This Present Darkness

The angels marvel that Hank was saved by only two votes, and the same night Langstrat has a vision in which she is tormented by demons for failing to have Brummel kick Hank out as pastor. The next day, Marshall and Kate discover that the local grocery store is under new management, having been taken over by strangers that have replaced their old friends. Kate remarks that the town seems stranger than ever, leading to a similar discussion about Sandy. Marshall decides to call the previous editor of the newspaper, Ted Harmel, to ask some questions, but Harmel warns him not to ask too many questions before getting flustered and hanging up the phone.

Hank and Mary, meanwhile, visit the old woman who had come to the meeting, Edith Duster. She is able to give the Busches some much needed advice and spiritual consolation: “I believe the tide is turning, Hank, and now you need true believers, true visionaries who can stand with you to pray for this town. We need to pray that the Lord will gather them in” (112-13). While Hank and Mary are speaking with Edith, the demons hatch a plot to destroy the relationship Marshall has with his family by going after his daughter.