Forgive Me, Father (Read 12,821 times)

[André DiMera]

Chapter 52

SALEM UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL
KAYLA: What's the plan?
ERIC: We need Nicole's friends to be here for this.
THERESA: Who do you suggest?
ERIC: Brady, even though she stopped speaking to him after the Kristen fiasco. They were close friends before that.
MATT: Daniel, as well. He and Nicole were getting close until this happened. If Chloe were here, instead of Chicago, I'd invite her.
KAYLA: And then?
ERIC: We'll go to confession. Any of us who will be here to witness the upcoming events. Then, we lure the Devil out here.
MATT: That will be the tricky part. We need somebody the Devil wouldn't suspect would get revenge on him.
THERESA: I'll do it. I'll lure him out here.
KAYLA: Are you sure about this, Theresa?
THERESA: Eric, you say you need someone the Devil wouldn't suspect?
ERIC: That's correct.
THERESA: After what he almost did to me, I'm sure he thinks I'm afraid of him. I certainly have reason to be. But, he'll never see it coming.
ERIC: Once you get the Devil out here, Theresa, you need to knock him out.
THERESA: That'll be easy.
MATT: Then, we should take communion. All of us that will be here.
Eric's phone rang.
ERIC: Sorry, I should take this.
Eric picked up the phone.
ERIC: Hello?
Pause.
ERIC: Oh, hi. We're talking about it right now, I'll put you on speaker.
Eric pushed a button.
ERIC: Joining us is John Black. John, I have Theresa, Kayla and Father Matt in the room with me.
JOHN (over phone): Evening, everybody,
KAYLA: Hi, John.
THERESA: Hi, Uncle John.
MATT: Good evening, John.
JOHN (over phone): So, where are we in the planning?
ERIC: Well, it's convienient that you called when you did, we just got to the part where we all take communion.
JOHN (over phone): Excellent. What's next?
ERIC: Father Matt and I will perform the Rite of Exorcism together.
JOHN (over phone): I'll help where I can, as well.
MATT: Eric, please print out copies of the Rite for all who will be here.
ERIC: I will.
KAYLA: Just one thing, what if this doesn't work?

[fluffysmom]

Glad to see everyone working together.

[André DiMera]

Chapter 53

SALEM UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL
ERIC: Excuse me?
KAYLA: What if it doesn't work?
ERIC: This will work. It has to.
KAYLA: But, what if it doesn't?
Eric stared at Kayla.
KAYLA: Look, I want it to work as much as you do. I'm just saying, what if it doesn't? What if the Devil is suspicious when he gets Theresa's text? What if the Devil breaks free?
JOHN (over phone): The ropes will be tied as tight as possible and held down by chains. There's no way she's getting out of there.
THERESA: As for the text, he'll believe me. I'm a very convincing liar.
KAYLA: Okay. What's next?
ERIC: After performing the exorcism, we pray for Nicole. Then, we see what happens.
KAYLA: Undoubtedly, Nicole will have to stay in the hospital for a few days after this whole ordeal is over.
JOHN (over phone): If she makes it.
ERIC: What do you mean?
JOHN (over phone): She might not make it.
MATT:: John's right, Eric. We have no idea how strong the Devil's hold on her is, or how much strength she'll have after it's over. The fight against Satan is an exhausting one, for the possessed even moreso. They have to fight the hardest.
ERIC: What are you saying?
JOHN (over phone): We're saying that there's a possibility that Nicole might not survive the exorcism.
ERIC: Mom survived it.
JOHN (over phone): Barely. And, for a while, it seemed like she was dead.
ERIC: She'll make it. This will work.
KAYLA: Great. So, when do we start?
ERIC: As soon as possible. Tomorrow, if we can. I know that tomorrow's Sunday, but, being the Sabbath, the holist day of the week, maybe that will help us.
MATT: Sounds good to me.
JOHN (over phone): I'll contact Brady, make sure he's on the same page.
ERIC: I'll talk to Daniel.
MATT: I suggest you all go home and rest. You'll need it for tomorrow.
ERIC: And I have to get ready for service tomorrow.
THERESA: Should we meet up tomorrow sometime? Before all this happens, I mean?
ERIC: Sure. We'll meet at the Brady Pub, eat a good lunch, and then go for confession and Communion.
THERESA: And after that, I start the distraction?
ERIC: Precisely.
JOHN (over phone): Okay, everyone. We'll meet tomorrow.

