Trigger Warning: Domestic Violence!
Part 1
A Gift
“Earth to Mina. Hello?”
Fingers snapped in front of Mina’s face. Her emerald green eyes focused on the hand waving in front of her. She pushed it away. “Can’t a girl space out in peace?” She flipped her strawberry-blonde hair over her shoulder. Playing with the bunched hair in her hands, Mina Vivano looked up at her boyfriend. He gave her that sweet crooked smile of his. She hated how much she loved that smile. “What were you saying, Clay?”
“I was trying to ask if I could stop by at your place later tonight. I have something for you.” Clay Swan raked his fingers through his dark messy hair. His dark eyes stared into hers. He always looked at her with a fierce intensity that made her feel vulnerable… and safe.
Mina rolled her eyes. “I don’t know if I want anything from you. There’s always this ‘I love you’ stuff attached to it. It gets a girl weak in the knees and I don’t think I want you to have that power.”
Clay pulled her into a hug. She melted into his embrace. “I can’t help but show how much I care. You enchanted me with your witchy ways.”
“That’s right. And I’ll turn you into a toad should you ever cross me.”
“No problem.” Clay leaned in to kiss her.
A group of kids ran by, shouting and laughing. Mina jumped out of Clay’s arms. “Holy Huckleberry and jizz-balls!”
Clay laughed. “Where do you even come up with these phrases?”
Mina slapped his arm. “Don’t make fun of me. Those kids came out of nowhere! They were like ninjas!”
“And the horrors they are sure to bring upon you.”
“Tease all you want. You obviously have never babysat for the little monsters.”
“No time. My hands are full with one.” He brushed her hair behind her ear.
Mina slapped his arm again. “Are you calling me a handful?”
Clay laughed. “The biggest.” He pointed at Mina’s house. “Can I trust you to make it inside all by yourself?”
“I think I can manage. I’ve made it this far without any big, strong men to save me so I certainly don’t need a man-child to try.” She twirled on her heel and stuck her nose up in the air.
Clay feigned a broken heart. “Such harsh words for the one you love.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m very kind to myself.” Mina opened the gate to her front yard. “See you at eight?”
“Five minutes before.” Clay blew her a kiss. He continued down the sidewalk with that little pep in his step Mina had come to love.
Mina locked the gate and turned her attention to the lavender flowerbed beside her. She picked up the watering can nearby and filled it with water. She glanced at her house. The sky-blue shingles played well with the white Doric columns and cobblestone. Flourishing vines wrapped around the columns. With winter still strong, the flowers were still buds, but they were a sight to see when they were in full bloom. Mina loved the light pink shade contrast with the blue. A single glance at this exterior and one would think the residents had it all. If only.
Mina placed the watering can aside and headed inside. She placed her schoolbag near the doorway. “Papa, I’m home!”
No answer. She didn’t know why she bothered. He never answered. Mina walked down the hall to the lounge. Her dad sat beside the fireplace with a blanket over his legs and an unopened book. He glanced up as she came in. He greeted her with his loving smile. “Baby-girl, how was school?”
“It was fine, Papa. Have you eaten today?” She knelt beside him and took his hand.
“Yes, darling.” Mr. Vivano looked down at his book. “Did you want me to read you a story?”
“No, Papa. I’m all right.”
“Are you sure? You brought me this to read, didn’t you?”
“You already had it, Papa.” Mina fixed his blanket. “Were you reading all day?”
“I don’t remember.” Mr. Vivano sighed. “My memory isn’t what it used to be, baby-girl.”
“You’re still the smartest man I know.”
“Flattery will get you everywhere. How was school?”
Mina forced a smile. “It was fine, Papa. Let me go fix dinner.”
“Don’t force yourself, baby-girl. Your mother is taking care of dinner. She’s making our favorite: lemon-peppered chicken over roasted veggies.” Mr. Vivano’s mouth watered.
Mina tensed. Her gaze fell to the floor, “With a light sauce of buttery white-wine.” She forced a smile.
“That’s right.” He ran his fingers through her strawberry-blonde hair.
Mina rose to her feet. ”I’ll go help mom in the kitchen.”
“You’re going to be a great cook, just like your mom, baby-girl.”
Mina patted her dad’s shoulder. She entered the empty kitchen. In the dim light, Mina leaned against the marble counter. She took a steadying breath but the tears welled up anyway.
Her dad developed early stages of onset Alzheimer’s last year. Although he was barely in his fifties, his memory was rapidly deteriorating. His first symptoms began with simple things: a forgotten name, suddenly forgetting what he was about to do, and the date. No one thought anything of it. Everybody had those moments. Nevertheless, he knew something was wrong. Within six months, he could not remember conversations from only a few minutes prior.
Mina had taken him to see the doctor and they recommended a neurologist. The EEG scans showed nothing abnormal. They were at a loss. All the while, her dad worsened.
Mr. Vivano retired not long after. He wanted to leave with some semblance of dignity before his mind completely went. Now Mina worked a part-time job on the weekends and took care of him.
Mina jumped as her phone vibrated in her pocket. “Skillet bombs!” She let her heart settle. “Hello?”
“Hey, girl.”
“Hey, Bev.”
“Oh no. What happened? Clay say something stupid?”
Mina laughed. “Clay always says something stupid. That's one of his charms.”
“Then, it must be your dad.” Mina didn't say anything. “What happened this time?”
“Nothing really. He just mentioned mom... He forgot she died.”
“Oh honey. I’m sorry. This must be so hard for you.”
“What can I do? The doctors are doing everything they can. I'm just sitting here waiting for some kind of answer while papa gets worse by the day.”
“You can always call Clay. That's what he's there for, to comfort you when you're having a hard time.”
“I don't want to burden him with it.”
“Don't do that. Don't try to take everything on yourself.”
Mina moved to the fridge. She grabbed the handle and froze. “I'm not. Really! I do let Clay take care of me. In fact he's coming over at eight.”
“Planning a little late night rendezvous?”
“Of course not.” Mina chuckled. “He just wants to give me something.”
“Sounds dirty.”
“Bev!”
“What? Don't act like your mind didn't go there. You just keep me updated on all the dirty little details so I can live vicariously through you.”
“Still no luck with Ben?”
“The bastard hasn’t even called me back. I don’t know why every guy can’t be like Clay. I’m jealous and I hate you.”
Mina laughed. “Clay has his flaws. It’s not all sunshine and roses.”
“Whatever. I still hate you. Now I’m going to go pout until my own boyfriend acknowledges my existence or I come to the decision to be free of him by putting him six feet under. Talk to you later.”
“Bye, Bev.” Mina hung up. She stood in front of the fridge with her hand on the handle. She didn’t really have the energy to cook. Mina closed her eyes and inhaled. She opened the fridge.
Her appetite was gone. Mina pulled out a bag of thawed chicken. Her father may not be able to remember his wife died three years prior, but Mina did everything within her power to maintain a semblance of normal for him, even if it was just cooking one of her mom’s dishes. She pulled out a few bell peppers, baby carrots, and broccoli and began chopping.
. . .
Mina turned the page of her textbook. Her eyes felt heavy. Reading about the history of the United States was always a bore. There were no exciting events like the battles of Greece or the conquerors of Spain. Mina yawned. She slapped her cheeks to try to stay awake.
A soft tap on the window stirred her from the oncoming drowsiness. She shuffled off her bed and opened the window. “Romeo? Is that you, Romeo?”
“My Juliet!” Clay jumped out from behind a tree. “I have come for thee to whisk thou away to better days!”
“My prayers have been answered! I feared I would have to drink away the lonely nights and fall into the depths of my despair.” Mina theatrically put the back of her hand to her forehead. “My soul be saved! I can’t wait another moment! I’m coming, Romeo!”
Clay chuckled as he watched her glide away spectacularly. He ran around to the front.
Mina skipped down the stairs and opened the front door. “Romeo? Wherefore art thou, Romeo?”
Clay jumped out from behind the pillar and scooped her into the air. “At long last I have you, Juliet!”
Mina laughed. “Put me down, you dweeb.”
“As promised, five minutes before eight,” Clay set her back on the porch and kissed her forehead, “and a gift for my fair lady.”
“But I still have so many from my other suitors yet to open.”
“But none could compare to what I bring.”
Mina clapped her hands. “Such confidence! Forget the other suitors! What has thou brought me for my hand?”
Clay stepped back. He pulled out a large wrapped present from behind the pillar.
The present came to Mina’s waist. True, she was small for seventeen, but she had still broken the five-foot mark. “Oh my… Clay, what is this?”
“You have to open it to see.”
Mina ripped the paper off. She gasped. “Clay…”
“Just like the one your mom used to have.”
Mina pulled out a beautiful porcelain doll. The doll had a thinner face than most porcelain dolls she’d seen. It had the facial structure of a woman in her thirty’s. It looked more real than that of a doll, especially the eyes. The black silky hair flowed down to the shoulders and the ends curled into luscious locks. She wore a blue Victorian dress with white laces and a black choker. “Clay… what did you do?”
“I just knew this would be the perfect gift.”
“It really is just like the one my mom used to have before she sold it. The only difference is the eyes. Mom’s were blue.” Mina caressed a finger below the eye. “But this one has green eyes like mom.”
“I know life has been kicking you down recently, but maybe this could help bring back a little bit of joy.”
“This must have cost a fortune.”
Clay shrugged. “Not really. With all the shifts I’ve been covering recently, I had a good amount of extra cash.” He took her hand. “You’re the only one worth spending it on.”
Tears came to Mina’s eyes. “Clay, you sweet bastard.”
“Your sweet bastard.”
Mina pulled him into a kiss. “I’ll cherish her forever.”
“Go do your homework before we do something naughty.” Clay took a step back but Mina grabbed his wrist.
“I’m okay with that.” She pulled him into the house.
“You don’t have to tell me twice.” Clay followed her up the stairs. Mina led Clay inside her bedroom. She set the doll aside and sat on her bed. Her alluring smile brought him closer. He gently brushed her hair out of her face.
“Make me feel, Clay.”
Clay leaned in.
. . .
Mina jolted awake. She pulled the covers to her chin and sat up. All she could hear was the quiet run of the heater.
As she lay back down, she heard something rattle downstairs. Her heart leapt. She nudged Clay’s shoulder. “Clay. Clay. Do you hear that?”
Clay stirred. “Hear what?”
“Something’s downstairs.” She gripped the sheets tighter.
“Okay… Give me a sec. I’ll check it out…” Clay stretched. He rolled out of the bed and searched for something to use as a weapon. He opened the closet door and rummaged out Mina’s old baseball bat. “Stay here.”
Clay silently tiptoed. The hallway’s floors froze his feet even through the socks. He glanced down the banister. He only heard the rising winds outside. Clay slowly descended the stairs. His grip on the bat tightened.
Mina bit her bottom lip as she listened hard. She watched the stairs for Clay’s return. Every second felt like it was dragging. Her heart beat rapidly against her chest.
Clay came back up the stairs with the bat swinging loosely in his hand. Mina felt better… until she noticed the doll in his hand.
“What are you doing with that?”
Clay lifted it up. “Found it downstairs by your dad’s chair.”
“Strange.” Mina took the doll. She brushed the lovely hair out of its face. “Papa must have taken it.”
Clay crossed his arms. He stared at the doll with a bit of hesitation. “Maybe…”
“What?”
“Nothing. Just thinking this is how every horror movie starts.”
Mina slapped his arm. “Clay! I don’t need those nightmares.”
Clay laughed, “I’m sorry, babe.” He pulled her into a hug. He glanced over at the clock and sighed. “It’s already after two. My father is going to kill me if he finds out I’m not there.”
“You can stay the night, you know. You don’t have to go back to that tonight.”
“I appreciate that, but it’ll just make things worse.” Clay kissed her forehead and pulled back. He sat on the bed and picked up his shirt.
Mina wrapped her arms around him. “Thanks again for coming, Clay. You don’t know how much it means to me.”
He gently placed his hand on her cheek. “Of course, my trembling scaredy-cat.”
“Careful. I have you in my grip.”
“I quiver.”
“You’re about to!” Mina tickled Clay’s sides. He yelped and fell off the bed as he flailed about. Mina grabbed his foot and put it in a headlock. “Apologize.”
“Mina… please don’t.”
“That’s not an apology.”
“I’m sorry.”
Mina smiled mischievously. She gave his foot a quick tickle anyway to watch him squirm and buck. She let go and leaned back victoriously. Clay was still laughing hysterically, trying to rub out the tingles on his sole. She giggled. “Let that be a lesson to you.”
