T/W: Mentions malevolent presences and conversing with spirits.

***

"Billie, are you positive there's no way for you to convince those malevolent spirits to leave?" Nolan asks. Billie gives him a shrug.

"They're not living brings, Nolan," she says patiently. "When a spirit has been wandering around between the planes, they longer they're there, the more they lose their humanity. There's no reasoning with them."

Nolan blows out his breath, running a hand over his baseball cap, looking more and more frustrated.

"We can't just..." He stops, twirling around so his back is towards Billie. She waits patiently, as Nolan struggles through his thought process. "I can't just leave these people, telling them I can't help them. It's not right."

He twirls back, facing Billie, looking completely crestfallen. She's never seen Nolan look so defeated before. It cuts her deep, in her heart.

"We need to find a way to get rid of these spirits," he says, his voice growing determined and strong. "I'll find a way to help them."

"Nolan, I admire your strength and determination," Billie murmurs, reaching out to grasp one of his hands. "But you have human limitations. There's only so much one can do."

Nolan nods, gently tugging his hand free from Billie's and giving her a sad smile.

"True," he admits. "But I'm not leaving here until I've tried everything in my power to stop this."

***

"Okay," Nolan says to his team. "We need to come up with a solid course of action for helping Holly and Evan Mitchell."

"And how, exactly, are we supposed to do that?" Sid asks.

"We do what we do best," Nolan responds.

"Uh, Nolan?" Lennox is trying to keep a straight face, but is losing his composure. "We already investigated. That's not gonna help."

"Brainstorming," Nolan continues as though Lennox hadn't spoken. "We'll toss around some ideas and see what sticks."

"Call Ghostbusters?" Lennox can't resist and cracks up. Nolan just shakes his head.

"Billie doesn't have any suggestions?" Lola asks, glancing over at the woman.

"None," Billie answers before Nolan can.

"What about a seance?" Avery asks. Nolan looks to Billie for the answer on this one.

"That could be..tricky," Billie says carefully.

"You don't like that idea?" Avery asks.

"I'm not opposed to it," Billie replies. "However, since most of you aren't used to it, it can be frightening."

"Especially in this case," Avery murmurs. Billie nods gravely.

"What about a..what's it called," Sid says, frowning thoughtfully. "A cleansing? Would that be plausible?"

Billie hems and haws for several minutes, mulling it over.

"They had clergymen come in," Lola speaks up. "If they couldn't cancel out the negative energy, I'm not sure a cleansing would, either."

"It doesn't hurt to try, does it?" Sid argues. He looks to Nolan, silently pleading with him. Nolan shrugs, looking at Billie.

"I guess it's worth a shot," Nolan says. "What do we have to lose?"

****

Billie heads out to collect all the ingredients she'll need for performing cleansing, while the rest of them head into town and find some place to relax and grab a bite to eat.

As they all head for a local coffee shop, Avery slips closer to Nolan, gently taking one of his hands and giving it a quick squeeze. He turns, gazing at her, smiling softly. Nolan is slowing beginning to unwind.

They gather at the front counter, looking over the menu and quickly ordering several coffees and some sandwiches. Avery continues to cling to Nolan's hand.

Once they have everything, Avery leads Nolan over to a table and has him sit down. She's noticed how..solemn and silent he's been. Avery finally releases Nolan's hand, reaching out to place his coffee and food in front of him. Nolan doesn't touch it. Instead, he sits there, his arm resting on the table top, his head propped up with his hand, a listless look etched into his handsome face.

"Nolan," Avery says gently as she unwraps her own sandwich and takes a bite, slowly chewing. Nolan just stares at his coffee and sandwich.

"Nolan, this isn't your fault," Avery murmurs. Nolan scowls. Avery's heart aches for Nolan. She sees now, just how much important this profession is to him.

"Hey." Avery gently places her hand on Nolan's arm. "We're gonna help those people."

Nolan remains silent as he lifts up the large Styrofoam cup and takes a sip. Avery removes her hand, not pushing him into anything.

"I just.." Nolan begins. Avery waits patiently. "I know this will sound strange, but I'll take this personally if I can't help them."

"You have a good heart, Nolan. I may not totally understand, but I know it's gotta be difficult for you."

"'Difficult' doesn't begin to cover what I'm feeling," Nolan says quietly. He slowly unwraps his sandwich and takes a bite. Avery's relieved to see him eating.

