Pay close attention to the people you hold dearest. Have any of your friends or loved ones been acting strangely lately?

Are they spending time with a mysterious new group of people? Are they taking part in activities they have previously shown no interest in? Have you noticed any strange odors or weird chanting coming from their bedroom late at night?

We only ask because we’ve heard rumors of restless spirits assaulting people on the streets of Vancouver lately. And once those things get inside your soul, they’re very difficult to get out.

Difficult, but not impossible. Take it from Shu-Ling. As a high-ranking member of Vancouver’s guardian temple, she has plenty of experience with cleaning up after restless spirits and repairing the damage they cause to innocent bystanders.

So, please refer to this helpful guide the next time your little sister starts screaming at you with multiple voices at once.

Your Friend or Loved One Has a Mark on Their Body

“Here’s the thing about wandering spirits: Dying is a disorienting process. After the body gives out, certain souls become confused and try to remain in the physical world. This usually happens after a violent or traumatic event. Usually, they’re harmless. They remain bound by the intensity of their fury, regret, or desire for vengeance. Stuck in one place until a warden can find them and carry them away.

“Every once in a blue moon, however, a wandering spirit will assault a member of the living. And if they get their hands (or, ugh, tongue) on you, they may be able to leave a mark. If you notice a bruise on the skin, one that burns to the touch, make sure to get it treated immediately.
“Trust me, you don’t want to wait. I’ve seen these marks grow and mutate into things that will keep you up at night. I’ve even witnessed certain small animals grow underneath the skin. And not the soft and fuzzy kind, either.”

You’ve Noticed a Shift in Your Friend or Loved One’s Behavior

“Has a friend or family member started to act differently? More impatient than usual? Irrational? Hostile? I know. It can be hard to tell. My own brother Shen can be extremely moody sometimes.

“The good news is that, if your friend or loved one is acting more malicious than usual, it’s not because they hate you. The bad news is that it’s because they’re under the influence of some very dark forces.

“Pay attention to what they’re drinking. Often, possessed people are a victim of a ward of containment or talisman of receiving. And wouldn’t you know it, those things usually come in liquid form. So, if you ever get the chance, steal your friend or family member’s special little water bottle away and see how they react.

“Just don’t drink it yourself. It tastes like herbal medicine. Nasty stuff. But no worries. I can easily whip up a counter-talisman smoothie to help counter the effects. The real problem you’re going to have to deal with is discovering how and why your friend or loved one came to possess this drink in the first place.”

Your Friend or Loved One Has Made a Strange Contribution

“I’m going to be blunt here: One usually needs to make a pact with these dark forces prior to their possession. You see, when a person is truly desperate, they have this annoying tendency to turn away from more legitimate temples such as ours and seek salvation from a more . . . troublesome source.

“We’ve done our best to stamp out local temples that have sought to disturb the Great Balance between our world and the afterlife. But I’ve been hearing rumors of growing unrest. The spirits seem to be getting bolder, influenced by whatever dark energy has been steadily building in Vancouver. They’ve been targeting innocents by preying on their deepest desires.

“For some people, the kind of dark promises that evil gods make are too tempting to pass up. But this type of magic always asks for a contribution, in blood or flesh. And speaking of flesh . . .”

You’ve Noticed a Physical Change

“This is the most obvious sign of possession. And also the clearest sign that your friend or loved one is beyond saving.

“Pure blackness will fill their eyes, covering their irises. Their body will start thrashing violently and at random times. They’ll speak with another voice. You may see their face split in half—one side screaming and the other side laughing.

“In other words, they will be consumed by the hidden darkness that lurks within all human hearts . . .”

“Having trouble picturing it? Ah well. You’ll know it when you see it . . .”

And on that ominous note, we’ll leave Shu-Ling to her business. Seems like she has a lot to do at the temple. And just between us, that huge grin she had on her face was becoming just a bit too unnerving for our taste.

See more of Shu-Ling and learn about the strange possessions occurring in Vancouver in The Dark Becomes Her by Judy I. Lin, on sale now.