Chereads / The Doll Collection Book 1 / Chapter 4 - Chapter 2

Chapter 4 - Chapter 2

Mila did manage to take the journal, but she'd never opened it again after returning to Brisbane. She placed the book under the bed, hoping nothing would happen, but something didn't sit right with her. 

Mila began to toss and turn around in her princess bed; she started muttering nonsense, then when she opened her eyes—-and found herself in a beautiful place, the purple and blue skies left her awe-struck. First, Mila looked around and saw two bunnies with their children—--then, a red fox looked at them in the distance, as her instinct told her to go and get them. 

She would've approached them, but a girl wearing a sunset orange dress, white socks, and black shoes bent to the bunnies' eye level and began speaking to them. Afterward, the bunnies jumped into her arms, and like magic, the fox disappeared into thin air. 

Mila stood there with her mouth wide open, and the girl looked at her. She thought it was their first meeting but immediately recognized Mila. She quickly ran away with the bunnies in her arms, and Mila chased her as she overcame the shock. 

Mila chased the girl around, but she wasn't stopping any time soon. Then, the girl entered a beautifully crafted wooden cabin with glass windows, roses, and purple flower pots decorating the outside. Mila forgot about the decorations and quickly held the door before the girl locked it—and as Mila got a better look, her jaw dropped. 

Mila opened her eyes and sweat beads on her forehead, and her breathing became heavy—--she put her hand over her chest, and it was beating tremendously. She tried to recall her dream, but it was a blur, and then her grandmother's face popped into her mind; "Grandma Agatha!" Mila murmured. She was freaking out and tried to sleep but couldn't—--she wanted to go into her parents' room. 

However, as Mila tried to open the door, it was locked—- "My dear child, you can't leave anymore! I warned you never to enter my study," A voice said. 

"Who said that?" Mila asked, looking around her dark room. 

She tried to turn off the lights, but it wasn't working—- "Please don't hurt me! I don't mean no harm!" Mila pleaded. 

However, the voice let out a peal of menacing laughter, which echoed in the house—-the walls were thin, so Mila hoped her parents would hear. 

"If you let me go, I promise I won't meddle anymore," Mila uttered. 

She hoped to compromise with whatever was in her bedroom with her; the figure walked behind Mila, who was oblivious to her presence. But then, the figure looked down at her; her eyes were pitch black as she snapped her fingers. 

The lights came on, and Mila turned around, seeing Agatha behind her, dressed in a beautiful white gown with a gold necklace. She was shocked to see her grandmother's glowing skin with no burnt marks. Mila couldn't stop staring at her because her grandma looked beautiful and young; no wrinkles were visible on her face—she believed it was a dream. 

Mila pinches herself but ends up screaming aloud—-though the scream is inaudible. "Dear child, I want to warn you never to step foot in Bathurst again and burn that book," Agatha said. 

"Why Grandma Agatha?" Mila asked. 

"Marlene Caldwell, I know you met her yesterday, so stay away from her and burn that book!" Agatha said. 

"Grandma, stop avoiding my question! I want to know the truth: why did the doll ask me to save her? Why do you keep so many dolls and steal the souls of little children?" Mila interrogated. 

"Mila, you're too young to understand! Burn that book!" Agatha said. 

She vanished into thin air, and the room became dark again—-Mila took out the journal and placed it on her bed. 

"What is Grandma Agatha hiding?" Mila asked.

With that, the book opened to a random page; Mila saw a picture of Agatha and two girls—-- "They must be Adelaide and Aileen!" Mila murmured. She doesn't know much about Adelaide and Aileen because her mom always reminds her never to mention them in front of Agatha. 

Agatha had long vowed that no matter what, she wouldn't forgive her family, and even if she were to die and return as a ghost, she would wreak havoc in Bathurst, making her family suffer a worse fate than she did. 

Mila took her nightstand lamp and shined on the book to see something written in a language that was not English—- "What the frick does this mean?" Mila frustratingly asked.

"I could translate it for you," Marlene said. 

"How did you find me?" Mila asked.