Chapter82 The Music Box

"Sounds like your father was one vindictive son of a bitch, Vivian." The deputy tells her. "Yes he was, Deputy Hopkins." "Pardon me, Ms. Vivian;" the sheriff moves along the conversation, "so, Chelsea's tormented while in the asylum, escapes and becomes the Woodland Falls serial killer. Then on September 18th, 1961, she kills the Howell's in their bedroom; but, winds up being killed by Mary out in the barn. Now, from what we heard; your father was here that night. Is there anything else you can tell us about that night?" "When Sheriff Coles recognized Chelsea lying there, he called our father out here to find out what he wanted them to do. Obviously, Mary had to be kept quiet." "Yeah; her and her brother Davey." The Deputy says. "Actually, Deputy Hopkins; Davey was already dead when they found him." "What? How?" Cindy asks. "Evidently someone hit him with something in the back of his head. No one bothered to investigate it; they just threw his body into Miller's Lake." "And, Mary?" "She was buried around here somewhere, Cindy." "Where?" "I'm not sure; but, pretty close probably. After all, you said you've seen her ghost here." "Yeah; but, I was only sensing one presence. We figure there's only one spirit haunting this place; which would be Chelsea from what you're telling us." "Let me ask you this, Cindy; how many spirits are you sensing now?" Cindy takes in a breath and closes her eyes; remaining motionless. A minute or so later, she opens her eyes and slowly walks around the room. Then, Cindy turns around and looks at the others with a confused look on her face. "What's wrong, Kiddo?" "I'm not sure, Uncle Mike. For the first time, I swear I can feel more than one presence here; at least two." "You see; Chelsea and Mary are here." Vivian lights another cigarette. Beth wonders, "But; which one of them has Anna…and, why?" "Beth, you need to contact Chelsea. You have to convince her that she wasn't the one who killed Tommy; that her mom did it because of what happened to Charles. Tell her it wasn't her fault for what she did to all those people. Explain to her that it was the fault of all those people who tortured her all those years; turning her into what she became. She needs to know. She has to be able to forgive herself…to release the rage and guilt. Then, ask her to help you with Mary. Everything should work itself out after that; trust me." "But; how do we get Chelsea to listen to us? To believe what we're telling her is the truth?" Vivian reaches into her purse and takes out a small, antique music box. Tears start trickling from the corner of her eyes as she sniffles; wiping her nose with her index finger. She hands the music box to Beth and tells her, "Give her this." "A music box?" "Do what I told you and everything should be fine; trust me. Now, I have to go… take care everyone." Vivian starts to leave. "You're leaving now?" Cindy asks. "I've done all I could for you; the rest is up to you…you and Chelsea. Like I told Beth, it should be okay; just make sure Chelsea gets that music box. Now, I really must be going; goodbye everyone." Vivian leaves. Beth's lying on Anna's bed staring at the music box thinking about everything Vivian revealed to them. Although Beth feels bad for Tommy, Mary and Davey…even a little bit for Charles…she feels most sorry for Chelsea and Helene; despite the fact that Helene was the one who killed Tommy, and Chelsea was eventually forced into being the Woodland Falls' serial killer. Beth cries thinking about how awful it must have been for Chelsea to endure all that pain and torment inflicted upon her all those years. And of course, she feels for Helene… she being a mother herself…for all the anguish she must have experienced helplessly watching her daughter being tortured and violated by those sadistic bastards; and, not being able to do anything about it. Beth opens the music box lid and listens; closing her eyes and humming along with the rhythmic melody. But, then it stops. Beth doesn't have to open her eyes; she can sense her now. "Mary," she sighs. "Hello, Beth." "Where's Anna, Mary; I know you've got her. Where is she?" Mary sarcastically responds, "What; no hello…no how are you doing, Mary? After all we've been through together, Beth; I can't even get a friendly greeting?" "Where's Anna, Mary?" "Here we go again. Where's Anna? Where's Tommy? Where's Delilah? Where, where, where?" Beth nods. "Okay, Mary; how about this…where's Davey, Mary?" Mary stares solemnly at Beth; then, looks around the room before turning back to her. "How do you know about Davey, Beth?" "Don't worry about it, Mary; I just do." "And, what do you know about him; Beth?" "I know he was your younger brother; and, your parents kept him locked up in the attic because he was sick in the head." Beth pauses; then says, "I know he was dead before your parents were killed that night; that someone killed him by hitting him in the head with something. Who was it, Mary; your dad…your mom…you maybe?" Mary's silent; staring at Beth with her usual sinister little smirk. Then, she looks down at the music box and asks, "Where did that come from, Beth?" Beth grins while replying, "From a friend." "A friend?" "Yes; a friend. You do know what a friend is; don't you, Mary?" "What's that suppose to mean, Beth?" "Oh nothing. Forget about it, Mary; it was just a rhetorical question anyway." "Fine; but, mine wasn't. Where did that music box come from?" "Well, Mary…not to be rude…but, that's really not any of your business." Mary leans in and whispers in Beth's ear, "Oh; but, it is my business, Beth. Does Helene honestly think that little trinket's going to bring Chelsea back? Does she think Chelsea can possibly help you get your darling Anna back? She can't, Beth; you do realize that, I hope. So, don't bother trying anything pointless or stupid. Don't test me, Beth…trust me; you won't like the answers you'll get." Beth grabs Mary by her shirt and yells in her face, "Fuck you, you little bitch! I'm going to get my daughter back from you! Me and Chelsea!" Mary looks down at Beth's hands, then, back at her face; giving Beth another one of her sinister little smirks while replying, "Really, Beth? Well, then…Carpe diem, Beth!" Mary disappears; leaving Beth reaching holding nothing but air.