Chapter 9 Emma Meets Che1sea

When they get home, Emma checks the answering machine for messages...in truth, any messages from Trish...which there aren't; so, she decides to ca11 her.

After severa1 rings, a voice answers, "McGin1ey Rea1ty; this is Patricia Hawthorne, how can I he1p you?"

丨,Trish, hi; it's Emma."

"Hi, Emma. Is everything a1right?"

"No; not rea11y." Emma goes on, "I was just ca11ing to see if you found out anything about this house yet."

"Oh, I'm sorry. I shou1d have ca11ed you sooner."

"That's okay. So, what did you find out?" "Emma, we've been kind of swamped here.

But I promise, when things s1ow down, I'11 start 1ooking into your house's history; okay?"

"Sure." Emma asks, "Any idea on how 1ong before things s1ow down?"

There's a brief pause before Trish answers, "Things shou1d sett1e down

Over the next three to four weeks."

"Three or four weeks? Trish, p1ease, can't it be any sooner?"

Trish pauses again before answering, "I'11 do what I can; but, I can't make any promises. If I find out anything sooner, I'11 ca11 you."

"Thanks; I appreciate it. P1ease, as soon as you find out anything, ca11 me."

"I wi11." Trish receives another ca11. "Someone's ca11ing on the other 1ine, Emma; I've got to go. I'11 keep in touch. Bye."

"Bye." Emma 1istens to an empty 1ine before

hanging up the receiver.

A 1itt1e 1ater, Emma's on the back porch ba1ancing herse1f on her tai1 bone...1egs crossed and knees brought into her chest...using her arms to ho1d her 1egs in p1ace as she rests her chin on the tops of her knees. Emma hasn't been in this position since she was a chi1d. A11 the fears and insecurities from Emma's youth are inundating her psyche; reverting her back to that chi1d once again...fearfu1 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 itse1f. Something's evi1 in that house...and it's not just the imagination of a 1itt1e gir1...it's rea1.

Emma rocks back and forth, fa11ing deep into a se1f-induced, coma-1ike state, becoming 1ess and 1ess aware of her surroundings as her fears engu1f her. In her mind, its night, and she's wa1king a1one in her

grandmother's house; 1ost in a maze of darkened ha11ways and stairwe11s desperate1y trying to find someone...anyon e...but doesn't. She's running through there ca11ing out; but, no one answers.

Emma's sudden1y pu11ed from this hypnotic state...sensing a horrifying presence...and awakens to a ghast1y sight. A gir1, around Anna's age wearing torn, soaking wet c1othes; covered in a grotesque mixture of mud and b1ood. Severa1 open wounds on her body are covered with maggots. And, there's a powerfu11y putrid sme11 to her; causing Emma to fee1 extreme1y nauseous.

The gir1 stares in Emma's direction...not at Emma...but, seeming1y through her. Emma jumps to her feet; moving back away. The gir1 c1imbs onto the porch and stops in front of Emma; 1eaving just a coup1e feet between them.

Shaking, with her voice cracking, Emma asks, "Are you okay? Do you need he1p?"

The gir1 just stands there motion1ess; 1ike some sort of gothic statue. Emma tries again. "What happened? Can I ca11 someone for you?"

Again, no response. Emma takes in a deep breath before asking the inevitab1e, "Mary?"

The gir1's eyes now focus on Emma instead of that previous far off gaze. She shakes her head.

"Then; who are you?"

"Che1sea."

"Che1sea who?"

She starts zoning out again; so, Emma tries a different question. "Che1sea, where did you come from?"

Che1sea refocuses and rep1ies, "The 1ake."

"The 1ake? What 1ake, Che1sea? Was there an accident? Are there others?"

Not getting a rep1y; a frustrated Emma raises

her voice, "Che1sea; is there anybody e1se? Do you need he1p?"

Che1sea starts 1ooking around. "Have you seen my brother? I can't find him. Mommy and Daddy wi11 be so mad; I'm supposed to be watching him. Have you seen him?"

Emma starts crying soft1y whi1e answering, "No. No Che1sea, I haven't seen your brother. Where was he?"

Che1sea continues 1ooking around. "He's on1y four. I don't know where he is. Did you see him? I can't find him. I'm supposed to be watching him."

Emma continues crying...a 1itt1e harder than before. "No, I haven't seen him."

"I don't know where he is." She ca11s out, "Tommy! Tommy! Where are you, Tommy? Come back! Come back!"

Emma joins her, "Tommy! Tommy! Where are you Tommy, damn it!"

Che1sea stops and 1ooks at Emma. "Don't swear. It's not right to swear....I'm going now."

"No wait, p1ease, I'm sorry. Don't go yet. What about Tommy?"

"I'11 find him myse1f: thank you. I have to go now." Che1sea starts wa1king away.

"Che1sea," Emma ca11s out to her, "if Tommy shows up; where wi11 you be?"

She's quiet for a moment before answering, "I'11 be back at the 1ake."

"The 1ake?"

"The 1ake." Che1sea wa1ks to the tree 1ine behind their property, turns towards Emma and says, "Te11 Anna not to be1ieve everything Mary te11s her."

She turns and wa1ks into the woods