Clay rolled his eyes. “You may have fooled other people, but I know you’re a devil of a woman.” She raised an eyebrow. He quickly tugged on his boots before she could attack him again.
“You’re the only one I’ll let see.” Mina smiled, but the mischievous grin faded to one of forlorn. “I worry about you and your father.”
“And I worry about you and yours. I’ll be okay.” Clay ran his hand through his messy hair. “I’ll see you at school tomorrow.”
“Okay…” She walked Clay to the front door. She pulled him for one last kiss before letting him walk off into the night. Mina closed the door and sighed. She glanced over to the fireplace. Embers still danced among the logs. Mina dragged herself over. She put out the flames.
Mina looked over at her dad. Since his Alzheimer, he would always fall asleep in that chair. It was like he forgot he had his own bed. Mina placed another blanket over him. She jumped as the winds grew stronger and the branches outside rapped against the walls.
She turned to go back to bed and yelped. The doll sat in the doorway. Its glassy green eyes stared directly at her. A chill ran down her spine. Clay must have left the doll there as a joke; probably as payback for tickling him. That had to be it.
Another chill ran down Mina’s spine. She shook her head. “Stop it, Mina. You’re just letting the night creep you out. Dolls can’t move on their own.” Still, she found herself staring at the doll warily. “It’s just a doll… not a horror movie.”
Mina stepped around the doll and moved to the staircase. The doll still faced the fireplace. Mina shuddered. “Even so, maybe I’ll leave it down here.” She ran up the stairs.
Part 2
Suspicion
Clay looked into the mirror. He was a mess. He touched his black eye and winced. “Asshole…” Clay reached into the medicine cabinet and pulled out make-up to hide the fresh black eye. He groaned as he applied the foundation.
He backed up to look himself over once more. He tossed his hair around so his bangs would shadow the injured eye. He thought it was a Goth look, but he pulled it off. He sighed.
Clay stepped out of the bathroom and picked up his bag. He heard shuffling in the kitchen. He had a chance to sneak out. Clay picked up his boots and tip-toed into the hall. He crouched along the wall as he listened to the sound of pans clanging on surfaces.
Just before reaching the front door, Clay was grabbed by the collar and thrown onto the couch. “Where do you think you’re going, punk?”
Clay scrambled to his feet. “Got to get to school.” He glared at the man he called father. “Federal law.”
Senior Swan lit the cigarette hanging on his lips. He scratched the stubble on his chin as he glowered over Clay. “That’s a waste on you.” He noticed the black eye missing. He smirked. “Wearing make-up like a little girl? Wanna be a princess when you grow up?”
“Gotta go.” Clay tried to walk past with his head held high.
His father backhanded him. Clay crashed into the front door. “I asked you a question, boy. And don’t think I’m done punishing you for your little adventure in the middle of the night. When you get home, I’ll be waiting.”
Clay balled a fist. He picked up his boots and walked out the front door, slamming the door.
“BOY! You slam my door again and it’ll be the last thing you ever do!” The front door swung open. Clay bolted down the hall. He jumped down the stairs and ran to the other side of the street.
“I fucking hate you!” Clay leaned against the fire hydrant and pulled his boots on. He stormed down the street. He knew his face must have been red with fury by the way people scurried out of his way. He touched the fresh cut on his lip. It had stopped bleeding but the pain was still throbbing.
He turned down the corner to find three jocks hovering over someone. Clay cocked his head to see his nerdy friend, Blaine, cowering. Just what he needed.
“Ain’t nobody here to protect you now, scrawny.” The greasy black-haired jock known as Brian cracked his knuckles. He pulled his fist back.
Clay grabbed Brian’s wrist. He twisted it and forced the jock to his knees. Clay kicked Brian’s side. “I don’t think three-against-one is a fair deal.”
Blaine ran behind Clay. He fixed his glasses. “Thank god you’re here.”
“I need to let out some steam anyway.” Clay cracked his neck.
“Your arrogance is going to be your downfall, Clay.” The tallest jock, Jack, punched Clay in the face. Clay took a step back for balance.
Clay wiped the blood from his lip. The cut his father gave him reopened. “You hit like a sissy.” Clay lunged at Jack and drove his fist into his stomach. Jack keeled over enough for Clay to slam his other fist across his face.
The last jock, Kevin, threw his hands up in defeat. He turned tail and ran. Clay spat out the blood building in his mouth. “I wasn’t done releasing my stress.”
Blaine came up to Clay’s side. “You’re a beast, man.”
Clay wrapped an arm around Blaine. “Nah, I’m just a guy cursed to fight.”
“More like slaughter.” Blaine glanced back at the writhing jocks.
“Come on, man. The faster we get to school, the faster I can see Mina.” He walked ahead.
Blaine ran after Clay. He was already out of breath by the time he reached him. “How are things going between you two?”
A large grin appeared. “Great.”
Blaine noticed a skip to Clay’s step. “Did she like the gift?”
Clay slowed to a stop. “Yeah… she loved it.”
“But?”
“I dunno,” Clay shrugged. He threw his hands behind his head and continued walking. “When I got the doll, it seemed like the perfect present, but last night, it suddenly gave me the creeps.”
“Last night? Did you… stay over at her place?”
Clay blushed. “What? We’re boyfriend and girlfriend. That’s not the point. She heard something last night. It spooked her so I went to investigate.”
“The Fred to her Daphne.” Blaine teased.
“Shut up.” Clay gave him a playful push. The poor guy almost went flying into the street as he stumbled over his feet. “Anyway, I went downstairs and found the doll sitting in front of her dad. Staring at him. There was even a moment where I swore it looked at me.”
“Yeah, sure. Whatever, Clay.”
“No, seriously! The weirdest thing is I’m sure she brought it up to her room. There was no way it should have been down there.” Clay bit his lip in thought, forgetting about the fresh cut. He winced.
“Maybe the doll is haunted.”
“Nah. That shit ain’t real.”
Blaine shrugged. “There’s a lot about the world we don’t know.”
Clay and Blaine arrived at the front gates. The school was still empty. It was routine to arrive an hour before the first class. Blaine focused getting a little extra studying in. He was a straight-A student and a marvelous tutor who saved Clay’s butt many times. Clay’s reason was never anything so productive. It was a way to escape his father for another hour. “All right then. Do me a favor. Look into haunted dolls. Real cases. If this doll is really haunted, then I need to make sure Mina stays safe.”
“Why can’t you do it? You’ve got the time.”
“You know I suck at research. I wouldn’t have the faintest clue where to start. Besides, I want to be here when Mina shows up.”
Blaine nudged Clay’s shoulder, “You love-struck dog.”
“Shut it.” Clay looked away to hide his flush. “Just do me this favor, man.”
“Fine, fine, but I’m only doing it because you helped me with those dumb jocks.”
Clay pulled Blaine in for a hug. “Thanks, man. I really appreciate it.”
“Yeah, yeah.” Blaine squirmed out of Clay’s hold. He gave a short wave before trotting along to the library.
Maybe I’m just going crazy, Clay thought. There’s no way some doll is really alive. But… it looked at me. I know it did.
Clay recalled last night. He remembered walking down the stairs and thinking how cold it was, not just by the freezing wooden floors, but by the strange numbing cold in the air. It wasn’t until he left the house, that he realized how strange the cold was. Outside was warm despite the strong winds.
He had searched the kitchen first for any intruders. The tree rapping on the wall outside kept him on edge. When he reached the lounge, he found the doll sitting in front of Mina’s dad. It looked up at him like a child waiting for a story to be read.
Clay thought Mina’s dad had taken it from her room, caught by the nostalgia and grief for his late wife. But then the doll turned its head to look at him. He froze as he looked into the dark green eyes. Another rap on the wall made him jump. He couldn’t help but look behind just to make sure nothing was behind him. When he returned his gaze to the doll, it was looking at Mina’s dad again as if it had never moved.
He had dismissed the entire thing as spooks in the dead of night, but Clay still had a nudging feeling that something wasn’t right. Something was off about that doll.
“Clay!”
He snapped out of his thoughts. Mina ran to him. She jumped into his arms and kissed him. He flinched and pulled back. “Ah!” He touched the cut on his lip. “Sorry, sorry. This still hurts.”
Mina touched his cheek. Her hands were so soft and comforting. “Your father hit you again.”
“No. I got in a fight before school. Some punks were messing with Blaine.” His gaze fell.
“Don’t lie to me. I’m not talking about this cut, although we will have a discussion about you getting into fights again. I’m talking about your black eye.”
He tried to look away but she kept him from moving. “What makes you think I have one?”
“I can tell you’re wearing make-up again.” She clicked her tongue. “I swear. I wish I could get you out of there.”
“I’m okay, Mina.”
Mina put her hands on her hips and puffed her chest. “Don’t you start. I’m not putting up with your ‘I can take care of it on my own’ attitude.”
Clay grinned. “All right, all right. But seriously, let’s just forget about it. I just want to enjoy my time with you.”
Mina grabbed his hand. She entwined her fingers in his and gave in to his warmth. “Should we go to our spot?”
“Yeah.” He let her pull him across the campus. He loved every moment with her. But that gnawing feeling in the back of his mind kept surfacing. “Mina, how are you liking the doll? It’s not moving anywhere on its own, is it?”
Mina stopped. She turned and slapped his arm. Clay blinked back his surprise. “I knew it,” she yelled. “You did put it by the front door to scare me before you left!”
Clay tensed. “I didn’t…”
“Very funny, Clay. You know I scare easy.” Mina rubbed her arm anxiously. “I want to like the doll you gave me, Clay, but doing tricks like that is just going to make me scared of it.”
“…Yeah… I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.” Clay put his hands in his pocket to hide the trembling. He was right. “Hey. What do you say I come over after school today?”
Mina raised an eyebrow. “Why?”
“What do you mean, ‘why’? I can’t spend time with my girlfriend?”
She shrugged. “You can. But you can also just tell me that you’re avoiding your father.”
That’s just an added bonus, he thought. Clay pulled her into a hug. “Why do you always have to make things so difficult?” Now I can keep an eye on that doll.
. . .
Clay walked through the front door. He immediately scanned the area for the slightest disruption. Mina had tightened her grip around his hand. It was the first sign that she was bracing herself. Clay glanced down to see the mask she perfected. She wore a soft smile as if life was peaceful and all was good, but her eyes were emotionless.
“Papa, I’m home!”
“Welcome home!”
Clay and Mina froze. Clay glanced over to Mina. Her mask vanished. “Your dad never answers…”
“It must be a good day.” Her eyes lit up. Mina ran into the lounge.
Clay took a deep breath. He glanced inside. Mina knelt by Mr. Vivano’s chair. She held his hand in a tight embrace. Her smile brightened the room. It would have been endearing if he wasn’t so distracted by the doll.
The doll sat in shadows in the far corner. Its dark green eyes watched Mina as she helped her dad to his feet. Clay felt all of his muscles tense. His heart beat fast against his chest. Does it want something from her dad?
“Clay?”
Clay looked over at Mina, “Huh? Sorry. What did you say?”
Mr. Vivano smiled. “I asked how you were.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. I just got a lot going through my mind right now. I’m doing well. Glad to see you up and about.” Clay tried to give his best smile.
“Thank you. I just feel more coherent today.” Mr. Vivano pointed to the doll. “Perhaps that present you got Mina is the cause.”
Clay hid his fists behind his back. “Really? I know it’s similar to one your wife used to have. Maybe she’s the one giving you the strength.”
Mr. Vivano nodded. “Yes. I feel something from it.” He stroked Mina’s hair. “Why don’t I make dinner?”
“Papa, you don’t need to worry about us.” Mina held onto her dad tighter. She looked like he would disappear if she let go.
“That’s my job, baby girl. Why don’t you two relax?” He pulled Mina off and headed into the kitchen.
“I wonder how long this one is going to last?”
Mina shot Clay a menacing glare. She noticed the doll sitting in the corner. “It’s a little creepy just sitting there.”
Clay shrugged. He looked over his shoulder at it. His eyes widened. The doll was smiling… and looking straight at him. “I’ll put it back in your room.”
“Thank you.” Mina rubbed her arm while she watched Clay pick up the ominous toy. Her eyes never left the doll’s. She shuddered at the thought of it being alive.
Clay held the doll in front of him as he climbed the stairs. He felt like it stared straight into his soul. “Worst gift ever.”
