The Calling: A Paranormal Mystery Vol. I by Daria Kacie

felt a presence or noticed anything strange for a week.  Things had been quiet.  She took the children to their father’s house for the night.  Karen jumped when Lizzy knocked on the door.  Lizzy stepped into the living room and gently put her bag on the floor.
    “What is all this?” Karen said, pointing to the bag.
    “I had to stop and get some stuff for the blessing.”  One by one, she brought out the tools of the trade. 
    1 Bible
1 white candle in a tall glass jar
1 bundle of White Sage
1 bottle of Holy Water
1 bottle of Sandalwood Anointing Oil
1 bag of Sea Salt
    “Wow,” said Karen, “what do we do with all this?”
    “As you know, I’m no expert.  I did some research online and talked to the Minister who taught the Ordination Class.  I think I understand what to do to cleanse, bless and protect the house but you do need to participate.”
    “I’m right here, Lizzy,” said Karen. “just tell me what you want me to do.”
    “Before we start, we need to talk about what I found out from Mary Johnson today.”
    “Mary Johnson?” Karen laughed, “what does that busybody have to do with anything?”
    “Hey, don’t act like that.  She was very helpful today.  Sometimes being a busybody and being a friend of a busybody has its advantages.  One advantage being she knows just about everything that’s happened in this town in the last 40 years.  She is a nice woman,” Lizzy said a little disgruntled.
    “Ok already, Mary Johnson, Queen of the Universe then!  What did she have to say?” Karen couldn’t stop smirking.
    “A teenage girl, Sunday Stewart killed herself in Ben’s house in the 90s. I think she may be the spirit who has been in your house. I don’t know how she got here, but it all just sort of adds up.  She had a little brother, Josh, who found her.” 
    “That’s horrible,” said Karen. “I’ve never heard of any of this.” 
    “Well,” Lizzy continued, “Mary Johnson had.   Anyway, I think Sunday has been lingering around.  She was a jilted lover and downed a bunch of pills. You know teenage angst.” 
    “I think she hitched a ride over here, but why and how?” asked Karen.
    “I don’t know,” said Lizzy, “but if she did, we will attempt to usher her out. We need to open the back and front door.  The instructions I read say to start in the living room of the house and begin working clockwise into every room and closet.  You carry the candle and sprinkle holy water around and I’ll deal with burning the sage and putting crosses on the door casings with the oil.  It says to put a cross on every doorway and window casing with the oil, while stating the prayer. I printed a copy for you. I feel kind of bad casting her out though.  I don’t know if maybe we can direct her to the light.  I just don’t know.  I am feeling a little inept.”
    If Lizzy was feeling inept, Karen was feeling completely out of her universe.  The two women took a moment to say a prayer at the table and then moved all the gear into the living room.  Lizzy lit the candle and handed it to Karen.  Lighting a small part of the sage bundle, Lizzy let it burn for a minute and then blew it out creating a steady plume of smoke.  She opened the Bible, pushed the small bottle of oil into her pocket and placed her copy of the prayer into the middle of the Bible.  She began to read with a firm loud voice from Ephesians 6:10-17 for protection and blessing. 
    Slowly they moved clockwise through the house, and in unison, read the prayer in each room. 
    “We consecrate this room in the name of God through our Lord Jesus Christ.  As the smoke from this Sage rises so do our prayers to the ear of God. The light of this candle burns away all negative energies or spirits in this home. We command any negative spirit in this room to depart and never return.”
    Lizzy added, “If you can hear me Sunday Stewart, look for the light and move toward it.  You have passed and are in limbo. Go