An Unexpected Detour

Noon rose over Helen's house in Raleigh, the sun warming Cassian's Jeep parked in front of the porch, ready for the trip to Hawkins. Cassian loaded his bag into the back, his papal crucifix glowing under his shirt, while Helen checked a suitcase filled with clothes and some electronic devices she had used to hack the Hawkins files. Cassian's calm was a constant, his movements precise and his face serene, while Helen exuded contained energy, her blonde hair pulled back into a practical ponytail, her blue eyes focused on the details of the plan they had mapped out.

Just as Cassian closed the rear door of the Jeep, his cell phone vibrated in the pocket of his jacket. He pulled it out, seeing Ed Warren's name on the screen, and answered in his usual deep and calm voice:

"Ed, how are you? I didn't expect your call so soon."

On the other end of the line, Ed's voice sounded warm but carried a hint of urgency.

"Cassian, I'm glad you answered. Lorraine and I are fine, thanks for asking. Listen, we have something to ask you—a big favor—and I thought of you immediately. Do you have a moment?"

Cassian rested a hand on the Jeep, his gaze fixed on the horizon as he nodded, though Ed couldn't see him.

"Of course, Ed. I always have time for you after what you did for me with the Perrons. What's going on?"

Ed took a deep breath, the sound of a chair creaking in the background suggesting he was in his study.

"It's about Judy, our daughter. Lorraine and I were planning to travel in a few days for a new case, something that caught our attention in Connecticut—I won't bore you with the details now, but it's serious, something that needs our presence. The problem is that Lorraine had a vision last night, one of hers, and she's worried about Judy. She saw shadows around the house, something lurking, though she couldn't clearly see what it was. At first, we thought about canceling the trip and staying here with her, but then Lorraine said your name. 'Cassian can watch over her,' she said. We remembered how you handled the Perron case, how you kept a cool head with that demon, and well… we wanted to ask if you could come to our house for a few days, keep an eye on Judy while we're away."

Cassian listened in silence, his expression unshaken, though his fingers tapped once on the Jeep's metal, a subtle sign that he was processing the request.

"A vision from Lorraine about Judy? That's not something you take lightly, Ed. How clear was it?"

"Not very," Ed admitted, his tone lowering. "You know how Lorraine's visions are—sometimes they're more sensations than images. She said she felt cold, a weight in the air, and saw Judy in her room with something dark nearby, but she couldn't tell if it was a spirit or something worse. The house is protected, Cassian—you know our collection of objects, all sealed—but after what we went through with you in Harrisville, we don't want to take any chances. Judy will stay here; she's not coming with us, and we need someone we trust completely."

Cassian nodded slowly, his voice maintaining the calm that defined him.

"I understand, Ed. The sealed objects are safe as long as no one touches them, but a vision like that… it could be something external trying to get in. How long will you be gone?"

"Just a day, maybe two," Ed replied. "We're leaving the day after tomorrow and should be back by the end of the week. We wouldn't ask this of you if it weren't important, Cassian. I know you have your own plans, but after how you helped us with the Perrons, we thought of your help."

Cassian looked toward Helen, who had finished closing her suitcase and was watching him curiously from the porch.

"It's no problem, Ed. You gave me a hand when the Praetor Infernalis nearly overwhelmed me, and I don't forget debts like that. I'll go to your house, stay with Judy while you're away. If Lorraine sensed something, I'll find it and stop it before it reaches her. When do you want me there?"

Ed let out a sigh of relief, his voice lighter.

"Thank you, Cassian, truly. If you can arrive by tomorrow afternoon, that would be perfect. We leave the next day, so you'll have time to settle in and check the house with us before we go. Lorraine will feel much better knowing you're here, and so will I."

"I'll be there," Cassian promised. "Tell Lorraine not to worry—I'll take care of Judy. If anything tries to cross, it already knows what awaits it."

Ed chuckled softly, a warm sound that cut through the tension.

"That's what I like about you, Cassian—always so sure. Thank you, my friend. See you tomorrow, then. God bless you."

"Same to you, Ed. Until tomorrow."

Cassian hung up, putting the phone back in his pocket as he turned to Helen, who had stepped off the porch and approached with a raised eyebrow, her tone curious but without the edge it sometimes carried.

"What was that, Cassian? Sounded important."

He rested a hand on the Jeep, explaining calmly:

"It was Ed Warren. He and Lorraine have a case in Connecticut; they're leaving in a few days, but Lorraine had a vision about their daughter, Judy. Something dark is lurking, though it's unclear what. They asked me to go to their house in Connecticut and stay with Judy while they're away for a day or two. They want me to watch over her and keep an eye on the house. I agreed, Helen—I owe them after the Perron case."

Helen crossed her arms, nodding slowly, her expression showing understanding rather than annoyance.

"The Warrens, huh. It doesn't surprise me that Lorraine sees things—she has a radar for the paranormal. And what about Hawkins? We were supposed to leave today, Cassian. Is the plan canceled?"

Cassian shook his head, his voice calm but firm.

"It's not canceled, just adjusted. I want you to go ahead to Hawkins, Helen. Go to the town, investigate more about what happened months ago—the police reports, that lab, anything you can find. I'll go to the Warrens' place tomorrow, stay with Judy until Ed and Lorraine return, and then I'll meet you in Indiana. If there's a portal or something dimensional, we need to know more, and you're the best at digging up details."

Helen looked at him for a moment, then smiled—a genuine smile that reflected her bravery and willingness to take the lead, though with a touch of practical reluctance.

"Alright, Cassian, it sounds reasonable. I'll go to Hawkins, snoop around, talk to whoever I can, and see if I can find anything more about that lab or that girl with powers. But let me say this right now—I'm not thrilled about babysitting, so I don't mind that you're handling Judy. I'd rather face a town full of secrets than play nanny in a house with creepy sealed dolls."

Cassian chuckled softly, his calm contrasting with Helen's energy.

"I knew you'd say that, Helen. Judy will be fine with me, and the Warrens' house is safe as long as the seals hold. If anything happens, I'll handle it. You focus on Hawkins—take notes, record what you can. When I arrive, we'll have a solid foundation to work from."

She nodded, picking up her suitcase from the porch and approaching the Jeep to load it.

"Deal, then. I'm leaving now—I'll reach Hawkins before sunset if I drive fast. You take care of little Warren, and don't let Lorraine's visions catch you off guard. See you in a few days, Cassian."

He opened the driver's door for her, his gaze serene but warm.

"Drive carefully, Helen. If you find anything strange in Hawkins, call me immediately—I can move if you need me."

"I will," she promised, climbing into the Jeep and starting the engine. "And you keep Judy away from anything dark. See you soon."

Cassian waved goodbye as the Jeep drove away, her figure disappearing down the road toward Hawkins. He returned to the house, gathering his things with the same calm that always accompanied him, preparing for the trip the next day. The Warrens needed him, and Hawkins could wait a few days.