Chapter99 Revisiting an Unholy Place

Anna's rhythmically rocking back and forth in an almost catatonic state, not uttering a word; or, even acknowledging the presence of anybody else there in the cabin. She's been holding onto Jean-Louise, rocking in the very rocking chair Phillip and Ruby's mom discovered Tommy rocking in that afternoon; as he stared down upon the bloodied, motionless body of his sister. In an attempt to get her attention, Cindy places the music box given to them by Helene on the floor besides Anna, and opens the lid to start it playing. Anna stops, looks down at the music box, smiles, and then, goes back to rocking. Cindy kneels down and asks her, "Anna, Honey; does Chelsea like the music? Did she miss her music box, Honey?" Anna continues rocking without responding; so, Cindy tries again. "Anna? Honey? Does Chelsea want her music box back?" Anna stops rocking and brings Jean-Louise up to her ear; listening to what she has to say. Then, Anna brings Jean-Louise back down to where she was before, and turns to Cindy; telling her, "That's not Chelsea's music box." She goes back to rocking. "Then; whose music box is it, Honey?" There's a brief pause before Anna answers, "Its Tommy's." Cindy slowly stands up and turns around to look at Sheriff Faulkner; who gives her a smile. Cindy smiles back, as she walks over to where he and her uncle have been standing. Their attention's suddenly drawn to the sound of an approaching helicopter; and, while passing them, Cindy smiles as she turns to the sheriff and says, "Well, Sheriff; it looks like we're almost ready for the inevitable." Everyone except Anna …who remains inside rocking in the chair, while holding onto Jean-Louise…exits. They watch as a Rhode Island State Police helicopter lands in a clearing about twenty yards away. Once the engine shuts off, and the blades stop rotating; the side door opens, and Corporal Nyce and several other officers exit the craft. Cindy calls out, "Glad to see you guys could join us." Corporal Nyce calls back, "Glad to be invited to the party. Trust me; I wouldn't miss this one for the world." "Speaking of which; were you able to pick up the party favors?" "Got them right here, Cindy." They start to unload two large metal trunks off the helicopter. "Where would you like them?" "Inside the cabin; if you don't mind." "I don't mind at all." Corporal Nyce gestures the officers carrying the trunks to follow him. "This way guys; let's go." The officers bring the trunks inside, setting them down on the cabin's living room floor about eight feet away from Anna; who's still oblivious to any activity occurring, as she continues rocking in her catatonic state. Cindy asks Corporal Nyce, "Did you have any trouble finding the cabin?" "Not really; Jim over there kind of had an idea where this place was. He and his partner stumbled across it when we were searching Miller's Lake a few weeks ago." "Alright then…thanks again for showing up; hope it wasn't too much trouble for you." "No trouble at all. I was able to make all the necessary arrangements within minutes after getting Sheriff Faulkner's call this morning." "Getting Lloyd's call this morning?" The bewildered deputy gets a puzzled look on his face. "What's going on here, Kiddo?" Cindy walks up to her uncle, looking him straight in the eyes, and says, "I don't know; why don't you tell me…Tommy…or, is it Mary?" The deputy smiles, as he slowly claps. "Bravo; very well done, Cindy. Like I said before; you're good. So; when did you know?" Cindy crosses her arms in front of her chest. "I kind of had my suspicions; but, I honestly wasn't sure until we spoke this morning out on the porch." "Really? And, what gave it away?" "Her name." "Her name?" "Jean- Louise Wadell. My uncle's a stickler for the facts. If he knew about that case; he'd sure as hell remember the name of the victim. You blew it when you tried playing dumb about seeing the significance of the doll's name." "Fine then, Cindy; I guess I won't be playing dumb with you anymore." Deputy Hopkins stumbles back and starts to fall, as Mary's apparition leaves his body. Sheriff Faulkner and Corporal Nyce catch the falling deputy. The dazed deputy asks, "Lloyd, what happened?" "Hate to have tell you this pardner; but, it looks like you've been possessed." "Possessed? What…who? Tommy?" "Not exactly." The sheriff gestures with a tilt of his head. The deputy looks over and sees Mary standing in the center of the room. For the first time, Mary's revealing her presence to everyone. Anna continues rocking.