[Chapter 289: Soul Calling]
Daniel opened his eyes. "Do you think this town is normal?"
Monica froze for a moment. "What do you mean?"
"That Clown has been devouring children here for hundreds of years," Daniel said flatly. "Every 27 years, it reincarnates, and each time dozens, even hundreds of people go missing. Are the police here blind? Or are they all fools?"
Monica opened her mouth but found herself speechless.
"It's not that they don't know; they're just used to it, or maybe they've been corrupted by some dark power," Daniel said, looking at her. "Under Pennywise's influence, the adults in this town turn a blind eye to evil. The police? Not only are they powerless to help, some might even be accomplices."
"Furthermore..." Daniel pointed at Deva lying on the bed. "With your daughter, the police would just send her to the ICU to be intubated, and you'd receive a notice about her critical condition."
Monica's face went pale as she hurried to the bedside.
Deva's small face was ghostly white, her breathing so faint it was almost inaudible. Her brow was tightly furrowed, as if she were still trapped in that endless nightmare.
"Deva... Deva?" Monica gently nudged her daughter, but there was no response.
She grabbed Deva's hand; it was chillingly cold.
"Mr. Cross!" Tears crept into Monica's voice as she turned toward Daniel. "Why hasn't she woken up yet? Isn't that monster dead? Why is she still like this?"
Daniel stood and walked to the bedside.
He pressed his fingers together, placing them lightly on the center of Deva's brow. The touch was cold. He sent his Spiritual Sense inside, but found it empty.
"Her soul hasn't returned."
Daniel withdrew his hand. "Her consciousness was trapped in the deadlights for too long. Her body's been saved, but her soul still wanders."
Monica's body sagged, nearly collapsing to the floor. "Then... what do we do? Will she die?"
"Don't worry." Daniel steadied her shoulders and gently eased her into a nearby chair. "Sit still, and don't make a sound."
Monica covered her mouth tightly, nodding vigorously.
Daniel stood before the bed, his expression grave.
He took a deep breath as his internal mana circulated, causing the air around them to ripple slightly.
Daniel extended his right hand. With a flick, a Seal and a piece of paper appeared in his palm.
Swiftly, he pressed the Seal onto Deva's forehead.
On the yellow paper, several large characters were written -- Edict of Sealed Authority!
Between the living and the departed stand only the boundaries of lawful order.
Daniel's voice was soft yet echoed through the small room.
By the Edict of Sealed Authority, I command the hidden path to open and every barrier to break.
The whispering of the wind outside seemed to stop.
Monica watched, astonished, as the lights dimmed and a faint orange-red glow appeared between Daniel's fingers.
By the authority entrusted to this seal, let every barrier yield.
Wardens of the Veil, seize the wandering soul and bring it safely before this altar.
Authority affirmed. Act without delay.
As he finished, the Seal and the Edict flared to life, igniting in flames before burning out in an instant.
The fire didn't harm Deva -- not a singe on her hair.
"Wake up!"
"Hah--!"
Suddenly, Deva gasped sharply, like someone breaking the surface after drowning.
Her chest heaved violently, and her tightly closed eyes flew open. Her pupils flitted unfocused for a moment before steadily settling.
"Mommy..."
A weak but clear voice whispered.
"Deva!"
Monica couldn't hold back any longer. She threw herself on the bed, clutching her daughter tightly and sobbing.
"Mommy's here. It's okay, it's okay..."
Deva looked around, slightly dazed, her small hands clutching at her mother's shirt. "Mommy, I had the longest nightmare... There was a Clown. He wanted me to fly... Mommy, that Clown was so scary. He had so many teeth..."
She curled into Monica's arms, still trembling slightly, but her eyes kept shifting toward Daniel.
"But I saw a light." Deva pointed a thin finger at Daniel, her voice weak but certain. "That uncle came. He had golden light shining on him and chased that bad Clown away."
Tears streamed down Monica's face as she kissed her daughter's forehead again and again.
"Yes, this uncle saved you."
Deva lifted herself a little in Monica's arms, reaching out to Daniel.
"Uncle, hug."
Daniel stepped forward.
Deva immediately grabbed the edge of his shirt, her tiny hands gripping so tightly her knuckles turned white.
It was as if letting go would let that terrifying Clown crawl out from under the bed again.
"Don't go," Deva pressed her face against the back of Daniel's hand, her voice soft and sweet. "I'm scared."
Daniel let her hold on, gently patting her head with his other hand. "Don't be afraid. It's already dead."
Gurgle--
A loud stomach growl broke the tender moment.
Deva's face flushed red as she clutched her flat belly.
"Mommy, I'm hungry."
She had been unconscious for five days, sustained only by Pennywise's dark power barely keeping her alive.
Now that she was awake, hunger hit her all at once.
Only then did Monica pull herself together, wiping tears hastily as she stood.
"Mommy will go buy you something to eat right now. What do you want? A burger? Or pizza?"
She grabbed her coat and moved toward the door.
"Stop."
Daniel's voice was firm, carrying an undeniable authority.
Monica halted, turning to him, confused. "Mr. Cross? Deva, she..."
"Look at the time." Daniel pointed to the wall clock. "It's 3:30 in the morning. Forget about Derry. Even in Los Angeles, if you went out now, don't expect to come back."
Monica's face drained of color, recalling her eerie experience in the manor. Her feet felt rooted to the floor; she didn't dare budge. She glanced at her starving daughter on the bed, looking helpless.
"But... there's nothing here."
"Who said there's nothing?"
Daniel flicked his wrist.
The air shimmered slightly.
A bag of pastina appeared in his hand out of thin air.
Monica's eyes widened again, amazed by this kind of 'magic'.
Daniel ignored her surprise, went to the table, and picked up the electric kettle to boil some water.
Once boiled, he poured it and stirred the pastina, until it became extremely soft like broth.
He brought the warm, fragrant bowl to the bedside. The rich aroma filled the small room instantly.
Deva's eyes brightened at the scent.
She released one hand from Daniel's shirt, took the spoon, and began drinking in generous gulps. The warm broth slid down smoothly, and a look of contentment spread across the little girl's face.
Before long, the bowl was empty.
The broth stained the corners of Deva's mouth, looking like a tiny mustache.
"Yummy."
She handed the bowl to Monica but leaned naturally into Daniel's embrace.
Having eaten her fill, sleepiness washed over her like a tide.
"Uncle, you're so warm..."
Deva murmured, her hands wrapping once again around Daniel's arm, her body hanging onto him like a koala.
Within seconds, her breathing slowed, steady and deep.
Monica stood to the side, watching quietly, her eyes red once more. The despair and fear of the past few days were replaced by deep gratitude.
She looked at Daniel, her lips moving wordlessly.
In the end, her thousands of unspoken thanks were conveyed through a silent, heartfelt gaze.
*****
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