“I don’t like this one,” my daughter said, handing me the perfect, brand-new doll. “There’s something wrong with her.” The doll’s hair was glossy black, her clothing immaculate, each tiny fingernail a flawless oval.
I sighed and carried the last toy of Christmas over to my husband. “I didn’t know you bought her this one. She doesn’t like it.” He looked at me, eyes wide, then at the empty space under the tree. “I didn’t buy that. I’ve never seen it before.” I turned the thing’s face to me, saw eyes with scars, and dropped it to the brick hearth.
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You can read some background thoughts on this 100-word story here: Light is the First Thing to Go. Read other entries in this annual storytelling event here: I Saw Lightning Fall.
Esse Diem 
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Ooh! Creepily fascinating!
Thank you! I hope you will read many more of these when they are posted on Christmas Eve by a variety of writers. I’ll be sure to post the link here on the 24th. Thank you for reading!
This is the creepiest thing I’ve ever read. Excellent work!
Why, thank you very much!
I like it. Well done and creepy. I have a story over there too. Mine is called “Wait of the World”.
Thanks for the praise and for letting me know Loren is posting now! I will definitely visit your story!
It was a My Twinn doll!! LOVE to read my fiends’ (and friends’-freakin autocorrect) stories! So short but perfectly complete! Loved it! Can’t wait for Loma to read it and see if she makes the same horrific connection to her own past Christmas!!
So short but perfectly complete. That is a wonderful compliment, thank you!
Ooh, that’s creepy. Fantastic!
Thanks, Simon!
I hate creepy dolls. Thanks for sharing this one.
I loved how you implied so much in the interactions between the family members, its gives this piece so much depth.
Thank you, Craig. I have a lot of time right now to notice these little nuances, and I’m glad you appreciated them!
Holy mackerel! Dolls are always scary, but that one’s downright freaky. Nicely done, Elizabeth.
Yikes. This gets my vote for creepiest entry of the season! Nice job.
Thank you, James! I think . . . LOL
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so creepy! just excellent and in one hundred words no less! wow
Hey,thanks, Mary! I really appreciate it. Happy Holidays to you.
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