S4: Chapter 06: Doll House

“Mommy I just love my new Ashley Real Life doll to death! Thank you!” boomed the commercial once again interrupting my train of thought. I looked up to find Sarah watching television. This commercial seems to be the only one running during the program she was watching.

“That thing is sorta creepy,” she said flipping through the channels. “I bet it sold a lot for Christmas though. Things like that always do.”

I continued reading through my grimoire. I couldn’t believe some of the things my ancestors have been through. There seemed to be a spell for almost everything. I finished notating the banishing spell I got from Teresa onto a blank page in the back and placed the book on the table.

“So how are things between you and the guy you’re seeing?” I asked. She pretended as though she didn’t hear me and continued flipping channels.

“I’m sorry Sarah. I don’t mean to pry. I’m just interested in your life and what you do to keep busy. I won’t ask anymore. I don’t want to make you uncomfortable.”

“It’s ok. And I’m sorry too, Zoe. I just don’t like talking about that kind of stuff. Thank you for understanding.”

She came to rest on another channel and we caught the end of the Ashley Real Life doll commercial.

“Just creepy,” she repeated.

Drake came in and handed Sarah and I a plasma juice. “I actually wanted to go on a hunt,” I said sitting the pack on the table.

“I was going to ask, just thought you two were busy,” he said.

I grabbed the grimoire and walked to the bedroom.

My phone rang; I looked at the caller ID and saw it was Vincent. I thought about answering, I hadn’t really talked to him in a while. My mind wandered to the kiss we shared when he came back. He’d held me in his arms with such passion, and his kiss was tender even with his rough and rugged nature. There was something there, emotions I’ve been too afraid to admit to even myself. I love Drake, but I still cannot escape this desire for Vincent but I know it’s something I can never explore with him. I’ve been staying away from him. Space was good.

I clicked the talk button. “Hello?” I answered.

…“Hey Zo! I was wondering if you maybe wanted to have lunch with a friend…?” he asked, his voice full of enthusiasm.

“Actually Vincent, Drake and I were about to head out on a hunt together.”

…“Oh…” was his one word reply. I could hear the spirit in his tone die.

“Raincheck?” I asked.

…“Yeah, sure Zo. Some other time…”

I heard Drake call for me, “I have to run, Vincent. We’ll talk later.”

I ran down to join him at the door, “Ready?” his smiling face was waiting.

We walked out in a different direction this time; passing by the local elementary school.

“Oh excuse me, sir,” a little girl said to Drake. In her haste to join her friends on the bus, she’d run into him.

“It’s ok,” he smiled. His eyes twinkled a little as he leaned over to speak to her. It was endearing, I’ve never seen him interact with a child before.

“Come on Molly!” one of the children yelled at her. She stepped up on the bus and it hissed as the door closed and drove off.

“Oh look, she dropped her doll,” I said kneeling down to grab it.

“Check the tag, maybe it has her home address,” Drake said.

I checked the back for a tag, but there was nothing. “No, but it has her scent, Drake.”

“Good! Then we can return it later,” he said.

We continued in the direction of downtown. We decided to hit up the salon today; Drake had a craving for something blonde. “So Vincent wasn’t being funny when he’d mentioned this was your preference?” I asked as he compelled my lunch and his to join us in the employee lounge.

He smiled at me. “Unlike Vincent’s high criteria for feeding, I mostly just follow my nose. Often times it leads to a blonde, but not always,” he replied. “When I was dating, I preferred blondes, mostly because they drove my Mother insane; I think that’s what he was talking about. Have you developed a type?”

“Me? If anything I’d say O positive,” I joked. “I don’t think so, Drake; but I haven’t really thought about it though.”

We fed and returned home. When I entered the foyer, I found Maggie standing in the living room with a huge smile on her face. “Maggie!” I yelled running up and hugging her. “I can’t believe this, what a wonderful surprise!”

“How are you? I don’t mean to just pop up like this, I just found something of Mom’s and decided to deliver it in person.”

“Mags, you can pop in at any time! How are things in Riverview?” I asked taking a seat on the couch.

