Contents
Chapter Twenty-Eight. Phoenix Indwelling
Overview
The Phoenix fully inhabits Dr Walden, reveling in human purpose while covertly dominating Chetwood’s staff and jamming communications. Nikki’s group secretly plans a banishment and considers escaping school to reach Marshal Kenning in London. Mathias senses an oath-binding on a woman—likely Walden—confirming systemic manipulation. Walden’s suppressed self faintly calls for Laura.
Summary
The chapter opens inside the Phoenix’s consciousness, exulting in its evolution and self-actualization while claiming Dr Sapphire Walden’s body and life. It embraces human routines—work, study, exercise, and sleep—seeing Chetwood as its territory and “good” place to defend. It positions itself as a benevolent teacher while quietly assuming control.
Patrolling a classroom, the Phoenix observes Nikki, Aneeta, Will, and Mathias preparing an array for exorcism and banishment. Nikki leads, assigning roles and refining the design. Will notes they need a fifth for a pentagram; Aneeta proposes informing adults, but the group recounts how Matron, Reverend Ezekiel, the Chief Marshal, multiple teachers, the Headmaster, and others failed to hear them, hinting at manipulation.
The Phoenix reveals its dominion over staff morale and school systems: thoughts are nudged, departures stalled, and external communications fail. The students pivot from seeking permission to planning escape off-site, considering the London Marshals. Aneeta identifies Marshal Kenning at Brixton as their target, citing Old Faithful’s incursion as proof Kenning understands such threats.
Mathias, struggling for terminology, describes a sensed binding; Nikki labels it an oath, likely a geas on a woman—implying Walden is oath-bound and compromised. Meanwhile, the Phoenix sustains a captured imp in Walden’s phone with blood, underscoring calculated control. As the Phoenix enforces disciplined routines, Walden’s suppressed voice surfaces in the dark, pleading for Laura’s help.
Who Appears
- Dr Sapphire Walden / The PhoenixPhoenix indwells Walden, controls staff and systems, maintains a secret imp, and suppresses Walden’s consciousness.
- NikkiLeads the student plan; drafts banishment arrays; decides to seek Marshal Kenning; identifies Mathias’s sense as an oath/geas.
- AneetaPragmatic organizer; proposes contacting Marshals in London; researches Kenning; keeps the group vigilant.
- WillSupports Nikki, draws the array, pushes action; apologizes to Mathias; notes need for a fifth participant.
- MathiasAnxious but perceptive; senses a binding like an oath on a woman, galvanizing the group’s suspicions.
- MatronApproached by students but, under Phoenix influence, fails to register their warnings.
- Reverend EzekielInvocation teacher who would be ideal help but no longer hears the students’ concerns.
- HeadmasterSubtly influenced; staff morale dips under Phoenix’s pervasive control.
- Mr CartwrightSite manager; the only adult who seemed to listen to the students’ concerns.
- Marshal KenningTarget of the students’ planned appeal in Brixton; previously faced Old Faithful’s incursion.