The DollMaker Returns

Chapter 8: Is James Good or Bad?

  "So, let me get this straight." Jackson started. "We were all acting strange again?" 

  Caleb nodded. "We also figured out that, alongside you guys, the DollMaker might also be going after Phil." He explained. 

  "Why?" Gavin asked, leaning against the wall in such a way that Jackson had a hard time ignoring the way his muscles flexed when he moved. 

  "All of you guys are useful." Amelia told him. "So is Phil."

  "I'm starting to think that the DollMaker is stronger this year." Jackson commented.

  "It kinda sounded like the DollMaker was taking control because he was getting mad." Sally speculated. "I think we might be getting close to figuring out why the DollMaker seems to only control people with a certain personality trait."

  "You need to stop the DollMaker from turning Mason into a doll." James said. 

  "Do you think we don't already know that or something?" Jackson asked. 

  "He's pretty slow when it comes to figuring out that we know more than what he's told us." Sally replied.

  "No, he's not!" Jackson yelled. 

  "He sounds mad." Phil's twin sister, Dericka, commented. 

  "I'm guessing that's because he is." Caleb replied. 

  "I'm guessing the DollMaker's the one who's mad, not Jack." Gavin responded. "When Jack gets mad, it's not violent. Being mad while under the DollMaker's control makes you violent."

  "This whole 'DollMaker' nonsense is making my head hurt." Mason commented with an annoyed tone. 

  "We seriously need to find a way to free Mason from the DollMaker." Caleb said. 

  "He's been acting like this all day." Alexander agreed. 

  "I am getting so frustrated with how stubborn the DollMaker is being!" Max yelled. 

  "Aren't we all getting a little frustrated Max?" Alexander asked in a quiet tone. "I mean; I guess so." Max responded.

  "Why do you feel the need to attack the DollMaker?" Mason asked. "He's not hurting anybody." 

  "I wish that were true Mason." Jackson replied. 

  "How do you not consider someone turning other people into dolls not hurting someone!?" Dericka asked with an annoyed tone.

  "I feel like the more we insult the DollMaker, the angrier he gets and the more Mason or someone else is controlled." Alexander warned her. 

  "I guess that would be true if he didn't already have control over you." Sally responded. 

  "Although I have a feeling that it's true either way." Caleb mumbled under his breath. 

  "We really need to fix this." Max commented with a panicked tone.

  Jackson could tell that Max wasn't happy with Alexander currently being controlled. The twins were very close.

  "I know this probably doesn't help, but I think James is trying to help us." He mumbled. "At least for right now."