One More Stitch: Rag Doll

Why…Why did he have to take me? All I wanted was a soda. But now… I don't think I will get the mercy of death. I'll become his rag doll, full of stitches.

Thirty-minutes ago

"Go to the store yourself!" My brother, Jayson, grumpily yelled. He turned around in his chair with an annoyed expression on his face. I could only roll my eyes at him.

"Why can't you just go to the store for your big brother? It's not like you're doing anything." I matter-of-factly said to him. I was leaning against his bedroom's door frame looking in. Jayson was on the computer playing some block game. All I wanted was a soda from the gas station, anyway. It would be easy for the pipsqueak and it would get him out of that chair.

"I could say the same thing, Anthony." I huffed and gave up making him do my bidding. He was right, I was bored out of mind at home. It would be good to get some fresh contaminated air.

"Fine, do you want anything while I'm out?" I generously asked him to try to be the good older brother I am. The little nerd perked up with a twinkle in his brown eyes. I shouldn't have asked, I already know what the little addict wants.

"Dearest brother, the great Anthony, can you pretty please get me two cans of Monster Energy?" He put on the biggest smile his tiny head could hold. I sighed with an exasperated smile on my face.

"I really shouldn't be feeding this addiction of yours, but I'll relent because I hate you so much." I playfully said. Truthfully, he really does have a problem. Four cans a day is too much for an eighty pound, fourteen-year-old. I swear, if we both didn't have same small nose and curly brown hair, you'd never guess we were related.

"You know you love me and my addiction." Jayson stuck his tongue out at me.

"Yeah, yeah. The red ones, right?" He nodded back. I said goodbye to him and walked to the living room where my mom was fast asleep. She had got home a few hours ago from working the night shift at the factory.

"Soon, you can sleep all you want, Mama." I whispered to her before kissing her on the head before grabbing my stuff and leaving.

It was a little cold outside, but I had on my black hoodie to keep me warm. I checked for my wallet and phone to make sure I didn't leave them. Then, I put my earplugs in and blasted some music as I walked. Few cars came down this street, few people either. It's peaceful and somber without humans or the sun. A cloudy day with a chance of rain.

It was a day like this that Dad disappeared. Jayson had only been two at the time, so he wouldn't remember. He had gone out for a drink; said he would only be minute. He even asked me if I wanted anything; my eight-year-old self-wanted a soda. He never came back with that soda, he vanished. Mom sent out a missing persons thing, they searched for him only to find nothing. Mom was devastated and I was angry. I still am to a degree; he left his family to fend for itself. His wife had given up her own dream of becoming a doctor to be with the selfish bastard. After his disappearance, the house we use to live in was foreclosed. Mom just couldn't keep up with the payments. She had been bouncing from job to job at the time, just trying to make ends meet.

Back then, I tried my best to help. I'd do all kinds of odd jobs just to make a buck. It was never enough. I had only two options left, become a criminal or get an education. However, becoming a little hoodlum was already out of the question, though. It would break my moms' heart and potentially lead Jayson down the same path. I didn't want that, I couldn't. At twelve years old, I already knew who I wanted to be. Who I needed to be. I would fulfill my mom's dream for her; I would become a doctor. In the day, I worked hard in school. At night, I worked for under the counter cash until I was sixteen when I got a real job at minimum wage. Mama didn't want me to work so hard, saying "You're just a kid. You should enjoy yourself and let me handle everything else." I never listened, and now I've gotten a scholarship that would take care of almost all my expenses. In just three months, I'll truly be on my way to make our life easier.

As I drifted through these thoughts, I passed a forgotten newspaper with the headline "Another Button Eyed Victim!" in big bold letters. "Late last night, police found the body of, previously thought missing, Angela Scott. She was found naked, littered in stitches, and a signature mark that sends chills down all of South Dakota citizens, button eyes!" The article went on but I didn't bother to stop and read it. How could I not be familiar with it? They called the murderer "The Beldam" after that "Other Mother" from the movie and book 'Coraline.' The serial killer sew buttons onto their victim's eyes after they dug them out. Their victims are all torn apart and put together, littering them with stitches. Then they leave their targets out naked to show their handy work. The criminal has been at large for three years and the police haven't caught a trace of them yet. They don't even know if it's a female or male causing chaos. Sends chills down my spine to know they're still out here in South Dakota.

I shook my head to clear those dark thoughts. I can see the store in front of me, not too far away. I speed up my pace as I suddenly don't want to be alone. I get the feeling I'm being watched and stop as the hair on my neck stands on end. I take my earplugs out and look around, there's not a soul in sight. I'm just paranoid because of "The Beldam". Their victims had hazel eyes, every single one. So, I should be somewhat safe since I have Heterochromia, two different colored eyes. I usually wear a blue colored contact lens to hide it, though.

