The Evil Doll

“Come to me Jane, and all will be well. (evil laughter) Come and be apart of my collection!”

I awake from a bad dream I have been having for a month. I walk over to the window and sigh. It is the month of October. Where the rainfalls are heavy and clouds are dark. The vibe of the city is misty and the people walk around with fear and gloom on their hearts. I close the curtains and glance at my calendar.

“The 31st of October...so, it is finally time.” I whispered. It was about a month ago when I applied to stay in this old Victorian home-turned-hotel. I didn’t want to apply for it but every time I would delete the email, it would reappear the next day. It was almost like this email was meant for me and no one else. So, I applied and by chance of luck I won and was granted the opportunity to spend the night for free at Willows Creek Hotel. It was strange at first, but to have a night of luxury for free was something I could not turn down. My job was stressful and my neighborhood was annoying, so yes, I needed to get away from it all.

I prepare for my travel to the town of Creekville. It was a two hour bus ride, so while waiting I decided to do some history search on this old Victorian-turned hotel. It was weird at first because when I tried to Google it, nothing appeared. The only thing that appeared was an image of an ancient-looking glass doll. It had white skin, long brown hair, red eyes, and it was wearing an old maid outfit including a bonnet on her head. Some would find this creepy but not me. In fact, I had a doll just like this as a child. She was my best friend until I reached my teens and no longer needed the doll. I didn’t want to throw her away but what else could I do with her. I was an only child and had no friends growing up.

I decided to click on the image and it brings me to this old website. This website was quite interesting. It told facts about the doll and some creepy play legend too. “Willow Eve was not just a doll but a real woman. Back in the 1600's, she was a kind soul who loved to play with children. She had an orphanage in an old Victorian home. The children loved her until one day they did not. A child named Jane was a bad soul and would often treat Willow coldly. Jane could not take her kindness, so one day Jane runs to the church and tells them ‘Willow is a witch’. They eyed the child and begin to think of Willow and how ‘perfect’ she seemed. The church gathers to her home and without question burns her home with her in it. Jane smiles at what she has done. She sees Willow looking out the window in horror. Willow eventually catches sight of Jane with her evil smile. Willow heart is filled with shock as her heart turns black and her body burns away. The orphanage was closed down and instead turned into a hotel by one of her former children and named after her in her honor. Willows Creek was established in the late 1700's and since then has been an establishment of peace, except on Halloween night…” Jane read.

Jane tried to read on but that was the end of the article. “What happens on Halloween night?” she thought. I knew this was only a legend but I became curious and still had an hour on this bus. I try to find images of that evil foster child on Google and with luck found one photo. I looked at my phone with shock and immediately screenshot the photo. I pull up an old picture of as a child on my IPad and compare the two photos. That ancient photo of Jane looked exactly like me as a child. I swallow hard and quickly turn my phone off. I take a breath to calm my mind. “It’s not real, it’s not real…” I kept repeating over and over until my mind finally went to sleep.

After a nice nap, I had arrived at Willows Creek. This place was old for sure but still had a modern ring to it. I walk the path to the hotel and couldn’t help but notice a deep green forest behind the hotel and a far scary graveyard to my right. I enter the hotel and find it quite empty. Heading over to the counter, I tap the bell for assistance. No response so I tap again. No answer and then I see a small sign that reads “Out for lunch...really it’s a little late for lunch.” I stated while walking over to a nearby sofa. I sit and wait for the bellhop to return. This place had a warm tone to it but it still gave me the shivers. I see a flier on the coffee table and freeze with terror. The paper had an image of that doll Willow. 

“Haha” 

I hear small laughter ringing through my ears. I look around but no one is there. My night has barely started and I am already freaked out. I see a hazy figure run past me and into another room. I shouldn’t walk towards it but if it was someone who worked here, I needed to take that chance. I walk over to the door and slowly turn the knob. It opens and the room is dark until I switch on a light switch. “Ah!” I turn with haste and see an old woman was standing behind me. 

“May I help you miss?” she asked.

“Um, yes...I have a reservation today because I won a free room from this contest.” I answered while still calming my heart.

“Name?”

“Jane Fosters.” The lady's eyes go wide and her posture turns to fright. She looks beyond me into the room I was about to search.

“I see. Yes, you are our special guest of the evening. I will check you in right away.” she replies. I watch her hurry over to the counter to check me in. I wanted to know why she looked into this room after hearing my name. I slowly turn around and my eyes go huge. There in the middle of the room in a glass box on a podium is the doll from the paper and my phone. I approach the podium with caution and read the label on the box. “This doll honors our fallen angel Willow Eve. The founder of this land and home. May her soul find peace.” I read. I place my hand on the glass box and quickly remove it. Something had shocked my hand, but what? It was just a plain glass box, no wires or cores behind it.

“And so her revenge begins, so her soul may finally be free.” I heard the old woman from before whisper.

