The Doll (Part 2)

Part 1 - https://read.cash/@Marilyn/the-doll-ac2a000d

I can't focus on the lecture that my professor was discussing. All I did all the day was to question. Though I really want to go home, I was bothered by the situation that force me to stay some place else. I just don't like the idea of going back to my apartment. But I have nowhere to go, even if I have friends in here, I'm too shy to ask. And for second thought, they will think that I'm crazy.

The class dismissed at exactly noon. I decided to take my lunch at a nearby fast food chain. As I was walking back home, I noticed a nearby store that I think sells stuff toys. I was really curious so I decided to take a look at it. As I enter the shop, there were dolls, mannequins, children's toys and even clothes for them. I went to the doll section though I was really nervous at that time. A woman then approached me, who I think must be the owner.

"Hi, I'm Ms. Bowell, sorry if I disturbed you but I haven't seen you in here before. Usually my customers are those who keeps coming back since the day I opened or friends of them.", she said.

"I just got really curious of this store. And also with the dolls you are selling.", I replied.

"Don't worry miss, they don't blink and bite.", she said making a little laugh.

I took the opportunity to ask the question I've been thinking all day.

"Ms. Bowell, I was wondering if you have seen this doll? ", I asked. I showed her a picture of Clay's doll. I once took a picture of myself with the doll that was seen in the back so as Clay. I zoomed in on it so she can see.

Ms. Bowell's eyes widened that made me think that she might know something.

"Where did you get that?.", she asked.

"It's not mine, it was my friend's.", I replied.

"Get rid of that thing right now!", she shouted.

I quickly put my phone back to my pocket, "Why? What's wrong?", I asked.

"Don't ever hold the doll with your bare hands. Get rid of it!", she said while taking a step back.

I stormed out of the shop and made my way back to the apartment. I was running like I was being chased by someone.

Catching on to my breathe, I was on the door outside, holding on to my keys, thinking if I should go in or not. As I was about to put on the keys to the doorknob, someone opened it. It was Clay.

"Hey!, you're classes are done already?", she said. I was speechless at the moment. Last night, she wasn't herself but now, she went completely back to normal.

"Hey, are you okay?", she said. I was snapped and replied with, "Yeah, I-i'm totally fine."

I made my way in and the first I thought was to look at her bed. The doll was there but us facing the wall. I don't know what to think at that moment. But since I really want answers all day, I ask Clay about everything.

"Clay, I was just wondering, where did you get that doll?", I asked.

"Oh this?," she said taking the do and put it in her lap. "I found this in a park near our house. My old doll got burned so I was really excited to have a new one. But since my mother was so busy at work and she didn't have time to buy me a new one in the mall, I took it. Nobody ever find it so maybe it was already an abandoned doll. Why did you ask?".

"Nothing, I just-- it just showed up my mind.", I said.

"Oh okay, well anyway, I will just buy something outside. You need anything?", she asked.

"No, I'm okay, thanks.", I replied.

She then made her way out to door and I was left alone with the doll in the room.

Since I have Clay's background about the doll, I thought to myself that since she found the doll out of nowhere, there is really something about it. I fixed my things, opened my laptop and started searching.

I first took a look at the background where Clay is from. It was nice town by the way. Their houses were built and placed in formal way like the area is well planned.

I looked into the news section and I got shocked into what I saw. All news were all about a certain man named George Collins. He was the town's nightmare. He would haunt on little girls and boys on town using dolls and cars since it would make an attraction for them. He will then lure them in his basement and kill them. The man was said to be a cannibal that likes children since they have "fresh meat", he said.

I saw several pictures of him and the children that lives were taken away. As I was scrolling down the photos, I noticed a resemblance to the doll I was scared right now. It was on the hands of a little girl in the pictured that has a caption of "Mary Palin Johnson and the doll that Mr. Collins used to attract her."

I got really frightened at that time. There were so many things that got inti my head. Maybe Mary's soul was attached to the doll. Maybe she was the one that haunted me last night. Maybe she--

The laptop shut down and I saw the doll's face from the screen of my laptop, smiling at me.

(Part 3 is coming)