That somebody might be acting under some sort of force. An evil force. Like, they are under control of something really bad, and it’s making them act in a way that is not them…” Her voice died, and she swallowed hard. Tears had started to dampen her eyes, and she wiped them away, embarrassed. Father Owen finally looked over at her. “You’re talking about possession.” Melissa looked into his eyes. They were serious. Believing. She didn’t know what to think. “Does the church still believe in possession?” she asked. “Yes. Some cynics like to dismiss it all as scaremongering, but it’s real. The church still appoints exorcists to perform the ritual of banishing the evil spirit.” “You do believe, then?” “Oh yes. It’s real. The devil exists, Melissa. I know it. It’s real.” “The devil?” she asked. Father Owen nodded.
