Page 12 of Dollface

“Bye, dolly!” Havoc screeches in the distance as I bolt away, flustered and disheveled.

I touched it. I touched the Boogeyman’s dick.

I can’t sleep.Instead, I’ve spent hours scribbling in my journal, unable to form a single word, let alone a sentence. My mind continues to loop over that moment, the memory of his hard bulge forever seared into my brain. It’s as if I can still feel it against my palm, pushing into me. The very idea causes my heart to race as sweat begins to bead around my forehead, mycore aching and throbbing.What is wrong with me?I slam my head into my pillow, groaning as I struggle to grasp what’s happening.

The sound of the floor creaking causes me to raise my head as I peek over the pillow into the darkness of my room, shadows dancing across the walls and floor as the fire crackles next to me. My hand trembles as I snatch Mr. Whiskers, holding him close while I move the pillow aside and step onto the floor, my mismatched stockings highlighted by the moonlight.

“H-hello?” I call out, half expecting Havoc to pop out of hiding. Aside from the dull fire, there’s no noise. No response. I slowly inch toward my open bedroom door, glancing into the dark hall beyond. “Hello?” The sound of creaking wood startles me as I rush back into my room, slamming the door behind me while locking it. I lean against the wooden door exhaling with relief.

“Dollface.” His voice startles me, causing me to drop my sweet little rat and release a screech of terror. The Boogeyman is leaning against the partially opened window, staring at me through his mask, his arms crossed while playing with a set of dice. “Someone’s jumpy.” He tilts his head, amusement in his voice. “My dick didn’t scare you that bad, now did it?”

My face burns with horror as shame from what happened earlier fills me. His blunt, crude words take me by surprise, and I’m suddenly unable to speak. “I-I-I?—”

He pushes himself off the window, stepping toward me as I remain still, sweating and on fire, watching as he stops and slowly lowers himself in front of me, his mask moving as he looks me over. I swallow, running my tongue over my lips as he grips Mr. Whiskers, taking his time to rise, only inches from my body.

“Lose something?” he whispers, settling the rat into my hand, his burlap brushing my skin in the process.

“Thank you,” I breathe, pulling Mr. Whiskers close to my chest as I stare up at him towering over me. “What’re you doing here?” I asked. “Is Havoc with you?”

“Havoc is lost in her own little world doing whatever it is she does. I’m here alone.”Alone?“Are you okay?” He reaches his hand out, gently wiping away the beads of sweat that have formed on my forehead. “You seem?—”

“I’m fine!” I squeal, ducking from his touch and rushing to my bed. I curl up, bringing my knees to my chest as the hem of my dress flares around my hips. I’m embarrassed, shy, and filled with so many emotions. My nerves are taking control, making me a mess.

He stands at the door, quietly observing me for a few minutes before speaking. “How do you feel about games?” A flicker runs across my button eyes, almost like an instant response. All creations like games. It’s an odd characteristic we seemly inherited from the Creator when sewn together. She loves games, and as a result, so do we.

“Everybody likes games,” I mutter, resting my chin on my knee.

“Well then,” he approaches the bed, sitting next to me, “you’re going tolovethis one. It’s called Truth or Dare.” He leans in close.

“Never heard of it,” I snap, turning my head away.

“Oh, is the toy scared to play the Boogeyman’s game?” he teases me.

“I’m not a toy!” I growl, slamming my knees into the bed as I whirl toward him, my fists squeezing at my side as I smack him with Mr. Whiskers.

“Keep that disgusting thing away from me!” he groans, flinching from the stuffed rat. “I don't know how you can stand it, let alone sleep with that nasty rodent. Fucking stinks!”

I stop, gasping at his words. “How do you know I sleep with Mr. Whiskers?” He straightens his posture. “Answer me!” I raise the rat’s body, ready to strike when he speaks.

“Okay, okay! Havoc told me. Now would you please lower that damn thing? It reeks. Fucking hell.” My arm drops. It doesn’t surprise me knowing Havoc has been snooping around while I was asleep. Seems like a very Havoc thing to do. “Now, do you want to play my game, or should I just leave?” The idea of him leaving saddens me. I’m growing to really like his presence, and honestly, I want to play his game.

Shaking my head, I look up at him. “How do you play?” I ask, tucking the rat next to my bent knees.

“It’s simple, really. We take turns asking one question at a time, which the other person must answer honestly. If they refuse to answer, then they must do whatever the other player says.”

“Seems easy enough. Why would someone not answer a question?” I ask, genuinely curious. He tilts his head, scoffing at my words.

“I guess we’ll have to find out, now won’t we, dollface?” He pulls out a set of dice, rolling them across the bed as he speaks. “Even, I go first. Odd, you.” I watch the dice bounce as they land. “Two. Snake eyes. Looks like I get to go first.”Snake eyes?“Let’s see.” He taps his chin. “Why are you here, in Nightmare?”

My stomach drops as I recall the events that led me to my banishment. Lowering my head, I feel a heavy amount of sadness begin to consume me. “I defied her, the Creator, so she sent me here as punishment. Discarded me—” My words break as I sniffle, fighting back tears.Like trash.

“Hey, this game isn’t meant to make you sad. Knock that off.” He motions to my face. “Fix it. And go; it’s your turn.”

I wipe my face, forcing back my tears as I inhale, shoving my feelings back. “Okay. Why do you hate the Creator so much?”

He turns his head. “Ask a different question.”

“No, you said each player had to answer truthfully. I asked my question, now answer it.” He leans toward me, breathing heavily behind his mask.

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