Exorcist of the American Nightmares

USA.

New York, Upper West Side, Manhattan.

In an ordinary classroom, the man seated at the lectern furrowed his brows, apparently troubled by something. Nevertheless, as the class ended, he did not forget to say, "Thank you, students."

As a teacher, he indeed felt grateful to those who attended his lectures attentively.

Just a simple acknowledgment for the students' attention was enough for him.

Although the students didn't really care, merely packing up their bags and textbooks one after another, leaving the classroom in succession.

Josh felt this indifference, exhaling a heavy breath before saying, "See you tomorrow, and don't forget to bring your homework."

Once all the students had left, Josh couldn't help but stretch and massage his temples, his lips somewhat pale.

It was only when he was alone that he allowed himself such overt gestures.

Just then, his cellphone on the desk suddenly rang.

Josh's gaze instinctively shifted, and upon seeing the caller, a flicker of avoidance flashed in his eyes.

The series of eerie incidents at home had instinctively made this burly teacher want to escape.

He dreaded going home so much that he had chosen to stay at school until late evening before returning.

However, as the head of the household and especially since today was the appointed time to meet with Elis, Josh still took a deep breath and answered the phone.

"Hello, dear."

Elsewhere in the same district, in a standalone villa.

A tired-looking woman sat on a bench on the street, making a phone call.

In front of her was a stroller with a baby lying inside.

"When will you get off work?" Riley's voice sounded weak.

This made Josh feel sorry for her.

"I can come home now, just wait for me there."

This time, he no longer wanted to run away.

Riley's voice came through the phone, and she pursed her lips.

"I'm outside right now."

Josh was taken aback, then quickly understood. Like him, his wife also did not want to go home.

"Mom's at home taking care of Dalton." Riley added, "I took Daris out to buy some stuff, just at the supermarket nearby."

Josh fell silent for a moment.

At that moment, both understood each other's feelings, falling into a wordless accord.

"Someone responded to my request for help." Riley mentioned something else.

"He said he's from the church and could offer us help."

"The church?"

Josh frowned, inherently skeptical. "Riley, wait a bit longer! Mom said Elis is about to come, and I trust mom more than some stranger online."

"I know, I trust mom too," Riley replied.

"But it's good to have more options, just in case Elis can't solve it, we still have another layer of security."

Riley's words echoed in Josh's ear, tightening his already furrowed brow even more.

At that moment, Josh felt that his wife was desperately grasping at straws, willing to cling to any offered help, unwilling to let go.

Thinking this, Josh opened his mouth to say something, but found he could say nothing. Finally, he just said,

"Alright, I'll come home now, and you come back soon too."

As he spoke, Josh glanced at the wall clock.

"It's almost time for our appointment with Elis."

"Mhm." Riley sounded exhausted, then hung up the phone, looking at her phone, tapping here and there until the screen showed a page of her posted plea for help.

Throughout this torturous period, she had been seeking help online, hoping to find someone who could solve the supernatural occurrences through the vast network.

Unfortunately, until the moment Elis's team came to check, no one had paid any attention to her numerous posts and comments.

People did respond, but most were mocking or disbelieving comments.

Just today, when she wanted to breathe some fresh air to escape the gloomy atmosphere always looming in their home,

suddenly, a comment offering help appeared, and it was from someone affiliated with the church, complete with proper credentials.

This made her hesitate for a moment, but after verifying the person's identity, she agreed to meet.

Compared to Elis, she somehow trusted the church folk more.

"When will you come over?" Riley typed into the private chat window.

It wasn't long before the chat window buzzed.

"Getting ready, we'll be there soon."

Seeing this message, Riley felt her tightly wound nerves relax for a moment.

Miraculously, this made Riley exhale a heavy breath, regaining her composure, typing on her phone screen.

"Okay."

After sending the message, Riley stood up, grabbed the stroller's handle, and started heading home.

The Upper West Side of Manhattan, where life and transportation were convenient and safer than other riskier areas.

To the west along the river, to the east adjacent to Central Park, the area housed many New York-style old apartments and row houses.

As a

 middle-class family, they lived in one of these standalone row houses, usually patrolled by police, ensuring safety.

But this security did not protect Riley's deeply unsettled mind.

It might seem like nothing; she wasn't in immediate danger, but the pervasive eeriness and oppressive atmosphere still made her feel extremely suppressed.

It was like seeing a looming danger, a lethal threat, with nowhere to hide, forced to watch it approach, waiting for it to claim the lives of her and her family.

Seeing the villa in front of her, the home she currently resided in, Riley felt almost breathless, tortured to the point of being unable to face it any longer.

Thus, Riley stopped at the gate, hesitant to enter.

Just then, a scream came from inside the villa.

"Ah!"

It was her mother's scream. Riley's heart tightened, and she could no longer care about anything else, rushing through the door.

Inside, she needed to know her mother and beloved elder son, Dalton, were okay.

Pushing the stroller aside at the doorway, Riley rushed into the house alone.

However, she only saw her mother bustling about in the living room.

Riley paused, followed by a suffocating wave of fear.

"Huh?"

Perhaps alarmed by Riley's loud entrance, the elderly woman making coffee in the living room turned around, looking puzzled at the visibly anxious Riley.

"Back already?"

But the old woman, Morena, noticed the unusual pallor on her daughter-in-law's face, and hurried over.

