erin talk to her dog, wondering what was going on.

“Don’t ask! Rico… I need you to go to Izzy’s bedside. Stay with her and don’t let anything come inside that room.” Nodding he ran to her room to discover which one was hers. Locating her he bolted to her side and lay his hands over hers. It was obvious he loved his Sister.

“I am here Isabel. I will not leave you.” Her fingers although weak tried hard to hold his, but her heartrate was still very low. The good Doctor Chalker stepped from another room and looked at the fuss going on just as Rico had entered Isabel’s room. Not understanding the racket at first he stepped to the room and looked in to see Rico holding her hand.

“I’ll allow this, just do not jar her in any way.”

“Si! I will protect her with my life.”

“What is going on out there?” Princeton took a walk to Erin’s side. “Why do I hear…?” He gets a look at what was going on in the outer lobby. “What is Agnes doing blocking the door?” Erin didn’t know what to say. The old woman’s arm touching the glass left that sigil mystically bonded to the pane. Only Erin could see it thanks to her necklace Gemma offering assist beyond most humanly perceptions. It was nice that Gemma was being helpful for once instead of ignoring her. Ever since the fight with Genevieve she had shown up more and more to let her know she was there for her. What that all meant was to be determined at a later date. Erin was just glad she was by her side.

“I can’t open the door.” Princeton put his weight into it. Knocking on it to get Agnes attention the old woman flipped him off over her shoulder. “Agnes Bloom! Open this door right this instant.” With no response after he looked out to see Dan Moody zombie walking toward them his eyes black as soot. “Is he… suffering a stroke? I need to get to him.”

“Doctor? I need you to calm down. I’m not 100% sure Dan is alive anymore.” To her shock Agnes crossed her fingers and tapped on the glass to distribute it with Erin. In tapping the sigil she left it brightened up then faded to a dull rotted appearance burnt into the glass just after her knuckle was removed.

“What do you mean? He’s trying to walk.” In the blink of an eye they saw Scooby Boo burst through the automatic doors at the end of a very long corridor. “Is that a… Great Dane?”

“That’s my dog. He’s there to slow down Dan.”

“Slow him down? What in the hades is going on here?”

“That might just be the place Doc Chalk. I think Dan is possessed. Trust me on this… I see things others such as you cannot. See where my finger is on the glass?”

“I do.”

“There’s a sigil right there which prevents us getting out, and Dan getting in.”

“Signal?”

“Sigil! An ancient… ” She takes out her cell and Googles the word then shows him. “It’s invisible to the naked eye. Please Doctor, just be glad that thing is in place. If Dan gets through… it lets the guy who put Izzy in that bed to begin with finish the job. It’s a satanic thing.”

“I do not believe in a word of that.”

“You will… I guarantee it. Keep watching you will see.”

That he did! The beast was yet to come.

********

Souillon House…

“Steak was out of this world. Compliments to the beautiful chef. Isn’t that right Eli?”

Officer Eric “Eerie” Barker sat back in his lawn chair just off of the back porch of the house. The chef, Kyra Whimsey had moved the grill out back in hopes to contain the nosey ghosts of the boys from doing something stupid to reveal themselves to Eerie. Bad enough Kyra was eying Elijah, Eerie’s ten year old son with some unexplainable way of sensing and hearing the ghosts. He even called Lester by name, that alone was unsettling if the boy got too talkative around his dad. An imaginary friend theory kept Eric from really thinking much on it.

“Delicious My Dear Woman. Are you going to marry my dad?”

“WHAT?” She yelped as Eric covered his eyes with his ballcap brim to mask his embarrassment. “Where did that come from?”

“I warned you Miss Kyra. The boy speaks his mind. Too much like his momma.”

“I’m flattered you might think I’m Wife material Eli, but no. I’m very happy being single.”

“That will change. My mom says dad has a huge dick.”

“That’s enough Eli. Watch your mouth or I’ll take you into that kitchen and borrow some of Erin’s dish soap.”

“Just saying!” He lowered his tone.

“Dessert?”

“What’s tasty?” Eric sat up straight rubbing his hands, to which Kyra blushed and faintly parted her legs in her seat. Her skirt rather short he took a glance up it but didn’t really see much, but as a cop he knew a hint if her ever saw one.

“Peach pie?”

“Now I will never turn a juicy piece of pie down.” He pointed at her lap nonchalantly. She wiggled her brows then stood up to straighten her skirt.

