Chapter 2

Arriving at the church, it stood in stark contrast to the surrounding industrial neighborhood. The modest structure seemed almost inconspicuous, hidden in plain view nestled amidst the towering buildings and large steel structures. As he approached the entrance, a sense of anticipation mingled with goosebumps, causing a shiver to run down his spine. The heavy wooden door opened with a sharp tug, revealing the warm glow from within.

Enveloped by a sense of familiarity and reverence, the crisp white walls adorned with traditional Catholic decorations whispered of centuries of faith and devotion. To his left, the sanctuary beckoned, its doors closed, holding secrets and mysteries within. To his right, a small galley kitchen stood, offering comfort of warmth and sustenance.

Jack's attention was drawn to the bookshelves lining the back wall, each shelf filled with volumes and tomes that seemed out of place in such a sacred space, works from Agrippa, Crowley, Waite, etc. Intrigued, he reached out to grab one of the occult titles, feeling a surge of curiosity coursing through his body. Before he could delve deeper, a melodic voice broke the silence, startling him from his reverie, a woman's voice from behind asked if she could be of assistance. Quickly spinning around to face her Jack was taken aback by the classic beauty standing before him.

"Um yes, I have an appointment with Father Murray,” He said

“Oh,” she said through a radiant smile of perfect white teeth, “Mr. Porter I presume?” sticking her hand out

“Yes, please call me Jack,” shaking her hand.

“As you wish, come with me Father Murray has been expecting you.”

They entered the worship hall and walked to the stage where you could see a room behind the curtains, he thought to himself yep just like The Wizard of Oz I am going to be led down a fake path to get home.

“Ah, Jack I am so glad you came. Again I would like to apologize for the intrusion last night.” the Priest sheepishly offered.

“It's fine Father, however, you do remember my condition.”

“Yes Jack, please come in make yourself comfortable, and we can get started. I came to you for help because of your specific skill sets in the handling of rare and very old items.”

“Yes Father you made that clear, although I still stand behind the opinion that you have people that can handle this, I ...” the father interrupts.

“Jack, we, the Catholic Church have a large network of people that keep up on the dealings of certain items of concern to the church.” He said with a hardness that Jack did not expect.

“Father, what is it that you are eluding to? What items are creating a concern for the church?” he said with a growing nervousness

“The objects that I speak of are boxes that contain demons that have been bound inside them.” Instantly I felt myself go rigid, no one knows of the secret life I have, or does the church somehow have-- Jack's mind drifted back to a time when his passion as well as fear of the unknown things came to be.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

“Jack, are you all right? You look like you have seen a ghost.”

“Yes Father I'm fine, please continue.” I had to blink and reposition in my chair to shake the memory.

“Okay, it is our understanding that you have a vast assortment of these boxes and other cursed and enchanted items,” he said bluntly.

“Well um, yes, how does that concern the church?” Suddenly I started feeling very warm, and thinking the heavy beats of my heart could be seen by the Father across the desk.

“The items I had mentioned in the hotel last night are called Dybbuk boxes. These boxes contain very nasty and powerful demons that were bound inside them by a team of exorcists and their assistants. Father Timothy was the caretaker of those boxes. He became ill last year, with cancer, and passed away a couple of hours ago.”

“I am sorry to hear of his passing Father, but what exactly do you need from me.?”

“I need you to go to a small town outside Salem Massachusetts, with Miss Harris, retrieve them and bring them back here. You have the knowledge and experience I trust to deal with items of such risk.” He said.

“I will talk to my staff and get you a time when I am free of-”

“Jack!” The Father's interruption was sharp, his tone commanding. “I need you to go right away, tomorrow morning.”

“Look Father, I have speaking engagements and other responsibilities and commitments that I need to take care of first.”

“I understand that Jack, I already took the liberty of talking to your people, they have cleared your schedule for you so you could help the church in their time of need.”

“You did what!?” Anger bubbled up within me as I struggled to maintain my composure.

He simply stated “The Lord works in mysterious ways Jack, please be at the airport at 7:45 am, Miss Harris will meet you at the front entrance. You will be taking a private flight, Miss Harris will fill you in on all the details and answer any questions you may have.”

“Father I have not even decided if I will accept your request, you're starting to really piss me off, you have some huge balls to presume that you have the right to call my office and change my schedule without my consent or knowledge.”

“Yes Jack I have to do inappropriate things, and at times with no consideration of others. This is a grave issue that requires serious and swift action. Also yes I have some profoundly large balls, especially when it comes to the release of evil upon the world. So go now, get packed, be rested, and be ready for what you will learn in the next week.” He said very matter-of-factually.

Back at the hotel bar, my mind was foggy, feeling as if I was not in my own head. I ordered a scotch to settle the uneasy feelings welling up inside the darkest shit ponds of my psyche. As the drink was placed in front of me I started to reach for it when someone grabbed my shoulder.

“I would not indulge myself with that until we get back,” said a woman's voice from behind. I spun around and my mind was instantly soothed by the smile of Clara Jean Harris.

“Miss Harris what are you-”

“Father Murray wanted me, actually insisted that I ensure you were squared away for tomorrow so I am staying here tonight as well so we can go together in the morning.”

“The Father does have seriously large balls, I apologize that he has inconvenienced you for my sake.”

“It is not a problem really, I am used to the impetuous decisions and last-minute life changes that I have to go through.” She said playfully rolling her eyes.

“Well let's go somewhere more fitting for us to talk.” He said.

Miss Clara Jean Harris was a vivacious woman with shoulder-length dark hair, a tall gracious frame with brown eyes that could stop a freight train. Jack felt at ease in her company, but his instincts were telling him to back off.

“So Miss Harris what is it that you do for Father Murray?”

“Please call me Clara, as far as my work for the church and Father Murray, it has many layers, mostly as the church administrator, secretary, accountant, assistant, and so on. All the boring tasks you would assume a church to have.”

“What are all these pressing concerns of the church, that he was so losing his mind over? What are your responsibilities for this trip that we both have been forcibly volunteered for?”

“That is complicated, I will explain everything to you on the plane flight tomorrow I promise, but for now Jack it is best to retire and get ready for our day tomorrow.” She said.

Jack agreed, back in his room lying down with the feeling of doom in his immediate future, he finally had that scotch.