Big E

"Big E, Big E, Big E," Darron yelled as his sister Regina held his beloved doll sky high, refusing to hand it over. Their dad, standing close to the kitchen counter, shouted, "Give him the damn doll, Regina!"

Regina, startled by their dad's outburst, tossed the doll at her brother with such force that it hit Darron square in the face, causing him to stumble and hit his head on the floor. The impact was harsh, leaving Darron dazed and teary-eyed. But that was just the beginning.

A few days after the incident, Darron stopped speaking entirely. His bright, lively personality dulled, and he began to exhibit strange behaviors. He moved stiffly, almost mechanically, and his once-expressive eyes became vacant and glassy. He seemed to be mimicking the characteristics of his beloved doll, Big E.

His family watched in growing horror as Darron's transformation progressed. His hair began to fall out in clumps, leaving his scalp eerily smooth. His skin turned pale and waxy, and his joints stiffened, causing his movements to become more jerky and puppet-like. His face began to take on an uncanny resemblance to Big E's, with a vacant, hollow expression that sent chills down their spines.

The changes were slow but relentless. Regina, consumed with guilt, tried to comfort her brother, but he would only stare at her with those empty eyes, unresponsive to her pleas. Their father, desperate for answers, took Darron to countless doctors and specialists, but no one could explain the bizarre transformation. It was as if Darron was becoming less human with each passing day.

Late one night, Regina was awoken by a soft rustling sound coming from Darron's room. She tiptoed down the hall, her heart pounding in her chest. Peeking through the slightly open door, she saw Darron sitting on the edge of his bed, his body completely still. The doll, Big E, was propped up next to him, its lifeless eyes reflecting the dim light.

Regina shivered, feeling an overwhelming sense of dread. She wanted to turn away, to run back to her room and hide under the covers, but something compelled her to step inside. As she approached Darron, she noticed a faint, eerie glow emanating from the doll. It seemed to pulse with an unnatural energy, casting an otherworldly light on her brother's face.

"Darron?" she whispered, reaching out a trembling hand.

Suddenly, Darron's head snapped towards her, his eyes locking onto hers. For a moment, Regina thought she saw a flicker of recognition in his gaze, but it quickly faded, replaced by the same empty, doll-like stare. He slowly raised his hand and pointed towards Big E.

Terrified, Regina grabbed the doll and held it up. "Is this what you want, Darron? Is this what's doing this to you?"

Darron's eyes seemed to follow the doll, and a single tear rolled down his cheek. Regina's heart ached with a mixture of fear and sorrow. She knew she had to do something, but she was unsure what.

The next morning, Regina approached her father with a plan. "Dad, we need to get rid of Big E. I think the doll is causing all of this."

He looked at her skeptically but agreed, desperate to try anything to help his son. They took Big E and drove to the outskirts of town, where they found an old, abandoned well. With a final glance at the doll, Regina hurled it into the darkness. They listened as it tumbled down, the sound growing fainter until it disappeared entirely.

For a few days, nothing happened. Darron remained unchanged, still locked in his doll-like state. But then, slowly, his condition began to improve. His skin regained some color, his joints became more flexible, and his hair started to grow back. The vacant look in his eyes gradually faded, replaced by a glimmer of awareness.

It took months, but eventually, Darron returned to something resembling his old self. He never spoke of what had happened, and Regina never asked. The family moved away, hoping to leave the nightmare behind.

Years later, as Regina walked through a flea market in a distant town, she spotted something that made her blood run cold. There, among a pile of old toys, was Big E, looking as pristine and lifeless as ever. A chill ran down her spine as she quickly turned away, praying that the past would stay buried and that the doll would never find its way back into their lives.