“Well, I have a new guy in my life, his name is Daniel Lynch and he’s a businessman. He handles merchant relations for many of the farms in town. He’s so wonderful; I can’t wait for you to meet him. And Sam is doing great. She has been working nonstop on her music. She’s even done a few shows at the cafes and clubs in town. Although, she drives me crazy sometimes playing that guitar at 2 and 3 in the morning!”

I laughed remembering how she would wake me with her music at times. “How have you been?” she asked.

“Busy. We’ve been encountering a lot of craziness lately. But it’s not been too dangerous or anything. And just recently, Drake registered me as a professional painter. I’ve haven’t actually sold anything yet, but at least I am painting again.”

“That’s great Zoe! I’m happy for you.” She placed a crystal orb on the coffee table. “I found this in Mom’s things in the garage. It looked witchy so I decided to bring it to you. Maybe you can figure out what it’s for.”

I looked at the object. It had an orb jutting out of a skull and bones “Thanks Mags! I’ll let you know what this is when I figure it out.”

“Hey is that an Ashley Real Life?” Maggie asked pointing to the doll Drake sat near the door. “I wanted one similar to that when I was younger. Mom never got it though.”

She stepped closer to it and looked at her. “Her eyes are so real. It’s like she’s looking at me!”

“Are you hungry?” Drake asked. “I could go grab something for you.”

“I am a little peckish,” she smiled.

“Ok, I’ll go see what I can find,” he said heading towards the door.

“Why don’t we all go?” Maggie suggested. “My plane leaves tomorrow night, dinner together should be nice.”

Sarah came in and immediately took a step back. “Is that some sort of sick joke?” she asked. “Whose doll is that?”

I smiled seeing her reaction and at the thought of leaving it in her bed.

“You do and I’ll never speak to you again!” she yelled.

“Relax Sarah, I was only kidding,” I laughed. “It belongs to a little girl we ran into earlier. Drake and I were going to return it.”

“Well let’s get Maggie fed first,” Drake said.

We took her to a local restaurant and she ordered a Tri-tip Steak dinner. We talked a little more about the past few months. I was happy for her. She seemed really content.

When we got home, we found Sarah waiting outside. “Why are you out here?” Drake asked.

“That creepy, little doll you left sitting on the sofa…it moved,” she said with a look of fear on her face.

I looked at Drake. He was doing his best to stifle his laughter. “Sarah, it’s just a doll. I don’t understand why you keep getting so worked up about it. And I left it near the door, not on the sofa.”

“IT MOVED! The thing creeps me out, ok?! Have you not seen Chucky? These things have a way of coming to life you know!”

Hearing that sent Drake into a fit of laughter; Sarah glared at him. “Fine, Sarah. If it makes you feel better, I’ll return it to its owner now, ok?” he asked regaining his self-control. He walked inside and grabbed the doll and Maggie and I jumped into the car again with him.

We followed the scent and it led us to a small neighborhood near the local hospital. Maggie knocked on the door and we waited for the residents to answer.

Moments later a mousy and haggard looking woman answered the door. Her fading brown hair was hanging stray in her face and did little to hide her wrinkles and liver spots. Her clothes were tattered and dirty and sagged around her frail body. “Can I help you?” she asked her voice just as weak as her appearance.

The little girl appeared behind her in the doorway. “I think they’re here for me Mommy,” she said. The woman backed out of the door and took a seat in the living room in front of the TV.

“Hi! Did you bring my dolly home?” she asked her eyes wide with excitement. Drake handed her the doll and she nearly jumped out of her skin with glee.

She ran up and gave him a hug. “Thank you, sir, I missed her so! Would you like to come in? I can show you her home!”

I turned at Drake with an unsure look. I don’t think…

Her smile was so radiant, Drake couldn’t refuse. Maggie and I followed them through the hallway as she led us to the back room of the small home.

We entered into a bedroom fit for a little Princess, everything was pink and frilly!

“Take a seat here,” she said pointing to a small table with four chairs and a tea set on top.

She walked over to a doll house and placed Ashley next to it.

