This is Not My Obituary

Dollhouse

Shuyang could feel the pounding in his head increase as the soft jazzy music hummed over him. It sounded as if it were playing over an old phonograph like his grandmother had kept when he was younger.

Shuyang slowly opened his eyes and regretted it as soon as light began to filter in. He fought the pain and managed to take a look about his surroundings, only confusion clouding him now.

He wanted to open his mouth but he couldn't. It hadn't been covered but his body lacked the energy to part his lips. He breathed as if he were completely empty inside. He felt hollow.

Baby blue wallpaper clung to the walls, brown and grey grime patterning it as if the home had belonged to a heavy smoker for years. There was a large window at his right side and rays of blonde sunlight hit his skin. He was already sweaty and he could feel his own clamminess from under his shirt. His eyes shifted in their sockets and focused on one thing in particular. Another person sat just in front of him, across from the small table between the two. He had his head down and a chess piece gripped betwixt his fingers. Shuyang eyed him as an unnatural feeling wept over him. He observed him a little closer. Slowly the panic set in. The other man wasn't breathing. His skin was like wax and it glistened in the sun as it illuminated the pale and deathly appearance. His fingernails were a pale gray while superficial bruises sat atop his hands and the visible bridge of his nose.

He wanted to call out as he whipped his head around, only to be met with a few other figures positioned in various places and doing different tasks.

"Aren't they beautiful?" That same voice echoed as Shuyang zeroed in on the man, eyes watering as he recognized him.

"If you hadn't gone and messed things up, Gou MingRui would have been Mr. Zenan's chess partner." The man whispered as he got closer to Shuyang. "Mr. Zenan hates playing alone."

Shuyang gulped as his own father gripped down on his shoulder and dug his thumbs into the tender tissue under the skin. "I had such high hopes for you. When you yelled at me and tied me up, I was beginning to feel bad for what I had done, I even confessed to my two other sons that I was their father. But then, I saw that truck outside town hall and just had to show you what fun you were missing." Ren seethed as he pushed further into Shuyang's shoulder, just to hear him squeak in discomfort.

Shuyang wanted to yell and scream, but he didn't have it in him to do any of the sort.

He was in shock.

"You see, once those fags get sacrificed, we take them back to a safe home, where they can be themselves and enjoy the rest of their time. Here in the dollhouse." Ren explained.

Shuyang's stomach began to churn at the thought. He was only relieved that Rui wasn't in his position, he'd take Rui's place any day.

Shuyang just closed his eyes and tried to steady his breathing. He knew now how perverted and sick this all was. It wasn't simple enough just to slaughter innocent people, they had to stuff them and put them on display like dolls.

Oh shit how was he gonna get himself out of this one? Alive anyway.

He mulled over the possibilities, but few ended without casualties. He wasn't above murder as he already knew, but he felt a sense of responsibility not to kill his own father.

"C'mon, tell me what you're thinking." The older Ren ran a hand through the younger's hair like he used to when the man was a little boy.

Shuyang felt a warm tingling in his stomach when the paternal figure did so, not that he wanted to. His father hadn't addressed him tenderly since he was young, not that any part of this situation was tender.

The younger still couldn't open his mouth. Much due to the fear now coursing through his body. "Don't you have anything to say?" Ren asked again. Shuyang simply shook his head as he let out a frustrated tear.

"Oh now don't be stressed my love." Ren cooed, willing the small test from his son's face and looking over his distinctive features. He had the same, eyes, same dip-bridged nose, and the same thin pair of lips. "You can fix it." He whispered.

Shuyang sniffed and looked up towards the older, hating what he saw. He saw a mirror image of himself, and he wanted to change it.

"H-ow?" He croaked as he mustered enough energy and courage to speak.
Ren smiled smally and pressed his thumb to Shuyang's chin, craning it upward. "Bring Gou MingRui back, and everything can be straightened out. Okay?" He said with a wickedly sweet tone. He wanted his son to trust him with the solution.

Shuyang cringed at the thought of Rui coming back to a place like this, but nevertheless he nodded.

"Good boy. I knew you'd come around." He hummed, pushing Shuyang's bangs back and looked over his face once more. "You're a good looking kid." He said confidently. Shuyang held in a scoff. He looked exactly like him. What a dick.