The DollMaker Returns

Chapter 10: The DollMaker's New Target

  Rachel heard a loud groan come from her older brother, who was sitting across from her on his phone. "What is it?" She asked. "Apparently Phil's being controlled by Abigail." He explained with an annoyed tone. "I think the DollMaker is trying to distract us." Rachel speculated. "He knows that Phil and Daniela have Abigail instead of Mason." Caleb sighed. "Go get the twins." He instructed. "It looks like we'll have to pick Mason up again." "He needs to get that car of his fixed." Rachel commented. "I know." Caleb agreed.

***

  "Okay, what's going on now?" Stacy asked. She had been over there for a weekend sleepover with Alice, Mason's little sister via his adoption. "I think Caleb said something about the DollMaker controlling Phil." Rachel could easily tell that Mason was worried based on his tone.

  Over the year, Mason and Phil's relationship had been getting more and more complicated. Mason was with someone else already and Phil was soulmates with Hannah, but the group could tell that they had something more going on between them in recent weeks.

  "Gavin texted me, saying that Phil was acting really weird and being super protective over Abigail, which is the same behavior that Jack had a couple days ago, and he thinks that the DollMaker is controlling Phil." Caleb explained. "That's a lot to take in." Stacy commented. "Well, that's the DollMaker for ya." Max replied. "Max, don't be rude." Alexander whispered.

  "To who!?" Max yelled, gaining the attention of the entire group, including Mason (who was on his phone, looking either bored or distant) for once. "Stacy or the DollMaker!?" "I would say just Stacy, but I'm nervous about what the DollMaker would do if we said something rude about him or to one of the dolls." Alexander explained. "Or us for that matter." "It's okay Alexander." Stacy soothed. "Max isn't being rude, he's just stating fact. Even the DollMaker can tell the difference between an insult and fact." "Yeah, but usually he doesn't care." Alexander argued. "He's not wrong." Mason agreed. "Guys, stop arguing and get in the car so we can help Daniela and Gavin with Phil." Caleb instructed.

***

  "I am so glad you guys are here." Daniela said. "How did you know we needed help with Phil?" "Gavin texted Caleb about it." Mason explained. "Look what the wolf dragged in." Lisa commented. "I don't think Mason's being controlled right now. I think Phil is." Amelia replied before dragging her boyfriend down to her height giving him a quick kiss to his lips, making Mason turn red in the face. "That's what we think." Gavin agreed.

  Phil turned the corner and got excited. "More friends?" He asked. "No Phil." Daniela answered. "No more friends." "No friends?" Phil asked with werewolf puppy eyes. "We are friends Phil, but we're not here to play this time." Jackson explained, gently. Thankfully, Jackson's memory loss seemed to have disappeared sometime within the two days that the group was apart. "Trying not to upset the DollMaker I see." Amelia commented.

  "Being under the control of the DollMaker leaves a permanent fear inside you that he's gonna do anything in his power to turn you into a doll and add you to his collection." Alexander explained. "You got that right." Mason agreed. "Being scared of the DollMaker is no joke like so many people think it is." Max continued. "I've only been controlled once or twice, but that's all it takes to develop a fear or phobia of the DollMaker." Gavin explained. "I knew it was serious, but I didn't think it was that serious." Stacy commented. "The DollMaker is no joke." Jackson pointed out. "They're not just speaking from things they've witnessed from last year and this year. They're speaking from personal experience."

  Suddenly, there was loud banging coming from the kitchen. "What has he gotten into now?" Daniela asked, exasperated. Phil came out from the kitchen as she spoke, rubbing his head in pain. "What's going on?" He asked. "You knocked over what sounded like pots and pans and one fell on your head." Gavin explained. "I'm guessing that's what woke you up from your so called 'daydream.'"

  "Guys look!" Phil pointed to something behind Jackson, causing the group to turn around. "James is here!" Phil announced as Jackson excitedly picked the doll up and held it like you would a toddler.

  "What do you want James?" Lisa asked, an unwelcoming tone in her voice as she spoke. "You know some of us don't fully trust you." "James has been helping us ever since he appeared a couple weeks ago." Jackson protested. "I really think we should trust him." "He tried to turn you into a doll last year." Phil pointed out. "Do you really think we can trust him?" Daniela agreed. "I don't think we have much of a choice Daniela." Jackson replied. "If we don't want anyone turned into a doll, than I think we have to trust James whether we like it or not." "Sorry Jack, but I'm with my sister on this one." Phil disagreed. "I think we all are." Gavin pointed out.

  "Am I the only one here who actually trusts James?" Jackson asked in surprise. "I kinda trust James, but I'm a little skeptical." Rachel answered, slowly. "Are you serious right now!?" Gavin asked in bewilderment. "Gavin's right." Mason said. "James has been nothing but suspicious all year." "And I think you're being controlled by the DollMaker Mason." James commented. "As long as you listen to my warnings, I don't care whether you trust me or not. Although trust is important."

  "Just tell us what you have to say and leave Jack alone." Gavin demanded. "I don't mind him being around." Jackson argued. "I don't understand why everybody thinks he's creepy and untrustworthy."

  Previously...

  "So, I thought you threw the doll away?" Gavin asked, choosing his words carefully. "I did." Jackson replied. "He showed up in Juliana's room after church yesterday. I was gonna throw him away again, but it turns out he can talk, so I kept him in my room in case I need company."

***

  After school, Mason found Phil with a worried expression and Gavin wrangling an angry Jackson holding... the doll? "Why is the doll here?" "His name is James!" Jackson corrected, angrily. "Apparently the doll has a name." Phil explained with a flat tone. "Let me go!" Jackson yelled as Caleb approached with a very confused Rachel right next to him.

***

  "Put me down you giant oaf!" Jackson yelled as he clutched the doll to make sure Caleb didn't take it from him. "We don't need a doll-possessed teenager running around." Mason responded, flatly. "I'm not possessed! Now let me down!" Jackson protested.

  Now...

  "You've pretty much always liked James." Gavin pointed out. "You got really sad when he left after we saved you last year." "Once you defeat the DollMaker, I'll stay with you Jack." James promised. "Really?" Jackson asked. "You'd do that?" "Once the DollMaker is defeated, yes." James replied. Jackson held him close. "But I must warn you; The DollMaker is getting smarter. Things will be harder from here on out. It will take more than just banging your head the fridge door or a pot landing on your head to keep the DollMaker from you."

  "I'm sure we can handle it." Lisa assured him, a little too confidently. "Don't get too cocky Lisa." Jackson warned. "The DollMaker is always watching and listening." Caleb looked at his girlfriend with worry. "Okay, that's a little creepy." He commented. "I say we split up. When we meet again in a couple days, hopefully everyone is normal and the DollMaker won't be in control."

  Gavin groaned. "We know what we need to do, but how are we gonna do it?"