- Dollhouse -

One -- Batty and Mike

•°•°• Kuza °•°•° (2016)

"Hey! Mike! Come check this one out!"
I parted a red velvet curtain and ducked through the short doorway into the back of my shop.

My co-owner, best friend, and arguably the hottest piece of ass on the planet was sat at a desk in front of a computer screen, a mess of papers all around.

"What did you find, Batty?" She rolled her eyes at the nickname that I gave to her in high school. Not only because of her obsession with bats, but because she was low-key insane. Not saying I wasn't either.

"The dollhouse we got in last week, from that weirdo? Well look at this.." she handed me a print out from some site that seemed it was created by a thirty year old nerd in his mother's basement. "I know it looks sketchy, but I researched some of the cases, and they all check out."

October 31st, 1946- Christopher Cerulli (29), Angelo Parente (28), and Richard Allen Olson III (12) were found dead in local toymaker, Warner & White's Toy Store. The autopsy results for all three show up blank, the coroner presumes they were offed with a rare poison that remains undetectable. Mr. Warner and his partner Mr. White have disappeared. Anonymous witness says she saw them carrying a large box into the back of a car and driving away.

October 31st, 1956- Joshua Balz (16) was found dead in his family's antique store, The Strange and Unusual. The autopsy results were clear, much like the Warner murders on this date, ten years ago. The coroner who worked on both cases, has found the same empty autopsy results. The family is being held for questioning. They say they have nothing to do with the death, and claim they had been at dinner with a friend while Joshua was fixing up some new antiques to be featured in the shop, including a vintage dollhouse and a stack of original paintings.

The newspaper clippings continued on and on, resulting in six events. The dates were all on Halloween, ten years apart. All in Scranton, which ironically was where we lived. The deaths and stories were all similar. That is, until the last one.

October 31st, 1996- Allison Sitkowski (11) has come to the police with a very unbelievable case. She states that her brother bought her an old dollhouse for Christmas, and when the two sat together and opened it, they were trapped inside, and attacked by the dolls, who came to life. Her brother, Ryan Sitkowski (17), helped her escape, though he was not as lucky. He was found dead, with a invalid autopsy record. Allison has been institutionalized, more news to come.

"What the fuck?" I raised a drawn on eyebrow at Ashley. "You really believe this wacko? And that little girl? She was obviously fucked up!"

"But look at the pattern, Mike. I'm not saying it's for sure what happened, but its possible." She cooed, looking up at me.

I rolled my eyes, throwing the paper onto the desk. "You expect me to believe we've come across some haunted, voodoo dollhouse that likes killing people? Good luck, Batty."

"I don't know.." she looked at the screen, worry splattered across her face. "I don't think we should sell it."

"No, I'm not letting go of a piece like this. Do you know how much this could sell for? Batty, it could go for up to $200! It was made in the 40s and is in great shape. I don't care what you say, I am selling it. I'll just leave out the legends on it."

Sighing and pressing her forehead into her hands, she let out a quick curse. She slammed her hand on the desk, "Fine. Fine, we'll sell it. But if someone fucking dies, it's on you. Now help me put it up on the counter so we can take a look at it."

"W-what!? You mean we're going to touch it? And open it? But I thought-" I stuttered, scratching my arm nervously.

"Oh my god! Are you actually fucking scared? I thought it was just a stupid myth, hmm?" Ash cackled, receiving an evil glare.

"No.... of course I'm not scared..."

"Don't worry, Mikey, it's only been taking children for the past 60 years. Now let's go over there and check this shit out." She slapped me hard on the back. Reason #2 I couldn't date her: she acted to much like a guy friend. That just would be awkward, no matter how sexy she is. Reason #1? Of course, she played for the other team.

I sighed and walked to the shipping box, grabbing a mail knife and shakily cutting through the clear tape.

"You got it there, pussy?" She joked, crossing her arms.

"Could you just shut the fuck up for one minute?" I finished slicing and slammed the knife onto the counter top, then tearing open the box.

"Naaah, I don't think I can," there she goes, running her smart ass mouth again. By seeing our friendship, you'd wonder how we kept it for so long, but deep down we really do care about each other. Okay, okay, that's enough sappy shit.

Looking into the box, I could see that the house was very large, especially for being a children's toy. The roof was mini grey slates, and there was even a chimney popping up. I reached inside, wrapping my fingers around the base and lifting up the realistic model, barely able to hold its weight. I may be tall, but I'm pretty skinny and wimpy compared to most people my height.

I waited for Ashley to make another sarcastic remark, but she didn't say anything. In fact, I didn't even know where she was. After setting the house onto the counter, I flipped around, still not seeing her.

"Ash?" I called out, not getting a reply. "Ashley, I swear if you're fucking-" I stopped, gasping when I turned the corner and saw her lying on the ground, still.

"Fuck! No, Ash!! Fuck!" I threw myself onto the ground, flipping out. Was her skin too pale? Or is that just her really light foundation?

I quickly brought my hand down, but just as I was about to press it against her neck to check for a pulse, I heard her loud, cheeky laugh. She was barely able to sit up from laughing so hard.

"Jesus Christ, Mike! Your face was priceless! You were such a scared little bitch."

"Are you kidding me, Ashley? What the fuck! You're such a cunt!" I screamed, balling up my fists.

"Awe, Mikey," she said, pulling herself to her feet. She ruffled a hand through my hair, messing it up and causing me to glare at her. "I'm sorry, it was just a joke."

She offered out her hand, but I ignored it, standing on my own. Brushing off my hands, I sighed, "Okay, fucker, let's just get this over with."

I looked at the dollhouse hesitantly to which Ash rolled her eyes and quickly pulled it open. Both of us paused for a few seconds, but nothing happened.

Letting out a breath I hadn't realized i was holding, I took a step closer. It was slightly dusty, but that could easily be fixed. The furniture was all Victorian Gothic, just the way I like it. I couldn't help but notice how detailed and realistic things were.

"This is sick!" Ash cheered, and reached in, pulling out the dolls. "Look at this! Whoever made these obviously has good taste." She was referring to the Goth styles of the dolls, half of them it was hard to tell the gender, but they all wore makeup and lots of black. Some even had tattoos and piercings. Holy shit!

"Wait, there's eight dolls here.. there were eight victims... you don't think.." Ash gaped.

"Ashley, come on! You're letting it get to your head. The evil dollhouse didn't murder people and turn them into dolls!"

"I'm the one letting it get to my head? You thought it killed me, Kuza!" She raised an eyebrow and put the dolls back inside. I observed the wooden structure, swiping a finger through the thick layer of dust on a faux tile floor. I saw something scratched into the front door of the dollhouse and wiped it clean.

"Hey, Ash? Wasn't this made by Warner & White Toys?"

"Yeah... why?" She said, walking over and squinting at the inscription, having a hard time seeing without her glasses.

"Then who the fuck is Manson?"

•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•

A/N: DUN DUN DUN! Hahaaaaaaa that's cringey. But yeah, I started another story, because I hate myself and love putting work on my plate that will eventually make me go insane. (Right now would be a really good time for an upside down smiley face @ Android). Sooooooooooo yeah, done with awkward A/N's for now.

-Ky <3