He jumped and nearly dropped the doll as his phone vibrated in his pocket. Clay exhaled. He waited a moment for his heart to settle. “Hello?”
“Clay? It’s Blaine.”
“Hey. What’s up?”
“I looked into cases as you asked. There really wasn’t much. Most of it is hokey bull and stories told in the night for scares.”
Clay let out a sigh of relief. “I’m just being ridiculous then. That’s a relief.” He tossed the doll onto Mina’s bed. It rolled across the mattress to the edge of the bed. He was glad the doll faced down. Even though the doll was probably not haunted, it was still creepy.
“Uh… Actually… I did find something.”
Clay frowned. “What?”
“I found one mysterious case involving a mass murder and, believe it or not, a doll.”
“Let me have it.”
“It’s an unsolved case. Apparently, a family of five was found in their home brutally murdered about three years ago. The crime scene looked like some kind of satanic ritual or something. The family of five were all positioned like a pentagram within a circle of blood.” A moment of silence passed. “I was able to hack into the police files and saw the pictures… It was brutal, Clay. I threw up.”
“But how does this have anything to do with haunted dolls?” Clay held the bridge of his nose between his forefinger and thumb. “What does this have to do with the doll I bought Mina?”
“I just sent you a picture from the file.”
Clay pulled up his text messages. He opened Blaine’s unread message. Clay’s stomach turned. The picture showed the five family members bloody and nude. The bodies were mangled. Their eyes had been gouged out and replaced with unfamiliar coins. In the dead center of the five carefully positioned corpses, was a doll. A doll with black silky hair and a choker.
“Clay? Clay? What’s that noise?”
He was hyperventilating. Clay’s hand trembled. His heart was beating hard against his chest. He turned around.
The doll sat upright on the bed. Its emerald eyes stared at him with a grin.
Clay dropped his phone and took a step back. He tripped over Mina’s trashcan and tumbled into the hallway. Clay scurried to his feet. The doll once again laid facedown where he had tossed it.
“Clay?” Mina called out from downstairs. “Is everything all right up there? What was that noise?”
“Nothing! Nothing! I just tripped!” Clay glanced at his phone on the floor inside the room. His gaze rose to the still doll. I’m just imagining things. That must be it. His teeth clattered. He kept his eyes on the doll as he reached for his phone. His fingers wrapped around the phone’s frame.
A cold hand touched his shoulder. Clay jumped and dropped the phone again. “Holy-!”
Mina jerked back. “Bloody grasshoppers!” She exhaled a calming sigh. “What got you all jumpy?”
“Don’t sneak up on people like that.” Clay sprawled out on the floor. “Shit, my heart is still racing.”
“Looks like I’m not the only scaredy-cat around here.” Mina raised her shoulder just slightly and gave him a coy smile.
Clay picked up his phone. “Blaine? Hey, let me call you back. I’ve got to deal with a vixen.” Clay tossed his phone aside and pounced on Mina. They tussled around laughing.
Mina smacked Clay’s shoulder, “Okay! Okay! Papa wants us to come down and help set up the table.”
“Only if I can get a kiss from you.”
“Sure.” She put her hand on his cheek. “Close your eyes.”
Clay smiled. He sat cross-legged and put his hands on his knees. He closed his eyes and waited for the touch of her soft lips.
“Okay. Open them.”
Confused, Clay did. He looked up to see Mina standing in the hallway. “Wait, where’s my kiss?”
“You never negotiated when.” She stuck out her tongue.
“You little sneak!” Clay jumped to his feet and chased her downstairs.
. . .
Clay frowned as Mina kissed him on his cheek. “I’ll see you at school tomorrow.” She held his hand just a moment longer. “I appreciate you. Really, I do.”
“What brought this on?”
“Just, you’re always supporting me. I‘m just glad you were here by my side tonight. It meant a lot to me.”
Clay squeezed her hand tenderly. “You’re my reason for fighting, Mina. You’re the only one that makes me a better man.”
“Be careful when you get home. I hope your father doesn’t beat on you tonight.” She stared at the covered-up black eye.
“The sooner I get home, the lower the chances.” He let go of her hand. He paused at the front gate. “Mina, about that doll…”
“Yes?”
Clay’s voice got caught. He inhaled. “I just hope you really like it.”
Mina beamed. “Of course I do. It may give off the creepy vibes a bit, but because it came from you, I can’t help but love it.”
“That’s a relief.” Clay kissed her for the final time. He felt Mina watching him walk down the sidewalk. Until he was out of her sight, he would keep pretending everything was okay.
Two blocks away from Mina’s house, Clay pulled out his phone. He pulled up his contacts and called Blaine.
“It’s about time you called me back!”
“I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I just don’t want to make her afraid of this doll for nothing.”
“If you didn’t hang up on me then I could have told you that I may have a way.”
Clay chuckled. “Such sass, Blaine. I like this aggressive side to you.”
“Shut up. You want the information or not?”
“Yeah.” Clay glanced over his shoulder. He could barely see the roof of Mina’s house. “I’ll be over there in half an hour.”
. . .
Blaine opened the door. He rolled his eyes at the sight of Clay. “I wasn’t expecting any company so late.”
Clay shrugged. “Yeah, you did. I’m here most nights.”
“Which makes it such a mystery why your father hasn’t already killed you.” Blaine had Clay follow him down the hall to his father’s study.
“That’s due to my father’s rather consistent drunken stupor. Most of our interactions are forgotten in due time.” The stupid smile Clay usually wore faded. He jammed his hands into his pockets to hide the blood rolling down his clenched fists.
One look at Clay and Blaine knew. This was the only place Clay ever let his guard down. “Anyway, I’m starting to think that the doll isn’t so much haunted as it is possessed.”
“And the difference is?”
Blaine opened the door to the study. “One has to do with a ghost and the other has to do with a demon.”
“Demon?” Clay shook his head. “I said real cases, Blaine. Not the bull of the internet.”
“Hey, don’t insult my skills. You came to me for a reason.” Blaine sat before the computer on the cherry-wood desk. He pointed at a document displayed on the screen.
“And what’s this?”
“More cases. In fact, they’re similar cases.” Blaine crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair. “As I told you over the phone, I accessed police files to find anything related to dolls. Turns out there are quite a couple in the surrounding areas.”
“Really?” Clay leaned in closer to read the file. “Isn’t this the picture you sent me?” His stomach turned.
“No.” Blaine frowned. He opened up five more files. Each one with the exact same picture. No, they weren’t exact. “Each one had different victims, murdered exactly the same. Whoever, or rather, whatever, was behind it all was doing some kind of satanic ritual…”
“You think the doll’s doing all of this?”
“I’m skeptical, but I know you. You believe there is something going on. You aren’t the type to just believe superstitions. Plus, your gut instinct has always been on point.”
Clay grinned. He put his hands on his hips and puffed out his chest, “Glad to know I got you wrapped under my finger.”
Blaine rolled his eyes. “More like you’re lucky you have such an amazing friend.”
“The best.” Clay returned his attention to the computer. “So what other fun facts have you discovered?”
“Well, I don’t just believe you because it’s you.” Blaine inhaled. He shook his head as if he couldn’t believe what he was about to say. He pursed his lips as he scrutinized his choices. “The thing is I’ve discovered these cases go back a couple hundred of years.”
“Wait, how is that possible? That’s impossible.”
“Unless there are copycats.”
“A family business.” Clay shrugged, “Which would make more sense than a doll committing these crimes.”
“That’s the conundrum.” Blaine rose from his chair. He clasped his hands behind his back and paced across the room. “A crime this brutal occurs for so long without a single clue to the perpetrator? No, there would have been a slip up at some point. Something would come up in a time span of almost two hundred years. It just doesn’t add up.”
“Then the only possibility…” Clay looked at the picture again. He focused on the doll sitting in the center of the five corpses. The doll looked the same in every single picture. It had to be Mina’s doll, “…the doll is alive.”
Blaine nodded. “It couldn’t be, but I think so.”
“So how do we stop it?”
“Well, the only thing I can think of is some sort of exorcism.”
Clay couldn’t help but think of the horror movie. “I mean would that work?”
“Only one way to find out.”
“We need to find some answers.” Clay stroked his chin. “I’m going to skip school tomorrow. I need answers.”
“If this thing is actually real, Mina is in danger,” Blaine warned.
“I won’t let a possessed doll do anything to her.” Clay balled a fist. “I’ll put my life on the line before I let that happen.”
“There’s something you should be aware of. Maybe the information could be useful to the priest or whoever.”
Clay glared at Blaine. “Why you holding information back?”
“For the dramatic flair.” Blaine stuck out his tongue. Clay rolled his eyes. “Anyway, there’s a pattern. It strikes every three years for fifteen years. Then it just disappears for another fifteen.”
“Weird.”
“I have a suspicion that whatever this thing is doing, the number five is an important factor to it.”
Clay thought on it. “Dunno how that’s supposed to help but I’ll keep it in mind. Now I just need one more thing from you.”
“The guest room was ready for you before you even called me back.”
Clay pulled him into a hug. “See? Undeniable proof that you love me.”
Blaine pushed Clay away. “Ew. Stop getting all mushy on me.” He made for the door, hiding his smile.
Rain tapped on the window. The roar of the downpour filled the silence of the room. Clay peeked at the computer screen. “I won’t let anything hurt you, Mina.”
Part 3
The Demand
The morning was bleak. A grey sky cast over flooded streets. Puddles caught in worn sidewalks. It was hard to believe the weather had been warm and sunny just yesterday. However, the drear matched Mina’s mood.
She breathed on her hands for warmth. The cotton gloves barely protected from the sting of the cold. She stuffed her hands into her winter coat. Classmates with early classes greeted her at the gate. A flash of a smile met their greetings and deflected potential conversations.
Ten minutes to seven. Mina leaned back against the wall behind her. She sighed. She needed to see Clay right away. Her anxiety was through the roof. She arrived at the school around six just to wait for Clay. The entire time, her foot tapped in sync with her frantic heartbeat.
“Morning, Mina. You’re unusually early.”
She was about to deflect the conversation before she realized it was Clay’s friend, Blaine. “Oh, good morning, Blaine.” She shivered. “I’m just waiting for Clay to show up. You haven’t seen him, have you?”
“Uh…” Blaine smiled awkwardly. “Uh… He stayed over last night, but he was gone before I woke up this morning.”
Mina zeroed in on him. “What aren’t you telling me?”
“What makes you think I’m hiding something?” Blaine glanced away.
“Blaine Conwell,” Mina’s eyes bore into his. Her nostrils flared with spectacular flair. “You better spill the tea before I make your life miserable. And trust me, friend,” She poked his chest hard, “Clay won’t be able to do a thing.”
“My god… you’re scarier than the devil himself.” Blaine pushed his glasses up. “Clay asked me not to say anything.”
“You should be more afraid of me than Clay.” Her glared made him shrink in terror.
“Clay decided to skip today. He’s trying to find something and needed the time to do it.”
“What is he looking for?”
“He didn’t tell me.”
“Liar.”
“Ugh, you’re like a lie detector.” Blaine shuddered. “I don’t know if I should tell you though. He doesn’t want to frighten you.”
Mina’s eyes widened. “It’s the doll.”
Blaine’s eyebrows scrunched together. “You should be a detective.”
Mina’s shoulders slumped. “Then I’m not crazy.”
“Wait, did something happen?”
“I’m not sure.” Mina wrapped her arms around herself as a cold breeze blew. “I think the doll is haunted or something.”
“Why?”
Her gaze drifted. “Last night, I was in my room. I had set the doll in my closet. As much as I like dolls, they’re creepy in the middle of the night. And to my dismay, when the sound of the rain woke me… the doll was sitting on the edge of the bed… staring at me.
“I screamed and the doll fell off. It took a minute for me to get the courage but when I leaned over to check, the doll was gone. I looked under the bed and everywhere. I opened the closet and the doll was there, exactly as I left it.” Mina rubbed her arms as the goosebumps prickled along her skin. “Clay was acting strange last night. His focus was elsewhere. He must also think it’s haunted.”
Blaine nodded. “He’s looking for an exorcist.”
“This is crazy. Haunted dolls are just televised entertainment.” Mina laughed at herself. “I shouldn’t be so spooked.”
“Mina, you’ve been together with Clay for nearly a year. I don’t even know how you two are still in the honeymoon phase.” Blaine rolled his eyes. He pushed his glasses up. “You know Clay. He has a good head on his shoulders despite what he shows others. And… he had me look into it.”
