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After Naomi’s parents leave, the rabbi returns with a plastic bag in his claw-like hand, and a cold shiver of terror runs through her at the thought of what it could be for.
"Put all your clothes and belongings in here."
"But if I’m naked, I’ll be cold," Naomi protests.
<span class="mu-g">"Comply!"</span> the rabbi shouts, his voice amplified by a magical echo.
Naomi reluctantly removes her coat and sweatshirt as the rabbi explains, "The normal practice in the mikvah is to be naked. Here, we are on sacred grounds beneath the mikvah, the energetic source of the mikvah. Your nakedness will inform Those Who Dwell Underground that you are a sacrifice, allowing them to take you and do as they please."
Naomi freezes. She had been following the rabbi's instructions without thinking, guided by his hypnotic words. But now, she recognizes the rabbinic technique of brainwashing being used on her. Realizing the danger, she grabs her taser from her purse and points it at the old man.
"Don’t touch me! I will defend myself!"
She bolts into the darkness, heading for the surface, stumbling over a baby carriage, and not daring to look behind. The rabbi curses and chants behind her, but she’s fast enough to escape his reach. Half-dressed in only her bra, she runs through the cold streets until she reaches Lincoln Terrace Park, a deserted park not far from the synagogue. An hour later, Jannali, who was coming to camp for the night, finds her half-frozen. She gently wraps her own coat around Naomi’s shoulders and brings her back to the hotel. After taking care of Naomi, the team gathers for a special debriefing.
"You should have cracked that motherfucker’s head open,” Tyrone interjects.
"Hold your horses," you say. "We’re not here to say what should or shouldn’t have been done. Besides, that rabbi cast a voice spell effortlessly, so we can conclude he can cast several spells per day and is much more powerful than us."
"What do you think Those Who Dwell Underground refers to?" Father Darragh asks. "I’ve never heard of demons being referred to in such a manner."
"It seems to be a form of censored expression, like how they avoid using the name of God. This could refer to DUMBs, extraterrestrials, or something else. We don’t know what lies in those tunnels, only that they are very deep. It should have been obvious they have residents, too."
Knowledge (politics): DUMBs, or Deep Underground Military Bases, are covert facilities used by the US government for top-secret operations and research.
"May the Lord help us," the priest says, crossing himself. "The rabbi sorcerer spoke of Molech. This is an ancient Semitic deity associated with child sacrifice. Whatever lies below is definitely demonic in nature."
