Doll-Maker Dreams

Chapter 4- Corpse In A Box

"Oh...this is, uh, quite the situation we've gotten ourselves into," Adryan says as he looks around at the various marionettes surrounding him and August.

"You think?!" August questions with confusion and anxiety.

"Alright, just don't panic. I'll think of something. From what I can see, 6 marionettes are surrounding us. 6 against 2 aren't bad odds if you ask me," Adryan states.

"So, you think we can just take them on? How are we gonna do that with a screwdriver and a pocket knife?" August asks.

"Then again, they're very still. Perhaps, we got lucky this time and that this is just a scare trap by Henry," Adryan suggests, dodging August's question. "Maybe he heard your scream and did something to make you scream again so he can locate us."

"Yeah, maybe so. If that's the case, thank God they didn't scare me that much. That would've been a nightmare," August says, relieved.

"Alright. Enough of the jumpscares. We should really look around this room for anything useful," Adryan suggests. "Perhaps it won't be a waste of time coming in here-- GAH!" 

While they're both distracted, one of the marionettes come up behind Adryan and breaks his wrist, twisting it to a complete 180°. Adryan takes out his pocket knife and slices the strings on the marionette, causing it to go limp.

"Oh my God! Are you-" August tries to ask, concerned for his friend's wrist, but is cut off quickly.

"Nevermind, August. Cut their strings. They're marionettes, they can't move without them. Hurry!" Adryan orders as more marionettes spring to life.

"U-Uh ok??" August says as he takes out his screwdriver. It'll be hard to cut their strings with this, but he has nothing else on him. More marionettes come at them and Adryan handles himself surprisingly well, despite having a broken wrist. August struggles to cut their strings, however, with the bluntness of his weapon and ends up getting plenty of scratches from the puppets before managing to finally cut their strings.  

August grunts as he cuts the last marionette's strings. All 6 are laying limp with their strings detached. At that moment, August's head is filled with questions he wants Adryan to answer.

"That was tough. I have to say, I take full responsibility for this, as I was the one who forced us both into this room. I apologize, August," Adryan sighs. "How are your scratches? They aren't too deep, are they?" 

"Fuck that! Your wrist is broken, why are you acting so neutral about it? You barely flinched when that puppet broke it!" August says with disbelief.

"Hm? Oh right. I forgot about this," Adryan says as he lifts his wrist up and uses his other hand to twist it back into place, making August wince as he hears the snap of his bones.

"H-How did you just-" August tries to question, but is cut off by Adryan. 

"I guess now we can look around without distractions. Make sure to leave no stone unturned, August," Adryan says as he begins to walk around the room.

"N-No wait! Can't you tell me how you knew what to do with the puppets first?" August asks. Adryan sighs and turns to face him.

"Alright, I've encountered them before. Despite their colossal size, their movement and strengths are limited due to the age of their strings. All they can do, pretty much, is break bones and skin," Adryan explains.

"And you didn't tell me this, why?" August questions skeptically.

"What would that change? I told you how to stop them, didn't I? What information is more valuable than that in the heat of the moment?" Adryan asks as he puts his pocket knife away.