“You found something.”
“Terrifying things. Things I can’t even express because of how horrible they are, but I think this is the real deal.”
Mina shook her head in disbelief. “What am I going to do?”
“Clay’s looking to fix it right as we speak.”
“True…” Mina grew quiet. She rubbed her thumbs against her fingers. She sniffed. “No. I can’t depend on Clay to protect me like some pathetic princess in a tower. I need to find my own defense.”
“What are you going to do?” Blaine clenched the strap of his backpack.
Mina pulled out her phone. “Clay is going to find a way to fight this evil doll with the power of the Lord. I’m going to find a way to fight this with black magic.” She scrolled to Bev’s number and dialed. “And I want you to tell me every detail you know.”
. . .
Streets were emptier during school hours. Mina adjusted the backpack sliding off her shoulder. Her eyes dashed side-to-side. She rubbed her arm to quell the goosebumps.
Bev wrapped her arm around Mina’s. Her dark ponytail bounced of her back with each gleeful step. Her smile deepened with the round puff of her cheeks, displaying her adorable dimples. “I can’t believe we’re ditching together! I’m so happy you called me for your first!”
Mina chuckled. “It feels weird. I feel like I’m breaking the law or something.”
“You kind are.” Bev matched her steps to Mina’s. “You sure you want to do this?”
“Yes. I need answers. Something that’ll help me.”
“You still haven’t told me why we’re going to an occult store, I mean, not that I’m not happy to go with you. Wicca is kind of my thing.” Bev leaned forward just a bit to meet Mina’s gaze. “You’re making me worry a smidge.”
Mina’s gaze drifted to the dress shop beside her. A loose white shirt with a gold embroidery at the bottom caught her eye. In normal circumstances, she would have dragged Bev in to buy it. Right now, she could only see her reflection in the shop’s window and the worry bagging her eyes. “You’ll think I’m going crazy.”
“Honey, I’m in love with a guy like Ben who doesn’t give me the time of day until he feels like it. It’s annoying and demeaning and yet I can’t help myself. The little kernels of love I get from him makes all the bull worth it.” Bev sighed happily. “When he does give me attention, it’s like I’m the only one in the world and nothing could diminish his desire for me.”
“In his defense, he is busy all the time with school, work, and his ambitions. His passion for his art is top notch.”
Bev slapped Mina’s shoulder playfully. “Don’t be defending that prick. I should be the center of his attention all the time.”
A laugh escaped Mina. “Well, remember I told you Clay bought me a beautiful doll?” She waited for Bev’s nod. “I think it’s haunted.”
Bev frowned. “I’m not one to discount the supernatural, but what in the world makes you think that?”
“I can’t explain it, Bev. It’s alive,” Mina set her sights on the occult shop down the block, “and it’s not friendly.”
The girls entered the shop. The scent of herbs, candles, and incense wafted up her nose. Immediately she felt calmer. She took in the store’s layout. In the middle of the floor was a collection of polished stones and crystals. Various colors and shapes she had never before seen glistened in the light. From her right, dozens of candles, all different shapes and colors, sat on shelves. Near the far corner stood a display case with a variety of sculpted figurines. The back wall held a variety of tools including incense burners, pestle and mortars, and two-sided daggers. A hallway broke in the corner by the counter. The counter stretched down the length of the twenty-foot wall and blocked access to the hundreds of herbs in jars behind.
“Blessed be. Welcome to Morrigana’s Apothecary.” A woman in an emerald green silk shirt by the counter bowed her head in greeting.
“Steph, blessed be.” Bev returned the bow. “A pleasure to see you.”
Steph rose from her seat. “Bev. It has been a full moon cycle since the last I saw of you. What have you come in search for this day?”
Bev pointed her thumb at Mina. “She’s got a bit of a supernatural problem going on.”
Steph glanced at Mina. A long minute passed as Steph assessed Mina. Her dark eyes were deep. Her gaze felt like she could see everything Mina had seen. “A haunted doll plagues you.”
Mina gasped. “How did you know?”
“The spirits.”
“S-spirits?”
Steph glanced at Bev. Both burst into a fit of laughter. Bev pulled Mina into a hug. “Nah, girl. I called her right after you called me. Steph is a good family friend. I texted about the doll just a minute ago.”
Mina’s face reddened. “Bev!”
Bev leaned against the chest-high wooden table. “In all seriousness, you got a solution for her problem?”
Steph’s bright smile faded. “Tell me everything you know about this doll.”
Mina recounted everything since she received the porcelain doll. She relayed the information Blaine researched and Clay’s encounters. Steph listened intently. With each new piece her expression darkened.
Minutes crawled after Mina finished. The silence was heavy. Bev stared at Mina in horror while she let the information process. Steph held her knuckles to her lips while she thought. “This is more serious than I thought.”
“What am I dealing with?” Mina balled her fists. She glanced at Bev. “Bev?”
Bev put her fists on her hips. “Mina, you in danger, girl.”
Mina rolled her eyes. “Stop quoting Ghost.”
Steph swept her hand elegantly toward the hallway. “She’s right. Come.” She grabbed a nearby candle.
Mina and Bev followed Steph down the white and violet-colored hall. Mina was enthralled by the various paintings hung on the walls. Each one depicted mythical beings. Some she recognized as Greek Gods, others she hadn’t a clue.
“I have an idea of what you are dealing with…” Steph said, snapping Mina out of her thoughts.
“You really think this doll is possessed?” Bev asked.
“No. I believe the doll is a demon.” Steph stopped before a door with a symbol of a triangle in a circle. Within the triangle were two swirls formed like fire. Steph opened the door.
The three entered a room filled with bookcases overflowing with occult books. A single table sat in the center of the room with five chairs. Steph placed the candle in the center.
“Most demons possessing dolls attempt to steal a soul to take to a dimension of eternal pain. Most people consider these dimensions to be hell.” Steph sat in one of the chairs. She motioned for Mina and Bev to sit. “They’re harmful, but their malevolence is limited and certain requirements need to be met.”
“Certain requirements,” Mina asked.
“Most demons can’t do anything unless their target has certain abilities, such as astral projection or the sight, or has a certain state of mind, such as grief or betrayal. Even still, you must invite them through verbal incantation. This is why Ouija Boards are considered dangerous. Only then can they inhabit a home and terrorize a subject until their weariness is so great they cannot fight.”
“Sounds like there’s a big checklist in order for a demon to appear,” Bev said. “I always thought you were just shit out of luck if one appeared.”
Steph chuckled. “Thankfully not. However, there are a couple demons that can do anything without restraint. These are more powerful demons and well-known, such as Beal, Beelzebub, and Asmodeus. Princes of hell, you could say.”
Mina shuddered. “So what you’re getting at is one of those demons is possessing the doll, or rather is the doll.”
“From what you’ve told me, I believe this demon is Alaksha, daughter of the Egyptian Devourer Ammut and a Rakshasa.”
Bev held up a finger for Steph to pause. “What the hell is a Rock-a-bob?”
“Rahk-sha-sa are shapeshifting demons whose specialties lies in sacrifices, desecrating graves, and possessing humans.” Steph leaned back. “These abilities are why I think the demon you are dealing with is Alaksha.”
Mina leaned forward. “Okay. So who is Ala-whatever and how do I get rid of her?”
Steph shifted her chair back and reached for the bookcase behind her. Her finger glided across many titles before she pulled out a text. She opened the book and flipped through the pages. “Alaksha is the daughter of Ammut. Ammut was a demoness who judged the dead and devoured the souls of the unworthy. From her, Alaksha was born with a craving for the souls of the dead.” Steph placed the open book on the table for Mina and Bev to see.
Mina stared at a picture of a creature with the body of a leopard and the head of a crocodile. Below the depiction were four more, smaller pictures. There was a drawing of a woman in a white dress and the head of a wolf. Another picture depicted an image of a giant snake. Mina couldn’t tell if it was a boa or an anaconda. The third picture showed a skeleton, but it was the last that made Mina’s blood freeze. The last picture was of a doll: Mina’s doll.
“This large picture on top is Alaksha’s true form and the four below are her favorite forms to take.” Steph closed her eyes in thought. “Her tale tells of Ammut being disgusted of Alaksha’s endless hunger for souls and so she was banished to a level of hell where no soul roams. It was there that Alaksha met a demon named Div-e Sepid. This demon was known to be skilled in sorcery and necromancy. From him, Alaksha learned the arts of dark magic and escaped to the living world.
“She wreaked havoc on the living devouring the souls of humans until Ammut found her. Alaksha’s endless hunger was preventing Ammut from her job and she had not fed for nearly a year. Ammut cursed Alaksha with starvation.
“Only every three years in a fifteen year period could Alaksha feed and only on five souls. After the fifteen year period, Alaksha is forced to starve for another fifteen years.”
Mina folded her hands in her lap. She stared at her entwined fingers. “Then the rituals Blaine found… that’s her feeding?”
Steph nodded. “You mentioned the eyes were gouged out and strange coins placed in their stead. The eyes are the windows to the soul. I don’t know how exactly, but I assume Alaksha must devour the eyes and use her coins to extract the souls. The number five is also a powerful number and represents balance of the elements and the spirit.”
“Gross,” Bev said. “How do we get rid of her?”
Steph turned the page. “It is said to banish Alaksha, one must invoke Ammut, for only she is powerful enough, and willing, to punish her daughter without demanding tribute from the summoner.”
Mina shared a look with Bev. “You don’t need to tell me twice. How do I invoke her?”
Worry lines formed Steph’s expression. “Mina, Bev, it is imperative that I warn you the dangers of invoking, especially of one as powerful as Ammut. When you invoke entities from another plane, you open yourself to powerful magicks, dark magicks. Once that door is opened, it can never be closed. You’ll forever be changed. The invocation stays with you for the rest of your life.” Steph tilted her head, “If you survive.”
Mina’s bottom lip quivered. Bev placed a hand on Mina’s knee. Mina saw the worry in Bev’s eyes; or was that Mina’s worry reflected back at her?
She gripped her jeans. Her eyes darted around the room. Here she was, in a room full of witchcraft and the occult and discussing demons. This was real. A demon had entered her life. It was either succumb or fight.
As if she read her thoughts, Steph came around the table. She knelt beside Mina and took her hands into hers. “I know this is frightening to process. It’s scary and it may feel like you don’t have any choices. But you do. You may not have a good choice, but you do have a choice. Always. Be true to yourself. That is the way of the witch.”
Mina took a deep breath. “There is only one thing to do. I will learn the invocation to protect myself and my dad. Teach me.
. . .
Mina stood before her house. She tried to calm her erratic breathing. Her grip tightened around a black candle and a black leather book. Her heart beat hard. She trembled at the thought of performing dark magic.
A supporting hand steadied her nerves. Bev didn’t say a word. Mina smiled.
The door creaked open. The house was eerily quiet. Even the low hum of the plumbing was nonexistent. Mina took a step forward. The floorboard squeaked under her weight.
“Papa?” Mina took another step forward. Bev followed close by. They crept down the hall.
Mina and Bev peeked into the lounge.
The fireplace was dark. Not an ember to be seen. Mina glanced to her dad’s armchair. Empty. A cold draft pricked at her skin. Mina shivered, although from the goosebumps or the eerie chill she was unsure.
“Papa isn’t here.”
Mina turned to Bev. A blue blur dropped from the ceiling and onto Bev’s shoulders. Bev screamed. She flailed about trying to pry the porcelain doll off. She crashed into nearby end-tables and the wall until she tripped and fell onto the floor. The doll gripped Bev’s dark hair and pulled a kitchen knife at her throat.
“Bev!” Mina leaned forward.
“Do not move, girl.” Alaksha’s voice was strangely soothing, but there was an undertone of cruel authority to it. The doll grinned. The doll’s curled lips revealed razor-sharp teeth.
Mina halted. She stared at the demonic doll to her friend. “Let her go, Alaksha.”
A cold and shrill laugh echoed.
“What did you do to my dad?"
The doll calmly blinked. Its head turned just slightly. Mr. Vivano sluggishly descended the stairs.
Mr. Vivano looked at her strangely. “Who are you? What are you doing in my house?”
Tears came to Mina’s eyes. “It’s me, Papa.”
He looked taken-aback. Her dad drew closer to the doll. “You’re not my daughter. She is.”
Mina felt her heart rip in two. Her tears rolled down her cheeks “What do you want from us?”
