The DollMaker Returns

Chapter 2: The Smith Family's Doll

  "Okay, since we didn't get to open the box the last time we met up, I say we try and do it today." Caleb said a couple days later. "I just hope it's nothing bad." "Caleb, I really think we should leave this box closed." Mason protested. "I agree." Phil agreed.

  "Um, do you mind telling me what happened last time you gathered together?" 18-year-old Heather Badgood asked. "I don't get what the deal is with this box."

  Heather Badgood and her sister Hannah were the two most popular girls in their schools. Heather had long dark brown hair with pink streaks in it, hazel eyes, light skin, and was about the same height and body type as Lisa, though she was about two inches shorter (about 5'6).

  Hannah had long dark brown hair, dark brown eyes, tan skin, and was about the same body type and height as Rachel, only a little bit taller (about 5'3 or 5'4).

  "Basically, it showed up at Mason's doorstep at 3AM and we've been scared to open it." Jackson explained. "Why?" Heather asked. "It's a box! It can't hurt you unless it was haunted." "I agree." Gavin agreed. "It's a box, it can't hurt you." "Yeah, but James showed up last time and I've had a bad feeling about this box ever since." Jackson protested.

  "James?" Heather echoed. "Last year, a creepy doll showed up in Jacks room." Mason explained. "Or at least, we think it's creepy. Jack seems to like it for whatever reason and we don't like that either." "James tried to turn Jack into a doll for his master, the DollMaker, which is why we don't really trust James." Caleb finished. "Again, besides Jack."

  Gavin groaned. "I thought we were done with the DollMaker!" He complained.

  "So, are we opening the box or not?" Caleb asked. "I say we open it." Heather replied. "I agree. We already have James." Beth pointed out. "How much worse can it be?"

  14-year-old Elizabeth Patterson is Mason's adopted little sister and was also very popular in her school. She had long, very dark brown hair, dark brown eyes, tan skin, and was considered the tall one of her friend group (about 5'5, still growing).

  "I say we keep it closed." Jackson protested. "And why do you not wanna open it?" Beth asked. "Worse case scenario, the DollMaker sends us another doll so he can control more than one of us at one time." Jackson explained. "Let's just open it and get it over with." Gavin answered. "I say we open it just because I'm curious as to what's inside." Eloise agreed with Adam nodding beside her.

  14-year-old Eloise Hughes was Adam's crush. She had long, blonde hair, blue eyes, light skin, and was considered the prettiest girl in school behind Rachel, only being about an inch shorter (about 5'1). Then, the entire group heard a voice that only Jackson recognized.

  James.

  "Do not open the box!" He yelled. "Was the doll just talking to us?" Heather asked, obviously feeling creeped out. "I told you he can talk!" Jackson replied, half-yelling. "What does this mean?" Mason asked. "The DollMaker's back." James explained. "Thanks Captain Obvious." Jackson responded with a slight sassy tone.

  "From what we know, his target changes every year." Mason said. "And?" Gavin asked. "So who's he going after this year?" Mason wondered, crossing his arms in frustration. "Yeah." Jackson agreed. "I mean he went after me last year, and it sounded like, from what Gavin discovered last year, that he changes targets every year. So who's he going after this year?" "I think the only way to figure that out," Heather started, looking at the ground before glancing at Jackson and Mason, "is to open the box." "Let's open the box then." Caleb replied, sounding like he didn't have a good feeling about what was inside.

  Slowly, Caleb lifted the lid to the box, the old wood making a loud 'creaking' sound. Indeed, there was a doll inside the box. Just the presence of the doll gave Heather, Beth, Phil, Gavin, Mason, Caleb, and Jackson a bad feeling.

  Especially Phil, since he had experience with this doll, and Mason, since he recognized her upon seeing her, which made his skin crawl and a shiver run down his spine.

  Jackson recovered first. "Phil, isn't that the same doll that belongs to your cousins?" He asked. Phil swallowed hard as he nodded. "The very same one. I would recognize her anywhere. Don't think I could forget her face after what she did to Jordyn."