Hell Calling II Read Free Page A

you still meet her friends?"
    "Yes, those I have identified as the closest ones. Just one thing makes me a bit wary..."
    "What's that?"
    "Well, I think one of them must have been connected with that cult, or whatever it is. In fact, her friend Beatriz told me that she once tried to get her to go along. Somebody must have introduced her into those circles, which, basically, are not known for advertising on the telly, or indeed on the radio. I suspect one person in particular: Ana."
    "That may well be a risk you'll have to take. It may even be the only way to go, because I doubt we'll find much in this room."
    "Maybe, maybe not!" exclaimed Elena, winking.
    "Tell you what. Always tell me where you go and who you meet, so you'll be safer. And keep your mobile's GPS active, so I know more or less where you are."
    "Let's change subject, will we? You make it sound like I'm going to be kidnapped or something. The other day, the meeting with Beatriz was extremely pleasant. The rest of her friends may be just as nice. Anyway, I'm going to open these boxes and see just what the hell is in them."
    Elena took the top box from a pile of six and started opening it with a knife. As soon as she began cutting the packing tape that was sealing it, the room started to shake.
    "What the fuck!"  shouted Andres, bewildered.
    The room kept shaking, as if an earthquake was going to destroy it. One of the walls, the only one that was not covered in stuff or sat behind a wardrobe, began to crack.
    "We've got to get out of here!" cried Elena, alarmed by the noise and the shaking.
    "No, wait a second!"
    Andrés was pointing at the wall, while the tremor slowly subsided. A dense dust cloud started to settle on the floor, covering the books and the photographs.
    "Elena, I told you that there was something here, even if I was unable to see it before," mumbled Andrés, who was still pointing his finger to the cracked wall.
    "Oh God!" Elena cried, terrified.
    The cracks on the wall had formed into three words, barely visible, unless you really stared. There were fine, irregular letters that spelled: I CURSE YOU .

IX
    E lena had requested an urgent meeting with Father Salas and Esteban. She was still rather shocked by the experience they'd witnessed at Carlos's and she'd told them what had happened in a hurried, clumsy way.
    "Elena, I know this thing you've gone through is terrible but actually it's not so unusual. The Evil One always tries to scare and confuse anyone who is determined to stand up to him," said Father Salas, delicately holding the parapsychologist's hands .
    "I don't know. I used to believe that I was ready for these situations. I even wanted to experience something like this! But now, after hearing Carlos's voice through my radio, begging... feeling this direct threat... I think it might be too much for me."
    "Let's keep calm and stay together. Faith is our best weapon at the moment," said Esteban, who understood very well the state Elena was in.
    "I'm sorry but, contradictory as it may sound, I'm a big sceptic. I always question a thousand times over what my senses are telling my brain..."
    "Elena, you will admit that a cracked wall is not a trick that anyone can pull. I'm always asking myself questions as well, some of which have no real answer, but what we are involved in is very real."
    "So, what should we do?"
    "I'm going to the Vatican. I have an audience with one of the most important exorcists of all time, who has been kind enough to make time to see me. I need his help. I think you should continue to investigate Alicia. I believe we will find the clue that could save Carlos and Laura, in her past.
    Elena couldn't help shedding a few tears. She was an incredibly strong woman, but even a personality as robust as hers had to be affected by such overwhelming facts.
    "I'll try. But something tells me we are staring down the barrel of a gun."
    "Yes we are, Elena, we are. I can't pull the wool over your eyes: facing the devil is not some