“It is time for a new feast. With my feast I shall take the body of a human to roam this damned world. I have chosen you, Mina, for this divine blessing.” Alaksha’s head cocked to the side. The forehead touched its right shoulder. Its green eyes shimmered unnaturally in the dark. “I demand your body.”
Mina chuckled. She looked at the demonic doll in disgust. “And what makes you think I’ll just agree to that?”
Alaksha nudged the knife closer to Bev’s neck. Alaksha giggled. Mina’s dad collapsed.
“Papa!”
“I gave him clarity, Mina. I can take it away.”
Mr. Vivano went into a seizure. His eyes rolled behind his head. “Okay! Stop! I’ll do it! Just leave them alone!” Mina dropped the candle and book. Her head hung in defeat.
Alaksha’s shrill, demonic laugh echoed throughout the house. “Up in the room. I have a call to make.”
She breathed on her hands for warmth. The cotton gloves barely protected from the sting of the cold. She stuffed her hands into her winter coat. Classmates with early classes greeted her at the gate. A flash of a smile met their greetings and deflected potential conversations.
Ten minutes to seven. Mina leaned back against the wall behind her. She sighed. She needed to see Clay right away. Her anxiety was through the roof. She arrived at the school around six just to wait for Clay. The entire time, her foot tapped in sync with her frantic heartbeat.
“Morning, Mina. You’re unusually early.”
She was about to deflect the conversation before she realized it was Clay’s friend, Blaine. “Oh, good morning, Blaine.” She shivered. “I’m just waiting for Clay to show up. You haven’t seen him, have you?”
“Uh…” Blaine smiled awkwardly. “Uh… He stayed over last night, but he was gone before I woke up this morning.”
Mina zeroed in on him. “What aren’t you telling me?”
“What makes you think I’m hiding something?” Blaine glanced away.
“Blaine Conwell,” Mina’s eyes bore into his. Her nostrils flared with spectacular flair. “You better spill the tea before I make your life miserable. And trust me, friend,” She poked his chest hard, “Clay won’t be able to do a thing.”
“My god… you’re scarier than the devil himself.” Blaine pushed his glasses up. “Clay asked me not to say anything.”
“You should be more afraid of me than Clay.” Her glared made him shrink in terror.
“Clay decided to skip today. He’s trying to find something and needed the time to do it.”
“What is he looking for?”
“He didn’t tell me.”
“Liar.”
“Ugh, you’re like a lie detector.” Blaine shuddered. “I don’t know if I should tell you though. He doesn’t want to frighten you.”
Mina’s eyes widened. “It’s the doll.”
Blaine’s eyebrows scrunched together. “You should be a detective.”
Mina’s shoulders slumped. “Then I’m not crazy.”
“Wait, did something happen?”
“I’m not sure.” Mina wrapped her arms around herself as a cold breeze blew. “I think the doll is haunted or something.”
“Why?”
Her gaze drifted. “Last night, I was in my room. I had set the doll in my closet. As much as I like dolls, they’re creepy in the middle of the night. And to my dismay, when the sound of the rain woke me… the doll was sitting on the edge of the bed… staring at me.
“I screamed and the doll fell off. It took a minute for me to get the courage but when I leaned over to check, the doll was gone. I looked under the bed and everywhere. I opened the closet and the doll was there, exactly as I left it.” Mina rubbed her arms as the goosebumps prickled along her skin. “Clay was acting strange last night. His focus was elsewhere. He must also think it’s haunted.”
Blaine nodded. “He’s looking for an exorcist.”
“This is crazy. Haunted dolls are just televised entertainment.” Mina laughed at herself. “I shouldn’t be so spooked.”
“Mina, you’ve been together with Clay for nearly a year. I don’t even know how you two are still in the honeymoon phase.” Blaine rolled his eyes. He pushed his glasses up. “You know Clay. He has a good head on his shoulders despite what he shows others. And… he had me look into it.”
“You found something.”
“Terrifying things. Things I can’t even express because of how horrible they are, but I think this is the real deal.”
Mina shook her head in disbelief. “What am I going to do?”
“Clay’s looking to fix it right as we speak.”
“True…” Mina grew quiet. She rubbed her thumbs against her fingers. She sniffed. “No. I can’t depend on Clay to protect me like some pathetic princess in a tower. I need to find my own defense.”
“What are you going to do?” Blaine clenched the strap of his backpack.
Mina pulled out her phone. “Clay is going to find a way to fight this evil doll with the power of the Lord. I’m going to find a way to fight this with black magic.” She scrolled to Bev’s number and dialed. “And I want you to tell me every detail you know.”
. . .
Streets were emptier during school hours. Mina adjusted the backpack sliding off her shoulder. Her eyes dashed side-to-side. She rubbed her arm to quell the goosebumps.
Bev wrapped her arm around Mina’s. Her dark ponytail bounced of her back with each gleeful step. Her smile deepened with the round puff of her cheeks, displaying her adorable dimples. “I can’t believe we’re ditching together! I’m so happy you called me for your first!”
Mina chuckled. “It feels weird. I feel like I’m breaking the law or something.”
“You kind are.” Bev matched her steps to Mina’s. “You sure you want to do this?”
“Yes. I need answers. Something that’ll help me.”
“You still haven’t told me why we’re going to an occult store, I mean, not that I’m not happy to go with you. Wicca is kind of my thing.” Bev leaned forward just a bit to meet Mina’s gaze. “You’re making me worry a smidge.”
Mina’s gaze drifted to the dress shop beside her. A loose white shirt with a gold embroidery at the bottom caught her eye. In normal circumstances, she would have dragged Bev in to buy it. Right now, she could only see her reflection in the shop’s window and the worry bagging her eyes. “You’ll think I’m going crazy.”
“Honey, I’m in love with a guy like Ben who doesn’t give me the time of day until he feels like it. It’s annoying and demeaning and yet I can’t help myself. The little kernels of love I get from him makes all the bull worth it.” Bev sighed happily. “When he does give me attention, it’s like I’m the only one in the world and nothing could diminish his desire for me.”
“In his defense, he is busy all the time with school, work, and his ambitions. His passion for his art is top notch.”
Bev slapped Mina’s shoulder playfully. “Don’t be defending that prick. I should be the center of his attention all the time.”
A laugh escaped Mina. “Well, remember I told you Clay bought me a beautiful doll?” She waited for Bev’s nod. “I think it’s haunted.”
Bev frowned. “I’m not one to discount the supernatural, but what in the world makes you think that?”
“I can’t explain it, Bev. It’s alive,” Mina set her sights on the occult shop down the block, “and it’s not friendly.”
The girls entered the shop. The scent of herbs, candles, and incense wafted up her nose. Immediately she felt calmer. She took in the store’s layout. In the middle of the floor was a collection of polished stones and crystals. Various colors and shapes she had never before seen glistened in the light. From her right, dozens of candles, all different shapes and colors, sat on shelves. Near the far corner stood a display case with a variety of sculpted figurines. The back wall held a variety of tools including incense burners, pestle and mortars, and two-sided daggers. A hallway broke in the corner by the counter. The counter stretched down the length of the twenty-foot wall and blocked access to the hundreds of herbs in jars behind.
“Blessed be. Welcome to Morrigana’s Apothecary.” A woman in an emerald green silk shirt by the counter bowed her head in greeting.
“Steph, blessed be.” Bev returned the bow. “A pleasure to see you.”
Steph rose from her seat. “Bev. It has been a full moon cycle since the last I saw of you. What have you come in search for this day?”
Bev pointed her thumb at Mina. “She’s got a bit of a supernatural problem going on.”
Steph glanced at Mina. A long minute passed as Steph assessed Mina. Her dark eyes were deep. Her gaze felt like she could see everything Mina had seen. “A haunted doll plagues you.”
Mina gasped. “How did you know?”
“The spirits.”
“S-spirits?”
Steph glanced at Bev. Both burst into a fit of laughter. Bev pulled Mina into a hug. “Nah, girl. I called her right after you called me. Steph is a good family friend. I texted about the doll just a minute ago.”
Mina’s face reddened. “Bev!”
Bev leaned against the chest-high wooden table. “In all seriousness, you got a solution for her problem?”
Steph’s bright smile faded. “Tell me everything you know about this doll.”
Mina recounted everything since she received the porcelain doll. She relayed the information Blaine researched and Clay’s encounters. Steph listened intently. With each new piece her expression darkened.
Minutes crawled after Mina finished. The silence was heavy. Bev stared at Mina in horror while she let the information process. Steph held her knuckles to her lips while she thought. “This is more serious than I thought.”
“What am I dealing with?” Mina balled her fists. She glanced at Bev. “Bev?”
Bev put her fists on her hips. “Mina, you in danger, girl.”
Mina rolled her eyes. “Stop quoting Ghost.”
Steph swept her hand elegantly toward the hallway. “She’s right. Come.” She grabbed a nearby candle.
Mina and Bev followed Steph down the white and violet-colored hall. Mina was enthralled by the various paintings hung on the walls. Each one depicted mythical beings. Some she recognized as Greek Gods, others she hadn’t a clue.
“I have an idea of what you are dealing with…” Steph said, snapping Mina out of her thoughts.
“You really think this doll is possessed?” Bev asked.
“No. I believe the doll is a demon.” Steph stopped before a door with a symbol of a triangle in a circle. Within the triangle were two swirls formed like fire. Steph opened the door.
The three entered a room filled with bookcases overflowing with occult books. A single table sat in the center of the room with five chairs. Steph placed the candle in the center.
“Most demons possessing dolls attempt to steal a soul to take to a dimension of eternal pain. Most people consider these dimensions to be hell.” Steph sat in one of the chairs. She motioned for Mina and Bev to sit. “They’re harmful, but their malevolence is limited and certain requirements need to be met.”
“Certain requirements,” Mina asked.
“Most demons can’t do anything unless their target has certain abilities, such as astral projection or the sight, or has a certain state of mind, such as grief or betrayal. Even still, you must invite them through verbal incantation. This is why Ouija Boards are considered dangerous. Only then can they inhabit a home and terrorize a subject until their weariness is so great they cannot fight.”
“Sounds like there’s a big checklist in order for a demon to appear,” Bev said. “I always thought you were just shit out of luck if one appeared.”
Steph chuckled. “Thankfully not. However, there are a couple demons that can do anything without restraint. These are more powerful demons and well-known, such as Beal, Beelzebub, and Asmodeus. Princes of hell, you could say.”
Mina shuddered. “So what you’re getting at is one of those demons is possessing the doll, or rather is the doll.”
“From what you’ve told me, I believe this demon is Alaksha, daughter of the Egyptian Devourer Ammut and a Rakshasa.”
Bev held up a finger for Steph to pause. “What the hell is a Rock-a-bob?”
“Rahk-sha-sa are shapeshifting demons whose specialties lies in sacrifices, desecrating graves, and possessing humans.” Steph leaned back. “These abilities are why I think the demon you are dealing with is Alaksha.”
Mina leaned forward. “Okay. So who is Ala-whatever and how do I get rid of her?”
Steph shifted her chair back and reached for the bookcase behind her. Her finger glided across many titles before she pulled out a text. She opened the book and flipped through the pages. “Alaksha is the daughter of Ammut. Ammut was a demoness who judged the dead and devoured the souls of the unworthy. From her, Alaksha was born with a craving for the souls of the dead.” Steph placed the open book on the table for Mina and Bev to see.
Mina stared at a picture of a creature with the body of a leopard and the head of a crocodile. Below the depiction were four more, smaller pictures. There was a drawing of a woman in a white dress and the head of a wolf. Another picture depicted an image of a giant snake. Mina couldn’t tell if it was a boa or an anaconda. The third picture showed a skeleton, but it was the last that made Mina’s blood freeze. The last picture was of a doll: Mina’s doll.
“This large picture on top is Alaksha’s true form and the four below are her favorite forms to take.” Steph closed her eyes in thought. “Her tale tells of Ammut being disgusted of Alaksha’s endless hunger for souls and so she was banished to a level of hell where no soul roams. It was there that Alaksha met a demon named Div-e Sepid. This demon was known to be skilled in sorcery and necromancy. From him, Alaksha learned the arts of dark magic and escaped to the living world.
“She wreaked havoc on the living devouring the souls of humans until Ammut found her. Alaksha’s endless hunger was preventing Ammut from her job and she had not fed for nearly a year. Ammut cursed Alaksha with starvation.
