Page 54 of Dollface

Havoc’s smile falls as her eye twitches. “Come on, dolly. Don’t be a dumb?—”

“No,” I shout firmly as her face darkens.

“No? Oh, tsk, tsk, dolly, dolly, dolly...” Havoc claps her hands excitedly. “This is so exciting for Havoc! Dolly says no with all the force! Means she’s serious. She demands meaning serious outcomes, yes? Serious outcomes... Serious outcomes...” Her human eye rolls as her head follows suit. “Dolly says no, so let's see what Boogeyman is made of.” She slips up next to me. “If Havoc guts him, will the bugs fall out?” she whispers.

“Stop!” I cry out as Havoc prepares to lunge on Firefly while he struggles against the webbing. “Please, no... Havoc, not him.” Havoc gives me an expectant look, and I know—I know—I have to make the choice; send him to Nightmare where he will be safe and stay here with Havoc to die, or fight her and we both die.

I give Firefly one last look, our eyes meeting, knowing there’s only one choice. I can’t let him die. I won’t. Despite the heartache, I love him. I was conned into lusting after the Boogeyman, but I fell in love with Firefly, and I won’t allow the one I love to be hurt.

“Don’t,” he orders, though it’s weak and desperate as he struggles against the webs. “Baby, don’t do this, I’ll fix this. I’m not losing you.”

“Cheaters and losers, one and the same. Cheaters are losers, never winning the game,” Havoc mutters,and I steel myself while staring at his desperate face.

“Blue,” he whispers as I force myself to look away facing Havoc, my eyes burning from crying. I can’t look at his pleading face anymore. If I do, I’ll break.

“Send him to Nightmare,” I state, my voice hollow. “I’m ready to play your game, Havoc.”

Epilogue

Firefly

“Well?” I snap, waiting impatiently for one of them to fucking speak.

Charisma clears their throat. “The rumors of a hidden portal in the woods was,” they stop looking at Sullen, “well, just that. Rumors.”Fuck!I slam my fist against the table, taxidermy tools scattering across the floor. As I run my hands through my hair in frustration, I lick my lips, my eyes searching, trying to figure something, anything out. There’s a solution; I know there’s a solution to this. I’m just overlooking it.

“There’s got to be another portal here somewhere! How else did the Spinster get her nightmares here? How did Havoc do it?” I run my hands down my scruffy face as I groan in exhaustion. My fingers part slightly as I stare down at the table, looking at the small stuffed creature before me. Pain begins to build in my side, the feeling of something hot piercing my flesh, causing me to cry out through my clenched teeth.

“Boss!” Charisma tries to rush to me, but I raise my hand, stopping them.

I glance down at my bare ribs, no wound or visible affliction present, yet I feel the pain.

Blue.

My hand grazes her name, still stitched perfectly across my heart. She’s being tortured—again—and I’m feeling every bit of it, as I have every time since I was forced back to Nightmare. I need to get back to Dreadmoor, to save her and stop her pain, buthow? The sensation returns, even more so this time. I groan loudly, slamming my fists into the table as I try to fight the pain, waiting for it to pass.

As much as I wish for the pain to end, it’s also welcoming. It’s the reminder I need that she’s still alive, that she’s still fighting, and despite the Spinster’s attempts, we’re still connected. I’ll gladly share this pain with her. I won’t let her go through this alone.

“Is it Blue again?” Charisma asks. Their affection towards the doll has changed since my return, which is oddly calming. I nod as they shake their head. “I knew Havoc was crazy, but I never imagined she would do all of this.”

No one did.

“Keep asking around,” I exhale, wiping sweat from my forehead. “There has to be someone in this fucking world who knows something.” Charisma nods as their eyes meet Sullen’s.

“There may be someone we can ask.” Sullen slithers from the shadows of the basement.

“Who?” I ask, retrieving the needle and thread before piercing the animal’s fur.

“Stingy Jack.” My body freezes, stiffening at the sound of that fucker’s name. Charisma, sensing my rising anger, moves to intervene.

“Sullen—”

“Charisma, think about it. He has been here the longest, he knows all the portals. He was the first in Nightmare to discover a way out. If anyone can get you back to Dreadmoor, boss, it’s Stingy Jack.”

The two minions wait for my decision. The last person I want to ask for help is Stingy Jack, but for Blue, I will do anything. I take a long breath before nodding.

“Alright, arrange a meeting.” Sullen nods, slithering back to the shadows.

“You don’t have to do this, boss. We’ll keep trying to find another way.”

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