“What?” I asked, confused.

“I said your room is ready dear. You are in room 203. Please enjoy your stay.” she lied. I take the keys with caution and quickly head to my room. I unlock the door and I am greeted by a huge fluffy bed, a flat screen television, and a beautiful bathroom. I unpacked my things and decided to rest. I lay on the bed but could not sleep. The words of that woman had me scared. Boom! I look out the window and see heavy rainfall. I get an alert on my phone that all rides leaving this town was cancelled till morning. I definitely could not sleep now because my source of leaving for the night was gone. I stare out the window with fear all over my face. Lightning strikes and the flash is blinding. I rub my eyes from the pain and as I turn around I see something unbelievable.

“Jane Fosters” I mumble in horror as my name is written in blood on the door. I step back and quickly start to pack my things. I try to pull open the door but it was locked.

“Can anyone help me! Please help me!” I screamed. Tap. I look down and see an old newspaper slide in from under the door. I pick it up with caution. “Jane Eve is found dead in an old Victorian home.”. I drop the paper in shock after seeing the picture of this Jane. The paper dated back to the early 1700's and the picture of Jane Eve looked exactly like ‘me’. 

“Her last name was Eve...so, that means…”

“That’s right my dear. The old ancient folk tale of the woman burned to a crisp because of the lie of a student is true. But what people don’t know is that yes, the woman in the fire was Willow but the student, Jane, was not an orphan like the rest. She was in fact Willows own flesh and blood daughter. Jane killed her own mother out of jealousy and rage.” I heard a familiar voice explain. I look through the keyhole and see the old woman. She was tossing a key in her hand.

“What does that have to do with me?! I yell with rage. The old woman snickered as the rain stops and the Halloween moon is revealed. 

“Why don’t you ask ‘her’ yourself.” she states, walking away. “Haha!” I hear that same small laughter from before, except this time it was closer. I slowly turn my head and every cell in my body shivers. My breathing quickens and my body goes numb. There sitting on my bed under the moonlight was the doll of Willow. “How did it get here?” I thought. I move further towards the door and try again to unlock. It wouldn’t budge. I look at the lamp on the table stand next to the door and grab it. I held it up high, ready to smash a hole in the wooden door, but then my phone buzzes. I know now wasn’t the time to check my phone but hearing it buzz meant cell service. I could call the police. I pull out my phone and see a text from an unknown number.

“I wouldn’t do that my child!” That’s what the text said but I wasn’t the one to read it out loud. I turn with haste and see the doll is slowly turning its head. Her eyes were glowing an intense red. It was like I was in a Chucky movie, except I would not be a damsel in distress. I throw the lamp at the doll and it falls to the floor. With all my strength I kick the door knob and it opens. I run as fast as I can to the front exit of the hotel. Buzz!

“You can not escape me my child...especially on Halloween night!” I read. I reach the front exit and find the old woman blocking my path. I was going to charge right through her but she suddenly vanished from my sight. I stop in shock which I shouldn’t have done. I feel tiny arms on my back and it pinches my neck making everything go black.

I awake to the sound of evil laughter. I was hoping this was all a bad dream but seeing a doll stare at me with an evil smile, made me know this was real. I can feel my hands and legs tied up. I was back in my room. Willow approaches me and touches my face. Her doll hands were so cold and lifeless. “Aren’t you just the spitting image of my heartless daughter.” she speaks. I move my head to remove her hands.

“I am not your daughter...Now let me go!” I protest. She shakes her head in a disagreeing motion.

“I shall not. You are the last ‘Jane’ I need to fulfill my freedom from this body.” she replies. I am still shivering from the sight of her but more to what she just spoke. 

“What do you mean by last ‘Jane’?” I asked. She wobbles over to the rooms closet and opens the door. Bones fall to the floor and hanging up above were different era’s of blonde headed dolls. They were made from the same texture and material as Willow.

“Get the picture now my child. Each doll you see is the reincarnation of my daughter Jane Eve. The bones you see belong to them as well. Each was given this room and each have died in this room by my hands. So, just like them you will die and be added to my collection...So, my child are you ready to join your sisters of the past you?” she states with an evil grin. I see my phone just mere inches away and quickly try to grab it.

“Ah!” A knife pierces my back several times. My blood is spreading all over the floor. My vision is becoming hazy. I feel my heart slow as my body goes cold. A warm hand caresses my hair and when i look up it is Willow Eve. She is no longer cold but warm and her face glows with life. She leans into my ear and whispers… “Happy Halloween my child and I hope you enjoyed your stay at Willows Creek. A place where on Halloween night a new ‘Jane’ from each century is added to my collection.” 

The night is silent and as I hang with my sisters of the past, I now know what happens here on Halloween night at the Willows Creek Hotel. A one night stay that will now be my home forever...

“I am free..” Willows voice rings in the background of the night.