Whispers Of A Doll

Eight-year-old, Penelope stared at her least favourite doll. It had red hair, which was tied in two ponytails and green eyes. It wore a peach-coloured dress with white polka dots. Penelope took the doll in her trembling hands. She feared the doll because she heard whispers in the night, and it seemed like they came from the doll and unlike other dolls. It didn’t have a shadow. She got it for her fifth birthday from a distant aunt. Suddenly someone barged in from the door. She dropped the doll out of shock, but it was just her annoying older brother, Jayden.

“Penelope, dinner is ready so come down.” Her brother said.

“I told you to knock, Jayden. I got frightened!” Penelope said back as a tear streamed down her eyes.

“Well, losers get scared. I told you so many times that that doll is not haunted. It’s all in your head. Plus, I would not like to think of my sister as a timid loser.” Jayden consoled his little sister. Penelope hugged her brother. Jayden led Penelope downstairs to their dining table. Their mother was surprised to see Penelope crying.

“Oh, dear! Why are you crying?” she asked.

“My brother hit me!” Penelope complained. She grinned as the mother scolded Jayden. Jayden looked annoyed at his sister. They sat down for dinner soon and Penelope went to her room. The room was just like she left it last. The doll was on the floor and her room was untidy. She changed into her pyjamas and her mother came in and tucked her into bed. While leaving, her mother placed the doll on the shelf. Penelope stared at the doll before she fell asleep.

“Good night.” A soft whisper said. Penelope squeezed her pillow.

“Wh-who is it?” she murmured under her breath.

“Aww…poor Penelope can’t recognize it’s her doll.” The whisper teased. She took her pillow and knocked at her brother's room. There was no answer. She was frightened and so she opened the door. Her brother was snoring.

“Jayden!” she called out to her brother.

“Huh? Who?” her brother asked as he opened his eyes.

“It’s me, Penelope. I am scared. The doll spoke to me again.”

“Gosh…as if complaining about your brother wasn’t enough, no you’ve come to disturb me.”

“I am sorry. I only did that cause you called me a loser.”

“Ok, ok… we’ll get rid of the doll tomorrow. For now, you can sleep in my room. Phew…” Jayden said.

“Thank you! You are very altruistic.” Penelope thanked.

The next day her mother got rid of the doll, but the doll still gave Penelope nightmares, sometimes.