“Be right back. Pie Eli?”

“No thank you. Dad can have mine. Miss Kyra?”

“Yes Eli?”

“Why can’t Lester or the other boys leave the back porch?” Lester stood right behind Elijah as he sat on the steps, his short walking cane beside him as a guide, he blind. Brimley can walk beyond the porch, why cannot they?”

“Brimley?” Eric winced, “Boy where did you hear that name?”

“I believe Brimley’s name is on Cotton’s dog tag.” Kyra jumped at problem solving. “I’m sure Elijah reads braille correct?”

“Yes I can Ma’am.”

“The tag has raised letters so I’m sure he read the name.”

“Yep! That’s how.” Eli chuckled. Lester had told him not to talk too much in front of his father. Somehow Eli could hear their voices from beyond the grave. “Daddy?”

“Yes son?”

“Who is Uncle Tom?”

“On that note I’ll go slice the pie.” Kyra excused herself. Once inside she decided to use the restroom in a hurry and stepped through the living room. The TV on she bulged her eyes. “More Ghost Hunter’s? Must be a marathon.” A single gloved hand touched the screen. Stepping closer she sighed, “No sign of Vienna, Curly?” Thumbs down as a reply then immediately palming the screen again. “I’m so sorry Curtis. I really do hope we see her again. I’m sorry I didn’t get to meet her because I panicked earlier. I’m trying to cope with everything… I really am.” To her shock she felt Curly’s other arm hug her, her body pressing into his hip as if it were real. Yet for her in trying to pat his chest she felt only open air. “I’d hug you back if I could Baby. I need to go pee and cut pie.” She darted to the powder room and tinkled.

While indisposed the TV screen turned blue and Curly removed his hand, startled by the effect. Suddenly Vienna’s forehead appeared as it had at the hospital for Erin. Sign language used as she had for Erin, Curly read “E-R-I-N then H-E-L-P. The help was easy enough for Curly but even though he knew some words the spelling of Erin boggled him. That is until Amos stepped up carrying a piece of mail with Erin’s name on it. Instantly, Otis and Newt ran to the bathroom door and started beating on it.

“Almost done!” She was washing her hands. Drying she opened the door expecting maybe Elijah. Before she could step out an invisible hand grabbed Her’s and pulled her along. Finding Amos waving mail she took it from him then asked, “Why are you holding Erin’s cell bill?” Tapping on the TV screen jarred it some then Timothy lifted up a glove from the floor to show her. Looking it over she found the name Curly on it. “Where did Curly go?” Newton took her hand and made her touch the TV screen. “Oh you have got to be joking. How?” Otis used her own shoulders to make a shrug.

“Curly… went through the TV set?” Her hand lifts up with help and gives her a thumbs up. “Erin… you are so not going to like this. Boys? Stay away from the TV until we know what is going on. Please, for me. I’ll call Erin and tell her.” Her cell outdoors on the small folding table the ghost’s could not retrieve it for her. Nudging her along through the kitchen she found two saucers with sliced pie and forks floating in mid-air thanks to Dim. Taking them Kyra sighed. “So helpful! I Love it.”

Heading outdoors she saw that Eerie had stepped out to the furthest part of the yard. Standing there looking at the forest with his hand on his son’s shoulder, Cotton/ Brimley seated at Eli’s feet. Resting the pie on the table she plucked up her cell but hesitated calling Erin. Lured to the men she stepped next to Eric. A pause in explaining his family history to his son he grinned at Kyra.

“Just telling my boy here about his great times six grand uncle Tom.”

“He wasn’t referring to the book?”

“Naaa! My great… you get the idea was a slave to that old hag who built this place.” He looked back at the house and spotted something that caught his eye. “Someone in Erin’s attic?”

“Not that I’m aware of. I hope not.”

“That’s just Pearl.” Eli chuckled. “He’s offering us dessert too. Saltwater taffy.” Another kernel of candy hits the window pane making Eerie jump. “Now she’s mad. She can’t reach the candy she threw.”

“What the…?”

“I’m sure it’s just a squirrel.”

“A girl.” Eli laughed. “Was a boy though.”

“That’s enough Elijah.”

“Pie on the table.” Kyra pointed then stepped away bulging her eyes so that Eric couldn’t see her. “This is getting bonkers.” She wondered, “How is Eli doing this? I don’t know how much more I can take in one day. This… and now Curly gone missing. Erin… what have we gotten ourselves into?”

