4. The BOOGEYMAN

Chapter 4

The BOOGEYMAN

I feel as though tonight can't get here any slower if it were trying. However, despite my excitement and need to see her again, I'm unfortunately not alone. This time, all three of my shadowing minions decide to tag along, thanks to Havoc's ridiculous words:

" Danger here, danger there, danger, danger everywhere. Boss must have the company of three while he sits upon the knowing tree."

Charisma is enamored by the idea of a doll walking around in Nightmare. They're eager and ready to lay their pale purple eyes on the creation with the unusual hair and mismatched eyes. Sullen, on the other hand, could give two shits about anyone other than himself—except for Charisma, which is the only reason he decided to tag along.

Havoc skips ahead of the rest of us, leading the way as we try to keep up with her surprisingly fast strides. For such a little thing, she's always extremely quick on her feet, even while wearing those ridiculous platform shoes.

"I still don't see why you all had to join me tonight," I grumble to Havoc as she dances along the dry, winding dirt path that leads up to the doll's home.

"Oh, but you do know why, boss man. Such a naughty bug you've been." She taps her button eye and giggles to herself, her grin stretching in such an unnatural way. My cheeks burn with embarrassment beneath my mask as I remain silent, wondering how the hell she could possibly know what I did. "Fireflies must be careful, for they could be squashed and make a messy mess. Frightful fate for fluttering friends, to lose their playthings in the end," she rambles, making less and less sense. What the fuck is she even saying?

"I must say," Charisma chimes in with their ostentatious tone, "I can't wait to see this pretty little doll Havoc has been going on and on about." They flick their feather boa at Sullen's irritated face while blowing him a kiss, causing the redhead to hiss, his demon eyes burning with annoyance as his devil tail slaps away Charisma's feathers.

"Dolly is quite pretty, is she not, boss?" Havoc beams while singing the last of her words. I growl a low warning at Havoc's teasing tone. No way am I falling into that trap.

The four of us quickly approach the large, decrepit home perched peacefully atop a lonely hill. "You three are not to enter the home, do you understand me?" I quietly snap.

"Well, you're no fun," Charisma snarks. I roll my eyes while approaching the large black tree that grows next to the home, carefully beginning my regular ritual of climbing the tree and scaling the thick branches that reach the outside of the doll's window.

Idiots, all of them. I don't understand why they had to tag along, but I wish they'd just fucking leave.

As I reach the large, lingering branch that scrapes against the glass of her window, I peek inside to spy not one, but all three of the fucking minions just standing around the doll's bed. What the fuck? I push forward, swinging the window open as I tumble inside.

"What the hell are you doing in here?" I snap harshly, trying to keep my words quiet, breathing heavily as I stand.

Havoc giggles, kicking her feet as she plops down at the foot of the sleeping doll's bed, picking at her sharp teeth. Charisma carefully raises the stuffed rat's body, pinching their nose as they examine it closely, their face doing a piss-poor job at masking their obvious disgust as they respond.

"Havoc over here let us in, right through the front door. Why else would it be unlocked if she didn't want visitors?" They continue to poke at the limp, stuffed rat. "It seems your doll is knocked out for the night. What a shame. We were really looking forward to playing with your new toy." They toss the rat down in revulsion. "Plus, you know how much Sullen likes these creations."

Sullen grins, his fluorescent face paint smeared like a Glasgow smile as his fiery pupils clash against the blacks of his eyes. "What's the matter, boss? Don't trust us with your new toy?" he asks, his voice low and demonic.

My breathing increases at the same alarming rate with which my patience disappears. I feel a surge of anger rush through me as the blood in my veins begins to boil. My hands curl into fists at my side, trembling with rage as I stare at the three of them, all smiling as they watch me. Of course I don't trust them with her. These three love to wreak chaos, especially Havoc. They get off on torturing and killing wandering souls and creations like Blue. Normally, I'm the same, but there's something about Blue that makes me stop and question myself.

"Good thing Havoc brought you Dolly," she sings, rocking her head back and forth as she kicks her feet.

"What?" I blink, her response hitting me out of nowhere. I look at the slumbering doll as a question hits me. "How is she still asleep? You three are anything but quiet."

