The Mage's Young Doll

Becoming a Doll

I need help. Where am I? Will someone help me? I miss Mom and Dad... I don't like these woods.

Tears ran down my cheeks as I walked, stumbling over my little legs. I'm not sure how I landed there, but I was in a vast, murky forest, nothing but trees in all directions. I was just there, and I can't seem to remember a time before then.

Trees stood high above me, many beady orbs examining me, adding to my childish terror. The ground was moist and so, so, so dark. Decaying leaves were sprawled atop, though I saw nothing but pines. They likely found their way to this forest within mighty gusts of wind. I wonder if that's how I got there.

A crescent hung in the sky, bort-like stars speckling all around it. Though dark blue, I could almost swear a void was above me that could easily suck up my weak and light person. It's somewhat peaceful to look into the night sky. I haven't been placed by a window to gaze at it in so long. I wish to move. To see the world. Oh well... I'm sure I'll see it again eventually.

My mind was screaming out my mother and father as I ran, but only wailing and incoherent babbling spewed forth from my mouth. The feet that attached to such an infantile form seemed as though they'd tear from my ankles. The bottoms were sore, as I had been walking for so long. So long. I was cold and hungry and so, so lonely. My eyes could barely look upon the woods with the vast stream of salty ooze that flowed out.

When I'd almost lost all energy in my feeble limbs, a slight light appeared. I eagerly followed, my eyes as big as the moon that hung in the stars, though it didn't seem it's full size. My stomach growled, and I cried with an unmeasurable hope that I'd finally found someone or something after so much searching.

I begged the merciless gods for my parents, swearing my life and soul to them, along with my heart. Why don't gods ever answer prayers? I've wished for someone for so long. It's been so many years. Why do they lack pity for the miserable creatures they look after? Why do they watch without the motivation to help? Is it just a cruel way of gaining followers and compliments to boost their heavenly and omnipotent egos?

As I neared, I recognized nothing but a mere pathetic firefly. The insect filled me with a seemingly unstoppable hope, but it extinguished so, so easily. Everything doesn't last. Nothing lasts. But nothing is a part of everything, as it is a thing, but everything doesn't last. So does nothing always and never last? But everything doesn't last, no matter how you look at it. I apologize, as I tend to ramble.

While I wept and wept, my insides cold and empty, another light appeared. As a clueless child, I couldn't dismiss it. With my current age, I likely would've with the knowledge it'd just be another firefly. I followed firefly after firefly as their rears lit up the air, each time wishing for my parents. Somebody. Anybody.

My wish was granted, though not by any sinning god. The gluttony and greed and pride, especially, is deplorable. The sloth when they take so long to answer humanity's calls. Lust when some are born with heavenly blood in their veins, apparently from a strange interaction with the child's mother. The wrath when we wrong them when they've abused us worse. I can't think of envy unless it's toward each other. I hate the gods.

Per my wish, a large stone house seemed to appear from nowhere, sitting ominously within the tangled brush of the forest. Vines crept up the massive walls, cracking the stones. An old stone path led to the door, though it had sunk into the soil so it could barely be seen. A small, gnarly willow sat beside the left of the house, appearing miserable though trees lack sentience.

Gulping down the snot that hung at the back of my throat, I stuck my six-year-old hand out to the pine door, knocking with my bitty knuckles. The door swiftly swung open, the figure on the other side seemingly waiting for my arrival.