“Only every three years in a fifteen year period could Alaksha feed and only on five souls. After the fifteen year period, Alaksha is forced to starve for another fifteen years.”
Mina folded her hands in her lap. She stared at her entwined fingers. “Then the rituals Blaine found… that’s her feeding?”
Steph nodded. “You mentioned the eyes were gouged out and strange coins placed in their stead. The eyes are the windows to the soul. I don’t know how exactly, but I assume Alaksha must devour the eyes and use her coins to extract the souls. The number five is also a powerful number and represents balance of the elements and the spirit.”
“Gross,” Bev said. “How do we get rid of her?”
Steph turned the page. “It is said to banish Alaksha, one must invoke Ammut, for only she is powerful enough, and willing, to punish her daughter without demanding tribute from the summoner.”
Mina shared a look with Bev. “You don’t need to tell me twice. How do I invoke her?”
Worry lines formed Steph’s expression. “Mina, Bev, it is imperative that I warn you the dangers of invoking, especially of one as powerful as Ammut. When you invoke entities from another plane, you open yourself to powerful magicks, dark magicks. Once that door is opened, it can never be closed. You’ll forever be changed. The invocation stays with you for the rest of your life.” Steph tilted her head, “If you survive.”
Mina’s bottom lip quivered. Bev placed a hand on Mina’s knee. Mina saw the worry in Bev’s eyes; or was that Mina’s worry reflected back at her?
She gripped her jeans. Her eyes darted around the room. Here she was, in a room full of witchcraft and the occult and discussing demons. This was real. A demon had entered her life. It was either succumb or fight.
As if she read her thoughts, Steph came around the table. She knelt beside Mina and took her hands into hers. “I know this is frightening to process. It’s scary and it may feel like you don’t have any choices. But you do. You may not have a good choice, but you do have a choice. Always. Be true to yourself. That is the way of the witch.”
Mina took a deep breath. “There is only one thing to do. I will learn the invocation to protect myself and my dad. Teach me.
. . .
Mina stood before her house. She tried to calm her erratic breathing. Her grip tightened around a black candle and a black leather book. Her heart beat hard. She trembled at the thought of performing dark magic.
A supporting hand steadied her nerves. Bev didn’t say a word. Mina smiled.
The door creaked open. The house was eerily quiet. Even the low hum of the plumbing was nonexistent. Mina took a step forward. The floorboard squeaked under her weight.
“Papa?” Mina took another step forward. Bev followed close by. They crept down the hall.
Mina and Bev peeked into the lounge.
The fireplace was dark. Not an ember to be seen. Mina glanced to her dad’s armchair. Empty. A cold draft pricked at her skin. Mina shivered, although from the goosebumps or the eerie chill she was unsure.
“Papa isn’t here.”
Mina turned to Bev. A blue blur dropped from the ceiling and onto Bev’s shoulders. Bev screamed. She flailed about trying to pry the porcelain doll off. She crashed into nearby end-tables and the wall until she tripped and fell onto the floor. The doll gripped Bev’s dark hair and pulled a kitchen knife at her throat.
“Bev!” Mina leaned forward.
“Do not move, girl.” Alaksha’s voice was strangely soothing, but there was an undertone of cruel authority to it. The doll grinned. The doll’s curled lips revealed razor-sharp teeth.
Mina halted. She stared at the demonic doll to her friend. “Let her go, Alaksha.”
A cold and shrill laugh echoed.
“What did you do to my dad?"
The doll calmly blinked. Its head turned just slightly. Mr. Vivano sluggishly descended the stairs.
Mr. Vivano looked at her strangely. “Who are you? What are you doing in my house?”
Tears came to Mina’s eyes. “It’s me, Papa.”
He looked taken-aback. Her dad drew closer to the doll. “You’re not my daughter. She is.”
Mina felt her heart rip in two. Her tears rolled down her cheeks “What do you want from us?”
“It is time for a new feast. With my feast I shall take the body of a human to roam this damned world. I have chosen you, Mina, for this divine blessing.” Alaksha’s head cocked to the side. The forehead touched its right shoulder. Its green eyes shimmered unnaturally in the dark. “I demand your body.”
Mina chuckled. She looked at the demonic doll in disgust. “And what makes you think I’ll just agree to that?”
Alaksha nudged the knife closer to Bev’s neck. Alaksha giggled. Mina’s dad collapsed.
“Papa!”
“I gave him clarity, Mina. I can take it away.”
Mr. Vivano went into a seizure. His eyes rolled behind his head. “Okay! Stop! I’ll do it! Just leave them alone!” Mina dropped the candle and book. Her head hung in defeat.
Alaksha’s shrill, demonic laugh echoed throughout the house. “Up in the room. I have a call to make.”
part 4
Alaksha
“This is unprecedented.” The exorcist dabbed his forehead with a cloth.
“So you’ve told me.” Clay opened the gate to Mina’s yard. “I appreciate you coming on short notice, Father Robert.”
Father Robert accessed the yard as they walked down the path. “You must love this girl very much to beg on your knees. It moved me. How could I turn away someone begging for help?”
Clay smiled. “The doll is in here.” He jumped onto the front porch and froze. The door was opened ajar. Clay stopped Father Robert. He nudged the door open and peeked inside. A cold wind blew. Clay shivered.
Father Robert put a hand on Clay’s shoulder and pulled him back. “It appears your judgment was correct, child.” He pulled out his cross and kissed it. “Evil pours from this house.”
“Yeah…” Clay followed the exorcist inside. The floor creaked underneath his feet. He walked past Father Robert. “Let me see if her dad is okay. Then we’ll go up to her room and get rid of the doll.”
Father Robert’s eyebrow rose slightly, but nodded in agreement.
Clay led the exorcist into the lounge. Empty. Not even the fireplace had the usual roaring fire. Clay shivered again. He never knew the house to be so cold.
“There’s no one here,” Father Robert said.
“Perhaps for the best. I’ll take you to the doll.” Clay noticed a black candle and black leather book on the floor. He picked them up. “What are these doing here?” He tucked the book under his arm and pulled out his lighter. He flicked the lighter and brought it to the wick until a small ember danced atop.
“May not be much, but a little light is always good,” Father Robert said. He dabbed his forehead.
Clay slowly climbed the stairs. The higher he went, the colder it became and a stronger draft blew. Clay held a protective hand in front of the ember.
The two walked down the hall until they reached Mina’s room. Clay grabbed the doorknob and took a deep breath. The exorcist placed his hand on his shoulder again. “Whenever you are ready, child.”
Clay nodded. He cracked open the door.
“Whoever you are, get out of here! Run!”
“Mina?!” Clay threw the door open. Mina and Bev sat at the base of her bed, their hands and ankles bound together. “What’s going on here?!”
Mina’s eyes grew wide, “Clay?! No! Run!”
Clay set the candle on the dresser by the door. He had barely heard the squeak behind him. Clay turned just in time to see Mr. Vivano with a bat. He let himself fall to the side as Mr. Vivano plunged the bat down.
Father Robert stumbled back in surprise. “Dear lord!”
Mr. Vivano turned toward the exorcist. He was expressionless as he dragged the bat across the floor. He raised the bat and swung.
Father Robert yelped and jumped out of the way. The bat shattered Mina’s lamp. He scurried to his feet and held up his cross. “Stand down! Do not let the dark consume you, child! Believe in the good will of God! Let the power of Christ fill you with his love!”
Mr. Vivano raised the bat again.
Clay tackled him to the ground. The two wrestled around the floor. Mr. Vivano overpowered Clay and pinned him to the ground.
“Clay!”
Mr. Vivano raised the bat. Clay bucked around enough to slide under and knee his back. Clay tossed him aside and grabbed his wrist. He slammed the wrist on the ground until Mr. Vivano released the bat.
A slow clap caught their attention. The doll sat on the end of Mina’s bed. A demonic smile revealing razor-sharp teeth hung on the doll’s lips.
“Good God…” Father Robert marked The Father, The Son, and the Holy Spirit.
“Don’t just stand there!” Clay kicked the bat toward the exorcist. “Exorcise the damn thing!”
A shrilly laugh echoed the room. “Yes, Father Robert. Exorcise me.”
Father Robert’s eye widened. “S-Spawn of Satan, how do you know my name?!” He held his cross at the doll. “Begone, demon! Leave this peaceful house! In the name of the Holy Spirit, I command thee to leave!”
The doll cocked its head to the side.
Father Robert’s lips quivered. His breathing became labored. “The power of Christ compels you to leave this family alone!”
The doll slowly shook its head. “Your faith fails you.” The doll returned its attention to Clay. It watched him struggle to keep Mina’s dad pinned. “You are strong, Clay. I like that. Your soul will be exquisite to devour.”
“The hell you on about?!”
The doll remained motionless. A crash downstairs startled Clay.
“YOU BETTER GET YOUR ASS DOWN HERE, BOY!”
“My father? How?” Clay looked at the doll. “You called him?!”
Mina struggled against her bonds. “Clay! Get me out of here!”
“Father Robert! Help me!”
Father Robert grabbed Mr. Vivano’s wrists. Clay faced the doll.
The doll climbed to its feet. Its small porcelain hand wrapped around a kitchen knife nearly its size. The dark silky hair bounced as the doll swayed side-to-side. Shadows crept up the walls behind it.
Darkness surrounded the doll. Clay knelt down to pick up the bat. His heart raced frantically. In less than a minute, his father would burst through the door and kill him. “Let’s go, you little shit.”
Clay twirled the bat. He lunged and swung with all of his might. The doll leapt off the bed. It slashed Clay’s calf. Clay stumbled back and tried swinging the bat again. The doll stayed still as the bat whooshed past its face. Clay plopped onto the floor.
The doll pounced. Clay kicked it away. The doll dropped the knife as it rolled under the bed. He grabbed the knife and scrambled to his feet. He gripped the doorframe for balance.
Mina stamped her foot. “Clay! Behind you!”
A hand grabbed Clay by the hair and pulled him back. Clay’s father gave him a smile. “I’ve been looking for you, boy.” He threw Clay to the floor.
Clay scurried by Mina’s side. “Why are you here?”
“Out all night and you think I wouldn’t try to find you? I told you we weren’t done talking about your escapades from the other night.” His father cracked his knuckles. “Disrespectful children need to be taught a lesson.”
“Clay,” Mina fought against her binds, “This is what Alaksha wants! There are now five souls for her! You have to run!”
Senior Swan looked at Mina. His eyes trailed around the messy room and noticed the two men fighting and the girls tied up. “What has this slut gotten you into, Clay?” He shook his head.
“Who the hell is Alaksha?” Clay turned Mina to the side. “Get out of here, dad. It’s not safe here.”
“Damn right you're not.” Senior Swan reached for Clay. Clay kicked at his father. His father tried to get past the flurry of kicks. Clay slipped the knife through Mina’s binds. The blade cut Mina’s forearm in the struggle.
Senior Swan grabbed Clay’s ankle and dragged him across the floor. Clay swung the bat but it didn’t reach. “Mina! Free Bev and get out of here!” He tossed the knife toward her.
Mina reached for the knife. Alaksha raced from under the bed. It bit Mina’s hand and grabbed the knife. Mina and Bev screamed as the doll faced the girls. The doll charged. Mina grabbed the doll’s small wrists as it tried to plunge the knife into her shoulder. She couldn’t understand how something so small was so strong. She glanced at the book on the ground.
Mina shut her eyes. She let the knife drive into her shoulder. In the split second the knife stuck, Mina smacked the doll away. She let out a cry of pain and pulled the knife out. She cut the binds around her ankles and crawled to Bev.
Father Robert crashed into Mina’s desk. Mr. Vivano jumped to his feet. He lunged for Father Robert and wrapped his hands around the exorcist’s neck.
“Papa! Stop it!” Mina helped Bev up. She ran to her dad and tried to pull him off the exorcist.
Bev picked up the knife and faced the doll. “All right, demon shit. The tables have turned now.”
The doll grinned. Alaksha ran toward Bev. Bev swung the knife around. The doll slipped past and dove under the bed.
“Hiding won’t save you!” Bev looked under. A large snake jumped out. Bev screamed and fought but it wrapped around and immobilized her except for a free arm. Alaksha grinned before snapping its jaw at her neck. Bev jabbed the knife into the snake repeatedly until the light in her eyes diminished and her hand fell limp.
Drops of blood splattered onto the wall. Mina looked back as Bev’s corpse was dragged under the bed.. “Bev! Noooooo!”
