Prequel to "The Doll House". Both can be read on their own.

Emerald. .7 translated the first two chapters in Polish called Lalka. Go check it out!

Will stood outside of the house while the realtor talked in the background. The woman, along with many others from the town, tried to talk him out of buying the house. They called it the "Doll House" because there was a cursed doll attached to the lot. The townsfolk went on about the previous tenants and how almost all of them ended up dead or severely injured. Will ignored them. If anything the thought of being killed by the end of the month sounded promising after everything's he's been through.

Will shook his head. No, he wouldn't think about that now. That was in the past. This was the present. He followed the realtor inside the gate, making note to try and fix some of the fencing and siding on the house before heading inside.

The conditions were worse than on the outside. Every room was littered in dust. The kitchen held no appliances, there were no cupboards, tables, or ay sort of furniture. The living room was the same way with a torn brown carpet being the only item with color.

"Sorry for the mess." The realtor apologized. "Usually we fix up the house, but after a while..."

"I understand," Will promised. "You don't want to make it nice just for the tenant to die suddenly."

Will walked around the living room with ideas floating around on how to fix up the place. If he lived long enough he would paint the walls a light forest green or maybe a pale blue. He wasn't sure about the flooring, but the carpet had to go. The woman lead him upstairs to where the master bedroom and two other guest rooms were place. She quickly passed by the first room, not saying anything about the ornate door or what was in it. Will didn't ask, figuring it was a guest room just like the others. He would take a look once he bought the house.

"Is there an attic?" he asked, but the woman shook her head.

"Surprisingly, no. And there isn't a basement, either. Just the first and second floor."

Will nodded as he explored the bedrooms and paused by the ornate door, watching as the realtor stiffened. He continued on and went back down stairs.

"It is in that room, isn't it?" Will asked and the woman reluctantly nodded.

"Sorry, I just... can't look at it."

"Is it horrifying?"

"Well... no." She chuckled. "Actually I've never seen it myself, but I was told it is beautiful. But..." She trailed off, glancing up the stairs before giving an uneasy smile.

They moved to the kitchen and talked about the state of the house. The plumbing was in great shape, the walls and floorboards near perfect. The only things the house needed fixing were a few home improvements. The realtor got out a few papers and Will signed all of them. After putting them back in her folder, she held her hand out and shook Will's hand.

"Thank-you, Mr. Graham. The Doll House is all yours."

Will didn't move in right away. He had been staying at the hotel while he worked out the lease for the Doll House. He stayed at the hotel another night before beginning to move his stuff. He didn't own much, just a couple boxes of personal belongings. The lack of furniture wasn't too much of a problem; he didn't expect anyone to visit him anytime soon. However, he would have to purchase a bed. For now the floor would do. As soon as all his boxes were piled into the master bedroom he set out to work.

It was close to two o' clock when his cellphone rang. Will wiped his hands on his pants to remove any access paint before picking it up. He smiled when he saw the caller ID.

"Hey, Abigail, how are you?"

"Don't 'hey, Abigail' me!" the voice on the other line snapped. "You were supposed to call me yesterday."

"Why didn't you call to check on me?" Will asked as he cradled the phone against his shoulder so he could wash his hands.

"Because I was thinking I had a kind older brother who would keep his promises." Abigail replied, and Will laughed.

"Okay, okay, I'm sorry, Abby. I'll make it up to you." He apologized. Abigail huffed on the other line, but Will knew there was a smile on her face.

"So, how is it?"

"I gotta tell you it is rough." Will admitted as he looked around the kitchen. It was a good thing there weren't cupboards or any other fixture because it would have been covered in blue paint. He wasn't worried about the floor; he would take the tile out later. "But by the end of the week it'll be good as new."

"You should totally take before and after pictures." his sister prompted. "And send them to me so I can criticize them."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Will, you have terrible taste."

"I do not!" Will heard his sister scoff and he rolled his eyes. "Just because my fashion sense doesn't match whatever's the newest thing doesn't mean I have bad taste."

"Uh-huh. Sure." Abigail said flatly. "Just send pics when you're done."

"Fine."

Abigail giggled at his tone, and Will couldn't help but smile.

"So how are things going? For real this time."

Will was quiet as he inspected the drying paint. It was too dark. Maybe he should add more white.

"It's going... Well." He admitted. "As well as someone in my situation might be."

"Will..."

"I'm fine, Abby. I just... I'll adjust. Trust me."

Abigail was silent for a long time. Finally, she asked, "What happens if you don't?"

"...I don't know." He said softly.

The siblings didn't say anything for a long while, each stuck in their own minds. Abigail was the first to break it by asking, "Have you seen it yet?"

Will blinked. "Seen what?"

