Chapter33 Mary Regains Anna's Trust

While exiting, Sheriff Faulkner tips his Stetson to the mayor. "You take care now, Al. I'll see you around." He turns and tips his hat to Ruth. "Good day to you too, Ms. Ruth; my apologies for any inconvenience we may have caused you today." As the deputy walks by, the mayor whispers, "You never did learn your lesson; did you, Hopkins?" The deputy stops and turns to the mayor, looking him straight in the eyes. "Wrong again, Al. I did learn my lesson…long ago. Now, maybe it's due to my bad upbringing; but, if you ever call me a buffoon again, I'll shove my foot so far up your ass, Chas will orgasm." "You better watch it, Deputy; the powers that be surely won't put up with your attitude." "You know what, Al; I'm willing to bet that your ‘powers that be' are nothing compared to the powers that are at that house. So, why don't you and your little playmates go out there for a visit. Go see who's more powerful. I for one would sure like to see it." The deputy, in his usual manner, puts his sunglasses on, turns and leaves. Anna's on her bed brushing Jean-Louise Waddell's hair, when Mary enters her room. After her encounter with Chelsea, Anna isn't sure what to think about Mary. For the first time, Anna feels uncomfortable being around her. "Hello, Anna." Mary sits down next to her. Anna…almost whispering…solemnly replies, "Hi, Mary." Mary senses something's bothering Anna. "What's wrong, Anna?" "Nothing." "Come on, Anna, you could tell me. We're friends…aren't we?" Anna's silent for a brief moment before answering, "Yeah…I guess." "You guess?" Mary gets an intolerant tone in her voice, "What do you mean you guess? Are we friends or not; which is it, Anna?" "Yeah…we're friends." Anna nervously answers. "Good." Mary returns to her usual speaking tone, "So, tell me what's wrong?" Anna looks down, biting on her bottom lip. "I saw Chelsea the other day." "Really?" Mary moves in closer to Anna. "What did she want; did she tell you anything?" Anna's starts biting down on her lip again. Mary leans in towards Anna and whispers in her ear, "What did she say, Anna?" Anna whispers back, "She said not to believe what you tell me." Mary moves a few inches away from Anna, looks up to the ceiling and scoffs, "Shouldn't believe me? Chelsea's the one you shouldn't believe; she's the liar! God damn it; what a little bitch!" Anna looks at Mary with a shocked expression on her face. She's never heard her talk like that before. "What; why you looking at me like that, Anna? Wait…it's because I called her a ‘bitch'; isn't it? Well, she is. Anna, what else did she say?" Anna's hesitant at first; but then, she tells Mary, "She said I shouldn't go into the woods with you." Mary laughs, "Go into the woods? Anna, when did I ever ask you to go in the woods? We're either here in the house or out in the barn. Why would we go into the woods? That's ridiculous." "Yeah, it is." Anna smiles as she starts feeling more relaxed. Her trust in Mary is rapidly returning. Mary smiles back. Then, she goes to the window, looks outside, and tells Anna, "Speaking of the woods; you know Anna, Chelsea's the one who stays out in them, not me. I don't go into the woods; not with her…and him…out there." Anna goes over by Mary and looks out at the woods. "You mean the bad man's out there?" Mary nods. "But, I thought you said he only comes back when he gets mad?" "To the house, Anna. He's out in the woods all the time…watching." "Watching what?" "Us." "Why's he watching us?" "He's waiting for the right time." "Right time for what?" "To hurt us, Anna." Anna backs away from the window with a look of fear etched on her face. She asks Mary, "If Chelsea's out in the woods with him; wouldn't he hurt her, too?" "He did; didn't you see how she looks?" Anna nods. Mary continues, "Then again, she's bad herself. Just look what she did to her own brother." "What did she do to him?" "She killed him." After taking a brief pause, Mary warns her, "Anna, Chelsea's the one you have to watch out for; not me. She's been lying to your mom about me all this time; and, now she's starting to lie to you. Who knows what she'll do next. She may even try to hurt your mom and dad…or you." "Was she the one who made the living room freeze?" Mary turns away and looks out the window. With her back to Anna ….and a sadistically, sinister grin on her face…she answers, "Yes, Anna; it was Chelsea."