experienced exorcists in Spain had received him in a small room.
"It certainly is an unheard-of case," acknowledged the Spanish exorcist, after listening patiently and attentively to the Mexican priest's story.
"I know, that's why I need help. There may be a similar case among those documented here, to help me find a way to save those souls."
"I wouldn't want to disappoint you, Father Salas, but I'm afraid that you won't find anything remotely resembling this. I have not only been practising exorcisms, but also training for years, and training other exorcists. I've had access to hundreds of files. And I can assure you I have never come across anything like what you've just told me.
Father Salas felt deflated. He had thought long and hard about going to the Archdiocese and when he'd finally made his mind up, he'd felt rather hopeful.
"I can't believe this is the first time something like this has happened..."
"I'm not suggesting that."
"What do you mean?" asked Father Salas, trying to perk up.
"I think you should go to the Vatican. I'll get you an audience. I'm sure there you will find people with more experience and knowledge than me."
Father Salas had been in the Vatican before, many years earlier, as part of his training. And he'd improved so much that he'd become the most significant exorcist in Northern America. But even someone like him needed help to face this outlandish predicament.
"I will. I can't see any other course of action."
"In any case, should you need my collaboration on this or indeed anything else, you have us at your service."
The Mexican was surprised by this great willingness to give him a hand. This mild-mannered man with his noble eyes had not questioned his story for a second.
"I don't have the words to thank you enough..."
"Father, you are a wise and humble man. I don't know what business has brought you to Spain. But if you think I don't know who you are, that I haven't recognised you, you are very much mistaken. Helping one of the most important exorcists on the planet will be for me, and please excuse my selfishness, more than an honour."
VIII
E lena and Andrés were in the room in which Carlos had put away all of Alicia's things and mementoes. Unlike Laura's room, this one was a mess: piles of boxes, heaps of books, photos, notebooks on the floor and a wardrobe full of clothes.
"I don't think he could be bothered tidying this up a bit," Andrés pointed out sarcastically.
"Please don't be cynical. This is a truly dark business we are in."
"Well, what do you expect me to do? A little humour is good for both of us every now and then."
Elena frowned at her colleague with her hands on her hips.
"You're impossible... By the way, I have a surprise for you, even if you don't deserve it."
"A surprise?"
"In a few days we'll receive something in this house."
Andrés leapt up excitedly, so high he nearly banged his head on the ceiling. He knew what Elena was talking about.
"Finally! State-of-the-art-equipment... How did you manage to get it?"
"We'll have to tell part of this story to an American TV channel. Fortunately, I have Esteban's permission..."
"But... they won't be sending anyone to meddle with things?"
"No. "They lend us the equipment, and they want it back as good as new, but otherwise it's our call."
"But then, where's the trick?"
"When everything is over, however it may end, I'll send them a rough script and you'll send the material you got. They'll edit it for an episode of a reality show based on paranormal activity. Everybody wins..."
"Fuck! Sorry, but you're the best!"
"Contacts, my friend, contacts. And, of course, this adventure, for want of a better word, will fascinate anyone who hears about it."
"Well, now that you've filled my heart with gladness, what should I be looking for, exactly?"
"I don't know. I'd like to find some proof that Alicia was in contact with some satanic cult, or something similar. I think that's the angle we should take."
"Will
"It certainly is an unheard-of case," acknowledged the Spanish exorcist, after listening patiently and attentively to the Mexican priest's story.
"I know, that's why I need help. There may be a similar case among those documented here, to help me find a way to save those souls."
"I wouldn't want to disappoint you, Father Salas, but I'm afraid that you won't find anything remotely resembling this. I have not only been practising exorcisms, but also training for years, and training other exorcists. I've had access to hundreds of files. And I can assure you I have never come across anything like what you've just told me.
Father Salas felt deflated. He had thought long and hard about going to the Archdiocese and when he'd finally made his mind up, he'd felt rather hopeful.
"I can't believe this is the first time something like this has happened..."
"I'm not suggesting that."
"What do you mean?" asked Father Salas, trying to perk up.
"I think you should go to the Vatican. I'll get you an audience. I'm sure there you will find people with more experience and knowledge than me."
Father Salas had been in the Vatican before, many years earlier, as part of his training. And he'd improved so much that he'd become the most significant exorcist in Northern America. But even someone like him needed help to face this outlandish predicament.
"I will. I can't see any other course of action."
"In any case, should you need my collaboration on this or indeed anything else, you have us at your service."
The Mexican was surprised by this great willingness to give him a hand. This mild-mannered man with his noble eyes had not questioned his story for a second.
"I don't have the words to thank you enough..."
"Father, you are a wise and humble man. I don't know what business has brought you to Spain. But if you think I don't know who you are, that I haven't recognised you, you are very much mistaken. Helping one of the most important exorcists on the planet will be for me, and please excuse my selfishness, more than an honour."
VIII
E lena and Andrés were in the room in which Carlos had put away all of Alicia's things and mementoes. Unlike Laura's room, this one was a mess: piles of boxes, heaps of books, photos, notebooks on the floor and a wardrobe full of clothes.
"I don't think he could be bothered tidying this up a bit," Andrés pointed out sarcastically.
"Please don't be cynical. This is a truly dark business we are in."
"Well, what do you expect me to do? A little humour is good for both of us every now and then."
Elena frowned at her colleague with her hands on her hips.
"You're impossible... By the way, I have a surprise for you, even if you don't deserve it."
"A surprise?"
"In a few days we'll receive something in this house."
Andrés leapt up excitedly, so high he nearly banged his head on the ceiling. He knew what Elena was talking about.
"Finally! State-of-the-art-equipment... How did you manage to get it?"
"We'll have to tell part of this story to an American TV channel. Fortunately, I have Esteban's permission..."
"But... they won't be sending anyone to meddle with things?"
"No. "They lend us the equipment, and they want it back as good as new, but otherwise it's our call."
"But then, where's the trick?"
"When everything is over, however it may end, I'll send them a rough script and you'll send the material you got. They'll edit it for an episode of a reality show based on paranormal activity. Everybody wins..."
"Fuck! Sorry, but you're the best!"
"Contacts, my friend, contacts. And, of course, this adventure, for want of a better word, will fascinate anyone who hears about it."
"Well, now that you've filled my heart with gladness, what should I be looking for, exactly?"
"I don't know. I'd like to find some proof that Alicia was in contact with some satanic cult, or something similar. I think that's the angle we should take."
"Will
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