One Sunday afternoon, I walked into my bedroom.
Where did Luigi leave my slippers this time? I thought irritably.
I spotted them beside my bed.
As I slipped them on, I heard a dog bark from underneath it.
What's Pamps doing under there all by herself? I wondered.
I knelt down to look.
There was nothing.
That's strange... It must have been my imagination.
That evening, Luigi and I were lying on the couch, playing games on our phones.
"Mom, I saw a dog under your bed. It looks just like Pamps, except it's black," he said calmly, never taking his eyes off the screen.
"Where did it come from?" I asked, setting my phone down on the couch.
"Do you remember that little black dog that came out of Pamps's mouth while you were praying for her?"
"I do. It was very small."
"Well, it's grown. It's bigger now... stronger... and the tip of its tail is purple."
"Are you sure it's the same one? Maybe it's just another dog that looks like it."
"I'm sure. It has a heavy... evil presence."
"Why did it come back?" I asked, discouraged.
"It wants revenge."
"Why?"
"Because we drove it away."
In my mind, I could almost hear the dog's furious thoughts.
"They're going to pay for what they did to me... They'll see."
"Before we go to bed, let's pray and drive it away again."
"You really think it's that simple?" Luigi asked skeptically. "You think one prayer will make it leave?"
"Prayer troubles them."
We recited Psalm 91 together before crawling into bed, sleepy and exhausted.
The following night, I heard a low growl beneath my bed.
It didn't leave, I thought, frustrated.
"Mom... I'm nervous. It keeps following me."
"Can you actually see it?" I asked.
"No... but I can feel it watching me."
"I don't see anything."
"For some reason, it doesn't want you to see it."
"They can remain hidden from some people and visible to others," I said.
"It only wants me to see it. It's in your office now," he warned.
"Let's go."
I started reciting Psalm 91 as we walked.
"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High shall rest in the shadow of the Almighty..."
"It's right there, Mom! Standing in front of the door!" Luigi cried, pointing.
I walked toward the spot.
A chill ran up my legs and all the way to the back of my neck.
I raised my arms.
"Get out of here, hound of hell! Jesus, please send Your angels to protect us and help us in this battle!"
"Mom! It ran into your bedroom!"
I stormed after it, filled with righteous anger.
"Leave now, in the name of Jesus!" I commanded.
"Mom! Now it's in the kitchen!" Luigi shouted from the living room, laughing.
I hurried back.
He was curled up on the couch.
"You're laughing! Are you teasing me? This isn't something to joke about," I scolded him.
"I'm laughing because I'm nervous! It's really there!"
I walked into the kitchen.
"The Lord is my refuge and my fortress. In Him I put my trust!" I prayed with authority.
"It just ran right past me! It went onto the balcony!" Luigi shouted.
I rushed outside.
"Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name! Leave this place now, in the name of Jesus!" I commanded, pointing toward the glass doors.
Then I turned back to Luigi.
"Well?" I asked, certain it had gone.
"It's gone," he replied with obvious relief.
"Thank You, Lord."
I looked at him.
"Luigi, a prayer offered with faith and authority really can drive them away, because in His mercy, Jesus sends His angels to come to our aid."
I finished praying the Lord's Prayer.
Luigi remained silent, lost in thought.
That night, we slept together... and we slept in peace.