This is it

Chapter 11

Nemdi's P.O.V

I  spent the resat of the weekend trying to recover, I felt so guilty though, watching Cathy, her eyes filled with sadness, her hair straggly and knotty, her cheeks pale and scratched. It didn't feel right at all.

Natalie pooped her head through the door and sighed. She came in quietly and plopped her self beside me on the bed. My arm was itchy and the bandage was uncomfortable but I understood that I needed it.

She put out her hand and I gave over Cathy with some hesitation. She stared at the lifeless eyes and I could tell  she saw nothing more than a doll.

"I'll fix it." Natalie suddenly said. " I've got some acrylics and some cloths to sew up her dress patches... And I've got lace, we could make her a lovely night gown."

I beamed, but her hair was still ruined.My shoulders sank back down, I kept on staring at Cathy's hair until Natalie noticed.

" And her hair... I might be able to fix that, just might be able to."

Then she kissed my forehead and informed me that dinner would be ready soon and Lucy was waiting to watch a film with me. Feeling happy, I followed her down the stairs and smelt an aroma of sweetness and joy. She sat me down and handed me a bowl of creamy mushroom and chicken soup. I took a quiet sip of it and immediately loved it, my head began to float with millions of tastes, I could feel the warm creamy texture slipping down my throat, and the chicken and mushroom harmonising in my stomach.

An hour passed and the movie was playing, I did Lucy's hair as the movie went on, I tried numerous styles on her, I slid butterfly clips into her hair and made a ribbon plait to make her look like a princess. She twirled around and gave me a big hug, it felt good to be acknowledged. Then she did the same thing to me, except, she could get the ribbon  to go in properly so she got her "Glitter and go." hair extensions and put one in,. it was sparkly blue and she let me choose. I was so pleased with ow I looked, I felt like a real princess, my face looked bright and colourful and full of glee.

When Carson came in he took a fake step back in shock. He took us both up by the waist and swung us around. " Why, you two look tremendous!"

I held onto Lucy's hand all the way through and she just giggled. Her laugh was contagious.

Hours past and I wondered if Natalie had finished Cathy, Lucy and I sat on my bed talking about random things for a long time but my mind focused on Cathy, what if she was angry at me for letting her be taken away? That's when the door opened slight, and in walked Natalie.

" Here she is! Good as new!"

It took some time to take it in, Cathy was... Beautiful! She wore a long, realistic like diamond encrusted dress with lace hanging off the sleeved and collars and a bit at the bottom. There were small white button going down and she had a big pink bow in her full and lively Blondie head of hair. I stood up, carefully placing Cathy into Lucy's arms, who was also a bit shocked at the dolls transition, and ran into Natalie's arms, saying thank you over and over. When I finally pulled back, Natalie showed me the other small dress she had made.

A small, blue sailor like out fit with floral boots to match. I smiled until my cheeks hurt and though about the day that would come ahead.

That night though, was not so pleasant. All night, the figures that had been recurring in my dreams became bigger and stronger and...smarter. Before, they could not move properly or speak, now, they were descending from underneath the floorboards or slipping through the doors, their bright yellow eyes and sadistic smiles being fixed on me. Tonight was different, I could literally feel their fingers place one bony finger at a time onto my lips, pressing hard if I attempted to scream.

" Keep quiet child... I don't want to have to hurt you.." One voice hissed.

"Yes.... It would be unfortunate." The other voice spat.

" D-Don't touch me!" I whispered, my throat closing up as I tried.

The dark faces looked t each other and laughed. In unison they sang,:

" Don't be naughty don't be crude, If you are, expect no food. Ugly heart and ugly soul, soon enough death... will take it's toll."

The words were like daggers, each one piercing my heart. They came closer towards me and then vanished. I screamed and screamed until Natalie and Carson burst through the door carrying knives.

" Who's there?" Natalie yelled.

" Are you alright? What's going on?" Carson shouted.

" I-I.... There were people and  they... they..." My voice broke and I burst into tears.

" It must have been a nightmare, take it easy kiddo." Carson whispered, putting me back underneath the covers and shutting my eyes ever so gently. Then Natalie stroked my head and I tried my best to go back to sleep.

But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't help but think that maybe, just maybe, it had been real. The voice, the feel the smells, all of it felt surreal, yet, hauntingly familiar. I tried my best to keep my mind off it, thinking of math sums and the hardest ways to solve them and then, I imagined that Cathy was a real girl, just like me, and we were talking and laughing and playing, I gently brushed her soft velvet hair, and then she brushed mine, we exchanged toys and ran around a field, meeting up with Lucy of course, and laughed until our tummy's hurt.

And somehow, I couldn't help but wonder if Cathy was wishing that too.