Doll-Maker Dreams

Chapter 3- Ally

"Hey! W-What are you doing with that thing?!" August cries as he puts his hands up. 

"Who are you? You have five seconds to tell me before I blow your brains out," The boy threatens.

"Ok, just hear me out. I'm not a threat to you, alright? I'm trying to escape this place like you are," August explains nervously. Why the hell does this guy have a gun? How'd he manage to get the gun and the bullets? Did he steal them from Mr. Vogel, perhaps? 

"Hm, you look familiar," The boy says with a raised eyebrow, completely changing the subject. "Have we met?"

"Um...I don't think we've met, but we go to the same school. You're wearing the same uniform as the school I go to. Maybe you've seen me in school sometime before?" August states. 

"Ah, that's right. I've seen you in Ms. Straker's class, if I'm not mistaken," The boy claims.

"Y-Yeah," August says anxiously. This conversation would be a lot more pleasent if he didn't have a gun pointed at him.

"So, why are you even here? Did you come to investigate this place too?" The boy questions.

"S-Sort of. I actually came with my sister because she wanted something for her paranormal blog. But...well...we ended up getting separated," August explains.

"Ah, I see. So Henry took her then," The boy states.

"Huh? You know about him too?" August asks.

"Of course I do. Who do you think trapped me here in the first place?" The boy says, rolling his eyes.

"Sorry. I'm still a little dazed. Everything is happening all at once for me and it's hard to handle," August groans.

"Understandable. You never expected to have a gun pointed at you either, I suppose," The boy states, lowering the gun. "Lucky for you, it isn't loaded. I don't have any bullets for it."

"Wait, What? It's not loaded?" August questions, lowering his arms in confusion.

"Of course not. I only carry this gun around for self-defense reasons. It belongs to my father. He lets my carry it on my person as long as I don't load it," The boy explains. "I've also got a pocket knife, but that only takes you so far."

"Oh. That's somewhat relieving," August sighs. 

"So, August Cayden right?" The boy asks.

"Hm? Oh right. Yeah, that's my name," August confirms. 

"Well, my name is Adryan. Adryan Rivers. I'm sorry for scaring you with this gun. I just needed to know if you were trustworthy," Adryan says.

"O-Oh, it's alright, I guess. It was my fault for sneaking up on you," August apologizes.

"Don't be silly. It's easier to just forgive me and leave it at that," Adryan claims as he puts the gun in his pocket.

"Right, sorry. So, you said you were here to investigate too?" August asks.

"Yes, my mother actually came here a week ago. She's a police officer and she got many reports of kids trespassing in this area and going missing," Adryan explains. "But, I haven't seen her since. Nobody is willing to search for her, so I decided to do it myself."

"Oh...I...I see," August responds. Adryan does know what happens to people who come here, right? What does Mr. Vogel do with the adults who trespass? Does he turn them into dolls too?

"You haven't seen her around, have you? She has black hair and silver eyes," Adryan wonders.

"No, sorry. I haven't seen her," August says disappointingly.