When I was fourteen I moved into a new country. My mother was born there and had always told me to never go there. Bad things had happened to her. But my mom died in a mysterious car accident a year ago leaving me the heir to a massive house with sprawling hills and multiple gardens. I didn’t know what to think. Why had my mom died? Why was I left alone? Also, what type of people that live here could drive my fun-loving mom out of her own country?

I stepped into the threshold of the house my mother grew up in. I couldn’t imagine her ever living here in a dusty, spider filled house. I sat my suitcase on the creaky floorboards and climbed up the winding staircase to the bedrooms. As I turned the golden door handle I heard a creak sound.  A door that had not been open before, opened. I felt goosebumps line my pale arms as I drifted to the door, a sense of fear rippling through me in waves. My ear against the door, I listened. Inside I could’ve sworn I heard little feet.

I  opened the door and found…..dolls. Lots of porcelain dolls. I almost laughed in relief until I heard laughter behind me. I turned around and looked into the eyes of a doll as it sat on a bookshelf. I screamed. I ran to the door but it slammed closed. My breaths came in gasps and I sank to the floor as a doll with bright red curls walked to me with a fake sweet smile. 

“Come with me Melissa.” I backed up.

“No!” I screamed.

The doll came at me and I covered my face. “But you have to, heiress. You are now the heir.”

“The heir?”

The doll stroked my hair and I shivered.

“You will protect the 25th hour of the day.”

“What 25th hour? There are only 24 hours!” I exclaimed.

“You have to protect the legacy or you will die.”

“What legacy? Why me?” I screamed. The doll slapped me and started growing. Growing into a…. doll with red button black eyes and sharp yellow teeth. I screamed bloody murder. “ You cannot escape your fate!”

Then there was nothing.