Old Lady of the Lake

“I understand you were at Willow Lake when the Lady of the Lake appeared.“ Bishop Hanley wasted no time with customary salutations as Fr. Michael walked into the chancellery.

“Yes, your eminence, I was interviewing a parishioner.” Fr. Michael answered then added, “ I had hoped to talk to you about. . .”

“An exorcism, I hear. We will deal with that later.” Bishop Hanley motioned to the couch. He took the overstuffed chair opposite.

“People are wanting this to be investigated as a Marian apparition."

Fr. Michael could not help but laugh at the irony. “The Lady of the Lake was not Our Lady.” Fr. Michael relayed.

“So, the apparition was real, but not the Blessed Mother."

“Yes. There was a vaporous image of a woman,” Fr. Michael began, “Although It looked like an eighty-eight-year-old woman named Rosalie Ferguson. The same one I wanted to confer for an exorcism.” He started to open his satchel to fish out the file he had put together.

“Never mind that.” The Bishop waved off Fr. Michael’s effort to ply him with papers. “Tell me what it is YOU saw. Start with who is this elderly woman?”

“Rosalie Ferguson was a resident at Leeds Nursing Facility until COVID. She is a retired school teacher afflicted with Alzheimer's. She attended mass and received Holy Communion. I’ve gotten to know her over the past few months fairly well.”

“An unusual candidate for an exorcism, don’t you think?” Bishop Hanley quickly surmised.

He filled two large mugs with coffee from a carafe, added cream and copious amounts of sugar to both, then handed one to Fr. Michael. “I understand the FBI is investigating the disappearance of Professor Greene at Willow Lake. I spoke with him briefly about this event. As a bishop, I have to investigate this apparition as purported supernatural in origin. Somehow your candidate, Rosalie, is said to be at the forefront of this?”

“Your eminence, If you please. Allow me to tell the story and you can decide what the Church needs to do.” Fr. Michael interjected.

“Go on.” Bishop Hanley allowed.

What he was about to tell this Prince of the Church was quite unbelievable. Except he knew he must vie for the bishop’s attention. “I got a phone call from Leed’s Nursing Facility about Rosalie sneaking into the rooms of COVID positive patients. The staff believed she cured them in a very unusual way." He paused and answered the unspoken question from the bishop, "A nurse caught her on top of one of the patients loudly kissing her mouth, tongue in and all.”

“Before that, nothing seemed unusual about her, at least for an Alzheimer's sufferer. Her prayers were rote, and her language understandable. I answered her often repeated questions regarding my seminary several times each visit. Evidently, Rosalie had a brother who had been a priest while living.”

The Bishop nodded his head trying to check his own impatience. “Please. . . tell me how the now famous Rosalie ended up curing the first and only infected ten victims of COVID at Leed’s. It seems to me I should be asking you if you believe her to be a saint.”

“I cannot judge that.” Fr. Michael added, “Weeks before the healings, Rosalie asked me for an exorcism. As you know, Sister Advocatta and I did an official consultation with her the Sunday before COVID prevented me from further visits.”

“I read Sister’s report. Neither one of you thought an exorcism was in order.” Bishop Hanley did not tell him he had just read it. No since exposing his workload.

“All that was before COVID and my visit with her family on vacation at Willow Lake. Rosalie’s daughter, Dr. Allison Ferguson, asked me if I cared to get to know Rosalie better, knowing I had tried to get in to see her while at Leeds post-COVID. So, I joined the two women and a male nurse the week of June thirteenth.

“Dr. Ferguson is a microbiologist. She had injected her mother with a regiment of DNA altering enzymes. . .proteins. . .hard for me to explain. I just know Allison--that is Dr. Ferguson--had jumped the gun on human research out of personal interest in curing her own 88-year-old mother’s Alzheimer’s. She was concerned about the publicity at Leed’s, yet claimed her removal from nursing care was due to the threat of COVID infections.

