𝒫𝑒𝓇𝒻𝑒𝒸𝓉 𝒫o𝓇𝒸𝑒𝓁𝒶𝒾𝓃

3. Insanity

The boy, looking slightly older than August, has many damages to himself and his clothing, almost like a burned corpse. His golden-blonde hair is singed to the side with dirt and ash darkening its tone, revealing a horrific scar caused only by something of a 4th-degree burn, not even that. 

His eyes are uneven and filled with darkness, his right iris being as dark as Death's eye, and his fingers are the colour of charcoal. His green tie is ragged and burned to match his no longer white button-up shirt embedded with tears and scratches. 

"What are you doing here? How did you find this place?" The boy asks, his axe raised high. 

"U-Uh, I should ask you the same questions. Especially concerning the broken dolls on the floor," August states curiously.

"I asked first. Do you know how many people have died here? Did you just come here because of the rumours to see if they were true?" The boy questions with scepticism.

"What? No, not at all. My sister, Ebony, however...she came here a year ago and I had to look for her. I found her...at least, what she is now. Now I'm just trying to get out of here," August explains, rubbing his arm nervously.

"I see...I guess wanting to help your siblings is important," The boy states. 

"Yeah, it is. You wouldn't happen to know a way out of here, would you?" August asks.

"Please, if I knew the way out I would have left this goddamned place already. I've given up on leaving, so now I destroy that demon's creations one by one out of spite and boredom," The boy states as he swings at another porcelain doll, shattering it into pieces.

"Demon? You know Mr Vogel?" August asks.

"Know him? We're practically fused together. I can't seem to get away from him. Somehow, he's always there watching me...taunting me. Gah, I just want to.." The boy says between his teeth and then takes another swing at a doll, August tensing slightly as he does so. "He's a home-wrecker...a family killer...a demon disguised as a dollmaker. You of all people should see that already."

"Yeah...I do," August says sadly.

"You know, I'm surprised you're still alive. Normally, anyone who comes here falls victim to his sinister ways no sooner than setting foot past the door. You must be someone very unique to make it this far. Maybe you're one of his favourites," The boy claims.

"Favourites? Why would I be one of his favourites? He's been trying to kill me," August asks with confusion.

"His favourites are those he sees the most potential in. He wouldn't just let anyone roam his workshop, you know. He's going easy on you. Then again, that means he has an even worse fate planned for you," The boy states with hatred in his eyes.

"That's why I want to get out of here. He did it to my sister and I'm not letting him do it to me. Imogen and I are going to get out of this place and we're never going to look back," August announces with determination. 

"I...Imogen?" The boy asks, his demeanour changed drastically.

"Oh yeah, I met a living doll named Imogen. She's Mr Vogel's daughter and I promised her that I would help her get out as well. She's distracting him at the moment, but we will meet up again soon," August states.

"That's...not a good idea. It's best to just think about yourself in this scenario," The boy suggests.

"Why do you say that? Imogen wants my help, I can't just abandon her," August says.

"I know who you're talking about...I know too well. She has a tendency to become, well, obsessive. Henry has ripped any chance of company away from her and she has become deranged. She has seen many of those she valued become dolls, even being forced to help her father in his creations. She may go to drastic lengths to ensure you stay with her forever...not to mention her rapid mood swings," The boy explains with a dark look in his eyes.