Chapter60 Brothers at the Barn

After her tantrum, Beth apologized to Cindy for yelling at her the way she did. Martin took Beth upstairs to try to calm her down; and, convince her to get some much needed sleep. Professor Rhyies and Sheriff Faulkner are still mulling over when the Steinman children actually died; and, who Mary could possibly be. Cindy's sitting on the back porch holding Jean-Louise Wadell in front of her face; staring intensely into the doll's glass eyes. "Alright…if you're in there Chelsea…please let me know where Anna is." Cindy's not sensing any spiritual presences within, or around the doll. She does, however, suddenly receive an ominous sensation coming from the collapsed barn. Cindy puts Jean-Louise Wadell down and walks towards the fallen structure. Cindy notices that the closer she gets to the pile of debris, the colder the air seems to become. She stops a couple of yards short of reaching there. Something's telling her to keep some distance between herself and the barn wreckage. Soon, the chill in the air starts seeping down into her bones; causing her teeth to chatter, and body shiver. Then, the chill subsides; and, her body receives a momentary tingling sensation before starting to go numb. Cindy can feel her heart pounding against her sternum. Her breathing's rapid; and, she's sweating profusely. Cindy senses an extremely strong evil presence lying among the debris; one that she hasn't felt before. Cindy's now paralyzed; watching pieces of the fallen barn start to slowly rustle about as if someone…or something…was trying to work their way out from under there. Then, a loud, seemingly demonic-like groan permeates the previous serenity of the night; as a massively large, hulking shadow emerges from beneath the pile. The figure menacingly plods over the debris towards Cindy; who still can't move. He stops…the killer…standing only inches in front of her…covered in blood; with the bloodied ax in hand hanging down to his side. He's looking directly at her with a crazed look in his eyes. Cindy's come to the terrifying realization that this encounter isn't going to be a residual one. He's motionless for a minute or two; but, then raises the ax above his head. He lowers the ax blade behind his back as he gets ready to swing it into Cindy's head. Then, he hears her call out to him. "No-no, Charles. Don't do it." Cindy's turns her head to the side and sees Mary standing over by the tree line. Mary looks at Cindy with a sinister smirk on her face, and winks. "Not yet, anyway." The killer looks at Mary, still holding onto his bloodied ax; keeping his same position. "Charles; lower your ax like a good boy, and go back into the woods. Now, Charles!" He doesn't move. Mary huffs. "Fine; have it your way. Oh Tommy!" Charles quickly lowers his ax and turns to look at the fallen barn. Once again, pieces start moving. Suddenly, Tommy rises from the heap. He goes over, standing between the killer and Cindy, and raises his arm; pointing to the woods. Tommy scolds, "Bad, Charles! Go away! Go back in there! Go!" The killer looks down to the ground and lets out a barely audible sigh. He turns and slowly walks into the woods; dragging his ax on the ground behind him. For a moment, he reminds Cindy of a sulking child who's been sent to his room. Tommy smiles at Cindy; then, returns to the collapsed barn and climbs back under the pile. Mary walks over to the still partially-immobilized Cindy…who's only able to turn her head from side to side…and stops in front of her; still wearing that devilish little smirk. "Cindy, Cindy, Cindy…still haven't learned yet; have you?" "Learned what?" "The barn is a no-no; and, yet you still insist on coming out here to snoop around. Look at all the trouble you're causing everyone…all the grief." "Where's Anna?" "I don't know, Cindy. Where do you think she is?" "I don't know." "Pity. Well, I could tell you this much…she's not out here in the barn. So; stay the fuck away!" Cindy smiles. "You know; you have quite a mouth on you for a little girl. Tell me something…Mary…between us girls…who are you?" "Who am I? Are you kidding me? Is the pressure becoming too much for you, Cindy? I'm Mary." "Mary who?" "Mary Howell." "No you're not." "I'm not? What makes you say that?" "Because…Mary Howell was never killed that night." "Oh really?" Mary briefly pauses to look up into the sky before continuing, "And, what makes you say that, Cindy?" "I know it, Mary." "And, how do you know that?" "Because, Tommy showed me what happened that night. The real Mary Howell killed the killer that night." Mary laughs. "So, Tommy showed you that; huh, Cindy?" "Yes, he did." "And, because of that, you believe that I'm not the real Mary Howell?" Cindy nods. Mary pauses again, this time looking down at the ground. She walks behind Cindy and starts talking in her ear. "And, Chelsea showed you the night she was raped…but, that wasn't true…was it? Come on, Cindy; I'm sure by now you've discovered that there were no female patients there. Besides; she was never a grown woman, Cindy. Chelsea killed herself when she was seven; right after she killed Tommy. She made that night all up; just like Tommy made up that night in the barn. It's what they like to do….Those Steinman kids have vivid imaginations." "And, Charles? He's a Steinman kid; right? Does he have a vivid imagination?" Mary laughs. "No. It's too bad though. Maybe if he did, he'd be able to channel all that pent up rage and frustration of his into a more creative and constructive outlet; instead of being the homicidal maniac that he is." "And yet; he seems to listen to you and Tommy….Well; Tommy anyway." "Why shouldn't he? Tommy is his brother after all." "And, Chelsea?" "And, Chelsea what; Cindy?" "Does he listen to Chelsea, too?" Again Mary laughs. "Don't be ridiculous, Cindy; no one listens to Chelsea. Well, except for Beth…and, look where that's gotten her. Poor thing; her only child, gone." "Gone where, Mary?" "Didn't we go through this before, Cindy? I don't know where she is?" "Does Tommy know where she is?" "I don't know. I could ask him if you'd like." "Gee…would you?" "Not with that attitude I won't, bitch!" "I'm sorry." "You're damn right you're sorry. In fact, Cindy; you're down right pathetic if you ask me. To think I complimented you the other night; giving you credit for being good at what you do. Some psychic you're turning out to be. Can't even tell when a four-year-old little boy's lying to you. To think that I wasn't killed that night by that monster; come on, Cindy." "If you say so…Mary." "Yes, Cindy; I say so. Now run along before I change my mind and call Charlie boy back to finish you off. Good night, Cindy."