Chapter9 Beth Meets Chelsea

When they get home, Beth checks the answering machine for messages…in truth, any messages from Trish…which there aren't; so, she decides to call her. After several rings, a voice answers, "McGinley Realty; this is Patricia Hawthorne, how can I help you?" "Trish, hi; it's Beth." "Hi, Beth. Is everything alright?" "No; not really." Beth goes on, "I was just calling to see if you found out anything about this house yet." "Oh, I'm sorry. I should have called you sooner." "That's okay. So, what did you find out?" "Beth, we've been kind of swamped here. But I promise, when things slow down, I'll start looking into your house's history; okay?" "Sure." Beth asks, "Any idea on how long before things slow down?" There's a brief pause before Trish answers, "Things should settle down Over the next three to four weeks." "Three or four weeks? Trish, please, can't it be any sooner?" Trish pauses again before answering, "I'll do what I can; but, I can't make any promises. If I find out anything sooner, I'll call you." "Thanks; I appreciate it. Please, as soon as you find out anything, call me." "I will." Trish receives another call. "Someone's calling on the other line, Beth; I've got to go. I'll keep in touch. Bye." "Bye." Beth listens to an empty line before hanging up the receiver. A little later, Beth's on the back porch balancing herself on her tail bone…legs crossed and knees brought into her chest…using her arms to hold her legs in place as she rests her chin on the tops of her knees. Beth hasn't been in this position since she was a child. All the fears and insecurities from Beth's youth are inundating her psyche; reverting her back to that child once again…fearful of a big, scary house. Her fear this time, however, isn't from being in a dark house; but rather, the fear of the darkness created by the house itself. Something's evil in that house…and it's not just the imagination of a little girl…it's real. Beth rocks back and forth, falling deep into a self-induced, coma-like state, becoming less and less aware of her surroundings as her fears engulf her. In her mind, its night, and she's walking alone in her grandmother's house; lost in a maze of darkened hallways and stairwells desperately trying to find someone…anyone…but doesn't. She's running through there calling out; but, no one answers. Beth's suddenly pulled from this hypnotic state…sensing a horrifying presence…and awakens to a ghastly sight. A girl, around Anna's age wearing torn, soaking wet clothes; covered in a grotesque mixture of mud and blood. Several open wounds on her body are covered with maggots. And, there's a powerfully putrid smell to her; causing Beth to feel extremely nauseous. The girl stares in Beth's direction…not at Beth…but, seemingly through her. Beth jumps to her feet; moving back away. The girl climbs onto the porch and stops in front of Beth; leaving just a couple feet between them. Shaking, with her voice cracking, Beth asks, "Are you okay? Do you need help?" The girl just stands there motionless; like some sort of gothic statue. Beth tries again. "What happened? Can I call someone for you?" Again, no response. Beth takes in a deep breath before asking the inevitable, "Mary?" The girl's eyes now focus on Beth instead of that previous far off gaze. She shakes her head. "Then; who are you?" "Chelsea." "Chelsea who?" She starts zoning out again; so, Beth tries a different question. "Chelsea, where did you come from?" Chelsea refocuses and replies, "The lake." "The lake? What lake, Chelsea? Was there an accident? Are there others?" Not getting a reply; a frustrated Beth raises her voice, "Chelsea; is there anybody else? Do you need help?" Chelsea starts looking around. "Have you seen my brother? I can't find him. Mommy and Daddy will be so mad; I'm supposed to be watching him. Have you seen him?" Beth starts crying softly while answering, "No. No Chelsea, I haven't seen your brother. Where was he?" Chelsea continues looking around. "He's only four. I don't know where he is. Did you see him? I can't find him. I'm supposed to be watching him." Beth continues crying…a little harder than before. "No, I haven't seen him." "I don't know where he is." She calls out, "Tommy! Tommy! Where are you, Tommy? Come back! Come back!" Beth joins her, "Tommy! Tommy! Where are you Tommy, damn it!" Chelsea stops and looks at Beth. "Don't swear. It's not right to swear….I'm going now." "No wait, please, I'm sorry. Don't go yet. What about Tommy?" "I'll find him myself: thank you. I have to go now." Chelsea starts walking away. "Chelsea," Beth calls out to her, "if Tommy shows up; where will you be?" She's quiet for a moment before answering, "I'll be back at the lake." "The lake?" "The lake." Chelsea walks to the tree line behind their property, turns towards Beth and says, "Tell Anna not to believe everything Mary tells her." She turns and walks into the woods.