Chapter21 Back to the Past

Beth gasps as she's startled out of her sleep; then, becomes absolutely paralyzed. Her eyes remain stuck wide open; unable to either close or blink. She doesn't feel her heart beating; and, she's not sure if she's breathing. Her body lies there like a stone statue, as an overwhelming force takes control over her body. Martin's asleep, unaware of what's happening to his wife. After a while, Beth feels a tingling sensation coarse throughout her entire body; and suddenly, she's able to jump up out of the bed. She's met once again by the horrific sight of Chelsea. Her face is more sunken in; with her eyes set back further in their sockets. Chelsea's complexion's nearly ash grey at this point. Her body's more emaciated; and, her open wounds have become larger, pus-filled and more rancid. There's more decaying flesh hanging off her limbs. Chelsea's moving slower and more rigidly; due to the later stage of rigor mortis setting in. Her time's running out, and she needs Beth's help to find Tommy before it's too late. As shocking as her appearance is, Beth doesn't seem to be able to have a reaction to this sight. She feels she should be crying for this poor little girl; but, for some reason, she can't. There's something different this time; but, what? Beth wants to talk to Chelsea, but is unable to speak. Chelsea just stares at Beth with her dilated pupils frozen in place in her dried up corneas. Then, she raises her arm and points…not at Beth; but, behind her. Beth turns around. Beth walks over to the bed, looks down upon herself, and wonders if she's dead. Beth feels Chelsea's cold, clammy hand take hers, and turns to see Chelsea motioning with her head to follow her. Chelsea leads Beth out the bedroom, and walks her down the hallway to the staircase; then, takes her to the second floor. Beth tried to stop on the landing, but was no match for Chelsea; who's dragging her down the hall to a bedroom at the end on the left. Chelsea opens the door and motions Beth to enter the room. Beth reluctantly obeys as Chelsea waits at the doorway. Beth walks in, and all the lamps turn on. She looks around and realizes that this use to be a young girl's bedroom. The walls are painted pink, with flower wall-bordering along the floor and ceiling moldings. There's a twin size bed with Teddy Bear motif bedding; and a large array of various stuffed animals occupying it. There's a vanity table along the far side of the wall with a mirror, some plastic jewelry, brushes, combs and other hair accessories. A dresser and bookshelf, with a number of children's books, occupy another wall. There's a toy chest against the remaining wall. Beth walks over and reads the name inscribed on the lid…Mary Elizabeth Howell. The lights go out as Beth exits the room; and, Chelsea takes hold of her hand again. As they walk down the hallway, Beth has an idea where Chelsea's taking her. They stop outside the room where Beth first met Mary. Standing here with Chelsea, Beth doesn't feel the extreme anxiety like the last time. Beth watches Chelsea open the doors and motion her to go in. Beth goes without any hesitation. She enters an immense, spacious room filled with grand, well-maintained, antique furniture. There's a huge, brass king sized canopy bed off to the side of a large fireplace. A large vanity table with a huge full mirror sits along a wall with a valet chair only a few feet from it. There are eloquent knick-knacks, statuettes and figurines, paintings on the walls, oriental rugs and clocks arranged to accentuate the room's décor. Chelsea enters, takes Beth's hand and leads her out the room; closing the doors behind them. Chelsea stares at the doors for a moment, then turns to Beth and motions for her to re-enter the bedroom. As Beth reaches for the door knobs, her hands tremble; and, that feeling of uneasiness starts to come over her. Beth turns to Chelsea, who's now using more aggressive movements to usher her into the room. Beth slowly pushes the doors open, and cold chills enter her body as she reluctantly peers into the darkened room. Upon entering, the lights suddenly turn on, and Beth's met with a ghastly scene. The rooms ransacked, with furniture thrown about; and, the once lovely items smashed to pieces, lying all over the place. But, this was nothing compared to what else was in that room. Blood…seemingly gallons of it…smeared everywhere. But, Beth's worst discovery… Nathan and Estelle Howell…their dismembered body parts strewn about all over the room; looking as if some pack of rabid, wild animals tore them apart viciously in some crazed feeding frenzy. Beth‘s shaking from fear when Chelsea grabs and yanks her from the room. Chelsea drags her down the hallway by the collar while Beth attempts to resist her to no avail. Along the way, Beth notices bloody footprints on the floor. They stop in front of Mary's room. The door's ajar; and, there are bloody handprints on it. She tries pulling away as Chelsea, still holding onto her collar, twists Beth's arm behind her back, and throws her into Mary's room. Beth's lying on the floor desperately trying to keep her eyes shut tight as Chelsea tries to pry them open. Beth doesn't want to see what's in that room. Chelsea finally releases her hold; and, Beth hears the door slam. Realizing Chelsea has just shut her in Mary's room, Beth wants to cry; but, she can't. She lies there motionless with her eyes clenched shut. Time passes, and it becomes too much for Beth to bear. Accepting that she'll have to look before Chelsea lets her out, Beth takes in a deep breath and slowly opens her eyes. Mary's room…it looks the same as before.