I think she’s lonely, Drake thought. “I’m glad we could return your doll, but we really must get going, I said turning to leave.

“Wait! Would you like to see something cool?” she asked. Without an answer, she grabbed Maggie’s hand and stamped it.

“Thank you,” Maggie said with a smile. We turned and exited the room. I turned to see her Mom was still sitting in front of the TV before exiting their house.

“I think you’re right Drake. She does seem a bit lonely, especially with her mom always watching TV.”

We returned home. With Maggie spending the night and the last extra bedroom being converted into an office, I offered her my bed.

“I don’t mean to put you out,” she said.

“It’s ok, Sis. Go and get some rest,” I smiled.

“Thank you. I’m really not feeling well. It must be jet lag…or dinner. Sleep will do me good.” She walked into the room and shut the door.

The next morning I knocked on my bedroom door, “Maggie? Are you hungry? I can make you something.” She didn’t answer.

“Maggie?” I asked again stepping into the room. I immediately noticed the bed was made and looked as though it hadn’t been slept in.

“Maggie?” I checked the bathroom but she wasn’t in there either.

I went downstairs to Drake who was in the kitchen rummaging for breakfast. “Drake have you seen Maggie? She’s not upstairs.”

“No, she hasn’t come through here,” he answered. “Did you check outside?”

“No, but the bed looks as though it hadn’t been slept in.”

I grabbed my cell and dialed her number. I heard it ringing and followed the sound. It led me back to the bedroom; it was still on the bedside table charging.

“DRAKE!” I yelled he was by my side in a flash. “Something’s not right here!” I said.

“Don’t panic, we’ll find her. She left her phone here that means she has to be close.”

We searched the entire house from top to bottom inside and out but there was no sign of her.

“Now can I panic?” I asked throwing my hands up.

Sarah walked in shortly and I jumped up from the couch hoping that she had Maggie with her. She entered the living room…alone. “Hey!” she said.

“Drake?” I started.

“Let’s go, Zoe, we’ll try and locate her with stuff at the magic room, ok? Just stay calm. She’ll be fine.”

We got to the room and I quickly grabbed an amethyst and map and started trying to find my big sister.

“Magic guides high and low

Maggie’s location I need to know

Send me a sign, a guiding light

Protect her Goddess make sure she’s alright.”

The crystal hit on a location near the hospital. “Is that the house where the little girl lives?” Drake asked.

“I don’t know. Why would she go there?” I asked.

Drake drove us to the spot on the map. It was indeed the little girls’ house.

I knocked on the door, there was no answer. I knocked louder assuming they didn’t hear me. I was practically hammering a hole in the wooden frame.

“They’re not home, Zoe,” Drake said.

“Well I need answers! I’ve never had a location come up wrong when scrying!”

I made my way around back and gripped the handle on the screen door until I felt the lock snap.

“That’s breaking and entering, Zoe!”

I ignored him and made my way through the house trying to sense Maggie. I couldn’t smell her and there was no sound coming from anywhere.

I entered into the little girls’ room and looked around.

I turned towards the door to speak to Drake.

“What are you doing in here?” the woman from last night asked walking up behind Drake. “How did you get in my house? You have to leave, you can’t be here!” she said frantically.

“I’m looking for my sister. I know she’s here and I’m not leaving without her!” I yelled back.

“If you don’t go now you’ll never leave! No one ever does!” she said, her voice cracking with fear.

“What are you talking about?” Drake asked. “What’s going on?”

The sound of the front door opening interrupted her before she could speak. “Mommy! I’m home!” Molly yelled as she was making her way into the house.

“You have to leave now! Hurry before it’s too late!”

“No…”I started; Drake grabbed my arm and dragged me out the back door.

“What the hell are you doing?” I screamed at him. “Maggie is in there somewhere!”

“Did you not get the sense that the Mother was really scared about something? There is something going on in there Zoe!”

“ZOE! I’m here! I’m in here!” Maggie screamed but to no avail. Neither Zoe nor Drake could hear her desperate cries for help. She was trapped. There was no use trying to yell; her tiny voice would barely be heard over the screams Zoe was delivering to the Mother.