“Dr. Ferguson--Allison--told me she would answer all my questions truthfully, as long as I kept her work confidential. Since I am not medically qualified she believed my perspective helped in furthering her work.” Fr. Michael once again reached for his satchel.

“Okay. Let’s cut to the chase on this, shall we, Father?” The Bishop was intrigued. “What happened at Willow Lake? There was an apparition. . .?”

“Yes, sir, there was. It was witnessed by more than a dozen people on the evening of June 16th. I had asked a professor from Catholic University, Dr. Alex Greene, to stay at the hotel at Willow Lake. Since Allison had told me she didn’t want her research exposed, I kept my knowledge of his presence unknown. On that evening, she thought he was just another vacationer who witnessed the spectacle.” Fr. Michael’s guilt weighed heavily on him. He could hear the shame in his voice.

“Now she knows?” Bishop Hanley asked.

“Yes, sir, after the Lady of the Lake appeared, Dr. Greene insisted on investigating. Initially, he was convinced this was a trick and holographic images. He went so far as to accuse Allison of some kind of trickery. He let her have it regarding her work too. Then, as you know, he disappeared.” Fr. Michael ran his hands through his short dark hair sprinkled with silver.

The Bishop interjected. "Dr. Greene was both a physicist and microbiologist, although it is for his work in ethical application he is well known. His loss is huge."

“Surprisingly the FBI showed up after initial law enforcement in just a few days. This was when Rosalie. . .manifested. . .another being within her.” Fr. Michael paused, took a drink, and looking into the mug continued. “The agent confronted Allison with a story of how Rosalie’s nurse, Roland Bauer, threatened to kill Professor Greene if he ever approached their bungalow again.”

Fr. Michael had been embarrassed about how boisterous and hostile Professor Greene had been when he first approached Dr. Ferguson and her entourage. He felt personally responsible for his tongue lashings.

“Wow,” The bishop knew that the FBI had zero leads. Professor Greene had simply vanished. “What about the old woman, Rosalie? What did you see her do?”

“The FBI agent who accused Roland of murdering the still missing Physicist was a very large man with the physique of a Kansas City linebacker. So imagine, if you will, without a word, Rosalie went over to him standing and reaching up, placed her hands around his neck. Before anyone in the room could stop her, or even imagine what she was up to, she started to choke him. He could not pull her hands away! It wasn’t until he started to change colors that Roland and I both responded by getting Rosalie to release the bewildered agent.” Fr. Michael explained.

“Okay, that is strange, but it's not uncommon for an elderly Alzheimer’s patient to physically attack someone in their confused state,” added the bishop.

“There were handprints around his neck. When the agents. . . left, that’s when I knew."Fr.Michael shook his head, "Allison and Roland always knew.”

“Knew what?”

“That Rosalie was possessed by something else. Something that gave her unexpected side effects, super-strength, for one, I daresay.”

“This is why you asked for an exorcism?” The Bishop asked.

“Not at all. I set up the consultation pre-COVID out of respect. Rosalie while at Leeds. reported hearing voices in her head, sleepwalking, and great periods of unconscious activity. She was convinced she was possessed months ago.” Fr. Michael set his mug down and slid to the end of the couch cushion. “As an Alzheimer’s patient, this led to her being placed in a locked ward as nursing also noticed her wandering about.”

“So, really what you're saying is she was a typical Alzheimer's patient confused, wondering about hearing voices. I'm not so sure that would have been grounds for exorcism anyhow.” Bishop Hanley stated.

“As was Sister’s and my initial report. However, I now understand why Rosalie asked. At Willow Lake, I observed a new Rosalie. One who spoke with a different sounding voice.” He thought back to the diabolical hissing voice that was not even slightly friendly. “In great detail, she told me about a parking ticket I got the day before, and the argument I had had with the meter maid--not one of my finest moments. She also knew some things about my childhood, and---well it's all in her case file.” He patted the satchel next to him. “She vaguely threatened me with violence, and mocked my decision to become a priest.”

