Possessed In The Church [br/]Episode 2[br/]Written By Jerry Smith.[br/][br/]At first, I didnt feel any different.[br/][br/]After that eerie moment in church, I told myself it was nothing. Just my imagination, just the tension of the moment playing tricks on me.[br/][br/]The Sunday service continued as if nothing had happened. Pastor David led the final prayers, the choir sang, and the congregation clapped in joy. Everyone seemed relieved that the possessed woman was finally free.[br/][br/]Even I felt relievedor at least, I thought I was.[br/][br/]As we stepped outside, the afternoon sun bathed the streets in golden light. My mother smiled at me.[br/][br/]Youre awfully quiet, Peace. Are you okay?[br/][br/]I forced a smile. Im fine, Mama.[br/][br/]Joy tugged at my hand. That woman was scary, wasnt she?[br/][br/]I nodded, trying to push the memory away. Yeah but shes okay now. The pastor helped her.[br/][br/]My father, a tall man with a deep voice, glanced at me. You looked a bit shaken back there. Did something happen?[br/][br/]I hesitated. Should I tell them? Should I explain that I felt something strange when she looked at me?[br/][br/]No.[br/][br/]It was probably nothing.[br/][br/]So I shook my head. I was just surprised, Papa. Thats all.[br/][br/]He nodded. Its good that youre learning how powerful prayers can be.[br/][br/]I tried to smile, but inside, a shadow of doubt lingered.[br/][br/]When we got home, the familiar smell of jollof rice and fried chicken filled the air. Sunday was always special because we ate together as a family.[br/][br/]We laughed, talked about the sermon, and Joy made silly jokes that had us all chuckling.[br/][br/]Everything felt normal.[br/][br/]Evening came quickly.[br/][br/]As usual, we gathered in the living room for our evening devotion. My father read from Psalm 91, reminding us that God would always protect us.[br/][br/]No evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling, he recited.[br/][br/]We sang a hymn, said our prayers, and then my mother yawned.[br/][br/]Time for bed, she said. Tomorrow is Monday. We all need rest.[br/][br/]I was tired too.[br/][br/]Joy and I shared the childrens room, while our parents slept in the master bedroom.[br/][br/]I changed into my nightgown and lay beside my little sister. She snuggled close to me.[br/][br/]Peace, can we leave the lantern on? she asked.[br/][br/]I smiled, stroking her hair. Youre too old to be scared of the dark, Joy.[br/][br/]She pouted. I just feel better when theres light.[br/][br/]I sighed and left the lantern burning dimly. Goodnight, Joy.[br/][br/]Goodnight, Peace.[br/][br/]Silence fell, and soon, the world faded into sleep.[br/][br/]Somewhere in the deep of the night, I felt something shift inside me.[br/][br/]A cold, unnatural feeling crept over my skin.[br/][br/]I stirred, blinking my eyes open.[br/][br/]And thenI saw it.[br/][br/]My body was still lying on the bed, but[br/][br/]I was also standing.[br/][br/]A second me.[br/][br/]A ghostly, shadowy figure rose from my body.[br/][br/]My breath caught in my throat. What is happening?[br/][br/]I tried to move, but I was paralyzed.[br/][br/]My heart pounded. I watched, helpless, as the figure took slow steps toward the door.[br/][br/]Then, in the dim lantern light, I saw her face.[br/][br/]Not mine.[br/][br/]Hers.[br/][br/]The woman from the church.[br/][br/]The spirit of that possessed woman, she seemed to have taken possession of my soul she was leaving my body.[br/][br/]To be continued