How do you save someone from demon possession? This was the question that Jane and Hannah were trying to answer. The problem was that there were a huge number of things to be figured out before they could get to that point. Unfortunately, searching on the internet using that enquiry didn't provide the required information.
They had to phrase their searches in various different ways in the hope that something of use would be revealed. They had started with the basics including words such as demon, possession and exorcism in the sentences. If they found anything of interest that would then mean undertaking further research, such as, looking for books or texts which were mentioned on the net.
Sometimes a copy of a book was available at a library and either Jane or Hannah would head off to the location and inspect the text. They had read dozens of books over the years, but they had not found what they were looking for. Many universities and churches which held ancient writings had been visited. This was not as straightforward as going to a public library. Permission had to be obtained before being allowed into some places.
When they had exhausted that avenue of investigation, new parameters were set. The words changed and the trawl was for mentions of witches, folklore and even werewolves. If the beasts could transform as rumoured, that might explain the legends of men turning into wolves.
The werewolf stories went back as far as Roman times. During the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, tales of men who changed into beasts or lycanthropes grew alongside the folklore of witches. People were also accused of wolf riding or charming and could be put on trial for doing so. None of the thousands of pieces of literature about them led to anything useful for the ladies.
The world of folklore led them onto the charms and spells which were employed to deal with all manner of demons or possession. As ever, the hope was that they would come across something that could help Anthony. Instead, it was often wading through hundreds of articles about ancient practices which were never quite what they needed.
Much of what they had read was fanciful to say the least. Hannah could not count the number of spells which were supposed to do everything from cure the sick to bring good fortune. There were a number which were supposed to banish demons, but they were not specific enough for their purposes.
The problem was that the word demon meant different things to different people. Demons were to blame for illnesses and in particular seizures, and there were many spells or exorcisms to get rid of them in this instance. Other demons were said to be responsible for famines or storms and a variety of natural disasters.
There were lots of references to demons which appeared in the shape of animals. Bears, pigs, rats and serpents were among the beasts which could be used. Even dogs, cats, fish and beetles were on various lists. The wolf was there, but again this was not what they were looking for. The search would go on.
It was a monotonous task and deeply frustrating. They had gone off on many a chase after a promising lead only to find another dead end. There were times when Hannah and Jane had to have a break from the relentless search in order to retain their sanity. The thought of Anthony, and the possibility that he could be saved, drew them back to the project and they would look again.
The other thing they were looking for was Anthony. When they found the cure or spell, or whatever they were searching for, it would all be for nothing if they needed him to perform the ritual. The name of the town where he had been left was known and that had been the starting point for them.
The internet once more was used and they searched for "The baby in the box" There were a number of articles about the original discovery and then newer pieces were discovered. A paper had done a follow up story about what had happened to the boy named Anthony. He was said to be living in a neighbouring town with a couple who had adopted him. The family wanted privacy so there were no names, but the place was cited.
Hannah had maybe read too much about magic, but she was sure that if she was near to where he lived, she would know. Now that they had information about the boy, they could focus more on looking for a way to save him. Hannah was now typing the words "Pagan rituals" into the laptop and then the wade through the trash that was returned would begin.
Jane delivered a cup of coffee to Hannah who was staring bleary eyed at the screen. She stretched and took a sip before resuming her task. Sitting bolt upright the article in front of her was a real clue. It referred to a summoning for those that were half man half beast.
"Jane, JANE, come and look at this."
This was the nearest they had got to a mention of the beasts since they started their search. For over a decade, every clue had been followed and, soon after, there had been disappointment. Thousands, maybe millions, of words had been read, sometimes excitedly and sometimes with dogged determination.
This entry about a half man, half beast was the best lead they had found in a few years. Hannah bookmarked the page, took a screen print and downloaded the article. The only thing she didn't do was share it on social media. It was something to set them off down a new road of research.
That night Hannah and Jane sat up late.
"This might be it, Jane. It is a summoning for those that are half man half beast."
"But what does that mean? You would call them, but then what?"
"I don't think they would be called unless it was to deal with them. Who would want to call some murderous beast to come to them?"
"I see what you mean. As usual, we have to not get over excited. It is definitely the best mention we have found."
"I know I'm being fanciful again, but this turns up as we get nearer to Anthony's sixteenth birthday. Its like in films where there is a countdown on a bomb and they manage to stop it at the last second."
"Fingers crossed. There is more work to do, but we can tackle that tomorrow. When you get home from work, we will formulate a plan and press on."
"I won't be able to sleep tonight. Then I've got a whole day at work to get through. I know you say don't get excited, but this is it, Jane. I can feel it."
Jane prayed that night that they had finally discovered the answer. Or the beginning of the answer. Hannah may have lost her baby, but she was fighting like a lioness to help him. She had never given up hope that there was a solution and that they would find it before Anthony's sixteenth birthday. She had faith and a mother's love.
Hannah had a sleepless night as she veered between optimism that they had finally found the right path and caution in case they were on another false trail. Another day in the supermarket beckoned. Another day of questions and queries from customers and staff. All the time the thoughts would be on Anthony.
Finally, work was over and the journey home had begun. Once indoors the laptop was immediately put on and more research could take place. There had been a mention of the summoning, but that was all. They had to find out where the text was. Was it in a manuscript or a book? There was so much still to do, but Hannah was now flooded with hope.