The DollMaker Returns

Chapter 7: A Warning From James

  "Do any of you remember anything?" Caleb asked after he finished telling Mason, Max, Alexander, Gavin, and Jackson what had happened two days ago. "No." Jackson replied, slowly. "It was really strange." Phil commented. "You were like defending the dolls and saying really creepy things. I'm pretty sure Jack said something about some man not being happy. Who were you talking about?" "As if we know what you're talking about." Mason responded. "My guess would be that he was talking about the DollMaker not being happy." Lisa replied.

  "He's not gonna like this." Abigail commented. "Don't make him mad." James agreed. "I'm not sure I like this." Phil commented. "I don't even know what's going on." Stacy answered. "I've only dealt with the DollMaker briefly. This is a whole other level."

  14-year-old Stacy James was Gavin and Amelia's adopted younger sister. She had curly, black hair, dark brown eyes, dark skin, and was only just barely taller than Rachel (about 5'2 1/2).

  "He almost turned Jack into a doll last year." Alexander reminded her. "I know." Stacy replied. "I wish I could've been there to help save him." "It's very possible you might have this year to save Alexander." Jackson commented. The entire group was aware that Stacy had a crush on Alexander besides maybe Alexander himself, it was that obvious. "Caleb said that the DollMaker was controlling us a couple days ago, but like Jack said, we don't remember anything." Mason explained when Stacy looked at Jackson with a confused expression.

  "You were acting pretty weird." Alexander agreed. "So were you." Caleb pointed out. "I don't remember that kind of stuff Caleb." Alexander replied. "That's kind of the point of mind control Alexander." Amelia reminded him. "That or to try and control you so I don't think anybody remembers that kind of thing." "That's not scary at all." Stacy commented.

  "It's not scary!" Alexander protested. "That kind of stuff is a hoax Stacy." "What are you talking about?" Mason asked. "Mind control is real and nothing to joke about." "Mind control doesn't exist." Alexander pushed. "That's why it's just a big hoax." "And I think the DollMaker's controlling you." Amelia commented.

  Alexander blinked at her. "What are you talking about?" He asked. "The DollMaker wasn't controlling me." "So you think mind control isn't real and just a hoax." Lisa stated. "What are you talking about?" Alexander repeated. "Mind control is real and no joke. Last year confirmed that a little too obviously." "You were just saying that mind control isn't real and is just a hoax." Lisa pointed out. "That's nonsense talk." Alexander replied. "Mind control and real and nothing to joke about, end of discussion."

  "Why were you even talking about mind control in the first place?" Phil asked. "I don't know." Alexander answered. "Probably because Amelia said something about the DollMaker using mind control." "I didn't say anything about the DollMaker using mind control, but that's kinda what I meant." Amelia explained.

  "There is something I must warn you about." James said, gaining Jackson's attention. "Is James talking to me?" Jackson asked. "What'd he say?" Alexander wondered. "There's something I must warn you about." James repeated. "Well, what is it?" Anya asked.

  12-year-old Anya Woodmancy and her older brother Jonah had been apart of the group for almost a year now. Anya had dark brown hair the same length as Sally's, blue eyes like Mason, light skin, and was about average in everything else (about 5'1 or 5'2).

  "As you know, the DollMaker has multiple targets." James started. "Most of which, he's already managed to get his dirty hands on. But there's more than meets the eye." "He will be very angry if you tell them this James." Max warned. "As if I care Maximus." James replied, sassily. "There is a certain personality trait that the DollMaker is targeting." "You do not want to know the consequences of your actions James." Max said, holding Alexander's hand tightly, possessively, and Alexander instantly knew that something was wrong with the older twin. Max never held his hand that tightly. "He won't be happy about this James." Jackson agreed. Please don't be controlling Max.

  "Well, what, exactly is that trait that everyone seems to have in common?" Phil asked. "Think about who is being controlled currently." James instructed. "What is something that they all have in common?" "So, like, Jack and Max?" Stacy asked. "Or those who he's controlled before now?" "I don't wanna be the one to have to say this but here I am." Alexander started. "I think the DollMaker might be controlling the smart ones of each family and group." "And why are you saying that exactly?" Lisa asked.

  "Well, think about it." Stacy started. "Mason is usually the one to figure out the problem. Gavin is usually the one who finds out who the enemy is. Max is usually the one who senses danger the quickest. Alexander is usually the reasonable one and keeps the rest of us on our feet when things are tough, and Jack is usually the one who finds most if not all of the clues we need to figure out the mystery and is usually the one who pieces things together."

  "What do we do now Abigail?" Max asked. "She's figured it out." "As if a doll is gonna tell you what to do." Alexander commented. "In my defense, Abigail has told me what to do before!" Max argued.

  "UGH!" Phil groaned, loudly. "Why is the DollMaker going after the useful ones anyway!?" "I think you just said it." Amelia replied. "Said what?" Phil asked. "I think Mason, Gavin, Max, Alexander, and Jack are being targeted by the DollMaker because they're the useful ones and he thinks he can get away with defeating us if he goes with the useful people first." Amelia explained. "That could be." Lisa agreed. "I think you might be on to something Amelia."

  "But that can only mean one thing." Caleb said. "If the DollMaker is going after the useful ones," he took a pause to turn in Phil's direction, "than why is Phil not being controlled?" "What do you mean?" Phil asked with a slightly nervous expression on his face. "You're usually the person who keeps everything lighthearted unless it's something serious." Caleb explained. "If it's something serious, than you're usually the one who keeps all of us from breaking down. That's another thing that Gavin's really good at too."

  "Enough with this nonsense!" Max yelled. "The DollMaker will win and there's nothing you can do about it!" "James was a very naughty boy!" Alexander scolded. "He's not gonna like this." Gavin warned with a dark expression. "He's not gonna like this." Mason repeated, his face matching Gavin's. Jackson looked furious. When he spoke, his voice was dark and deadly. "He is not happy."

  "I think we're getting closer to solving the mystery of the DollMaker." Amelia said, triumphantly. "I think we angered the DollMaker and need to get out of here until they can break through." Stacy replied. "I think you might be right Stacy." Phil agreed, heart pounding in fear and worry at the same time. "Let's scram!"