The Abyss

Chapter 5: The Beginning of The End

August 23rd

After our little group therapy session or whatever we're calling it, we all went to bed. We weren't tired or anything, it's just that, well, after detailing your deepest fears at a dark, creepy, bonfire to some weird chick you never met before you tend to feel a little... dispirited. I climbed absentmindedly up the stairs to my shared bedroom, thoughts swirling around my head. Flipping on the light, I wandered out to the balcony, leaning against the rails and staring far, far away out into the night sky.

As I stared, I could hear echoes of our conversation ringing in my ears over the silence of the night. Fear was a strange thing, after all why should anyone be scared of dolls or mirrors? They were such normal everyday things, and yet, the mind could sense some sort of evil behind them. For example, I had no idea why I was afraid of dolls. Like most girls, I was given a doll to play with at a young age but I never got that attached to it. But I'd dress it up, make it dance, and bring it along everywhere I went like an imaginary friend. I can remember vaguely a memory from long ago, at least I think its a memory, I have no idea whether it is reality or a nightmare. It feels like a memory, flickering and fading like static on a television and yet the insanity of what happened should not and could not be real. It couldn't be. I shiver, the memory replaying before my eyes.

It all started innocently enough. I was 10 years old, skipping down the stairs with the doll thumping behind me as I dragged it along by its leg. Standing at the foot of the stairs was my mother, with Brittany beside her. 

"Honey, I told you not to drag that doll around! You're gonna crack it!" She said, gently picking it up, cradling it in her arms and then giving it to me as if it were a baby, "Be gentle. Now listen, Brittany and I are going shopping, so if you need anything ask Chris."

"Okay, mommy." I replied, giving her a big hug. They left, and I walked over to where Chris sat on the couch, watching tv.  "Hey."

"Hi," he replied, while I plunked down beside him and tossed the doll on the seat next to me. There we sat, watching tv when he turned to me. "Hey, so I have to go to the park for..." he hesitated, looking around for a second. "Do you want to go on an adventure?"

"Yes!" I cheered, jumping up and down. I remember loving his adventures and wondering why mom and dad were always angry at him. After all, we had fun, wasn't that what mattered? 

"Shhh!" He replied frantically, "Dad is still home; you'll get us in trouble. You don't want that do you?" 

"No, I'm sorry Chris!" I cried.

"Shhh! It's okay, let's just get out of here."

"Where are you going Chris?" Dad said, we hadn't seen him behind us. His arms were crossed, and he looked angry. 

"Um... We're just... Sarah wants to have a tea party at the park so I'm... We're gonna have a tea party."

"Oh are you? That's very kind of you Chris." He said.

"Yeah, well... you know." He stammered.

"Well don't forget the tea cups and plates and sandwiches. I think we still have some left over from something or other." He said, walking into the kitchen. Chris and I stared after him, hearing loud rummaging noises as Dad searched the kitchen for food. Dad returned with a big bag full of food, utensils, plates, plastic tea cups, and a tablecloth. "Okay, have fun you two." He said, smiling at Chris. I know now that Chris's makeshift exit plan had backfired miserably and Dad knew it, but at the time I was so happy that my cool big brother was playing with me.

We made it halfway out the door when Dad called Chris back. "Don't forget the doll. You can't have a tea party without dolls." He said, pressing the doll into Chris's arms.