Chapter58 Cindy's Breakdown

Cindy's sitting out on the front porch. She has her knees tucked into her chest, resting her chin on her knee caps; with her arms wrapped around her bended legs. Her eyes are red and cheeks are soaked from all the crying she's been doing the past couple of hours. When the deputy and professor return, they see the visible cuts and bruises on her body. Deputy Hopkins rushes to her side, kneeling down to get a closer look. "My God, Kiddo, what happened?" Cindy tries to hold back the sobs as she tells him, "I went in the barn…Tommy was there…he was showing me the night Mary killed the killer…then, the barn collapsed and…" The deputy becomes infuriated. "Damn it, Cindy! After what happened at that barn the other night; you still went out there! Are you fool?" Cindy starts crying, "Uncle Mike, please…" "No! Don't Uncle Mike please me nothing! You're out of here; end of story! I know I asked you to come out to help; but, now I'm telling you to leave! I'll be bringing you back to Boston in the morning!" "I can't…I have to…" "You're going!" "I can't…" "You're go…" Cindy jumps up and pushes her uncle away. "Shut the fuck up! I'm not going damn it!" The two just stare at each other for a moment; then, Cindy breaks down and starts crying. She reaches out to hug the deputy; falling into his arms. She sinks her face into his chest, sobbing heavily, while clinging onto him; pressing her fingers into the back of his shoulders. Her uncle holds on tight to her. "I'm sorry, Uncle Mike." The deputy starts gently swaying her side to side. "I'm sorry too, Kiddo." "I can't go now, Uncle Mike; I have to stay…I have to help them." "I know you want to help, Kiddo; but, I think between Professor Rhyies, Lloyd and me, we can take care of things out here just fine." "No, you don't understand; I have to help, Uncle Mike." "Kiddo, look…" "Uncle Mike; listen to me damn it!" Cindy breaks away from her uncle and storms off about ten feet before she spins back around; tensing her arms straight down at her sides while clenching her fists. "Anna's gone!" She starts crying again. "What do you mean Anna's gone?" "She's vanished, Uncle Mike." Deputy Hopkins asks, with a perplexed look on his face, "You mean she's missing?" "No, Uncle Mike; she's vanished…disappeared." The professor removes his glasses to clean. "But; how, Ms. Lidestrom?" "Anna was holding the door open…for me…when it forced itself shut; pushing her inside. Then, the barn collapsed. Sheriff Faulkner was able to dig me out from under there; then, we spent a couple of hours searching the pile over and over again…" Cindy starts sobbing again, "but, we couldn't find her; she wasn't there." Cindy drops to the ground and curls into a fetal position, cupping her hands over her eyes, nose and mouth; crying hysterically. Her uncle goes to her; grabbing both her upper arms, he picks her up onto her feet and starts shaking her. "Hey! Cindy! Cindy; snap out of it! Do you hear me? Snap out of it; damn it!" Cindy immediately stops crying; but, remains tensed up, staring into her uncle's face with her eyes and mouth wide open. He looks directly into her enlarged, welled-up, red eyes and starts talking to her in a calm soft voice. "Snap out of it, Kiddo. This isn't doing anyone any good. Beth and Martin need your help to get their daughter back. We need your help to resolve this thing. Do you hear me, Kiddo? Do you understand what I'm saying to you?" Cindy nods. "They need you, Cindy. You have to help them get their little girl back. You're the only one here who could do that for them. Ain't that right, Professor?" The professor has just put his glasses back on. "You're absolutely right, Deputy Hopkins; your niece is their only hope. Ms. Lidestrom; we need you to remain calm, and help us out through this tragic turn of events. You will help us, won't you?" Cindy wipes the tears off her face, takes in a couple of deep breaths and tells them, "Yes…I'll help you…I'll help them." "Of course you will, Kiddo. You're the only one here able to do this." The deputy smiles reassuringly at his niece; whom in turn replies with a half smile. The deputy looks down at his watch. "Then it's settled. Professor, why don't you take Cindy back inside; and, I'll be back a little later to check up on things." "Where are you going, Uncle Mike?" "Today's Wednesday, right?" "Yeah." "Then, I'll be heading off to the Feather Horse Inn over in Broward County. I should be back within an hour, or so; I just have to pick something up." "Pick something up now, Uncle Mike?" "Oh yeah…I'll be back soon." "Excuse me, Deputy;" Professor Rhyies ask, "do you want me to wait for you to get back before discussing what we've discovered with the Sheriff; or what? What should I tell him?" "Just tell Lloyd to have the lemonade waiting for when I get back." The deputy gets in his patrol car and peels away.