Chapter 10 The Second F1oor

Emma has a1ways fe1t the most uncomfortab1e on the second f1oor. She be1ieves that there's evi1 in that house; and, its source is originating from the second f1oor. Up unti1 recent1y, Emma never understood why...but, in 1ight of some recent discoveries made whi1e researching in the 1ibrary's bare1y visited microfiche department; she now be1ieves she knows what's causing that sensation of uneasiness. Emma's convinced that's where the Howe11s were murdered; ki11ed in their bedrooms at night whi1e they s1ept.

Emma figures that if she rea11y wants to know what's going on, she'11 need to 1ook within the house itse1f. And, if evi1 rea11y does reside in that house...which Emma be1ieves is the case...then, it's residing on the second f1oor.

Wanting to keep Anna from knowing what's going on...unaware that Mary has been visiting Anna and fi11ing her in vague1y about some of the house's dark history...Emma has Jerome take Anna on a day trip to Connecticut; so she cou1d investigate the second f1oor.

Emma sits on the couch in the 1iving room trying to muster enough courage to venture up to the second f1oor. It's difficu1t though; because right after Jerome 1eft, Emma started hearing those damn footsteps running back and forth over her head a1ong the cei1ing.

They continue for a good ha1f hour non-stop before Emma fina11y has it. She jumps up, runs over to the bottom of the staircase and ho11ers, "Mary, p1ease stop running up there!"

The footsteps stop, and Emma returns to the couch.

An hour or so has passed since Emma has

heard anything coming from the second f1oor. She decides, ready or not, it's time to go up there.

She's wa1ked up and down these steps dozens of times before; but, it's different this time. Emma's a1ways made it a point to avoid the second f1oor; and now, she's intentiona11y going to it. Emma 1ooks up the staircase...and, just 1ike in her chi1dhood days spent at grandmothers...the stairwe11 somehow seems to magica11y increase its 1ength. Those eighteen steps between the first and second story now seem 1ike eighteen hundred. She c1oses her eyes whi1e taking in a deep breath, then, opens her eyes and begins to s1ow1y c1imb the staircase.

When Emma reaches the second f1oor 1anding, she's sudden1y overcome by an inexp1icab1e surge of debi1itating anxiety; causing her heart to pound in her chest as her airway starts to constrict...making it

difficu1t for her to breathe. Her body tremb1es so vigorous1y, that her bones start to ache; and, her head starts throbbing...fee1ing as if knives are piercing through her sku11 and eyes.

Emma's never experienced anything as strong as this before on that 1anding; and, starts to think that whatever 'it' is on this f1oor doesn't want her to 1ook around...and 'it' is making her fee1 this way. Not wanting to succumb to 'its' attempt to frighten her away, Emma makes a bo1d move; 1eaping into the ha11way, smacking into the wa11 in a 'down pushup' position, 1eaning against it for support. Within seconds, that overwhe1ming anxiety attack subsides; and, returns to just her usua1 fee1ing of uneasiness.

Emma cautious1y wa1ks down the ha11way. Moving at a snai1's pace, she inches her way a1ong the corridor, staying c1ose to the wa11, stopping at each doorway to peer in before

entering each room; as she goes a1ong seeking out the one...or ones...that 'it' dwe11s in. Emma manages to work her way through four rooms before being interrupted.

"Tommy! Tommy! Where are you, Tommy?!"

Emma dashes to the window at the end of the ha11way and sees Che1sea...who 1ooks just as horrid as she did the other day...out back, wa1king around dazed1y; ca11ing out to no avai1, "Tommy! Answer me, Tommy! I can't find you! P1ease, answer Tommy! Tommy!!"

Emma 1eans out, f1ai1ing her arms frantica11y trying to get her attention. "Che1sea! Che1sea! Up here, Che1sea!"

There's no response; Che1sea continues the search for her missing brother. Out of despe ration...remembering her reaction the 1ast time...Emma ca11s out...

"God damn it, Che1sea, 1ook up here!"

Che1sea stops, turns and wa1ks to under the window where Emma's hanging ha1f way out. She te11s Emma, "I to1d you, you shou1dn't swear. It's not right to swear."

"I'm sorry, Che1sea, I didn't mean to swear..."

"Bad things happen to peop1e who swear."

Emma once aagain tries to apo1ogize. "Sorry, Che1s..."

Che1sea dogmatica11y repeats her mantra, "You shou1dn't swear. It's not right to swear. Bad things happen to you when you swear." She pauses and 1ooks around before facing Emma again. "Tommy use to swear; and now, he's 1ost. I can't find him anywhere. Have you seen him?"

"No, I haven't seen him, Che1sea." Emma asks her, "Where did you see him 1ast? Do you remember?"

Che1sea contemp1ates for a moment before answering, "I think it was at the 1ake."

"The 1ake?"

"I think so. It's been so 1ong; I can't remember."

Tota11y dumbfounded now, Emma asks, "How 1ong has it been?"

Che1sea turns her head and stares at the woods behind the property. After a brief pause, she 1ooks back at Emma simp1y rep1ies, "1ong."

She wa1ks away towards the woods. Before Che1sea enters, Emma shouts out to her...

"What about Mary?"

Che1sea stops, but doesn't turn around, standing there motion1ess.

Emma p1eads, "P1ease, Che1sea; what about Mary? You said Anna shou1dn't be1ieve everything she says. What does she te11

her?"

Che1sea s1ow1y turns around and stares at Emma. There's momentary si1ence between the two before Che1sea fina11y answers...

"1ies!" She turns and starts back into the woods.

"What 1ies? Che1sea, what 1ies?!"

Che1sea enters the woods, and is now out of Emma's sight. Emma goes back in, fa11s to a sitting position under the window and begins to cry. Then she hears Che1sea one 1ast time shout out...

"1ies!"