The Clock Strucks Danger

Mannequin

A paranormal story.

The following story is written in third person. Mannequins are beautiful.

Celia was the proud of her little boutique. Granted that it was not very posh or well-known amongst the upper class society, but it was all hers and she loved it. It was a little store, situated in the city mall, which was frequented by mostly teenage girls and cross dressers. Her items were cheap but trendy and colourful, which seems to capture the attention of the younger lot. In her own way, Celia was famous.

At first, she began by selling Japanese candy and cute accessories which she bought by a pound from the wholesale market. People, eventually, liked it and demanded more so she expanded her products to affordable makeup items and other knick knacks like crazy wigs and bags. Now, she wanted to include clothes too but she had a problem. She had no mannequins. A mannequin is essentially used as an advertising technique to promote the shop's goods. They are catchy and are able to send the message of the seller across. Celia figured she would have much more sales if she put out a mannequin dressed up in her clothes and accessories to show off and attract new buyers.

She consulted with her best friend, Jenna McGilroy, who had a store of her own in another mall and found out about a customisable mannequin shop called "Hand Craved Manny's". The shop was located in a rather shady part of the city but Celia did not care. Jenna had said that the mannequins were affordable and very good in quality. Celia trusted her friend's judgement and decided to go order from there.

On friday evening, Celia set out in the highway and sped along as she jammed to her favourite song She checked the directions once again. The shop was inside an alley but it was not quite dark yet as Celia stepped out of from her small car.

She spotted the little run-down store which was situated at the end of the alley.

'I should give a quick call to Jenna. Let her know I'm here', Celia thought. She fished out her small phone from her great big bag and speed dialled her best friend's number only to get the same switch off message, she had been getting since last week. Celia huffed and stuffed the phone back into her bag. Clearly, Jenna was too occupied to even switch on her phone or check her messages. Nevertheless, she got out and kicked the door of the car close.

The gravel beneath her boots made crunching noises as she was walked towards it and opened the small wooden door. There was a small silver bell tied up with the door with jingled lightly as she stepped in. An old pensive looking man, who was sitting behind the counter staring into empty space, looked at her. He, immediately, smiled.

" Welcome".

Celia dug her hands into the pockets of her trench coat and smiled back at the man.

"Hello, I have been recommended your shop by my friend, Jenna McGilroy. She owns a boutique downtown and she bought few mannequins from you for her store" Celia said.

The man rubbed his hands vigorously and his smile broadened, "ahh, yes miss. Jolly soul, she is. She liked our mannequins, did she?"

"She said they looked very real" Celia responded.

"Real indeed." His eyes twinkled brightly and as Celia stared at him, she couldn't help but get confused. Was it a shine of pride, happiness or was it an insane gleam?

"Madam, we need your requirements for the mannequins. Unlike other stores, we have a huge range of choices here. Coloured skin, hairstyles and varying heights. You name it, you got it! " The man rumbled on. Needless to say, Celia was mighty impressed.

"I have always liked frizzy curls" she mused with a smile.

"Step this way, I have just the mannequin for you" the man led her through another door and flicked on the lights. The sight, which greeted her was amazing.

There were hundreds of beautiful life-sized dolls arranged aesthetically around the room, each in a different pose which made them seem even more realistic. Celia followed the man and they passed rows of mannequins, finally coming to a stop infront of one.

"This is Valerie" the man explained. Celia looked at him oddly. She did not know people would name the mannequins for sale. The man, on the other hand, looked at 'Valerie' quite fondly.

Valerie was a tall mannequin with radiant brown skin and a crown of thick curly chestnut tresses. She was wrapped in a white sheet as all the others were. Her eyes and lips were painted on. They were large and beautiful. One long hand was on her ample waist while the other was kept simply across her bosom.

Celia reached out and touched Valerie's slender fingers. She immediately jerked back. Valerie's skin seemed warm and felt like soft leather.

"Are you alright, miss?" The man was on her side.

"Uh, I guess." Celia laughed nervously, "your mannequins are really quite realistic, mister."

"Did Valerie scare you?" The man chuckled, "she always was naughty. Sometimes, too naughty for her own good."

"Well," Celia coughed awkwardly, "I think Valerie would go perfectly with my little store. Can I get her wrapped and ready to go, I have long way to go." Suddenly, Celia wanted to pay and get out of this store as soon as possible. Something about this man was extremely unsettling.

"Sure" the man picked up Valerie, "I'll go out some bubble wrap on her, miss."

"Alright, I'll wait here!"

The man walked through the door and Celia, took this opportunity to roam around the room some more.

She waved to a mannequin of a man with dark flowing hair and great arm muscles who stood with his chest out and legs apart. A cherubic child mannequin smiled angelically at her. Celia was amazed by the workmen's skills. Although the owner seemed a little eccentric, the shop did have a wonderful store of mannequins.

A particular mannequin caught Celia's attention. She inched closer to it to get a better look.

It was a woman. Slender, lithe and short. Shiny blonde hair fell on her shoulders and a familiar smile adorned her face. Celia stared at the mannequin in shock.

"Miss, your good is ready to be taken!" The man announced joyfully.

Celia jumped at his voice and turned around to look at him. She was trembling in fear. Her face was pale with fright.

"Ah, I see you have met Jenna, our newest mannequin. Would you like to buy her as well. She is a jolly soul."