Fr. Michael refilled his mug. This time he drank it black. “I forgot she was the one who exposed Professor Greene later as a Quantum Physicist I had invited. How she knew that is beyond me.

“In all honesty, I cannot explain this as demonic possession after what I have witnessed recently. It’s been years since I took my last required science course in college. I base what I've seen on new information I skimmed from both Dr. Greene and interviews with Dr. Ferguson”

“Rosalie Ferguson--her daughter is a microbiologist right?” Enjoined Bishop Hanley.

“Yes, that is correct. Professor Greene explained the information she gave me so that I could grasp it," he added. The missing physicist had been quick to go after assumptions, like his thoughts that the apparition was actually holographic images. He had been going around the lake looking for projectors when he went missing.

“All this at Willow Lake?” The Bishop tried to keep up with the characters.

“Exactly.” Fr. Michael agreed.

After some lag time, Fr. Michael sat back in his seat. “This undoubtedly is a possession, yet the origin is perhaps more frightening. It is human manipulation at the chromosomal level of a person.”

“Dr. Ferguson experimented on her own mother,” the Bishop shook his head. The ramifications were just starting to occur to him. What controls did any microbiologist have at such a nano-level? It had only been a few decades since the DNA sequencing had been identified. It took years for the chromosomal markers to be categorized.

“What do you know about this particular genetic manipulation?” Bishop Hanley had gotten up and started pacing the space between his chair and large desk occasionally glancing at Fr. Michael. It may not be demonic possession, but it sure was diabolical.

“Dr. Ferguson pseudo-created neuron somas using frequencies of water-logged DNA from Rosalie. My understanding of these frequencies is they are exact copies yet slightly incomplete. A highly developed computer program created sequences that were then placed in the cerebral fluid to fill in these gaps. The fluid served as both a delivery system and catalyst for generating new gray matter. It also served as the medium to remove diseased bunched-up senile plaques and tangles in and out of the soma cells responsible for blocking synapses from firing. This is the nano-technology piece that both delivers and manufactures these new cells. Its artificial intelligence is programmed to perform beyond where nature could not in the diseased brain of an Alzheimer's patient.

“Go on,” Bishop Hanley encouraged.

“This is all I know. The rest is theory and supposition.” Fr. Michael turned his head sideways to look at the pacing prelate.

“Is Rosalie Ferguson the same person she once was?” Bishop Hanley asked.

“Mostly. The DNA frequencies now inside of her are copies of her own from the diluted water. Yet she now has artificial intelligence at the nano level for delivery and digestion of waste in and out of the cells.” Bishop Hanley tried to take in what sounded like pure science fiction.

Both men contemplated their thoughts. Bishop Hanley on how he was going to explain the apparition of an 88-year-old woman on a lake. Fr. Michael on how to explain to other scientists he had made appointments to see. He hoped his notes were accurate. He had no one to edit.

A buzzing noise interrupted their silent musings. “Excuse me, Father,” Bishop Hanley was now looking at the face of his cell phone. “Fr. Michael, would you kindly put in writing what you have told me here?” Bishop Hanley asked. “This is my assistant. I have to take this.”

“What is it, Marjorie?” The Bishop listened for a second and said excitedly, “Yes. Yes, by all means, put him through!

“It’s Professor Greene!” Bishop Hanley excitedly stated.

The missing physicist’s voice came on over the speakerphone that Bishop Hanley opened on his cell phone. “Bishop Hanley? This is Alex Greene. I heard you were looking for me?”

“Professor, the FBI is looking for you as well, sir. Where have you been? I have Fr. Michael here with me. You are both on my phone’s speaker.”

“Oh, hi, Fr. Michael,” the voice continued, “I am a bit embarrassed, but I’m afraid I just don’t remember where I have been. I woke up at the train station downtown and made my way to my house from there. I am afraid my car is missing along with my cell phone. I’ve already talked to the FBI, this is Agent Benson’s phone I am on now.”