[sportsgirl]

Oh boy, poor Nicole... This has to work!!!

[fluffysmom]

Poor Nicole. I hope she has the strength to survive the battle.

[André DiMera]

Previews

The plan is set into action.
ERIC: Bless us.

A vision is seen.
CLESTE: No!

And fate is tempted.
NICDEVIL: You should have killed me when you had the chance.

The Exorcism of Nicole Walker begins this week on FORGIVE ME, FATHER!

[fluffysmom]

Sounds like an intense week.

[André DiMera]

Chapter 54

ST. LUKE'S
The service was over. Eric was shaking hands with everyone as they were leaving.
ERIC: Good to see you.
BO: You too, Eric.
Theresa was the next person in line. Eric dug into his pocket. He took something from his pocket. They shook hands.
ERIC: Good to see you, Theresa.
THERESA: Thanks, Father Eric. You too.
Theresa felt a crumpled up piece of paper go from Eric's hand to hers. She walked away and looked at the paper. On it was written "Brady Pub - half-an-hour."

BRADY PUB
Two tables had been put together. John, Marlena, Eric, Kayla, Brady and Daniel were sitting at them. Theresa walked in.
THERESA: Hope I'm not late.
ERIC: Right on time, actually.
Theresa sat down. Everyone placed their orders.
ERIC: So, how did everyone sleep?
BRADY: About as good as you, I'd think.
DANIEL: Nome of us are really excited for what's coming.
ERIC: But, we're all here. That's the important part.
MARLENA: And, hopefully soon, all of this will be over.
When the food came, Eric stood up.
ERIC: Join hands with the people next to you.
Everyone did so. On either side of Eric was John and Marlena. Eric bowed his head.
ERIC: Bless us Oh Lord, and these thy gifts, which we are about to receive, from thy bounty, through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.
ALL: Amen.
Eric sat down and they all began eating. Under the table, Theresa pulled out her phone and sent a text.

NICOLE'S APARTMENT
NicDevil was getting dressed in a black robe. Her phone buzzed. She picked it up and read the text: "Meet me behind the hospital in an hour. I have reconsidered". NicDevil chuckled.
NICDEVIL: I knew she'd come around eventually. Very soon, I'll have the whole of Salem under my spell.
NicDevil laughed.

[gapeach]

So glad the plan is in motion.

[fluffysmom]

I hope they get Nicdevil to the room.

[André DiMera]

Chapter 55

OUTSIDE OF ST. LUKE'S
The group stood outside the confessional. Including Eric.
THERESA: So, we all have to do this?
ERIC: I'd like it if everybody did. Or, if you feel you don't have anything to confess, please, at least say the Act of Contrition.
Eric walked into the the confessional.
ERIC: Grant to me, O Lord, that wisdom which stands beside Thy throne, that I may know how to judge Thy people with justice, and Thy poor ones with equity. Let me so use the keys of the Kingdom of heaven that I may open to no one upon whom they should shut, nor close them to any for whom they should open. May my intention be pure, my zeal sincere, my charity patient, my labor fruitful. Let me be gentle without weakness, severe without harshness. Let me not disdain the poor; nor fawn upon the rich. Make me kind that I may attract sinners, prudent in questioning them, adroit in directing them. Grant, I beseech Thee, skill to lead them back from sin, zeal in confirming them in good, diligence in elevating them to better things. Grant me good judgment in answering questions, correctness in counseling. Give me light when things are obscure, wisdom when they are entangled, victory when they are difficult. May I myself be not lost. Amen.
The door to the confessional opened. Theresa walked in. She made the sign of the cross over her heart.
THERESA: Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. It's been about a week since my last confession.
ERIC: What is troubling you, dear one?
THERESA: Over the last week, I was tempted to give in to a previous addiction that I'm in recovery for.
ERIC: Did you give in?
THERESA: No.
Theresa cleared her throat.
THERESA: The next bit's a little embarrassing.
ERIC: There's no need to be embarrassed. We're all sinners and have all been forgiven.
THERESA: I've been having thoughts about a guy. Sexual thoughts. Thoughts that I shouldn't be having. Especially about this guy, given his line of work.
ERIC: I see.
Theresa again cleared her throat, hoping Eric didn't really know who she was talking about.
THERESA: That's it.
ERIC: I see. Well, for the temptation, say a prayer against temptation, the one I already taught you. Also, it is good that you resisted the temptation. As for the inappropriate thoughts, say at least two "Hail Mary"s, possibly more, if these thoughts continue. Also, find a prayer against sexual fantasies and say that. It is written in St. Paul's First Epistle to the Thessalonians: "For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:". Now, do you have an Act of Contrition?
Theresa folded her hands.
THERESA: O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins because of Thy just punishments, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, Who art all-good and deserving of all my love...

