scrambled eyes on the table. Clare looked at the clock. It was 9:30am.
Clare came downstairs with Melody’s present. She had made sure that the doll was still inside by checking for holes and shaking it. “Mommy, sorry about last night, it was really a nightmare.” Clare lied as she filled her mouth with eggs and baked beans.
“It's alright, things like that happens sometimes, especially when you are young. You get more nightmares because you have a deeper sleep.” Her mother said then realized that Clare was looking at her confusingly and didn’t understand the statement. “You’ll get it when you grow older.”
Clare finished her breakfast and then got ready for the birthday party. She looked at the present that she was going to give Melody. ‘Well at least this will be out of my way.’ She thought as she got into the car with her mother.
After ten minutes, they arrived at their destination. Clare rushed up to the house and rang the doorbell twice. The door swung open.
“Hi! You are the first, Clare!” Melody said as she led her into her house.
“Here is your present! Happy Birthday!” Clare said with a big smile, but inside she felt guilty for giving the doll to her friend. Melody opened it and stared into the doll. “Her name is Kaya.”
“Hello Kaya! Nice to meet you, I’m Melody! You’re going to be happy here I promise!” Melody said while smoothening the dolls silky, green hair.
For the entire party, Clare thought she would have a good time. But all she was thinking about was how Melody and Kaya would get along. She sighed.
“Come on, Clare! It’s time to cut my cake!” Melody said and dragged her to the table where everyone else was. Everyone began to sing. Melody leaned forward and blew the candles on the cake, then started cutting the cake, and handing it to her friends.
Clare wandered around to see where Kaya was. The doll was sitting on one of the chairs Melody put it in. Clare backs away and looked at the clock. “Melody it’s time for me to go now, I had lots of fun!” She lied as they said their goodbyes.
“How was the party?” Clare’s mother was outside waiting for her.
“It was great! I loved the cake the most, it was vanilla ice cream flavor and had lots and lots of whipped cream!” Clare had to admit she loved the cake.
“I’m glad you had fun! Now let’s get back home then shall we?” Her mother said as she opened the door to let Clare hop in.
Clare sighed and wondered what was going on in Melody’s house with the doll, her face filled with worry.
Melody picked up the doll gently and hugged it. “Let’s go to bed now okay?” She said happily then went up to her room. She felt a tug on her shirt. She looked down to see the doll holding her.
“I don’t want to sleep yet, I want to chat.” Kaya said with a sad and pleading expression.
Melody was shocked and at the same time sorry for the doll. “Okay so what do you want to talk about?” Melody was not scared at all; in fact she was happy she didn’t feel alone in her room.
Kaya smiled warmly and began talking. “You’re the only one who treated me so well, I’m so happy!” She said. “Most people never treat me like you do, Clare was so mean to me…”
“What happened?” Melody asked the doll.
“When I hugged her, she just threw me into the closet. The doll said. “Your birthday present was meant to be a necklace, but she changed her mind.”
“I see…” Said Melody. “But that’s okay. I’m happy you’re here!” Melody giggled as she held the doll closer. Suddenly the door opened and her mother stepped in, finding that the doll was speaking to her.
“Melody! Give me that doll! Now!” Her mother said while trying to grab the doll.
“No! This is mine! Kaya is my family!” Melody said as she ran from her mother and cuddled the doll closer to her.
“Dolls don’t talk, Melody! Now give that thing to me now!” Melody’s mother was furious that her daughter was so naïve.
“It’s not a thing! She’s family!” Melody screamed back and her mother caught her. And grabbed the doll out of her hands. “No Kaya! Mommy what are you going to do with Kaya!” Melody’s voice grew louder and flung at her mother.
Melody’s mother quickly closed the door and ran down the stairs and into the garden. She took a shovel and began digging.
“What are you going to do with me?” Kaya said filled with horror.
“I’m going to bury you so that you won’t brainwash my child!” Melody’s mother said angrily and shoved the doll into the dirt.
Kaya was confused. “I’m not brainwashing her!” She said and took a dagger out of her own pocket. She began slicing and stabbing Melody’s mother numerous of times before she was dead. Kaya was filled with blood and quickly washed herself in the pond nearby and buried Melody’s mother before she climbed back into the house. She looked back at the garden. “What have I done…” Kaya said regretfully. She quickly went upstairs.
Melody was in her room crying. She wanted Kaya back; she didn’t want to be alone. More tears came out as she thought about the doll. The door slightly opened. And there stood Kaya, soaking wet. Melody lunged herself at the doll and hugged it tightly. “Are you okay? What did mommy do to you?”
“Everything is okay. You will never be alone again. Never.”
###
About the Author
Vera Lynn van Kessel is an aspiring young writer from Singapore who studies in an International School in her home country. She wrote this book as a personal project for her final MYP-IB year. It is the first book she published and she is looking to write many more in the years to come. When it comes to writing she likes to write horror stories.
Part of her earlier life, she grew up in China where she picked up many ideas for the stories. That plus the works of her favorite author R.L. Stine were the inspiration for this book.
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