House of Darkness House of Light (73 page)

Enlightenment is painful to observe; it stings the eyes of its beholders with images too bright to perceive, too difficult to focus on for long, until mortal eyes adjust to the Light. There was a period of maladjustment for this family who got more than they paid for in the bargain: what Carolyn once described as the real estate deal of the century. True enough; it was literally an estate with centuries of a history and what dwelled within the walls of that ancient edifice was far too real for her to abide. Had she known at the time what was yet to come Carolyn would have surely abandoned the dream. Soon enough others would arrive, hoping to help. When Ed and Lorraine Warren got wind of their predicament they came to the farm expressing a sincere desire to be of assistance and once the couple became involved it became quite apparent; Pandora had nothing on them. The energy Lorraine released; the compassion Ed harbored for the children, coupled to create a whirlwind of activity no one could have predicted. They knew…from the moment they stepped beyond the threshold. Both were perfectly capable of seeing in the dark…their eyes adjusting instantly to the Light in the midst of darkness: A wonder to behold.

***

Fear not the house, for it is not to blame. It remains as it has always been, a finely constructed piece of architecture with a personality or ten all its own; hard to keep count. If one must fear anything at all, best to fear the unknown, as life and death are apparently full of surprises. Fear the haunted woman who lurks in the night under cover of darkness then vanishes with the light of dawn. Fear fate or destiny which calls its pilgrims home to petrify them. Fear the knowledge that mortals know nothing. Fear the living…not the dead.

Bound they were, mortal to immortal alike. Yeats proved to be correct. He described spirits as being “Insipid as the dough before it is baked” and knew “they change their bodies at a word.” The poet knew “Images can break the solitude of lovely, satisfied, indifferent eyes.” Practically magical; he knew enough to tell the truth of them. It was not the end. It was only the beginning.

“The world is round and the place which may seem

like the end may also be only the beginning.”

Ivy Baker Priest