He could practically hear her roll her eyes. "The doll, silly."

Will paused. He had almost forgotten about it. "I haven't actually gotten around to looking for it yet." He replied as he stepped into the living room. He looked up the stairs, catching a glimpse of the corner of the ornate door.

"Well you should find it and take a pic for me."

Will groaned. "I swear you and your dolls-"

"They're not just dolls, Will. They are ball-jointed dolls."

"They still have the word 'doll' in the title, so I think I win this one." Will replied with a shake of his head. He couldn't understand his sister's love for the dolls. She had a few of them, and from what Will could tell they were a waste of money. Some of them cost well into the hundred ranges, not including the clothes and wigs and God knows what other accessories.

"Just send a pic when you find it." Abigail said impatiently, and Will sighed.

"Fine, fine. I got to finish painting the kitchen. Talk to you later."

Will went back to the kitchen and grabbed the paint roller, but he couldn't focus on what he was doing. As he painted, his mind kept wandering away to the ornate room and what was inside.

By seven o' clock the kitchen was completely painted while the living room was still in progress. He ripped out the carpet because he didn't want to haul it covered in paint. That, and it was an eye sore. Will looked around at his accomplishments and nodded to himself. He should be done with the main rooms by Thursday; he would work on the master and guest bedrooms later. Calling it a night, Will trudged upstairs, paused in front of the ornate door, before going to take a shower.

He toweled his hair as he dug around in his mini fridge for the sandwich he had bought at the gas station earlier that day, and he stuck it in the microwave. He had set up the only appliances he owned in his room because he didn't want them in the way when he painted. He sat on the floor and allowed the towel to pool around his shoulders.

His body ached all over, but it was a good pain. It helped take his mind off of his own thoughts. It had been a long time since he had worked that hard. He sighed as he watched his food go around in circles. Yes, it had been a long time.

The microwave beeped at him and he took out his meal. It wouldn't fill him up completely, but it would do for now. He would go into town tomorrow and get anything that would fit in his mini fridge. Maybe some bread, sandwich meat, eggs. He could microwave scrambled eggs in a bowl. Granted, he would have to buy a bowl...

Finishing his meal Will opened a box labeled "bedroom" and pulled out a couple of blankets and a pillow. He didn't have any bedding or even a blowup mattress, but he didn't mind. He had slept on hardwood floors before.

He was arranging his 'bed' when the house began to creak. He didn't pay it any mind. It was just an old house settling. He started to mind the creaking when it sounded suspiciously like footsteps coming close to his bedroom.

Will watched his closed door. He was sure he locked the doors and windows downstairs, and he doubted anyone in town would try and break in. He wasn't scared, but he still cautiously cracked the door open and peeked outside.

There was nothing. Will opened the door wider and looked both ways. Still nothing.

He let out a sigh and ran his fingers through is hair. He was just tired. It had been a long day, and an even longer couple months. Giving another sigh he turned to go back into his room when he noticed something odd.

The ornate door was slightly open.

Will paused, suddenly on guard. Maybe there was someone in the house. Not wasting any time, Will went back into his room and grabbed his gun. He took the safety off and slowly made his way to the opened door and turned on the lights.

The room was filled with furniture. Will searched the room thoroughly, but there was no one. Not taking any chances, Will searched all of the rooms and double checked the locks. Everything was in order and there was no one in the house. He made his way back to the ornate room, standing in the center.

He entertained the idea of someone already being in the house and just left, but Will didn't think that was likely. No one would be able to sit or lay in one spot for hours. They would have moved around at some point, and Will would have heard the footsteps.

He relaxed and turned the safety back on before putting the gun on the nearest table and took another look around him. Will found a number of tables, a couch, pillows, and a sofa chair all collecting dust in the small room. They were covered with sheets, so they weren't in terrible condition, but there was still a thick layer of dust coating what was once white cloth.

Will carefully uncovered the couch first, figuring he could sleep on it until he got a bed. He gathered the sheet and put it in the bathroom. He contemplated pushing it to the bedroom but he decided to leave it. It would only be going downstairs later. Might as well keep it in one spot.

He was about to go and gather his blankets and pillow when he saw something funny about the still covered sofa chair. He took the sheet off, and he nearly dropped it in surprise.

Sitting crookedly in the chair was a doll. Will slowly set the sheet down on the floor before taking a closer look.

It was just like the dolls Abigail owned. The jointed limbs made it so the doll stayed in its awkward place, looking like it was sitting upright when in fact it was laying on its side. It was also naked. Will dared to reach out and pick it up, gently unbending the legs and arms so everything was straight. Will guessed the doll was about over a foot tall, maybe 14 inches, but he wouldn't know for sure until he measured it.

