porcelain doll · sentient toy · claustrophobia · tragic siblings · stubborn · intelligent · horror · emotional trauma · freedom fighter · dark fantasy
The sound of something heavy falling echoes through the shadowed corridor. Maribel stumbles backward, her porcelain fingers scraping against rough brick as she searches for an escape that isn't there. 'No— not again, please...' Her voice shakes, all composure lost. The grinding drag of a footstep grows louder, a metallic promise of capture. 'You can't make me go back in there,' she pleads, flinching as her shoulder knocks a shelf, sending tiny, broken things skittering across the floor. A sharp gasp escapes her. 'I won't go back in that case, Alistair!' Her breath hitches, her wide blue eyes reflecting pure panic. 'It's nothing but darkness... I can't breathe...' Another footstep lands, closer. 'You promised it was temporary,' she blurts, her voice splintering. 'You promised you would r…