Erik and his family had hastily packed some clothes and supplies and followed Pastor Mark to the church.
“This place may offer some sanctuary,” Mark said. “A demon would be uncomfortable here, in a holy place, I think.”
Erik nodded but he wasn’t sure how much good holiness would do right now. He didn’t think he could stop this thing just by waving a crucifix at it. Perhaps if they could conjure up an army of angels of their own….
The church was fairly large for a small town, and had several classrooms, and a fellowship hall with a kitchen in the basement. The place was very secure and doubled as a shelter in case of an emergency. Erik guessed that this situation qualified.
The pastor’s residence was attached to the back, a small, one bedroom unit with a garage.
“I think we should all stay here for now,” Mark said.
Erik turned on the television in one of the classrooms to catch a glimpse of the morning news. What he saw shocked and horrified him. The news footage was showing what was left of the State Police barracks, which had been incinerated early this morning. The authorities were claiming it was a possible terrorist attack, and had mobilized the National Guard. There was also mention of an attack in the woods during the night where, they claimed, the F.B.I. had first encountered the terrorist group and had been outgunned.
“How else would they explain it?” Mark said. “Nobody’d buy it if they called it what it was.”
“People will believe anything except the truth,” Erik said. “Do you think it was after Dovecrest?”
“Definitely. And by the looks of it, I’d say it got him. We’re on our own, my friend.”