"What's wrong? Riley, you look awful. Are you okay?"

Hearing this, Riley's expression stiffened, barely managing to ask.

"What are you doing?"

"Um, making coffee," Morena replied, still puzzled.

"What's wrong? Where's Daris?"

The old woman noticed something was amiss.

Remembering the scream from before, Riley's mind nearly collapsed, casually replying.

"He's at the door."

Morena blinked, looking towards the door, indeed spotting the stroller.

Just then, the partially opened front door was pushed open by a hand, startling both Morena and Riley.

"Huh? Why are you all standing here?" The person who opened the door was Josh, just returned from school.

He grabbed the handle of the stroller, frowning.

"Why did you leave Daris at the door?"

Saying so, he pushed the stroller inside.

"Can someone tell me what's going on?" Josh noticed Riley's pale face.

Riley, feeling resigned, spread her hands and headed towards the stairs.

"I'm going upstairs to check on Dalton."

Leaving the mother and son looking at each other in bewilderment.

"What's wrong with her?" Josh watched Riley's retreating figure, then turned to his mother.

"I don't know," Morena sighed.

"She's probably just too tired lately."

Saying this, Morena looked at her son. "She's dealing with more than we are."

Hearing this, Josh fell silent, his gaze following Riley as she disappeared at the door, his thoughts unknown.

Meanwhile, Riley had entered a room on her own.

The room was filled with toys and covered with drawings.

This was a children's room, and in the center, on the bed, lay a child hooked up to an IV.

This was her son, her most cherished, Dalton.

Ever since he had started to fall unconscious, he hadn't woken up even once.

Numerous hospital visits had yielded no explanation.

Many renowned doctors had been baffled by her son's condition.

According to them, after numerous tests, everything seemed normal.

They apologized.

Riley sighed, sat down by the bed, and took her son's hand in hers, resting it against her cheek, murmuring.

"God, are you trying to see how long I can hold on before I break down?

Please, Dalton, I'm begging you to wake up. I'm scared, I can't hold on much longer..."

At that moment, she sensed someone entering the room; it was Josh.

Josh, seeing this scene, silently approached his wife and gently patted Riley's shoulder.

"Trust me, we'll resolve this today, and Dalton will wake up."

Riley didn't respond, just held her son's hand tighter, kissing the back of his hand.

Outside, the elderly woman Morena stood by the door, silent for a long time.

...

The appointed time had arrived, and the Josh family all sat in the living room waiting.

"Don't worry, Elis is usually very punctual," Morena reassured her son and daughter-in-law, sensing their unease and impatience.

Josh glanced at his wife, Riley, who sat with her arms crossed, about to speak when a knock on the door sounded.

His heart stirred, and he quickly stood up.

As he did, Riley and Morena were not far behind, following close behind Josh.

Josh opened the door, surprised by the group of people he faced.

There were

 six people standing before him.

To the side stood Kex and Tuck, whom he recognized since they had previously visited to inspect and gather evidence.

Glancing at the man who resembled him somewhat and the elegant-looking woman, as well as the man carrying various bags and equipment behind them, Josh focused on the figure in front.

An amiable elderly woman, her golden hair faded, showing her age.

"I wasn't sure if the doorbell was working, sorry about that," Elis apologized with a smile.

"No problem, please come in," Josh shook his head, stepping aside.

"Thank you!" Elis maintained her smile, nodding before she was the first to enter, followed by Kex and Tuck who exchanged glances with Josh, then Warren and his wife and assistant Drew, who had been observing since their arrival.

"Ms. Elis!" Morena was excited about Elis's arrival.

"You've finally come!"

Before, she had experienced similar supernatural events, and her son Josh had also been unconscious, only for Elis to step in and help.

"Ms. Morena," Elis nodded slightly, her expression already solemn as she unconsciously glanced back at the Warren couple following her.

Noticing Elis's gaze, Rolin nodded slightly.

She too had seen elements of the world of the dead.

Elis suppressed her thoughts and began introducing the Warren couple to Josh's family.

"This is Mr. Ed Warren, a renowned demonologist. They are the specialists I've specially invited to assist us."

Ed looked at Josh, who bore a slight resemblance to him, and was the first to extend his hand.

"Hello."

"Hello," Josh nodded. "Thank you for coming."

Ed scanned Josh's family briefly, then released his hand.

"It's nothing."

"This is Mrs. Rolin Warren, Mr. Ed's wife," Elis continued.

"Hello, Mr. Josh," Rolin seriously examined Josh, who resembled her husband slightly, her gaze discerning, but she also extended her hand to Josh.

This handshake made her feel something was off; the man's hand was unusually cold.

"Hello, Mrs. Rolin, thank you for coming," Josh showed no change, continuing to watch Drew set down equipment, waiting for an introduction.

"This is their assistant, Drew," Elis introduced.

"And my assistants, Kex and Tuck, hold similar roles."

"Hello, Mr. Drew," Josh extended his hand.

"Thank you for coming."

Drew grinned and shook Josh's hand briefly.

"Don't mention it."

With everyone's identities known to each other, Elis scanned Riley and Morena once more, then glanced at the ceiling, speaking in a firm tone.

"Let's start, Kex."

At her words, everyone's attention shifted to Kex.

Kex adjusted his glasses and nodded…

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