Shaking my head once more, I continued my journey. The last stretch has buildings on both sides of the rode, alleyways separating them. A pair of footsteps appeared behind me. My anxiety skyrocketed. What if the killer is behind me? Are they gonna drug me and take me away? Am I gonna be the next big headline? No, no wait. I'm overreacting, it's just a person going the same way as me. I started to slow down, praying to whatever being was up there it's just a random stranger. The steps got closer and closer. I stopped and closed my eyes, waiting.

The steps passed me, they never stop or faltered. Opening my eyes, I saw a woman walking ahead of me. Sighing in relief, I relaxed my tense body. I slapped my forehead and laughed to myself. I really know how to work myself up. I'm not some fragile twink, I could more than likely take on anyone who tried to attack me. I ran my hand through my deep brown hair and started walking normally again.

"Almost there," I whispered to myself. Seeing the store so close, I let my guard down. That was my fatal mistake.

"But you're already here," the deep voice of a man said as I was walking by an ally. Suddenly, a hand dragged me into the dark passage. I hit the ground with a grunt. My head hitting the wet concrete, shooting a sharp pain through my skull. My eyes were still closed from the pain as the man pinned my hands above my head. I could feel the weight of the man get on top of me, straddling my thighs so I couldn't move or knee him. With his free hand, he grabbed my jaw and started to check my face.

"Hmm, nice-very nice. I've found myself a pretty boy, hee-hee. Now, let's look at those eyes! ~" Panic rushed through me, and this time it's for real. The serial killer is pinning me to the ground. What will he do when he sees I don't have hazel eyes? Will he kill me or let me go? Well, that's a dumb question. Of course, he's going to kill me! All these thoughts made my brain ach even more, I might have gotten a concussion from the earlier impact. But even in my fogged state, I squeezed my eyes shut and started to struggle fiercely. Letting him see my eyes could spell disaster. I was about to start screaming for help when Beldam slapped something over my mouth. It seems to be duct tape, great.

"Feisty one, aren't ya?" He laughed devilishly. "We can't have you attracting attention. Now, you need to stop moving before I cut your pretty little throat." The Beldam growled into my ear. The cold edge of a knife was against my throat. Any sudden movement and I'll be choking on my own blood. My body stilled as I gulped in fear.

"Good," he purred, "I'm gonna ask you one more time. Open. Your. Eyes." My breathing was ragged, and my body was trembling. Hesitantly, I opened my eyes. The light stung my senses making tears form. I could finally see the man who is gonna kill me. His jaw line was chiseled with strong cheekbones. He had silver hair that stops just past his black pierced ears. Mesmerizing purple eyes peered through the wavy strands of hair. If I weren't about to die, I would be jealous of his looks.

"Blue eyes? That's a bummer. I would have thought you'd be more…remarkable." Beldam said dispirited. I don't know whether to be offended or not.

"So…how should I get rid of you?" He smiled viciously. Another round of terror surged into me as my pupils dilated. His grin froze, a curious mien surfaced on his face as he tilted his head. I was very confused. And scared, never forget scared.

"What do we have here?" His hand reached out to my face. And not just anywhere on my face, my eye. The eye with the contact lens! Tears streamed one after another as I rocked my head vigorously. The sharp edge of steel pressed once more to my throat. I could feel the trickle of blood cross my throat with a tinge of pain from the nick. He sent a warning glare for me to stay still. More tears fell from me. Knife in hand, he wiped the streams off.

"Shhh, just show me what you're hiding. You might live if you do." The silver haired man tenderly cooed. My entire being quivered and quaked, but I relented. I couldn't stop the flood from leaking out my eyes, but I stayed still as best I could. He put the knife between his teeth while eyeing me. Slowly, his hand came before my vision until it was all I could see. Holding my eye lids open, he plucked my lens out.

"Good boy. You really are a fine specimen. It would truly be a pity to kill you." A wide grin spread over the pale skin of his face. Hoping what he said is true, I calmed down a little bit.

"Yes, truly a pity it would be. I'll make you my rag doll, instead!" The purple eyed man caressed my face affectionately. I sobbed in despair. Why…Why did he have to take me? All I wanted was a soda. But now… I don't think I will get the mercy of death. I'll become his rag doll, full of stitches.

I can feel a needle being stabbed into my neck and something being injected. My body started to feel heavy, I could barely think. The need to rest washed over me, I couldn't fight its alluring pull. The last thing I hear before the world fades away is, "My sweet little rag doll, I'll make you beautiful."