“So there was nothing constraining the evil, and the doll was encouraging it,” Ruby said.

“Maybe the demon dived into the fire with the doll,” Catherine said. “Maybe the demon had some attachment to the doll. We can only speculate, but the important thing is that we know there is a dark side to the world and don’t want to encourage the inhabitants of that world. Wiccan, witchcraft, idols, the occult—they all delve into that world. We need to stay away from it.

“And the screeching?” Jack asked.

“I can’t explain that.” Churchie looked at Watts, who had his head resting in his arms on the table. Exhausted.

“Maybe it can all be attributed to a build-up of moisture in the timber and the screeching was from the moisture being released somehow through a crack or something. That would account for the steam cloud we saw,” the sergeant said.

Churchie knew there would always be sceptics. If only their eyes were open to see what he saw.

“There is a darkness out there, Phil, believe me. It exists. Just be aware.”

“Oh, I’m aware. Just sometimes I want logic to kick in and explain to me why things are as they are. I might think differently when I reflect on the things I’ve just witnessed.”

62 – Attack the swarm

CHURCHIE SAT WITH RUBY, Catherine, and the doctor at the table while Jack and the sergeant took Gill Watts out to the police vehicle.

Ruby had recovered somewhat. Maybe she had developed an inner strength from her trials.

“Here’s some wordplay for you, Churchie. Remove the ‘i’ from idol and you get dol.” Catherine said looking at their unresponsive faces. “That’s bad, isn’t it?”

“Ay, it is,” the doctor said.

“Just trying to lighten the mood.”

“Here’s a better one for you,” Churchie said. “Move the ‘n’ from Santa to the end, and you get Satan.”

“Ay, that’s a wee bit better.”

“You’ve just shattered the joy of Christmas.” Ruby said, forcing a smile. She looked at Churchie. “Thank you, Christopher, for what you did.”

“That’s all right, Ruby.” He gave her a smile. “I spent a lot of time with God before you arrived, as I sensed a spiritual battle was coming. God equips us with the tools—he calls it the armour of God. I needed to refresh my mind on those things.”

“What did you do to him?” Ruby asked.

“I’d say from his upbringing, he’d opened up doors to let demons into his life. I told them to leave.”

“I can vouch for his upbringing. I was at his house and sensed a terrible evil there,” Catherine said. “In fact, I used this to protect myself.” Catherine had reached into her top and pulled out a cross. 

“Yes, a reminder that there’s power in the name of Jesus,” Churchie said. “With Gill, I told the evil spirits who had taken up residence in his soul to leave. I did this by the power of the Holy Spirit and in the name of Jesus. I was able to cleanse him because I was prepared—so don’t any of you go and try anything like that, because it can be dangerous.”

“I can see that. I might just move in and stay with you. I think you have a protective nature about you,” Ruby said.

Churchie tried to control the blood rushing to his face. He looked at Catherine, who looked perplexed. He looked at the doctor. She was smiling.

“And a bonnie lass being in a house with a single man is a good thing.”

<°)))><

Jack watched the sergeant drive off with a subdued Gill Watts in the back seat. The deputy had joined them, and followed them back to the station in another vehicle. Jack didn’t believe Gill Watts was a concern anymore. His demeanour had completely changed with whatever Churchie did to him.

A swarm of flies trailed behind the police car, the shadow of the swarm intermixing with the tar of the road. A flash of metallic colour appeared in the sky and darted towards the swarm. The flies scattered. Swallows—metallic blue-black figures circling, banking, and diving gracefully into the scattered swarm. Jack stood there, transfixed by the marvels of nature.

With the swallows’ performance complete, Jack turned and looked down towards the water. The black boat used by the SERT team skimmed across the top of the water—returning to base as their services were no longer required. Jack headed back towards the house. The old timber seat on the porch looked inviting. He could do with a time of reflection, so he walked up to the seat and sat down.

Some swallows continued to skim and swoop against the blue sky, feeding on the tiny black insects yet to escape. With all that Jack had seen, he wouldn’t be surprised if it was an act of God. Was that closure? Would it be the end? Witchcraft. Demons. No more.

“There you are.”

Jack looked up to see the lovely Ruby walking towards him.

“Mind if I join you?”

Jack patted the seat next to him. “You’re most welcome.”

Ruby sat down. “What’re you up to?”

“Watching swallows attack a swarm of flies.” Jack said pointing in that direction. A few birds were banking, looking for any remaining flies.

“Interesting. I often think of birds as a sign of freedom,” Ruby said.

Jack saw dark shadows under her eyes. They’d soon dissipate as he believed the attack on Ruby was now over.

“It’s finished now, Ruby. No more connections. One dysfunctional family controlled by occult practices.”

“What’ll happen to this one?”

Jack wasn’t sure what was going to happen to Gill Watts. He might get off lightly with a misdemeanour charge, but Jack doubted that as carrying a gun was not a good thing and Jack didn’t yet know what role he played in the death of Jill Winter, if any. That could change things significantly but Jack would remain positive for Ruby’s sake.

“He’ll go before the magistrate. My gut feeling is that he’ll be put on a stricter supervised parole program. More than likely he’ll wear an ankle bracelet for some time. Maybe not be allowed off the island. But I think whatever happened in there,” Jack pointed with his thumb to inside the house, “has done more for him than our criminal justice system could do.”

“Yep, I understand. My dad is a retired magistrate, but I’m still not fully grasping the Churchie thing.”

A light went off in Jack’s head. Mental note taken. Follow up with Cath.

Ruby continued. “Yes, it’s strange. You know, Jack, I originally came to this island to find myself. I remember the trip on the ferry, the sea breeze in my face. I was full of optimism.”

Finding herself. It meant she must have considered herself to be lost.

“I came back to the island as I felt I needed closure,” Ruby said.

“Think you’ve got that.” Jack gave her a half smile. “Just maybe not the kind of closure you expected.”

“But you know what I think I’ve learned? We can’t control what happens in our lives. We can only control our reaction, our emotions.

“You’ve been put to the test with that one.”