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Chapter 1
Imagine you are five or younger,being ripped from your bed. Imagine watching your family and Neighbors being slaughtered before your eyes. Imagine being thrown in the back of a delivery truck with other girls some older,some not. All you all know is your home is gone and these people in the doll masks have you. Have you heard the story of a group of assassins called the dolls. If not sit down because your about too.
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I woke in a cold sweat like I did every morning, since I was taken from home. I still remember my mother's neck being sliced open, her blood sprayed all over my father. I remember the smell of crops and homes being burned. I can still hear the screaming of the people that once lived in the village. I can't remember the name now nor can I see my mother's or father's face. I can't remember what they sounded like or even their names. The only thing I have that links me to them is a hummingbird pendant. It was a gift from my mother I think. I sighed no longer able to lay about in the dark and damp attic that I call my room. I push myself up from the canvas cot I call a bed. Pushing back my thoughts so I could light the almost finished candle. Once lit I Set the candle on the old beat up chestnut vanity. With a sigh I poor some water in the washing bowl looking in the mirror like all the other mornings before. The prson staring back at me was someone that I didn't recognize anymore. My lavender eyes scan over the cream colored skin decorated with scars. This was not the skin of a normal female it was ugly and undesirable. My shoulder length Auburn curly hair was frizzy and sometimes unmanageable. "Who did we used to be? " I asked only to have the question mirrored back. I roll my eyes before giving a sigh of disappointment. I began to perpare for the day putting on my uniform. It was a black leather bodysuit with the sleeves cut off allowing free movement,combat boots with hidden blades in the souls , my brown satchel with a Hummingbird with Holly carved in the leather. I opened it making sure my mask and hummingbird pendant was inside. I turn to leave only to be stopped. "Doll 42 the keeper wants to see you." A woman rudely yells up to me. "Inform her that I am on my way." I said with no emotion while walking past her. "Being the keepers favorite will only do so much for you." The woman said making me stop. "You are nothing more than a lowly maid. You at one time did my work. You are now incapable of any task given by the keeper. You should be grateful she is merciful and gave you a chance. So speak not to me about who has the keepers favor." I said before walking away. I know my place in the world she should know hers. I walk into an old Victorian style mannor located in the compounds center. The old style halls and rooms had Chynna dolls of all shapes ,sizes , and colors scattered throughout looking at the entrance. It had an uneasy feel but I push past it not wanting to be here any longer than necessary. I stepted into the Keepers office no one was inside. This didn't sit well with me while waiting for my master, I remain on gaurd for anything it was no secret many wanted me dead. I was about to sit when the door bursts open to reveal two fellow dolls ready to attack me. 'If it's a fight they want, then a fight they will surly get.' I thought before jumped over the one coming straight for me pulling out my stag knife, plunging it into her back. I kicked her away in time for the other doll to start coming gor me. Blocking all of her punches and kicks turningthis fight into a stand off. "You think your hot shit 42 just because the keeper favors you over all of us."she yells as her moves becoming frantic. The desperate movements told me she was starting to become tired. I knew the voice it was with out a doubt Doll 17. "Look 17 I am not her favorite doll by any means.Yes she assigns me more missions than other dolls. Has it ever crossed that pea you call a mind, THAT MY SKILLS AND HARD WORK LAND ME THOSE MISSIONS! Train and sharpen your skills maybe then you will be chosen more often. *sigh* I also do it so I don't end up like doll 30 over they're bleeding out. So unless you want her to die get her to a medic." I said flipping her over my shoulder braking the woods desk. I hear the crack of ribs and other bones followed by a gasping cough no doubt blood came with it. I was about to help 17 up when the sound of slow clapping fills the silence , I turn to see a small girl no more than ten. She was in a white doll dress that looks almost like that of a ballerina, Her black hair pulled back into a ponytail wrapped with a red ribbon, the child's blue eyes and innocent smile almost made me sick. Knowing full well of the fact this little girl was not innocent by any means. "Well done 42 I knew you could handle them." She said with the voice of a child walking up to 30 who was barely alive. "Finish her 42 I have no use for traitors." She said handing me a letter opener. "I will do as my master requires, without hesitation." I said before driving the thin blade into doll 30's heart. "Go now do the same to 17." She said just as it was with doll 30, I drove the letter opener into 17's heart watching the light leave her eyes. "If they had taken you out they would have come after me 42. They dare do this to me after all I have done for them. This is the thanks I get for giving them a life after their village was destroyed. They would have been left to die if not for me." She growled looking at the two lifeless bodies on the floor. "Well they are nothing like you 42 loyal and brave to the end. This brings me to the reason why you are here. I am promoting you to marionette." She said with glee haveing me go to one knee. "My loyalty to you is absolute to the day I breathe my last breath." I said my head low. She giggles taking my face in her hands. "Don't worry my little doll you are the one I cherish the most." She said with a warm smile before she turned serious."You have a mission in a few days time 42 come to me later for the details, I must get the maids in here to clean this mess up." She said before leaving me as if nothing was a miss. When she walked out of the room the smell of blood made me feel sick. This is the life of a doll death and destruction, we are and always will be no one.
