Simon dashed into the Lyons' house, ignoring Mr. and Mrs. Lyon who were startled by his intrusion.
"Good morning!" he said, running up to Jessica's room.
He paused just before grabbing her doorknob. He didn't want to risk seeing a naked Jessica.
Knock. Knock.
"Come in," a frail voice called in. The door squeaked open as his huge figure peered through slowly and quietly.
"Hey, Jess, my mum got a call from your mum. She said you weren't feeling very well," he said with a low voice, squinting his eyes. She just chuckled. She didn't look sick at all. Jessica was never one to be sick all these years his known her, more reason why the sudden news made him anxious.
"I'm fine, Simon," she responded with a smile. "I don't want you worrying about me." That was not enough for Simon, even though she looked perfectly fine.
"Here, sit," she gestured for the bed. "I'll be joining you to church." She dropped her phone on the nightstand beside her bed. She winked at Simon as she walked into the bathroom. That made him flush red for a second.
"I was not going to leave," he ran a hand through his silver hair. "You never fall ill—and when you do, it is disastrous..."
She turned, locking with his—those silver eyes reflecting the warm morning light.
"I do not believe you are 'fine,' Jess." He finally sat on the bed.
"Simon, Father Nicholas might be leaving town today, remember?" she chirped as she walked back to him. "He said today would be the day he decides if he's leaving or staying. And wouldn't you wanna know what he decides? He's been your mentor for, like, forever. You're really gonna miss his big day because Jessica was sick?" She stopped in front of him. "Emphasis on 'was'," she said, air-quoting dramatically.
Simon had known Father Nicholas all his life. As the son of two paranormal researchers — Steve Marlowe, a non-ordained theologian and exorcist who believed faith and fear were two sides of the same coin, and Jeanette Marlowe, his wife, the team's archivist — he was raised in same path and rites.
Father Nicholas was more than a mentor; he was family.
But right now? Jessica mattered more than any of them. He opened his mouth but found no words.
"We'll go to church. Period." Jessica concluded, shutting the bathroom door.
Simon fell back onto the bed, shut his eyes while Jessica took her princess power bath.
She shook him, "Wake up, Simon."
He groaned, stretching. "Just as expected. Took you eons." His silver eyes blinked open, and widened, "You look—" He exhaled softly. "Stunning."
Her cheeks blushed red as she got off the bed, hazel hair tumbling past her shoulder. Her emerald eyes flicked toward him—sharp and endearing. Freckles dusting her cheeks like sun-kissed constellations. She wore a loose floral blouse and pants that hugged her hips just right. Not quite his height, not close but she still looked like she wasn't intimidated by his height.
His compliments always had a way of making her blush even when she tried not to.
"Thank you," she giggled under her breath.
Mrs. Lyon stood immediately she heard their footsteps. Mr. Lyon leaned against the rail, waiting for the chatty youths to come down.
"No, no, little miss—you won't be going nowhere today," she snapped, folding her arms the moment she saw Jessica.
Jessica froze mid-step. Simon quickly went down forcing a polite smile as he walked past Mr. and Mrs. Lyon.
She resumed her steps with cute puppy eyes. Oh, and those enchanting emerald bulbs of her. "Mum... it's Father Nicholas and I'm fine. I'm sure about it," she coaxed. "Dad, tell her." She gazed at him, that eyes was difficult to say 'No' to.
"I know it's Father Nicholas's transfer day, but little miss, you were burning up this morning. You scared me. You scared us all. That kind of fever doesn't just 'disappear.' I suggest bed rest." The nurse in her spoke. Mrs. Lyon was a nurse at the Willow Creek Clinic and she never skipped an opportunity to be a nurse wherever she was. It was her personality.
"Is it mum or Nurse Meredith?" Mr. Lyon joked. Grabbing his wife by the waist, locking eyes with her and gently planting a kiss on her neck.
"She said she's alright. It's not a bad idea she goes. Also, she'll be with Simon," his eyes flicked to Simon, now rustling his hair.
Jessica gently crept to stand beside Simon who had nothing to say, just wore a weird smile.
Meredith visibly worried. "Are you sure?" She placed a hand on Jessica's forehead.
"Yes, mum," Jessica cuts immediately as she planted a kiss on her mum's cheeks, then her father's. "Bye mum. Bye dad. Love you!" She hurriedly grabbed Simon and dashed out of the house.
Simon was side-by-side with her, watching the wind play with her hazel hair while they biked, before retracting his gaze to the road.
"My mum literally makes a big deal out of little stuff," she spoke abruptly.
"I am worried, too, but—"
"Ugh, you too? Gosh, I'm fine. How else do I prove that I am?" She grunted, increasing her pedaling.
"Jessica, you would not blame me for being human. It is only natural I care. But since you said you are. I will take your word for it," he added in a persuasive manner.
"Thank you!" She heaved a deep sigh of relief.
She kept teasing him while they biked to church.
"Ever witnessed an exorcism, or performed one?" She asked with a sly smile.
"No, I have not," he replied. "But I overheard my parents talking about one that might be happening here—in Willow Creek."
"Our town?" She questioned.
"Yes. I am not very sure about the details, but it is still really strange. Not many people know about this." He sighed, "They do not want it disturbing the peace and calm of the town. Possessions are really rare, but somehow the first in decades is right here in Willow Creek."
"Duh? You're just scared." She let out a sarcastic laugh and sped off
This made Simon scoff, "Scared?—"
Simon paused immediately, something didn't feel right. Not that about the conversation. No, it was the atmosphere.
"I think you should stop the race, Jess," he called out. But she just laughed and pedaled faster.
He tried to keep up, but couldn't just shake off the eerie feeling of the environment. The race, the atmosphere, it just felt off. No, now it felt stronger. It was danger. Lurking around... waiting for the perfect time to strike. And Jessica? She wasn't listening.
In a blink of an eye, it came, Simon was able to swerve out of the way, but the impact sent him flying. He looked ahead and Jessica hadn't noticed. A massive truck loaded with timber had narrowly missed hitting him and headed for Jessica. And such speed was not normal for a truck.
The truck plowed into Jessica with a bone-shattering thud, her ribs cracking like brittle twigs. Her blood exploded in a gush, painting the asphalt in slick, steaming red. She flew upward, body twisting grotesquely, like a limp puppet torn from its strings.
Smash!