The Skeleton Key Page #5

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I just don't understand.

These ghosts, why would they put

a spell on him and not me?

I've been in that room, too.

Maybe because you don't believe in them.

Maybe all houses have spirits...

but we just don't see them

until we believe we can.

I'm really not that hungry.

Don't move. I'll fetch the candles.

Eat your gumbo. Oh, fiddlesticks.

Dinner by candlelight.

There.

So, was that the storm or the ghosts?

Well, say what you will about spirits.

I've always wondered

if there wasn't something...

we could learn from them.

Like a spell?

I have great respect for your husband.

And whatever he thinks

happened to him, he's fighting it.

What did happen to him, Violet?

You haven't touched your gumbo.

What have you done to him?

I made that special for you,

and you haven't even touched it.

What have you done?

He is my husband, and I am his wife...

and I will do to him whatever I wish to do!

He's not safe in this house.

What, what...

What is this?

You've done something.

He's not safe in this house. Not with you.

- This is my house.

- I'm taking him, Violet.

No!

Too late. Not again.

You little whore. He's mine.

Keep him in this house.

Keep him in this-

He's mine!

"Protection."

Where's the record?

Oh, God.

Got it.

You b*tch.

Time to go.

Come on, Ben.

I'm going to get you out of here.

Just hold on.

Damn it!

Keep him in this house.

Hold on.

Caroline?

Oh, sh*t!

[Engine stalling]

Caroline.

Come on, Ben!

We've got to hide you, Ben.

I'm gonna get help. I won't leave you.

Okay?

Caroline?

[Gunshot]

You think you can take him

out of this house?

You think you're stronger than me?

You've no idea how strong I am, Caroline.

Caroline!

You're just making it harder on yourself!

Where are you?

You can't get away, Caroline.

You understand me?

You'll never get out of here, child.

Caroline?

Caroline!

Stop right there!

[Gunshot]

CAROLlNE:
Thank you.

[Door buzzer]

Luke!

LUKE:
Jesus Christ.

She tried to kill me.

She had a gun.

She knows I know. Ben's in trouble.

He's still at the house.

Call the police, Luke. I left him.

We got to get back out there.

The hell we do.

I left him there.

You didn't leave anyone. Okay? Slow down.

Tell me what happened.

She tried to kill you?

[Phone ringing]

Sorry.

Mrs. Devereaux.

To what do I owe the-

Heard from Caroline? Why would she have-

What's going on?

Okay. What happened tonight?

Hang on a second.

We need to record this.

[lko lko by the Belle Stars

playing on record player]

LUKE:
Hurting him? Hurting him how?

LUKE:
What do you mean?

What are you talking about?

I am listening to you.

[Caroline gasping for breath]

Good night, child.

[Blues music playing on radio]

A hell of a thing, isn't it?

See, everywhere you look...

it's a whole new world all around you.

It's like being born.

Or dying. Of course, I wouldn't know.

Hush, darling. I know it's hard.

We're home!

He's missing. She's hidden him somewhere.

Where is he, Caroline?

It's not him, it's me.

You want to sacrifice me.

Where is he, Caroline?

Why are you helping her?

- ls everything ready?

- No.

I can't start anything till I know where he is.

What's our tale if he gets away?

Caroline...

you will tell me exactly

where my husband is.

There's nothing anybody can do

for him, so there's no need to try.

Where is he?

VlOLET:
Where is he, Caroline?

He's in the garden shed.

Don't scratch her up any more

than she already is.

She's teaching you.

You help her kill me,

and she'll teach you how.

Ben knew, too, didn't he?

That's enough, Caroline.

You want to shoot me, shoot me.

Stop right there, Caroline!

I want my father's picture.

I want it with me.

Please.

Jesus. All right.

You want your picture,

I'll get your goddamn picture.

[Empty gun clicking]

F***!

Violet, she's going outside!

Violet!

She's here!

VlOLET:
Quick! Go get her! Help me!

Come on.

She's fixed the door!

Violet, I can't get up the stairs!

You try to use my tricks on me?

On me, huh?

No!

[Phone off the hook beeping]

[Phone ringing]

911 emergency.

My name is Caroline Ellis.

I'm at 1750...

Bayou Chapelet in Terrebonne Parish.

I need police and paramedics.

There are people hurt here. We're trapped.

Please hurry.

[Phone ringing]

- What time is it?

- Jill.

- Jill.

- Cary?

Jill, I'm in trouble.

Caroline?

It's real.

- It's all real.

- You're where? What?

I'm in the Devereaux house.

What's real? What-

[Phone goes dead]

Jill?

VlOLET:
Caroline!

You can't get away, Caroline.

Oh, God, no.

VlOLET:
Caroline.

"Chalk, sulfur, blood, hair."

Sulfur.

Candle.

Chalk.

Hurry!

Circle.

Eyes.

Four eyes. North, south.

Hurry! Oh, God, please.

What's next?

Hair.

My child...

I believe you broke my legs.

You can't touch me.

You can't get near me. See this?

This is your spell of protection.

Is that what that is now?

And who exactly gave you that spell?

All that circle protects is you...

from leaving it.

You stay back!

I'll kill you! You stay away!

We've been waiting for you, Caroline.

Waiting for you to believe.

It doesn't work if you don't believe.

[Record player] It is time, Lord.

From the dry dust out of these chains.

CAROLlNE:
I don't believe.

I don't.

I think you do.

The weakness is the flesh.

The flesh, the flesh.

I don't believe.

I don't...

I don't believe in it.

The flesh. The coil.

I don't believe.

The frail. The weak.

I don't believe.

I don't...

No.

Oh, my God.

I don't believe!

I don't believe!

I don't believe!

I don't believe!

Thank you, child.

Cecile?

You all right?

I'm fine now, Justify.

A fair bit harder than the lawyer,

wasn't she?

It's harder every time.

They just don't believe like they used to.

Got to get them riled up.

I told you I wanted a black one this time.

You know the black ones never stay.

Beggars can't be choosers.

I think it fits you beautifully.

It's better than Violet, or Grace, even.

We'll get used to it. We always do.

[Violet moaning]

The thing folks don't understand

about sacrifice...

VlOLET:
Get me out of here.

...sometimes it's more of a trade.

Get me out of here.

No!

There, there, Caroline.

CAROLlNE:
We thought it was just a fall, but

now she can't move or even speak.

Like a stroke or something.

JlLL:
Cary?

CAROLlNE:
Dearie me.

You called me.

I called you?

For help. Don't you remember?

Cary's not herself right now.

I'm Luke Marshall.

- Devereauxs' lawyer.

- Hi. Jill Dupay, her roommate.

Jill, yes, I did call you.

Fiddlesticks.

I don't know what possessed me.

It's all right. I'm here.

They need real care now.

They can't stay here.

This is all my fault.

No, Cary. No, it's not.

It's not.

Someone should ride

to the hospital with them. Maybe...

Jill, would you mind? And we'll meet you.

Of course. Whatever you need.

She meant so much to them, her being here.

I know it wasn't for long, but...

they really loved her.

Why do you say that?

It's in their wills.

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