DOLLS

DOLLS is a short, student-made novel. The author of this novel is Alessandra Giselle Fraire, a 7th grade student. 

9:05 PM; it’s time.  

I placed the black Nike bag with all my belongings on my back. I stared out at the snow outside the window and walked up to it. I zipped up my jacket and pulled off the locks on the window. I pulled it up and looked down. I stuck my foot out and clenched tightly onto the window.  

I managed to fully step outside, onto a pipe which followed around the house. I grabbed onto the brick wall and stared out at the countryside of our city. I slowly stepped to the side, slowly moving to the left. I held my breath as I closed my eyes slowly moving. If I were to get caught, I would be in a lot of trouble. If I fall, I die.  

“Don’t fall and don’t die and most of all don't get caught.” That’s what I told myself.  

For a while, I followed the straight pipe until I reached the end. I carefully bent down to my knees feeling the jolt of cold rush onto my knee and the wind harshly hit against me. I placed my hands onto the pipe; the temperature of the pipe numbed my hands a bit. I clenched onto the cold metal pipe. I wrapped my legs around the pipe and held onto it with my hands as I slowly moved down. I closed my eyes and slowly moved down until the prickly grass touched my shoes. I let go and breathed in. I exhaled and saw my breath because of the cold. I looked around and then started to run. 

I ran for a while until the cold air filled my lungs and it became hard to run. I noticed the train station not too far away. I checked my watch, 10:23 PM. As I noticed the time, I remembered that at 10:30, that was the time they sent the guards off to guard the campus. 

Sitting on the train; 10:52 PM. I dozed off and woke up a while later; 7:03 AM. I heard a song in my head. An eerie tune and hum played repeatedly in my head.  

My heart dropped. This was sign one. The train began to shake, and I started to feel sick and quickly fell asleep.  

Sign two, maybe there was a reason for why they didn’t let us out. I mean they always tried to warn us. Telling us horrifying stories that me and my classmates played off as sick gruesome stories the teachers decided to make up to keep us in the facility. 

 I started to realize and regretted leaving. Even though we used to laugh it all off, I had started to believe it. I woke up suddenly. I woke up in a cold sweat, tears running down my face. I felt horrible and felt something in my throat. So much regret.  

Sign three. I felt sick to my stomach, Chills ran down my spine as a cold hand touched my shoulder. It gripped onto me, and I sat there frozen in my seat in fear.  

“So quick to leave now huh?” The figures sharp nails gripped tightly, which punctured my skin. I felt holes in my skin but no blood. I tried to turn back but couldn't, as if I became a doll.  

“Sabrina.” My eyes widened as she called my name. The dim lights of the train turned off. I sat paralyzed in fear in pitch black, an ominous figure stood behind me breathing down my neck. “Didn't they warn you what happened to the disobedient ones at the facility?” I couldn't breathe, I felt scared, terrified “Dolls don’t breathe now do they Sabrina.” I felt as if I was being suffocated. I had felt a sharp pain in my neck as if a knife were being dragged across.  

“Sabrina, you sweet-.” I had felt pain in my neck grow immensely, I couldn't cry, I wanted to, but I couldn’t. “Curious child, Sabrina” The figure continued as its voice slowly turned raspier and harsher. “you’re the 1079 person to disobey the facilities rules. Even after being urged and warned.  

Now tell me what's sign four?” I tried to speak but I realized my lips couldn't move as if they were zipped closed. “Oh, I nearly forgot you can't speak anymore.” The figure pulled out a mirror which doesn’t reveal them. Not even humanly possible. On the other hand, showing my now uncanny appearance. I used to be human. What have they done? The figure giggled maliciously. The bell struck 12:00. I tried to widen my eyes but found myself unable to. How long had it been?  

Sign five.