Exorcist of the American Nightmares

At this moment in the living room, the curtains were drawn, and the windows opened, allowing the fresh air outside to replace the oppressive atmosphere inside the house and relax the environment slightly. Sunlight filtered in, maintaining a constant, warm temperature within the house.

"This house is a good house," Josh thought, but even so, as the master of the house, he sat on the sofa with furrowed brows, looking towards Iris who stood by the window. He hadn't forgotten the drawings.

Including Dalton's room, his house had manifested traces of exactly eight evil spirits.

According to the old woman, during the day, they generally don't come out, merely causing minor disturbances to scare people. However, once night falls and the yin energy intensifies, creating an environment like that of the world of the dead, these spirits would emerge, and the disturbances they cause would only increase, never decreasing.

"So, Miss Iris, do you have something to tell us?" Josh asked, staring at the old woman by the window. "Is all of this related to Dalton? Ever since he fell into a coma, such strange occurrences have become more frequent."

Hearing this, Iris looked out at the yard and the street beyond, crossing her arms.

"I'm not sure if you're prepared mentally, unfortunately, I don't have the luxury of time to let you slowly come to terms with it.

Let me preface this by saying that what I am about to tell you is my opinion, my belief, and it may contradict the previous medical diagnoses. But since you've sought me out, you're willing to consider my interpretation as valid, aren't you?"

Josh was silent; he understood her words. He had never believed in supernatural things, but the series of strange events at home made him realize there might be much in this world that he didn't know about.

"Yes," Josh nodded. "We are prepared."

He then looked towards his mother.

Morena gently nodded in agreement. Compared to her son, her trust in Iris was profound because she had experienced these tormenting strange occurrences before, and Iris had resolved them.

"Very well," Iris stepped away from the window and sat down on the sofa facing Josh and the others.

"In my view, Dalton is not in a coma, and his condition is not related to falling from a ladder as you've mentioned.

That is to say, his body is here, but his soul is not. The source of all this disturbance and their following you to this new home is not because the house is haunted, but because of your son!"

This statement caused Morena to exclaim in shock; she remembered the strange incidents that had occurred during Josh's childhood and stared intensely at Iris, who simply nodded back at her.

Josh, standing to the side, didn't know how to express his emotions and could only rub his face with both hands, finally saying, "I don't understand, I don't understand what you're saying."

Iris thought for a moment. "Have you heard of astral projection or spirit projection?"

As a teacher, Josh caught on quickly; he remembered a bit of trivia he had read about before.

"Yes, like out-of-body experiences?" he asked with a frown.

"Mm," Iris nodded.

"People like that have a general term, they're called Travelers. Although some people's abilities differ, I prefer to call those capable of out-of-body experiences as mediums. They can travel in spirit form, see ghosts, and communicate with spirits and ghosts. Now, Dalton is a very skilled spirit projector. He has mastered this ability to travel in his dreams for a long time, starting when he was very young. He thought it was just a dream, so he wasn't afraid,

which led him to travel too far and now he's lost, unable to find his way back to his own body."

Josh stared at Iris, taking a deep breath and contemplating her words.

"If he has done it before, it means he can find his way back home. What kind of place could make him lose his way?"

"A realm I call the Otherworld, or the world of the dead," Iris explained.

"Only this world can make us mediums get lost or die."

"The world of the dead?" Josh murmured, his face full of confusion.

"The world of the dead is a realm that surrounds us and far exceeds our perception. As far as I know, there is no time there, it is a dark kingdom filled with tormented spirits, a place where the living cannot enter,

No one knows exactly what this world is; it might have been born at the creation of the universe by God, maybe it's the mythical underworld or dark world."

In the living room, Iris was explaining the reasons to Josh.

Meanwhile, not too far away, two girls were carrying a toy house meant for children out of the villa.

"I don't know what use this thing is, isn't it just a children's toy?" one of them, wearing a

 fitted top with a corset design and simple jeans, said. The combination highlighted her perfect figure.

"Eileen, do you think the priest has gone mad?" Hannah, holding one corner of the toy house, complained to Eileen, who was lifting the other corner.

Eileen was dressed simply, which made her look cute and youthful.

For her, this was the clothing praised by the bishop, so when not wearing her clerical robe, she reverted to her previous attire.

In response to Hannah's complaint, Eileen just glanced back subconsciously.

The bishop also presented a novel sight to her.

Dressed casually in a jacket and jeans, the bishop looked like a young man from the streets, yet his demeanor was more pronounced, tall and robust.

In two words: handsome and reliable.

"Eileen, why aren't you speaking?" Hannah's voice broke her thoughts.

"Don't be afraid of him, I've got your back. If he dares to hit you, I'll shoot him."

This statement made not only Eileen's face twitch but also York, who was carrying a statue out, smile wryly.

Hannah was indeed fierce; despite being an extreme homebody, she was excellent with firearms, proficient with various types and capable of customizing her own bullets.

This skill had been tested in her shooting club and everyday life.

"Miss Hannah, this toy house is actually very special," Eileen finally spoke.

"Hm?" Hannah glanced at the toy house skeptically.

To her, it just looked like a bunch of toys, including recognizable figures like a priest doll, Ultraman, and even Barbie dolls.

With so many toys crammed together, it made her wonder, especially as she sneaked a glance at York, who was about to close the door.

This made York, who could see everything in 3D vision, smile helplessly.

"What kind of look is that? This guy must be doubting my sanity."

