Page 15 of Hell's Fear

“Big fuckin’ dolls!” Chatter screeched, backing away.

“They’re mannequins!” Celt hollered as Chey and Mina tried to hide smiles.

I knew how they felt. It was hard not to laugh at Chatter’s fear. My heart felt for him, but his reaction was so funny.

“No fuckin’ dolls!” Chatter shrieked and backed into a mannequin. The arm touched him, and Chatter’s eyes rolled up and he fell backwards full length and hit the floor with a crash.

“I’m ashamed!” Celt complained as he checked Chatter over.

Kele remained plastered to the wall.

Well, this room was a shit show, I thought, amused, shaking my head.

All around us were mannequins standing with sheets covering them from head to toe. The light only shone so far. I swapped glances with Ben and stepped forward into the room, and some lights came on at the end.

“Fuck! It’s Chucky!” Celt yelled.

“Oh no!” I cried as Celt leapt to his feet and dropped Chatter’s head, bouncing it off the ground, and backed away quickly. Celt started casting a wary eye around.

“This is getting out of hand,” I complained as Mina shot over to Celt and hid behind his back.

On a platform above a small door sat Chucky on a throne. Two dark screens stood on each side of him.

“What do we do, Phoe?” Chey asked.

Chey, Hunter, Ben, Mouse, and I were all that remained active. The other four were down.

“Okay. I’m guessing we have to activate those screens somehow,” I said, approaching.

A screech left my lips as Chucky’s head swivelled, and it seemed as if the doll was staring at me.

“Hi, I’m Chucky, and I’ll be your friend to the end. Wanna play? Let’s play!” Chucky giggled, and the first box lit up. On it was a picture of a disco ball.

“I don’t understand,” I muttered, gazing around.

“I don’t see a disco ball,” Chey said, frowning.

“Could it be a disco outfit?” Ben asked as he lifted a sheet and saw the mannequin was wearing a costume.

“Could be, let’s search these,” I agreed.

We spread out, taking a row each. I was near Chatter when he sat up and rubbed his head. Abject horror crossed his face as he witnessed once again what we were surrounded by.

“Chatter, we’re trying to get you out. Hold on,” I said soothingly.

Chatter was frozen, his eyes getting wider and wider as his jaw dropped.

“Phoe!” Hunter roared and moved towards me fast. I stepped back, shocked, as suddenly an arm flashed, and a knife just missed me.

Chatter screamed as Hunter took me down and rolled me out of the way before leaping to his feet. The mannequin attacked Chatter, who was helpless. Celt leapt in front of Chatter, his hands up to defend his brother.

“What the fuck?” Kele cried as he overcame his fear and shoved the dummy away from Chatter. “That’s an actual knife!”

I saw blood well on Kele’s arm.

“What?” I whispered, terrified myself now.

The mannequin regained its balance and came at Kele, slashing and stabbing. Kele used another mannequin to hide behind and deflect the blows.

---