A group of students and a professor perform experiments on a girl to prove that supernatural forces do not exist. Brian is hired as a cameraman by Dr. Coupland, a professor who believes that supernatural phenomena is just a product of negative mental energy. Dr. Coupland and two Oxford students, Chrissy and Harry have a new test subject, Jane, who has had a traumatic childhood and displays odd behavior. She particularly talks about an imaginary being named Evie who Dr. Coupland suspects is the manifestation of her problematic past. Dr. Coupland wants to isolate this negative energy and destroy it, to rid Jane of her mental instability. Jane is given a doll for her to channel Evie in.
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Brian feels sorry for Jane, who is merely a means to an end for the group. She is treated without much compassion, being isolated and locked in a room, sometimes with continuous loud music to keep her in an active mental state. She is injected with drugs and undergoes shock therapy. Brian documents the experiments and becomes attracted to Jane. The experiment isn't progressing much, and is cancelled funding by the University. They move to the countryside to continue the study.
At the new venue, things start getting strange. Things move and break for no reason. Jane becomes obsessed with her doll, and cuts a cult symbol in her skin. She sees visions of burning and pain. One night, she escapes her room and conjures Evie up in the attic. The group follow after her and she is pushed by an invisible being. The same symbol appears on her belly.
The student assistants quit the program. Brian starts to research about the symbol and learns that it was used by a cult who lived in the house they were staying at. The daughter of the cult leader was named Evie and she burned the house down killing everybody.
After Chrissy is attacked by Evie in her house, she and Harry go back to the house, along with Brian and Dr. Coupland. Chrissy and Harry are killed by the force, and Jane uncovers the truth, that she is actually Evie and had amnesia after the traumatic accident. She is scared to learn that she can be capable of such evil.
Brian is knocked out when Jane as Evie attacks him. Dr. Coupland subdues Jane and is obsessed with finishing the experiment. He ties Jane up planning to kill her but revive her as Evie. Brian wakes up and stops Dr. Coupland. Brian wants to save Jane but it's too late. Jane locks herself up in the room, and a fire starts, engulfing it. However, a spirit leaves her body and flings itself into Brian, possessing him.
Best part of story, including ending:
I didn't like the story so much because I feel that the academic angle to the story wasn't necessary.
Best scene in story:
When Jane runs to the attic and finds a burned figure on the bed.
Opinion about the main character:
I think Brian was a non-believer from start to finish. He lacked the conviction of the other group members which made him the ideal savior to Jane. It was his compassion that could have redeemed Jane from her fate.
