3 Peril 3

We exit the first town and proceed to the next, just 6 miles away. I really wondered who's that Nun next to Mr. Rody the Clown in the picture that is taken last 1991, and I cannot clearly see on what's the background of that place to where the photo was taken.

"I really wondered what's inside that dollhouse"- Mina said. "That is why we need to find the key in the next town"- I eagerly uttered since the thoughts of curiosity were almost killing me.

It's still hot outside but why the aura in these areas was two times hotter?! I stopped and already see a sign of Mr. Rody's toy store from afar. I guess this is his biggest branch store than the first one. Well, I need to go in there to know the story behind the dollhouse. I parked the car just in front of the town.

"Let's just get inside"- Mina said.

"Rrrrrrrrrrrrr..."

I turned around and my eyes widen. ZOMBIES!!!!!!

"Quickly used that crowbar to enter!"- Mina panicked and I speedily open the old door and immediately locked it.

"Phew"

"Why are those zombies were creepier in real?!"- Mina acquired as she was panting like me.

"Well, we better move. Now, where are the keys"- I uttered and walked. I felt shivers when I heard footsteps from upstairs.

"Meow~"

"Oh, a cat! Why is it it's in the cage?"- I went near to the cage and it suddenly growled at me. Tsk. I look at the door beside the cage, locked. Aha! Maybe the key on the cat's neck was the key to this room!

I open my bag and grab some tiny piece of bread and give it to the cat. I waited until it eats that piece. Yes!

"You sure is one hell of a kind human"- the cat said and removed the key on its neck and I get it. "Look under that box, it's a missing shoe from a doll behind that room. Try to find the doll with only one shoe in it."- the cat added then stretches its legs and sleeps in the cage. "Thank you"- I said and open the dusty room with so many scattered dolls.

"Geez, how are we going to look for that doll with only one shoe?!"- Mina exclaimed. "Don't worry, I'm sure we can find it. I'll get my flashlight."

I tiptoed and tried to fit some dolls with one shoe in it to this shoe and to the another. "Mina, come and help me. Gather some dolls with no shoe on the next shelf."

"Got it!"- she said and went down. Argh! These dolls are so old like some are in the 17th century but most are the dolls from the 18th century. Why is no doll is matched to this shoe?!

"Gesielle! I found one! It's a very exquisite male-looking doll!"- she pulled the doll and went near to me. "Guess this is it"- I said and carried this 6-inch doll in my hand, Mina held the flashlight for me as she settled on my shoulder again.

The moment the shoe was successfully in this doll's foot. It suddenly jumped off my hand and looked like he was panicking and it was amazingly alive!

"Where is he?! Let me kill him!!"

"Woah woah take it easy there male doll"- I tried to calm him down and he was still catching his breath. Weird, this doll really looks like a human. "Who are you, young lady? And who's the doll is that?"- it asked.

"I'm Gesielle Stoneheart-Lee. This is Mina Ashigawa, same as you a talking doll"- I replied.

"Well, I don't know how long does my shoe was gone missing. As I remember, I was a design doll of this store over the years until......a man killed some of my co-dolls in this store."- he sadly said as he narrated his past. I grab ahold of him to see a closer look.

"You can trust me. I'm on my journey to rescue my Grandma. What's your name?"

"Name's Axel Brenner. Everyone calls me Axel."

"Well Axel, have you know anything dollhouse key for this dollhouse?"- I asked. He observed the dollhouse and even touched the walls. I admit, this dollhouse a big and a bit heavy. Like I was carrying a heavy box. "Wow, this sure is a very nice dollhouse of yours. Like it was built in the 18's. Keys? I think we have some here"- we followed Axel when we run through the cabinets of this room. "Here! It's the only key that matches the shape and size"- he hands me the key.

I kneeled down and open the door of the dollhouse and it spreads wide open. "This dollhouse sure is old. Bonnie must be very sad the moment this was also broke by that attack before"- Mina said as she was walking inside. Meanwhile, I saw Axel stiffened. "What's the matter Axel? Aren't dolls like to explore a dollhouse?"- I asked.

He slowly touches some things inside it. He stopped on the 3rd floor of the dollhouse. That place to where he was standing lit up and some magically happens that it turns to be a ballroom and added some colors in it. And some areas of the house was still dark and no color, so this means that he belongs to the missing 18 dolls.

"I remember now! The reason why I lost my shoes it is because I love dancing. I am a Dancing Doll!"- he said. A spark lits in his shoes. I looked at it. "Let me see for a while Axel"- I carry him and look what's in his shoes.

1

"1?"

"So, this doll Axel is No. 1?"- Mina asked.

"I don't know what the number all about. But please take me with you. I wanted to see the outside world!"- he said. "Of course, let's go. But will you be staying here inside the dollhouse"

"Nope Gesielle. I will only stay inside the dollhouse if I need to rest"- he said. Why do I feel different about Axel? He seems to know something.

"Ok Axel, but be good ok?"

"Count me in. Gosh, I have never been taken out of the store before."- he excitedly said and hopped on my other shoulder and I closed the dollhouse and placed the key to my necklace.

"Wow!! Wait, the zombies are still outside. Let's go to the back door"- Axel said and we went there at the back door which is dusty. It was a very grassy backyard so I carefully hold the dollhouse and successfully went to the car. Those zombies have no reactions but just stayed outside the toy store. "Is this a zombie town, Yuta?"- I asked. Most of them were slow-mo.

"I remember that this town was cursed to zombies since I heard from the man who created me named Mr. Rody said that this town has many people with beautiful places hence the cursed year is about to come. But, I can't remember when it was but that is the reason for Mr. Rody before he went home and locked the store forever"- he narrated. Hhmm, I think Mr. Rody went home to the first town before anything happens.

"Is the town cursed happened before he left? Or vice versa?"- Mina

"Vice versa. The curse happened the moment he left the store"- he answered. So, I guess Mr. Rody knows nothing after he left. Or, it's just a coincidence?

"Relax at the back Axel. We are going to have an adventure. I will be looking for my Grandma who disappeared by the imagine who just snapped its fingers and take her."- I said as I put the seatbelt on.

"Hhmm your experience was indeed sad. Especially your Grandma was taken away from you. Don't worry, I'm sure we can find her. I'm also curious to solve some cases of the rooms inside this dollhouse too"- he said. "So you are No. 1 from the 18 dolls. 1 down, 17 to go"- I smirked.

"That's it, I was curious right now by what you're saying about the other 17 dolls. Tell me along the trip"- he smiled and I turned the engine on and went off.