Father Robert slumped into Mina. Both tumbled to the ground. Mina looked into the exorcist’s dead eyes. Her heart beat against her chest. A skeleton scurried from under the bed and grabbed Father Robert. It looked at Mina. She screamed and scrambled back. The skeleton pulled the exorcist’s corpse underneath the bed.
Clay ran into the room. He swung the bat at his father again. The bat bounced off the doorframe and cracked. Senior Swan lunged at Clay. He pinned him down and whaled on his son.
Mina jumped to her feet. She jumped on Clay’s father and pounded on his back repeatedly. Senior Swan tried to throw her off. He rose to feet and bashed Mina into the wall. She held on tight and refused to let go. Senior Swan slammed her again.
Clay struggled to get up. His vision was hazy. He touched the blood running down his face. Clay wiped the blood from his eyes.
Mina scratched at Clay’s father. He threw her over his shoulder and slammed her into the ground. He held her down by her throat. She was losing air. Senior Swan struck her. The world spun. She tried to cough up blood but the strangulation blocked the blood. Tears rolled down her cheeks. She was going to die, drowned in her own blood.
A loud crack rang in Mina’s ears. Senior Swan collapsed. Mina coughed out the blood and struggled for air. Her head still spun as she was pulled to her feet. Clay wiped the blood from her lip.
Clay and Mina looked down at his father. Blood pooled around his head. His eyes had rolled behind his head. Clay’s breath caught in his throat as he looked at his dead father. He killed his father.
Mina put a hand on his arm. “Clay, Alaksha is looking at us.”
Clay swallowed his emotions. Right now was not the time to process. He pulled Mina behind him and faced the doll and Mr. Vivano. “I’m going to smash you to pieces.”
The doll giggled. “Two to go.” It looked at the corpse of Clay’s father. It licked its lips.
“What the hell does that mean?!” Clay charged the doll.
Mr. Vivano tackled Clay to the ground. The doll ran over to Mr. Swan’s corpse and dragged it with the others. Clay and Mr. Vivano wrestled for the bat. The bat rolled out of Clay’s hand and under the bed. Mr. Vivano grabbed his neck and squeezed. Clay gritted his teeth and punched him in the face.
Mr. Vivano’s grip loosened. Clay kicked him square in the stomach. He jumped to his feet and put his hands up to fight. He wouldn’t go down again.
“Clay! Please don’t hurt him!” Mina picked up the black candle off the dresser. She placed it on the floor and reached for the black leather book Clay dropped. “Just, keep them stalled!”
“Easier said than done!” He dodged the next attack. Clay thrust his fist into her dad’s side. He lurched over and groaned. Clay slammed his fist across his face. Mr. Vivano flew across the room and crashed into the closet. “What the hell are you planning anyway?!”
Clay glanced over his shoulder. Mina held a double-edged dagger and pricked her finger. Mina held her hand over the candle and let a couple drops of blood fall into the fire. “Witchcraft.”
Clay didn’t see the fist in time. Mr. Vivano dropped him. His jaw ached with excruciating pain. Clay’s vision blurred. He couldn’t get his muscles to listen to him.
Mr. Vivano stood over him. A blank expression remained on his bloodied face. Clay grabbed the edge of the bed. He pulled himself back.
Mina closed her eyes. “Devourer of souls, I call to you! I beg you! Come to me, Ammut! Come to me, Ammut and face your banished daughter, Alaksha! I invoke thee, Ammut!”
Alaksha spun around. It noticed the black leather book and screamed. It dove under the bed.
The room darkened. Mina’s candle blew out. Clay watched the shadows approach Mina. A cold wind filled the room.
“She can’t stop me. The Vivano family has been my favorite this time around.” Golden eyes peered from the darkness under the bed. “Like mother, like daughter.”
Mina looked at the eyes. She thought about the doll's green eyes. Realization struck her. “It was you.”
Mina’s dad picked up the kitchen knife. “For my daughter, Alaksha.” He drove the knife into his chest. His chest convulsed. Blood gathered in his throat. In moments, he dropped to the floor, expressionless. “Mina…”
A terrible scream came from Mina. All glass and porcelain in the room shattered. Tears flowed down her eyes. She gripped the rug underneath her and bawled.
Clay dragged himself over to Mina. He held her hand. “I’m here.”
Mina clenched her teeth. “I invoke thee…” The room quaked. Mina tightened her grip around Clay. “Stay with me. Don’t let Alaksha get you too.”
The shadows attached to Mina. They slowly consumed her. “What’s going on, Mina?”
Mina convulsed. She fell back and went into a seizure. Clay lost his grip as Mina rose into the air. The shadows threw her around the room like a ragdoll.
Clay heard something clatter behind him. He looked over his shoulder. The world stilled.
A monster with a crocodile head jumped out from the shadows underneath the bed. It clamped its razor-sharp teeth on Clay’s legs. He screamed. He tried reaching for anything to strike.
Mina dropped to the floor beside him. She weakly reached for Clay’s hand. “Clay…”
Clay tried to catch her hand. “Mina…”
The crocodile monster dragged him under the bed. In seconds, a wave of blood poured out.
Mina wailed. Her vision hazed.
A gentle hand touched her shoulder. “You have called me. Per your request, I free you from my daughter. We are now bonded.”
Mina blacked.
“So you’ve told me.” Clay opened the gate to Mina’s yard. “I appreciate you coming on short notice, Father Robert.”
Father Robert accessed the yard as they walked down the path. “You must love this girl very much to beg on your knees. It moved me. How could I turn away someone begging for help?”
Clay smiled. “The doll is in here.” He jumped onto the front porch and froze. The door was opened ajar. Clay stopped Father Robert. He nudged the door open and peeked inside. A cold wind blew. Clay shivered.
Father Robert put a hand on Clay’s shoulder and pulled him back. “It appears your judgment was correct, child.” He pulled out his cross and kissed it. “Evil pours from this house.”
“Yeah…” Clay followed the exorcist inside. The floor creaked underneath his feet. He walked past Father Robert. “Let me see if her dad is okay. Then we’ll go up to her room and get rid of the doll.”
Father Robert’s eyebrow rose slightly, but nodded in agreement.
Clay led the exorcist into the lounge. Empty. Not even the fireplace had the usual roaring fire. Clay shivered again. He never knew the house to be so cold.
“There’s no one here,” Father Robert said.
“Perhaps for the best. I’ll take you to the doll.” Clay noticed a black candle and black leather book on the floor. He picked them up. “What are these doing here?” He tucked the book under his arm and pulled out his lighter. He flicked the lighter and brought it to the wick until a small ember danced atop.
“May not be much, but a little light is always good,” Father Robert said. He dabbed his forehead.
Clay slowly climbed the stairs. The higher he went, the colder it became and a stronger draft blew. Clay held a protective hand in front of the ember.
The two walked down the hall until they reached Mina’s room. Clay grabbed the doorknob and took a deep breath. The exorcist placed his hand on his shoulder again. “Whenever you are ready, child.”
Clay nodded. He cracked open the door.
“Whoever you are, get out of here! Run!”
“Mina?!” Clay threw the door open. Mina and Bev sat at the base of her bed, their hands and ankles bound together. “What’s going on here?!”
Mina’s eyes grew wide, “Clay?! No! Run!”
Clay set the candle on the dresser by the door. He had barely heard the squeak behind him. Clay turned just in time to see Mr. Vivano with a bat. He let himself fall to the side as Mr. Vivano plunged the bat down.
Father Robert stumbled back in surprise. “Dear lord!”
Mr. Vivano turned toward the exorcist. He was expressionless as he dragged the bat across the floor. He raised the bat and swung.
Father Robert yelped and jumped out of the way. The bat shattered Mina’s lamp. He scurried to his feet and held up his cross. “Stand down! Do not let the dark consume you, child! Believe in the good will of God! Let the power of Christ fill you with his love!”
Mr. Vivano raised the bat again.
Clay tackled him to the ground. The two wrestled around the floor. Mr. Vivano overpowered Clay and pinned him to the ground.
“Clay!”
Mr. Vivano raised the bat. Clay bucked around enough to slide under and knee his back. Clay tossed him aside and grabbed his wrist. He slammed the wrist on the ground until Mr. Vivano released the bat.
A slow clap caught their attention. The doll sat on the end of Mina’s bed. A demonic smile revealing razor-sharp teeth hung on the doll’s lips.
“Good God…” Father Robert marked The Father, The Son, and the Holy Spirit.
“Don’t just stand there!” Clay kicked the bat toward the exorcist. “Exorcise the damn thing!”
A shrilly laugh echoed the room. “Yes, Father Robert. Exorcise me.”
Father Robert’s eye widened. “S-Spawn of Satan, how do you know my name?!” He held his cross at the doll. “Begone, demon! Leave this peaceful house! In the name of the Holy Spirit, I command thee to leave!”
The doll cocked its head to the side.
Father Robert’s lips quivered. His breathing became labored. “The power of Christ compels you to leave this family alone!”
The doll slowly shook its head. “Your faith fails you.” The doll returned its attention to Clay. It watched him struggle to keep Mina’s dad pinned. “You are strong, Clay. I like that. Your soul will be exquisite to devour.”
“The hell you on about?!”
The doll remained motionless. A crash downstairs startled Clay.
“YOU BETTER GET YOUR ASS DOWN HERE, BOY!”
“My father? How?” Clay looked at the doll. “You called him?!”
Mina struggled against her bonds. “Clay! Get me out of here!”
“Father Robert! Help me!”
Father Robert grabbed Mr. Vivano’s wrists. Clay faced the doll.
The doll climbed to its feet. Its small porcelain hand wrapped around a kitchen knife nearly its size. The dark silky hair bounced as the doll swayed side-to-side. Shadows crept up the walls behind it.
Darkness surrounded the doll. Clay knelt down to pick up the bat. His heart raced frantically. In less than a minute, his father would burst through the door and kill him. “Let’s go, you little shit.”
Clay twirled the bat. He lunged and swung with all of his might. The doll leapt off the bed. It slashed Clay’s calf. Clay stumbled back and tried swinging the bat again. The doll stayed still as the bat whooshed past its face. Clay plopped onto the floor.
The doll pounced. Clay kicked it away. The doll dropped the knife as it rolled under the bed. He grabbed the knife and scrambled to his feet. He gripped the doorframe for balance.
Mina stamped her foot. “Clay! Behind you!”
A hand grabbed Clay by the hair and pulled him back. Clay’s father gave him a smile. “I’ve been looking for you, boy.” He threw Clay to the floor.
Clay scurried by Mina’s side. “Why are you here?”
“Out all night and you think I wouldn’t try to find you? I told you we weren’t done talking about your escapades from the other night.” His father cracked his knuckles. “Disrespectful children need to be taught a lesson.”
“Clay,” Mina fought against her binds, “This is what Alaksha wants! There are now five souls for her! You have to run!”
Senior Swan looked at Mina. His eyes trailed around the messy room and noticed the two men fighting and the girls tied up. “What has this slut gotten you into, Clay?” He shook his head.
“Who the hell is Alaksha?” Clay turned Mina to the side. “Get out of here, dad. It’s not safe here.”
“Damn right you're not.” Senior Swan reached for Clay. Clay kicked at his father. His father tried to get past the flurry of kicks. Clay slipped the knife through Mina’s binds. The blade cut Mina’s forearm in the struggle.
Senior Swan grabbed Clay’s ankle and dragged him across the floor. Clay swung the bat but it didn’t reach. “Mina! Free Bev and get out of here!” He tossed the knife toward her.
Mina reached for the knife. Alaksha raced from under the bed. It bit Mina’s hand and grabbed the knife. Mina and Bev screamed as the doll faced the girls. The doll charged. Mina grabbed the doll’s small wrists as it tried to plunge the knife into her shoulder. She couldn’t understand how something so small was so strong. She glanced at the book on the ground.
Mina shut her eyes. She let the knife drive into her shoulder. In the split second the knife stuck, Mina smacked the doll away. She let out a cry of pain and pulled the knife out. She cut the binds around her ankles and crawled to Bev.
Father Robert crashed into Mina’s desk. Mr. Vivano jumped to his feet. He lunged for Father Robert and wrapped his hands around the exorcist’s neck.
“Papa! Stop it!” Mina helped Bev up. She ran to her dad and tried to pull him off the exorcist.
Bev picked up the knife and faced the doll. “All right, demon shit. The tables have turned now.”