“What do you remember, Alex?” Bishop Hanley again asked.

“I thought I saw something along the shore at Willow Lake when I slipped in. I remember soaking my shoes and pants, and then an intense chill--this feeling was the last thing I remember. . . Apparently, I am suffering from amnesia. Other than that, I am in perfect health.” There was some talk. Relief. Bewilderment. All three men shared words about the mysteries of Willow Lake.

“Does Dr. Ferguson still believes Rosalie’s subsequent recovery from stroking is because of the pseudo-protein?” Dr. Greene asked no one in particular. “She told me the super-strength we saw was post-stroke, and a side-effect as it were--of the healing process generated by the nano pseudo-cells." Professor Greene explained in part to the bishop. "It's what healed her.

“Father Michael,” Professor Greene started, “I heard you were able to interview Rosalie after she regained her speech lost from the stroke.”

“Well, it wasn’t really Rosalie who spoke to me. I believe it was the macro AI conversing and growing inside of her.” Fr. Michael still shuddered as he repeated what Rosalie’s new voice had said to him. “ ‘We have no intention of dying in this body. We are just now alive.’ She also stated unlike cancers and viruses who fail to thrive after the death of their host, they were learning to move outside the body.”

Bishop Hanley stood up quickly. “What’s this you say?”

“They plan on living outside their host.” Fr. Michael gathered his satchel along with his wits and stood up. He knew what he said sounded far-fetched. He was prepared to leave Bishop Hanley with his research and papers and be done trying to defend largely his instincts. “I believe it is the water itself.”

Fr. Michael surprised himself for saying this. “Everything is tied to the memory of water.” He was not a scientist. He hadn't taken a course since college requisites years previous. Not one of the scientists had voiced this theory.

“The water?” Now the bishop was confused.

“Water is the key mechanism.” Professor Greene agreed. “Frequencies did come about in super diluted water combined with artificial intelligence at the nano-level. Obviously, and because of the stroke and subsequent creation of Super-Rosalie, I believe Dr. Ferguson’s creation has recreated itself and will keep on doing so.” Then he gasped. A realization came to him that was too terrifying to voice.

“You are thinking it may have entered into you?” Fr. Michael had already given this some thought. He wondered what Professor Greene may be thinking.

“Wait a minute. . .What about the apparition?” Bishop Hanley stubbornly asked.

“I think that was a message to us.” Fr. Michael continued, “It’s inside Rosalie. She knows the Catholic Marion presentations. It wanted to let us know it can manipulate outside of her cells.”

“And, you think the manifestation was through the the lake's water?”

“Frequencies found in water.” Fr. Michael corrected.

“Fr. Michael, perhaps we should conduct the exorcism as you first requested.” Bishop Hanley surprised both men with his statement.

“It is just an elaborate science experiment gone sideways. . .” Professor Greene offered.

“I am not so sure about that. How could it just take your body and mind on a journey to parts unknown?” Bishop Hanley asked.

"Surely not. . ." Professor Greene attempted to interject.

Bishop Hanley motioned for the younger man to sit back down while he took a perch on the coffee table directly in front of him. He spoke into the phone: “Here we have an entity within a woman that is not the woman and intelligence with an agenda all its own outside its designed purpose. It has imitated the works of healing, prophecy, and is co-creating to its desires.”

The conversation continued with three men; the Religious and the Scientist.

“How can we say it is demonic?" Fr. Michael asked, terribly surprised by the Bishop’s summation. “I have told you the origin is man-made.”

“Demons cling to the weakness of humanity, and ride the chaos.” The bishop put his hand up to ward off any further conversation. “If it has taken both Rosalie Ferguson, and possibly the professor--at least for a spin--its proven malevolent intentions.

Then from the phone a hissing voice, “Freewill replaced seems evil to those who lose it.” All three men sat in silence. Fr. Michael pondered at that voice. It sounded much like Rosalie Ferguson's.