They find an abandoned run down home. The floorboards are all broken, mirrors shattered, and ripped wall paint to top it all off. The three wondrously venture inside, each and everyone curiously inspecting every room to see if they can forage anything that could be of use to them. Courage is suddenly hit with chills running up his spine when he hears someone cackling in a distorted manner from the distance. While Muriel inspects the torn up kitchen, he quietly leaves her side and follows the sound of the laughter, shivering violently to himself as he grew closer and closer to the source. The cackling stops at its peak, and with mass anxiety, Courage starts looking over his shoulder, checking every blind spot he has to prevent any surprises. When suddenly, a warm welcoming light beams at him from a doorway. He cautiously makes his way and nudges the door open just far enough to peer inside. From here, he is notably in the attic of the home now. And the light seemingly shines from behind a small curtain placed at the center side of the room. A small silhouette of a fragile elderly woman can be seen sitting behind the curtain, and Courage's fear is replaced by absolute curiosity. But anxiety returns twice fold when he hears the cackling once more, and the shadow of the woman seems to reach for something- pulling out what seems to be a small doll of some sort. The doll moves and laughs with her in an eerie high pitched screech, causing Courage to yell in terror and run out of the room to find his family.

He searches the rooms he runs past with quick glimpses inside. Trying to find any sign of whereabouts of either Eustace or Muriel. He finds Muriel in the Master's bedroom. She's sitting on a small chair placed by a grooming station by the bed. She sees him through the reflection and turns around to greet him. "Oh, Courage! There you are! You know, it's funny. Out of the whole house, this mirror is in perfect condition. My, how lucky, huh?" Courage feels slightly comforted by her usual optimistic and innocent mindset and slowly makes his way towards her. "Oh, and by the way!" She stops him, "I found this adorable little doll." With this, she turns to the side to pull out a doll. The doll seems to look innocent and mildly adorable. But Courage is not fooled by its charm, as his heart begins to thump loudly against his chest. It's the same doll he saw from the attic that the other woman had had. "Isn't it lovely?" Muriel asks as she hugs the doll close to her. She begins to go on about how for some reason, the doll brings her comfort in this broken home and world. But Courage's attention is caught by the mirror sitting behind her. When Muriel turns around to lift the doll into the air with praising glee, he notices the most terrifying thing in the reflection of the mirror. His reflection was fine, but Muriel's face was severely distorted. And worst of all, the doll was entirely different through its reflection. The face was nothing but demonic, bearing fang like teeth, wicked looking eyes, and ripped stitches from its body.

"No... no, no, no!" Courage whimpers to himself, as the doll in the reflection turns its head completely around to stare at Courage with its disgusting grin.

(To Be Continued)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
~Cloud '17