Survival Game, Book Two: The Empress

Prologue

"Harumi! Harumi! Wait up!" Her father breathlessly called as he caught up to his 7 year old daughter. "You'll get lost wandering off by yourself!" He halted beside her, gasping to catch his breath. He'd chased after her for almost the whole time to reach their destination and now he finally was able to rest. Harumi didn't give him a break for long, already tugging at his sleeve to hurry on. "Settle down, the play isn't going anywhere." He sighed when she persisted. It was her first time seeing a live play and she didn't want to miss a second of it. However, she cooperated with her father and he led her to the sliding door that made the entrance of the theatre. This theatre in particular was a theatre for puppet shows while a second theatre neighbored it, much larger in size than its companion, and meant for stage plays instead. A piece of paper was attached to the door, displaying each play and what times they'd be performed.
Harumi's father looked at the list, reading the 6:00 o'clock showing. "Hinamatsuri...?" He read the title aloud in a confused manner. "That's rather strange. Hinamatsuri is in March, so I figured they'd want a play based on summer festivals. The other theatre is doing a stage play on the history of Obon. Then again, this is a puppet show. Of course they'd prefer something more about dolls–" Harumi jerked at his sleeve again, voicing her complaints with an annoyed, "Dad!" Her father would always nag over the little details, which annoyed her. Were all fathers like that? Or was it only hers? Maybe it was just hers, as another father passed them with his child and didn't seem to mind what play it was. Her father quickly apologized and they went inside, much to her satisfaction.
It wasn't hard to find a seat, as most kids Harumi's age wouldn't want to see a play this late. However, her father had promised to take her when summer began and he kept that promise as soon as he got off of work that day. Her mother had offered to take her instead, but the times with her father were rare in the summer, and she wanted to spend every free second with him. Now, the pair had seated themselves on the dark blue cushions spread out in rows among the tatami mat flooring. Harumi had to crane her neck to see the full view of the stage, but she didn't mind. She was so close to the wooden platform that she could reach out and touch it. She almost did so until the lights began to dim and the curtains opened.
The spotlights flashed on the wooden stage to display several mannequin-like puppets dressed like normal everyday people. There were mainly mothers, accompanied by their daughters, but there was one pair of a father and his daughter. They seemed to be the main focus of the show. The little girl looks like me! Harumi pointed out in excitement. The doll had her black hair and shoulder length haircut, though Harumi's was put up and the doll's was hanging loosely. As one would suspect, the girl doll went through the festivities brought with Hinamatsuri, while her father watched on proudly. Harumi was sure her own father found it boring, but seeing dolls look as if they came to life was exciting to her. They're so good! I can't even see the strings! She had tried, looking up at the ceiling a few times, but they were too hidden to see. Her attempts were quickly broken as a new sight joined the stage.
A girl–a real girl–sat onto a large cushion in the center of the stage as the mannequin approached her. She was dressed in a juunihitoe similar to the imperial empress and shared the hairstyle of one as well. Her face was heavy with makeup, her skin as white as porcelain with bright red lipstick on her lips and pink blush displayed on her cheeks. Harumi could hear other kids whispering about the newcomer, voicing her wonders. Is she real... or maybe she's a living doll! She definitely looked like one at least. She had no strings attached either but she didn't move or speak as the play went on. She just stared at something and soon Harumi realized that something was her. The girl was staring right at her! Does she like me? Harumi wondered, staring back at her. She has pretty eyes... she must be a living doll! The irises were a gorgeous bright violet color and even the pupils looked like a dark purple instead of black. She gave a small smile at Harumi before the play continued, giving a warm look towards her direction as if she wanted to meet her later. And maybe she did.

When the play was over, the girl had remained on stage as all of the other families left. Only Harumi remained, along with her father. "Dad! Dad! Can we go see her? Can we go meet the doll girl?" She begged excitedly. She was most certainly not going to take no for an answer this time. She had to meet the girl! Much to her relief, her father nodded in agreement and she turned to the girl. "Miss! I liked your play! What's your name? I'm Harumi Yoshida, and this is my dad!" Her introduction was fast paced and she knew she was doing the "talking too fast" thing her dad would always scold her for. Thankfully, the girl turned her head to stare at her warmly. She even stood up and approached the other girl.
"It's nice to meet you, Harumi-chan. My name is Mio Shirai. Do you love your dad?" The girl asked, tilting her head slightly. Harumi nodded enthusiastically and Mio smiled at the reply. "That's good. How would you and him like to see a special show, just for you two?" Harumi's father was looking skeptical, but she could barely contain her excitement. Mio thought she was special! And they were going to see a show, just for them! How could she say no? She nodded eagerly, forcing her father to agree as well.
Pleased at this notion, Mio smiled and clapped her hands together. "Then, let's begin! I'm sure you'll have fun!" The lights dimmed once more as she finished. The mannequins appeared once more, circling Harumi and her father and walking up to them. What are they going to do? Are we going to be part of their play too? She recalled the first play, where the girl mannequin treated Mio like a real doll, combing her hair and adjusting her robes to a perfect angle. I hope I can wear an outfit like Mio-chan! Hers is so pretty! She looked at it now, red fabric with gold patterns and a red obi tied around her petite waist. She hoped they'd give her one like that.
As the mannequins edged closer, masked by the darkness on the room, a small flash of fear pierced through Harumi. They look so... lifelike... She realized as she looked up and met the face of a woman with brown hair and blue eyes. Her skin, though oddly pale, looked rubbery and her eyes were dull and unseeing, not like how painted ones should look. Her face was sunken in and Harumi could notice the outline on her jaws and patches of her hair were missing. A terrible smell was emitted from each mannequin as well, and Harumi guessed Mio didn't take very good care of them. She never voiced such complaints, of course, but she held her breath as the mannequin brushed past her, trying not to wrinkle her nose.
"What are they–" Her father tried to ask as the circle tightened around them, the mannequins a few centimeters away from the two. His voice was cut off by his own scream, Harumi's heart lurching at the noise. "Dad?!" She frantically looked around in the darkness, but only the rubber-made dolls filled her line of sight. The lights finally returned soon after and the dolls had disappeared. "Dad?!" She repeated, a shrill wail escaping her lips, her heart beating fiercely as her gaze darted back and forth. "Where'd you go?! Dad!" Harumi hadn't even noticed a figure was now standing in front of her and when she looked forward, she recognized Mio. "Where'd he go?! I want my dad!" She demanded in the strongest voice she could muster, though her young age and the tears flowing from her eyes made her look pathetic.
A sickening smile crept across Mio's lips and she brushed a pale hand against Harumi's tear dampened cheek. "He's gone." She replied coldly, her violet eyes gleaming. "But, you shouldn't cry, Harumi-chan. After all... today is your Hinamatsuri. And you'll get to become my precious little doll."