The Hunter's Shop

Affliction of Affection

Doll's POV:

*3 Days Ago*

The final battle was over, and I was asleep for it all. I knew that Thomas would win and I would be there to support him later on. When I did awake from my 'slumber' I met a new resident. It was the Moon Presence, in all its eldritch glory. That is when I noticed something, Thomas wasn't here.

I went to the workshop, to see if he was working on his weapons. I found no one. What I did find was Thomas's favorite armor. There was also a note addressed to me.

Thomas: Dear Doll, I'm sorry if I'm not there to greet you, but the Moon Presence has allowed me to see the waking world. I was also wondering if you could repair my armor, it had been badly damaged during my fight with Gherman and the Moon Presence. I'll visit you as soon as I can when I finally settle down there. Once I do, I'll come and visit.

Thomas had left for the waking world, leaving me here. However, I felt a little angry. How could he just leave me here and not say goodbye? I calmed myself though, I was 'asleep' so he might have left as not to disturb me. Still, I do have a little anger boiling inside me.

He did say he would visit, so it's not all bad. I'll attend to the garden and keep the workshop clean.

*2 Days Ago*

Something is wrong. Thomas has not returned from the waking world. What could have happened? Is he injured? When will he return? Does he hate me?

I began to get nervous now, Thomas has always returned to the dream. If he wasn't here, Gherman was usually there. It's driving me a bit crazy now. I was pacing around the workshop, trying to calm myself as the Moon Presence observed me. Thomas not being here is making me more and more nervous.

Wait a minute, I need to calm myself. What could I do to distract myself. Thomas's armor! I can fix it for him while I wait for his return. Yes, I can fix it for him, even make it better for him to. Let me get to work now, Thomas needs his armor.

*1 Day Ago*

Its been two days since Thomas has disappeared. My chest aches with every second that passes by. Why isn't he back yet? Does he not like me? Did I make him angry? Has he forgotten me? Left me here and enjoying the waking world? Has he found another?

No! I can't think so negatively, I need to stay focused. He's probably finding a home to stay in. Yes, a home perfect for me and him. Me and him. Together. I wonder, when did I feel this way for Thomas? Why is my mind filled with only him? Why does my chest ache with every second he isn't here.

Wait, I remember. It was one day when I was attending to the gravestone near the workshop. I was cleaning it up, removing the weeds that had grown there. He then approached me from behind. He then called out to me and I greeted him.

He then presented me a hair comb. For some reason, I felt attached to it when he gave it to me. After that, I started to look at him in a different light. He wasn't some pervert like Gherman, he cared about me and saw me as a person. He even told me his name, knowing him, I was the only person that had knew his true name.

I'm still wondering though, what is this feeling in my chest? I decided I had enough and began to read Gherman's books. There were quite a lot, but one genre I have begun to enjoy is romance. Every time I've read these types of books, one man keeps coming to mind, Thomas. While reading, I came across a particular chapter.

The female protagonist is in her home, alone. She feels lonely and sad, for she cannot see her beloved. It reminded me of my situation. Was I lonely? Is the aching pain in my chest, sadness? Why? I am just a doll, not a human girl. And yet, I still feel it.