Shadows in the Lambert House

Cassian's Jeep came to a stop in front of a modest house in a quiet California neighborhood, the porch lights flickering as if hesitating to turn on. Susie Salmon, sitting in the passenger seat with her backpack clutched tightly against her chest, looked at Cassian with tired but alert eyes. They had driven from the Crestwood Hotel after a night of rest, and now, at dawn, they were standing in front of Elise Rainier's residence. Cassian turned off the engine, his crucifix glowing beneath his shirt as he grabbed his bag containing the dagger and prayer book.

"This is it, Susie," he said, his voice deep but calm. "Elise is expecting us. Stay close to me, and if you feel anything strange, tell me immediately."

Susie nodded, stepping out of the Jeep with a shaky sigh.

"Okay, Cassian. I still don't feel anything—since the seal, everything's been quiet. But I'm scared of what's coming."

Cassian gave her shoulder a gentle pat, guiding her toward the door.

"It's normal to be afraid, but you're with me. Elise knows more about this than anyone, and together, we'll help you. Let's go."

The door opened before they could knock, revealing Elise Rainier, a woman with a kind face but piercing eyes, dressed in a black shawl that gave her a mystical air. Behind her stood Specs, a thin man with glasses and a notepad in hand, and Tucker, more robust, carrying a video camera. Elise smiled upon seeing Cassian, extending a hand that he shook firmly.

"Cassian, it's good to see you," Elise said, her voice warm but charged with urgency. "And you must be Susie. Come in, little one—you're safe here."

Susie stepped inside timidly, looking around: the living room was filled with antique furniture, framed photos, and an air that seemed to vibrate with invisible echoes. Cassian closed the door behind them, setting his bag on a chair as Specs and Tucker greeted them with quick gestures.

"Elise, thank you for having us," Cassian said, crossing his arms. "Susie arrived yesterday, and I explained the basics of her gift last night. What do you have on the Lamberts? You said it was bad—I want details."

Elise gestured to a sofa, inviting them to sit while she took a chair facing them. Specs and Tucker remained standing, reviewing their equipment.

"It's worse than bad, Cassian—it's a disaster," Elise began, her tone dropping. "Renai and Josh Lambert are a young couple with three kids: Dalton, the eldest, and two younger ones. They recently moved into a new house, seeking a fresh start. But something happened to Dalton. One night, he went up to the attic, saying he heard noises. He climbed a ladder, saw something that terrified him, and fell. The next day, Josh went to wake him, and he didn't respond. They took him to the hospital, but the doctors found nothing—it's not a normal coma, Cassian. He's trapped."

Susie frowned, clutching her backpack tighter to her chest.

"Trapped? Like the souls I see? In that… astral plane you told me about?"

Cassian nodded, looking at Elise seriously.

"That sounds like astral projection, Elise. Dalton has the gift, doesn't he? He left his body and didn't return."

Elise sighed, clasping her hands in her lap.

"Exactly, Cassian. It's not a medical coma—it's spiritual. Dalton has the ability to project himself while sleeping, leaving his body and wandering the astral plane. But this time, he went too far, and something trapped him there. Renai started seeing things afterward: shadows in the hallways, voices she couldn't explain. They moved to Josh's mother's house, thinking it was the place, but it kept happening. Lorraine, Josh's mother, feels it too. I think a demon is behind it."

Susie swallowed, her eyes widening.

"A demon? Cassian told me about them last night… is it one of the strong ones, like the one you faced?"

Cassian crossed his legs, his gaze hardening.

"If it's trapping Dalton in the Other Side, it's not a lesser one, Elise. It could be a mid-level or something worse. What have you seen? Do you have any clues?"

Elise leaned forward, her voice trembling slightly.

"I haven't seen it clearly yet, but Lorraine had a dream: a black entity with claws and hooves in Dalton's room, and behind Josh, a red, demonic face. I felt it when I was with them, Cassian—a cold I can't explain. I think that demon has him, and not just Dalton—it's playing with the family."

Specs interjected, adjusting his glasses.

"We took photos at the new house. There are shadows that shouldn't be there, blurry shapes. Tucker recorded heavy footsteps, but no one was there."

Tucker nodded, his tone dry.

"And the equipment shut off on its own three times. Something doesn't want us there."

Cassian frowned, looking at Susie.

"The attic where Dalton fell—it's a crossover point, Elise. I've seen it before: high, dark places where the veil between worlds is thin. If he saw something there, it lured him. Susie, your gift could help us. Last night, I sealed you so you could rest, but if I undo it, you might sense what's nearby. Are you willing?"

Susie trembled, looking between Cassian and Elise.

"I don't know… I'm scared, Cassian. What if I see something horrible again, like the drowned girl or the stabbed man?"

Elise moved closer, sitting beside her and taking her hand gently.

"Susie, I understand that fear. I see things too, and they're not always easy. Your gift is like mine, but rawer, without a filter. You can see what's haunting Dalton, and that will help us save him. Cassian and I will be with you—I won't leave you alone."

Susie took a deep breath, nodding slowly.

"Alright… I'll do it. But, Cassian, how do you undo it?"

Cassian pulled the small crucifix from his bag, holding it in front of her.

"It's simple, Susie. The seal is temporary—I'll open it with a prayer. Close your eyes, breathe, and tell me what you feel when I'm done."

He recited softly, his voice resonating in the room:

"Domine meus, aperi hunc donum, revela umbras!"

The candle on the table flickered, and Susie gasped, her hands clenching into fists. She opened her eyes, looking around in panic.

"There's… there's someone here. A young woman, with her neck twisted. She's in that corner, looking at me. She says… says 'something has him,' Cassian—I hear it clearly!"

Elise stood, following Susie's gaze toward the empty corner.

"Describe her, Susie. What do you see?"

"She's pale," Susie replied, her voice trembling. "She has long, dark hair, and her neck is… broken, like she fell. She's looking at me, but she doesn't seem evil, just sad. She keeps whispering, 'something has him, something has him.'"

Cassian stood, his crucifix in hand.

"A benign spirit, perhaps, trapped here. It could be an echo from the astral plane, linked to Dalton. Elise, do you think she knows who has him?"

Elise nodded, her expression hardening.

"It could be a messenger, a soul that saw the demon. Susie, can you ask her what 'something' is?"

Susie swallowed, looking at the invisible figure unseen by the others.

"What is it? What has Dalton?"

She paused, listening, then paled.

"She doesn't say more… just repeats the same thing. But I feel cold, Cassian, so cold, like something is touching my back."

Before Cassian could respond, a slow dripping echoed in the room. Everyone looked up, and Susie screamed: thick, red blood was dripping from the ceiling, pooling on the floor and evaporating upon contact. Cassian raised his crucifix, reciting urgently:

"Domine, protege nos ab hoc malo!"

The dripping stopped, but the air remained icy, and Susie hugged herself, trembling.

"That wasn't her… it was something else, Cassian. Something dark—I felt it watching me from above."

Elise looked at Cassian, her eyes dark.

"That's not a benign spirit, Cassian. It's an omen, a warning from the demon. It's close, and it knows we're here."

Cassian tucked the crucifix away, his jaw tight.

"Then we go to the Lamberts, Elise. Susie, I'm sorry, but your gift has already given us a clue. That 'something' is what we'll face, and I won't let it touch Dalton or anyone else."

Susie nodded, still trembling, as Specs and Tucker silently gathered their equipment.