"Havoc knew Dolly was lonely and curious like a cat. So she brought the little creation to the light. Boss man must be happy." I look at Havoc's innocent face as she ignores my question.

"Havoc, so help me God," I groan as she cackles.

"Just a little dust. Not too much, boss man, no worries. Dolly can play more tomorrow."

"Oooo. Interesting," Charisma coos.

"Always meddling," Sullen hisses.

"What the hell are you talking about?" I snap, uncomfortable with the shift of the conversation. "She and I aren't playing. You didn't bring her to me. I just found her when I—" I stop as Havoc finishes my sentence.

"When you followed me!" She leans forward, grinning as her face paint glows in the blacklight of the moon. "Games, games, games. Always playing games!" She cackles, her head tilting back as she laughs.

I quickly rush to her, covering her mouth as she glares up at me. I stare through the eye holes of my mask, watching her. Havoc knows things, things about Nightmare, Dreadmoor, Stingy Jack, the Spinster, and apparently Blue. I need to know what she knows and why she wants me to find this specific creation. "What do you know about this doll?" I ask quietly. Havoc tilts her head to the side, her single button eye glistening as she stares back at me.

"You should probably remove your hand from her mouth if you want her to talk," Charisma snickers, raising a brow. "Hard to talk with a mouthful, you know." They carefully sit next to Havoc, crossing their legs as they wiggle the sole of those ridiculous boots they always wear. "Isn't that right, Sullen?" Charisma smiles over their shoulder as Sullen huffs, crossing his arms.

I look back at Havoc. "When I move my hand, you are going to tell me everything you know about her, do you understand me?" Havoc's eye darkens as she clenches her teeth against the inside of my hand. I quickly move my hand, thankful for once to be wearing my gloves. "Jesus, Havoc!" I whisper loudly.

Havoc snaps her jaw a second time, growling as she watches me. "Shouldn't touch what isn't yours," she threatens. I step back, cautious as she tilts her head and melts into her familiar demeanor. "Dolly is unwanted, punished for her heart. A weak heart. Scraps and mishaps sewn into one. She's blue, like you." She points to me. "Roll the dice, choose her fate. But remember: she is from the one you hate!"

"Nonsense and rhyming. Typical Havoc." Charisma sighs, examining their nails. "Have fun deciphering that one, boss."

I stand there, silently going over her words. A weak heart, roll the dice. Does Havoc want me to gamble with the doll's fate? I pull a pair of green dice from my pocket, inadequate to my prized pair stolen by the spinster after losing our last game. Havoc had randomly brought me them, hoping they would do, but it's not the same.

I glance at the faded green dice, their glow dull and weak in the moonlight. "You want me to decide." I glance at Havoc. "Alright, what are her options?"

Havoc squeals with excitement, jumping from the bed. Blue stirs, causing everyone in the room to freeze, fearful of her waking. She moans faintly, reminding me of the previous night as I fight back my urges and watch her return to sleep. I sigh in relief, the three minions relaxing their tense bodies as they all look at me.

"Not enough dust, evidently," Sullen scoffs.

Havoc grins, approaching my side. "Fate. Roll her fate! Let's see," she begins to think, tapping her chin.

"What about killing her?" Sullen chimes in, the question an eager one. "Roll a six and let me have my way with the toy." He grins, crouching beside her bed as he stares at her face. "Creations are so unique, each made differently than the last. Roll a six and let me find what makes her tick." A low rumble vibrates in my chest.

"Someone didn't like that," Charisma sings. "I know!" They turn, glancing back at Blue. "Roll an eleven, and I get her hair." They stand, their heels clunking as they approach Sullen's side, lifting a single strand of Blue's hair. "Dolls don't normally have such colorful hair. I want it. Besides, it would look way better on me." They motion their hands, as if flicking hair from their face. "Oh, and you gotta burn that too." They motion to the stuffed rat. Sullen stands, wrapping his arm around Charisma's waist as they giggle with eagerness and excitement.

"Fine!" I snap, killing their mood. "What about you Havoc?" I ask. "What's your choice?"

"Roll a seven and all go to heaven!" She cackles. Fucking psycho.

