BOOK ONE Chapter 5 Episode 5
Damage Control

The school courtyard hums with the usual Tuesday morning chaos—kids shouting, sneakers scuffing the pavement, and the faint smell of damp grass lingering from yesterday’s rain.

Ella adjusts her backpack, the weight of the Aladdin’s lamp perfume bottle in her purse a constant reminder of Helana’s presence.

Eileen, chewing on a granola bar, nudges her.

“Dude, we need to work on damage control after yesterday’s debacle.” “Debacle? Is that your word of the day?” Ella teases, rolling her eyes.

“Anyway, I’ve got a plan.

We just need to keep those goth girls in check.

And stop saying ‘dude’—my dad says that.” “We did a good thing yesterday,” Roxana says, her voice soft but firm, her rosary beads clicking in her pocket.

“But those demon things will probably keep coming back.

I don’t think we should make a habit of exorcising them.” “Yeah,” Ella agrees, glancing at her purse.

“Only for close friends who are infected, not the whole school.” “Whoa, hold up!” Roxana stops, her eyes narrowing as she studies Ella and her purse.

“Something’s different with you two.

You didn’t…?” “What? Oh, no! God, no!” Ella’s cheeks flush, her voice rising in protest. “No way!” Helana’s voice chimes in their minds, tinged with alarm.

“That’s forbidden.

The council of elders would drag me home in chains if we… did that.” “Okay, just checking,” Roxana says, exhaling in relief.

“That’d be an abomination.

We don’t need any swooping elders flying around.” “You guys are ridiculous,” Eileen giggles, tossing her granola bar wrapper into a nearby trash can. “We just talked last night,” Ella explains, her tone defensive.

“We bonded, as friends.

That’s it.” Before they can continue, two figures in school uniforms—Jenna and Janice, the self-styled Sisters of Darkness—block their path.

Their black lipstick stands out against the drab gray of their blazers, and their eyes glint with menace.

“We warned you witches yesterday,” Jenna says, her voice low.

“Don’t come around here anymore.

Find a private school and get lost.

We’re the only witches allowed here.” “Witches?” Ella snaps, stepping forward.

“I don’t know what your obsession is, but you’d better rein it in.

We’re not witches, but we can be tough if we have to.” Janice opens her mouth to retort, but both girls freeze, their faces paling.

Without another word, they back away, then bolt across the courtyard. “What just happened?” Eileen asks, her jaw dropping. Helana’s voice is calm but firm.

“Projecting fear into human minds is simple.

I prefer love, but sometimes fear is the right medicine.

They won’t bother you again.” “Let’s hope that doesn’t backfire,” Ella warns, her stomach twisting.

“That could make things worse.” “Do you think they actually saw what we were doing?” Eileen asks, glancing around nervously. “If they’re dabbling in dark arts, they might’ve trained themselves to see beyond the normal—or they’re linked to an entity that can,” Helana says.

“But I didn’t sense any entities or heightened perception from them.

They probably just assumed you were doing some dark ritual and jumped to conclusions.

They’re harmless, more wannabe witches than real ones.” “But now they’re even more convinced we’re witches,” Roxana says, her voice tight.

“They’ll be jealous.

We need to watch our backs, or we might get jumped.” “Yo, Roxy! Over here!” a voice shouts from across the courtyard. “Who’s that?” Ella asks, squinting. “Billy Mitchell,” Eileen says, wrinkling her nose.

“He’s weird.

Why’s he calling you Roxy?” Roxana sighs, exasperated, and heads toward him, Ella and Eileen trailing behind.

“It’s Roxana, not Roxy,” she says sharply.

“What do you want, Billy?” “Shadows.

Shadow People,” Billy says, his voice low, his eyes darting nervously.

“I heard you know about that stuff.” “Just because I go to mass three times a week doesn’t make me an exorcist,” Roxana snaps.

“Why are you asking me?” “You’ve got skills, babe,” Billy says, leaning closer.

“I saw you in the cafeteria, making those shadows book it like they were scared to death.” “My name’s not babe,” Roxana says, crossing her arms.

“And this conversation’s over.” “Wait, please!” Billy’s voice cracks, desperate.

“I’m sorry, no disrespect.

I’m scared, okay? I need help.” “I’ve never heard of Shadow People,” Roxana says, softening slightly.

“Why do you think I can help?” “I saw you,” Billy insists.

“In the cafeteria, you made those shadows run.

I need you to do that for me.

After school, at my house.

All three of you.

Please.” “I can’t promise anything,” Roxana says, hesitant.

“I don’t even know what you’re talking about.