The doll grinned. Alaksha ran toward Bev. Bev swung the knife around. The doll slipped past and dove under the bed.
“Hiding won’t save you!” Bev looked under. A large snake jumped out. Bev screamed and fought but it wrapped around and immobilized her except for a free arm. Alaksha grinned before snapping its jaw at her neck. Bev jabbed the knife into the snake repeatedly until the light in her eyes diminished and her hand fell limp.
Drops of blood splattered onto the wall. Mina looked back as Bev’s corpse was dragged under the bed.. “Bev! Noooooo!”
Father Robert slumped into Mina. Both tumbled to the ground. Mina looked into the exorcist’s dead eyes. Her heart beat against her chest. A skeleton scurried from under the bed and grabbed Father Robert. It looked at Mina. She screamed and scrambled back. The skeleton pulled the exorcist’s corpse underneath the bed.
Clay ran into the room. He swung the bat at his father again. The bat bounced off the doorframe and cracked. Senior Swan lunged at Clay. He pinned him down and whaled on his son.
Mina jumped to her feet. She jumped on Clay’s father and pounded on his back repeatedly. Senior Swan tried to throw her off. He rose to feet and bashed Mina into the wall. She held on tight and refused to let go. Senior Swan slammed her again.
Clay struggled to get up. His vision was hazy. He touched the blood running down his face. Clay wiped the blood from his eyes.
Mina scratched at Clay’s father. He threw her over his shoulder and slammed her into the ground. He held her down by her throat. She was losing air. Senior Swan struck her. The world spun. She tried to cough up blood but the strangulation blocked the blood. Tears rolled down her cheeks. She was going to die, drowned in her own blood.
A loud crack rang in Mina’s ears. Senior Swan collapsed. Mina coughed out the blood and struggled for air. Her head still spun as she was pulled to her feet. Clay wiped the blood from her lip.
Clay and Mina looked down at his father. Blood pooled around his head. His eyes had rolled behind his head. Clay’s breath caught in his throat as he looked at his dead father. He killed his father.
Mina put a hand on his arm. “Clay, Alaksha is looking at us.”
Clay swallowed his emotions. Right now was not the time to process. He pulled Mina behind him and faced the doll and Mr. Vivano. “I’m going to smash you to pieces.”
The doll giggled. “Two to go.” It looked at the corpse of Clay’s father. It licked its lips.
“What the hell does that mean?!” Clay charged the doll.
Mr. Vivano tackled Clay to the ground. The doll ran over to Mr. Swan’s corpse and dragged it with the others. Clay and Mr. Vivano wrestled for the bat. The bat rolled out of Clay’s hand and under the bed. Mr. Vivano grabbed his neck and squeezed. Clay gritted his teeth and punched him in the face.
Mr. Vivano’s grip loosened. Clay kicked him square in the stomach. He jumped to his feet and put his hands up to fight. He wouldn’t go down again.
“Clay! Please don’t hurt him!” Mina picked up the black candle off the dresser. She placed it on the floor and reached for the black leather book Clay dropped. “Just, keep them stalled!”
“Easier said than done!” He dodged the next attack. Clay thrust his fist into her dad’s side. He lurched over and groaned. Clay slammed his fist across his face. Mr. Vivano flew across the room and crashed into the closet. “What the hell are you planning anyway?!”
Clay glanced over his shoulder. Mina held a double-edged dagger and pricked her finger. Mina held her hand over the candle and let a couple drops of blood fall into the fire. “Witchcraft.”
Clay didn’t see the fist in time. Mr. Vivano dropped him. His jaw ached with excruciating pain. Clay’s vision blurred. He couldn’t get his muscles to listen to him.
Mr. Vivano stood over him. A blank expression remained on his bloodied face. Clay grabbed the edge of the bed. He pulled himself back.
Mina closed her eyes. “Devourer of souls, I call to you! I beg you! Come to me, Ammut! Come to me, Ammut and face your banished daughter, Alaksha! I invoke thee, Ammut!”
Alaksha spun around. It noticed the black leather book and screamed. It dove under the bed.
The room darkened. Mina’s candle blew out. Clay watched the shadows approach Mina. A cold wind filled the room.
“She can’t stop me. The Vivano family has been my favorite this time around.” Golden eyes peered from the darkness under the bed. “Like mother, like daughter.”
Mina looked at the eyes. She thought about the doll's green eyes. Realization struck her. “It was you.”
Mina’s dad picked up the kitchen knife. “For my daughter, Alaksha.” He drove the knife into his chest. His chest convulsed. Blood gathered in his throat. In moments, he dropped to the floor, expressionless. “Mina…”
A terrible scream came from Mina. All glass and porcelain in the room shattered. Tears flowed down her eyes. She gripped the rug underneath her and bawled.
Clay dragged himself over to Mina. He held her hand. “I’m here.”
Mina clenched her teeth. “I invoke thee…” The room quaked. Mina tightened her grip around Clay. “Stay with me. Don’t let Alaksha get you too.”
The shadows attached to Mina. They slowly consumed her. “What’s going on, Mina?”
Mina convulsed. She fell back and went into a seizure. Clay lost his grip as Mina rose into the air. The shadows threw her around the room like a ragdoll.
Clay heard something clatter behind him. He looked over his shoulder. The world stilled.
A monster with a crocodile head jumped out from the shadows underneath the bed. It clamped its razor-sharp teeth on Clay’s legs. He screamed. He tried reaching for anything to strike.
Mina dropped to the floor beside him. She weakly reached for Clay’s hand. “Clay…”
Clay tried to catch her hand. “Mina…”
The crocodile monster dragged him under the bed. In seconds, a wave of blood poured out.
Mina wailed. Her vision hazed.
A gentle hand touched her shoulder. “You have called me. Per your request, I free you from my daughter. We are now bonded.”
Mina blacked.
Part 5
The Darkness
The ringing continued. Blaine disconnected when the voicemail began. He stared at the wallpaper on screen. Clay with his arm around him and his stupid grin with Mina leaning on him. Happy times.
He still couldn’t believe it had been a month. He sniffed back his tears. He fixed his glasses and shoved the phone into his pocket.
Blaine stiffened as his bullies approached. Jack threw his arm around his shoulder. “Morning, Blaine. Been a while.”
His eyes fell to the floor. Blaine gripped the strap of his backpack tightly.
“We were sorry to hear about Clay. It’s a real shame.” The other two chuckled.
Blaine rolled his eyes. “I’m sure you’re mortified.”
“We are.” He smirked. “I wanted to be the one to kill him.”
Rage filled him. He swung at the jock. Jack easily slapped his hand away. He grabbed Blaine by the collar and lifted him off the ground.
“That wasn’t nice.” Jack slammed him into the wall. “How are you going to make it up to me?”
“By giving you five seconds to release him and be on your merry way.”
They all turned. A girl with deep red hair stood tall with her arms crossed. “Is that… Mina?”
Mina tapped her combat boot on the ground impatiently. Her chains rapped against her thigh as she pulled off her messenger bag and tossed it onto the floor. Every finger held a ring with symbols engraved. A leather armlet wrapped around her forearm. Her black tank revealed a tattoo of a three moons surrounding a pentacle on her shoulder. A black tree trailed up her arm and stopped before the three moons. Her hair fell over her right eye to hide a nasty scar.
She brushed her thumb across her black-colored lips. “Five.”
Jack laughed. “Look who’s trying to be a badass.” The other two jocks laughed with him. “You’re not your dead boyfriend, little girl. Why don’t you run along and go play with some dolls.”
Mina’s eye twitched. She approached the three jocks. “One.” Mina swung on Brian. He dropped to the floor and held his cheek in surprise. Without hesitation, Mina slammed her foot into the Kevin’s calf. He toppled over enough for Mina to slam her palm into his jaw. She turned to Jack. “Not going to say it again. Let him go.” She twisted her fist slightly. A thin dagger emerged from the leather armlet.
Jack dropped Blaine. He held his hands up in surrender and back away. He helped the other two to their feet and ran.
Mina slipped the dagger back into her armlet. “You okay?”
Blaine nodded. “That dagger is gonna get you into trouble.”
“Don’t care.” Mina picked up her bag. She threw it over her shoulder.
He looked at her tattoo. “I’m surprised you didn’t scare them off with your new-found power.”
Mina’s face darkened. “Those idiots aren’t worth the darkness I carry.”
“At least you aren’t in juvie. The courts think your dad’s Alzheimer’s is what caused the massacre. Don’t put that all in jeopardy.” Blaine sighed. “Is your new foster home treating you well?”
Mina shrugged. “They don’t matter. They stay out of my way while I take care of my business.” A smile came to her lips. “Speaking of, I got a new case for you.” She pulled out a black pocket-folder from her bag.
“Another? You do know that hunting down demons isn’t going to bring them back.”
“I know that,” Mina spat. “I don’t remember much after I invoked Ammut, but I awoke with three truths. One, Darkness has become a part of me as has Ammut.” She exhaled. “Two, Alaksha murdered my mother three years ago and took her body. That doll my mom had was Alaksha. It was why it had her eyes. And third, Alaksha will return in fifteen years. When she does, I will be waiting… and I will avenge them all.”
Blaine stared at the hatred in her eyes. “Then let’s start with this.”
He still couldn’t believe it had been a month. He sniffed back his tears. He fixed his glasses and shoved the phone into his pocket.
Blaine stiffened as his bullies approached. Jack threw his arm around his shoulder. “Morning, Blaine. Been a while.”
His eyes fell to the floor. Blaine gripped the strap of his backpack tightly.
“We were sorry to hear about Clay. It’s a real shame.” The other two chuckled.
Blaine rolled his eyes. “I’m sure you’re mortified.”
“We are.” He smirked. “I wanted to be the one to kill him.”
Rage filled him. He swung at the jock. Jack easily slapped his hand away. He grabbed Blaine by the collar and lifted him off the ground.
“That wasn’t nice.” Jack slammed him into the wall. “How are you going to make it up to me?”
“By giving you five seconds to release him and be on your merry way.”
They all turned. A girl with deep red hair stood tall with her arms crossed. “Is that… Mina?”
Mina tapped her combat boot on the ground impatiently. Her chains rapped against her thigh as she pulled off her messenger bag and tossed it onto the floor. Every finger held a ring with symbols engraved. A leather armlet wrapped around her forearm. Her black tank revealed a tattoo of a three moons surrounding a pentacle on her shoulder. A black tree trailed up her arm and stopped before the three moons. Her hair fell over her right eye to hide a nasty scar.
She brushed her thumb across her black-colored lips. “Five.”
Jack laughed. “Look who’s trying to be a badass.” The other two jocks laughed with him. “You’re not your dead boyfriend, little girl. Why don’t you run along and go play with some dolls.”
Mina’s eye twitched. She approached the three jocks. “One.” Mina swung on Brian. He dropped to the floor and held his cheek in surprise. Without hesitation, Mina slammed her foot into the Kevin’s calf. He toppled over enough for Mina to slam her palm into his jaw. She turned to Jack. “Not going to say it again. Let him go.” She twisted her fist slightly. A thin dagger emerged from the leather armlet.
Jack dropped Blaine. He held his hands up in surrender and back away. He helped the other two to their feet and ran.
Mina slipped the dagger back into her armlet. “You okay?”
Blaine nodded. “That dagger is gonna get you into trouble.”
“Don’t care.” Mina picked up her bag. She threw it over her shoulder.
He looked at her tattoo. “I’m surprised you didn’t scare them off with your new-found power.”
Mina’s face darkened. “Those idiots aren’t worth the darkness I carry.”
“At least you aren’t in juvie. The courts think your dad’s Alzheimer’s is what caused the massacre. Don’t put that all in jeopardy.” Blaine sighed. “Is your new foster home treating you well?”
Mina shrugged. “They don’t matter. They stay out of my way while I take care of my business.” A smile came to her lips. “Speaking of, I got a new case for you.” She pulled out a black pocket-folder from her bag.
“Another? You do know that hunting down demons isn’t going to bring them back.”
“I know that,” Mina spat. “I don’t remember much after I invoked Ammut, but I awoke with three truths. One, Darkness has become a part of me as has Ammut.” She exhaled. “Two, Alaksha murdered my mother three years ago and took her body. That doll my mom had was Alaksha. It was why it had her eyes. And third, Alaksha will return in fifteen years. When she does, I will be waiting… and I will avenge them all.”
Blaine stared at the hatred in her eyes. “Then let’s start with this.”