"You've arrived Miss Collins"

Linda's eyes opened and peered out the window. Her cab was parked in front of her new home. It looked like a house you would usually find in horror movies. She found it odd how her friend Lilly even recommended this place to her. Lilly was a real estate agent who worked in London and knew the house would be perfect for Linda, as she had just divorced her abusive husband and wanted to be as far away from him as possible.

"Thanks. What do I owe you?" Linda asked.

"Your friend already paid the fare" the driver said. She smiled kindly and stepped out of the cab. She walked around the the back trunk to collect her belongings. Once she had everything, she bid the driver goodbye and made her way towards the house. Once she opened the door and stepped inside, she looked around in awe.

This place is amazing! I don't understand why the last person to live here left.

Linda knew of the house's original owners. They were an elderly couple who had tragically lost their son in a house fire. Linda couldn't imagine such a thing. Mr. and Mrs. Heelshire apparently needed a 'house sitter', which is the story that Lilly told Linda, but the Heelshire's never came back and she was left to watch the house. However, she left for some unknown reason. Linda heard her phone ringing so she pulled it out of her pocket and answered it, putting it on speaker phone.

"Hey Linda. Have you arrived yet?" Lilly asked.

"Yes. It's amazing!" I said

"I knew you'd love it! I know it's a bit far from town and you don't have any neighbors-"

"It's alright Lilly. I could do with a little isolation for a while"

"As long as you're happy with it, that's all that matters. Cody and I have to head out for lunch. Maybe I could stop by later and check up on you? I could even bring some food by if you'd like" Lilly offered.

"That would be great. Thank Lil" Linda said

"No problem. Good luck with getting settled in" Lilly said before she hung up. Linda went off to find a room to settle into.

She found a room to her liking and started unpacking her clothes and things to keep her entertained. She knew that there wasn't any wifi or satellite, and what she had of reception wasn't that much either. She brought a laptop and charger, and an assortment of movies and television series that she owned on DVD. She also brought a collection of books with her. Just when Linda started filling her dresser with clothes, she heard a thud coming from the room opposite hers.

It's an old house. Old houses make noises.

She ignored it but then heard another noise coming from the same room. She dropped the shirt she was currently holding in her hand, onto the bed and crept her way to the closed room. When she opened the door, she looked around the room and noticed it had the appearance of a young boy's bedroom. When she looked towards the bed, she noticed a doll, resembling a young boy, sitting on the bed.

Was that doll always here? It's kind of creepy.

Linda stepped closer to the doll and got a good look at it. The doll's porcelain skin appeared to be cracked but carefully mended together. Something else got her eye. It was a piece of paper placed beside the doll. She picked it up and examined it. It was a set of rules.

No Guests

Never Leave Brahms Alone

Save Meals In Freezer

Never Cover Brahms Face

Read A Bedtime Story

Play Music Loud

Clean The Traps

Only Malcolm Brings Deliveries

Brahms Is Never To Leave

Kiss Goodnight

Linda furrowed her eyes at the list. She found it odd, especially since eight was the only one crossed off. Taking her eyes off of the list, she looked back at the doll.

Is the doll Brahms? It's a little weird leaving a list of rules for a doll.

Linda ignored the doll and the list of rules entirely. She left the room and closed the door, as she was a little uncomfortable seeing the doll. She then retreated back to her room, not saying a word.