The Doll Maker

Five

Charlotte slept peacefully, head rested on her pillow and duvet up around her shoulders, since The Doll Maker hadn't been back in around four days, she's been comfortable and sleeping enough to last her a lifetime,

The sound of a clanging filled her ears, turning in her bed as she whined out and pulled the sheets up to her face, the door creaking open, hearing a gentle humming from the man "I'm still tired"

"Up, Princess" His voice filled the basement, almost in a singing tune as she listened to the sound of his footsteps approach the bed, her face still covered by the blanket as she shook her head, unwilling to look up from her sheets. She could sense him get closer to her, the feeling of a large hand cupping the side of her head "Come on, Princess, it's time for breakfast"

"Where have you been?" She spoke quietly, shivering as the feeling of hot air blew over her head and a gentle kiss pressed against her exposed forehead, tilting her head up she viewed bright blue eyes that seemingly clawed into her soul. The view almost sucked the breath out of her, she was seemingly breathless, jolting up only to view the basement empty, her eyes blurry as she reached up to rub her eyes, noticing the last stair go out- she dreamt of him "One sec!"

"Goodmorning" She heard the man's voice call through the door yet it sounded croaky and deep as if he'd just been sleeping. Scurrying for her blindfold as she tugged it over her head, the sound of the door opening filled her ears, just about tugging the silk over her eyes once she saw a crack of light "Smells in here"

"Well, that's what happens when you make me pee in a bucket" She smartly replied, the sound of footsteps descending down the stairs as she pushed herself to stand up, reaching her hand out almost as if it were routine "I met Laurence.... He's nice"

"Sorry about my absence, my work tends to be a bit life-overtaking" He muttered, she expected the normal wrist grab but she felt his hand cup around her own as he tugged on her limb, leading the woman up the stairs as she hummed slightly and felt the feeling of his hand leave her hand and circle around to her back "Do you trust me?"

"Are you asking the woman you kidnapped if she trusts you?" Charlotte questioned, laughing slightly at his question, the man sighed slightly and she looked around quizzically, not sure where he was but she soon felt two fingers grab onto her chin, she stood still, remembering the last time his hand was like this on her "I can't trust you if I can't see you"

"What if you knew my name?" His voice was worn out like he had been yelling or even if he was crying but she assumed both of them to be false.

"I'll trust you when you trust me enough to take off the blindfold" She whispered, hearing complete silence other than the scuffing of shoes against the cool laminate that she's used to feeling under the thin ankle socks, the frills around the tops like the ones you would wear to primary school. She had her eyes closed as she normally does but she soon viewed slight light through her eyelids and the feeling of the silk pulled away from her skin.

She didn't want to open her eyes, she almost didn't trust it, she felt nervous to look her abductor in the eyes- almost as if this was a barrier she wasn't keen on crossing. His hand loosened his grip on her chin and instead dropped from her face. Her eyes slowly cracked open, staring at a mess of black hair in front tanned skin, almost like he was foreign, bright eyes and a soft face- he looked innocent, charming, the only way she can really describe his face is that it was strong yet caring. Masculine jawline yet slightly plush lips and eyes big yet the frown on his face made them seem narrow and daunting "Trust me now?"