I’ll ask my friends, but it’s probably a no.” “Okay, let me know,” Billy says, his shoulders slumping. The girls huddle together, Roxana’s voice low.

“Did you hear that? Now I’m the neighborhood exorcist.

I knew this would happen.

What do we do?” “Helana, what’s a Shadow Person?” Ella asks, her mind already racing with possibilities. Helana’s tone is cautious.

“They’re entities usually seen in the corner of your eye, vanishing when you look directly.

In rare cases, they’re visible head-on and might seem aggressive.

Almost any non-physical entity could be a Shadow Person—even me.

Some are just curious visitors, some are malicious, maybe demonic.

Most, though, are imaginary, tricks of the mind.

There’s one ancient entity, rumored to have a hat and red eyes, that’s truly dangerous—some say it’s the Devil himself.” “How do you get rid of them?” Roxana asks, her grip tightening on her beads. “I’m not certain,” Helana admits.

“A cleansing ritual might work.” “A cleaning?” Ella asks, confused. “A *cleansing*,” Helana corrects.

“A ritual, like burning sage and chanting.” “What’s the sage for?” Eileen asks, intrigued. “The sage itself doesn’t do much,” Helana explains.

“The ritual’s power comes from intent.

For visiting entities, it signals they’re not welcome.

For imaginary ones, it’s a placebo, convincing the person they’re gone.

If it’s a powerful demon, you’d need a priest for a formal exorcism.

You’re not equipped to handle demons, and neither am I.” “So, what do we do?” Ella asks, looking at her friends.

“Time to vote.” “Are you serious?” Roxana says, incredulous.

“Our moms will never let us go to a boy’s house for a religious ritual.” “It’s not a big deal,” Eileen says, shrugging.

“The tea shop on the way home sells sage, and Billy’s house is nearby.” “You know where he lives?” Ella asks, raising an eyebrow. “I saw him go there once,” Eileen says quickly.

“I’m not stalking him.

That’d be weird.” “Okay, we’ve got a yes and a no,” Ella says.

“I feel bad for him, and it’s our fault he thinks we can help.

What’s the harm in waving some sage around and chanting ‘Shadow People, go away’? You in, Roxana?” “What’s the harm?” Roxana mutters.

“It’ll just escalate, and we’ll get more requests like this.” “What if we tell Billy it has to be a secret, or it won’t work?” Eileen suggests. “That could work,” Roxana says slowly.

“He seems desperate enough to agree, and he’d probably be too embarrassed to tell anyone.” “It’s a go, then,” Ella decides.

“Helana, your job is to check for anything truly evil.

If there’s danger, we’re sending him to a priest.” “I’ll be there,” Helana says, a hint of amusement in her voice.

“The most dangerous thing might be that boy himself.” --- After school, the girls bike to the tea shop, grabbing a bundle of sage, then head to Billy’s house, a small, weathered place tucked behind overgrown shrubs.

They hide their bikes in the backyard and slip inside when Billy opens the door, his eyes wide with gratitude.

“Thank you, thank you,” he whispers.

“This stays secret, okay?” The girls move from room to room, waving the smoldering sage, its sharp, earthy scent filling the air.

They chant softly, “Shadow People, go away,” making sure to hit every corner, closet, and dusty storage nook.

Billy trails behind, fidgeting nervously.

They finish quickly, mutter a hurried goodbye, and rush out, grabbing their bikes and pedaling to Ella’s house before anyone spots them. “Did it work, Helana?” Ella asks, catching her breath. “I’m not sure,” Helana says.

“I sensed something might’ve been there, but nothing was present during the ritual.

The cleansing should help—it’s like spraying for bugs, leaving an intention behind.

If Shadow People return, they’ll get the message.

My guess is they were imaginary.

Billy will have to tell us if he still sees them.” “I wonder if the ones he saw in the cafeteria were imaginary too,” Roxana says, her voice thoughtful. “Okay, time to eat, finish homework, and crash,” Ella says, unlocking her front door. Roxana touches Ella’s arm gently.

“Can I take Helana tonight? I want to get to know her better.” Ella hesitates, her stomach tightening.

“Uh, yeah, if it’s okay with Helana.

Wait—oh my gosh, you don’t trust us, do you? Don’t be ridiculous!” “No, that’s not it!” Roxana protests, her cheeks flushing.

“I just have some things to talk about with her.” “Is that okay with you, Helana?” Ella asks, her voice tight. “Absolutely,” Helana says warmly.

“I’d love to spend time with Roxana.

It’ll be wonderful to connect.” --- Later, alone in her room, Ella opens her diary, the silence heavier without Helana’s presence.