Chapter98 The Home Stretch

For the past two hours, they've been arduously traversing through the woods in search of the infamous Steinman summer cabin. This was where it all began back in the summer of 1927; and, this is where Cindy's convinced it will end. Anna's walking out in front trying to guide them back to the cabin, occasionally becoming confused and losing her way; walking them in circles at certain points. That's when she confers with Jean-Louise; who puts them back on track. Beth and Cindy watch Anna communicate with Jean-Louise on their journey. Beth feels a sense of relief from being under the belief that it's Chelsea's spirit in Anna's doll. Cindy, on the other hand, doesn't feel the same ease Beth does; she's not sure who's speaking with Anna through Jean-Louise. Unfortunately, at this time, Cindy just has to stand back and let the events unfold themselves. Beth, who's been feeling bad about blowing up at Cindy the other night, decides to make amends. "Cindy…about last night…I'm so sorry; I don't know what I was thinking. I was just so… so…" Cindy taps Beth's hand. "Its okay, Beth; I know. This thing's been putting all of us through the ringer; playing havoc with our emotions." Beth replies, "Maybe so; but, I still shouldn't have snapped at you like that, Cindy. I'm sorry; you've been such a big help, and a good friend through all this. I shouldn't have…" Beth starts to cry; and, Cindy throws her arm around Beth's shoulder to console her. "Beth, shhh; its okay, really…I understand. Trust me; I'm not angry at all with you. I'm glad I could help. I'm glad we became friends through all this; and, I hope we could still be friends when this is all over with." Beth sniffles; letting out a little laugh as she wipes the tears from her face. "Yes; of course we could still be friends…I'd like that very much." "Good. Now, let's forget about all this apology nonsense and start focusing on what we have to do today; okay?" "Okay." Cindy takes her arm off Beth's shoulder and tells her, "Don't worry; this will all be over soon." Beth wipes away the last of her tears and sniffles one last time. "Are you sure about that, Cindy?" Cindy assures Beth, "Absolutely. Once we get Chelsea and Tommy together at the cabin, and they resolve their issues; this will be nothing but a bad memory for you guys." "But; how do you know Tommy will show up?" "Don't worry, Beth; he'll be there." "You're sure?" Cindy smiles at Beth, as she jokes, "Of course I am, Beth; have I ever given you the impression that I wasn't sure about anything before?" Beth's momentarily silent; then, smiles back at Cindy and laughs, "No; not that I can recall." They walk a little further, and Beth asks, "All kidding aside, Cindy; what are we going to do when we get there? Do you have a plan?" Cindy hesitates before responding, "Kind of." Not too assured by Cindy's response; Beth repeats, "Kind of?" "Uh huh." "What's kind of, Cindy? What are you planning on doing…how will you get Tommy to face Chelsea?" "Beth, shhh; let's go." "Cindy?" Cindy stops, and gently grabs Beth on the sides of her shoulders; while leaning in and whispering, "We can't discuss this now, Beth." Cindy looks around before continuing; whispering, "We've got to be careful now, Beth…" She stops, watching as the sheriff and her uncle pass by; then, looks back at Beth, "You never know who could be listening." Cindy releases her hold on Beth and starts walking. Beth stands there as Martin and the professor come up to where she's at. "Beth, Hon; you okay?" Martin asks. There's no response; so, he asks again, "Are you okay, Beth?" She answers this time; but, doesn't turn to look at him…instead, she's watching the sheriff and deputy up ahead. "I'm fine. Let's go." She starts walking again. Cindy passes the sheriff and her uncle to catch up with Anna; with Beth passing by as well, shortly after that. Sheriff Faulkner looks at them up ahead and smiles. The deputy, who's been watching the sheriff the entire time, notices this. "What's so funny, Lloyd?" "What did you say, Mike?" "You're smiling, Lloyd. I was asking you what's so funny." "Was I smiling…I didn't know that…I don't know; I reckon maybe it's because this is almost over with." "You reckon, Lloyd?" "Yup. Are you alright, Mike…something bothering you, there? You seem a bit preoccupied." "No; I'm fine. And; you?" "I'm fine, too." "Fine; then." "Fine." They walk a little further; then, the sheriff asks, "Let me ask you, Mike… what you think about all this?" "All what, Lloyd?" "This plan of Ms. Cindy's; do you think it's going to work?" "What do you think; Lloyd?" "Well now; your niece seems to have a great gift there, Mike. There's no way we would have gotten this far without her." "So; what's the problem, Lloyd?" "Simmer down there, Mike; there's no problem. I was just wondering if you think this idea of hers to get Chelsea and Tommy together would work; that's all. I didn't mean no harm or disrespect to you; or, Ms. Cindy." The deputy looks up, sucking on his teeth; then, back at the sheriff. "That's alright, Lloyd; I know you didn't mean anything by it. No harm done. Sorry for starting to make a big deal over it." "No apologies necessary, Mike. So then, not trying to start any trouble, or nothing; do you think this will work?" "I don't know, Lloyd; but, Cindy thinks it will." The sheriff smiles. "Well then; I reckon we'll just have to put our fates in Ms. Cindy's hands, and hope for the best. Ain't that right; Deputy?" The deputy smiles back, "Well, I reckon so; Sheriff." Tightly holding onto Jean-Louise; Anna uses her free hand to struggle through another heavily dense brush area in the seemingly endless woods. This time however, when she breaks through, there's a clearing. Cindy and Beth leave the brush and join Anna at the end of the clearing. About forty yards ahead of them stands the old, dilapidated cabin. Anna points to it, and tells Beth, "That's it over there, Mommy." Next out of the brush are Sheriff Faulkner and Deputy Hopkins; followed by Martin and Professor Rhyies. They all gaze in a reverent silence at the structure; realizing that standing before them is the unholy place of origin behind the Lazinski's whole ordeal. The silence is broken when Sheriff Faulkner speaks out. "Well; now what, Ms. Cindy?" Cindy turns and looks at the grinning sheriff, then over at the cabin; and then, back to the sheriff. "I guess we go on in and wait." "Wait for what, Ms. Cindy?" Cindy hesitates before answering, looking over to her uncle; who gives her a nod. She nods back at him; then, looks at the sheriff, while replying, "The inevitable, Sheriff Faulkner…we wait for the inevitable to finally happen." "Well now, I reckon that's as good as any plan." He smiles and tips his hat to Cindy as he passes by her; heading towards the cabin. When he reaches the cabin's front door, he turns and looks back at the others…who are still standing where they were…and calls out, "Yawl coming in or what?" He goes into the cabin. Then; the others walk over and enter the cabin.