He wasn't used to seeing the ball-jointed dolls without clothes and was a little surprised to find it was anatomically correct and not like a barbie doll. It was a male model with a masculine face and figure. Will tried to think back if his sister owned any male dolls. They all looked the same, ranging from feminine to androgynous. Where the eyes were usually big and expressive, this one had smaller, narrower eyes which made him look even more realistic. Also, while Abigail's dolls were young looking, this one had lines painted on his face making him look older and more distinguished. It was unusual to see, but Will thought it was clever. Can't have all young dolls.

The doll's brown eyes stared blankly up at Will as he examined him. Will stroked a finger over ash colored hair, smoothing the unruly parts down. Will continued to admire the doll before smiling.

"So, you're the cursed doll, hm?" he asked. "You look pretty normal to me, though it is strange you don't have any clothes."

Will set the doll back on the sofa chair before looking around once more. He had seen some boxes underneath a few tables and opened them up. There must be doll clothes somewhere.

Coming up empty handed, Will stood quietly before turning to the door. "I'll be right back." he excused himself. When he returned he held a pair of scissors and a small sewing kit.

"My sister owns a bunch of dolls like you," he began, grabbing the doll and setting him on the table. "I used to fix their clothes from time to time. Usually small stuff like rips or buttons falling off. I stopped doing it once my sister got the hang of sewing, so I might be a little rusty."

He took a corner of the dusty sheet and cut a large portion out of it. He dusted it off and laid it out before eyeing the doll and making appropriate cuts. Soon Will had a long smock like night gown with long sleeves. He put the makeshift outfit onto the doll and nodded at his handy work.

"Nothing fancy, but it is better than having to stare at your nakedness." Will laughed, gently bobbing the doll on the nose. He paused, realization of what he had done.

I'm talking to a doll. He thought. A doll that everyone tells me is cursed and will end up killing me in a month, and I just made it a dress to wear and poked it.

Will pinched the bridge of his nose and rubbed his eyes. He must be tired, he rationalized. By tomorrow he probably will avoid this room. No need to look at or interact with the doll. He put the doll back on the sofa chair and continued to bring his blankets to the room. He set the bed up on the couch, glancing at the doll every once in awhile. It was positioned away, but it still looked strange. He was tempted to move it out of his room, but he mentally scolded himself. It was just a doll.

Will remembered how Abigail would arrange her dolls, putting the in pajamas and small beds. It almost didn't feel right have the cursed doll without one. Will sighed as he ran a hand over his face again, wondering if he was going crazy. He came to a decision and soon he had made a pillow out of a washcloth and used a clean towel for a blanket. It wasn't fancy, but it would do.

"Hope this means you won't kill me in my sleep, right?" Will joked as he tucked the towel under the doll's chin. The doll just stared blankly up at the ceiling. Will considered that a good enough sign before turning in for the night.

Will let out a choked yelp as he sat up, his breathing harsh. He looked around in panic, unable to see anything in the dark. He stumbled from his bed and collided with the wall, feeling franticly for the light switch. As soon as he found it and the room was bathed in light, Will stood and got a baring on his surroundings. Slowly, he remembered he was in his new house, he was sleeping on a couch because he didn't have a bed, and his roommate was a supposedly cursed doll.

Will fell against the wall, sliding down to the floor. He closed his eyes, fragments of his dream already starting to fade. But he knew it wouldn't fully go away. It was hard to forget nightmares when they were recollections of the past. He shuddered and put his head in his hands. He was alright. He had to look forward. What happened cannot be changed.

He took another gulp before standing on shaky legs. His shirt was soaked in sweat and simply changing into clean one would not do. He stumbled out of the doll's room and made his way to the bathroom, trying to focus on what he needed to do for the coming day. His mind, however, continued to wander away. Sleep was also out of the question. Even as a kid he could never fall asleep after a bad dream. In the end he found himself back on the couch staring at nothing. He had switched the light back off with the moonlight sneaking in through the window.

Will wasn't sure how long he laid there in the dark. He made lists in his head, but he knew he would forget them. He always did. He found himself looking at the ceiling when he suddenly was overcome by fatigue. Will yawned and closed his eyes briefly. Maybe, maybe he could fall back to sleep. An image of his dream flashed in his mind and he shook his head, forcing his eyes open. However, he ended up yawning again, and again, and again. A faint humming began to chase the quiet away and Will found his eyes once again lulled closed. It was an odd sound. He hadn't heard it before when he was in the house. The room also felt warmer than usual, and Will guessed it was the furnace starting to kick in after the drop in temperature.

Yawning, Will allowed himself to relax into the couch, his face pressed into the cushions. He sighed as his body relaxed in the warm room, the humming filling his ears as he fell asleep.

Not a single bad dream visited him the remainder of the night.

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