I stood up looking down at the two young women. They didn't deserve to die like that. I couldn't do anything about it though orders are orders. I thought walking threw the Victorian home and out to the main living area. Well if someone can even call it that crumbling old structures you could call houses. If you were lucky to get one that is, one have to sleep on the cold ground dying due to starvation or illness. On the outside we all look like normal people, The same can not be said about the inside. Due to the treatment we received on first arriving, some went mad lossing themselves to this place. I guess if you are broken you are easily molded to fit their needs. When first arriving here they strip you of all your clothing and shove us in a dark room. You would not receive food,water,or even see the light of day for what seemed like months. They called this 'thinning the herd' so many have died in that room, They are the lucky ones in my opinion because they escaped this hell. The dolls who brought you in collected the bodies, they would be given to the dogs as chew toys. The sound of ripping flesh and snapped bones, knowing you could be next only served to mess with your mind. This sick and twisted cycle went on till ther was a handful of you left fifteen or so. You thought what you already endored up to this point was sick, oh honey you haven't seen nothing yet. They would have you fight each other to the death. The girls you possibly grew up with now mentally twisted. You fear of being put back in that dark room or, you fear being killed knowing no one would care. This would go on till five of you are left from the batch. The five you are then given a number, this number was your identity from that moment on. None of us here remember what are name was ,all we know how to do is kill and pretend to be someone else. You get go numb after some time passes. It's not an ideal life but it is the one we live.
Once I made it to my attic room I started to cry. "What did we do to deserve a life like this. A life where you don't know who you are. A life where you kill for people that see you as an object." I whispered curling up in a ball allowing myself to feel for the time being.
Later on that day I was summoned by the doll keeper. Every step I took gave me the opportunity to harden myself. No emotion is to be seen emotions are weakness. The dolls will kill you if they suspect weakness in the ranks. Taking a deep breath I entered the mahogany French doors. The creepy dolls scattered throughout the room as it was before facing the entrance, but that is the least of my concern at the moment. In the middle of the room sitting at the once broken cherry wood desk,was the Mastermind behind it all. This sick ten year old little girl that I call master. "Hello 42 please have a seat, so we may go over your mission." The sweet and innocent smile does not suit her. I have no choice but to do as she said. The chair felt like it was made of bone. To be honest would not surprise me if it was. "Master what is my mission so I may carry it out." I said with a blank face. She giggles and claps her hands with glee. "Oh this is why I love you 42. You are always so serious and ready for anything." She said walking up and sits in my lap, wrapping her arms around me. In that moment I wanted to stab her an run,but where would I go? I have nothing and no one so I can't do it. I wrap my arms around her fighting myself so I wouldn't kill her. "The target is a rebel my sweet 42. The government has been turning a blind eye to all her attempts for so long. The fools believed she would be just background noise. The background noise however is making waves talk over throwing the Government. As you can imagine that is something they can't allow to happen, so she is to be silenced in anyway possible or you deem necessary. "
She said booping me on the nose. I resist pushing her to the floor and leaving. "If she is causing truble then, why not let the Sevron deal with it? Its not like they are doing anything right now." I said and she shook her head. "Unfortunately they don't want to handle her so they gave the job to us." She said getting off my lap to stand by the window. "42 human nature is a cruel thing. The dolls and Sevron were created so people like your target stay in line. I do think I need to tell you what failure will cost you." The keeper said her back to me. "No master I understand consider the task done." I said letting myself out of the room.
That evening I sat on my cot going over the file.
Name- Lilly Lazadien
Age- 24
Hair color- black with a white streek on the right side.
Is estimated to be five foot five and no more then a hundred forty pounds.
Eye color- lavender
Last spotted near the forest of Lishu with a group of followers. She is armed with a metal bat and throwing knives laced with poison. She is quick on her feet and has avoided all capture attempts. Reason for targets anger is unknown hopefully it can be made clear when captured. Be aware target will most likely travel with a group swayed by her lies. If possible let them live but make clear it is mercy granted by the government.
