The Halloween Tree: Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Cindy jumped off the buckboard. The mansion was not that big, compared to her father's. She watched as Victor walked towards the horse and faced the bucket of oats towards the animal's face. Mariah joined Cindy, "Come on," she said, "I'll show you around." Rebecca sighed as she watched Cindy follow Mariah into the house, "Victor," she said, "I'm not sure this adoption idea was very good." "Rebecca," sighed Victor, "You know why we did this. Mariah was never good at making friends and was always alone. So we decided to adopt, am I right?" Rebecca had to agree a little, even though she was still unsure about the child she and Victor adopted.
Cindy was having a hard time settling in. The living area was dark, until Mariah switched the lights on, "Lovely isn't it?" Cindy nodded a little but didn't really care. Suddenly coming around the corner, a small prissy Pomeranian started barking at Cindy. Starring at the puppy with intense and large eyes, Cindy seems to scare the dog into silence. "I hope she doesn't bother you," said Rebecca entering the living room, "Well Cindy, I hope you get comfortable, Mariah will show you to the room you'll be staying in." Walking up the stairs, Cindy noticed a large picture of a young woman. "That's my aunt," said Mariah, noticing Cindy was starring at the picture, "She died from an attack a few years back. I still remember her though; she was a lot of fun to be around."
Mariah's aunt resembled Cindy's mother in some ways. Her black hair was nice and choppy and her smile made the area nice and warm. Another flash back awoke Cindy's memory with tears,

The room was nice and quiet. The fire's flames lit the room and warmed the air. A young woman smiled as she watched her husband read to her and Cindy, "Alright, Cindy," sighed Albert, noticing Cindy was getting sleepy, "Time for bed, sweetheart." Cindy climbed off her mother's lap and walked towards her father, who swept her into his arms, "Good night, sweetie," said her mother waving at her daughter, as Cindy fell asleep in her father's arms. "I'll be back, Emma," said Albert walking towards the stairs. Emma sat against her chair and reached for a box under the seat. For weeks now, Emma has been planning on a birthday present for Cindy. Inside the box was a brand new porcelain doll. She was wearing a white dress and a white head band with black choppy hair.
Finishing the last touches on the cleaning the glass eyes, Emma suddenly became quiet. Albert tucked Cindy into bed when he heard Emma scream. Cindy awoke to the screaming, of her mother, "Mommy!?" she said. Albert stood up and ran out of Cindy's bedchamber. Cindy crawled out of bed and followed her father to the staircase. "Cindy, stay!" ordered Albert walked towards Emma, who was on the floor beside the fire, "Albert?" Emma tried to steady her breathing as she grabbed the plastic box. "Give this to Cindy," she said crying. Putting the box aside, Albert picked his wife up onto his legs, taking notice of the blood coming from her backside, Albert tried to hold back tears "Sweetheart, no." he said whipping Emma's tears, "You can't go like this. Cindy needs her mother."
Emma fell limp as her hand slipped away from his. Standing and leaving his wife's body, Albert walked towards Cindy. Reaching for Cindy, Cindy ran beside Albert towards her mother. Suddenly stopping to her father's grip, around her waist, Cindy was lifted into Albert's arms.
After giving Cindy to his sister, Albert walked into his office. Looking at all the creations and experiments, Albert lost his temper and knocked his test tubes and other equipment off the tables. Falling onto the floor, he lifted his wife's picture, which he had knocked over also, "Their going to pay," he said, "Their going to pay for what they've done to you, Emma."