The Belen Archives (TMA fic)

A Familiar Voice

Statement #0171310

[CLICK]

ARCHIVIST

Statement of Alexander Grieman regarding a ceramic doll that was briefly in his possession. Original statement given October 13, 2017. Audio recording by Mina Lavanya, head archivist of the Belen Institute, London.

Statement begins.

ARCHIVIST (STATEMENT)

I should probably say for the record I am scared of most things; loud noises, planes, clocks, fish, wind, etcetera. I've developed a few techniques for getting over these fears: ignore them, do not think about them, eventually they'll go away. Though, despite all these mundane fears, I was never scared of dolls. I am now, scared of them I mean, but that was after this whole thing happened.

My half-sister, Elena, passed away recently, very abrupt, very tragic; many say she died too young. I agree with them, she was only 13. My mother ended up marrying a rich scumbag and moved in with him, leaving me behind. She had a kid with this guy, and that kid was my half-sister. She never did anything wrong, so I didn't resent her; I was actually quite fond of her. She took almost exclusively after my mother, so she looked more like my sister than that scum's daughter. I was around 16 when she was born. Elena was lively and had this sparkle of creativity in her eyes. She was really into art, and I mean REALLY into art. She'd draw, paint, sculpt, and bought countless art books and materials. Her room felt more like a professional art studio than a 13-year-old girl's bedroom.

Her father had little to do with her. He was the kind of dad that threw money at his problems to make them go away. I was more of a father to Elena than he ever was. One of the only things he did for Elena was buy her that dumb doll. It was a small ceramic doll with a painted on face, though the eyes were painted shut. It had large black curls and a frilly dress. He said that the doll reminded him of Elena and that he had to have it for her; useless ass. I asked him where he bought it and he said something about a private antique dealer, or auction, or something; I don't remember.

Unsettling as it was, Elena loved the doll; I think she was just happy her dad gave her something. Elena never really liked dolls all that much, even when she was a kid, but she and this doll became inseparable. Anytime I visited her the doll was either in her arms or not more than a few feet away from her. There wasn't even anything inherently scary about it; it just kinda rubbed me the wrong way I guess, especially when Elena talked to it. I was never in the room but sometimes when I was passing her door, I could hear her voice as she spoke to the doll. As far as I knew the doll didn't have a voice box, so Elena's voice was the only one I heard.

After a little while, I started to notice Elena looked tired, like she had permanent eye bags. Either that or she really mastered the dead-inside vampire look from her those online makeup tutorials. I asked her about it and she shrugged it off, saying that she hasn't been getting much sleep recently. I didn't press her any further, though I wish I did.

I went on a business trip for a few days, had a friend drive me. While I was there my mother called me a few times, but I dodged the calls; we weren't exactly on speaking terms because of some personal stuff. Though, I knew something was up when that scumbag called me. Usually, I ignore his calls, but my friend was staring at me. I'd already dodged 2 of my mother's calls, and now I couldn't dodge the call of someone whose caller ID was "Scumbag". I reluctantly picked up.

Next thing I knew I was being driven back home for Elena's funeral. She'd apparently gotten really sick in the few days I was gone. For having all the money in the world that scumbag couldn't even save his daughter. If I didn't like Elena, I'd say there's a lesson here about caring about your children. Elena got sick and no one could help her; they didn't even know what was wrong with her exactly.