The Warrens' house in Connecticut stood beneath a gray sky, its darkened windows capturing the sunset with a dull glow. Cassian parked his Jeep in front of the entrance, the engine shutting off with a deep growl. Ed and Lorraine were waiting on the porch, their faces marked by fatigue but illuminated with relief at seeing him. Judy, an 11-year-old girl with short brown hair and wide eyes that reflected a mix of shyness and curiosity, stood beside them, clutching a stuffed teddy bear with nervous fingers. Mary Ellen, a young woman with straight blonde hair that fell to her shoulders, smiled warmly, her kind gaze showing her protective and gentle nature. Lorraine introduced her as the babysitter who would care for Judy during their trip.
"Cassian, thank you for coming," Ed said, shaking his hand firmly. "We knew you were the right person after what happened with the Perrons. Lorraine had a vision about Judy—something dark—and we couldn't leave her unprotected."
Lorraine stepped closer, her voice soft but tense. "I didn't see clear details, Cassian. Shadows around the house, a cold that pierced me, and Judy in her room with something nearby. I don't know what it is, but I know you can stop it if it appears."
Cassian nodded, his calm demeanor unwavering, the papal crucifix hidden under his shirt. "Don't worry, Lorraine. I'll be here. If anything tries to get close, I'll stop it. When do you leave?"
"Tomorrow at dawn," Ed replied. "Mary Ellen will take care of Judy, but you'll keep an eye out for the paranormal. The artifact room is sealed, as always, though Lorraine's vision suggests it might be something from outside."
Mary Ellen stepped forward, her tone gentle but tinged with nerves. "I'm Mary Ellen, Mr. Cassian. I'll take care of Judy, but I feel better knowing you're here. This house has… a strange vibe."
Cassian looked at her, his voice firm and calm. "Just Cassian, Mary Ellen. I'll keep everything under control—don't be afraid. Judy, how are you?"
Judy watched him from behind her teddy bear, her voice low but with a brave glint in her eyes. "Fine, I guess. Mom says you chase away monsters."
He gave a faint smile, leaning slightly toward her. "That's right. I'll be close by—don't worry."
That night, Ed and Lorraine showed him around the house, including the artifact room with its cursed objects sealed behind glass cases, before departing at dawn. Judy was left in Mary Ellen's care, who was baking a birthday cake in the kitchen, filling the air with the scent of vanilla. Cassian patrolled the entrances, sprinkling holy water on door and window frames with precise movements, his blessed dagger at his waist, the weight of the air keeping him alert.
The next day, while Judy was at school, Cassian inspected every corner of the house, his silent steps echoing on the wooden floor. Judy returned that afternoon with Mary Ellen, her face pale, her short hair tousled by the wind. "I saw something at school," she whispered, her voice trembling as she clutched the teddy bear. "A priest, but he wasn't normal. His eyes were black, and he followed me to the bus."
Cassian crouched in front of her, his calm projecting reassurance. "Describe him, Judy. Leave nothing out."
She swallowed, her eyes searching his. "He had an old cassock, with torn edges. His face was sunken, like he'd been dead for a long time. He looked at me and smiled, but he had no teeth, just a black hole. He walked behind me the whole way."
Mary Ellen hugged her, her blonde hair falling over her shoulder as she looked at Cassian. "What does that mean? Is it dangerous?"
Cassian straightened, his tone serene but firm. "It could be a restless spirit, or something worse. I'll know if it shows up here. Stay with her, Mary Ellen. I'll keep watch."
That night, Daniela Ríos, a friend of Mary Ellen's, arrived unannounced, her dark eyes gleaming with intense and morbid curiosity. "I brought skates for Judy," she said, handing over a pair wrapped in shiny paper as a birthday gift. With a mix of charm and persuasion, she convinced Judy and Mary Ellen to go try them out in the yard, leaving Cassian alone in the living room. He immediately sensed a change: a cold seeping through the walls, a faint murmur barely audible in the air. He approached the artifact room, checking the lock with a quick movement of his hand.
A sharp knock echoed from the front door. Cassian turned, blessed dagger in hand, crossing the hall in three strides. He opened the door, but no one was there—only the wind moving dry leaves. The cold intensified, and a childlike voice filled the space, Bee Mullins singing in a broken tone: "Mary had a little lamb…" The lights flickered, and a tall shadow passed in front of the window, its long fingers scratching the glass with a shrill screech that raised goosebumps.
Cassian raised his dagger, sprinkling holy water toward the window. "You will not cross," he said, his voice low but sharp. The shadow retreated, but the air vibrated with a distant roar. Mary Ellen and Judy ran inside, their faces pale, while Daniela had stayed behind, slipping into the artifact room. Cassian felt a burst of malignant energy, a guttural roar resonating in his mind as if something had awakened. He rushed to the room, finding Daniela trembling in front of Annabelle's display case, the doll missing, the box open.
Daniela had her hands covering her face.
Cassian pushed her aside with a firm motion, raising his crucifix. "Step back, Daniela. Stay behind me."
A scream tore through the air from Judy's room. Cassian ran, arriving just as Judy pointed to an empty chair in the center of the room. "He was there!" she sobbed, her short hair sticking to her forehead with sweat. A note on the floor read, "Do you miss me?" in dripping red ink, forming a viscous pool. The curtains flapped violently, and a stench of rot saturated the air. The Bride's spirit emerged from the wall, her torn veil floating, her eyes sewn shut with black thread slowly opening to reveal white pupils glowing with malice. Her bony hands reached toward Judy, her nails clicking against the floor.
Mary Ellen pushed Judy behind her, shouting, "Cassian, do something!"
Cassian advanced, sprinkling holy water in a wide arc. The Bride shrieked, her form partially dissolving, but the floor shook violently, and an inhuman howl echoed from outside. The Hellhound slammed against the front door, its claws leaving burning marks on the wood, the smell of sulfur seeping through the cracks.