"So, what's special about it?" Hannah asked, unaware that York could see her glance, as she continued speaking to Eileen.

They were now at the back of a pickup truck.

Eileen first lifted her corner of the toy house onto the truck, looking at the toys inside. Her pupils turned a distinct golden color.

"These toys are inhabited by very powerful evil spirits."

Hannah, also placing her side of the toy house on the truck, paused.

"What?" she stared at the toys inside, somewhat incredulous.

"You're saying these toys are actually evil spirits?"

Eileen nodded. "Yes."

In her view, that was the case. With her psychic abilities and those unique eyes, she could see the true nature of the toy house.

While Hannah was still puzzled, looking skeptically at the toys inside, York came over and said:

"Annabelle, move around a bit, show this guy what you can do."

As soon as he said this, the previously quiet and immobile Barbie doll suddenly moved under Hannah's astonished gaze.

It had been sitting on a sofa but now slowly stood up and even waved to the other toys sitting in the living room.

Then, amid Hannah's exclamations, all the toys bowed to her, their arms positioned perfectly across their chests.

"Wow!" Hannah was truly amazed, her eyes sparkling.

"This is awesome!"

At that moment, she finally saw the true nature of the toys through her psychic abilities.

Perhaps it was intentionally done by the evil spirits; the toys began to exhibit corresponding sinister and evil features.

While Hannah was unafraid, staring at the spirits with excitement in her eyes.

"Get in the car!"

York was already seated in the driver's seat and called out.

Eileen, needless to say, obediently sat in the back seat.

Only Hannah, after a bout of screaming, reluctantly ran to the passenger seat.

Once there, she had only one thing to say.

"Father!" she called out:

"Can you give me this toy house, please?"

York glanced at her, seeing Hannah's excitement. He looked at her child-like expression and smiled, firmly saying.

"I can't give it to you; I still have use for this toy house."

After saying this, amid Hannah's disappointed expression, he started the borrowed pickup truck and headed towards Manhattan, planning to capture a few spirits to put in the toy house.

"Stingy!" Hannah said.

"It's not that I'm stingy; this toy house is still useful to me," York coaxed.

"When I've finished researching it, I'll give it to you as a birthday gift."

"Really?" Hannah's eyes lit up, feeling the companionship of having these spirit-possessed toys.

"Of course." York glanced in the rearview mirror, seeing Hannah touched, and his lips curved up.

"When have I ever lied to you?"

He knew why Hannah wanted the toy house; after all, she had lived with several invisible evil spirits since she was a child and had grown up with them.

Before he could say anything else, his phone rang

.

York glanced down, surprised at the caller ID on the screen.

It was Rowan Warren.

Based on past experiences, coupled with the Warren couple's personality, they generally only called him when there was something important.

"Could it be that today we have to catch a second wave of spirits?" York raised an eyebrow.

"Whose call is it?" Hannah, quick-eyed, noticed the caller.

"A friend's call," York replied casually, picking up.

"She and you are the same, both mediums."

Hannah turned to look at Eileen, and they exchanged glances.

York had already answered the call.

"Rowan?"

"Bishop York." Rowan's voice came through the phone.

"How have you been?"

A nostalgic look crossed York's eyes.

"Mm, alright, what's up, Rowan? Did you encounter another tricky paranormal event? Or are you looking to apply for an exorcism permit from me?"

Laughing, York added, "I actually do have the credentials now."

This conversation was transmitted to a villa where Ed, an excited Drew, and a folding-armed Riley all gathered around Rowan.

Rowan took a deep breath, "Bishop, I indeed encountered a difficult paranormal event."

York, steering with one hand and holding the phone with the other, chuckled, "Figured."

Was it envy or not, the Warren couple encountered paranormal events far more frequently than he ever did.

But now, things were different.

"Tell me, what's going on?" York asked.

Unexpectedly, it was Eileen who asked, "Bishop, are you currently heading to Manhattan?"

York habitually narrowed his eyes, "How did you know? I am indeed heading to Manhattan."

At this, the atmosphere on the villa's side suddenly relaxed.

Relief appeared on Rowan's face.

Not just her, even the usually calm Ed smiled.

Even Drew clenched his fist, invigorating himself.

This made Riley, who was beside them, curious but also somewhat relaxed, understanding what their expressions meant.

The person accepting her request for help was likely someone extraordinary.

"Bishop York John?" she thought.

"Indeed, it's you," Rowan smiled.

"Did you accept a help request from someone named Riley? Ed and I are currently at Riley's home."

Hearing this, York instantly understood everything, unsure of what to say about this coincidence; he could only remark that the Warren couple truly never stopped.

"Bishop York," Ed's voice suddenly came through, greeting him.

"I'm Ed."

A familiar voice followed, "Bishop! It's Drew!"

"It seems fate has brought us together," York said nonchalantly.

"Since you're at Mrs. Riley's home, wait for me to come over."

"Yes," back in the villa, Rowan answered seriously.

The call ended, and Rowan exhaled, ignoring the pervasive black mist in the room.

"Although I don't know the reason, it was indeed Bishop York who accepted your request," Rowan put away her phone and assured Riley firmly.

"As long as the bishop intervenes, the strange occurrences troubling you will surely be resolved."

Riley was silent for a while before asking, "Who exactly is this Bishop York?"

Rowan and Ed exchanged looks, with Ed explaining, "Bishop York is the youngest bishop in church history and, from what we know, is likely to be the church's next leader."

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