The Doll

9

Day three

Alice

"I don't know if we should do it,"

Leah let out a weary sigh as her gaze fixated on the board, meticulously placed among the array of shelves.

In the aftermath of last night's events, it became clear that the house was indeed haunted, dispelling any notion that the rumors were mere fabrications. Despite our overwhelming fear stemming from the doll's reappearance after I had discarded it, we had no choice but to persevere until dawn. Struggling to find sleep, my mind remained fixated on the perplexing question of how the doll had returned despite my efforts to dispose of it. Realizing that the only hope for answers lay in employing an Ouija board, I shared my idea with Leah and Tommy, who readily agreed. Together, we embarked on a search for a shop specializing in paranormal artifacts, ultimately discovering a quaint, vintage establishment situated a distance of six miles from the house. Within its walls, we fortuitously stumbled upon an antiquated Ouija board available for purchase. Aware that our only recourse was to establish communication with the spirits tormenting the house, we hoped to uncover their desires through this unconventional means. Tempted to flee the premises, I recognized that this malevolent doll would pursue me relentlessly, as the warnings suggested that those who entered the house never escaped its clutches. Regrettably, I now understand the truth of these assertions, but it is too late. The ghostly presence inhabiting the house, in tandem with the doll, will not relent in their pursuit, for I have trespassed upon their domain.

"We have to, we have no other choices," In a swift retort, Tommy seized the board and advanced towards the cashier, his eyes drawn to the shop's proprietor, an aged gentleman adorned in attire befitting a bygone era. From the moment we crossed the threshold, the elderly man's peculiar gaze remained fixated upon us, as though we were beings not of this world. His desire to communicate seemed palpable, yet he restrained himself. A cursory examination of the wares adorning the shelves revealed an intriguing assortment, all tinged with an otherworldly essence. From eerie dolls that possessed an uncanny aura to aged tomes chronicling the intricacies of genuine paranormal phenomena and the mystic arts, this establishment was a veritable haven for the enigmatic.

"How much is this?" Tommy inquired of the aged gentleman, presenting the Ouija board for his inspection. The man cloaked in an enigmatic gaze, bestowed upon Tommy a peculiar expression ere he deigned to reply.

"You can take it for free, I no longer want this thing in my shop," The man, with an air of contempt, cast his gaze upon the Ouija board, as though harboring a personal vendetta against it. Such behavior was rather peculiar, considering his establishment purportedly revolves around the arcane and supernatural.

"Are you sure?" Tommy posed a question. The man diverted his attention from the board and narrowed his eyes in my direction. His unwavering stare unsettled me slightly, yet I dismissed any unease that lingered.

"Yeah," The man's rejoinder was accompanied by an unwavering gaze fixed upon me. "Wait, are you Alice Mackenzie?"

As the man uttered my complete name, an inexplicable sense of astonishment enveloped me, causing my eyes to widen in disbelief. For a brief interval, silence reigned supreme as I shared bemused glances with Leah and Tommy, our expressions mirroring the perplexity that held us captive. Swallowing the accumulating saliva in my mouth, I conjured the courage to break the protracted stillness and finally uttered my words.

"Yeah?" I responded with a perplexed tone, prompting a noticeable shift in the man's countenance, as uncertainty gave way to a blend of recognition and dread. With a beckoning gesture, he implored me to draw nearer, causing a momentary hesitation to seize me before reluctantly advancing towards this enigmatic figure. As I stood in his proximity, he meticulously surveyed his surroundings, ensuring the coast was clear, before finally breaking the silence.