Chapter10 The Second Floor

Beth has always felt the most uncomfortable on the second floor. She believes that there's evil in that house; and, its source is originating from the second floor. Up until recently, Beth never understood why…but, in light of some recent discoveries made while researching in the library's barely visited microfiche department; she now believes she knows what's causing that sensation of uneasiness. Beth's convinced that's where the Howells were murdered; killed in their bedrooms at night while they slept. Beth figures that if she really wants to know what's going on, she'll need to look within the house itself. And, if evil really does reside in that house…which Beth believes is the case…then, it's residing on the second floor. Wanting to keep Anna from knowing what's going on…unaware that Mary has been visiting Anna and filling her in vaguely about some of the house's dark history…Beth has Martin take Anna on a day trip to Connecticut; so she could investigate the second floor. Beth sits on the couch in the living room trying to muster enough courage to venture up to the second floor. It's difficult though; because right after Martin left, Beth started hearing those damn footsteps running back and forth over her head along the ceiling. They continue for a good half hour non-stop before Beth finally has it. She jumps up, runs over to the bottom of the staircase and hollers, "Mary, please stop running up there!" The footsteps stop, and Beth returns to the couch. An hour or so has passed since Beth has heard anything coming from the second floor. She decides, ready or not, it's time to go up there. She's walked up and down these steps dozens of times before; but, it's different this time. Beth's always made it a point to avoid the second floor; and now, she's intentionally going to it. Beth looks up the staircase…and, just like in her childhood days spent at grandmothers…the stairwell somehow seems to magically increase its length. Those eighteen steps between the first and second story now seem like eighteen hundred. She closes her eyes while taking in a deep breath, then. opens her eyes and begins to slowly climb the staircase. When Beth reaches the second floor landing, she's suddenly overcome by an inexplicable surge of debilitating anxiety; causing her heart to pound in her chest as her airway starts to constrict…making it difficult for her to breathe. Her body trembles so vigorously, that her bones start to ache; and, her head starts throbbing…feeling as if knives are piercing through her skull and eyes. Beth's never experienced anything as strong as this before on that landing; and, starts to think that whatever ‘it' is on this floor doesn't want her to look around…and ‘it' is making her feel this way. Not wanting to succumb to ‘its' attempt to frighten her away, Beth makes a bold move; leaping into the hallway, smacking into the wall in a ‘down pushup' position, leaning against it for support. Within seconds, that overwhelming anxiety attack subsides; and, returns to just her usual feeling of uneasiness. Beth cautiously walks down the hallway. Moving at a snail's pace, she inches her way along the corridor, staying close to the wall, stopping at each doorway to peer in before entering each room; as she goes along seeking out the one…or ones…that ‘it' dwells in. Beth manages to work her way through four rooms before being interrupted. "Tommy! Tommy! Where are you, Tommy?!" Beth dashes to the window at the end of the hallway and sees Chelsea…who looks just as horrid as she did the other day…out back, walking around dazedly; calling out to no avail, "Tommy! Answer me, Tommy! I can't find you! Please, answer Tommy! Tommy!!" Beth leans out, flailing her arms frantically trying to get her attention. "Chelsea! Chelsea! Up here, Chelsea!" There's no response; Chelsea continues the search for her missing brother. Out of desperation…remembering her reaction the last time…Beth calls out… "God damn it, Chelsea, look up here!" Chelsea stops, turns and walks to under the window where Beth's hanging half way out. She tells Beth, "I told you, you shouldn't swear. It's not right to swear." "I'm sorry, Chelsea, I didn't mean to swear…" "Bad things happen to people who swear." Beth once aagain tries to apologize. "Sorry, Chels…" Chelsea dogmatically repeats her mantra, "You shouldn't swear. It's not right to swear. Bad things happen to you when you swear." She pauses and looks around before facing Beth again. "Tommy use to swear; and now, he's lost. I can't find him anywhere. Have you seen him?" "No, I haven't seen him, Chelsea." Beth asks her, "Where did you see him last? Do you remember?" Chelsea contemplates for a moment before answering, "I think it was at the lake." "The lake?" "I think so. It's been so long; I can't remember." Totally dumbfounded now, Beth asks, "How long has it been?" Chelsea turns her head and stares at the woods behind the property. After a brief pause, she looks back at Beth simply replies, "Long." She walks away towards the woods. Before Chelsea enters, Beth shouts out to her… "What about Mary?" Chelsea stops, but doesn't turn around, standing there motionless. Beth pleads, "Please, Chelsea; what about Mary? You said Anna shouldn't believe everything she says. What does she tell her?" Chelsea slowly turns around and stares at Beth. There's momentary silence between the two before Chelsea finally answers… "Lies!" She turns and starts back into the woods. "What lies? Chelsea, what lies?!" Chelsea enters the woods, and is now out of Beth's sight. Beth goes back in, falls to a sitting position under the window and begins to cry. Then she hears Chelsea one last time shout out… "Lies!"