"Havoc," Charisma calls. "I'm not killing myself if he rolls a seven." She tsks at them. "Charisma is no fun!"

"Anything is better than this stupid game," Sullen mumbles.

"Alright, Havoc, your choice is made. But don't be surprised if no one sticks to it."

"Let Havoc do it then! Havoc will make all into angels with big, white fluffy wings! Then shoot them down!" She snickers to herself, pretending to shoot at things in the air.

"Easy," I coo. She suddenly drops her excitement, standing quiet and still. It's an odd, scary sight, as Havoc never remains still long, let alone quiet. She remains frozen, staring into space. Charisma and Sullen both slither to her side, trying to get to her move as they wave their hands and call her name, refusing to touch her. "Havoc?" I ask. Her single eye snaps to me as she stares blankly and whispers, "Dolly can get you there. To her ."

"What did you say?" Sullen and Charisma back away, stunned by her quiet statement.

"Dolly can travel to the other world. She just doesn't know it." This is it. This is my way to Dreadmoor—to her. I can win our game and end it for good. "Boss must make his choice." Her single eye moves to the green dice in my hand.

I stare at them, pondering the ridiculous decision as I speak the words out loud. "If I roll a two... " I stop hesitating as Havoc pipes up.

"But careful, boss. Bugs who fly too close to the light burn. Zap!" She claps her hands as I jump at the sudden sound, dropping the dice. Shit! They begin to roll across the floor, skipping as one stops at the foot of the bed and the other rolls underneath.

"Nobody move!" Charisma shouts, rushing to the first die. Sullen chuckles, crossing his arms as he watches them. Havoc remains unfazed, staring into an invisible abyss. They bend down, observing it closely. "It's a one!" Charisma sighs, saddened that they've lost. "Whatever. I didn't really want that doll's hair anyway. Blue and yellow aren't my colors."

"Don't be such a sore loser," Sullen snickers. "What's the other one?"

Charisma looks around, glancing under the doll's bed. "I have to crawl under there to see it." They glance up at us. "Boss?" Their lavender eyes sparkle in the moonlight, their skeleton face paint and glitter-covered cheeks glistening in the blacklight. I nod as anxiety rushes through me, wondering what fate has chosen. As Charisma carefully scurries under the bed, I look at Blue, my heart racing and my mind praying the die didn't come up a five or six. Shit, I'm honestly scared for it to be a one, considering what I've chosen. "Snake eyes!"

The color drains from my face as my stomach drops. Charisma climbs from under the bed, bringing me the die as it had landed—a one.

"You cheated!" Sullen growls, infuriated with losing. "These dice are loaded!" He snatches the dice from their hand.

"Lies!" Charisma hisses as the two argue.

Havoc silently steps to my side, yanking my burlap suit as I look down at her. "What is Dolly's fate?" she asks. Sullen and Charisma stop, realizing that I won without saying my choice aloud.

"Yeah, what is the little doll's fate?" Charisma asks with curiosity.

My hand reaches for my mask, slowly removing it as my inked skin instantly glows in the moonlight. Cold air hits my face, clashing with the burning of my cheeks as I gaze over the sleeping doll. "She's going to take me to Dreadmoor."

Charisma and Sullen gasp. "But how?" Charisma asks. Havoc grins, a dark shadow covering her face as she remains quiet.

I slowly walk to the side of Blue's bed, watching her. "By making her fall in love with me."

Sullen gags at the words as Charisma gasps again with a dramatic hand gesture. "You can't be serious?"

"Caution, Havoc warns." She crawls to the foot of the bed, peeking over at Blue. "Needles make things but undo them too. Bugs wander too close to the lights."

"Havoc, can you just be normal for once?" Charisma sighs, crossing their arms. "No one understands anything you say."

"He does," she whispers.

I do, but no matter what, I will do whatever I need to return to Dreadmoor and win our game. If this doll is the key, then I fully intend on using it—in whatever way is needed. Besides, she's a creation—a toy. I'd never allow myself to fall into the trap of having feelings for her. I may have a physical attraction, sure, but it's nothing more than that. I'll keep my distance just enough while playing my own game. Blue is going to be mine, a pawn in a bigger game. My toy.

Let the new game begin.