'This girl was probably wronged by the government at some point or another. The system is backwards and twisted no one is safe underor from it.' I think to myself looking over the photo when I notice the same hummingbird pendant. It looks identical to the one I have. "Well that's odd wonder were she got it. It doesn't matter 42 she is your target. Your job is to silence Lilly not be her friend." I said standing up gathering all I will need before, placing the items in my bag. I pack for a month's time, after a month they will send money to me. To be honest I don't need a fucking dime from them. I can bathe in a stream,hunt for food,boil water and chill it. If you take care of nature it will do the same for you. This is my philosophy and what I live by. Its also nice to not be trapped in a room with four walls. When I was leaving the compound I was stopped by one of the new comers. She was in a doll mask with a red tear under the right eye also in a old black cotton dress. The girl looked no more then ten by her size. "Hello 9 what can I do for you?" I said patting her on the head. The girl had hair the color of fire."Take me with you 42 please, You always go out of the gates. I wanna go too 42 please." The small girl pleading with me. I said nothing knowing what horrible things they make us do. "Listen 9 you will get your chance to prove yourself one day. It's just not today your still to young. I will bring you back something ok." I said walking threw the wooden gate. I hear the small girl's protest, but I keep going for if I was saw taking her with me... It would cause problems. She will be set up for mentoring soon anyway. When she is assigned a teacher, 9 will be allowed to leave the compound. I stop mentally scolding myself for thinking about 9. "Your on a mission 42 focus." I said pinching my arm brings my mind back to the mission. It was a little cold however the country side of Greynoshu is beautiful. The people are nice till they realize your are a doll. The children drug back by fearful mothers, who don't understand dolls were once people too. The whispers of old folk. "Wonder why she is out here?" One asked. "Shut up you idiot wanna get yourself killed?" Another said. "Its sick what the government does steal young girls and kill everyone else. They aren't human anymore. I doubt they even remember how to be human. " All the people have so much negative feelings towards the dolls. I don't blame them but it doesn't mean I like it. I walk up to a group of the old bastards. "Look I am on a tight schedule,and I don't like being here. Have you seen this woman?" I ask nicely. "No I haven't seen her." The young one said. He had brown hair that was a bit messy, his eyes were green, tan skin, he was 6ft and had a medium muscle tone. The boy was lying to me, His heart pick up and he won't look at me. I place my right hand on my hip getting into a sassy pose as I smirk at him."Ok then I will be off then." I said walking out of his line of sight. "Looks like he is going to be my escort. So the hunt begins Lilly flower be ready." I said laughing at how easy this was going to be. Come on lover boy show me the way. It was a damp spring night. The forest was quiet except for two out laws. I was perched in a nearby tree watching the two. One of them was the boy from the village, whilethe other was in a dark tattered cloak. The boy sounds concerned for the person. " Lilly they are sending dolls now, It's to dangerous to continue this. Yes I know they took your older sister that sucks. Think about it If she is alive she is a brain washed drone. She has no emotion or concept of anything but kill. Please come on we need to go before she finds you." He said placing his hands on the cloaked one's shoulders. It was at this poin the other spoke it was a female's voice. "Joe you have done so much for me. If you deam it to dangerous to continue, I will not hold it against you. My older sister saved my life hiding me that night. My sister Meadow sacrificed herself so I can be free. So that I can one day free her from them." She had so much pain in her voice it also cracked. She crying for this Meadow person? "You can come out now dolly. I know you are there." She said throwing a blade at me. I catch it sending it at her feet. "Just so you know I will let you live tonight can't speak for tomorrow though." I laughed. "You and the rest of those dolls are sick. One day you and the others will meet their end. The doll keeper will die first when I get my hands on her." She said this made my blood boil. I leap so I was in plain view.
Lilly pov
The heartless bitch was coming into view but nothing could prepare me for this. My heart stopped when I saw the face of my elder sister. "My name is 42 count yourself lucky because ,No one has seen my face and lived. I grant you this night It would be weis to clear out when I leave." Her once gentle voice that was so comforting. It is not so cold and distant. She ran into the woods Joe tried to follow but I graved him. "Lilly what are you doing? She could kill us at anytime." He said before looking at me. "That was her....Joe that was my sister Meadow." I whispered still in shock.
42pov
I was standing in a old dust covered bedroom. I see a small girl that looked like myself holding a toddler. She puts her in a truck shoving it into a closet. "Sister do not make a sound or come out till morning. Be safe and know mother father and myself love you Lilly flower." The girl whispered before shutting the door and running out of the room. I followed the girl she was leading the dolls away. A flash of white light and I she the small girl being dragged into the truck. She looked so blank but in her eyes held a secret. I wake in a cold sweat daring to think. "Meadow is that my name?" I whispered to myself as I run my fingers threw my hair. "No it can't be she probably did something. I must have inhaled something and it had an influence on me. I am doll 42 I have no family no one. I am expendable and can be replaced at anytime." I said holding myself trying to convince myself of the things I have always been told. I shook from shock and realization. "They want me to kill my little sister." I whispered breathless as tears ran down my cheeks. "My name is.." but before I could finish a voice came from below. "Meadow granhardy Lazadien. You are the daughter to our parents Luka and Charlie Lazadien." I look to see Lilly a gentle smile but then her voice and smile faded. "Our village was chosen to be raided and the young girls taken. It was called the thinning. The village was known for its Milk and rice. Tiko was the name." When she said the village name I blacked out. It was a title wave of memories.