"Nolan, man," Sid says quietly. "We're gonna do everything we can. We aren't just giving up on this case yet."

Nolan nods. He continues eating his food, staring stonily past everyone. He can't admit it to anyone, but if he can't help Holly and Evan Mitchell, he might just walk away from the paranormal society.

Permanently.

***

Several hours later, Billie contacts Nolan and they all return to the farmhouse, ready to watch and possibly assist, Billie in performing the cleansing. Avery feels a strong sensation that this will work.

"All right." Billie has several different types of flowers and herbs, laid out on the dining room table. Avery puts her hands behind her back and stands erect, studying everything.

"I managed to collect most of the ingredients that I normally use for a cleansing. There are a few missing, but luckily I have the majority."

"How exactly does this work?" Nolan asks.

"I'm going to prepare the herbs," Billie explains. "Then I'll light them. I'll hand one metal container to each of you. Just walk around the home, picturing light flowing through."

"That's it?" Lennox looks a bit surprised.

"There's..a little more to the rituals," Billie says. "But I'll be going behind each of you, chanting the words."

"What if we helped?" Avery jumps in. "Or can it only be you who's saying whatever?"

"If you're interested in helping," Billie says, smiling at Avery. "I'm more than happy to show you how."

"I'd like to help," Avery offers.

"Lovely. Anyone else?" Billie looks at the others.

"I'd like to help as well," Nolan volunteers. Lola also agrees to help.

"Not me," Sid and Lennox say at the same time.

"I'll just walk around," Sid adds.

"Same here," Lennox says.

"That's perfectly fine," Billie tells them. She begins explaining what herbs she has laid out.

"Frankincense and myrrh are for purification. The red and white roses, mixed with sandalwood is for protection. And the chamomile is for peace."

"So.." Sid watches as Billie begins tossing the herbs into the metal containers, occasionally stopping to mix them well. "You mix this up and..burn it?"

Billie nods, not once losing her concentration. Avery feels a new burst of admiration towards the woman.

"Precisely." Within a few minutes, everything is mixed and burning. Avery has to cover her eyes, as the smoke is strong.

"Oops! I forgot!" Billie tugs her black,cloth bag closer and reaches inside, removing some protective eyewear for them to put on. Immediately, Avery is glad that Billie thought to bring these.

"Avery, Nolan and Lola." Billie holds out a faded piece of lined notebook paper, which has some strange words written neatly upon it.

"This is the ancient chant. I'll go over these with you and then, just walk through the house, saying them. And don't forget: think light and positivity."

***

The team goes through the farmhouse for an hour straight. Every once in a while, Billie will prepare new bowls of the ingredients to burn, so they're using new stuff, desperate to cleanse the negative energy from the house.

They even go outside and walk around the property, hoping to cleanse as much as they can.

Close to when Billie decides to wrap things up, she pauses in the living room, her face more relaxed. Avery knows that Billie can sense something good in here.

"Billie, what is it?" Nolan asks, hurrying over to her. Billie's crying now, tears streaming down her cheeks. She sniffles, but doesn't bother to wipe away the tears.

"It's...worked," Billie whispers, her voice choked with tears. Nolan nods, waiting for her to continue. The others hurry to join them.

"What happened?" Lola asks. Billie is smiling.

"It worked," Billie repeats.

"Really?" Lennox is scratching his chin. He looks a little dazed.

"Yes," Billie murmurs. "They're finally moving on."

"Thank God," Nolan murmurs, wiping at his own damp eyes. "Thank God."

***

When Holly and Evan return, instantly they can tell something has changed. They don't appear to be as afraid as they were before.

"I can definitely sense something good has happened here," Evan tells Nolan and Billie.

"Yes," Holly agrees. "Before, it felt like this heaviness was here. Now it it feels like a breath of fresh air."

"I'm really happy we could help you," Nolan says, smiling. Avery smiles, too. She knew this case had been one of the toughest they'd dealt with since she'd been around. She also knew how badly Nolan had struggled with it.

Thankfully this nightmare of a story had a happy ending.

***

A/N: I just wanted to add here, I've only heard about cleansing, but I'm definitely not any kind of expert on that sort of thing. I mostly looked it up online. Also I just added the chanting thing, as I have no idea if that's how this works. So if anyone reads this and decides I'm wrong, please be kind about it. I wasn't necessarily going for anything really serious. It's just stuff I mostly made up for this book.

☆Nineteen☆

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