Chapter103 Summer of 1927

When Mary lowers the hammer, the room's suddenly transformed. The previously old, dilapidated cabin is now sturdy and refurbished. It's immaculately clean, and fully furnished. And, the crisp September New England afternoon of before has been replaced with a sunny, summer day. Everyone…including Mary…becomes befuddled by the sudden appearance of the new surroundings. "What's going on?" Mary says aloud, as she twirls around frantically looking about. "What's this?!" Cindy smiles at the now panicking spirit, and confidently teases, "Looks like this game's running into overtime, Mary." Anna goes to the rocking chair, which is now also brand new, and sits down. The others slowly spread out; gravitating to the walls to stay out of the way of whatever's about to happen. Cindy and Beth already have an idea of what they're about to witness. They've somehow realized they're back in the summer of 1927. Within minutes, Tommy and Chelsea suddenly appear in the middle of the living room on the floor. Chelsea's brushing her doll's hair; and, Tommy's spinning a top on the cabin's wooden floor. Tommy's music box is on the floor beside him; playing its sweet, melodic tune. They're alone in the cabin. Tommy gets up and stands behind Chelsea; staring at his sister with a vacant, emotionless expression on his face. Chelsea continues brushing her doll's hair; unaware Tommy's behind her watching. Anna starts rocking faster. He watches her for a few minutes; then, walks out of the living room. Chelsea continues to brush her doll's hair. Anna rocks even faster. Tommy returns a couple of minutes later; holding a hammer in his hand. Mary immediately looks down and discovers that the bloodstained hammer she had in her possession just moments ago is gone. Chelsea continues to brush her doll's hair. Anna rocks faster. Tommy stealthily creeps up behind Chelsea; slowly raising the hammer with each step he takes. Beth panics and cries out in an attempt to try to warn Chelsea, "Watch out, Chelsea! Behind you! He's got a hammer!" Her cries go unheard. It was an action made in vain. Their presence is unknown to the siblings. Right now, in Chelsea and Tommy's world, they're the ‘ghosts'; unable to communicate with either of them. Beth realizes this now; and, falls back leaning against the wall, covering her mouth with her hand, as her eyes start to well up and tear. She trembles as she watches helplessly with the others. Tommy stands ominously behind his unsuspecting sister, with the hammer raised as high as his arm allows above his head; with a maliciously sinister smile on his face. Chelsea continues brushing her doll's her. Anna rocks erratically. Mary walks over and stands beside Tommy, unbeknownst to him, wearing the same exact maliciously sinister smile he has; and, whispers in his ear, "Do it." The hammer drops; hitting Chelsea directly on the crown of her head. The initial blow isn't fatal; but, still hard enough to create a loud thud…which seemingly echoed throughout the cabin. This was immediately followed by an ear piercing, blood curling scream of agonizing pain resounding from Chelsea. Tommy steps back and watches her once light brown hair turn bright red from the blood pouring out the half-dollar sized hole punctured in the top of her head. He continues smiling as she writhes about on the floor, wailing from the unbearable pain she's experiencing. Mary once again whispers in Tommy's ear, "Finish it…finish her off, now!" Tommy pounces on Chelsea's back, and repeatedly pounds her head with the hammer. Blood's spurting out; and pieces of hair, flesh and bone fly off the hammer's head each time he violently jerks it out of her collapsing skull. At first, her cries rip through the air with each sadistic blow; but, soon they cease… and, all that happens now is her body convulsing with every strike. But then; the convulsions stop. Now, the only time her lifeless body moves is when it's being pushed from the force exerted upon it from the maniacally toddler. All this time, Mary's been slowly circling like a starving vulture watching its prey dying before its eyes; enjoying every moment of Chelsea's pain and agony…elated with every wield of the hammer Tommy makes. Anna stops rocking and jumps up from the chair yelling, "Tommy!! Stop it!!!" Everyone watches in amazement; as he stops, looks at Anna, and walks over to her. "My God," Cindy exclaims, "he can see her!" Anna points to Chelsea's body, and tells him, "Look at Chelsea. Look at what you did to her, Tommy." Tommy turns around and gazes upon his sister's motionless, bloodied body on the floor. Then, he looks down at his blood soaked clothes and hands. After that, he stares at the hammer in his hand covered in blood with pieces of hair, flesh, bone and brain matter stuck on it. "See what you did, Tommy! Bad Tommy! Bad, bad Tommy!!" Anna scolds the confused toddler. Mary rushes over. "No! Don't listen to her, Tommy! She's lying! You didn't do anything! This isn't real!" Anna continues to admonish him. "Bad Tommy! Just look at what you did to your sister! You killed her, Tommy! …You killed her!!" "No!! Shut up, Anna!! Tommy; don't listen to her! Chelsea hit you; remember! She's lying!!" Mary's desperately trying to convince Tommy not to listen to Anna. Tommy glances back and forth; looking at Chelsea's body, his hands, and Mary. Then, he turns and looks at Anna. She repeats, "Bad Tommy!" Tommy looks back at his dead sister, drops the hammer, and softly mutters, "Sorry, Chelsea."