“You’re new,” spoke a woman behind her. “Word of advice, try and do whatever the child wants. You don’t want to know what happens to those that get on her bad side,” she said pointing to a corner of the dollhouse. There was blood smeared against the wall.

Feeling defeated, Maggie took a seat on the couch in the small house. “Please find me, Zoe!” she said.

“Ok so what’s the plan then, Drake? What are we going to do about Maggie?” I asked as we stood in our front yard. I was so mad! How could he just leave Maggie in there like this?!

“First of all, stop yelling. I’m not deaf. Don’t be angry with me Zoe, I’m just trying to protect you. Secondly, I’m going back over to the little girls’ house to have a look around…alone. You stay here. I don’t want anything to happen to you and stakeouts aren’t really your strong suit.”

“Drake…”

“No arguments get inside the house,” he said hopping into his car and driving off.

He reached Molly’s house in record time. He parked the car a street over and walked up the back side to their door. He peered inside the window but saw no movement.

He leaned into the door to try and listen for the child or the mother. Hearing nothing, he slowly crept open the back door and snuck into the hall.

As he neared the little girls’ room, he heard her playing with her dolls. He peeked inside the door before sneaking down the hall to the living room.

He found the mother once again in front of the TV. He walked over and hid next to her chair. “Tell me what is going on here,” he whispered to her.

“That’s not my little girl in there. My little girl is gone. She left a while ago. I don’t know that person. She’s scares me,” the mother said.

“What do you mean? Where did she go? Where is my friend?”

“The house; she locks them inside, check the house!”

There was a sound coming from down the hall, Drake quickly ducked inside the closet.

“Who are you talking to out here?” Molly asked anger apparent in her tone.

“No one sweetheart, I was just watching my soaps!”

“I need more dollies! I think you should find me some more friends, Mommy!”

The mother looked at her with a panicked stare. “Of course sweetheart, I’ll go now.”

She stood from her seat and headed towards the door. “Wait, I’ll come with you! You never pick good ones!” Molly said walking out of the house with her Mom.

Drake came out of the closet and quickly entered her bedroom. “Check the house”, he went over the words the Mother said. He approached the doll house and peered through the window. What exactly am I supposed to see?

The Ashley doll turned her head and spoke, “Help us!”

Drake jumped, “Whoa! Sarah was telling the truth, you’re alive?”

“Please help us,” Ashley repeated. “We’re trapped here!”

Three more dolls stood up and walked towards Drake. He was in utter disbelief. “How did this happen?” he asked picking one up.

“It’s the girl, she’s not who she says. She’s a demon of some kind,” one of the dolls said. “She traps you in here, in dolls. She places an emblem on those she likes and it sucks your soul! She makes us stay in the doll house.”

“Are you…Maggie?” he asked.

“No. I’m Molly, the REAL Molly! She turned me into this after I opened her for Christmas! She takes bodies, there are several like her; they drain you at night while you sleep. Please, you have to help us!”

“I will, I promise. Have you seen my friend?”

“She’s in the dollhouse.”

Drake again stepped towards the small toy and peeked inside the door. Maggie ran towards the window. “Drake! Drake help me!” she yelled.

“Hang tight, Maggie. I’m going to grab Zoe and we’ll get you out of there. All of you!”

“I’ll be back with help,” Drake said running out the front door and to his car. He gunned it, running stop signs and red lights until he was back home.

Sarah was in the living room listening to music. “Zoe?” he yelled rushing inside.

“Did you find her?” I asked running down the three flights of stairs to the living room.

“Yes, but you won’t believe me when I tell you,” he said.

“What? Is she ok?”

“She’s fine, she’s…a doll.”

Sarah turned off the music and walked closer. “I told you! Those things are creepy!”

“Sarah’s right. The Ashley dolls aren’t toys. The one we had here in the house was actually a little girl. The little girl named Molly. The child is a demon that somehow took over her body.”

“What? How?”

“I don’t know, but we have to figure out a way to save them all. The little girl was heading out to collect more when I was there.”

