Bat Person

They had seen exorcists with all kinds of strange abilities.

But controlling evil? That was a first.

Judging by what this kid had shown, he had enormous potential. If he grew into his abilities, he could become a powerful ally.

Lorraine suspected the ability came with a downside.

If Li Dan was tempted into corruption, he would become a huge problem for the Church.

On the other hand, the Church might gain a powerful ally.

The Warrens were willing to write him a letter of recommendation, but they would only make a formal introduction once Li Dan proved he had complete control over the Soul Severing Clown.

They were willing to help him, too.

Li Dan had no idea what the Warrens were thinking. From the start, he had wanted to become an exorcist for the privileges that came with it.

Being an exorcist would spare him a lot of trouble. It would also give him a legitimate reason to get involved in supernatural incidents without arousing suspicion.

With the Church behind him, doors among the privileged would open as well.

After all, everyone feared death.

The richer they were, the more they feared it.

After Li Dan recalled the Soul Severing Clown, Ed Warren clapped him on the shoulder.

"We'll write the recommendation letter when we get back. If you encounter anything supernatural, try to leave and report it to the Church. You can notify us, too. It's not something you can handle yet."

Lorraine added gently, "If you run into trouble you can't solve, you can contact me anytime."

The couple cared about Li Dan. Teenagers were especially vulnerable to being tempted by evil.

If they hadn't been so busy, they would have stayed to look into his mental state and family situation.

For now, they could only keep in touch by phone. As soon as they had time, the Warrens would visit Li Dan's home to assess his ability.

Li Dan nodded.

"I will, Mr. Warren."

The three exchanged phone numbers.

The Warrens then left the University of California.

They were busy. Supernatural incidents across the country needed their attention, and they had to sort the real ones from the fakes. Li Dan was the only person worth stopping for.

They turned down everyone else, including Lance's interview request.

Lance even tried his luck with Li Dan, who refused more bluntly still. Then Li Dan set off for home by road with the siblings, Trish and Daley.

When Li Dan followed Daley to his tiny, beat-up car, he fell silent.

He was used to riding in Mercedes and Rolls-Royces.

And now he was switching to...

Would this ancient jalopy even make it through the trip?

"Well?" Daley asked, sounding rather proud. At his age, owning a car was something to be proud of.

Of all the things Li Dan could have said, he settled on, "Not bad."

Then he had an attendant fill the tank.

Once they had gas, Daley and Li Dan got into the car. Daley drove; they still had to pick up his sister from a motel near the University of California.

It was a bright spring weekend.

After driving his old car out of the city, Daley took a country road. He steered with one hand, rested the other on the window, and glanced at the scenery now and then.

If Li Dan hadn't paid for the gas, he wouldn't have dared take the leisurely route.

In the back seat, Trish chatted eagerly with Li Dan. The drive was boring, and her brother only ever argued with her.

Naturally, Li Dan became the target of her chatter.

Li Dan didn't mind talking to Trish. Her soft blond hair shone in the sunlight, and the golden color, fair skin, and deep-set eyes made her a pleasure to look at.

A snug red tank top outlined her chest, while jeans hugged her long legs, showing off her figure.

"Li Dan, are you an exchange student from China?"

"Yes."

"Why did you come to California?"

"Because I'm interested in the supernatural."

"Wow, you must be amazing. The Warrens only stopped for you." Trish was generous with her praise.

Li Dan just smiled.

From the driver's seat, Daley suddenly asked, "Li Dan, can you drive?"

"No."

"Why not?" Daley pressed.

"Because my butler won't let me," Li Dan said helplessly. "He says driving is dangerous."

Daley fell silent, but his pride wouldn't let him back down in front of someone his own age.

"Where do you live?"

"Could you be more specific?"

"Collingwood Manor, near Round Clam Town."

Before Daley could respond, Trish exclaimed in surprise. Collingwood Manor was famous in Florida.

With witches and vampires in its family history, how could it not be?

And this Chinese exchange student was its owner? It seemed impossible.

But it was true, and Li Dan couldn't be bothered to explain.

Explaining himself would only make him look desperate to impress them.

Daley, though, didn't believe him at all. He even suggested visiting Collingwood Manor.

As he said it, he searched Li Dan's face for panic or guilt, but found neither.

Li Dan looked unconcerned the entire time.

He answered every question Trish asked. By the end, her eyes sparkled whenever she looked at him. It was nothing romantic; she simply admired someone impressive.

Trish wanted to visit Collingwood Manor, too. Even a few photos would make those little bitches at school jealous.

Daley drove in bored silence.

Then, with a glance to the side, he spotted someone strangely dressed by the road. In this weather, people would have worn nothing but shorts if they could.

Yet there stood someone in a wide black coat and a broad-brimmed hat. Weird, wasn't it?

Daley told the other two.

Trish showed no interest. She kept chatting beside Li Dan, edging closer until their thighs touched. Each occasional bump in the road made them both aware of the contact.

Faced with Trish's endless questions, Li Dan turned away from her and started talking to Daley instead.

About the strange person by the road, to be precise.

Trish was annoyed with her brother. They had been having a perfectly good conversation. Why did he have to butt in?

What was there to discuss about some roadside weirdo?

But the two of them only grew more engrossed in the conversation.

Then an old truck silently pulled up behind them, startling Daley.

He honked to let it pass, but instead of overtaking them, the truck slammed into the back of the car.

The car jolted violently.

The impact nearly threw Trish into the front seat, but Li Dan caught her around the waist and pulled her back.

"Holy shit! What the hell is wrong with you?"

Daley stuck his head out the window and shouted at the driver behind them.

That seemed to enrage the truck driver. Without a word, the driver rammed them even harder.

Try arguing with my truck.

The old car nearly fell apart. Seeing her brother still shouting, Trish leaned against Li Dan and told Daley to calm down.

Picking a fight with a big truck could only end badly for them.

One wrong move, and they'd crash.

They could all die.

"That truck won't leave us alone!" Daley shouted. He had tried to give way several times, steering while keeping an eye on the rearview mirror.

It ended only when the car, close to falling apart, had to veer off the side of the road.

Daley stared at the truck. He couldn't see clearly, but he was sure the driver was the strangely dressed person who had been standing by the road.

Trish was still shaken.

Li Dan, meanwhile, had already seen everything clearly through the Ghost Card.

"Trace of containment target: Bat Person detected."

Bat Person, plus the siblings Trish and Daley—wasn't this Jeepers Creepers?

That settled it.

The Deformed Person Ogre didn't compare.

Bat Person could also be called an ogre, but the two were in entirely different leagues when it came to fighting.

One was a mutant created by chemical waste.

The other was a pure horror that had just woken from decades of slumber. It could regenerate and fly, and it had formidable defenses.

How formidable? It could shrug off a Gatling gun's barrage.

It was practically a flying Evil Spirit Wendigo.

Of course, it might not match the Wendigo's second stage, but it was still exceptionally strong.

At the very least, it was an elite monster.