Good question!

********

“I have got to get back on my exercise bike. God, I’m out of shape.” Officer Angela Dare panted heavily as she raced around the exterior of the Melas General Hospital. Coming up on the front entrance for the general public, she saw Dan Moody’s squad car up on the curb still running, door open, and lights flashing. “He is not that bad of a driver. What is going on?” That being her first notice what came secondly made her jump in step. She had stepped on something unexpected. “Wet blood?” All of the way from the car, up the sidewalk she found what began as hoof prints then morphing into Dan’s shoe print.

“Goats! Those have to be goat hooves. Where could those have come from? I know darn well Dan wouldn’t have had any in his car… ” A haunted look in through the automatic doors Ang saw a mad rush of patients and personnel trying to escape. She stepped apart out of their way and ushered them to keep moving, with an order not step on the blood. Once the cluster of folks left for the safety of a small parking garage and into their automobiles they stopped cold and sat there staring straight ahead aimlessly, as if not knowing where they were or why they had left in the first place. Still the police car flashing kept them seated and immobile. Safety first!

Entering the hospital Angela saw Scooby Boo circling Dan snapping at his heels and barking excessively. Dan was walking as if he were in a Michael Jackson remake of Thriller, stomp shuffle turn, stomp shuffle turn, as if annoyed by the dog’s extensive attempts at dissuading him from going any further. “DAN?” Angela yelled, “WHAT’S WRONG? THIS IS NOT YOU.” Of course, it wasn’t!

“Turn away Officer Dare!” She heard the aged woman Agnes Bloom guarding the other entrance into the emergency room. “You must for your safety. Daniel is indeed not himself, he has been possessed by a demon.”

“Demon? There is no such thing as… I’m in a town called Melas which is Salem written backwards. Agnes looks right out of Ghostbusters, her hair billowing a bit like Sigourney Weaver. What do I do?” She didn’t want to draw her gun but if this was Dan possessed she knew she might need to wing him to prevent him from going further. “Where is backup? Surely someone called 911 by now.”

“They did not Officer Dare.” Agnes yelled, “This must be contained so that the rest of the world does not hear of it. You must trust me on this.”

“Are you like… a witch?”

“I am! I have placed a barrier spell on the door behind me. He cannot enter without killing me. I am not that easy, he must know.”

“This is insane. So… Dan has a real demon within his body?”

“A Baphomet! A Ram demon. The host body called upon it to save him from the police in Belltower. At least this is my suspicion. I sense conflict out of the host, where he resides.”

“Is he the hotel manager Truman Porter?”

“He was! I fear the man is no longer coherent. By jumping into Daniel his host likely suffered heart failure or at the very least succumbed to coma. Morphing is very dangerous unless you are a born Skinwalker. Please do not fire your gun you may harm an innocent.”

“Such as you?”

“Your firearm would have very little effect on the demon, or myself. Notice my palm Dear.” She raises her hand allowing Angela to note a glowing sigil. Even Scooby Boo in his rapid lunge and retreat mode looked over to see it. “This protects me from harm. The demon does not have one of these. However it can transfer bodies at touch. You must stay a great distance.”

“Will… Dan die once it leaves him? Heart failure you said.” Tears of an expected answer welled up in her eyes.”

“50/50 I am afraid. He has not been controlled for long there is a chance. Love can conquer all Angela Dare, remember this.” That it does!

“He cannot touch Erin’s dog then.”

“The dog is more than he appears. He is trying to goad the demon away.”

“Erin’s dog is amazing.”

“As is her father.”

“Father? What?” As if wanting Angela to see for herself Scooby Boo moved to a safe distance then reared up on his hind legs and used his front palms as if a boxer jabbing a right fist, then a left, paws on the floor shuffling. “WHAT THE FUCK?”

“Ms. Parrish’s father is within the dog. He is trying to help. Much welcomed Benjamin Parrish. Good boy!”

“This is nuts. What can I do to help?”

Dan stopped cold in his attempts to advance and looked over at Scooby Ben with curiosity. For a brief moment Dan returned and coughed up, “He’s more of a boxer than Forman.”

“DAN?” Angela heard him, “Stay with me Dan… for Emily.” Their daughter was just the right temptation. Shaking violently in a vibrational shift that made Dan blur out to the naked eye he convulsed.

