**Ashwood, Maine –** A scene of unprecedented chaos unfolded at the Ashwood Chapel earlier this evening as a meticulously crafted hypnotic projection, initiated by suspected Heretic, Elias Reed, engulfed the entire structure. Initial reports indicate the projection, a swirling vortex of crimson and gold, began subtly at 7:18 PM EST and rapidly intensified, consuming the chapel’s interior in a matter of minutes. The event has left local authorities baffled and religious leaders struggling to comprehend the implications.

The projection, described by witnesses as “a living, breathing nightmare,” reportedly began with a single, intensely focused image of a stylized serpent consuming a rose. Within seconds, the image expanded, enveloping the stained glass windows, the altar, and ultimately, the very walls of the chapel. Emergency services were immediately dispatched, but access was severely limited due to the projection’s apparent ability to repel physical contact. Several officers reported experiencing disorientation and a profound sense of dread while attempting to approach the building.

“It felt…wrong,” stated Father Michael O’Connell, the chapel’s longtime caretaker, visibly shaken. “Like a pull, a desperate yearning to *be* within it. I tried to recite a prayer, but the words wouldn’t form. The Veil…it’s shattered.” He paused, struggling to articulate the profound disruption. “I’ve dedicated my life to protecting this place, and now…now it’s just…gone.”

The precise nature of Reed’s intentions remains unclear. He has been apprehended and is currently being held at the Ashwood County Sheriff’s Department. Authorities are attempting to establish a means of communication with him, but initial attempts have been unsuccessful. Reed, a former theology student dismissed from the Ashwood Seminary for unorthodox theories regarding the nature of faith, has remained largely silent, offering only cryptic statements about “transcendence” and “the true form of devotion.”

Sheriff Brody confirmed that a structural engineer is assessing the damage, though preliminary reports suggest the chapel has undergone a complete and irreversible transformation. The building, once a symbol of stability and faith, now stands as a hollow shell, seemingly integrated into the projection itself. The long-term consequences of this event, both within the film’s narrative and potentially in the real world, are currently unknown, but local officials are urging residents to remain vigilant and report any unusual phenomena.