The Doll Maker

Chapter 2 - Josephine (Part 3)

Josephine just about ran all the way back home. Adrenaline rush, perhaps, but all she knew is that she wants to get back home, real fast.

          Entering the house, she found it eerily quiet. There isn’t the usual ‘background sounds’ like the buzzing of… she didn’t know what it is anyway. It was like entering a vacuum medium, with all the noise sucked out of that place. But then, she heard a frantic meowing and scratching sound from her room.

          Rushing upstairs while calling out her pet cat’s name, she quickly opened the door.

          Mimi sped out of the room, hissing with its fur standing up. It’s in its defensive mode. When the initial panic was over, she wondered how Mimi got itself locked in HER room. And what made it so scared? That thing’s inside her room, isn’t it? With a gulp, she entered her room.

          Nothing seems out of place then, except that Esme is back where she initially placed it. That didn’t really surprise her anymore though. Josephine proceeded to put her schoolbag at the corner of her room and took of her scarf with her sweater.

          “Might as well have my lunch before my appetite goes away,” she decided, and walked back towards the door.

           Just then, the door slammed itself shut. Josephine jumped, her heart hammering against her chest as if it’s trying to make its way out of her body.

          “What the –,” Josephine reached for the door handle to reopen the door but pulled back with a short scream when she found it scalding hot. Hearing a weird shuffling noise behind her, she turned around slowly. Her eyes widened at the sight in front of her.

          Esme, now on the floor, walked with its slow, small steps.

          “Mommy, play with me,” it said, and giggled. Gasping, Josephine stepped back with fear.

          “Get away from me!” Josephine shouted. A million thoughts ran through her mind then. Why didn’t she believe what her mum said? It’s true after all, that doll is haunted, evil!!! Josephine found it harder and harder to breathe. Trying to get more air into her lungs, she breathed; short, loud gasps.

          Even then, Esme continued walking in a weird way towards her before reaching out its short arms. “Don’t you love me anymore?” it asked.

          Josephine broke down right at that moment. She whined and started sobbing. Sliding down from her standing position, she closed her eyes and covered her ears with the palms of her hands.

          “MOM!!!” she shouted out repeatedly. Where’s her mum? Just when she needed her!! With a loud cry, she remembered. Stephanie has an appointment with the psychiatrist today. The doctors must have brought her away for her monthly check-up!

          Josephine opened her eyes several moments later, her chest heaving. Black dots were dancing around in her vision. Esme stood just inched away from her. Even through her tears clouding her sight, she could make out Esme’s smile. Its mouth now turned upwards into a sinister smile… If you can even call that a smile in the first place. Dizziness overtook her, and Josephine fell to the cold marble tiles with a thud.

          She could still her Esme’s giggles.

***

          When Josephine woke up about an hour later, the first person to appear in her mind is Candice. She must have known about Esme. Maybe that’s why she wanted so badly to sell it even if it’s at a low price! Sitting up, she saw that the door is now open. Everything’s back as it was in the normal days, even though Esme is on the desk, a new item she bought just yesterday. Without any hesitation, she grabbed Esme and cycled to the store she bought it from.

          The shop was just about to close.

          “Wait!!!” Josephine cried out and stepped down from her bicycle once it’s parked at the side of the road. Candice saw Josephine and recognized her immediately, then rushed to close her outlet as soon as she can.

          “Please, wait!” Josephine said before entering the shop quickly and closing the door behind her. Candice looked nervous, staring down at her shoes.

          “What do you want?” she asked in a voice so soft Josephine could hardly make out what she was saying.

          “You know what I am here for,” Josephine insisted. “I’m returning this –“

          “Items sold are not refundable, it’s clearly stated on the receipt,” Candice replied promptly, looking into Josephine’s eyes this time.

          “Oh fine, you don’t have to return me my money. Just take this THING back, I don’t want it in my house!” Josephine snapped back. “What were you thinking anyway, selling something like this in your store?”

          Candice looked at Josephine for a moment, thinking. “Follow me,” she then said, and entered a room behind her store. Pausing to decide for a moment, Josephine too entered the room.

          “Sit here, I might as well explain everything to you now that Esme couldn’t do anymore harm to me,” Candice stated, pulling a chair for Josephine before sitting in one opposite hers.

          “What do you mean by that?” Josephine asked.

          “Just sit down and make yourself comfortable. I’m going to explain it to you, alright?” Something about the fear in Candice’s eyes made Josephine follow her instructions.