“He is resisting the demon. Keep trying!”

“Remember when Emily was born? When her left eye was blue and her right eye was brown? We laughed saying she shared us so well, me with blue eyes, yours brown. It was just so perfect. Our little angel.” The recollection stimulating Dan he reared up as if snarling and bellowed.

“GET THE FUCK OUT OF ME!” A fight was paying off. As if splitting away from him the image of a huge black goat began erupting as if spiritual abandonment.

“Beware once they separate. A new host must be available. Do not approach Daniel, Officer Dare.”

“Alright!” Angela simply held her palms out in front of her in a calming manner. “We should take Emily to the beach here soon Dan. She hasn’t even seen the ocean yet.” The battle to be himself returning the goat was cast out and baaaayed with a heart freezing nasal assault.

“It is done!” Agnes called out as Scooby Ben moved in quickly to clamp his jaws down on Dan’s forearm trying to drag his body to safety. Weakened by the separation Dan was out of sorts and his dead weight was not so easy on Scooby Ben. The ram turning to view the dog’s assist tried to get back inside Dan, but something prevented a rekindle.

“Nice try Billy!” Dan sat up feeling stronger than ever. Scooby Boo shaking his head about as if allergic to something. Standing up Dan hauled off and slugged the goat in the snout.

“Dan?” Angela called out.

“Ben at the moment. I’ll give him back to you once I herd Billy here out of the hospital.”

“Ben?”

“Erin’s pop! It’s nice to have vocal cords again. Nice to meet you Ang.” His experiment worked. “I’m controlling Dan’s heartrate to get him through the trauma. Just say your prayers it’s enough to keep him alive.”

“Thank you Ben!” Angela bawled her eyes out then saw the worst case scenario happen. The goat ran right around Danny Ben and merged with Scooby Boo. The dogs eyes immediately turned blood red then black. “Oh no! It’s in the dog.” Snarling at her, Scooby bolted for the door behind her and out into the street.

“Uhh? There goes my ride.” Ben grit his teeth. He hadn’t planned on staying in Dan long.

“He will return.” Agnes relaxed her body from it’s defense mode. “Well done, Benjamin Parrish.” A wave of her hand the sigil on the door behind Agnes vanished and it came unlatched. Out stepped Erin and Doctor Chalker. Chalker ran over to Dan and found him appearing perfectly normal.

“Sorry Doc! Last time I checked I’ve been dead over a year.”

“Dad?” Erin stepped in with an expression of awe.

“Hey Gunner! Give your ole’ man a hug while you can.” Erin pushed Chalker aside as he prepped to use a stethoscope on Dan for vitals. A welcomed hug Erin cried.

“I haven’t heard that nickname since I joined the army. Dad! I Love you so much. That was incredibly brave what you did.”

“It is not over.” Agnes reminded them. “Benjamin must not remain in Dan too long. An hour at best. Longterm possession will destroy braincells.” A pinch felt on Dan’s chest made him react and pull away from Erin. In reaction she looked down at her necklace and saw it taunt between them, the rock known as Gemma was glowing blue and looked as if it were fused to Dan, burn marks in his uniform shirt it was obvious the rock had attached itself to his flesh. A brief moment longer the gem fell back down over Erin’s bosom. All Angela saw was the necklace stretched between their bodies. No glow!

Agnes however moved closer and winced at the stone. “What have we here?” She gravitated her hand toward the necklace then found a sigil forming right in front of her in mid-air. “Someone does not want me too close it seems.” Backing her hand away the sigil faded. Again, only Erin and Agnes saw the blue light. Unlike Agnes sharing her sigil barrier on the doors to Angela this sigil was not to the naked eye. Not even Ben could see it.

“Can I steal a hug?” Angela drifted to Dan, Ben turning to face the mother of Dan’s daughter. A hug warmly offered Angela sighed, “When can I have Dan back?”

“How about now?” Ben retreated the body and stepped out in his astral form, ghost! Erin immediately reacted with concern until her father squeezed her shoulder to let her know he was there. He was getting stronger it seemed, like the boys at Souillon House. He wasn’t able to really touch Erin before now. It was comforting. That or… Gemma’s pinch did something.

“Ben is with you Erin Parrish.” Agnes smiled. “If I am not mistaken, the necklace in bonding with Daniel and he, it has evolved your father to be able to show you he is with you more often. A tangible caress, yet not available for more.”