Page 103 of Inbetweeners
“I’m not sure you’d believe me if I told you,” Emmett said.
“Try me.”
Emmett let go of Nix’s hand to submerge both bottles. When they were full, he screwed on the tops and dried them against his shirt.
“I doubt you can shock me,” the priest said. “Why don’t you tell me what’s wrong.”
“Do you know how to get rid of a demon?” Emmett took hold of Nix’s hand again.
To give the priest credit, he didn’t even flinch. Nix wondered what he was thinking.
“You mean perform an exorcism?” the priest asked.
“Possibly.”
Nix clutched Emmett’s hand tighter.Be careful what you say.
“That’s not something I can do, but there’s a way to apply for it to be done. Who do you think is possessed? One of you?” The priest glanced between them. His gaze settled on Emmett, and Nix wanted to laugh.Wrong guy.
“No,” Nix said. “Not one of us. A friend.”
“What symptoms does this person have that makes you think they’re possessed by a demon?”
“Being made to do things they don’t want to do,” Nix said. “Hearing voices, seeing things that aren’t there.”
“You do realise how rare it is to be possessed by a demon. Far more likely to be a mental illness.”
“Maybe,” Nix said. “But they’re convinced they have a demon inside them.”
“And that’s why you want the holy water.”
Emmett nodded. “It might only have a psychological effect, but if by any wild fluke, itisa demon inside him, the holy water might work, mightn’t it?”
“It might.”
“Great.” Nix tugged at Emmett’s hand. “We need to go.”
“Will you let me give you a blessing?”
“Why not?” Nix said. He might as well find out if he was going to go up in flames. At least Emmett would be safe, though the idiot would probably try and put him out with holy water. That might be interesting.
“What are your names?”
“Emmett and Phoenix,” Emmett said.
“Eternal and loving God, please take care of your sons, Emmett and Phoenix. Help them on their path. Guide them to do the right thing for their friend. Fill them with your goodness and peace. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.”
Fucking arseholeVin screamed.Treacherous, fucking worm. You piece of shit! You snivelling little wretch…The delight in realising Vin didn’t like the blessing was lost in the pain that followed. Nix felt as if a knife had been jammed into his stomach. He turned before the priest could see his expression and stumbled to the exit, pulling Emmett with him. Maybe Emmett sensed he was in trouble because he felt an arm wrap around him.
The moment Nix was outside the church, the pain dissipated, though he was left trembling.
“What happened?” Emmett asked as they stumbled back to the car.
“Vin making his feelings known. He was quiet until the priest gave us that blessing. It must have shocked him enough for him to push through while I was awake. I think I’d sort of hoped it might force him deeper.”
When they reached the car, Emmett tossed the bottles inside, then pulled Nix into his arms and kissed him. “You’re a good person.”
“No, I’m not.”
