"It's over,"
As usual, York only mentioned that it was over and didn't elaborate.
"You can clean up the scene now."
He didn't bother with any further niceties.
"I have other matters to attend to, so I'll be leaving now."
Leaving these words behind, York walked towards his parked Ford Raptor, leaving Jeffrey, Beck, and the others exchanging glances. As he reached the car, he turned to look at Jeffrey.
"Jeffrey, about the speeding issue?"
Jeffrey quickly responded, "It's already been handled, Father."
"That's good."
York smiled, got into the driver's seat, placed his backpack on the passenger seat, and drove off under everyone's gaze.
"Phew!"
Watching the car disappear from view, Jeffrey turned his attention back to the building and motioned, "Let's go inside!"
.........
At that moment.
Far away in Vatican City, a phone call was taking place in an overseeing corridor.
"Bishop Gabriel, Emily's situation is getting worse. She says she's seen a pen holder slide off a table on its own, doors closing suddenly, and at night she's been pinned down by an invisible force, unable to move or breathe for minutes."
Bishop Gabriel, carrying a thick book under his arm, paused his walk to the church and calmly inquired, "And the doctor's conclusion is?"
The voice traveled across to a plain-looking church in America.
Father Ernest, dressed in a priest's robe, pursed his lips and looked down at the diagnosis report on his knee, obtained from Emily's parents.
"The doctor thinks Emily might have epilepsy. He says that after an epileptic seizure, patients can lose consciousness for a few minutes with muscle contraction, so the pressure Emily felt could be due to muscle contractions."
"Possibly?" Gabriel noticed the ambiguity of the word.
"No tests were conducted?"
"They did an EEG on Emily and found possible evidence of epilepsy in the lower left side of her brain," Father Ernest answered earnestly.
"Bishop Gabriel, the doctor's conclusions are all 'possibly,' indicating he's not 100% certain whether Emily has epilepsy. He's only prescribed Gambia Ultra (a fictional anti-epilepsy drug) for her, similar to Gabitril (tiagabine) but with a milder effect and no significant side effects. What's more, the pen holder moving on its own and doors closing don't quite align with epilepsy…"
Gabriel sensed the underlying meaning of these words and said, "Father Ernest, as per the Church's rules on possession, these observations alone aren't enough."
Father Ernest was silent for a moment, aware his reasoning was somewhat far-fetched, but he had felt something off about Emily since he first saw her.
"Bishop, Emily saw a demon with her own eyes. She's suffering from dark forces! Shouldn't we do what's necessary?"
Gabriel furrowed his brow and finally sighed, "Ask about Emily's and her parents' wishes. If they all agree, I'll reconsider your request."
"Thank you, Bishop Gabriel. I'll reorganize the documentation."
"Good."
Gabriel hung up the phone and proceeded silently to a church.
Guardians stood on both sides of the main entrance.
"Bishop Gabriel."
Gabriel nodded and pushed open the door to a magnificent church.
The neat, clean pews and the unchanging figure of Jesus.
An elderly man in a white robe was kneeling in prayer.
Gabriel carefully approached, trying not to make a sound, then stood silently behind the elder.
After a long time, the river of time flowing silently, the elder spoke.
"Gabriel, you're here?"
As if he already knew, the elder then shakily stood up.
"Bishop Gregory." Gabriel quickly helped the elder to a pew.
"Getting old, can't kneel for too long," the elder joked, touching his knees.
Gabriel was silent, worry in his eyes.
For some time now, Bishop Gregory, who used to travel and enjoy life, had been deteriorating, growing weaker by the day.
Seeing no response, the elder raised his eyebrows and spoke gently, "Don't worry, I can still hold on."
He then chuckled, "Has York applied for any exorcisms recently?"
Gabriel frowned, "No, but he's supposed to submit a report of his recent activities today."
The elder's eyes sparkled with curiosity, "It seems that boy has been busy. I heard his deaconess is taking over church responsibilities?"
Gabriel was somewhat helpless, "Yes, Your Eminence. He's too lazy, not at all like a priest should be."
"Hehe, either looking for trouble or on the way to it," the elder chuckled.
"With his words, 'exorcising demons and maintaining world peace.'"
Hearing this familiar phrase, Gabriel smiled but then became serious again.
"Your Eminence, have they complained about York to you again?"
The elder dismissed it and changed the subject, "Gabriel, do you know why I called you here?"
Gabriel shook his head and then nodded, "I have an idea."
"I intend to promote York in ecclesiastical rank. After you step down, he will take your place as Bishop. His achievements and merits are sufficient to take on this role."
Gabriel's eyes showed relief. There are only three main clerical ranks: deacon, priest, and bishop. Only a bishop can bypass many restrictions, including the need for permission to perform exorcisms.
"Your Eminence, I will recommend him and submit the application for my successor before I step down."
The elder nodded, stood up, and Gabriel helped him.
"I'm curious to see his reaction when he finds out he's been nominated by you. What expression will he have? Anger? Confusion? Resignation?"
Gabriel smiled, "You'll see when he comes here for the ordination ceremony."
"That will be an interesting sight," the elder grinned.
___________________
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