The Halloween Tree: Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Cindy's, once brown, eyes were becoming black. "NO!!" yelled another female voice coming from behind Cindy. The flames roared as they danced on the dead tree. A demonic smile grew on Cindy's face. Then she suddenly frowned, as she felt a familiar pair of hands cover her eyes. "Don't get lost Cindy!!" yelled the other voice again, "I can't bare losing my best friend!" Cindy grabbed the girl's hands and twisted them. Cindy's eyes flickered open, as the echo of screaming flickered in the back of her mind.  The damp ceiling, above her, was dripping water. Feeling something wet on her nose, Cindy twitched her nose from side to side to remove the water. Being stubborn, the spot of water stayed in its place. Cindy sat up and rubbed her nose, "There, that will teach you to never make my nose a resting spot." said Cindy. It's been 19 years since Cindy found the tree and was put in charge of the chest. Cindy has kept a close eye on the chest, never allowing anyone to open or touch it.
She was taken to Good Harvest Orphanage after being told her family was killed in the fire. Not believing it one bit, Cindy tried to escape the orphanage many times. Failing each time, Cindy just gave up. So she stayed. The other kids in the orphanage didn't like her one bit and didn't add her to any games. Trying hard to make friends, Cindy felt alone most of the time. The church bell rang so loudly that Cindy covered her ears. Every time the bell rang, it made something, in Cindy, spark with anger. She heard someone talking outside her, bedroom door. Getting out from bed, Cindy heard someone then knock on her door, "Miss. Caine," said an older woman's voice, "There's a couple here to see you. I want you ready in 20 minutes and meet me at my office." Cindy didn't answer nor did she get ready right away.
Forcing herself, from bed, Cindy got ready and started towards the door. The other, orphaned, children laughed and chased each other around the hallway area. Two older, taller, blond headed boys stood near the school room door, "Oh look, the freak's alive." said the much older boy, "Another family trying to adopt Cindy... not going to work. You'll be growing up here, realizing that all the children here have been adopted, except you" continued the second older boy. Cindy smiled and walked towards the boys, "Oh you boys are silly. You do know that my daddy is alive right?" The boys looked at each other then back at Cindy, "Yes," said the first boy, "Why?" "Oh nothing, I was just making sure!" said Cindy.
"Miss. Caine," said an older nun coming her way, ?" Cindy didn't look once towards the teacher, "Sister Krista was looking for you. You better head over to her office now." Cindy shuffled her way between the other orphans and headed towards the office. Walking through the halls, Cindy started crying. In front of her, she could see a still image of her father.
         Running towards him, her father picked her up, "How's my little girl?" he asked letting Cindy remove his hat and placing it on the coat hanger. "Good," said Cindy, "Hey Daddy, I was wondering, there's the town festival starting on Tuesday…" "I'll see, Cindy," said her father, "I'm working on that day, so no promises." Cindy followed her father into the operating/ her father's office. "Oh you just won't leave me alone to work, now will you?" said Albert grabbing Cindy and sitting her on his legs. Before Cindy said anything, she grunted and tightened her grip around her stomach.
"Cindy, are you alright?" asked her father, "Sweetheart is your stomach hurting you?" Cindy nodded as she laid her back against her father. Picking Cindy up, Albert walked towards the medal operating table, grabbed the white sheet, and laid Cindy down, "You should get some sleep," he said covering Cindy, "It will help. I'll be right at my desk if you need me." Cindy smiled as she fell into a deep sleep. Cindy suddenly came back to the orphanage. Wiping the tears from her eyes, Cindy straighten up and continued on her way.  "Yes... so like I told you… Oh hi Miss. Caine." said a woman's voice, as Cindy opened the door and walked in, "Come in. Miss. Caine this is the Jackson family. Mister and Misses Jackson and their 14 year old daughter, Mariah, have come to see you about adoption."
Cindy looked at the family. The man was taller with short hair and brown eyes. He was wearing the same outfit that her father would wear on a dally bases. A pair of brown or black pants with a striped shirt under a long brown jacket. In his left shirt pocket, was a bright golden pocket watch, which didn't have the right time. On his lap was a short black hat. The woman was a little shorter with long curly hair and brown eyes. She was wearing a knee length skirt with a brown shirt. The daughter was wearing a long purple and red dress.
Cindy then had another flashback, she, her father, and the most of the family were in the music/ family room. The piano music played a row of fast music and then slowed down. The fire seemed to dance along with the music. Cindy messed with her dolls hair as she sat, on the floor, next to a tea set. "Daddy?" asked Cindy looking at her father as she switched the music sheet. "What is it, sweetheart?" he asked, looking at the different songs. "About the town fest?" asked Cindy, sounding pleasant. Her father sighed, almost with anger, "Cindy," he finally said, "I said I will think about it. You know I have work to do. Other wise I wouldn't have the money to put food on the table. " Cindy became quiet as she once again started playing with her doll. Her father sighed again, looking at his daughter, "Cindy," he said getting up and walking towards her, "Cindy I didn't mean to yell. I was just...;" Cindy's father stopped talking when he saw Cindy crying. Whipping the tears, from her face, Albert sat on the floor with her, "Daddy," said Cindy crying a little, "My stomach hurts." "Again?" asked her father, "Cindy that's the third time today. Maybe it was something you ate?" Cindy didn't feel like answering. Feeling her forehead then her stomach, Albert picked his daughter up, "That's my girl," he said, laying her on the couch. Covering Cindy and rubbing her forehead
Moments later, "102," said Albert, "That can not be right. There's no way her temperture can reach that high." Cindy moved her hand around to find her father's hand. Feeling how warm Cindy was again, he sighed, "Margret get me some ice we need to cool her down. Cindy starting shivering… which later turned to painful cries. Albert was awoken by Cindy's cry. Walking into the family room, Albert sat on the couch, "Cindy?" he said turning her on her back, "Where does it hurt?
Cindy couldn't point out to where it was hurting her. Albert pulled the covers off, of Cindy, and felt her stomach. He felt around for any curtain parts, which was causing the pain. Screaming a little, Cindy tried to push her father's hand away from her lower abdomen, "Its Appendicitis," whispered Albert to himself, "Cindy, I need to move you into surgery." Cindy suddenly became very scared and shook her head. Albert placed his hand on Cindy's forhead and rubbed, "Cindy, I need to do this. I can not lose you again." he said whipping Cindy's tears, "You're going to be fine."  Margret opened her bedroom door as she saw Albert picking Cindy up, wrapping the blacket around her, and rushing her downstairs. "Albert, what are you doing?" she asked, once she made it down there. "Cindy has Appendicitis. It's very serious and can cause Cindy to go into shock... and maybe death"
Margret sighed, "But Albert even though you're a doctor, you don't know how to performed this kind of surgery yet." "I can manage!" said Albert giving Cindy an IV and then looking for some anesthesia, "This is my daughter, my flesh and blood. Now please leave me to work. She'll be fine, Margret." Margret stepped outside, while Albert closed the white sheets. Cindy starred at the bright lights. Albert grabbed a gas mask and placed it on Cindy's face, "Sorry sweetheart," he said turning on the gas, "But you're still way too young to be facing surgical pain. With this, you won't remember a thing."  Cindy looked at her father as she feel into sleep. She tried to keep herself awake a little longer in order to hear what her father was say, but the medicine was not allowing her to do that. Now with Cindy fully asleep, Albert started performing the surgery. "I'm going to heal you. I know that this is a rare occasion indeed" said Albert in the middle of the surgical unit, "However you're the flesh of my soul and that's the only thing that could matter more. I love you Cindy."