She was more like a cloud of black and putrid vapors, inserting herself in every available crevice. Wherever he went, she was there. If he climbed the stairs or sought refuge in the depths of the cellar, she was there. Why wouldn't this demon leave Grandpa alone? He offered her a sacrifice of raw chicken and eggs. But that did not satisfy her lust. She pursued him relentlessly into every room, filling up his nostrils, seeping deep into his eyes until they were scarlet red.
Even his hair was immersed in her smell. He hid in the shower and bathed, but the steam was eviscerated by her thick dark cloud. Then came the awful screeching. Grandpa had learned how to silence her screams by dismantling the object at the top of the stairs. But the spirit had multiple voices. Her mechanical devices were all over the house and Grandpa ran from room to room trying to find them. Evil clutched and clung tightly to his throat. The cough was beyond control. The old man couldn't breathe. Eventually, he collapsed.
Now the sirens were blaring outside. His daughter rushed in with big men and women wearing uniforms. The various groups were color-coded. Paramedics went to work, while others dragged their tools throughout the premises. The revival attempts were successful and as soon as the patient was rescued, the white coats surrounded their target. Not to be outdone, the investigators began the interrogation. Meanwhile, the sirens were still blaring outside.
Little Joey brushed pass the entourage and instinctively ran towards the kitchen. And in an exasperated whine, he offered his report. "Mommm….Grandpa's been cooking again." His mother picked up the glass that had survived unscathed and whispered in the old man’s ear.
'Tell me something, Dad. Did you come into contact with any other spirits today?' She really didn’t want confirmation of what everybody already knew. The cloud of smoke was slowly displaced by the guilt and accusation that permeated the room.
Elder isolation is a serious matter. If you know of anyone in need of help, please reach out to health care providers, insurers, and/or local social services agencies.