CARVER HOUSE
Celeste was staring into space. Abe walked up to her.
ABE: Celeste, are you all right?
Celeste gasped.
CELESTE: Oh, no! No!
ABE: Celeste, what is it?
CELESTE: Death. You know what is planned for today, yes?
ABE: The exorcism? Yes.
CELESTE: I see death. One of them shall die.

[gapeach]

Oh no!!!

[sportsgirl]

Uh oh!! I do miss Celeste...Tanya Boyd though.

[André DiMera]

Chapter 56

CARVER HOUSE
ABE: What do you mean?
CELESTE: I see death.
ABE: Death?
CELESTE: Yes, death, Abraham. The end. The great dirt nap.
ABE: Whose death?
CELESTE: The end of life. the bringer of darkness. the Grim Reaper.
ABE: No, no, not "who's death?". I mean, "whose death?". Who did you see dying?
CELESTE: I didn't see. All I saw was death. Something is going to happen at the exorcism of Nicole Walker.mOne of the people there shall die.

ST. LUKE'S
Eric was giving out communion. He was just finishing up. After he gave it to John, John gave it to him. Then, he set down the cups.
ERIC: Grant us Thy grace, most merciful Jesus, that it may be with us, and work with us, and continue with us even to the end. Grant us ever to will and desire what is most pleasing to Thee. Let Thy will be ours, and our will ever perfectly follow Thine, that so we may neither choose nor reject, save that Thou choosest and rejectest. Grant us to die to all that is in the world, and for love of Thee to be content to be despised and unknown in this life. Grant us, above all things, to rest in Thee, and to still our hearts to perfect peace in Thee. For Thou art the true peace of the heart, Thou art its only rest, and of the Thee there is no rest. In this peach, that is in Thy self alone, our chief and eternal good, may We lie down and take our rest. Amen.
ALL: Amen.
ERIC: Well, the time has come.
THERESA: I should be going. I'll call you when I knock out the Devil.
Theresa walked out.
KAYLA: We should be going as well. We'll meet you at the hospital, Eric.
ERIC: Okay. See you there.
As everyone else, Eric walked up to the altar. He got down on his knees and prayed.
ERIC: Lord, You have called me to priestly ministry in a particular moment of history, as in the times of the first Apostles, when You desire that all Christians, and in a particular way Your priests,might be witnesses to the wonders of God and the strength of Your Spirit...

OUTSIDE SALEM UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL
Theresa was standing there, waiting. Finally, NicDevil showed up.
NICDEVIL: So, you've finally accepted my offer.
THERESA: Yeah, there was nothing else to be done. You were right. Besides, everyone in this town is so stupid. I need a hit just to take the edge off.
NICDEVIL: Really?
THERESA: Really. You wouldn't believe the stuff they're saying about you. They're trying to plot against you.
NicDevil turned away.
NICDEVIL: They dare to defy me?
Theresa very quietly picked up a rock. She hit NicDevil in the back of the head. NicDevil fell to the ground, unconscious.
THERESA: Yep. And so do I.
Theresa got out her phone and dialed a number.
THERESA: White dove, this is firecracker. The mourning star has fallen.
ERIC (over phone): Well done, Theresa. We'll be right there.

[gapeach]

Love her code name. She is a firecracker!!