𝐄𝐬𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐜 - Shadows House

Chapter 4

"Hurry, we have to head to the cleaning tools room!" I exclaimed, starting to run down the hall. The others quickly followed after me.

Other living dolls were already in the room, gathering the tools that were saved for emergencies such as this. Some other dolls pushed past us as they rushed out, in a hurry to quickly get rid of the Ghost.

We rushed to put on the gear, dressing ourselves in the white gowns and pulling on the gloves.

"Mia, how do I put this on?" Emilyko asked, holding up a mask curiously.

"For now, it's fine just with the sootcoat! Hurry up!" Mia ushered.

"This is for when you go to places that are really covered in soot, you'll have a hard time seeing so it isn't always useful." Rosemary helpfully explained.

"Rose, for goodness sake, the lesson has been suspended!" Mia exclaimed, picking up her toolbox.

"Does a Ghost really exist?" She asked, starting to head down the hallway.

"I'm not sure... it's my first time." Rosemary replied.

"What's a ghost?" Emilyko asked.

"It's an aggregation of a Clinger." I explained, walking beside her. Before I could explain further, black tendrils burst from the hall. Cries of surprise arose at the sudden appearance of the Ghost.

"What do we do?" Mia panicked as we quickly rushed over.

"Shall we wait for the Star Bearer's instructions?" Rosemary looked up at the Ghost nervously.

"Don't be tardy, Rosemary!" A living doll shouted, ringing the bell in her hands.

'Star Bearer Barbie!' I noticed the appearance of the green-haired doll. She wore a navy blue ribbon with a golden stair inlaid on the knot.

"Barbie! I've retrieved the hammer, what shall I do?" A doll asked, carrying a hammer in their hands.

"Just smash it!" She growled, pointing at the Ghost.

The doll did as she said, swinging the hammer at the Ghost. A piece broke off and fell to the side, small black blobs wriggling out. '

"Wah!" Emilyko dodged the black blob that darted towards her.

"Idiot Rose! Is your whole squad idiots?" Barbie snarled. "Everyone who isn't doing anything else should crush the Clingers!"

"Quickly, let's go after it!" I quickly called out, running after the clingers.

"That Star Bearer really has a bad personality!" Mia frowned, running alongside Emilyko as we chased after the clingers.

"That 'Star Bearer' is a great doll. 'Clingers' is when soot gathers and starts moving. When more of it gathers up, it becomes a Ghost..." Emilyko trailed off, recounting the events.

"You can learn it afterward! This isn't a lesson!" Mia scolded.

"Did you see where it hid?" I asked.

"I think it's behind that frame." Emilyko said hesitantly, pointing at a frame hung on the wall.

"Then tap it from over there, Emilyko! If it comes out, I'll hit it." Mia instructed.

"Alright!" Emilyko nodded, following Mia's instructions.

"You're all so quick!" Rosemary exclaimed, arriving with Lou. She paused, noticing a shadow dart towards Emilyko. "Ah... Watch out!" She quickly ran over, pushing Emilyko to the side.

"Rose!" I shouted, eyes widening in surprise when the Clinger wrapped itself around Rosemary's head.

"It wasn't behind the frame?!" Emilyko panicked.