The Help

CHAPTER THREE

I looked at a picture in the kitchen, it was of the nice family.

"If you don't believe in mediums, then why did you say anything?" Lorraine asked causing me to turn back, I was debating on telling the truth or not.

I looked at the water in my cup, I moved the cup in circles causing the water to move along with it.

"I heard a voice begging for help, wanted to make sure I wasn't in a murderers house" I stated causing an awkward silence to sit with us.

"You think I'd bring you to a murderers house?" Drew asked, obviously hurt.

"Drew I don't know what you can do anymore. We haven't spoke to each other since we were kids" I snapped quickly causing him to look surprised.

I could see the range of emotions he was going through, and I couldn't help but want to laugh, he was hurt over a stupid comment. I buried my amusement quickly with an almost emotionless feeling.

"Excuse me" Drew muttered, Mr. Warren followed him, leaving Me and Mrs. Warren.

"I've never met a medium who doesn't believe in mediums" She stated causing me to shrug, "Why don't you believe in mediums?" She pressed.

"I mean, I know you've seen things, heard things.. felt things.. and yet, you don't believe" Mrs. Warren continued to press me for answers.

I stayed quiet, it wasn't any of her damn business.

"Was it the backlash from family and friends? Or the worry you had?" Mrs. Warren continued to press. "Or maybe it was your parents" The Woman said causing me to raise my eyes to her, almost in a hateful manner.

She nodded in an understanding way that almost made me sick, "Look, I know I'm a bitch, but my parents are none of your business" I snapped causing her to nod.

"Your relative sure thinks so.. the one that follows you" The Woman stated causing me to glare at her, "My  F— My relatives— You know nothing about my My Family" I stated as I began to walk towards the door.

"I'm not being rude, Valerie. You know the truth just as much as I do. You feel them as I do, you know their always a few steps behind you" Mrs. Warren said, her voice compassionate and kind.

I stopped, "And the medicine doesn't work and you know that.. it's something that makes you think you crazy, but Valerie I know you're not. I know how you feel".

I looked at Mrs. Warren, "I know the fear you get when you have that gut feeling, the fear you have when you hear that tiny voice in the back of your head telling you what to do, the voice you think is your own but it's not" Mrs. Warren insisted.

"You have no proof that we aren't crazy" I tried to reason, "And you do?" She asked causing me to quickly go quiet. She had a point.. I guess.

"Why don't I show you the room where we keep the items?" Mrs. Warren asked, "What items?" I asked as I began to follow her.

"Possessed, demonic, used in cults—" "And so on?" I asked, she smiled and nodded "And So on" She said.

We began walking until we went into a lower level in the house, ending up seeing Drew and Mr. Warren talking quietly in what seemed to be an office. The talking stopped quickly.

I turned to a door that was just across from the office, I took a breath to try and calm what felt like butterflies in my stomach.

I turned and looked at the group.

Mrs. Warren dropped down what I believed to be a picture and then grabbed something off of the table, Mr. Warren eyeing her in a worried manner.

He began to follow her, Drew not far behind him.

"Lorraine—" "I'm showing her the room" Mrs. Warren said, "Is that a good idea?" Mr. Warren asked causing Mrs. Warren to look back at him and nod.

"Valerie, what room do you think the items are in?" Mrs. Warren asked causing me to look at her.

"That one? Kinda obvious?" I said motioning to the door across from the office, "Why is it obvious?" Mr. Warren asked.

"Where else would it be? Not upstairs, people like appearances and that what people would see—" "Other than the office their is two doors" Drew said crossing his arms.

"Lucky guess" I insisted causing Mrs. Warren to sigh and move to unlock the door.

The door unlocked and it was almost like the air was forced from my throat, I coughed trying to clear my throat before I followed the group in.

Mrs. Warren turned to face me, maybe to see if there was a reaction or if anything else.

"Spooky" I said with a smile that none of the shared.

"It's all taken from cases, cults, possession, haunting—" "And so on" I interrupted causing Mr. Warren to nod.

I began to walk around, "This is some spooky sh—.." I stopped and looked through the shelves to see them eyeing me.

I spotted a doll and smiled, "A doll?" I snickered. A look of worry went over Drew's face, "I wouldn't joke around with Annabel" He stated quickly.

The closer I got the more the butterflies seemed to.. disperse, they were there, I could feel them, hear them even.. but I felt almost normal here.

"Why? It's just a—" "I wouldn't say that" Mr. Warren said as He and Mrs. Warren walked forward.

I let out a small laugh, "This doll has almost killed a Priest, for saying she's just a.." Mr. Warren seemed scared to say it.

"And killed a man.. he mocked her" Mrs. Warren said as the three of the looked at me.

"Val, I know you don't believe in this stuff, but we're experts, and if you say it something bad will happen" Drew told me as he grabbed my hand.

I looked at Drew then looked back at the Annabell doll.

"She's just a stupid doll".