I grabbed my grimoire and started skimming the pages. “There is a spell that we can use. Here: Remove Hex from an Object. This should help cleanse the dolls and get them back into their rightful bodies, but I don’t know what to do with the child until I know what she is exactly.”

Drake looked over my shoulder. “Zoe, that spell requires a sacrifice. What exactly…”

“It’s not a sacrifice in the traditional sense. It’s a bloodletting spell. Flesh for flesh, blood for blood.”

“Zoe?”

“It’s Maggie, Drake. I’d do anything for her; besides, I heal quickly.”

I grabbed a knife from the kitchen and blessed it, placed it in a bag with a few candles and herbs and walked to the door. “Do you want to come, Sarah?” I asked.

“You’re joking, right?”

I laughed to myself as we walked to the car. We arrived at the house, the mother and child had returned.

“Wait here,” Drake said. “I’m gonna try and distract her. When I give you the signal, get inside and get the dolls.”

Drake made his way into the house. He stopped near the child’s door and peeked inside.

“I know you’re there,” she said without turning around. “You might as well come inside. I think you should see what has become of my dolls. They’ve been quite naughty. Talking to strangers is a big no-no.”

She wrenched her neck and glared at him. Drake walked into the room after giving me a nonverbal nod.

I stood in the hall and set the candles up, slit my hand and dripped blood into a circle.

I walked to her door and watched as Drake approached her. I saw the dolls sitting on the floor but I didn’t know which one was Maggie.

There was a pool of blood under the doll house and the thought of her having done anything to my sister scared me.

I couldn’t wait any longer. I lit the candles and began casting:

“I invoke the Goddess of Wisdom

Send these creatures back to where they’re from
Guard this place and use your might,
to let pass only good and right.

Send the souls to where they fit

Give back their bodies, restore their spirit.”

The room began filling with mist as the essence of those trapped spirits were released one by one from their plastic prisons and returned to their bodies. The spirit inside of Molly was cast out and replaced inside of the Ashley doll.

The doll hopped up and ran at the door. Drake grabbed her before she got far. “What do we do with this?” he asked me.

I shrugged. “I don’t know; she is made of plastic though.”

Drake walked the doll to the living room and started a fire. He tossed the Ashley doll into the fireplace and we watched as she went up in flames. Her screams penetrated the silence in the room. They soon died down as she became a molten puddle of goo.

We got back home and were sitting in the living room. Maggie walked into the kitchen and made a call on her cell.

“I’m getting ready to leave,” she said joining us. “I pushed my flight for one leaving soon.”

“Are you sure you’re ok?” I asked.

“Honestly Zoe, I’ll never be ok with everything that happens with you. I’m in constant fear for your safety. I mean you’re already dead! It’s still hard to believe and to understand. But mostly I worry that what you and Drake do won’t be enough and it will just consume us all.”

“You’re right, Maggie. And I can’t apologize enough for what I’ve put you through. I’ll understand if you don’t want to visit for a while. It may not be safe here anyway. Give me a second, Drake and I can drive you to the airport,” I said.

“No sweetie, it’s fine. I’ve already called for a ride.” She gave me a hug. I felt horrible.

Maggie grabbed a cab to the airport. I could tell she was in a rush to leave. I can’t blame her. She came for a short and simple visit and got way more than she bargained for. I watched her drive off and felt myself hoping she’d forgive me.

I walked back into the house and grabbed the orb she’d brought. The moment I picked it up, I felt dizzy.

I started screaming, the orb was quickly heating my hand but I couldn’t release my grip. I was overpowered with a flash of light as images began popping into my head. I saw Drake…Drake? He didn’t look like himself.

There was Maggie and me and blood everywhere…

“Zoe?” I heard Drake call me. “Zoe what’s happening?” He tried to loosen my grip on the orb. The moment he touched it he was thrown back.

“He’s here, Drake! He’s coming! I can feel him!” the pain became overwhelming. “He won’t let me go!”

More images…fire…death…lots of death. “It’s the nightmare!” My eyes rolled into the back of my head and I felt an electrical surge around me.

“Zoe!” Drake said approaching me again. He shook me and I collapsed in his arms.

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